BEING FAITHFUL TOGETHER
My brother-in-law, Jason, my wife’s brother is an avid scuba diver and certified diver who explores the depths under the water, ice and caves. His stories often bring a mix of awe and anxiety, illustrating the extreme nature of scuba diving. This sport, while exhilarating, is fraught with dangers and demands strict adherence to safety regulations. Among the oldest and most important rules is the concept of the “dive buddy.”
What Exactly is a Dive Buddy? A dive buddy is more than just good company underwater. This person serves as a support system, ensuring the dive is safe and enjoyable. They help verify that all equipment is functioning correctly, assist with navigation, watch out for wildlife like sharks, and provide essential support in emergencies. This partnership is vital for a diver’s safety and peace of mind.
June is not only the month of Father’s Day but also Men’s Mental Health Month. According to the UNC School of Medicine, men are less likely than women to seek help for depression, substance use, and other stressful life events. Social norms often discourage men from developing deep friendships and sharing their struggles. However, learning to open up and connect deeply with others is a sign of strength, not weakness. This concept applies to both men and women. We all need a “faith buddy” — someone to walk with us through life’s challenges.
Being connected in faith means deepening our relationship with God through our relationships with other Christians. This connection makes us feel safer, less lonely, and enriches our lives. Think of those people who have been your faith buddies and thank God for them. One of the greatest weapons the enemy uses is to make us feel isolated, as if God has abandoned us and no one can understand our struggles.
SPIRITUAL TRUTH IS…
God sometimes shows up in big ways.
God sometimes shows up in quiet ways.
The Bible reassures us that God never abandons anyone. Every story in the Bible shows that people may abandon God, but He never abandons them. God sometimes shows up in big, miraculous ways and other times in quiet, gentle whispers.
Consider the prophet Elijah, one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. In 1 Kings 19:9-18, Elijah, feeling deeply alone and fearful, tells God that he is the only one left who serves Him. God responds not in the mighty wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper, reminding Elijah that he is not alone and that there are still 7,000 faithful people in Israel.
Elijah’s journey reveals that even the greatest among us can feel depressed and anxious, believing they are utterly alone. But the reality is that God is always there, and He often provides us with a remnant of faith buddies to support us.
God sometimes shows up in big ways, as He did when Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. But God also shows up in quiet ways, providing just enough strength and sustenance for the next step, as He did when He sent an angel to feed Elijah under the broom tree.
Elijah’s successor, Elisha, also learned the importance of faith buddies. When surrounded by an enemy army, Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened to see the divine protection around them (2 Kings 6:16-17). Spiritually, we are never alone. God places people around us to remind us of who He is and who we are.
This Father’s Day, let us remember the importance of having a dive buddy in our spiritual journey — someone to verify our spiritual equipment, help us navigate the waters of life, and support us in times of emergency. Like the biblical stories of Elijah and Elisha, we are reminded that we are never alone. God is always with us, and He has blessed us with faith buddies to walk alongside us. Let’s live faithfully together, deeply connected to God and each other.
My brother-in-law, Jason, my wife’s brother is an avid scuba diver and certified diver who explores the depths under the water, ice and caves. His stories often bring a mix of awe and anxiety, illustrating the extreme nature of scuba diving. This sport, while exhilarating, is fraught with dangers and demands strict adherence to safety regulations. Among the oldest and most important rules is the concept of the “dive buddy.”
What Exactly is a Dive Buddy? A dive buddy is more than just good company underwater. This person serves as a support system, ensuring the dive is safe and enjoyable. They help verify that all equipment is functioning correctly, assist with navigation, watch out for wildlife like sharks, and provide essential support in emergencies. This partnership is vital for a diver’s safety and peace of mind.
June is not only the month of Father’s Day but also Men’s Mental Health Month. According to the UNC School of Medicine, men are less likely than women to seek help for depression, substance use, and other stressful life events. Social norms often discourage men from developing deep friendships and sharing their struggles. However, learning to open up and connect deeply with others is a sign of strength, not weakness. This concept applies to both men and women. We all need a “faith buddy” — someone to walk with us through life’s challenges.
Being connected in faith means deepening our relationship with God through our relationships with other Christians. This connection makes us feel safer, less lonely, and enriches our lives. Think of those people who have been your faith buddies and thank God for them. One of the greatest weapons the enemy uses is to make us feel isolated, as if God has abandoned us and no one can understand our struggles.
SPIRITUAL TRUTH IS…
God sometimes shows up in big ways.
God sometimes shows up in quiet ways.
The Bible reassures us that God never abandons anyone. Every story in the Bible shows that people may abandon God, but He never abandons them. God sometimes shows up in big, miraculous ways and other times in quiet, gentle whispers.
Consider the prophet Elijah, one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. In 1 Kings 19:9-18, Elijah, feeling deeply alone and fearful, tells God that he is the only one left who serves Him. God responds not in the mighty wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper, reminding Elijah that he is not alone and that there are still 7,000 faithful people in Israel.
Elijah’s journey reveals that even the greatest among us can feel depressed and anxious, believing they are utterly alone. But the reality is that God is always there, and He often provides us with a remnant of faith buddies to support us.
God sometimes shows up in big ways, as He did when Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. But God also shows up in quiet ways, providing just enough strength and sustenance for the next step, as He did when He sent an angel to feed Elijah under the broom tree.
Elijah’s successor, Elisha, also learned the importance of faith buddies. When surrounded by an enemy army, Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened to see the divine protection around them (2 Kings 6:16-17). Spiritually, we are never alone. God places people around us to remind us of who He is and who we are.
This Father’s Day, let us remember the importance of having a dive buddy in our spiritual journey — someone to verify our spiritual equipment, help us navigate the waters of life, and support us in times of emergency. Like the biblical stories of Elijah and Elisha, we are reminded that we are never alone. God is always with us, and He has blessed us with faith buddies to walk alongside us. Let’s live faithfully together, deeply connected to God and each other.
Posted in Sermon Outline
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