PEOPLE WHO NEED PEOPLE

Nehemiah 3:1-4; 6; 12-15; 26; 28-29; 31-32

Introduction:  Name lists and genealogies make for tough and boring reading, but they contain golden nuggets of truth. They illustrate God’s concern for our individuality, God’s promises and their credibility and God’s desire for our unity.

I.  SEEING OUR NEED FOR EACH OTHER

A.  The Holy Spirit is not only restoring the whole you; He is also seeking to renew the whole church.

Ephesians 4:13

B.  The rebuilding of our lives cannot be completed by us

Romans 4:7

Proverbs 22:17

II.  COMING TO A COMMITMENT

A.  Overcome remembered pain (disappointment and failure) and present fears (related to others)

B.   Determine to value mutuality

Ephesians 4:16

Our growth and healing require us to learn interdependency.

III.  SUBMITTING TO ONE ANOTHER- spring board to advance and growth in healthy and fulfilling relationships.

A. The biblical idea of submission

Ephesians 5:21

1 Peter 5:5

Submission- “to place under,” a choice to trust and love; military formation

-              Respect and reverence for God’s purpose

-              Responding with a gracious attitude toward others

B. Submission is not depersonalization (reduction of personhood) or subjugation (doormat mentality).

Romans 12:5

C. Submission is strategic arrangement for mutual protection and collective victory.

John 5:7

-              Protecting each other

-              Sensitive to one another

-              Serving relationship

-              There are no doormats; only brothers and sisters

IV.  PARTNERING WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST

A. The power of love and unity

John 17:21

B. The blessing of growing together

Ephesians 2:22

Conclusion: Flashbacks of our recent anniversary celebration cause us to offer thanksgiving to God.

We are bound to each other in love by the words of the Father above through the blood of His Son we are merged into one we are bound to each other in love

Questions for Home/Care Group Sharing & Discussion:

1.            Tell how someone helped you this week or how you gave assistance to someone in need.

2.            What are the practical challenges of living or working with a group?  How does it develop or mature us?

3.            Share how this message spoke to your own heart.