Live It Out - We Are in This Together
1 John 4:7-12
Imagine what could happen if everyone who calls themselves a believer helped someone take their next step of faith; what kind of impact could we have? Journey Church is built on the idea that we are not standing still. We're all taking steps of faith, and we're all helping others to do the same. Faith is a journey that never stops. This week we will talk about how God never calls us to be stagnant; He's always calling us forward, deeper into the life He has for us.
1. What idea or statement impacted you the most as you listened to this week’s message?
2. This week, Pastor James focused on the principle we call We are in this together. God designed it so our faith can grow in and through relationships. To grow spiritually, you have to connect relationally. Why do you think God designed spiritual growth to happen in and through relationships? How have relationships impacted your spiritual journey?
3. Have you ever been in a room full of people yet felt all alone? What would have helped you in that moment? How can you help others who feel all alone in a full room?
4. Read 1 John 4:7-12. God isn’t just telling us what to do; He’s empowering us to do it. He’s giving us the power to overcome loneliness and isolation and given us the power to build genuine connections. How does knowing that God has set His love upon you change your perspective on connecting with others?
5. Consider John 17:21. "Father, make them one as we are one, so that the world may know that You sent me." This was Jesus’ prayer for us 2000 years ago, and He is still praying this way for us today. Our unity and love for one another are meant to be a living testimony of God’s love and power to the world. How does our unity and love for one another serve as a testimony to the world? Can you share an example where you witnessed this impact?
6. The world will know that we are the church through our unity. So unity is not something that is a bonus, but it is mission critical for us being the church. Discuss the statement: “The love that God calls us to isn’t a burden, it’s a gift.” How does this perspective shift your approach to loving others?
7. Read Hebrews 13:2. Pastor James said we need to “Consistently Pursue People.” When we prioritize relationships, we create a culture where everyone feels seen and valued. Small acts of reaching out often have the biggest impact. How does valuing others show that people matter to God?
8. How have you observed changes in the ways people connect with each other over the course of your life? Do you think these changes have made relationships better or worse, and why? Can you share a personal example or observation that supports your view?
9. Why do you think the Enemy’s strategy is to isolate us? How can we actively resist this tactic?
10. In what ways have you struggled to form meaningful connections, and what steps can you take to build deeper relationships?
11. Read Philippians 2:3-4. Selfish ambition will never satisfy our needs. The more self-centered we are, the lonelier we become—a cycle of loneliness. How is serving others the practical demonstration of love in action?
12. Read Ephesians 4:29. Words have the unique ability to nourish and sustain the bonds of community. Think about the last time someone spoke a word of encouragement over you. How did it make you feel?
13.Read Colossians 3:12–13. Reflect on the concept that loving others sometimes means loving them “in their mess.” How can we show grace and patience to people who may not be easy to love? Why do you think forgiveness is so challenging, and what steps can we take to practice it more effectively?
In a few weeks, we will have three Nights of Prayer. Each night, we will focus our prayers on a specific aspect of the Ten-Year Vision God has given our church.
- November 17, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m. We will meet for prayer online. This night, we will pray specifically for Missions and our impact in Haiti, The Dominican Republic, India, and worldwide.
- November 19, 2024, @ 6:30 p.m.: 4 Rivers restaurant in Daytona. This night, we will pray for the launch of our Daytona location and the rest of the ten locations to come.
- November 21, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m. We will meet at the Dreka Theater in DeLand and pray for our DeLand location to include raising the rest of the funds for renovations, for impact in the City of DeLand, and that renovations will proceed without delays or complications.
Pastor James' Sermon Notes
We Are In This Together – Live It Out Part 2
Everyone helping someone take steps to follow Jesus Christ.
We are in this together
(1 John 4:7–12 NIV) "7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
"Father, make them one as we are one, so that the world may know that You sent me." (John 17:21).
Consistently Pursue Others
"Seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13 ESV)
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers." (Hebrews 13:2 ESV)
Seek to Serve others.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)
(1 Peter 4:10 NIV) "10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Speak Words that build others up.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
(Hebrews 10:25 NIV) "25 Do not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Freely extend Grace to others
(Romans 12:17–18 ESV) "17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
(Ephesians 4:2 NLT) "2 Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love."
(Colossians 3:12–13 NIV) "12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
"Father, make them one as we are one, so that the world may know that You sent me." (John 17:21).