January 18th, 2026
by Pastor Matt Vandeleest
by Pastor Matt Vandeleest
What if the Christian life wasn't about adding more activities to your already-packed calendar? What if it was about something far more natural, more life-giving, and more sustainable than we've often been taught?
Picture this: It's Tuesday evening. You've just finished a long day at work, and you're standing in your kitchen preparing dinner. Your house isn't perfect—there are cobwebs in that corner you keep meaning to address, toys scattered across the living room floor, and dishes still sitting in the sink. But then you have a thought: Why eat alone? You grab your phone and send a quick text to another family from church, inviting them to join you for pasta.
A few hours later, your table is surrounded by laughter, conversation flows freely, kids are playing together, and you realize something profound: This is it. This is real life happening. And you didn't have to do it alone.
The Distinguishing Mark of Christ's Followers
In John 13:35, Jesus makes a remarkable statement: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Notice what Jesus chose as the distinguishing mark of His followers—not theological precision alone, not perfect attendance at religious gatherings, but love expressed through authentic community.
This isn't a passive, distant kind of love. It's the kind that shows up, that opens doors, that shares burdens, that speaks truth, and that walks alongside others through the messy realities of everyday life.
The good news? Christian community doesn't depend on our efforts to manufacture it. We're not part of God's family because we worked hard enough or attended enough events. We're part of it because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
Ephesians 2:12-13 reminds us of this transformative reality: "Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
The cross didn't just reconcile us to God—it reconciled us to each other. We are being built together as God's household, a dwelling place for His Spirit. This isn't something we manufacture; it's who we are because of Christ's work.
Three Essential "One Anothers"
Scripture gives us clear instructions on how to love each other well. Here are three foundational commands that shape authentic Christian community:
1. Bear One Another's Burdens
Galatians 6:2 tells us, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." This isn't about helping with a bad attitude or feeling obligated to fix everyone's problems. It's about recognizing that we all have brokenness, and we're called to walk with each other through it—not for them, but alongside them.
When someone is struggling with temptation, suffering through a medical crisis, or battling persistent sin, we don't just send a quick "praying for you" text. We show up. We sit in hospital waiting rooms. We help with the kids. We bring meals. We speak truth when lies are being believed.
This is a privilege—we get to be Christ's hands and feet to one another.
2. Confess to One Another
James 5:16 instructs us: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." This might be the most difficult command for many of us. Opening up about our struggles, our temptations, our failures—it feels vulnerable and risky.
But here's the truth: sin always isolates. It thrives in darkness and secrecy. It tells us to stay quiet, to keep our struggles hidden, to handle things on our own. But when we have a community that understands we're all sinners in need of grace, we create a safe place for confession.
When sin is brought into the light, its power is broken. Confession leads to healing. And we get to experience that healing together, which causes growth in all of us.
3. Encourage One Another Daily
Hebrews 3:13 says, "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Notice the frequency—every day. Not once a month or even once a week, but daily.
Why? Because sin is deceitful. It hardens hearts gradually. We drift when we're isolated. We believe lies when nobody speaks truth into our lives.
Biblical encouragement isn't just thinking nice thoughts about people. It's speaking truth that strengthens someone's faith, pointing each other back to Christ, and urging each other toward faithfulness. It's saying "keep going" when someone wants to quit, and "turn back" when someone is walking in sin.
Foundation and Practice: A New Way to Think About Community
Here's where we need to shift our thinking. Christian community isn't about adding more church activities to your already-busy schedule. It's about living an integrated life rather than a fragmented one.
Foundation is what happens when we gather together for worship, biblical teaching, celebrating baptism and the Lord's Supper, and prayer. This is essential. It's the primary rhythm that prepares us for the rest of the week.
Practice is what happens everywhere else—in your home, workplace, neighborhood, and during your kids' activities. This is where bearing burdens, confessing sins, and daily encouragement come alive.
The principle is simple: Integrate believers into your existing rhythms of life.
You're already making dinner—double the recipe and invite another family over. You're already shoveling your driveway—knock on your neighbor's door and offer to help, then invite them in for coffee. You're already grabbing lunch at work—ask another believer to join you. Your kids already have soccer games on Saturday—text another family and suggest a picnic together.
You're not adding activities. You're opening up where you already are. This isn't more; it's just different. It's not addition; it's integration.
Freedom in Different Seasons
Here's crucial freedom: different seasons of life allow for different capacity. Young parents with toddlers will have different rhythms than empty nesters. Those caring for aging parents or navigating demanding work seasons shouldn't feel guilty about limited availability.
Faithfulness isn't about doing everything. It's about living an integrated Christian life rather than keeping church in one compartment and the rest of life in another.
However, if you only gather on Sundays but have no community during the week—no meals shared, no burdens carried, no encouragement given or received, no one who really knows you—then you're living a fragmented life. And isolation is spiritually dangerous.
The Gospel Creates Community
Remember this foundational truth: you were once far off, a stranger without hope, but Christ's blood brought you near. He destroyed the dividing wall of hostility and made you family.
That's why we embrace each other—not out of obligation, but because of what Christ has done. He embraced you at the cross. Now you get to embrace one another.
So here's the challenge: Have one conversation this week. Ask yourself or discuss with your spouse: What would it look like to integrate Christian community into our existing rhythms? Where can we invite somebody in? What's one way we could do life together this month?
