Bethel Ontario August 3, 2025

Aug 03, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Guarding Against Greed: Life Is More Than Possessions

Jesus warns that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions, challenging us to be on guard against all kinds of greed. The parable of the rich man who builds bigger barns to store his wealth, only to lose his life that very night, reminds us that hoarding resources for ourselves leads to spiritual emptiness and isolation. True abundance is found not in what we accumulate, but in being "rich toward God"—sharing, connecting, and aligning our treasures with God’s purposes. We are invited to examine where our trust lies: in what we can control, collect, or consume, or in the generous grace of God that calls us into community and compassion. [21:37]

Luke 12:13-21 (ESV)
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Reflection: What is one possession or resource you tend to hold tightly? How might you share it with someone in need this week as an act of being “rich toward God”?

Day 2: Setting Our Minds on Things Above

Paul calls us to lift our gaze and set our minds on things above, not as a way to escape the world, but to reorient our hearts and intentions toward God’s values—love, mercy, justice, hope, and compassion. This is not a solitary journey; it is a communal calling, where we bear with one another, forgive, teach, and encourage each other in faith. Worship, especially in community, helps us reset our spiritual compass, reminding us who we are and whose we are, and grounding us in a vision that transcends the anxieties and distractions of daily life. [22:54]

Colossians 3:1-3, 12-17 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ... Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can “set your mind on things above” today, especially when faced with a worry or distraction?

Day 3: Worship in Community: From Isolation to Connection

Worship is not a product to consume but a sacred practice that forms us into a covenantal community, united by love, faith, and a shared commitment to walk humbly with God. In a world that often divides by status or wealth, the church declares that all are welcome, and that abundance is found in sharing, not hoarding. When we gather—whether in song, prayer, or at the table—we are reminded that we are not alone, but part of something larger than ourselves. This rhythm of worship lifts us from isolation to connection, reshaping our vision from fear to hope and deepening our faith for action in the world. [29:56]

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Reflection: Who in your church community could use encouragement or connection this week? How can you reach out to them and help build a deeper sense of belonging?

Day 4: God’s Grace Is to Be Shared, Not Stored

God’s grace cannot be stored in barns or kept for ourselves; it is meant to be shared freely and abundantly. The open table of communion is a living sign that all are invited, and that God’s love is constant, unfailing, and for everyone. As we receive the bread and cup, we are nourished not just for our own sake, but so that we may become the body of Christ in the world—serving, loving, and promoting the well-being of all creation. In sharing God’s gifts, we participate in the life of Christ and are strengthened to live out our faith in tangible acts of compassion and justice. [28:02]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Reflection: In what area of your life can you move from “storing” to “sharing” God’s grace this week—whether through time, encouragement, or resources?

Day 5: The Realm of God Is Made Visible in Our Living

The realm of God is not a distant dream but is made visible in our contemporary acts of love, justice, and mercy. Worship forms us for action, equipping us to respond to the world’s pain with compassion and to speak up for those pushed to the margins. As we gather, we renew our covenant to accept both the cost and the joy of discipleship, serving others and building a community that reflects God’s inclusive vision. Our lives become a testimony not to what we own, but to whom we love and serve, as we celebrate the steadfast love of God and embrace Christ’s presence in every step of our journey. [32:59]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection: What is one concrete act of justice, kindness, or mercy you can do today to make God’s realm visible in your community?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering invites us to reimagine what it means to live abundantly—not by accumulating possessions, but by orienting our hearts and lives toward God and one another. Drawing from Jesus’ parable of the rich man in Luke 12, we are reminded that life’s true value is not measured by what we own, but by the richness of our relationship with God and our community. The rich man’s folly was not his wealth, but his isolation and self-centeredness—he built bigger barns for himself, but failed to see the call to share, to connect, and to serve.

Paul’s exhortation to “set our minds on things above” is not an invitation to escape the world, but to see it through God’s eyes. It is a call to reorient our priorities, to let love, mercy, justice, and hope shape our daily living. This reorientation happens most powerfully in community. When we gather—whether in person or online—we are not just individuals seeking spiritual goods, but a covenantal people, bound together by love and a shared commitment to walk humbly with God. Worship is not a retreat from reality, but a recalibration of our hearts, a reminder of who we are and whose we are.

