The main idea of the message was to encourage us to find our people and love our neighbor. Pastor Tyler emphasized the importance of belonging, being real, and staying in a community. He reminded us that staying in a community can lead to growth and intimacy, and that correction can help us grow closer to God.
Romans 12:4-5, Psalm 92:12-14, Luke 15:11-24, Psalm 68:5-6, Psalm 141:5, Proverbs 15:32, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:7-8,10-11, James 5:19-20
Why is it important to love discipline and be trained in God's ways?
How can staying in a community lead to growth and intimacy?
In what ways can we show love and commitment to our community?
Today, Pastor Tyler spoke to us about the three commitments of a Jesus community: belonging, being real, and staying. He reminded us that just as our physical bodies have many parts with different functions, we are all part of one body in Christ and we belong to each other. Pastor Tyler also emphasized the importance of staying in a community, using the example of a palm tree that flourishes when planted and rooted in a certain place. He quoted John Mark Comer, saying that as a general rule, it is the people who stay that grow. He also shared the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15, highlighting how the son's decision to stay with his father led to reconciliation and celebration. Pastor Tyler pointed out that intimacy can only exist in the safety of commitment and referenced Psalm 68:5-6, which speaks of God placing the lonely in families. He then discussed the three temptations that make us want to leave a community: avoiding inconvenience, conflict, and correction. He reminded us not to confuse correction with rejection and shared how correction can help us grow up and grow close to God. He referenced Psalm 141:5, Proverbs 15:32, and Proverbs 12:1 to support this point. Pastor Tyler also encouraged us to love discipline and reminded us of the importance of being trained in God's ways. He referenced Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:7-8,10-11, and James 5:19-20 to illustrate this.
Let us make the commitment to belong, to be real, and to stay in a community.
Let us remember that correction helps us grow up and grow close to God.