Rick Warren - You Need Others for Spiritual Support—Part Two

Hello everybody, and welcome to Pastor Rick's Daily Hope, the

Bible teaching ministry of Rick Warren. We're so excited that

you've joined us today. As we continue in this powerful

series how the Church meets your deepest needs. Together, we're

uncovering the joy and strength that comes from being a

part of God's family. Okay, and now here's Rick with

the final part of a message called you need others

for spiritual support.

So first off, I need a church family. I need

others to walk with me. Let me give you a

second reason. I need others to work with me. Not

just to walk with me, but to work with me.

And did you know that God has a special work

for you to do with your life. Here's what the

Bible says Esians two ten. God made us to do

good works. Look at that well, he said, why am

I alive? God made you to do good works, which

He planned in advance for us to live our life.

Did you know that before you were born? God planned

the good works he wants you to do with your life.

You could miss him, you could miss your purpose in life.

It's not automatic. Remember, life on earth is to practice

for eternity, and one of The fourth things you're going

to do in heaven is serve God. In heaven, everybody's

going to share the work, so we'll never get tired.

But on earth what happens is we try to do

it all ourselves and the result is fatigue. Now God

tells us why we need to work together. Look at

this first Ecclesiastes four nine. Two people are better than

one because they get more done. What read it with

me working together? Two people are better than one. They

get more done by working together. So you need a

church family to get the work that God has for

your life done. God never meant for you to do

it by yourself.

You know. One time, a few years.

Ago, I was making a tour of the East Coast

and I spoke at West Point, the Army Academy. I'll

spoke at the Navy Academy too, but at West Point

it's interesting.

They have a system there. It so impressed me.

It feeds four thousand people, get this in fifteen minutes.

So how in the world do you do that? How

do you feed four thousand people in fifty minutes? Everybody

has a role, And I noticed that when they were

doing this in Westpond, everybody had a role. In fact,

it was a roll with butter on it.

Never mind.

But God has called you to serve others, and it's

in the context of a family, a church family. Sometimes

we think that the greatest Christians are out there all

by themselves. You know, there's this myth about Mother Teresa

that she was out there serving on the streets of

Calcutta all by herself.

No, she wasn't there.

Kay went and served with Mother Teresa a little bit

years ago and came back tell me that Mother Teresa

has an army of sisters helping. You need other people

helping you fulfill the work that God is for your life.

And I said, like this, by myself, I can't do

a lot. You can't do a lot, but together we can.

Snowflakes are frail, they're not by themselves, they're not very

they're not very strong. But if enough of snowflakes stick together,

they can stop traffic. And together we can make a difference,

with each person doing a little. So if you're sitting

listening to me today and you say, man, I'm really tired,

I'm exhausted, it's probably because you've.

Got nobody helping you.

You're missing one of the benefits of being in a

small group and really totally connected to a church family.

You could attend and not really be connected. I want

you to write this down under this point. Community is

God's answer to fatigue. Community is God's answer fatigue. God

didn't meant for you to do it on your own.

If you ever watch the Amish build a barn in

a day, I once saw a TV show about it,

the entire community shows up and they all help. The

Bible says in Galatians six'. Ten every time we get the,

chance let us work for the fit of, all starting

with the people closest to, us in the community of.

Faith SO i need a church family to walk with,

me AND i need a church family to work with

me so THAT i can do the work That god's

called me to. Do number, THREE i need a church.

FAMILY i need others to watch out for, me not

just to walk with, me to work with.

ME i need them to watch out for.

Me in other, WORDS i need people in life my

life who will warn me of, traps who will defend,

me who will protect, me wh will help me stay on.

Track The bible has a lot to say about. This philippians,

two verse four says this look out for one another's,

interest not just for your. Own that's a good. Thing

that's what a family is all, about what a church

family is all. About you, KNOW i have ever seen

any of those neighborhood watch? Signs says you know there's

a neighborhood watch in this. Area that's a sign of.

Community let me ask you, this when have you ever

left on vacation and before you, left you asked a

neighbor to watch your stuff while you were. Gone, probably

so you've asked neighbors to watch your. Stuff, here let

me ask you another. Question have you got anybody watching

out for your? Soul it's far more. Important you may

have a neighbor watching your, stuff but who's watching out

for your? Soul that's part of the family Of. God

we need other people watching out for. Us why because

we all have blind. Spots some of us have bald,

spots but all of us have blind. Spots and there's

some things you just can't. SEE i, mean If i've

got a bald spot back on the back of my

head AND i can't see, that there are some things

that you need other people to tell you in your.

