Why We Need Others
(Hebrews 10:19-25; 12:1-3)

It is a privilege to dwell among other Christians, because Christ lived amongst enemies.

We were created to need others
(Genesis 2:18; Mark 14; John 1)

“Let him who is not in community beware of being alone. Into community you were called, the call was not meant for you alone; in the community of the called you bear your cross, you struggles, you pray. You are not alone, even in death, and on the Last Day, you will be only one member of the great congregation of Jesus Christ. If you scorn the fellowship of the brethren, you reject the call of Jesus Christ” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

We have a near infinite capacity for Self-Deception

Satan is the Great Accuser, Deceiver, Distractor, & Confuser.

We are so good at convincing ourselves that

1. What we’re doing is not sin (1 Samuel 15, Romans 1)

2. That our sin is acceptable because of the good we’re doing (Acts 5)

3. That we deserve God’s blessing (Luke 15)

4. That our private sins won’t hurt anyone else (Joshua 7)

Take heart! You’re worse than you think you are, but Your Savior is greater than you think He is!

“The Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word of salvation… The goal of all Christian community: they meet one another as bringers of the message of salvation” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer

We need others to remind us of who we are in Christ

What does spiritual community look like?

We live as one body with one goal: to see Christ glorified in our lives and in others (1 Corinthians 12)

It is found and fought for.

Our community consists not in who a person is, but in what Christ has done for each of us (Acts 21; 2 Timothy 2:10)

Dealing with Sin Together- We are called to…

Confess Our Sins to One Another (James 5:16)

Be Bold and Broken-Hearted in Bearing Each Other’s Burdens (Gal 5:24-6:4; 1 Peter 4:8; Matthew 18:15-17)

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” –Ephesians 5:25-27