You Don’t Have to Be with Everybody – But You Have to Be with Somebody
From the very beginning, God designed humanity for relationship. Before anything else existed, God Himself existed in perfect community as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When He created us, He made us in His image—relational beings with a deep, God-given longing for connection. This longing is not a flaw, but a reflection of our Creator. We are built for belonging.
Yet, in our modern world, we find ourselves more connected than ever through technology, but more isolated than any previous generation. The statistics are staggering—loneliness is rampant, especially among younger generations. Despite our souls crying out for connection, we often retreat further into isolation.But God’s vision for us is so much bigger. The New Testament paints a picture of the church not as a building or an event, but as a family—a people called out and gathered together by God. However, many of us have been hurt, disappointed, or simply overwhelmed by life, and have pulled away from Christian community. The writer of Hebrews urges us not to neglect meeting together, reminding us that isolation is not just a personal preference—it’s a rejection of God’s design. True community is messy, imperfect, and sometimes painful, but it is also the place where God heals, shapes, and grows us into the image of Christ.
We are not called to be connected to everyone, but we are called to be deeply connected to someone. Jesus Himself modeled relational limits, investing most deeply in a small group of friends. In our church, we are committed to creating spaces for real, meaningful relationships—community groups where we can be known, loved, and challenged. It takes intentionality and sacrifice, but it is worth it. In community, we find healing, growth, and the tangible love of Christ.
Key Takeaways
– God’s Design for Community
From creation, God has revealed Himself as a relational being, and He made us in His image to crave and thrive in relationship. Our longing for connection is not a weakness, but a reflection of God’s own nature. When we isolate ourselves, we are not just missing out—we are fighting against the very way God designed us to live.
– The Church as Family, Not Just a Gathering
The New Testament vision of the church is not an event or a building, but a spiritual family. When we come to Christ, we are adopted into a new family, and our primary allegiance shifts to this community. This means we have more in common with fellow believers than with anyone else, even our biological relatives.
– The Danger of Isolation
Isolation is not just a matter of personality or preference; it is spiritually dangerous. Proverbs warns that those who isolate themselves “break out against all sound judgment,” meaning we actually war against God’s intent for our lives when we avoid community. True Christian community is not optional—it is a matter of obedience and spiritual health.
– Relational Limits and Intentionality
We are not created to be connected to everyone, everywhere, all the time. Even Jesus set boundaries, investing most deeply in a few. The digital age tempts us to spread ourselves thin, but God calls us to invest intentionally in a small group where we can be truly known and loved. Real transformation happens in these close, committed relationships.
– Healing and Growth Happen in Community
Many avoid community because of past wounds or fear of being known, but often, God brings healing precisely through pressing back into relationship. Community is where we are shaped into the image of Christ, where our rough edges are smoothed, and where we experience the tangible love and intercession of others. The risk is real, but the reward is greater.
Reflection Questions
- Have you ever pulled away from Christian community because of hurt, disappointment, or just being overwhelmed? What was that experience like, and what would it look like to “press back in” as the sermon encouraged?
- The writer of Hebrews urges us not to neglect meeting together. What are some practical steps you can take to make gathering with other believers a regular part of your life, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable?
- Jake said, “We are not called to be connected to everyone, but we are called to be deeply connected to someone.” Who are the people in your life right now that you are truly known by? Is there someone God might be prompting you to invest in more deeply?
- Many avoid community because of past wounds or fear of being known. What fears or barriers keep you from deeper relationships? What would it look like to take a small step toward vulnerability this week?
- Jake shared that real community is “messy, imperfect, and sometimes painful, but it is also the place where God heals, shapes, and grows us.” Can you think of a time when being in community helped you grow or heal? What made that possible?
Watch the Message
Worship Songs from Aug 31
- “How Great Is Our God”
- “All Hail King Jesus”
- “No Longer Slaves”
- “King Of Kings” (after the message)
Listen to the songs we play on Sundays by clicking the image below to access our Spotify playlist!
