
BELONGING AND UNITED
Updated: Feb 28
6/13/2021 PART 2:

I was reading a couple of articles about the mental health of different groups of people and the
adverse effects of the lockdown from COVID-19. They were saying how it has really affected children and their social interactions and how so
many children are depressed and lonely. They found many of them are losing social skills
because they have replaced people with T.V. and internet devices.
A leading physiologist said the New Epidemic is the Loneliness Epidemic. They said one in three adults over the age of 45 is lonely.
People are rushing out to have community and gatherings because we need to belong.
Belonging is just as essential as food and water. Very few people could really exist alone. God created us to be in a community and to do life with others. Some people act like they don’t need anyone that is just acting. They say people act that way to hide their fear and weakness. No one can really do life alone.
The movie, “Cast Away” showed the truth. We will create community even if it is with soccer
balls. We need each other.
Brene Brown said, “One of the biggest surprises in this research was learning that fitting in and
belonging are not the same thing. In fact, fitting in is one of the greatest barriers to belonging.
Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be in order to be
accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us
to be who we are.”
I see that God created us not to fit in. He did create us to belong. This is the power and the
church and community.
So many people are struggling with isolation now. Many feel used to working from home and
now to go back to an office where there are other people is being challenged. Isolation and
loneliness is attacking God’s people also.
We need to come to church. We need to get out and do life with other people.
Many people stop coming to church for many different reasons. Some move away. Some get so
busy in work they just stop coming.
Listen to this statistic:
29% of people claimed to not feel connected to the people of the church.
32% of people claimed that the people of the church were judgmental and hypocritical.
These two were the highest reasons for people to stop coming to church.
“Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should
not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and
encourage each other. “Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one
another, just as you are doing.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 NCV
God is calling us to create a church/family that is the place for others to belong. In the process of
belonging we now can create unity by being in unity. Unity is power.
1. Let us think about each other. This is huge. We live in a time where most people only think
about themselves. I was reading a news article about a lady pumping gas and a huge guy gets
out and just walks up to her and begins to viciously beat her up for no reason. Many people
just stood and watched. A few videos recorded it but no one yelled at or even attempted to
help.,Jesus teaches us to be a people with our eyes and hearts open for others.
2. Let us help each other to show love. What is the best way to help others show love? The
greatest example is to show it yourself. When we show love others can see love in action.
Love is action and not just lip service.
“‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.”
Matthew 15:8 AMP
Jesus has a problem with lip service. Talk is cheap. Love is the greatest power in the world
today. Real love must come from a heart that has love in it. Only when Jesus is in our hearts
can we show real love and make a real difference. People can tell when your love is real and when it is not.
3. Let us help each other do good deeds. It is so amazing when we are really thinking
about each other. It was so wonderful when I was not feeling well and Pastor Joe brought me
some soup. When we do good things for people it says we are serving outside of ourselves.
Thinking good thoughts is not enough, doing good deeds is not enough, seeing others follow your
good examples are enough.
Douglas Horton
I remember in the drive-thru of Starbucks and someone ahead of me paid for my drinks and i
thought that was such a kind thing to do that I did and passed it on. Good deeds create a ripple effect. Helping and caring is power.
“So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not
only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially
[be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).”
Galatians 6:10 AMP
Imagine when we create an environment in our church and life where we are thinking about
others, helping others show love, and showing then good deeds here is a wonderful
environment. This is the model of family. This is a model of the church that Jesus died and rose for. This is the model of DCI for us to follow.
4. Church is essential. 2020 changed so many people’s attitudes towards church and
community and belonging. Many people struggle now to get back counted with church and
relationships. They have been disconnected and now are the power of community is not flowing
thru them.
Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to
a sick man. – Dwight L. Moody
You can be committed to Church but not committed to Christ, but you cannot be
committed to Christ and not committed to church. – Joel Osteen
The Church is the one institution that exists for those outside it. William Tyndale
Churchgoers are like coals in a fire. When they cling together, they keep the flame aglow; when
they separate, they die out. Billy Graham
5. We should meet together and encourage each other. Meeting together is how we create
the power of community. Even the Word says there is a power in 2 or more. When we combine
our hearts, power, vision, love we are a force to be reckoned with. We need to realize that many times others need you. They need your strength. They need your story. They need your faith. They need your support.
“Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMP
6. As you see the day coming. “not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25 AMP
You can see that our world is changing and the times are truly becoming the end times. I do not
believe this is the end of the world but we need and are called to meet more and more as you
see the times. This is an instruction from God to us. Not meet less but to meet more and more.
7. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!”
Psalms 133:1 AMP
A Prayer for Unity: God, We need you. Some days feel so broken and uncertain. We’re
hurting, we’re struggling, and we’re aware, more than ever, of our own weaknesses, and of the
dark forces that constantly surround us, fighting to gain ground in our lives and families. We
choose to stand our ground today and say, “no more.” We ask for your help to set aside our
differences and look to the greater cause, the cause of Christ. We ask that you would help us
to truly live a life of love. We ask that you surround this country and cover us with your mighty
hand. We pray for unity in our land, that in spite of our differences, we would be willing to stand
strong together and live out our days with compassion and grace. Remind us to live aware, to
redeem the time, listen to your words, and be willing to make a difference in this land. Give us
the courage to speak out. Amen.