BELONGING AND UNITED

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.