We cannot move in 2023 without community in our lives.

God is highlighting in this season the need for community across the global and local church.

God is going to advance the Kingdom through community. We are not meant to do life alone.

The early church, when God was moving and leading the church, was brought into community.

Being intentional about community

We are meant to be planted and bear fruit for Jesus and grow in Jesus.

There’s a place for growing with God in the secret place, which is the first growing place.

The second is growing as a community.

What you intentionally put into your life is what comes out.

Negativity and depression in us will not allow us to move forward.

The best ingredient for this season of growth is intentionally doing community.

Doing community is a tension. From young we are taught to do things by ourselves. The Kingdom doesn’t work that way.

““And I ask not only for these disciples, but also for all those who will one day believe in me through their message. I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me. For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy. You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God doesn’t want us to do life by our ourselves.

“In the same way, the younger ones should willingly support the leadership of the elders. In every relationship, each of you must wrap around yourself the apron of a humble servant. Because: God resists you when you are proud but multiplies grace and favor when you are humble.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Community is not just meeting, eating and going. Community provides cover for our lives when we have community.

The covering comes from God.

In community, the grace of God starts flowing into your life. God called us to be plugged into community.

Community is submitting to others in community in humility. It takes humility to say we need one another.

Community is our water. It provides the spiritual charge up for our lives.

Choosing community is a tough choice.
Community is a deliberate choice and kills the thoughts of, “I don’t need people.”

We are constantly looking at other people and communities and wishing we had that. Comparison comes in and promotes unthankfulness in our heart.

Community is doing life together. It is a level of intimacy: into me you see.

The wall of individualism and loneliness breaks off your life in community.

What would a culture of love look like? Where we meet and pray for one another’s needs?

Let us be generous with our love for one another.

We find strength in community. Who you hang out and do life with is vital.

Jonathan was a strength to David.
Who is your Jonathan and who is your David?

We are meant to be a Jonathan to someone else?

As a believer we carry the power and authority of Jesus. In community, we have authority to pray for one another.

Community is like the body healing the body. Community brings healing.

What kind of community are we going after?

“Then Jesus said, “Once there was a father with two sons. The younger son came to his father and said, ‘Father, don’t you think it’s time to give me my share of your estate?’ So the father went ahead and distributed between the two sons their inheritance. Shortly afterward, the younger son packed up all his belongings and traveled off to see the world. He journeyed to a far-off land where he soon wasted all he was given in a binge of extravagant and reckless living. “With everything spent and nothing left, he grew hungry, because there was a severe famine in that land. So he begged a farmer in that country to hire him. The farmer hired him and sent him out to feed the pigs. The son was so famished, he was willing even to eat the slop given to the pigs, because no one would feed him a thing. “Humiliated, the son finally realized what he was doing, and he thought, ‘There are many workers at my father’s house who have all the food they want with plenty to spare. They lack nothing. Why am I here dying of hunger, feeding these pigs and eating their slop? I want to go back home to my father’s house, and I’ll say to him, “Father, I was wrong. I have sinned against you. I’ll never again be worthy to be called your son. Please, Father, just treat me like one of your employees.” ’ “So the young son set off for home. From a long distance away, his father saw him coming, dressed as a beggar, and great compassion swelled up in his heart for his son who was returning home. The father raced out to meet him, swept him up in his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with tender love. “Then the son said, ‘Father, I was wrong. I have sinned against you. I could never deserve to be called your son. Just let me be—’ “The father interrupted and said, ‘Son, you’re home now!’ “Turning to his servants, the father said, ‘Quick, bring me the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders. Bring the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger. And bring out the best shoes you can find for my son. Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate. For my beloved son was once dead, but now he’s alive! Once he was lost, but now he is found!’ And everyone celebrated with overflowing joy. “Now, the older son was out working in the field when his brother returned, and as he approached the house, he heard the music of celebration and dancing. He called over one of the servants and asked, ‘What’s going on?’ “The servant replied, ‘It’s your younger brother. He’s returned home and your father is throwing a party to celebrate his homecoming.’ “The older son became angry and refused to go in and celebrate. So his father came out and pleaded with him, ‘Come and enjoy the feast with us!’ “The son said, ‘Father, listen! How many years have I worked like a slave for you, performing every duty you’ve asked as a faithful son? And I’ve never once disobeyed you. But you’ve never thrown a party for me because of my faithfulness. Never once have you even given me a goat that I could feast on and celebrate with my friends as this son of yours is doing now. Look at him! He comes back after wasting your wealth on prostitutes and reckless living, and here you are throwing a great feast to celebrate—for him!’ “The father said, ‘My son, you are always with me by my side. Everything I have is yours to enjoy. It’s only right to rejoice and celebrate like this, because your brother was once dead and gone, but now he is alive and back with us again. He was lost, but now he is found!’ ””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬-‭32‬ ‭TPT‬‬

In the story of the prodigal son, taking his inheritance is the same as saying to the father to die.

In the end, the son returns home after making a mess. And the father meets him after seeing him from afar. The father loved him even in his mess.

We want to be a community that will generous with forgiveness like our Father. We want to be a community that sees the gold in each other. To move in love and forgiveness.

So many prodigals are waiting to come back to church. We need fathers and mothers in the community to love on the prodigals.

On the cross, God gave His only begotten Son, His best, to us. That we would do the same for one another in community.

Community means forgiveness, moving in love and celebrating one another.

In this kind of community, the Father begins to move. The community will create an atmosphere that will draw the broken.

You are the greatest breakthrough and blessings to someone else. Don’t hold back, give your strength away.

Certain breakthroughs only happen in submission to community.