• Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider Him as present in our midst.

The Power of the Other

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

• “A rope that is woven of three strings is not quickly broken.”

1. Stronger in Christ

The Apostle Paul was thanking the people who had helped him in his need.

Philippians 4:11b-14 “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” NIV

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV).

Jesus is Our Source of Life and Strength

John 15:5-8 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you^[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

• The vine is the life source of the branches and the fruit.
• This is the strength we draw upon to live this life and face its challenges and transcend our human frailty to be the people God is calling us to be.

2. Stronger in Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

• Jesus says, “I’ve got this. Abide in me. Live in me. You’re weak, and it’s OK because I’m strong. Your weakness gives more room for my strength to shine.”

3. Stronger Together

When we are together Christ magnifies His strength exponentially as we live out His love as the body of Christ.

Romans 12:4-6 says it like this: “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;”

• Each of us is a single part, woven together like the rope into a much stronger unit to support each other and function as the hands and feet of Christ on earth.
• Let’s continue pursuing togetherness in God’s love.
• Let’s lean in together to deeper relationships and support each other.