Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 “Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”(ESV) We are better together:1. When we realize the danger of living for SELFApplication: Isolated, enslaved, and never satisfied. Vanity. Ecclesiastes 4:7,8 Step back and objectively prioritize the things that are fighting for your time Focus your attention and energy to the things in life that really matter Cultivate relationshipsWe are better together:2. When we realize the value of relationships Application: Genesis 2:18 Four benefits: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 You have a choice between the worldly system and God’s designHumbly accept that God has designed for us to live in relationship. First with God and then with othersWithin these relationships we can experience greater reward, help, comfort, and protectionChoose to live in God’s design for relationshipsWe are better together:3. When we choose to live in genuine community The Church is to be the place of relational oneness Acts 2:42-47 Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus’ prayer in John 17 Hebrews 10:24, 25The health of your relationship with God – is determined by the health and maturity of yourrelationships with the people God has put in your life Matthew 5:23-241 John 2:9-11John 13:34-35Application:Living in genuine community requires that we put aside selfishnessLiving in genuine community requires genuine loveLiving in genuine community requires that we live under God’s grace and extend that grace to others