Community
Community
You Can't Win This Game Alone
Have you ever tried to play a team sport by yourself?
Picture this: you step onto a basketball court, and it’s just you… versus five. No matter how talented you are, you’re going to burn out. You’ll lose ground, make mistakes, and eventually walk off the court discouraged. Why? Because team sports were never designed to be played alone.
And neither was your faith.
I’ve learned the hard way that following Jesus isn’t a solo sport. Yet we live in a world that worships independence, individuality, and doing things “my way.” But God invites us into something so much better—community.
From the Garden of Eden to the book of Acts, God has always been about people walking together. So today, I want to talk about one of the most important players on God’s team: Community.
Have you ever tried to play a team sport by yourself?
Picture this: you step onto a basketball court, and it’s just you… versus five. No matter how talented you are, you’re going to burn out. You’ll lose ground, make mistakes, and eventually walk off the court discouraged. Why? Because team sports were never designed to be played alone.
And neither was your faith.
I’ve learned the hard way that following Jesus isn’t a solo sport. Yet we live in a world that worships independence, individuality, and doing things “my way.” But God invites us into something so much better—community.
From the Garden of Eden to the book of Acts, God has always been about people walking together. So today, I want to talk about one of the most important players on God’s team: Community.
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Main Text:
Colossians 3:11-17
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Main Text:
Colossians 3:11-17
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Big Idea: Christ-centered identity creates Christ-like community.
1. Christ Destroys Barriers in Community
Colossians 3:11
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
When I read this verse, I’m reminded of how divided our world is. People draw lines everywhere—race, politics, culture, background, you name it. But the gospel draws us into something greater than our labels.
Paul reminds us that in Christ, the dividing walls come down.
️Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:4-5
...in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Ephesians 2:14
For he himself is our peace... destroying the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.
We may not all have the same story, but we share the same Savior. And that changes how I see the people around me. It’s not about agreeing on everything—it’s about letting Christ be the glue that holds us together.
If we’re going to live like family, we have to treat each other like family—and that starts with leading with love.
2. Christ Call us to Dress for Community
️Colossians 3:12-14
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t always wake up naturally clothed in patience or gentleness. I have to put it on—intentionally.
God doesn’t just ask us to belong to a community; He asks us to love the people in it. That means showing up with compassion even when I feel drained. It means forgiving when I’d rather stay angry. It means choosing kindness when it's inconvenient.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
John 13:34-35
A new command I give you: Love one another... By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.
1 John 4:11-12
Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another...
I’m learning that love isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action, a decision I make again and again.
His love is made complete in us.
As Andy Stanley puts it:
"You can impress people from a distance, but you impact them up close."
Love isn't just a feeling — it's expressed in action.
The real power of Christian community happens face-to-face—when we worship, serve, struggle, and grow together.
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t always wake up naturally clothed in patience or gentleness. I have to put it on—intentionally.
God doesn’t just ask us to belong to a community; He asks us to love the people in it. That means showing up with compassion even when I feel drained. It means forgiving when I’d rather stay angry. It means choosing kindness when it's inconvenient.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
John 13:34-35
A new command I give you: Love one another... By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.
1 John 4:11-12
Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another...
I’m learning that love isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action, a decision I make again and again.
His love is made complete in us.
As Andy Stanley puts it:
"You can impress people from a distance, but you impact them up close."
Love isn't just a feeling — it's expressed in action.
The real power of Christian community happens face-to-face—when we worship, serve, struggle, and grow together.
3. Christ Establishes Peace in Community
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Peace isn’t just a warm fuzzy feeling—it’s a referee. It calls the shots in how I respond, how I speak, how I handle tension in relationships.
In a world full of noise and conflict, peace is the posture that reflects Christ.
It doesn’t mean we’ll never disagree—but it does mean we choose to let the peace of Christ lead the way.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Peace isn’t just a warm fuzzy feeling—it’s a referee. It calls the shots in how I respond, how I speak, how I handle tension in relationships.
In a world full of noise and conflict, peace is the posture that reflects Christ.
It doesn’t mean we’ll never disagree—but it does mean we choose to let the peace of Christ lead the way.
4. Christ is Glorified in Community
Colossians 3:16-17
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The goal of community isn’t just comfort—it’s Christ.
When we live this way—teaching, singing, praying, serving, and sharing side by side—Jesus gets the spotlight. That’s what happened in Acts 2:
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship... and the Lord added to their number daily.
God does incredible things when His people come together in unity.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
You weren’t designed to do discipleship alone.
You weren’t meant to carry your faith silently, sitting on the sidelines.
Community is where we worship, grow, and reflect Jesus better together.
So here’s the question I’ve had to ask myself:
Am I just attending the game… or am I actually playing on the team?
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The goal of community isn’t just comfort—it’s Christ.
When we live this way—teaching, singing, praying, serving, and sharing side by side—Jesus gets the spotlight. That’s what happened in Acts 2:
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship... and the Lord added to their number daily.
God does incredible things when His people come together in unity.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
You weren’t designed to do discipleship alone.
You weren’t meant to carry your faith silently, sitting on the sidelines.
Community is where we worship, grow, and reflect Jesus better together.
So here’s the question I’ve had to ask myself:
Am I just attending the game… or am I actually playing on the team?
Don't just believe in Jesus — belong to His people.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to show up.
Community isn’t optional—it’s essential. It’s where life change happens.
So get in the game.
Step into a group.
Reach out to a friend.
Break the silence.
Because when we embrace community, walls fall, love grows, and Jesus becomes visible through us.
Hebrews 10:24-25
...not giving up meeting together, but encouraging one another…
As someone once said:
Let’s stop sitting in the stands. Let’s start playing together.
Community isn’t optional—it’s essential. It’s where life change happens.
So get in the game.
Step into a group.
Reach out to a friend.
Break the silence.
Because when we embrace community, walls fall, love grows, and Jesus becomes visible through us.
Hebrews 10:24-25
...not giving up meeting together, but encouraging one another…
As someone once said:
“Life change doesn’t happen in rows. It happens in circles.”
Let’s stop sitting in the stands. Let’s start playing together.
No Comments