Designed to Connect

Bible Introduction (2m)

Humans and Lego - Designed to Connect

Lego bricks

By itself - little purpose. Designed to be part of a greater purpose. Humans designed to connect/meaningful relationships.

Why?

Genesis 1:1-2:3 (Stan).

Introduction (5m)

Loneliness - The Scourge of Modern Life

2014 - Britain loneliest capital in Europe. Why? Bustling, exciting, opportunities to meet new people. But lonely. No sense of community. Busyness - find it difficult to make new friends.

Drive on congested roads, cram into overcrowded public transport, go to noisy restaurants and shopping centres, but still feel alone.

Danger - social isolation can increase mortality by 29%, more than obesity. Can increase risk of depression > withdrawal > more depression > spiral.

Very likely worse since pandemic.

Why such a problem? We are designed to connect!

Not designed to walk alone. Have a deep need to connect with others. Why? Designed by God to connect.

Explanation (5m)

Our plural God

Genesis 1:26 NLT

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

Who is “us”?

Our image. Like us. Not “royal we” or angels, but God himself. Not a typo:

Genesis 1:1 NLT

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

“In the beginning God” - Heb. Bereshith bara Elohim - God/Elohim is plural. In the beginning was the Relationship (Rohr). God plural created:

Genesis 1:2 NLT

The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

John 1:1 NLT

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

“Us” clearly Trinity, though writer/hearers would not have realised this at time. Needed more divine revelation.

From the beginning of time, God is relational

First 4 words, from very creation, all three Persons involved. Even when only God existed, he was never alone. God himself is a picture of what life is about, community, relationship, joy, love.

God has always existed in a connected community. God is community. Dynamic flow of fellowship.

God designed us in his image to connect

Our desire for relationship/community is rooted in God himself. He designed: family, friendship, church, community, city, nation. All reflect the relational character of God.

God invites us to connect with him

Icon: Trinity - Andrei Rublev, Russian painter, 15th C

Three messengers who visited Abraham/Sarah to announce birth of future child = Trinity.

Scene involves three figures, three sides of the table, opening on fourth side - inviting viewer to connect with them, join their relationship. Draw near, sit at table, join in intimate conversation.

Notice hole at front of table. Art historians found traces of glue. Suggested mirror may have been glued to icon - emphasising we, the viewer, are invited to connect with God.

If not connected with God, now is the time to do it

God designed us in his image to connect with each other

Whole creation account = beautiful picture of collaborative way in which universe operates

Nothing made for itself alone. Everything contributes to whole. Structure and light/light bearers - sun, moon, stars; sky and water/birds and sea creatures, land and plants/animals and humans:

Genesis 2:18 NLT

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

Designed to connect!

God says loneliness is not good. Isolation not good. Created families, church, friendship, cities, nations all because not good to be alone.

Created for deep, meaningful relationships with other human beings

Application (5m)

Important because much in world designed to disconnect us

Live at such speed, no time for anything, including connecting with others

Small groups - no time!

Pandemic encourages us to isolate ourselves and never leave the house

Social distancing - necessary but not what God desires for us. Can sit in house and get everything we need - order in takeaways, get groceries delivered, anything else from Amazon. Can get it all without connecting to anyone. Even church - online.

Not criticising those who don’t yet feel it’s safe, but the temptation to carrying on isolating because we no longer feel the need to connect

Days gone by met people “Christians” who never went to church because Christian life was just them and Jesus

Didn’t need anyone else. Now just as likely to say no need to go to church because I can worship from home.

Misses the point. God created us to be in community with each other:

Mark 12:29–31 NLT

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Loving God, loving each other - not two options. Inextricably linked. Flow out of each other.

Glad you’re here and online, but this is not connecting

At best (and it often is!) when we speak with people on Sunday, enjoy coffee with them, etc. it’s nothing more than lego bricks in a box.

We can’t connect in deep, meaningful way because there’s no time to connect in this way.

Deep, meaningful relationships take time. Needs intention. Need to connect on purpose.

Best way to do that is in a small group

Why often in TSA, the deepest, most meaningful relationships can be found in musical sections, or people that serve together (e.g. kitchen), etc. Small groups, spending more time together > deep, meaningful relationships.

Take opportunity of free Sunday afternoons/evenings to join with a small group

Cannot grow living and vibrant Christian life by yourself. Connect. Spend quality time with others. Take time to learn about and be involved in each others lives. Pray for each other. Study Bible together. Laugh, cry together. Eat and drink together. Do life together.

What’s stopping you?

If it’s time or no need for it, might be devil whispering in your ear. He doesn’t want you to connect. Shyness, hurt, anxiety (esp. COVID), understand but ask God to help you get over those kind of barriers.

Use the opportunity of small groups to do what created to do - connect with God and others

Like lego, you are designed to connect. Why not ask someone to join in a small group with you today? Let me know who, where meeting and when.

Next Steps

SOF4 2058 - There’s a dance that all creation is invited to join

1 There's a dance that all creation is invited to join, where the Father, Son and Spirit interact and combine. It's a dance where everyone can contribute to the whole in the Spirit, through the Saviour, to the Father. 2 With our minds and with our heart and strength, yes, all we can bring, we are welcomed and included in the dance of the King. What astonishing salvation that has come to our aid, in the Spirit, through the Saviour, to the Father. La la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la. (Repeat) This is the dance full of glorious diversity. This is the dance of our God. 3 In the Spirit, with the Saviour, we will worship you, God, looking through your eyes of mercy to the world that you love. And the dance that takes us into your compassion and grace will return us to the mission of the Father. 4 Join the worldwide celebration with our God, Three in One. For this dance of liberation is for all who will come. And the wonder of this moment is that we now belong in the Spirit, through the Saviour, to the Father. (Last time) La la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la. (Repeat) This is the dance full of glorious diversity. This is the dance in the mystery of the Trinity. This is the dance of our God. Geraldine Latty (born 1963) & Mike Busbee © 2005 Thankyou Music/admin. by worshiptogether.com songs excluding UK & Europe, admin. by kingswaysongs.com [e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]> Used by permission Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 30158 Copied from HymnQuest: Copyright Licence Users' Edition HymnQuest ID: 45019 CCLI#: