Building Community Through Discipleship and Worship
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone! It's a joy to see you all here today, both in person and online. We are grateful for your presence and participation in our community. Remember, giving is an act of worship, reflecting God's love for us. We have multiple ways for you to give, making it easy and accessible.
Yesterday's Dove Festival was a tremendous success, thanks to your faithfulness and generosity. We gave away 425 shaved ices, and it was a wonderful opportunity to build relationships within our community. We even received $130 in donations, which was unexpected but greatly appreciated. This event exemplifies our mission to connect with and serve our community.
We have some exciting events coming up, including the Women's Encounter in San Marcos and our district tour in Coleman. These gatherings are opportunities for spiritual growth and community building. Additionally, I am honored to announce that I have been elected as the president of the ministerial alliance, a role I am excited to take on to further our community involvement.
Today's message focuses on Matthew 16:15-19, where Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Peter's response, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God," is the foundation upon which Jesus builds His church. This revelation is the rock that withstands the gates of Hades. As members of the church, we hold the keys to the kingdom, which come with both authority and responsibility.
We are called to unify around a central purpose and mission. Our mission is to make disciples of all nations, as stated in Matthew 28:18-20. This involves more than just getting people saved; it means investing in their spiritual growth and walking alongside them in their journey of faith. Discipleship is about doing life together, not just attending classes.
Acts 2:46-47 describes the early church as a community that met daily, broke bread together, and had favor with all people. This is the culture we aim to cultivate here at Victory Christian Fellowship. We are a family that loves to fellowship, and this spirit of community is what makes us unique.
Our goal is to build relationships, not just transactional interactions. We want to invest in people, showing them the love of Christ through our actions. This approach will help us grow in favor with both God and man, just as Jesus did.
### Key Takeaways
1. Giving as Worship: Giving is an expression of our love for God, reflecting His generosity towards us. It is an act of worship that aligns our hearts with God's heart. When we give, we participate in God's mission to bless and serve others, making a tangible impact in our community. [02:46]
2. Building Relationships: Our involvement in community events like the Dove Festival is not just about the activities but about building meaningful relationships. These interactions allow us to show God's love in practical ways, creating a positive image of the church in the community. [10:51]
3. Authority and Responsibility: Holding the keys to the kingdom means we have both authority and responsibility. As members of the church, we are called to be stewards of God's house, ensuring that we not only have access but also take care of it. This spiritual authority comes with the duty to serve and maintain the church's integrity. [11:43]
4. Unified Mission: Our mission is to make disciples, not just converts. This involves investing in people's lives, teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded. Discipleship is about doing life together, showing others how to live a Christian life through our actions and relationships. [18:40]
5. Community and Fellowship: The early church's practice of meeting daily and breaking bread together is a model for us. Fellowship is a powerful tool for building community and growing in faith. When we share meals and spend time together, we create an environment where people feel loved and accepted, fostering spiritual growth. [28:19]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:46] - Giving as Worship
[04:27] - Upcoming Events
[06:34] - Community Involvement
[07:57] - Introduction to the Message
[08:31] - Matthew 16:15-19
[10:02] - Keys to the Kingdom
[11:43] - Authority and Responsibility
[14:05] - Foundation of the Church
[15:31] - Unifying Purpose
[17:13] - The Great Commission
[18:40] - Making Disciples
[22:34] - Discipleship in Action
[27:01] - Acts 2:46-47
[28:19] - Fellowship and Community
[36:08] - Building Relationships
[55:33] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:15-19 (NIV)
> "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
2. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
> Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
3. Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)
> Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Peter's response when Jesus asked, "Who do you say I am?" ([09:05])
2. According to Matthew 28:18-20, what are the key components of the Great Commission?
3. How did the early church practice community and fellowship according to Acts 2:46-47?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized Peter's revelation as the foundation for building His church? ([09:05])
2. What does it mean to hold the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" and how does this relate to authority and responsibility? ([10:51])
3. How can the practice of breaking bread together and meeting daily, as described in Acts 2:46-47, influence the modern church's approach to community and fellowship? ([28:19])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own giving habits. How can you view giving as an act of worship and align it with God's heart of generosity? ([02:46])
2. Think about a recent community event you participated in. How did it help you build meaningful relationships? What can you do to foster these relationships further? ([10:51])
3. In what ways can you exercise the authority and responsibility that come with holding the "keys to the kingdom" in your daily life? ([11:43])
4. How can you contribute to the unified mission of making disciples in your church? What specific actions can you take to invest in someone's spiritual growth? ([18:40])
5. Describe a time when you experienced genuine fellowship within your church community. How did it impact your faith journey? How can you help create such an environment for others? ([28:19])
6. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week and begin the process of discipleship? ([19:28])
7. How can you show the love of Christ through your actions in your community, especially to those who may feel marginalized or overlooked? ([36:53])
Devotional
Day 1: Giving as Worship
Giving is an expression of our love for God, reflecting His generosity towards us. It is an act of worship that aligns our hearts with God's heart. When we give, we participate in God's mission to bless and serve others, making a tangible impact in our community. This act of giving is not just about the monetary value but about the heart and intention behind it. It is a way to show gratitude for the blessings we have received and to extend those blessings to others.
In our daily lives, we often encounter opportunities to give, whether it be through our time, resources, or talents. Each act of giving is a chance to reflect God's love and generosity. As we give, we are reminded of the ultimate gift God gave us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Let us strive to make giving a regular part of our worship, understanding that it is a powerful way to connect with God and serve our community. [02:46]
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV): "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: Think of a recent opportunity you had to give. How did it make you feel, and how did it impact the recipient? How can you make giving a more intentional part of your worship?
Day 2: Building Relationships
Our involvement in community events like the Dove Festival is not just about the activities but about building meaningful relationships. These interactions allow us to show God's love in practical ways, creating a positive image of the church in the community. By engaging with others, we open doors for deeper connections and opportunities to share the gospel.
Building relationships requires intentionality and effort. It means going beyond surface-level interactions and investing time and energy into getting to know others. As we build these relationships, we create a supportive and loving community where people feel valued and cared for. This, in turn, reflects the love of Christ and draws others to Him. [10:51]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV): "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
Reflection: Think of someone in your community or church you haven't connected with deeply. How can you take a step towards building a meaningful relationship with them this week?
Day 3: Authority and Responsibility
Holding the keys to the kingdom means we have both authority and responsibility. As members of the church, we are called to be stewards of God's house, ensuring that we not only have access but also take care of it. This spiritual authority comes with the duty to serve and maintain the church's integrity.
With this authority, we are entrusted with the responsibility to lead, guide, and protect the church community. It is a call to action, to be vigilant and proactive in our faith. We must use our authority to uplift and support others, ensuring that the church remains a place of refuge and growth for all. [11:43]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Reflect on the areas of your life where you hold authority. How can you use this authority to serve and support others in your church community?
Day 4: Unified Mission
Our mission is to make disciples, not just converts. This involves investing in people's lives, teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded. Discipleship is about doing life together, showing others how to live a Christian life through our actions and relationships.
Discipleship requires commitment and dedication. It means walking alongside others in their faith journey, providing guidance, support, and encouragement. By investing in others, we help them grow in their relationship with Christ and equip them to disciple others. This creates a ripple effect, spreading the gospel and building a strong, unified community of believers. [18:40]
Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
Reflection: Think of someone you can invest in and disciple. How can you begin to walk alongside them in their faith journey this week?
Day 5: Community and Fellowship
The early church's practice of meeting daily and breaking bread together is a model for us. Fellowship is a powerful tool for building community and growing in faith. When we share meals and spend time together, we create an environment where people feel loved and accepted, fostering spiritual growth.
Fellowship goes beyond just attending church services; it involves actively participating in the lives of others. By sharing our lives, we build strong, supportive relationships that encourage and uplift us. This sense of community is essential for our spiritual well-being and helps us grow closer to God and each other. [28:19]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Reflect on your current level of involvement in your church community. How can you deepen your participation in fellowship and build stronger relationships with others?
Quotes
1. "Giving is worship. We're doing what God's heart is. Scripture says that God so loved that he gave. God so loved the world that he gave. And so that's our expression of love to God is to give." [01:00] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are all about building relationships in our community. Amen? Amen." [02:46] (4 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Being a child of God not only comes with free, you know, like you used to say the American Express, membership has its privileges. Well, being part of a body of believers, it has privileges. It has, it's great, but you also have responsibilities being part of it." [11:43] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have to let the Holy Spirit use us to build the church back and it will grow. But we have that. We have that time period. We have to do it. And so we have to we have to focus this church on one unify around one central purpose. That's what we have to do." [15:31] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are to make disciples. We're to make people that are followers of Jesus. I used to have a man that attended our church and he bragged because he would go to the hospitals and he'd go to all these places. He said I got this many saved. I got this many saved. I got this many saved and I said who's discipling them?" [18:40] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We are to make disciples of everybody. It doesn't matter if now they're they're not married to that person. They're married to this person. It's not our decision to come up. To get in their face and make a choice between it. If you make a choice between them, then you lose your influence in their life." [20:23] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Discipleship is not a class. You can have discipleship classes, but discipleship is living doing life together. Jesus was the perfect example of discipleship. He had 12 guys that followed him around everybody everywhere." [22:34] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We are going to as a body. We are going to start working the soil of this community. We're working the soil of this community. We are going to so love we're going to just keep loving on everybody in this town." [38:46] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We are a family that's ever expanding. We are a family that's looking to grow our family and not just by getting people say but by getting them to become part of the family. I mean when I came here you guys acted like I've been here all my life." [47:22] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We want to grow in favor in the eyes of man and God. Just like Jesus did. We want to grow in the favor of the eyes of man and God. And so we're so I'm so excited about what is God is doing here." [52:42] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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