WEBVTT

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 Have you ever noticed that our modern world is designed to make you less and less dependent on other people?

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! Technology is all around us. It promises convenience, speed, independence, and in many ways it delivers on those promises.

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! We can order groceries without talking to anybody, have them delivered.

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 We can work from home without seeing co-workers. The pandemic kind of made that commonplace.

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 We can stream, we can scroll, and shop without leaving the house.

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 How many of you are like me and you see something in the store and then you think, can I get this cheaper on Amazon?

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 Look at this quote. If you'll click into my slides, then I'll go ahead and be able to advance them myself.

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 You'll click me on that first slide, then I'll be, I can advance it.

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 Pardon me, y'all, up top.

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 Hello, hello. Anybody there?

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 Thanks, Carson.

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 You'll click me into that first slide, then I'll be able to move it on up myself.

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 Sorry, y'all, I don't want you to miss this quote.

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 There we go. Appreciate it.

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 All right, here we go.

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 In making certain things easier for people, technology has actually demotivated people from using their brains.

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 We have all these devices that keep us connected, and yet we're more disconnected than ever before.

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 Why is that?

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 Do you see that?

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 It's demotivated people from using their brains.

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 Sure, these devices connect us.

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 The internet connects the world.

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 We can talk to people literally on the opposite side of the globe from us in seconds.

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 And yet we're more disconnected in society, emotionally, person to person, than ever before, relationally.

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 So, we don't sit on front porches and talk to neighbors anymore.

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 Does anybody do that?

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 Do you sit on your front porch and talk to neighbors?

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 I see a few heads nodding.

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 That's good, man.

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 I'm glad it's still alive.

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 I see a lot of heads nodding the other way.

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 Nope, just don't.

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 Maybe you'll sit on your back porch.

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 Maybe you'll have friends over.

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 But the community, everybody used to go out, sit on their front porches.

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 People would walk by.

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 Maybe they'd ride by on the horse and buggy.

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 Depending on how far back we're going.

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 It's just different now.

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 The world we live in is different.

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 You know, more kids used to go out and play in their front yards.

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 Now we see news reports of kidnappings and we're like, nope, you're playing in the backyard, not the front yard.

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 And these things just happen.

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 The world has changed.

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 Many of us don't check out with a human at a grocery store anymore.

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 They got the self-checkout line, right?

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 For our kids, for our children, it's even more pronounced.

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 Many of them are growing up with online relationships far more than real life relationships.

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 More connection on screens.

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 Less shared life face-to-face.

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 We're more connected and yet we feel more isolated.

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 Convenience has replaced companionship.

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 If you'll hold on to that word, companionship, it's going to be a recurring theme in our talk today.

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 Efficiency has edged out community.

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 And into a world like ours today, Ecclesiastes speaks boldly, daringly.

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 It says something that's actually surprisingly simple and countercultural.

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 It says two are better than one.

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 The message of the world around us is saying the opposite of that.

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 Saying you don't need another person.

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 We can streamline this and make it more efficient where you can do everything yourself and not have to wait on anyone else.

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 Let's go to Ecclesiastes chapter 4.

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 We've been in this series called Catching Smoke.

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 We're digging through this book of Ecclesiastes.

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 One of the strangest books in the Bible.

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 A lot of similarities between books of the Bible.

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 But Ecclesiastes kind of sticks out.

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 Kind of stands alone.

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 It's very unique in its tone, in its message.

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 And we've been digging into it saying what can we learn from this ancient writing from who is called the teacher.

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 We've identified that as King Solomon.

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 And we've been learning wisdom from him at the end of his life.

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 Arguably the wealthiest and wisest man to ever live.

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 And we get his end of life advice.

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 So we see this text in Ecclesiastes chapter 4 and verse 9.

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 Two are better than one.

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 Ecclesiastes 4 doesn't begin with friendship.

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 It starts with competition.

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 Look down at verse 4.

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 I observe that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors.

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 Anybody vibe with that?

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 Listen, I've spent a good amount of my life living in the North Dallas area, DFW.

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 DFW.

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 Do you know what the way of life is down there?

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 Keeping up with the Joneses.

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 It's the, oh no, my neighbor got a new truck.

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 That means I've got to go out and get a new truck.

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 My friend group all is members of the country club.

