Autonomy - refers to the capacity of an individual or entity to make their own decisions and act independently, without external control or influence. It encompasses both the freedom to choose and the ability to implement those choices. In various contexts, autonomy can relate to personal independence, self-governance of a group, or the ability to act according to one's own values and principles.

Synonym - choice, self-determination, volition, free will

Antonym - pressured, forced, coercion, constraint, compulsion, under duress

Two Main Reasons Why People Choose to Be Alone
1. Selfish Ambition
2. Bitterness and Unforgiveness
2.1 A Difficult Personality

***Seeks his own desire
***Breaks out against sound judgement
***Takes no pleasure in understanding
***Opinionated

Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Being alone robs of us STABILITY and leaves us VULNERABLE to being taken advantage of.

Operating in secrecy, deception and dishonesty causes spiritual DEATH in the SOUL of a believer

Ananias’ and Sapphira’s goals were not to live in community with HUMILITY and TRANSPARENCY but to be admired and worshipped by the Church.

Pretentious - attempting to impress by affecting (simulating or projecting) greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.

Living in community is a CONTACT SPORT.

There is a major difference between being introverted and being anti-social. Introverts seek solitude to RECHARGE their batteries but those who are anti-social seek to ESCAPE community with no plan to RE-INTEGRATE.

Introvert: typically a reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone

Anti-social: averse to the society: unsociable

Some people are BELL PEPPERS and some people are JALAPENOS. Both are delicious but one might upset your stomach.

The moment we choose isolation over community we do not stop SUFFERING but we do stop GROWING.

You haven’t chosen FREEDOM or INDEPENDENCE you have chosen perpetual adolescence, offense and bondage.

The lost SHEEP, COIN and SON were not celebrated because they were more valuable than the others but were celebrated because they were no longer in danger.

1. Jesus and His true Church PRIORITIZES those who are lost, alone and at risk.

2. The coin used to be part of a COLLECTION, the sheep used to be part of a FLOCK and the son used to be part of a FAMILY.

RECONCILIATION and REINTEGRATION is part of God’s perfect plan for you.

3. The depth of the shepherd’s CONCERN can be seen through the level of rejoicing.

God’s strongest desire is that you and everyone you know would be deeply connected to a Church that celebrates JESUS and is led by the HOLY SPIRIT.

There are two great sins in the story of the prodigal son

Son #1 wanted WEALTH without his father
Son #2 wanted his FATHER without his BROTHER