Foundations: Community - SERMON NOTES

Intro: (1) series recap (2) specific words of togetherness for a common goal (cf. operating room)

Comfort
1. Sinful people (Isaiah 40:1-11): (1) Israel’s sin/exile → our failures, consequences (2) a key to
community is remembering we’re all battling sin (3) comforting words → God’s tenderness (1-2), God’s nearness (3-5), God’s trustworthiness (v.6-8) (4) sin, not struggles, our greatest burden (cf. lady dying of cancer) → communion

2. Suffering people (John 11:21-26): (1) v.21-22 → what Jesus is capable of (2) v.23-26 → common response followed by PRESENT hope (4) Lazarus’ death creates greater experience of Jesus → suffering can create uniquely intimate experiences with the Lord (cf. Tada quote) (5) 2 Cor. 1:3-4 → our sufferings help us comfort others (cf. female L/D doc) (6) comfort NOT fixing

Kindness
1. Difficult People (Colossians 3:12-14): (1) “be kind” slogan (2) def’n → goodness/grace toward others, grounded in heart-level affection (3) v.12 → “put on” (not natural (4) v.13 → exhibited in face of complaints, grounded in forgiveness (5) examples → personality, secondary doctrine, online, politics, critic, misunderstandings (7) Gen. 1:27, Rom. 2:4

2. Discouraged People (Luke 8:43-48): (1) v.43 → overwhelmed (2) reasons → setbacks,
comparison, work/money/family, seen in fear/fatigue/frustration (2) v.44 → where do we take discouragement? (3) v.46 → requires supernatural power (4) v.48 → relational (cf. shep group), encouraging (“you’re doing well”), assuring (continued presence) (5) looking for and listening

Conclusion: these aspects of mundane community (cf. qb on trash/baths) → what HS activity looks like

Tada: “It sounds incredible, but I really would rather be in this wheelchair knowing Jesus as I do than be on my feet without him . . . I can’t tell you how many nights I laid in bed, unable to move, stiff with pain, and have whispered through my tears, ‘Oh, Jesus, I’m so happy. So very happy in you!’ I thank God every day for my wheelchair.”