Being the Church: Empowerment, Collaboration, and Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as the Living Body of Christ

The church is not merely a physical structure but a living, breathing body composed of believers, with Christ as the head. This concept is deeply rooted in Colossians 1:18, where Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. As members of this body, we are filled with His Spirit and called to continue His work on Earth. This means bringing salvation, love, healing, peace, and freedom to the world. Each member has a unique role to play, and together, we can make a significant impact.

Understanding the church as a living body changes how we view our role within it. We are not passive attendees but active participants in God's mission. This perspective encourages us to seek ways to contribute our unique gifts and talents to the collective mission of the church. By doing so, we fulfill our calling to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities and beyond. [23:21]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: What unique gifts and talents do you have that can contribute to the mission of the church? How can you actively participate in being the hands and feet of Jesus in your community?

Day 2: The Power of Collaboration

Just as a physical body requires different parts to function together, the church thrives through collaboration. Partnering with other Christian organizations allows us to address complex issues like poverty, hunger, and sex trafficking more effectively. This unity and strength demonstrate the power of the body of Christ working together. Our church's partnerships with organizations like the San Antonio Food Bank, Ransom Life, CASA, One Hope Adoption Agency, and Mission India exemplify this collaborative spirit.

Collaboration within the body of Christ is essential for tackling the world's most pressing issues. By working together, we can pool our resources, knowledge, and efforts to make a more significant impact than we could alone. This unity not only amplifies our effectiveness but also serves as a powerful testimony to the world of the love and strength found in the body of Christ. [26:25]

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

Reflection: Think of a local or global issue that you are passionate about. How can you collaborate with others in the body of Christ to address this issue more effectively?

Day 3: Transformation Over Transaction

Our partnership with World Vision in Moala, Kenya, exemplifies the difference between transactional aid and transformational change. By focusing on long-term, sustainable development, we help communities become self-sufficient, ensuring lasting impact and dignity for those we serve. This approach goes beyond merely providing financial aid; it involves fostering relationships and empowering individuals to create lasting change in their communities.

The stories of transformation, such as Cypria becoming a goat rancher and Jeffrey turning his failing sugar cane farm into a thriving enterprise, highlight the profound impact of this approach. These stories remind us that true transformation requires time, effort, and a commitment to walking alongside those we serve. By prioritizing transformation over transaction, we honor the dignity and potential of every individual. [33:31]

Isaiah 58:10-11 (ESV): "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you helped someone in need. How can you shift your focus from providing temporary aid to fostering long-term, transformational change in their life?

Day 4: Empowerment Through Choice

The Chosen program by World Vision empowers children by allowing them to choose their sponsors. This simple act of choosing instills a sense of dignity and agency in children who have rarely had the opportunity to make choices in their lives. The story of Kevin, a 13-year-old boy who had never had the opportunity to choose anything in his life until he participated in the Chosen program, illustrates the profound impact of this initiative.

Empowerment through choice is a powerful concept that can transform both the present and future of those we serve. By giving children the opportunity to make choices, we affirm their worth and potential. This empowerment can lead to increased confidence, hope, and a sense of agency, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and future success. [46:20]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Reflection: Think about a decision you have made recently. How did having the ability to choose impact your sense of dignity and agency? How can you empower others by giving them the opportunity to make choices?

Day 5: Continued Mission and Expansion

As we prepare to extend our efforts to Zimbabwe, we are reminded that our mission is ongoing. Each new partnership and initiative is an opportunity to bring the love and hope of Jesus to more communities. Our mission is not limited to a single location or project; it is a continuous journey of bringing transformation and hope to those in need. We prayed for Mike and Jen, who will be traveling to Zimbabwe to kickstart this new chapter of our partnership with World Vision.

The ongoing nature of our mission calls us to remain committed and adaptable. As we encounter new challenges and opportunities, we must be willing to step out in faith and embrace the unknown. This commitment to continuous mission and expansion reflects our dedication to being the church and making a lasting difference in the world. [01:02:49]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Consider the ongoing nature of your personal mission. How can you remain committed and adaptable in your efforts to bring the love and hope of Jesus to those around you? What new opportunities or challenges might God be calling you to embrace?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound calling that God has placed on us—not just to attend church, but to be the church. We began by acknowledging that the church is not a building made of bricks and mortar, but a living body composed of people, with Christ as the head. This concept is rooted in Colossians 1:18, where Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. As His body, we are filled with His Spirit and called to continue His work on Earth, bringing salvation, love, healing, peace, and freedom to the world.

