Community Resilience: Faith and Service in Crisis
Summary
In the face of disaster, such as the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton, we are reminded of the fragility of our earthly possessions and the strength found in community. The devastation in Florida, where homes and memories were washed away, serves as a poignant illustration of how material loss can lead to spiritual and communal gain. In times of crisis, societal divisions fade, and the true essence of community emerges. People come together, not as political entities, but as human beings united by shared suffering and a common goal of rebuilding and supporting one another.
This experience challenges the modern understanding of Christianity, which often focuses on personal salvation and the journey to heaven. However, the true purpose of our faith extends beyond individual salvation. It is about being part of a living community of Jesus Christ, where we are called to serve and minister to others. The story of the early church in Acts 6 highlights this principle. The apostles, faced with internal disputes over the distribution of food, appointed seven men full of the Spirit and wisdom to ensure that the needs of the community were met. This act of delegation and empowerment allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word, demonstrating that ministry is not confined to traditional roles but encompasses all acts of service.
Jesus exemplified this by empowering his disciples to carry out his work, sending them out to heal, proclaim the kingdom, and serve others. This model of ministry is not about exhaustion or self-sacrifice to the point of depletion but about a balanced flow of giving and receiving within the community. It is about surrendering daily to God, employing our resources for others, reordering our priorities, enduring to the end, and entering every situation as God's hands and feet.
As we reflect on these lessons, we are called to shift our focus from how God can minister to us to how God can minister through us. Our lives, resources, and talents become tools in God's hands to accomplish extraordinary work. This is the essence of being a living community of faith, where each member contributes to the whole, and together, we reflect God's love and grace to the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Community in Crisis: Disasters reveal the true essence of community, where divisions dissolve, and people unite to support one another. This unity reflects the heart of Christian community, where love and service transcend societal barriers. [06:25]
2. Beyond Personal Salvation: Christianity is not solely about personal salvation and reaching heaven. It is about being part of a living community that serves and ministers to others, reflecting God's love in tangible ways. [11:51]
3. Empowerment in Ministry: The early church's response to internal disputes by appointing Spirit-filled individuals to serve highlights the importance of empowering others in ministry. This delegation allows for a balanced flow of service and spiritual growth. [17:51]
4. Jesus' Model of Ministry: Jesus empowered his disciples to carry out his work, demonstrating that ministry is not about doing everything alone but about equipping others to serve. This model encourages a collaborative and sustainable approach to ministry. [21:25]
5. Shift in Focus: As Christians mature, the focus should shift from how God can minister to us to how God can minister through us. Our lives become instruments of God's work, impacting others and building a living community of faith. [33:08]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Hurricane Milton's Aftermath
- [02:26] - The Flood Story
- [03:35] - Community in Crisis
- [05:22] - Ministry Serve
- [06:25] - Unity in Disaster
- [08:01] - Rebuilding Together
- [09:39] - Community Meals
- [11:51] - Purpose Beyond Salvation
- [13:11] - Acts 6: A Lesson in Service
- [14:21] - The Early Church's Challenge
- [16:32] - Empowering Others
- [17:51] - The Role of the Apostles
- [19:07] - Ministry as a Lifestyle
- [20:09] - Jesus' Model of Empowerment
- [23:43] - The 72 Sent Out
- [30:16] - SERVE: A Model for Ministry
- [33:08] - Shift in Focus: Ministering Through Us
- [35:58] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 6:1-7 - The early church's response to internal disputes and the appointment of Spirit-filled individuals to serve.
2. Luke 9:1-6 - Jesus empowers the twelve disciples to carry out his work.
3. 2 Timothy 2:1-7 - Paul's instructions to Timothy on entrusting teachings to reliable people.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main issue faced by the early church in Acts 6, and how did the apostles address it? [16:32]
2. In Luke 9, what specific instructions did Jesus give to the twelve disciples when he sent them out? [21:25]
3. According to the sermon, how did the community in Florida respond to the disaster caused by Hurricane Milton? [06:25]
4. What does the acronym SERVE stand for, as mentioned in the sermon? [30:16]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the appointment of the seven in Acts 6 reflect the importance of delegation and empowerment in ministry? [17:51]
2. What does Jesus' model of sending out the disciples in Luke 9 teach about the nature of ministry and community involvement? [21:25]
3. How does the sermon challenge the modern understanding of Christianity as primarily focused on personal salvation? [11:51]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that disasters can reveal the true essence of community? [06:25]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a sense of community during a crisis. How did it change your perspective on the importance of community support? [06:25]
2. How can you apply the principle of delegation and empowerment in your own life or ministry, as seen in Acts 6? [17:51]
3. Consider the shift from focusing on how God can minister to you to how God can minister through you. What practical steps can you take to make this shift in your daily life? [33:08]
4. Identify a resource or talent you have that could be used to serve others in your community. How can you start using it this week? [30:16]
5. How can you create opportunities for community meals or gatherings in your neighborhood or church to foster unity and support? [09:39]
6. Think about a situation where you might need to reorder your priorities to better serve others. What changes can you make to align your actions with this goal? [30:16]
7. Reflect on the idea of entering every situation as God's hands and feet. How can you be more intentional about this in your interactions with others this week? [30:16]
Devotional
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Day 1: Unity in Adversity
In times of disaster, such as the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the fragility of our material possessions becomes evident, and the strength of community shines through. The devastation in Florida, where homes and memories were lost, serves as a powerful reminder that material loss can lead to spiritual and communal gain. During crises, societal divisions often fade, revealing the true essence of community. People come together, not as political entities, but as human beings united by shared suffering and a common goal of rebuilding and supporting one another. This unity reflects the heart of Christian community, where love and service transcend societal barriers. [06:25]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge in your community. How can you actively contribute to fostering unity and support among those affected?
