Rooted: Connect Culture

January 30th, 2022/Riverside & Lookout

Story: It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Question: How many of you have ever ended up in spaces that you didn’t belong?

Your connections will affect every area of your life

Your lack of connections will affect every area of your life

Connection isn’t our cause, it’s not what we do

Connection is our culture because it’s who we are

The great commission and the greatest commandment are about… PEOPLE! Only two things last forever on this earth, the Word of God and the souls of women and men. Connection is not our culture simply because we value friendships, it’s because we value heaven!

Therefore, everyone is on the connect team, not just on Sunday, but Monday in the office, Tuesday at the gym, Wednesday in your neighborhood, Thursday on the slopes, Friday with your family, Saturday with the barista…

Your greatest investment is not your retirement, but your relationships. Your greatest resource is relationships. Give me 1 good friend over a mansion in Boulder. Give me 1 close friend over a beach house in San Clemente. In life there is no comparison to healthy and growing relationships.

Title: It’s not what you know, but who you know

Pray:

Main Points:

1. The Call to Connection

   1. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT
   2. We live in a city where there are a lot of people in real trouble! Countless souls are alone and isolated.

   3. Circle of Relationships (Connections)

      1. Connection with God
      2. Connection with your spouse & kids
      3. Connection with your extended family
      4. Connection with the church
      5. Connection with a friend
      6. Connection with an acquaintance
      7. Connection with a stranger
      8. Question: are you open and willing to let people in to your most vulnerable places?

      9. It’s hard to know, if you aren’t willing to be known. It’s hard to love, if you aren’t willing to be loved.

         4. Connections are the personal relationships that you have or are forming. There are two types of relationships, life giving relationships and energy sucking relationships.

      10. Life Giving = fun, energy, laughs, support, encouragement, loyalty, protection.

      11. Energy Sucking = draining, exhausting, flakey, critical, negative.
      12. “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” - Romans 12:18 NLT

      13. You can cherry pick relationships, but what if God is wanting you to diversify so that you can be strengthened in areas you didn’t even know were lacking?

          5. A Prayer For Increase

      14. Pray that God would increase your capacity to connect. New relationships, restored relationships, healthy relationships, relationships with purpose and meaning! Relationships with vision in mind!

          6. “You don’t find community, you build it.” - Noah Oldham

      15. Go from shallow to the deep waters quickly.

      16. Connect Four:

          1. What’s your name?

             1. Listen and remember people's names. 2. Where do you live?

             2. Find out where people live, work, and play, and go to them! 3. What’s your story?

             3. Really listen. Lean in to their past, their present situation, and their future dreams. Lean in to where they are spiritually and walk the journey with them, pointing them to Jesus. 4. How can I pray for you?

             4. Discover their needs and then meet them. Commit to pray for them. Reach out to them and check on them. Let them know that you are here to carry their load.

2. Relationships flourish when you create margin to listen.

   1. Connection takes time, presence, and intentionality. You can’t shortchange genuine connection.
   2. Let’s lean in to connecting with those God has placed around us… let us never settle for isolation, busyness, and complacency.
   3. Real connection doesn’t just connect voices, it connects hearts. It’s intentional in going deeper for a greater purpose.

3. The Source of Connection

   1. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. — 17 This is my command: Love each other.

   2. Abide in Christ, Bear Fruit, and Love One Another

      1. “The proof of our love is not in our feelings but in our actions, even to the extent of laying down our lives for Christ and for one another.” - Warren Wiersbe
      2. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” - 1 John 3:16 NLT
      3. Our response to love people around us is a result of a transformed life by Christ laying down His life for us!

      4. Success in relationships is not found in a strategy, but in the Source.

         3. Illustration: Connection to the Source

      5. Light - gives direction and hope

      6. Powertool - gives purpose and power
      7. NOW I CAN SEE IT, FEEL IT, AND HAVE THE POWER TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

      8. What are the fruits of your obedience?

         1. Healthy relationships
         2. Salvations
         3. Miracles
         4. Healing
         5. Faith
         6. Joy
         7. Peace 5. “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” - Romans 5:5 NLT 6. Christlike connection is not manufactured by us, but produced by God.
            4. Your connection determines your direction. There is both a priority and responsibility involved. And as we connect it is both a joy and privilege!

4. The Goal of Connection

   1. Goal of Connections

      1. Friendship
      2. Love (Marriage)
      3. Networking
      4. Mentorship

      5. Mission (evangelism & discipleship)

         2. Priority Goal

      6. To know

      7. To love
      8. To sacrifice
         3. Authenticity over agenda. I’m not looking to change or leverage people, I’m looking to love and serve people and let God work in their lives to bring about real connection and transformation.

Closing: The Gospel

Connection doesn’t say “come to me.” Real connection goes to others.

To all those that feel alone and isolated

To everyone who feels like they don’t have a team

We’re coming for you! Connection is our culture!

It’s who we are, it’s who we’ve been, and it’s who we’re always going to be!