Life when you have a tail light, out you can't see.

It you need other.

People when you have let us in your, teeth you

can't see. It The bible says In hebrews, thirteen verse,

one keep being concerned about each other as the lord's

fo followers should now notice this, says keep being concerned

keep means you be, viligent, vigilant, sorry. Vigilant and in a,

war everybody takes turn on sentry. Duty somebody's got to

be vigilant watching out for the. Enemy you, know since

nine to eleven happened here in The United, states we've

had to be vigilant against terrorists and terror. Attacks AND

i just went through a couple of airports this week

WHERE i had to get, scanned and because they're being

vigilant for the. Enemy but did you know that you

have an even greater, enemy far greater than the terrorist

in the. World and that enemy wants to mess you.

Up he wants to destroy your. Life he's plotting your

downfall every morning before you ever wake. Up he's thinking

how to defeat you with temptations and trials and dead

ends and. Detours See satan fights with an arsenal of

habits and hurts and hang ups and, problems and much of.

The time we're.

Defeated why because we're trying to him on our.

Own that's.

Dumb, well you need other people helping you resist. Temptation

that's what celebrate recovery is all. About so what so

many of our programs are all. About ecclesiastes four to

twelve says a person standing alone can be attacked and,

defeated but two can stand back to back and, conquer

and they are Even the three are even. Better for

a triple braided cord is not easily. Broken you, know

WHEN i read that verse makes me think about years.

AGO i walked across a prison yard in Northern california

with two thousand, convicts most of them there with life,

sentences standing on that, field AND i was invited there

to speak to them on that prison.

Yard but you know, WHAT i had no.

Fear Why why didn't have no hear because Thirty christian

inmates were walking with me on every, side in, front,

behind on either, side watching every. MOVE i wasn't afraid at.

All let me ask you a very personal, question is

anybody protecting your? Backside who's watching out for?

You?

Spiritually nobody at works doing That nobody at school's doing.

That nobody in the, government neighborhood's doing. That you need

a church. Family you need a small. Group you, know

as a, LIFEGUARD i was a lifeguard for three. YEARS

i used to tell people never go swimming by yourself

in the. Ocean you need to have a, buddy a.

Partner we're better. TOGETHER i want you to write this.

Down community Is god's answer to. Defeat the church, family

the family Of god is the answer to Defeat ecclesiastes

four to. Ten if one person, falls another can reach

out and. Help but people who are alone when they,

fall they're in real. Trouble Have let me give you

a couple. More number, FOUR i need people to. FIRST

i need people to walk with me and to watch

over me and to work with. Me number, FOUR i

need others to wait and weep with. ME i need

other people in my life to wait with me When

i'm going through a tough time and to weep with.

Me and that's what a church family is all. About

help me through the inevitable crisis of. Life you, said,

well what are you talking, About, well let me just

give you a list of some. Situations then nobody should

ever have to face. Alone in other, words nobody should

ever have to face waiting in a hospital alone during

a risky. Surgery nobody should ever have to wait alone

for a lab report or a pregnancy. Problem nobody should

have to wait alone for news from a battlefield from

a son or a, daughter or a father or. Mother

nobody should have to have to wait alone for a

corner while they're identifying a. Body nobody should have to

wait alone standing in front of a fresh, grave or

the first night after your husband or your wife, dies

or the first night after your husband or wife walks,

Out that go on and.

On fact these things like this.

Will happen in your life, eventually and it's foolish not

to have your support, network your support your safety net

in place, now because at some point you will have

a life shaking. Crisis none of us know what it

is or how it's going to hit, us but the

time to prepare is. Now and what Is god's safety.

Net it's a group of believers who are committed to

you and you were committed to. Them who's committed to

you right? Now could you could you rattle off the

name of people who'd be there in an? Instant let

me ask you it another, Way who could count on

you that if they had crisis in their, life you

would be there in an instant for them One peter three.

Eight the first part of the verse is, this you

should be like one big, family full of sympathy toward each.

Other And i've told you many times about how my

personal small group has helped me through very difficult, times

and how we've traced all you, know we faced.

All kinds of trauma.

