Community: God’s Answer to Defeat

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Better Together

Community: God’s Answer to Defeat By Rick Warren — May 14, 2015 “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT, second edition) Who’s watching out for you? You need people who will defend you, stand up for you and protect you, help you stay on track, and warn you. We all need this, because we all have blind spots. Philippians 2:4 says, “Look out for one another’s interest, not just your own” (TEV). If you want a counter-culture verse, that’s it! In America, the general idea is it’s all about “me” — my needs, my interests, my wants, and my ambitions. But the Bible says we should care about each other. We’re family! As brothers and sisters in God’s family, we should defend each other and help each other stay on track. Since Sept. 11, 2001, we’ve all been more vigilant in watching out for each other. But did you know that you have an enemy far more destructive than terrorists? Oh, yes! You have a personal enemy, and he hates your guts. His name is Satan. He wants to mess up your life. He wants to ruin your relationships. He wants to defeat you. Why would he do that? Because he can’t hurt God. When you can’t hurt somebody, what do you do? You go after their children. Satan can’t hurt God, so he tries to hurt God’s children. When Satan attacks you, he doesn’t come in a little red costume with a pitchfork and say, “Boo!” How does Satan mess up your life? Through habits you can’t break, through hurts that you won’t let go of, through problems and circumstances, through relationships that break your heart. Most Christians are defeated, because we try to fight Satan on our own. That’s stupid! You’re never going to win against the devil on your own. You need other people who will watch out for you and help you. Community is God’s answer to defeat. You need to find the people who will stand with you in tough times and say, “We’re not going to let you get discouraged. We’re not going to let you get depressed. We’re not going to let you worry. We’re going to stay here with you.” “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT, second edition). PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Think about the times when you have been under spiritual attack. How did isolation affect your ability to withstand temptation? When you start to feel attacked by Satan, what can you do to utilize the support of your small group or church family? How can you encourage someone in your small group or a friend who is struggling in his or her spiritual life or circumstances?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eL2dSaRllI Today’s Scripture “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Be Thankful As believers, we are commanded to be thankful. I believe this will happen naturally as we allow the peace of God to rule in our hearts. Peace is a choice. You don’t have to let things upset you. You don’t have to be anxious and worried. That word peace means to set at one again. When you set your mind at one with God and His Word, you will have peace. God also leads us by peace. If you don’t have peace about a decision, wait and follow the direction of the peace in your heart. Remember, when you have peace, you can’t help but be thankful! You can’t help but have a song in your heart and a spring in your step! Choose today to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart and have an attitude of gratitude toward the Lord. A Prayer for Today "Father, thank You for Your peace that rules my heart. I choose Your peace today and thank You for guiding my every step. I thank You and bless You for Your faithfulness to me in Jesus’ name. Amen."