“The Journey to Belonging” – Pastor Luke Faw
I am indebted to insights from David Kim, and I highly recommend his book, Made to Belong.
1. PRIORITY
Romans 12:10 (NIV) – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Hebrews10:25 (NLT) - And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Luke 8:45-46 (NIV) - “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
2. DISCERNMENT
Romans 12:2b (ESV) - “…be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God…”
Philippians 1:9–10a (NKJV) - And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent,
Proverbs 3:21‑22 (BEREAN STANDARD) – “Preserve sound judgment and discernment. They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.”
No matter how difficult, we pursue because He first pursued us!
We confuse the call to love everyone with our journey into community.
Mark 5:37 (NIV) - He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James.
Use care with:
People who overtalk
People who bring everything back to themselves
People who victimize themselves
3. VULNERABILITY
John 11:33-37 (NIV) - When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
“Vulnerability is the first thing I look for in you and the last thing I want to give to you myself.” - Brenee Brown
Matthew 5:3 (NIV) - “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (NIV) - We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Key words for growing in vulnerability
Sorry
Help
Thanks
4. EMPATHY
“Empathetic persons enter into the feelings of others for the sake of support, relief and healing.” – Scott McKnight
“Empathy doesn’t mean accepting everything about the other person’s thoughts and choices.” – David Kim
Romans 12:15 (BEREAN STANDARD) - Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
Galatians 6:2 (ESV) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Peter 3:8b (NIV) - Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Hebrews 4:15a (NIV) - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…
Philippians 2:4 (ESV) - Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
“Jesus please enlarge my capacity to suffer with others well” – David Kim
5. ACCOUNTABILITY
These verses illustrate the mutual benefit of accountability:
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) - Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
James 5:16 (ESV) – Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
True accountability is helping one another become all that God is inviting us to be, in love.
Barna: Only 5% of Christians involved in church have some form of accountability, primarily through small groups.
John 1:14 (NIV) - The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Does this need to be said?
Does this need to be said by me?
Does this need to be said by me, now? – Craig Ferguson
Ephesians 5:21 (NIV) - Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) - Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are doing.
What does it mean to come alongside this person, in this particular moment?
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (CEV) - My friends, we beg you to warn (admonish) anyone who isn't living right. Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone.