Together First corinthians twelve twenty six Is god's plan for

a church, family and it says it like, this if

one member, suffers all suffer. Together one of our members get,

cancer we all ought to care about, that pray for,

him support.

Him you.

KNOW i remember while back reading the newspaper article about

a guy who laid dead in his bed for two

years in his home and nobody. Noticed, Friends that is.

Tragic imagine. Despair no one should ever die. ALONE i

want you to write this. Down community Is god's answer to.

Despair It's god's answer. Despair romans fifteen, Twelve verse. Fifteen

be happy with those who are, happy and weep with

those who. Weep that MEANS i need people who wait

with me When i'm scared to, death and who will

watch with me and they'll pray for me and they'll

weep with. Me you, know the truth is we often

don't know how to handle. Tears and sometimes you'll be

in a small group and somebody starts crying and everybody

feels a little. Awkward why are you feeling? Awkward let

me give you a little. Tip when you're in a

small group and somebody tears, up tears are always a

sign that is time to stop and pray.

And probably just go over and give them a.

Hug or put a hand on their hand and, squeeze

squeeze their. Hand you don't have to fix people's, problems

but you do have to be. There you have to

have the ministry of. Presence sometimes you just need to

sit in silence with them and weep with.

Them The bible says weep with those who.

Weep, First tesstalonians five eleven, says you, know you've got

to be. Flexible it says, this encourage each other and

strengthen one. Another, well let me ask you a very personal.

Question who do you need to encourage? Today can you

think of somebody who might need your encouragement right? Now,

finally let me give you one more reason why you

need the support of A christian spiritual church family in

order for spiritual. HEALTH i need him to walk with.

ME i need him to work with. ME i need

him to watch and wait with. Me, OKAY i need

him to just be with me and all the things of.

Life but the number, FIVE i need others to witness with.

Me did you know That god, SAYS i expect you

to tell other people about What i've done for. You

did you know That god expects you to fulfill a

mission in the world and share your life, message the

story of your life with. Others, Well god doesn't expect

you to do it by. Yourself he, SAYS i need

other people to witness with. Me and there's great power

in group. Witness it's very impressive when people come to

Saddle Back church any of our, campuses and they walk

in and they see people worshiping.

Together that's a.

Witness but you know, what the greatest witness of your

life is to unbelievers loving each.

Other loving each.

Other The bible, says see how they love one. Another

The bible says that that is the essence of our highest.

Witness what impresses a. Community the most is our love

for each. Other john thirteen thirty. Five jesus said it this,

way your love for one another will prove to the

world that you Are my. Disciples if you don't love

other members of a, church where are you proving to

the world's true is. Disciple this is our, Goal this

is our goal for this entire, series that your love

for each other will prove.

To the world that You're my. Disciples that is our.

Goal the one thing that proves to the world that

you're a follower Of Jesus. Christ it's not our, buildings

it's not our bumper, stickers it's not our. Programs it's

our love for each. Other and in this, series this

forty eight days, TOGETHER i want you to start a

revolution of love in your, community at your, office at your,

workplace at, school in your. Neighborhood, First timothy wants Tewod

timothy one.

P seven says.

This The Holy spirit doesn't want you to be afraid of,

people but he wants. You wants you to be wise

and strong and to, love love, them and enjoy being with.

Them that is one of the reasons Why god needs

us to be in a, family so that other people

can help.

Us in sharing the good.

News you, Know i've often asked, you is anybody going

to be in heaven because of?

You So i'm asking it again.

Today is anybody going to be in heaven because of?

YOU i want to help, you AND i want to

help you by, saying you don't have to do this

on your. Own let's reach your, friends your, neighbors your family,

members your. Relatives let's reach to people in your. Circle

and you're part of the world. TOGETHER i want you

to write this. Down god's answer to fear is. Community,

see you lose your fear when you Realize god is

near and other people with. You you're just not as much.

Afraid you know WHAT i want people to be able

to say about this church Saddle, back BUT i Want

god to be able to say it about other churches.

Too that what THEY i Want god to be able

to say about us and other people say about. Us

what was said about the church In, philippi which was

a little city In. Greece and In philippians chapter, one

verse twenty, Seven paul says this about that. Congregation he,

says you are working, together that's the family Of, god

and you're struggling side by side to get others to

believe the good. NEWS i want that to be said

about Saddle Back, church that we're working, together struggling side

by side to get others to believe the good. News

and here's the bottom. Line so let me sum it

all up for this. Weekend we need each. Other you

need other believers in a, church family and in a small,

group and you need them to walk with, you especially

through troubles and. Trials you need them to work with

you as you develop your, gifts your spiritual, gifts and your.

