Welcome to “Going Deeper with the Word.” In this segment, we welcome people of all backgrounds, religious or not, to review the Word of God. The Word of God provides guidance, direction, and instructions for living our lives and walking with God.
Today, we examine how God’s Word provides clear guidance and direction about finding God in community.
Let’s review examples of God’s Word that can lead and guide our steps and back up the principles we learned in today’s message. I will be reading scripture today from the Amplified Bible.
If you are watching this message online, we invite you to share your comments as we review each verse.
Here is our first verse.
For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:20
In this verse, Jesus explains that where two or more are gathered, we can know that His presence is among them. This truth helps us to understand why, in a group of prayer, we can know and even sense the spirit of the Lord within the room. We can know that when we join hands in prayer, that the presence of the Lord is all around us, be it 2 people or 2,000 people; the Lord is near.
Question: Have you noticed a feeling or sense of something different when you pray in a group setting versus when you pray alone? If yes, describe the experience and how it made you feel.
Let’s have a look at another verse.
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.
Romans 12:1
In this verse, Apostle Paul explains that one form of worship is the act of dedicating oneself fully to a godly life. He even uses the term ‘sacrifice’. This is understandable. In a world that is largely turned away from godliness and holiness, we must turn away from what is ‘normal’ to others and sacrifice the creature comforts that may come from ‘going with the flow’. Often, living a life that is ‘holy and well-pleasing to God’ means living a life that is ridiculed and mocked by others. Living this way, however, is a genuine act of worshipping God.
Question: Can you think of a recent event in your life where you had to choose between ‘going with the flow’ in a way that you know would not be pleasing to God and doing the ‘right’ thing that would be well-pleasing to God. What did you choose and why?
Let’s look at one last verse.
Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
Peter 4:10
In this verse, we are reminded of the benefit and importance of serving. The verse explains that God has actually placed gifts within each of us so that we can be stewards of God’s grace. God can and will use each of us to bless and provide favor to others. In particular, when we -ask- God to use us as a vessel, we can find ourselves in unique and interesting situations that are custom tailored to the unique gifts He has planted within us. He will use us to provide wisdom to someone who needs information. He will use us to provide assistance to someone who is in need. God may use us in response to a prayer from someone you will meet only once and never see again!
Question: Can you think of a recent time when you were able to help someone in need? Have you considered that God ‘directed’ you to this individual to encounter their situation and circumstances at a precise time and place? If this were the case, would you want God to continue to ‘dispatch’ you to opportunities to serve? Why?
When we -seek- God in community, there are many exciting ways He will allow Himself to be found. God truly desires a relationship with us, and He will be delighted to interact with us in ways that place us in communities.
He will be delighted to hear and see our praise and worship in the community. His presence will be near when we join with others in prayer. He will gladly dispatch us on assignment to answer a prayer on His behalf for someone in need.
Know that God loves you more than you can fathom. His invitation to you is rooted in love, to walk with Him day-by-day for the rest of your days. Accept the invitation to make Him first in your life today.
Thank you for your time in reviewing these verses with me today. Please be sure to share in the comments how these or other examples of God’s Word have helped you to find God in community.
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Have an amazing week, and we will catch you next time.
Bless you.
