The Blessing of Community

July 1, 2020

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

Why do we meet together? I mean, seriously, week after week, Sunday after Sunday. Why do we get together as a body? And why do we put such a priority on groups? We can study the Word of God on our own. We all have a copy of the Bible in hardcopy or on our devices in virtually any version we wish. Through the internet we have access to endless study resources. If we want to listen to a sermon, we can hear the greatest preachers on the planet via podcasts.

We can listen to amazing worship music and sing along at a volume level of our choosing, regardless of our skill level, through any number of music streaming services. You can “get your worship on” anywhere with virtually any kind of favorite music. Everything we meet together to do on a Sunday or in a group, we can do by ourselves, so what is the point?

When we are together with the people of God, we are lifting our voices in prayer and worship, not just to the Lord, but we are lifting them over one another. We are encouraging each other and stirring up our faith. The Jesus in me connects with the Jesus in you, and both of us are stronger. Together we learn from the Word of God and from the insights of others. In community with people who know us and have similar situations, we can learn in ways we couldn’t otherwise. There is a vital sense of mutual accountability that we can get no other way. It is only in the community of the church that we are able to stir one another up to love and do good works. We encourage one another to press on. We forgive and are forgiven. Following Jesus is a team activity. We are together the bride of Christ, and also His body to the world. No one can do it alone.

It is in this local community, as we consistently gather, that we become the person we can only become as we sacrifice for the sake of someone else. It is in this local community that we become part of the global body of Christ. Getting together is the motivational tool we need to be at our best. It is the blessing of community.

• The national average for Christians who consider themselves to be regular “church attendees” attend 1.7 times per month. Where are you on the average?
• We need to be careful about the consumer mentality and not just think about what benefits me. When we become part of the body of Christ, we are needed by other followers. I need to be part of the community for them. How are you participating in ways to bless others?
• Thank God for your local community. Pray for it and for the body of Christ around the world.