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 That means I better be a member of the country club even if I can't afford it.

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 It's this way of life where people go into great debt trying to keep up with their neighbors.

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 Well, that's funny because Ecclesiastes 4 says,

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 This is the way it was back then too.

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 I observe that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors.

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 But this too is meaningless.

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 Like chasing the wind.

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 Remember our little introductory video over there?

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 Catching smoke.

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 You ever try to catch smoke in your hand?

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 It's a fool's errand.

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 You can't do it.

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 You can't hold on to smoke.

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 You open your hand and nothing's there.

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 Chasing the wind is a similarly futile endeavor.

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 Can't catch the wind.

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 It's always going to be outrunning you.

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 So, this idea of trying to keep up with your neighbors, it's a fool's errand.

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 You're never going to achieve success or happiness that way.

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 Verse 5.

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 Fools, fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.

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 And yet, better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.

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 Isn't that interesting?

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 It's probably the only time in the scriptures where hard work is painted in a negative light.

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 Is there anything wrong with hard work, church?

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 No.

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 But there could be.

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 Why are you working?

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 Why are you striving?

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 Why are you working so hard?

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 Is it to keep up with the neighbors?

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 Is it to hit this idea of the American dream that you've had in your mind since you were young?

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 And you've got to hit that retirement age and you've got to buy the RV and travel around America.

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 Or you've got to take that cruise or whatever it is.

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 Because you think you're going to find fulfillment in that.

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 Is that what the hard work's about?

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 Then Solomon's telling us, that's like chasing the wind.

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 Good luck to you in that because it's never going to fulfill you.

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 So, it doesn't start with friendship.

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 It actually starts with the reality of the competition between us.

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 How we compete with one another.

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 Comparison fuels achievement.

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 But it's quietly destroying connection between souls.

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 When life becomes about keeping up, proving yourself, or outpacing others,

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 people stop being companions and start being competitors.

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 Well, this leads us to truth number one.

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 So, let's dig into Ecclesiastes 4, verse 4 through 12.

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 We read 4 and 5 and 6.

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 Let's pick it up in verse 7.

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 This is going to set the stage for our two truths that we're going to try to take away from this passage today.

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 And the theme here is the advantages of companionship.

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 So, verse 7.

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 I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.

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 Man, Solomon was finding something meaningless under the sun all throughout his writing here in Ecclesiastes.

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 So, here's another one.

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 This is the case of a man who's all alone, without a child or a brother,

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 yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can.

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 But then he asks himself, who am I working for?

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 Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?

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 It's also meaningless and depressing.

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 Verse 9.

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 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

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 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.

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 But someone who falls alone, they're in real trouble.

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 Verse 11.

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 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm.

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 But how can one be warm alone?

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 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated.

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 But two can stand back to back and conquer.

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 Three are even better.

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 For a triple braided cord is not easily broken.

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 What do we learn from this?

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 Truth number one.

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 We can treat people as companions or as complications.

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 If you received a bulletin on your way in, there's a spot for you to kind of keep up with the sermon as we go along.

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 You can fill in these blanks.

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 And the first one here is companions.

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 We can treat people as companions or as complications.

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 Somewhere along the way, when we're little, we're looking for companions, aren't we?

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 You go to the park and you see kids you don't know and they instantly become your best friends.

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 Well, I had fun with them.

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 That's all it takes, right?

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 I just need somebody to play with.

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 I need companions.

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 Somewhere along the way, we stop seeing people as companions in life and we start categorizing them.

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 We start sorting them into different categories.

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 Some people are inconveniences.

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 They slow us down.

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 They interrupt our plans.

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 They cost us time.

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 Some people are competitors.

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 We measure ourselves against them.

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 We envy them.

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 Or if we feel like we're outpacing them, then we see ourselves as superior and we might pity them and it makes us feel better.

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 Well, at least I'm better off than that guy.

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 Some people are assets.

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 What can we get out of them?

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 How can they help us?

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 Useful to us as long as we benefit from them.

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 They affirm us.

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 They make us feel good about ourselves.

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 They advance us.

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 When did people stop being companions?

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 The minute they do, they become expendable.

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 Ecclesiastes says that's not progress.

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 That's poverty of the soul.