We explored the importance of collaboration within the body of Christ. Just as a physical body requires different parts to function together, the church needs various members and organizations to work in unison. This is why our church partners with other Christian organizations like the San Antonio Food Bank, Ransom Life, CASA, One Hope Adoption Agency, and Mission India. These partnerships allow us to address issues like poverty, hunger, sex trafficking, and evangelism more effectively than we could alone.

A significant part of our mission involves our partnership with World Vision, particularly in the community of Moala, Kenya. Five years ago, we embarked on a journey to transform this community through child sponsorship. This initiative was not just about providing financial aid but about fostering long-term, sustainable change. We heard inspiring stories of transformation, such as Cypria, who became a goat rancher, and Jeffrey, who turned his failing sugar cane farm into a thriving, self-sustaining enterprise.

We also introduced a new child sponsorship program called "Chosen," where children in need get to choose their sponsors. This initiative empowers children, giving them a sense of dignity and agency. We shared the story of Kevin, a 13-year-old boy who had never had the opportunity to choose anything in his life until he participated in the Chosen program.

As we look forward, we are excited to extend our efforts to Zimbabwe, continuing our mission to bring transformation and hope to communities in need. We prayed for Mike and Jen, who will be traveling to Zimbabwe to kickstart this new chapter of our partnership with World Vision.

###

Key Takeaways

1. term, sustainable development, we help communities become self-sufficient, ensuring lasting impact and dignity for those we serve. [33:31]
4. Empowerment Through Choice: The Chosen program by World Vision empowers children by allowing them to choose their sponsors. This simple act of choosing instills a sense of dignity and agency in children who have rarely had the opportunity to make choices in their lives, transforming both their present and future.

5. Continued Mission and Expansion: As we prepare to extend our efforts to Zimbabwe, we are reminded that our mission is ongoing. Each new partnership and initiative is an opportunity to bring the love and hope of Jesus to more communities, fulfilling our calling to be the church and make a lasting difference in the world.

### [33:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Opening Prayer
[02:00] - Introduction: More Than Going to Church
[21:55] - The Church as the Body of Christ
[23:21] - Our Role as Christ's Body
[24:56] - Collaboration Within the Body
[26:25] - Partnering with Other Organizations
[27:45] - World Vision Partnership
[29:22] - Why We Chose World Vision
[32:15] - Transformation Over Transaction
[33:31] - Long-term Impact in Moala, Kenya
[34:49] - Stories of Transformation: Cypria and Jeffrey
[42:36] - Self-Sustaining Faith and Community
[43:35] - Introduction to Chosen Program
[46:20] - Empowerment Through Choice
[48:29] - Update on Moala and Introduction to Zimbabwe Initiative
[69:11] - Prayer for Mike and Jen
[70:26] - Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Colossians 1:18, who is the head of the church, and what is the church described as?
In 1 Corinthians 12:27, what does Paul say about the members of the church?
How does the sermon describe the church's role in continuing Jesus' work on Earth? ([23:21])
What are some examples of the partnerships our church has formed to address issues like poverty and hunger? ([26:25])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean for the church to be the body of Christ with Christ as the head? How does this shape our understanding of our role as believers? ([21:55])
How does the concept of collaboration within the body of Christ enhance the church's ability to address complex issues like poverty and sex trafficking? ([24:56])
Reflect on the story of Cypria and Jeffrey from the sermon. How do their stories illustrate the difference between transactional aid and transformational change? ([33:31])
How does the Chosen program by World Vision empower children, and why is this empowerment significant? ([46:20])

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that the church is not a building but a living body of believers. How can you personally contribute to being the church in your daily life? ([21:55])
Collaboration is key to the church's mission. Are there any local organizations or initiatives you feel called to partner with? How can you get involved? ([26:25])
Reflect on the concept of transformation over transaction. In what ways can you focus on creating long-term, sustainable change in your community rather than just providing temporary solutions? ([33:31])
The Chosen program allows children to choose their sponsors, giving them a sense of dignity and agency. How can you incorporate the principle of empowerment through choice in your interactions with others? ([46:20])
As we prepare to extend our efforts to Zimbabwe, what steps can you take to support this new mission, whether through prayer, financial support, or other means? ([01:02:49])
Think about the story of Kevin, who had never chosen anything in his life until the Chosen program. How can you help provide opportunities for choice and empowerment to those in need around you? ([46:20])
The sermon highlighted the importance of being self-sustaining in faith and community. What practical steps can you take to ensure your faith and contributions to the community are self-sustaining? ([42:36])

