Encounters with God Living in Community

Encounters with God Powerful worship: Exodus 15 Living in community: Exodus 17 Creating legacy: Exodus 18

Exodus 17 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.’ 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but

whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

The Amalekites attacked. v8 Moses’ staff – God’s presence The Amalekites attacked. v8 Moses’ staff – God’s presence. v9 Held high to ensure victory. About prayer and intercession. About cooperation with God.

Physical battle echoes a spiritual battle. Moses had a mission from God. Moses was creating community. He kept going until victory. v12 Persevering with God for the mission and the community.

As we pursue mission and community we thrive. This is the context of our vision for the church. One hand in and one hand out. Seeing God’s transformation. And multiplication.

Jn 15: to know Jesus; and to make him known. All fruitful mission flows from this. How has God gifted us? Where has he placed us? There are some things that can only be learnt by being part of God’s mission.

When Jesus called his disciples he invited them on mission. In a small group Trained them Got them to do it Entrusted the whole thing to them We are made for mission. We are being shaped to be like Jesus as we do it.

Small groups are the backbone of mission. Acts 2 – doing life together. Meeting in the temple and in homes. Having a real meeting with God. And a real meeting with each other. Learn to live to be a blessing - discipleship.

Andy Stanley clip…

We have to contend for our small groups We have to contend for our small groups. The enemy will attack community and mission.

Avoid isolation. Spiritual isolation is a killer: zebras Avoid isolation. Spiritual isolation is a killer: zebras! Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Pet 5:11 Moses needed his mates: Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. v10 Without them he would have perished. So would the nation. A profound truth. It is not good for man to be alone. Gen 2:18.

Small groups foster friendship. Friendship is a spiritual act – Augustine. Church – a random group of people! We need one another.

Have real expectations. Not instant best friends. Not spiritual sticking plasters. But doing life together; caring for one another; standing by one another; encountering God together. When Moses’ hands grew tired… Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side and one on the other - so that his hands remained steady until sunset. v12

Small groups provide places for friendship and encounter Small groups provide places for friendship and encounter. Loving people despite their flaws & being loved despite ours is deeply healing… Doing the hard work of getting along with each other. Jam 3:17 The Jesus way: Love one another as I have loved you… Jn 13:34 Find some people & go love them!

We give and receive pastoral care in small groups. We’re all ministers – everyone gets to play. Shared responsibility. We point one another to Jesus. Our needs don’t shape our identity – truth does. Adult to adult relationship.

It’s vital to keep on doing it. Showing up grows spiritual resilience It’s vital to keep on doing it! Showing up grows spiritual resilience. Rhythm of our lives – worship, sharing, caring, praying, hospitality, Bible, fun. Transformation takes time and regular investment. Boring sometimes? It’s not about being entertained! Much more profound than that.

What’s the best group for me? Our structure Flexible Many contact points Builds in rest… Opportunity to change Also Kinships with longevity Ongoing relationship Places of trust and growth

Or… Is God calling YOU to start a group?

As we look ahead… Mission & community…

Next week: Encounters with God Creating legacy