“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. 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
Ecclesiastes is a piece of wisdom literature in your bible. The word means “teacher” or “preacher”. It’s believed to be written by Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. “The Preacher” is trying to let us know the importance of doing life with other people. At ENCNJ, we are big into “Connect Groups”. These are small groups of men and women who gather around the word of God and pray and encourage one another. Solomon believes your influence and impact will be increased as we do life together. We are better together.
INCREASED PRODUCTION: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor……”
One day Bishop Wright was discussing philosophy with a college professor. The bishop’s opinion was that the millennium was at hand. As evidence, he cited the fact that everything about nature had already been discovered and that all useful inventions had already been made.
The Professor politely told the Bishop that he was mistaken. “Why, in a few years,” he said, “we’ll be able to fly through the air.”
“What a nonsensical idea,” Bishop Wright said. “Flight,” he assured the professor, “is reserved for the birds and the angels.” Ironically, you may have heard of the Bishop’s two sons: Orville and Wilbur Wright, the first men to fly with the birds and the angels! We believe our ‘spiritual sons and daughters’ will do more than we could ever imagine. Jesus promised the works that he did, we would do! And even ‘greater than these’!!
A staggering promise from the King of King’s: Whether its aviation, technology or faith. We are better together.
INCREASED PROTECTION: “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up……”
It was May 1984; a tall, skinny pitcher with glasses by the name of Orel Hershiser was having a rough rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hall of fame manager Tommy Lasorda called the young pitcher into his office for what would become a career changing moment. He sat the young Hershiser down and began to rip into him for blowing a game the previous night and followed up the barrage by telling him he had ‘Great Stuff’ but was pitching scared. ‘You need to be fierce, to have the heart of a bulldog! In fact, that’s what I’m going to call you from now on “Bulldog!” screamed Lasorda. Orel Hershiser would go on to become a World Series MVP and 3x All-Star. Lasorda would later call this meeting “The Sermon on the Mound”.
Whether in sports or the Christian life, we need other people to pick us up when we fall, to provoke and challenge us to do greater things in Christ. Who is in your life to pick you up when you stumble and fall? We are better together.
INCREASED PASSION: “Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?”
If you’re a single guy, please don’t use that as a pickup line! The Preacher is telling us what we all know to be true, PASSION is contagious. I remember several years ago my daughter and I were riding the subway in NYC. At one stop, 3 men boarded our subway car and greeted everyone, and all of a sudden we hear “Good afternoon ladies and gentleman”! If you have ever been on the subway in New York City, you know what line is coming next……..”Money please!” These men were different though, they wanted nothing but to bless us with a song about their Savior, Jesus Christ. They began to sing in perfect harmony. The atmosphere changed in an instant. In fact, hardened New Yorkers softened before my eyes and everyone began to join them in song!! Our car was transformed into a cathedral of praise. When the subway car arrived at the next stop, the men blessed the people and exited the car. As they, so did the passion. The car was eerily silent and people resumed playing with their devices and reading their newspapers, heads down.
There have been seasons in my life when I’ve been bored in my faith. Things become dry and stale, and stagnant. I’ve learned to fill my life with passionate people. Just being around their excitement for the Lord spills over onto me and tends to reignite my passion and zeal for Jesus. Who are the ‘Firestarter’s’ in your life? We are better together.
INCREASED POWER: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”
The Navy Seals have a survival motto, “Two is one and one is none”. The idea being, always have a backup or a reserve for those moments life hits us hard and unexpectedly. Jesus, in His darkest hour, called on Peter, James and John to keep ‘watch with him in prayer’. Think about it, if the Son of God recognized a need for others in His life, how much more do we? Jesus knew….. We are better together.
You can find more information on our Connect groups here: https://dev.everynationnj.org/connect-groups/ or contact us anytime at info@everynationnj.org