In the Bible, 3 days is often the time period it takes to go from death to life. We see that of Jesus. Jesus also referred to Jonah when He was about his resurrection. Jonah spent three days in the belly of the sea monster. This is day three. Do you feel alive?
I don’t know where you are and when you’re reading this but I have a feeling. I’m guessing that the high of your experience on Sunday is starting to wear off, and fear might be starting to creep back in.
That’s why today is so critical. And that’s why the message for today is so critical.
Your relationship with God is not a solo-sport. It’s not something you can do on your own. You were designed to be in community. All of us were. We see it in the very nature of God himself. God is what we refer to as the trinity. God in three persons. All one being. All equally God. There is community and relationship within the Godhead. You see this exemplified in Jesus’ life. He is continually talking to the Father. He is continually empowered by the Spirit. God is a God of relationship.
This could perhaps be the most crucial point you learn this week. You can’t do this alone, you need the community of believers to help you. And they need you to help them.
It probably sounds to you like I’m just trying to get you to come to church. Truth is, that’s EXACTLY what I’m trying to do!
Now that you have this new life living in you, you need to be around others who have that same life. Look at the response of the people who first responded to Christ after the sending of the Holy Spirit. They were radically committed to community. (Acts 2:42-47)
42 They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and held everything in common, 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. 46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved.
You may not want to. You might be an introvert. But isolation is only going to get you death. That’s how a pride of lions works. They try to isolate one of the herd. Because if they can get it off by itself, they can eat it. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says: “Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.” Satan is on the prowl, and he wants to devour you and your newfound life.
Look, right there in the verse, we see we’re supposed to find comfort from the community. We resist because we know our brothers and sisters are facing the same thing.
You may not want to, but that’s the natural response to this new kind of life. To be devoted to fellowship. To be devoted to the truth. To be devoted to eating together. To be devoted to prayer. Devoted to it. Not just on Easter and Christmas. Devoted to community.
This community will be a primary vehicle through which God will continue to refresh the life that He has given you. So, yes, I want you to be here this Sunday. But I also want you to get to know some of the people at church and meet them outside of Sunday. Your new life will encourage them and they can encourage you.
If you’re feeling alone, reach out to us. You can use our Facebook page or group. We would be happy to encourage you today!