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 Your soul is getting poorer and dying a little more inside the less you see each other as potential companions, not potential complications.

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 Look at verse 4.

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 I saw all the toil, all the skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor.

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 We think we're achieving, but all we're doing is isolating ourselves.

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 Comparison turns neighbors into threats.

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 Comparison turns coworkers into enemies.

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 Competition is another one.

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 Look, I'm pro competition.

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 I want my kids to play all the sports.

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 They may or may not comply with that desire on my part.

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 But we just got done with basketball season.

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 It was a lot of fun.

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 But comparison, competition, convenience, these things that we think are getting us ahead in life, and it's the definition of winning, these things have the danger of hurting us and others.

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 Convenience can turn relationships into liabilities.

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 The result is a crowded world full of lonely people.

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 And you look around, even in a small town like Henrietta that can pride itself on its community.

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 How many of us feel isolated?

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 How many of us feel lonely?

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 God never designed us to win alone.

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 Oftentimes in big cities we see this as an epidemic of loneliness.

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 Surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people.

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 Sometimes millions of people.

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 And yet you feel isolated.

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 And even in Clay County with thousands of people around us here in a small area like Henrietta.

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 And then you go out into the outlying areas and people can still feel isolated.

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 You might know people's names.

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 But are they your companions?

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 From the very beginning, God says something that we must not forget.

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 It's not good for what?

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 For man to be alone.

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 It's not good for mankind to be isolated.

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 So he made a companion.

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 Obviously your marriage companion is the most essential companion that you'll take through life together.

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 But the companionship goes beyond that to all of us.

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 We must see one another as possible companions in life.

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 We were created for shared life.

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 Look back at chapter 4 in Ecclesiastes verse 9.

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 Two people are better off than one.

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 They can help each other succeed.

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 But this idea here is not the succeeding.

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 It's the presence.

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 See, succeeding in this life, success in this life is very small in the grand scheme.

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 God's definition of success and your and my definition of success can often look very different.

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 I keep hearkening back to it.

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 But last summer we went through about 12, 13 weeks on studying the kingdom of God.

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 We went through the parables of Jesus, stories of the kingdom.

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 If you want to go back and dive into any of that, it's on our YouTube channel at FBC Henrietta.

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 So you can go back and see this presentation of the kingdom of God that Jesus gave his disciples and all those who are listening to his teaching.

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 And it's played out in parables or stories that make a bigger point.

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 And he teaches us this upside down world of God's kingdom.

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 So it's fascinating when you see that he who is the least, God considers the greatest.

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 When you deny yourself, you find fulfillment.

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 The last will be first.

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 It's this upside down world.

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 So when we think we are chasing success at the expense of others, we're not finding success in God's kingdom.

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 Because we need others.

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 We need each other.

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 So two are better off than one because they can help each other succeed.

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 It's not all about productivity.

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 It's about the presence of each other, the companionship.

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 And then the next verse, if one person falls, the other can reach out and help.

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 Companionship lifts.

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 Comparison isolates.

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 Scripture warns us what happens when comparison becomes the lens through which we live our life.

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 Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians.

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 Let's see.

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 Did I skip over one?

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 I did.

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 All right.

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 Oh, I did.

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 We read this.

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 Genesis 2.18.

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 It's not good for man to be alone.

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 Now we're going on to Paul's writing.

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 2 Corinthians 10.12.

00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:27.839
 When they compare themselves with each other, they are not wise.

00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:30.119
 They were doing it back in the church in Corinth.

00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.119
 Guess what?

00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:33.159
 We still do it in the church in Henrietta.

00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:36.220
 They're doing it in the churches in Wichita Falls.

00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:38.420
 They're doing it in the churches in Dallas, in Fort Worth.

00:17:39.060 --> 00:17:40.840
 They're doing it in the churches in Nocona.

00:17:41.300 --> 00:17:44.540
 They are comparing each other with themselves.

00:17:46.300 --> 00:17:49.040
 It's what our natural response is.

00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:54.720
 When we see each other walk in on a Sunday morning, we start evaluating each other.

00:17:56.539 --> 00:18:01.259
 Ladies, you might be looking at how, you know, the other lady is dressed or something or how she did her hair.

00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:03.740
 Where did she get her nails done?

00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:05.039
 I don't know what y'all look at.

