The Power of Community

Have you ever examined a car engine? It’s a complex piece of machinery with many parts, and working in unison they generate power. 

Community is a lot like that, THIS community especially. Paul calls it “the body,” but when we all share our individual resources, gifts and talents with one another, power is generated — the supernatural power that is love. It’s a power so mighty that it blankets souls with peace beyond understanding, transforms hearts from stone to flesh, and renews minds. It’s a power so incredible that it creates a way where there is no way.

Jesus unleashed this force when He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). How we respond to Jesus and how we respond to one another is all that matters.

Paul’s letters to the early church are dotted with “one another” reminders that underscore Jesus’ commandment.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“Bear one another’s burdens …” (Galatians 6:2).

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Just as you are doing. 

We see it on GroupMe and at Clubhouse, in beach outings and babysitting. This Arize Together community is much like the early church described in the book of Acts: eating together, praying together, suffering together, worshipping together. Like the early Christians, we love God and others, seeing to each one another’s needs. We often miss the mark, and that’s why we need grace. But the power of healthy, Christ-centered community is a force we all desire at our core and need for our souls. We aren’t supposed to do life alone in a broken world.

Paul told the Corinthians, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (1 Corinthians 1:12).

Isolation invites darkness because our meager energy is spent on ourselves and we cannot see one another. Yet somehow our suffering is more bearable when others cry with us, and joy is more beautiful when others share our celebration. That sense of belonging fuels the engine that hums in love, the engine of which you are a part. Let's pray.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for your compassion and sacrifice and your perfect demonstration of how to love one another. Thank you for the gift of community and showing your face through others around us. Grant us the ability to comfort one another and care for each other. May our only competition be in outdoing each other in showing honor. Bless the friendships in this room, that they may glorify you. Amen.