Romans 12:9-13

“How do I experience authentic

community?”

Week One

Loving God & loving people

24/7 from the heart!!

What is true spirituality?

Relationship

(Matthew 11:28-30)

Week Two

Am I going to trust God?

OR

Am I going to trust myself?

Surrender

How do I give God what He wants the most?

(Romans 12:1)

Week ThreeHow do we get God’s best for our life?

•By getting serious about being intentional in our walk with God

•By refusing to compromise in spite of the cost

Conviction & Courage

(Romans 12:2)

Week FourWho do you really think you are?

(Romans 12:3-8)

Identity in Christ

The Key to An Honest & Accurate Picture of Who We

Are….Is knowing the foundation of our self-worth

Today

What is my relationship with other believers suppose to look like?

(Romans 12:9-13)

How do I get connected from the heart with others on the same path?

Ability to Communicate

•Has never in history been greater than right now

•Yet we are so disconnectedIf you want to communicate you can and yet people are so

disconnected!!

We have more people committing suicide

and homicides.

Less than 10% of all men in America have a

true best friend.

Unfortunately

The one place where God designed for authentic

community to happen, it often is not happening!!

We Call it Church

The experience of a great majority of Americans in the

church community today.

1 Samuel Chapters 18 - 20

1 Samuel Chapter 18:1

“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan

became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.”

NIV

Literal Text Meaning

“God knit their souls together.”

1 Samuel Chapter 18:2

“From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house.”

NIV

A Shepherd Boy

God orchestrates

circumstances and chemistry

between some of the least

likely people.

&A Prince

Be Aware

Be open to God’s leading to bring people together.

The Lord Weighs the Heart

Man looks at the outward appearance

Be Intentional

To be a part of an authentic community...

You have to be intentional!

1 Samuel Chapter 18:3

“Jonathon made a covenant with David because he loved him.”

NIV

Authentic Community Has to be a Priority

•God knit their hearts

together

•God orchestrates the

chemistry

•We intentionally pursue

•We intentionally commit

Be Available

1 Samuel Chapter 20:1a

“Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan...”

NIV

When Crisis Comes

•There’s cost involved

•There’s sacrifice

•True friends show up and ask the

question:

What can I do to help?

Be Loyal

•When things heat up

•When trouble comes

Real friends never beat feet the other way!

Real Friends Say

•“I’m here for you.”

•“How are we going to get you

through this?”

•“What’s the game plan going to be?”

Romans 12:9-13

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what

is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be

lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the

Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful

in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in

need. Practice hospitality. NIV

God calls us to real and sincere love that goes

far beyond pretense and politeness.

Sincere Love

•Requires concentration and effort

•Means helping others become better people

•Demands our time, money and personal involvement

Look for ways to love your community for Christ!

Authentic Community

•Be Aware•Be Intentional•Be Available•Be Loyal