00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:05.519
 All right.

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:12.000
 Guys, you're like, wow, Justin Hensley has a way better beard than I have.

00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:15.200
 And I've told him that to his face.

00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:17.960
 I'm struggling with the sin of envy when I look at his beard.

00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:18.819
 Anyway.

00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.579
 But we do that.

00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:23.920
 We compare each other with each other.

00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:27.320
 Paul says it's not wise.

00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.580
 It's going to bite you.

00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:31.360
 It's going to hurt you.

00:18:32.840 --> 00:18:35.779
 The companionship between you is going to suffer.

00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:39.200
 Comparison distorts reality.

00:18:39.340 --> 00:18:45.259
 Because the reality is you don't know what's going on behind the Facebook posts for somebody.

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:48.920
 You see the pretty picture that they posted on vacation.

00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:53.079
 And it looks like their life is all buttoned up and perfect and just right.

00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.400
 And yours is such a mess.

00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:57.460
 And you don't know what's going on behind the scenes.

00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:00.660
 Comparison distorts reality.

00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:02.519
 And it breeds envy.

00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:05.940
 It turns neighbors into rivals.

00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:09.259
 You lose companions that way.

00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:12.539
 But God designed us for shared life.

00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.200
 Not rivalries.

00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:18.099
 Life was meant to be shared.

00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:20.579
 Lived together with each other.

00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.339
 Not competed around.

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:29.559
 Companionship gives life in ways that success never can.

00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:36.000
 It's not all about who wins the gold medal, the silver medal, or the bronze medal.

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:39.700
 It's about the team being together.

00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.180
 Now Paul wrote,

00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:44.960
 I press toward the mark.

00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.700
 I want to win.

00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:47.100
 But you know what he wanted to win?

00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:51.200
 The prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:55.500
 He didn't want to have a better life than everybody else on this earth.

00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:01.880
 He didn't want to have more money or more success or more prestige than anybody else on earth.

00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:02.940
 He had that.

00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:04.180
 He was a Pharisee.

00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:10.720
 He was the chief among those who had good reputations in his community.

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:15.700
 He walked away from it to pursue Jesus.

00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:18.900
 Because he encountered something that meant so much more.

00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:21.240
 He encountered something meaningful.

00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:25.700
 This leaves us this thought.

00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:27.779
 This challenge.

00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:29.779
 Pursue companionship.

00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:31.299
 Not comparison.

00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:36.039
 In your marriage, pursue companionship.

00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:38.259
 Not competing with one another.

00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:40.799
 With your children.

00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:43.819
 Pursue companionship.

00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:45.779
 Don't see them as inconveniences.

00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:48.379
 With your friends.

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.359
 Pursue companionship.

00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:53.819
 Not competition.

00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:56.459
 Not comparison.

00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.199
 Your coworkers.

00:20:58.379 --> 00:20:58.899
 With your neighbors.

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.879
 With fellow church members.

00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.059
 Or church attenders.

00:21:04.179 --> 00:21:05.699
 Pursue companionship.

00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.959
 See someone.

00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:09.939
 Even who you don't necessarily get along with at first glance.

00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:10.519
 See.

00:21:11.179 --> 00:21:13.379
 How could they be a companion in this life?

00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:17.359
 How could they help sharpen me and I can help sharpen them?

00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:20.979
 How can we bless one another?

00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:24.259
 Even when at first glance it seems difficult.

00:21:24.479 --> 00:21:25.259
 Truth number two.

00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:27.719
 Community strengthens us.

00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:30.459
 But only God sustains us.

00:21:30.719 --> 00:21:30.959
 Listen.

00:21:31.219 --> 00:21:33.679
 I spent the whole first point pushing community.

00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.459
 Pushing companionship.

00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:38.299
 But can I remind you of this and put it in context?

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:41.839
 Community and companionship is only going to get you so far.

00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:44.500
 God has to take you the rest of the way.

00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:48.839
 He designed us to be in community with one another.

00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:52.000
 He designed us to be companions for one another.

00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:57.779
 But don't put expectations on other people that only God can fulfill.

00:21:58.119 --> 00:22:00.160
 Only God can sustain us.

00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.200
 So in our community.

00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.559
 In our companionship.

