Being Christ's Hands and Feet in the World

 

Summary

When Jesus ascended, He entrusted us with the responsibility to represent Him on Earth. Our hands, voices, and feet are the instruments through which He desires to work. In a world filled with struggles and people yearning for divine intervention, we are called to be the vessels through which Jesus reaches out. Every Sunday, we gather in church to deepen our relationship with God, but the true test of our faith is how we express that relationship in our interactions with others throughout the week. God evaluates His relationship with us based on how effectively we allow Him to work through us to touch the lives of those around us.

Key Takeaways:

- Embodiment of Christ: We are the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. Our actions and words should reflect His love and compassion. When we allow ourselves to be used by Him, we become conduits of His grace and mercy to those in need. [00:19]

- Vertical and Horizontal Relationships: Our time in church is meant to strengthen our vertical relationship with God. However, the true measure of our faith is how we translate that into our horizontal relationships with others. Our interactions should be a reflection of the love and grace we receive from God. [00:19]

- Divine Intervention Through Us: Many people are struggling and in need of divine intervention. We are called to be the instruments through which God intervenes in their lives. By being open to His guidance, we can bring hope and healing to those around us. [00:19]

- God's Experience with Us: God measures His experience with us by how we allow Him to use us in the lives of others. Our willingness to be His hands and feet is a testament to our faith and devotion. [00:19]

- Living Out Our Faith: Our faith is not confined to the walls of the church. It is meant to be lived out in our daily interactions. By embodying the teachings of Jesus, we can make a meaningful impact in the world. [00:19]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Representing Jesus on Earth
[00:19] - The Role of Our Hands and Feet
[00:19] - Addressing Struggles Through Faith
[00:19] - Enhancing Vertical Relationships
[00:19] - Expressing Faith Horizontally
[00:19] - Being Vessels of Divine Intervention
[00:19] - Measuring God's Experience with Us
[00:19] - Living Faith Beyond Church Walls
[00:19] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:14-16
- 1 Corinthians 12:27
- James 2:14-17

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, how does God want to use our hands, voices, and feet in the world? [00:19]

2. What is the significance of our "vertical relationship" with God as mentioned in the sermon? [00:19]

3. How does the sermon describe the way God measures His experience with us? [00:19]

4. What role do our interactions with others play in expressing our faith, according to the sermon? [00:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the concept of being the "hands and feet of Jesus" challenge a person's understanding of their daily responsibilities? [00:19]

2. In what ways can strengthening our vertical relationship with God impact our horizontal relationships with others? [00:19]

3. How does the idea of being a vessel for divine intervention influence one's perspective on personal struggles and the struggles of others? [00:19]

4. What does it mean for God to measure His experience with us by how we allow Him to use us in the lives of others? [00:19]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent interaction where you had the opportunity to be the hands or feet of Jesus. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [00:19]

2. Identify one area in your life where your vertical relationship with God could be strengthened. How might this change your interactions with others? [00:19]

3. Think of someone in your life who is struggling and in need of hope. What practical steps can you take this week to be a vessel of divine intervention for them? [00:19]

4. How can you ensure that your actions and words consistently reflect the love and compassion of Jesus in your daily life? [00:19]

5. Consider a situation where you felt God was using you to touch someone else's life. How did that experience affect your faith and relationship with God? [00:19]

6. What specific actions can you take to live out your faith beyond the walls of the church this week? [00:19]

7. How can you be more open to God's guidance in your daily interactions, and what might be holding you back from fully embracing this role? [00:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Embodying Christ's Love and Compassion
Our role as followers of Christ is to embody His love and compassion in our daily lives. Jesus has entrusted us with the responsibility to be His representatives on Earth, using our hands, voices, and feet as instruments of His work. In a world filled with struggles, we are called to be conduits of His grace and mercy, reaching out to those in need. By allowing ourselves to be used by Him, we can reflect His love and compassion to others, becoming vessels through which His presence is felt. [00:19]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience Christ's love and compassion today, and how can you be a vessel of that love to them?


Day 2: Strengthening Vertical and Horizontal Relationships
Our time in church is meant to deepen our vertical relationship with God, but the true measure of our faith is how we translate that into our horizontal relationships with others. Our interactions should reflect the love and grace we receive from God, demonstrating the strength of our faith. By nurturing both our relationship with God and our relationships with others, we create a harmonious balance that allows us to live out our faith authentically. [00:19]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally strengthen your relationship with God this week, and how will that impact your interactions with others?


Day 3: Being Instruments of Divine Intervention
In a world where many are struggling and yearning for divine intervention, we are called to be the instruments through which God intervenes in their lives. By being open to His guidance, we can bring hope and healing to those around us. Our willingness to be used by God in this way is a testament to our faith and devotion, allowing us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. [00:19]

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community is in need of hope and healing, and how can you be an instrument of God's intervention in their life today?


Day 4: Measuring God's Experience with Us
God measures His experience with us by how we allow Him to use us in the lives of others. Our willingness to be His hands and feet is a testament to our faith and devotion. By living out our faith in this way, we demonstrate our commitment to His teachings and our desire to be active participants in His work on Earth. [00:19]

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you allow God to use you more effectively in the lives of those around you, and how will this deepen your relationship with Him?


Day 5: Living Faith Beyond Church Walls
Our faith is not confined to the walls of the church; it is meant to be lived out in our daily interactions. By embodying the teachings of Jesus, we can make a meaningful impact in the world. This requires us to take the lessons we learn in church and apply them to our everyday lives, ensuring that our faith is active and visible to those around us. [00:19]

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can live out your faith in your daily life this week, and how will it impact those around you?

Quotes

When Jesus left, He left us here to represent Him. When He wants to touch something, He wants to use your hands and mine. When He wants to say something, He wants to use your voice and mine. When He wants to go somewhere, He uses your feet and He uses mine. There's so much struggle in so many people's lives who call on Jesus and who desperately need Him to intervene, and that's where you and I come in. Every Sunday, we go to church to enhance our vertical relationship with God, but God wants to see us leave Church and express that in our horizontal relationship with others. God measures His experience with us by how He can use us to bring Him into the experience of others. [00:00:05]

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Transcript
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