Strength in Community - Sermon Starter

Sermon Outline

Strength in Community

Scripture:  Varied

Introduced May 2011

Outline of the Sermon

Introduction:  Lost souls in the Christian faith want to “go it” alone; inevitably, they believe that strength in Christ, but apart from others, is enough.  The truth is that strength comes from the community, the church, of believers gathering together.

1.          Our Leader is Christ.

a.      John 6:67 … Did not Peter realize and speak on behalf of the believers that only Christ has the words of life?

b.      Matthew 16:15-16 … Again Peter says that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

2.          Our Motto is Forgiveness

Matthew 18:22 … Forgive our brothers or sisters indefinitely … for in forgiveness, that is our forgiveness of others, Christ’s forgivness shines through.

3.          Our Duty is to carry the burdens of others.

a.      Galatians 6:2 … Bear one another’s burden and so fulfill the law of Christ.

b.      In bearing another’s burdens, we realize how little we ought to be in our own eyes.

4.          Our responsibility is restoration.

Galatians 6:1 … We are to restore others from sins, weaknesses, burdens … be humble to go to others for help when necessary.

5.          Our lesson is submission.

Ephesians 5:21 … Going with others even at our own expense or allowing others the lime light just to revel in their accomplishment and not our own.

6.          Our Ultimate Aim is Love.  1 Thessalonians 4:9

a.      Love does not fantasize of the pleasure it receives from the person it appreciated … it gives, instead, at the expense of the giver.

b.      The giver counts it joy to give it.

Conclusion:

            Being part of a community of believers may seem to require much.  Community life is not for those who just merely want hugs, kisses, frills; community life is not for those who will play politics to get their own way; community life is not for those who look for romance or to make unhealthy emotional attachments or who (1 Thessalonians 4) want to defraud his brother or sister.

            Rather, community is a place to give and receive genuine love that says – just like Christ is with me always – we will be with each other always.  Through this experience, we are strengthened, commitments renewed, sins destroyed, faith increased, insights received, families bonded, and enemies set right.  Are you willing to be part of a community of believers?

Decision / Invitation

Stop walking the Christian life alone or thinking all you need is Christ and no church; begin gathering together for His glory.

Decision / Invitation

Sermon Creation Date:  Can’t remember; it was written, however, during a personal men’s retreat I attended.

Additions:  I can say for certain that this is a challenge to preach to hearers who really are only at church to get their ‘fill’ for the day.  Preachers, teachers, etc. can sometimes feel an emptiness in their local assemblies even though there are many people there.  Consider preaching this after much prayer and be sure to tailor it to your specific group.  pjm