We participated in touching praise and worship. Pastor shared It’s Big, part 5 of the Culture Shift series.
We are always working towards a healthy church culture. It should always be in line with the Church's desire to know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him.
There is risk and reward. It requires shared time and space.
One of Pastor’s theology professors warned the students that “in ministry you can't really have friends within the church”. Pastor never liked that idea and for him it has not been true. But to have friends in the church required risk and provided reward.
Relationships are worth the risk.
Social skills can be learned and improved. 60 percent of people are introverts. It is likely that they have fewer and deeper relationships than extroverts. But it is not good to dwell in aloneness. Studies show that those who interact with friends are less at risk of suffering dementia.
We are meant for relationships. The greatest moments in life are shared moments. Relationships helps forward motion. While David was out shepherding who did he talk to? He spent time with God. Later he formed a bond with Jonathan who saved his life.
David’s son, King Solomon later writes in Proverbs:
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20.
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17.
In one of the oldest stories in the Bible, Job's three close friends came from a distance to help during his troubles.
The early church met together and helped each other. The early church was built on very strong culture of relationships. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.
We strive to be an Acts 2:42 church today.
The Point: A church cannot be healthy without a culture of healthy relationships.
“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47. The Lord added broken people to be saved.
We are to love each other. Our caring for one another should be mutual.
Satan does all he can to destroy relationships. He comes as a thief to steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10. Like a lion after prey, Satan finds the weak and those on the fringes. 1 Peter 5:8.
Better that we humble ourselves and rely on God. 1 Peter 5:6.
How can we be sure our church culture is healthy?
Treat others with a Ton of Grace.
Watch our words.
Care for each other.
Devote yourself to mutual relationships with others.
Join a small group.
Find somebody to send note this week.
I like this song for today’s message: Love is a Medicine.
A Verse for Today:Acts 2:42 (NIV)
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
My prayer today: Lord, please make me a better friend!
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