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“How do I experience authentic community?”. Romans 12:9-13. Week One. What is true spirituality?. (Matthew 11:28-30). Loving God & loving people 24/7 from the heart!!. Relationship. How do I give God what He wants the most?. Week Two. (Romans 12:1). Am I going to trust God ? OR
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“How do I experience authentic community?” Romans 12:9-13
Week One What is true spirituality? (Matthew 11:28-30) Loving God & loving people 24/7 from the heart!! Relationship
How do I give God what He wants the most? Week Two (Romans 12:1) Am I going to trustGod? OR Am I going to trustmyself? Surrender
Week Three How do we get God’s best for our life? (Romans 12:2) • By getting serious about being intentional in our walk with God • By refusing to compromise in spite of the cost Conviction & Courage
Week Four Who do you really think you are? (Romans 12:3-8) The Key to An Honest & Accurate Picture of Who We Are….Is knowing the foundation of our self-worth Identity inChrist
Today (Romans 12:9-13) What is my relationship with other believers suppose to look like? How do I get connected from the heart with others on the same path?
Ability to Communicate Has never in history been greater than right now Yet we are so disconnected If you want to communicate you can and yet people are so disconnected!!
Less than 10% of all men in America have a true best friend.
Unfortunately The one place where God designed for authentic community to happen, it often is not happening!!
We Call it Church The experience of a great majority of Americans in the church community today.
1 Samuel Chapter 18:1 “After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.” NIV
Literal Text Meaning “God knit their souls together.”
1 Samuel Chapter 18:2 “From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house.” NIV
A Shepherd Boy &A Prince God orchestrates circumstances and chemistry between some of the least likely people.
Be Aware Be open to God’s leading to bring people together.
Man looks at the outward appearance The Lord Weighs the Heart
Be Intentional To be a part of an authentic community... You have to be intentional!
1 Samuel Chapter 18:3 “Jonathon made a covenant with David because he loved him.” NIV
Authentic Community Has to be a Priority • God knit their hearts together • God orchestrates the chemistry • We intentionally pursue • We intentionally commit
Be Available 1 Samuel Chapter 20:1a “Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan...” NIV
When Crisis Comes • There’s cost involved • There’s sacrifice • True friends show up and ask the question: What can I do to help?
Be Loyal • When things heat up • When trouble comes Real friends never beat feet the other way!
Real Friends Say • “I’m here for you.” • “How are we going to get you through this?” • “What’s the game plan going to be?”
Romans 12:9-13 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. NIV
God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness.
Sincere Love • Requires concentration and effort • Means helping others become better people • Demands our time, money and personal involvement
Authentic Community • Be Aware • Be Intentional • Be Available • Be Loyal