00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:07.400
 We have to continue to turn to God for sustenance or strength.

00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:09.539
 Look back in Ecclesiastes chapter 4.

00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.539
 We just read it a moment ago.

00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:12.359
 The last verse that we read.

00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:12.980
 Verse 12.

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:15.880
 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated.

00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:19.099
 But two can stand back to back and conquer.

00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:19.779
 That's right.

00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.019
 Two better than one.

00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:21.279
 Right?

00:22:21.620 --> 00:22:22.519
 But look at this one.

00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:24.400
 Three are even better.

00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:27.819
 Because a triple braided cord is not easily broken.

00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:29.059
 There are two ways to take this.

00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:31.039
 The three is better than two.

00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:35.059
 Three is better than two in a lot of circumstances.

00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:37.019
 But three is not better than two in a marriage.

00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:38.319
 Right?

00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:38.399
 Right?

00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:42.939
 Just making sure y'all are with me on that.

00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:46.119
 I know there's like a trend going on these throuples or something.

00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:49.879
 I'm hoping that's not finding root here in Henrietta.

00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.240
 Anyway.

00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:54.839
 Except let me throw a curveball at you.

00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:57.240
 Three is better than two in a marriage.

00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:57.779
 You know why?

00:22:57.839 --> 00:22:59.759
 The third one is the Holy Spirit of God.

00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:12.980
 You've got to have that third cord binding it together and making it stronger than you and she or you and he can make it on your own.

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:15.680
 Why are divorce rates so high?

00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:19.960
 Why are marriages, some marriages seemingly destined to fail?

00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:22.400
 Because they're only the two of them.

00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:28.059
 They don't have that Holy Spirit making them the strongest yet.

00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:32.940
 Only God can sustain your marriage.

00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:36.720
 Only God can sustain your parenting.

00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:40.400
 Only God can sustain your friendships.

00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:45.320
 That's got to be the third cord binding it together.

00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:47.220
 It is not easily broken.

00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:49.120
 Human relationships are strong.

00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.740
 They matter.

00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:51.040
 They protect us.

00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:52.200
 They support us.

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:56.060
 Human relationships support us and strengthens us.

00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:58.740
 But only God can sustain us.

00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:03.400
 Those relationships are with imperfect people and they will ultimately fail.

00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:09.140
 And so if we don't want that relationship to break when it fails and just be done with it.

00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:10.620
 And how many times does that happen?

00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:13.140
 How do you prevent that?

00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:15.020
 You've got to have a third cord there.

00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:17.600
 You've got to have something sustaining you.

00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:22.200
 So that relationship, when it fails, doesn't end.

00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:27.140
 I remember watching a TV show about a guy.

00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:30.380
 There was a scene on the, it was a comedy.

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:34.520
 And the guy said he'd never been in a real relationship before.

00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.420
 He was a young adult.

00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:37.120
 He was dating this girl for the first time.

00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.220
 They had a big fight.

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.799
 And he said, well, I guess that's it.

00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:41.120
 I guess we're just broken up now.

00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.960
 She said, what?

00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:44.079
 Why are we broken up?

00:24:44.360 --> 00:24:46.839
 This just went from zero to 60 and nothing at all.

00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.400
 He said, well, because we had a fight.

00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.980
 He said, that's it for you?

00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:52.620
 Like, you think one fight and we're done?

00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:54.120
 He's like, well, isn't that the way it is?

00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:54.779
 He said, no.

00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:56.259
 Couples fight all the time.

00:24:56.259 --> 00:25:02.700
 But how many times do we give up on a relationship because it failed once?

00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:09.519
 How many times do we quit on somebody because they crossed us?

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.980
 Because they let us down?

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:22.420
 If you don't want it to end because it failed, then you've got to have something stronger than you and the other party.

00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:25.380
 And that is the strength of the Holy Spirit.

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:29.759
 The relationship is not the ultimate goal.

00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.220
 God is the ultimate goal.

00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:39.500
 It's unrealistic to put divine expectations on human relationships.

00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:44.579
 Even the best people cannot bear the weight of your expectations.

00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:47.819
 They can't bear the weight of being your foundation.

00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.460
 Guess what?

00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:51.259
 You can't bear the weight of being your foundation.

00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:54.480
 I can't bear the weight of being my foundation.

