Isolation and Community

In seven words, when it’s all said and done, what is the good news of Jesus Christ? Our theme today is one of the most pressing issues in culture: isolation and the need for community. Whether we’re the only person in a house, lost in a crowded room or big family, or not honest about our true number of “likes” or “followers”, we know what it means to feel alone.

The Scriptures have much to say about isolation and community. The psalmist says, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home” (Psalm 68:5–6a).

We consider the gospel in terms of the gracious community into which God places us. We are baptized into Christ and each other. We commune with the Lord as one body around one table. We live together through good times and bad, glorifying God and supporting one another in Christian love and charity. And we look forward to the eternal reunion God has in store for all who believe. How could we summarize this good news? Which seven words shall we choose? Let’s try this: “Jesus refuses to leave His people alone.”