What Is Love? Week 5

Bloom Church Podcast

Life of Community – Critical Need for Community

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35 NLT

LOVE IN ACTION

“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” Romans 12:15-16 NLT

Community

Surgeon General’s Warning: Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation – Dr. Vivek H. Murthy

58% of Americans feel alone

73% of youth feel alone

Epidemic: an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time

Disease: harmful deviation from the normal structure or functional state…

29% increased risk of heart disease

32% increased risk of stroke

50% increased risk of developing dementia

60% increased risk of premature death

The Critical Need for Community

1. We were created for community

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7

“The Lord God said, “it is not good for the man to be alone…” Genesis 2:18 NIV

Healthy Relationships keep us happier, healthier and help us live longer

2. We were created to navigate the highs and lows of life together

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NIV

True friends never get in the way unless the way is down

“he was blameless-a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.” Job 1:1 NLT

“When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.”

Job 2:11-13 NLT

Evaluate your current community

“Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV

Life altering moments raise life-defining questions

Can you share your heart with them?

Can you communicate your joys with them?

Can you communicate your sorrows with them?

Can you share frustrations with them?

Can you share victories with them?

Can you share prayer requests with them?

Do they pray with you or for you?

Do they lift you up or tear you down?

Do they encourage you?

Do they add value to you?

Do they care about your spouse/family?

You can have connections and still be lonely

LIFE-GIVING community

3. Community Provides encouragement and accountability

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 NIV

4. Community provides shared joy and celebration

“Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” Romans 12:15

5. Community empowers us to fulfill our purpose

“All the believers were one in heart and mind.” Acts 4:32 NIV

TAKE HOME

Get in a life giving community