Stronger Together

Demonstration of the parable of the sticks.

We are stronger together than when we are alone. The church gathers for strength.

Getting Stronger Together Is Messy But Powerful

Proverbs 14:4 NLT

4 Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

In essence, if you don’t want any messes, don’t have any oxen in the stalls. There’s a downside, though. No productivity!

Being in community is messy too. Sometimes we hurt one another. We disagree. Frankly, sometimes we don’t like each other very much.

It can get kinda stinky at church sometimes, just like a stable.

At the same time, a bunch of messy oxen can bring an incredible harvest.

Ephesians 4:2 NLT

2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

In all our stubborn, cranky messiness there’s a great opporunity.

Being Stronger Together Means Spiritual Protection

1 Peter 5:8 NLT

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Lions are lazy hunters.

They prey on the weak, the wounded, the young. Any animal that has gotten separated from the herd.

Note: someone. Not the church. Satan is looking for easy targets to kill, steal and destroy.

Jesus calls Satan a thief.

John 10:10 NLT

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

It’s so much more difficult for Satan to destroy us when we’re being strengthened and encouraged by one another.

There’s strength in numbers.

Pastor’s heart: You may not necessarily be the one being encouraged or strengthened every time we gather. It might your turn to do the encouraging! And you might not even realize it’s happening!

1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT

13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

For one another.

Like a bundle of sticks we are bound together in faith and love and we are stronger together.

We Are Greater Than The Sum of Our Parts

Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Same idea. One someone can be defeated. Two are stronger. Three is even better!

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NLT

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

If you’re feeling down, having a hard time, hurting, just tired. Need some help getting going again.

First, get together. Be a part of the church. Engaged.

Second let someone know. (we’re all pretty bad about that).

Conclusion

Together we have a greater harvest.

Together we are better protected.

Together we are greater than when we are apart.