00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:56.279
 You know how many times I've let myself down?

00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:59.440
 Probably as many as you've let yourself down.

00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:03.820
 Only God sustains us.

00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:09.519
 Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builders is wasted.

00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.380
 Psalm 127.

00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:13.660
 And then Paul writes again, this time to the church in Colossae.

00:26:14.080 --> 00:26:17.340
 He reminds us, and we just covered the book of Colossians, didn't we?

00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:20.080
 Just about a month ago or so, we finished that series.

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:26.940
 And it says, Jesus existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:29.360
 He holds it all together, doesn't he?

00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:31.140
 He holds you together.

00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.900
 He holds your relationships together.

00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:38.180
 That's what that third chord is about that Solomon wrote about in Ecclesiastes.

00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:42.120
 Ultimately, it's Christ himself who holds it all together.

00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:46.500
 Community can support the house, but it has to be founded on Jesus.

00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:48.320
 He has to be the one building it.

00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:52.019
 People can strengthen us, but Jesus sustains us.

00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:56.539
 Community is a gift, but it's not a replacement for God.

00:26:56.539 --> 00:27:02.420
 It points us toward him, not away from him, not instead of him.

00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:05.420
 So, leaves us with this takeaway.

00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:09.000
 Don't ask people to be what only God can be.

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:14.559
 I had to put this caveat in here.

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:23.480
 As God's urging me and I'm urging you to see each other as companions, not competition.

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:32.779
 Then we've got to remind ourselves, we can't put all our hope in those people where the companionship will never happen.

00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:39.240
 We can't put too high expectations, unrealistic expectations on each other.

00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:41.900
 However, we've got to hand that to God.

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:45.680
 Say, God, I know I need these people in my life as companions.

00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:51.180
 But you've got to be the strongest sustaining force in my life.

00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:57.359
 As a church, we've been looking at the direction that God has for our church.

00:27:57.359 --> 00:28:03.839
 Early on, the last Sunday in December, right after Christmas, we said,

00:28:04.699 --> 00:28:09.279
 2026 is the year of direction, not perfection, in our church.

00:28:10.719 --> 00:28:12.000
 This is a key element.

00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:19.159
 What we're learning today is a key element in finding the direction that God has for our church.

00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.919
 Walking together.

00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:22.699
 So, how do we do this?

00:28:22.959 --> 00:28:23.879
 How do we walk together?

00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:29.820
 First off, we have to understand that relationships shape our loves, not just our lives.

00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:36.380
 Relationships shape our loves, not just our lives.

00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:40.440
 So, what kind of love do you have?

00:28:42.120 --> 00:28:46.780
 It's easy to sing and to say that we love God.

00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:52.060
 But do our actions declare that we love other things more?

00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:54.440
 That we love ourselves more?

00:28:55.019 --> 00:29:00.339
 That there are other priorities that we have in our lives above our love for God?

00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.759
 Why do we love Him?

00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.379
 Because He first loved us.

00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:08.019
 And He showed that in ways that you and I can never measure up to.

00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.500
 But we don't have to measure up.

00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:11.980
 It was the very point that we didn't measure up.

00:29:12.159 --> 00:29:13.559
 That all of us are sinners.

00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:17.480
 That made God say, I love them despite their sin.

00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.379
 Romans 5, 8.

00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:22.159
 While we were still sinners, we weren't reformed yet.

00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:22.779
 You know?

00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:25.039
 We weren't good people yet.

00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:26.460
 We were still bad people.

00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:27.440
 Guess what?

00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.639
 We're still bad people today.

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:30.099
 But we're saved by grace.

00:29:30.419 --> 00:29:31.460
 And grace alone.

00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:36.919
 That's when Jesus said, Christ died for us.

00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:38.379
 While we were still sinners.

00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:40.259
 Thank God He didn't stay dead.

00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:42.900
 Thank God He rose from the grave and He's alive today.

00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:44.079
 We can sing to Him.

00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.920
 We can pray to Him.

00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.400
 We can have a relationship with Him.

00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:49.299
 He says, come to me, all who are weary.

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.599
 All who are heavy laden.

00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:54.180
 I look around and I see people who are weary and heavy burdened.

00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.420
 Jesus says, come to me.

00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.680
 Lay your burdens down.