In a culture that prizes self-sufficiency and scarcity, we are called to practice abundance and connection. The table of communion is open to all, a sign that God’s grace cannot be hoarded or contained. Our worship together is an act of resistance against fear, greed, and division. It is where we practice letting Christ’s peace rule in our hearts, where we remember that our lives are not our own, but are meant to be poured out in service and love for others.

As we pray, sing, and break bread together, we are formed into a people who see the world’s pain and respond with compassion and justice. The realm of God is not a distant dream, but is made visible in our acts of love, justice, and mercy—right here, right now, in the circles we form, the tables we expand, and the lives we touch. May we continue to gather, to remember, to reorient, and may our worship make us bold, our community make us compassionate, and our lives testify to the One whom we love and serve.

---

Key Takeaways

1. Abundance Is Found in Community, Not Possessions The parable of the rich man warns against the spiritual danger of hoarding wealth and living in isolation. True abundance is not about building bigger barns for ourselves, but about sharing what we have and building bigger tables for others. When we live in community, we experience the richness of God’s grace and the joy of giving and receiving together. [21:37]
2. Setting Our Minds on Things Above Is a Communal Practice Paul’s call to “set your minds on things above” is not about escaping the world or ignoring our responsibilities. Instead, it is a communal act—reorienting our hearts together toward God’s values of love, justice, and mercy. In worship, we reset our spiritual compass, reminding ourselves and each other of what truly matters. [22:54]
3. Worship Is Spiritual Recalibration, Not Escapism Gathering for worship is not a retreat from the world’s problems, but a time to recalibrate our hearts and lives. Through prayer, song, and the breaking of bread, we are reminded of God’s call to justice and compassion. Worship equips us to see the world with God’s perspective and to act with courage and hope. [30:30]
4. Covenant, Not Creed, Binds Us Together In the United Church of Christ, we are not united by identical beliefs, but by a covenant—a promise to love, serve, and journey together. This covenant is renewed every time we gather, reminding us that we are called to accept both the cost and the joy of discipleship, serving God by serving others. [31:57]
5. The Realm of God Is Made Visible in Our Living The kingdom of God is not a far-off dream, but is realized in our acts of love, justice, and mercy. When we gather, pray, and serve together, we make God’s inclusive vision for humanity visible in the world. Our lives become a testimony to the abundance, hope, and peace that God desires for all people. [32:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:10] - Call to Worship
[07:42] - Opening Prayer
[08:26] - Communion Hymn: Come Share the Lord
[11:16] - Passing the Peace
[11:27] - Communion Sunday Instructions
[12:15] - Announcements
[14:54] - Children’s Video: Parable of the Wealthy Man
[20:31] - Gospel Reading: Luke 12:13-21
[21:37] - Reflection: The Rich Fool and True Abundance
[22:54] - Setting Our Minds on Things Above
[24:13] - Worship as Community Formation
[28:42] - The Cost and Joy of Discipleship
[30:30] - Worship as Spiritual Recalibration
[32:59] - Making the Realm of God Visible
[35:09] - Unison Prayer and Prayers of the People
[45:00] - Communion
[48:46] - Offering and Dedication
[51:35] - Closing Hymn and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living Abundantly in Community

Bible Reading

Luke 12:13-21 (ESV)
> Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV)
> If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Observation Questions

In the parable Jesus tells, what does the rich man decide to do with his abundance, and what is God’s response to his plan?

([[21:04]]([21:04]))

According to Paul in Colossians 3, what are believers instructed to do with their minds and priorities?

([[22:54]]([22:54]))

The sermon mentions that the rich man’s problem wasn’t his wealth, but something else. What was it?

([[26:23]]([26:23]))

What does the pastor say is the purpose of worshiping together as a community?

([[30:30]]([30:30]))

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus warns against storing up treasures for oneself but not being “rich toward God”? What does it mean to be “rich toward God” in the context of this parable?

([[21:37]]([21:37]))

The sermon says that “setting our minds on things above” is not about escaping the world, but about reorienting our hearts in community. How does this challenge the way people sometimes think about faith as a private or individual matter?

