Together with All the Saints

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message is about the importance of gathering together with other believers, not just for socializing or entertainment, but to experience spiritual growth and deepening in our faith. We see this emphasized by the Apostle Paul, who longed to be with the Romans so that he could impart spiritual gifts to them and strengthen their faith (Romans 1:11). When we come together with all the saints, something special happens - we are mutually encouraged by each other's faith, and we begin to comprehend the depth of God's love for us.

Key Scripture References

• Ephesians 3:14-21 - This passage shows Paul on his knees, begging God to grant strength to the Ephesian believers through the Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts. He prays for them to comprehend the love of God, which surpasses human understanding.
• Romans 1:11 - Paul's desire to see the Romans and impart spiritual gifts to them is a key example of the importance of gathering together with other believers. He wants to strengthen their faith and help them grow in their relationship with God.
• Ephesians 3:18-19 - Paul asks God to grant his readers to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of God's love, which is beyond human comprehension. This is a key takeaway from this passage - that God's love is vast and deep, and we can only begin to understand it when we come together with all the saints.
• Hebrews 10:24-25 - The author of Hebrews reminds us that we should not neglect meeting together with other believers, but instead encourage one another in our faith. This is a key application point from this passage - that gathering together with others is essential for spiritual growth and encouragement.
• Ephesians 4:1-16 - Paul's teaching on the importance of unity among believers is a key supporting truth to this message. He reminds us that we are all part of one body, and that we should strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
• Colossians 2:1-2 - Paul's prayer for the Colossian believers is a key example of the importance of intercessory prayer. He prays that they may be filled with the knowledge of God's will, and that they may be strengthened with all might according to his glorious power.
• 1 Corinthians 14:3 - Paul reminds us that the purpose of speaking in tongues is to edify or build up others in their faith. This is a key insight from this passage - that when we come together with other believers, we should be focused on building each other up in our faith.

Key Takeaways

• We must not neglect meeting together with other believers, but instead encourage one another in our faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). When we gather together, something special happens - we are mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
• Gathering together with all the saints is essential for spiritual growth and encouragement. We can only begin to comprehend the depth of God's love when we come together with others (Ephesians 3:14-21).
• When we pray for one another, we are participating in a powerful act of intercession that can bring about significant spiritual change (Colossians 2:1-2). We should be praying for each other's strength and growth in our faith.
• The purpose of gathering together with others is not just to socialize or entertain ourselves, but to experience spiritual growth and deepening in our faith. When we come together with all the saints, we are building each other up in our faith (1 Corinthians 14:3).

This Week's Challenge

Take some time this week to pray for someone you know who is struggling in their faith. Ask God to grant them strength and growth in their relationship with Him, just as Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers (Ephesians 3:14-21). Also, make an effort to gather together with other believers - whether it's at church or in a small group setting. Let's strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-16).

Reflection Questions

• What are some ways that you can encourage others in their faith this week? How can you be a source of strength and support for those around you?
• Think about a time when you felt encouraged or strengthened by gathering together with other believers. What was it about that experience that had such a profound impact on your faith?
• How can you apply the principle of intercessory prayer to your own life? Who are some people that you can pray for this week, and how can you ask God to grant them strength and growth in their relationship with Him?