00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:01.000
 Give all your sinful past.

00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:02.140
 All your sinful present.

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.039
 And guess what?

00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:04.140
 All your sinful future.

00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.379
 Give it over to me.

00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.720
 I'll forgive it.

00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.680
 I'll wash it clean.

00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:11.400
 And I'll hand you a new way of life.

00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:13.900
 That's not built on perfection.

00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:17.900
 But I'm taking you in a direction as my child.

00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.160
 And I'm your father.

00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.120
 We're going to do this together.

00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:25.060
 Now, if that's not the kind of relationship that you have with God,

00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:27.400
 today can be the start of that.

00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:30.039
 In a couple of minutes, we're going to close in prayer.

00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:32.519
 And I'm going to give you an opportunity to slip your hand up and say,

00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:34.799
 that's the kind of relationship that I want with God.

00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:42.220
 A relationship that shapes my love, not just my life.

00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:46.519
 And this is how we can walk together with each other.

00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.639
 Because we have this in common.

00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.460
 How else can we walk together?

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:54.899
 We see leadership as God's signposts, not substitutes.

00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:58.419
 Leadership is not a substitute for God.

00:30:58.420 --> 00:31:02.100
 But it's a signpost pointing you back to God.

00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:06.620
 No matter if it's civic leadership, church leadership,

00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:11.700
 our goal is to point us back to the wisdom and the way of God.

00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:14.140
 Not all leadership fulfills that well.

00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:17.180
 No leadership fulfills that perfectly.

00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:25.140
 But God calls leaders to be signposts pointing back to the way of Christ.

00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.779
 Not a God substitute.

00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:30.580
 And then thirdly, how can we walk together?

00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:35.440
 We can be a church formed by Christ, not clustered by favorites.

00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:38.320
 I'm not trying to step on anybody's toes here.

00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:40.299
 Not trying to make anybody mad, all right?

00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:44.980
 But we naturally cluster by favorites.

00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:51.460
 If you look around the church, we will naturally cluster by who we like the most.

00:31:52.279 --> 00:32:01.519
 We have to fight against that nature and let Christ form us by finding companionship outside our favorite cluster.

00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:03.419
 Outside our favorite group.

00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:05.559
 That's hard for us to do.

00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:09.119
 Especially in a small town, we kind of grow up already having a friend group.

00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.739
 We know who our people are.

00:32:11.179 --> 00:32:13.679
 God says, yeah, but I want to introduce some new people to you.

00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:16.579
 I want to introduce some new companions to you.

00:32:16.959 --> 00:32:20.719
 Your family group, your friend group is about to get a whole lot bigger.

00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:23.959
 I'm going to give you a whole bunch more companions.

00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:26.439
 This is how we can walk together.

00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:29.639
 This is direction, not perfection.

00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.479
 It's never going to be perfect.

00:32:31.679 --> 00:32:32.559
 It's going to be messy.

00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.879
 We're going to mess up.

00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:35.119
 They're going to mess up.

00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:41.299
 But with God sustaining us as the third cord, we will find his direction.

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:46.579
 Ecclesiastes reminds us, life is hard.

00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:49.739
 And we are better together.

00:32:51.679 --> 00:32:53.479
 Way better together.

00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.919
 We ain't that hot on our own.

00:32:55.920 --> 00:33:00.740
 But we are powerful together.

00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:03.660
 We are loving together.

00:33:03.800 --> 00:33:05.120
 We are kind together.

00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.640
 Together we sharpen each other.

00:33:07.800 --> 00:33:10.000
 Together we cannot be broken.

00:33:11.600 --> 00:33:14.800
 We're only complete in our Savior.

00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:18.259
 We don't look to people as our ultimate hope.

00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:21.480
 We don't look to relationships as our ultimate hope.

00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.900
 But we see each other as companions.

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:26.019
 Instead we look above the sun.

00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:27.259
 We've been saying it every week.

00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:29.700
 Church, let's say it one more time together.

00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:32.440
 How do we live under the sun?

00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:35.700
 Let's do it one more time.

00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:38.799
 How do we together live under the sun?

00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:42.359
 God, that's what we do right now.

00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.180
 We close our eyes.

00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:43.819
 We bow our heads.

00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:44.799
 We pray to you.

