Biblical Reasons for Community

The following notes are meant to be supplementary sermon content to go along with the Why: Community sermon above.

It is Your Nature: 

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26) 

We are created to mirror, reflect, and to show who God is. Fellowship is a communicable attribute of God; an attribute He shares with His creation. 

It is God’s Design: 

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22) 

For Encouragement:  
“Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (Thessalonians 5:11) 

For Accountability:  
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)  

*Biblical Example of Accountability: (Ex 18:17-19). 

For Growth:  
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) 

*Spur = to stir up, to provoke, to entice, to motivate 

For Guidance:  
“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” (Proverbs 27:9) “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) 

For Healing:  
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)