([[22:54]]([22:54]))

The pastor describes worship as “spiritual recalibration” rather than escapism. What does it look like for worship to recalibrate our hearts and lives, especially in a world focused on self-sufficiency and scarcity?

([[30:30]]([30:30]))

The United Church of Christ is described as being bound by covenant, not creed. How does this idea of covenant shape the way the church community lives and serves together?

([[31:57]]([31:57]))

Application Questions

The rich man in the parable built bigger barns for himself but failed to connect and share with others. In what ways might we be tempted to “build bigger barns” in our own lives—whether with money, time, or even emotional energy? What would it look like to “build a bigger table” instead?

([[26:23]]([26:23]))

The sermon says, “Worship is not a retreat from reality, but a recalibration of our hearts.” How can you approach worship (on Sundays or in your daily life) as a time to reset your priorities and remember what truly matters?

([[30:30]]([30:30]))

Paul’s call to “set your minds on things above” is described as a communal practice. What are some practical ways our group or church can help each other focus on God’s values of love, justice, and mercy in our daily lives?

([[22:54]]([22:54]))

The pastor says, “In a culture that prizes self-sufficiency and scarcity, we are called to practice abundance and connection.” Where do you see a mindset of scarcity in your own life or in our community? How can you practice abundance and generosity this week?

([[34:11]]([34:11]))

The sermon highlights that the communion table is open to all, showing that God’s grace cannot be hoarded. How does this challenge the way you think about who is “in” or “out” in church or in your own circles?

([[28:02]]([28:02]))

The pastor says, “Our lives become a testimony to the abundance, hope, and peace that God desires for all people.” What is one specific way you can make God’s love visible in your relationships or community this week?

([[32:59]]([32:59]))

The sermon ends with a prayer that our worship would make us bold and our community compassionate. Is there a situation in your life right now where you need more boldness or compassion? How can this group support you in that?

([[34:46]]([34:46]))

Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for open hearts, for courage to live abundantly in community, and for eyes to see opportunities to share, connect, and serve in the week ahead.

Sermon Clips

47s

#WorshipAsCounterculture

“But God calls him a fool. Not because he's rich, not at all. He calls him a fool because he's hoarding it all for himself. Because he is alone in his abundance. Because his treasure is not aligned with God's purpose. It is not wrong to plan. It's a good idea. It's not wrong to have wealth. That can be a true gift. It can make it possible to do so many wonderful things. But it is spiritually deadly to place our trust in what? We can control, collect, or consume.”

30s

#SharedGraceUnites

“When we share the peace, we undo the false notion of self-sufficiency. When we sing, we open our hearts and our spirits. When we pray, when we confess, we drop the mask. When we come to the table, We're reminded that God's grace cannot be scored in barns, and it must be shared. Worshiping and community reminds us who we are.”

24s

#InclusiveSpiritualPractice

“In a world that often defines people by status, by wealth, division, the gathered community is a community of people. We are a community of people. We are a community of people. Church declares no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. And that's not just a slogan. It is a spiritual practice. It reorients us towards God's inclusive vision for humanity.”

19s

#GodsPerspectiveOnWorld

“Worship, especially community worship, but even individual worship, worship lifts our gaze. It grounds our action. To set our minds on things above does not mean to escape the world. It means to see the world with God's perspective.”

21s

#SacredRhythmOfHope

“There's a sacred rhythm to worship. Singing songs that proclaim hope when the world says despair. Hearing words that challenge injustice when the world says, oh, just stay silent. Keep safe. We break the bread at a radically open table, a foretaste of the beloved community where all are fed.”

17s

#SpiritualRecalibrationForJustice

“It's not some sort of weekly retreat from reality. It is spiritual. It is a spiritual retreat from reality. It is spiritual recalibration. We come to worship so that we can go out in the world more fully aligned with the heart of God. Worship forms us for justice and compassion.”

25s

#CollectiveCompassionateVoice

“When we pray together, we hold the suffering of the world in collective compassion. When we listen for the still speaking God, we're equipped to speak up ourselves, to speak out, to show up for immigrants, for environment, for racial justice, for LGBTQ plus siblings, for all who have been pushed to the margins.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Bethel Ontario This sermon · AI assistant

What does setting our minds on things above mean?

How does worship counteract greed and materialism?

In what ways does community worship shape spiritual transformation?