Not Easily Broken

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

Creation in Genesis Points to Community

• God existed as community before the beginning of time

  • Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

  •  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” - Genesis 1:1-3

  • “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” - John 1:1-3

• Adam and Eve lived in shalom in the Garden of Eden

  • “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a suitable helper for him.” - Genesis 2:18

  • "Adam and Eve were both naked, and they felt no shame.” - Genesis 2:25

The Law was established to encourage love of God and of each other

• Ten Commandments - Exodus 20:1-17

The Prophets speak out against idolatry and injustice

• “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights, and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and depriving the fatherless.” - Isaiah 10:1-2

• “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8

Jesus’s earthly ministry is based in relationship

• Greatest Commandment - “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40

• Great Commission - “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

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