Sermon Clips

1. "Because at home church we believe that god is calling us to do more than go to church we believe that god is calling us to do more than have church we believe that god is calling us to do more than join a church he's calling us to be the church yeah because the church isn't made out of sticks and bricks and concrete and steel the church is made out of people you know the church is made out of us." [21:55] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So each part is called and each part is intentionally brought together like pieces of a puzzle right he's brought each of us together each one of us specially gifted what god has called us to do and same in the body of christ so as as we as a church as we look at this calling as we look at the work that's in front of us to continue the work of jesus we want to collaborate with other body parts and and and work with them and like if we're good at something let's help somebody that's not and if somebody else is good at something let's do what they're doing and help them." [26:25] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So this is not because of us right it's the body of christ right it's the spirit of christ right it's the spirit of christ right it's the spirit of god in all of us together making up the body of christ doing this stuff and we could take on poverty and we could take on the hopelessness of the poorest children in the world by ourselves children that have lives we can't even imagine kids whose lives are a lot different than our kids kids that don't choose what they eat every day they just hope to eat every day kids that don't have toys or clothes or even safe drinking water and kids who even if they've heard about the love of jesus they need to experience the love of jesus so that they can accept the love of jesus kids whose lives seem hopeless kids in places like moala in kenya." [27:45] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And I love it that they're not about a transaction they're about transformation this is not about just giving money to poor people it's about transforming lives and eternities of these kids and their families and their communities not for today not for a season forever so just as an example um water it's always water right that's that's always water and it's always water it's always the thing so when a community doesn't have safe water world vision does not just airdrop a thousand cases of water in right that would be nice but that would be a transaction right you know why because it's a one-time deal and then the water goes away right they don't just go in and drill a water well for these people that would be cool that would be great but that would be a transaction you know why because wells poop out right the wells need maintenance so instead when there's a community that's struggling with water world vision goes in and works with the local people drilling the water wells and developing water systems with the people that live there and they teach them to be self-sustaining depending only on themselves and on jesus." [32:15] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So yeah five years ago we partnered with world vision to transform this community in kenya called mwala and in mwala poverty was overwhelming and education huge problem nobody's going to school and the churches were really struggling and and for families like literally getting food every day was a challenge and um stuff we don't even think about like bathrooms and hand washing and sanitation just like they're just not a thing and of course the big thing like it always is was water we've got you know women walking four or five miles a day carrying you know two home depot buckets full of water for their families and the water wasn't clean water wasn't safe so disease is just out of control did you know this every day worldwide about a thousand children die from drinking unsafe water a thousand kids every day and it's it's hard to even describe what that looks like and so i won't even try i'll just say this imagine raising your family in that environment on an income of about two dollars a day because that's what was going on in wala." [34:49] (83 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "So the program we piloted with World Vision was called, Chosen. And here's what we did. One Sunday, five years ago, we took a bunch of pictures of us. Individuals, couples, families. And me and Margaret took the pictures and got on an airplane. And we went to Moala for a choosing party. I think we got a picture of the party there or a few pictures of the party there. Really fun day. Playing with those kids. We ate some fish heads. Margaret got to experience a VIP toilet. She can tell you about that. And the kids looked at our pictures. And for the first time, for some of them in their life, they chose. They picked their sponsors. And they chose the people that would not just send them $39 a month. People that would love them and pray for them and care for them and disciple them. Can you imagine the feeling? Can you imagine the value? Can you imagine the dignity for this little person, maybe for the first time in their life, to choose anything, to choose something that important? And we just felt honored to be chosen by Jesus to continue his work. To be chosen by World Vision to partner in this thing. And to be chosen by these kids that chose us. It's not just a transaction. It's a transformation for us too." [46:20] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "And that doesn't just mean there's a place for you, that we like you, that you're welcome to sit next to us, that we'll share our donuts with you. It means there's a place for you here to make a difference. There's a place for you here to matter for the kingdom. And I'm just excited because this gives everybody a chance. So as the part of the body of Christ, maybe you're not the most forward part, or maybe you're not the biggest part, but everybody can do something. We always say around here, you know, nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something. And so I'm just excited for everybody to have a chance to participate." [01:02:49] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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