Christ has embraced you. Therefore, embrace one another.
Picture this: It's Tuesday evening. You've just finished a long day at work, and you're standing in your kitchen preparing dinner. Your house isn't perfect—there are cobwebs in that corner you keep meaning to address, toys scattered across the living room floor, and dishes still sitting in the sink. But then you have a thought: Why eat alone? You grab your phone and send a quick text to another family from church, inviting them to join you for pasta.
A few hours later, your table is surrounded by laughter, conversation flows freely, kids are playing together, and you realize something profound: This is it. This is real life happening. And you didn't have to do it alone.
The Distinguishing Mark of Christ's Followers
In John 13:35, Jesus makes a remarkable statement: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Notice what Jesus chose as the distinguishing mark of His followers—not theological precision alone, not perfect attendance at religious gatherings, but love expressed through authentic community.
This isn't a passive, distant kind of love. It's the kind that shows up, that opens doors, that shares burdens, that speaks truth, and that walks alongside others through the messy realities of everyday life.
The good news? Christian community doesn't depend on our efforts to manufacture it. We're not part of God's family because we worked hard enough or attended enough events. We're part of it because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
Ephesians 2:12-13 reminds us of this transformative reality: "Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
The cross didn't just reconcile us to God—it reconciled us to each other. We are being built together as God's household, a dwelling place for His Spirit. This isn't something we manufacture; it's who we are because of Christ's work.
Three Essential "One Anothers"
Scripture gives us clear instructions on how to love each other well. Here are three foundational commands that shape authentic Christian community:
1. Bear One Another's Burdens
Galatians 6:2 tells us, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." This isn't about helping with a bad attitude or feeling obligated to fix everyone's problems. It's about recognizing that we all have brokenness, and we're called to walk with each other through it—not for them, but alongside them.
When someone is struggling with temptation, suffering through a medical crisis, or battling persistent sin, we don't just send a quick "praying for you" text. We show up. We sit in hospital waiting rooms. We help with the kids. We bring meals. We speak truth when lies are being believed.
This is a privilege—we get to be Christ's hands and feet to one another.
2. Confess to One Another
James 5:16 instructs us: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." This might be the most difficult command for many of us. Opening up about our struggles, our temptations, our failures—it feels vulnerable and risky.
But here's the truth: sin always isolates. It thrives in darkness and secrecy. It tells us to stay quiet, to keep our struggles hidden, to handle things on our own. But when we have a community that understands we're all sinners in need of grace, we create a safe place for confession.
When sin is brought into the light, its power is broken. Confession leads to healing. And we get to experience that healing together, which causes growth in all of us.
3. Encourage One Another Daily
Hebrews 3:13 says, "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Notice the frequency—every day. Not once a month or even once a week, but daily.
Why? Because sin is deceitful. It hardens hearts gradually. We drift when we're isolated. We believe lies when nobody speaks truth into our lives.
Biblical encouragement isn't just thinking nice thoughts about people. It's speaking truth that strengthens someone's faith, pointing each other back to Christ, and urging each other toward faithfulness. It's saying "keep going" when someone wants to quit, and "turn back" when someone is walking in sin.
Foundation and Practice: A New Way to Think About Community
Here's where we need to shift our thinking. Christian community isn't about adding more church activities to your already-busy schedule. It's about living an integrated life rather than a fragmented one.
Foundation is what happens when we gather together for worship, biblical teaching, celebrating baptism and the Lord's Supper, and prayer. This is essential. It's the primary rhythm that prepares us for the rest of the week.
Practice is what happens everywhere else—in your home, workplace, neighborhood, and during your kids' activities. This is where bearing burdens, confessing sins, and daily encouragement come alive.
The principle is simple: Integrate believers into your existing rhythms of life.
You're already making dinner—double the recipe and invite another family over. You're already shoveling your driveway—knock on your neighbor's door and offer to help, then invite them in for coffee. You're already grabbing lunch at work—ask another believer to join you. Your kids already have soccer games on Saturday—text another family and suggest a picnic together.
You're not adding activities. You're opening up where you already are. This isn't more; it's just different. It's not addition; it's integration.
Freedom in Different Seasons
Here's crucial freedom: different seasons of life allow for different capacity. Young parents with toddlers will have different rhythms than empty nesters. Those caring for aging parents or navigating demanding work seasons shouldn't feel guilty about limited availability.
Faithfulness isn't about doing everything. It's about living an integrated Christian life rather than keeping church in one compartment and the rest of life in another.
However, if you only gather on Sundays but have no community during the week—no meals shared, no burdens carried, no encouragement given or received, no one who really knows you—then you're living a fragmented life. And isolation is spiritually dangerous.
The Gospel Creates Community
Remember this foundational truth: you were once far off, a stranger without hope, but Christ's blood brought you near. He destroyed the dividing wall of hostility and made you family.
That's why we embrace each other—not out of obligation, but because of what Christ has done. He embraced you at the cross. Now you get to embrace one another.
So here's the challenge: Have one conversation this week. Ask yourself or discuss with your spouse: What would it look like to integrate Christian community into our existing rhythms? Where can we invite somebody in? What's one way we could do life together this month?
Christ has embraced you. Therefore, embrace one another.
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