Awakening to God's Love: Action and Transformation

Today, we gathered to celebrate the love of God that awakens us—not just from sleep, but from death to life. We marveled at the paradox of our God: the Lion of Judah who conquers, and the Lamb who lays down His life for others. This love is not meant to be admired from a distance, but to transform us, to move us into action, and to shape us as a church that impacts our community with grace, mercy, and restoration.

We witnessed a beautiful commissioning as Rachel Swamidas stepped into the role of Foster the City liaison, embodying a heart for vulnerable children and families. Her story, and the stories shared by Christine from Foster the City, reminded us that the legacy of caring for the vulnerable is woven into the very DNA of our church. The call is clear: everyone can do something. Whether fostering, supporting foster families, or simply offering a meal or a prayer, each act of obedience sows seeds that ripple through generations. The need is urgent—children in our own county are waiting for someone to say yes, and the church is uniquely positioned to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them.

Turning to 1 Timothy 3:14-16, we reflected on Paul’s words to Timothy about life in the household of God. Paul’s concern was not just right belief, but right behavior—how we conduct ourselves as the church of the living God, the pillar and buttress of truth. Our faith is not a private matter; it is meant to be lived out, to be visible, and to uphold the truth of Christ in a world desperate for hope. The truth is not abstract; it is found in Jesus, revealed by the Spirit, and rooted in the Word. This truth sets us free and calls us to continual growth and transformation.

Paul’s “believer’s creed” in these verses encapsulates the story of Jesus: manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory. This is the foundation upon which we stand, the truth we lift high, and the story we proclaim. As we took communion, we joined a legacy of believers who have been set free by this truth and are called to live it out—together, in community, for the sake of the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s love awakens us to new life and calls us into action. The paradox of God as both Lion and Lamb means that true power is found in sacrificial love, and our response should be a life that reflects His character—moving beyond comfort into courageous obedience. [15:57]
• 2. The legacy of caring for the vulnerable is not accidental; it is cultivated through generations of small, faithful “yeses” to God. Our acts of compassion, no matter how unseen, plant seeds that God can use to shape lives and communities far beyond what we imagine. [27:17]
• 3. The church is called to be both a pillar and a buttress of truth—lifting up the truth of Christ for all to see, and providing a firm foundation that will not be shaken. This is not about buildings or programs, but about people who embody and uphold the truth in their daily lives. [53:53]
• 4. Belief and behavior are inseparable in the Christian life. True faith is not just intellectual assent, but a lived reality that produces visible fruit. God’s desire is not just to save us, but to transform us, so that our lives become a testimony to His grace and power. [45:55]
• 5. Everyone can do something in the mission of God. Whether fostering, supporting, praying, or simply being present, each person has a role in God’s redemptive work. The invitation is to take a step—however small—toward obedience, trusting that God will use it for His glory and the good of others. [34:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [15:57] - God’s Love Awakens Us
• [17:13] - Commissioning Rachel Swamidas
• [18:24] - What Is a Foster the City Liaison?
• [19:37] - Rachel’s Heart for Foster Care
• [20:52] - Vision for Foster Care at Redwood Chapel
• [22:43] - Prayer of Commissioning
• [25:20] - Introduction to Foster the City
• [26:37] - Legacy of Care and Obedience
• [28:31] - The Crisis in Foster Care
• [29:44] - The Call to Action
• [32:13] - Everyone Can Do Something
• [34:49] - Next Steps and Invitation
• [40:01] - 1 Timothy 3: The Believer’s Creed
• [44:34] - Belief and Behavior in the Church
• [48:00] - The Church as Pillar and Buttress of Truth
• [55:49] - The Temple of Artemis and Enduring Truth
• [57:48] - The Mystery of Godliness
• [59:41] - The Story of Jesus in Six Lines
• [66:07] - Invitation to Trust Jesus
• [68:17] - Communion and Legacy
• [70:11] - Closing and Worship

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 3:14-16 (ESV) — 14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that,
15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Timothy 3:15, what does Paul say is the purpose of his writing to Timothy? What does he want Timothy (and the church) to know?
2. In verse 15, Paul describes the church as “the pillar and buttress of the truth.” What do these two images suggest about the church’s role?
3. The “believer’s creed” in verse 16 summarizes the story of Jesus in six lines. What are the six statements Paul makes about Jesus?
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of how the church has cared for vulnerable children and families, both in the past and present? ([27:17])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize both belief and behavior in his instructions to Timothy? What is the connection between what we believe and how we live as a church? ([44:34])
2. The sermon described the church as “the pillar and buttress of truth”—not a building, but people who embody and uphold the truth. What does it mean for a church community to “lift up” and “support” the truth in practical terms? ([53:53])
3. The “mystery of godliness” is described as a person—Jesus. Why do you think Paul uses this poetic or creedal summary here? How does this shape our understanding of what it means to be the church? ([59:41])
4. The sermon highlighted the legacy of caring for the vulnerable as part of the church’s DNA. Why is this legacy important, and how does it connect to the gospel story summarized in verse 16? ([27:17])

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “God’s love awakens us to new life and calls us into action.” Is there an area in your life where you sense God is calling you to move beyond comfort into courageous obedience? What might that look like for you this week? ([15:57])
2. The church was described as uniquely positioned to care for vulnerable children and families. What is one practical step you could take—no matter how small—to support foster care or another ministry to the vulnerable in our community? ([34:13])
3. Rachel’s story showed that saying “yes” to God doesn’t always mean knowing all the answers ahead of time. Is there something you feel God is inviting you to say “yes” to, even if you don’t have it all figured out? What’s holding you back? ([20:52])
4. The sermon emphasized that “belief and behavior are inseparable.” Are there areas where your actions don’t yet reflect what you say you believe? What is one change you could make this month to bring your behavior more in line with your faith? ([45:55])
5. The “pillar and buttress” image means both lifting up and supporting the truth. How can you personally help “lift up” the truth of Jesus in your daily life—at work, at home, or in your neighborhood? ([53:53])
6. The legacy of caring for the vulnerable was described as being built on generations of small, faithful “yeses.” Who in your life has modeled this kind of legacy for you? How might you begin or continue that legacy for others? ([27:17])
7. Communion was described as joining a chain of believers who have been set free by the truth of Jesus. How does remembering this legacy during communion shape your sense of purpose and belonging in the church? ([01:08:57])