00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:47.960
 We say lift our eyes above the sun.

00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:49.759
 And then let us see where you are looking.

00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:52.700
 Let us lift up our eyes and look around us.

00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:54.579
 And see companions everywhere.

00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:57.619
 You don't want us to be in competition with one another.

00:33:57.859 --> 00:34:00.019
 You don't want us to be comparing ourselves to each other.

00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:03.960
 You don't want us to be constantly disappointed in each other.

00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:05.539
 And even sometimes ourselves.

00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:09.259
 You want us to remember that you are the sustenance.

00:34:09.679 --> 00:34:10.599
 And because of you.

00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:12.199
 Because of that common thread.

00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.440
 Of you.

00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.660
 Your presence.

00:34:15.780 --> 00:34:16.480
 And your strength.

00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:19.380
 We can have strong relationships.

00:34:19.640 --> 00:34:23.180
 We can find companions that help us get through this life together.

00:34:23.700 --> 00:34:25.160
 Show us how that can go.

00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.840
 Show us who that can be.

00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:29.300
 Show us what we need to change.

00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:30.820
 We learn from the scriptures.

00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:32.320
 If you want to have friends.

00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:33.120
 You got to be friendly.

00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.860
 Maybe we haven't been very friendly.

00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:38.539
 Maybe we've been pretty self-absorbed.

00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:41.340
 Whatever it is.

00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:42.559
 God change us.

00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:44.920
 Give us thriving companionships.

00:34:45.880 --> 00:34:47.000
 Within this church.

00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:48.820
 Within this community.

00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:53.619
 Built around our shared love of Jesus Christ.

00:34:53.619 --> 00:35:02.139
 Music is going to play for just a minute or two.

00:35:02.839 --> 00:35:04.119
 Would you take this time.

00:35:04.779 --> 00:35:07.199
 To think and pray through quietly in your own seat.

00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:10.419
 God what would you have me to do?

00:35:11.279 --> 00:35:12.759
 Who would you have me to be?

00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:15.899
 How do you want to change me?

00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:20.339
 Have I been ignoring some companionships?

00:35:21.339 --> 00:35:23.199
 Have I been seeing people as complications?

00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:24.439
 Complications.

00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:31.419
 Not human beings created in the image of God.

00:35:32.399 --> 00:35:34.879
 Brought into my life for a very specific reason.

00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:38.259
 And I'm in their life for a specific reason.

00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:41.099
 It's not to fight and war with each other.

00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:45.179
 It's to have companionship.

00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:49.480
 You think that through with the Lord.

00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.960
 You talk it through with him right now.

00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:58.000
 I'll ask the question I said I was going to ask.

00:35:58.339 --> 00:36:01.259
 There's anybody who says that relationship with Jesus that you described.

00:36:01.379 --> 00:36:02.719
 That's the kind of relationship I want.

00:36:02.799 --> 00:36:04.639
 But I don't think I have that right now.

00:36:06.599 --> 00:36:08.739
 Can I sit down with you sometime and talk through.

00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:12.339
 How to have that genuine meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.

00:36:12.859 --> 00:36:13.960
 Would you slip your hand up now.

00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.980
 And I'll talk to you.

00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:15.619
 I'll pray with you.

00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:18.059
 Thank you.

00:36:20.759 --> 00:36:21.980
 God we come to you right now.

00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:24.000
 And we open up our hearts and say.

00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:25.139
 You move within us.

00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:26.179
 You mold with us.

00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:28.240
 Teach us how to abide with you.

00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:30.719
 And then teach us how to abide with each other.

00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:35.659
 We leave here today.

00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:41.000
 Let this lesson from the teacher in Ecclesiastes.

00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:44.739
 Be confirmed by your Holy Spirit in our hearts.

00:36:45.579 --> 00:36:46.940
 And change us.

00:36:49.440 --> 00:36:52.159
 Change we as a body, as a church.

00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:54.000
 To be more united.

00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:56.159
 To walk in companionship together.

00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:59.360
 We want to see what you're going to do.

00:36:59.679 --> 00:37:00.760
 Through a church like that.

00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:03.300
 It's in Jesus name we pray.

00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:04.519
 Amen.

00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:04.619
 Amen.

00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:04.619


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00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:04.619