Shape you need them to watch out for you and

the traps and the troubles all. Around you need them

to weep with you when you have, losses and you

need them to witness with. You as together we make

a front of the world to say we are not

ashamed to say we Love Jesus. Christ Now i'm going

to ask you to say something aloud in all twenty.

Campuses you THINK i can't hear, you BUT i. Can,

OKAY i want you to say this, aloud so everybody say.

IT i, okay some of you did not say. IT

i see you on the fourth. Row, OKAY i see,

you AND i hear you SAY i, okay, EVERYBODY i,

okay and then repeat this word really say it really

really really really need a small. Group need a small.

Group you know what that. Is you just made the

declaration of. Interdependence that's the declaration of. INTERDEPENDENCE i really, really,

really really really need a small. Group during this, series

we're going to learn how to meet the deepest emotional

spiritual needs of each, other and we're also going to

learn how to have our needs met at the same. Time,

now let me pray for you as we. Close, father

it is time for the church to really be the,

church not the kind of church that everybody's heard, about

the boring, kind the kind that doesn't meet the, needs

that doesn't fulfill the purposes Of.

God.

Father it's time for the church to have a revolution

of love and fellowship and. Community as we are members

of The body Of. Christ, together we're brothers and sisters

and the family Of. God please begin this in our hearts.

Today with all my, Heart, LORD i believe that our

church and all of our campuses and many many other

churches will start Fulfilling god's purposes. Together that when we do,

that we'll see a new revelation and a new revitalization

and a new, revival not just in our church and

in other, churches but a spiritual awakening in our nations

and in the. World now you, pray would you pray

say something like, This Dear, god forgive me for all

the times THAT i FELT i didn't need other people

in my, life or didn't even need your, family the.

Church.

GOD i want to be a part of What you're

doing on earth through your. FAMILY i want to experience

real community and fellowship in my. Church i'm tired of superficial.

RELATIONSHIPS i want to learn to love and be loved

in a deeper. WAY i open up my life to, You.

Jesus thank you for bringing me to this church. Family

thank you for a place to, belong a place to,

grow a place to, fellowship to, serve to, share to Worship.

GOD i don't want to be a passive follower or

a passive attender. ANYMORE i commit to getting into a small.

Group SO i can learn about real.

Community And please bless our church family as we learn

and grow together in the next forty eight.

Days In jesus's, Name, hey if you.

Just prayed to Receive jesus as Your lord and, savior awesome,

congratulations and we would love to hear from you and

send you some free materials to help you know him.

Better so Email rick at pastorrick dot. Com That's rick

at pastor rick dot. Com and now Here's rick to

tell you about today's.

Offer one of the things That i've discovered is that

everybody eventually asks the questions of. Significance why AM i?

Here and what is my? Purpose what on earth AM

i here? For So i've updated The Purpose Driven life

BECAUSE i wanted to help people like you understand How

god created us for five eternal. Purposes The bible says

that long before we heard Of, christ he had his

eye on, us had his designs on us for glorious.

Living that it was part of his overall purpose that

he's working out in everything and. Everyone god has never

made a person that he doesn't have a purpose. For you,

know that simple message needs to be shared with the

whole new. GENERATION a young girl who was twelve years

old WHEN i Wrote Purpose Driven life is now twenty,

two and she needs to hear this essential message That

god has a, plan has a, purpose and has a

reason for everything that happens in our. Lives and WHAT

i did Is after reading hundreds of thousands of comments

that have come into me over the past, Decade i've

added two new chapters that will help you handle the

two most common problems and barriers to living a life of.

Purpose NOW i want you to have this newly revised

expanded copy Of Purpose Driven. LIFE i think you'll find

it's a fresh reminder of things that you may have

forgotten when you first read. It or you might want

to give the book to somebody who has never read

it and is struggling to find their. Purpose so this,

Month i'm offering to you a hardback copy of the

updated expanded edition Of Purpose Driven. Life what On earth

AM i hear? For it's my gift to you for

your financial support of this.

Ministry just go To pastorick dot com to get your

copy of this great. Resource that's pastorick dot. Com or

you can text the word hope to seven oh three oh. Nine,

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