Testify: Less of Me | Overflow Church Grand Prairie, Tx | Notes
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Testify: Less of Me





Family: We follow Jesus together.

Genesis 2:15–18 (NLT) 15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

“God’s
 method for the mandate is family.”
“Family is God’s primary form of government.”
“Only lost sheep travel alone!”

Jesus re-established family.

Matthew 12:46–50 (TPT) 46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside, asking for him to come out and speak with them. 47 Then someone said, “Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to have a word with you.” 48 But Jesus just looked at him and said, “Let me introduce you to my true mother and brothers.” 49 Then gesturing to the disciples gathered around him, he said, “Look closely, for this is my true family. 50 When you obey my heavenly Father, that makes you a part of my true family.”

John 6:28–29 (NIV) 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

John 1:12 (NLT) To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

1. We need one another 
Acts 2:42–47 (NLT) 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Hebrews 10:23–25 (NIV) 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

True fellowship includes:
1. Vulnerability/Authenticity  
2. Encouragement & Enjoyment
3. Sharpening 
  • “Fellowship is not just a shoulder to cry on but a stone to sharpen our edges.”
4. Forgiveness
  • “We are the most like Christ when we forgive those that have done us wrong.”
5. Generosity and resourcing
Galatians 6:10(NIV)Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. 

2. We meet needs together.
God blesses what we do together. 
Psalm 133:1–3 (NIV) 1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

He brought us into a family to reveal his goodness.

Ephesians 2:19–22 (NIV) 19 You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.