“SHARING LIFE TOGETHER” Pastor Scott Kim November 30, 2008 TEXT: The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives. This is the list of the twelve he sent: Simon (they called him Peter, or "Rock"), Andrew, his brother, James, Zebedee's son, John, his brother, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, the tax man, James, son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon, the Zealot, Judas Iscariot (who later turned on him). Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: “Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.” -Matthew 10:1-8 (The Message) COMMUNITY WAS JESUS’ PLAN TO CHANGE THE WORLD. Three Dynamics: Jesus is Uniquely P____________ in His Community. “Wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.” -Matthew 18:20 “Personalities united can contain more of God and sustain the force of His presence than scattered individuals.” –Dallas Willard Community Also Prevents S_______________ D____________ in Our Lives. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” -Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) Community is a Place of L___________. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” -John 15:12 (NIV) “This is my command: Love each other.” -John 15:17 (NIV) “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." -John 13:35 (NIV)