Day 2: Living Beyond Personal Salvation
Christianity is often perceived as a journey toward personal salvation and reaching heaven. However, the true purpose of faith extends beyond individual salvation. It is about being part of a living community of Jesus Christ, where believers are called to serve and minister to others. This perspective challenges the modern understanding of Christianity, emphasizing that faith is not solely about personal gain but about reflecting God's love in tangible ways. By focusing on communal service, Christians can embody the teachings of Jesus and contribute to a world that mirrors God's grace and compassion. [11:51]
"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." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from personal spiritual growth to actively participating in your faith community's mission to serve others?
Day 3: Empowerment Through Delegation
The early church faced internal disputes over the distribution of food, prompting the apostles to appoint seven Spirit-filled individuals to ensure the community's needs were met. This act of delegation and empowerment allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word, highlighting the importance of empowering others in ministry. By delegating responsibilities, a balanced flow of service and spiritual growth is achieved, allowing each member to contribute their unique gifts to the community. This approach encourages a collaborative and sustainable model of ministry, where everyone plays a vital role in serving others. [17:51]
"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a task or responsibility you can delegate to someone else in your community. How can this act of empowerment enhance the overall ministry?
Day 4: Collaborative Ministry
Jesus exemplified a model of ministry that was not about doing everything alone but about equipping others to serve. He empowered his disciples to carry out his work, sending them out to heal, proclaim the kingdom, and serve others. This model encourages a collaborative and sustainable approach to ministry, where individuals are equipped and empowered to serve alongside one another. By fostering a spirit of collaboration, the community can achieve greater impact and reflect the love and grace of God more effectively. [21:25]
"And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal." (Luke 9:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a ministry or service opportunity where you can collaborate with others. How can you contribute your unique gifts to enhance the collective effort?
Day 5: Ministering Through Us
As Christians mature in their faith, the focus should shift from how God can minister to us to how God can minister through us. Our lives, resources, and talents become tools in God's hands to accomplish extraordinary work. This shift in focus encourages believers to view their lives as instruments of God's work, impacting others and building a living community of faith. By surrendering daily to God and employing our resources for others, we can reflect God's love and grace to the world, fulfilling our calling as members of the body of Christ. [33:08]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can allow God to minister through you today? How can you use your resources and talents to serve others in your community?
Quotes
1. "There really is a significant flaw in the modern understanding of Christianity, in my view. I've been 50 years a Christian. And I see it all the time. I see it. We had this disaster down in Florida. Light and Life Park is a Free Methodist retirement campground. They let us live there even though we're not Free Methodist anymore. It was my mother-in-law's house, double-wide trailer. We were on the low end. My sister-in-law Brenda has a house, a block cement house that was in a dry area. Maybe 10% of the houses didn't have any water. Everybody else had some damage all the way down to total destruction." ([00:02:44] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "Look at everybody's possessions are out by the road. They're using a front-end loader to scoop it up and throw it in dumpsters. All their memories, all their possessions just like totally destroyed. I could hear the choking in his voice starting. And I said, you know what? There's a good side to this. And he said, what? I said, us old folks that have all this stuff out there, we're all crying because of what we lost. Our kids are saying, finally. I don't want to inherit that stuff. It's all gone." ([00:04:05] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "I think one of the most fascinating aspects of the world today, when you kind of assess what's going on, we have another week before the election, week from Tuesday, bring up any topic, any topic, any topic at all. Taxes, abortion, leadership, Supreme Court, anything, federal help, FEMA, name it, name and claim it. That doesn't make any difference. There's going to be virtually instant division, fighting words, withdrawal, people backing up. I'm not even going to talk to you. I'm not going to eat with you. I'm not going to help you in any way because of all the divisions going on." ([00:05:57] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Nobody who goes into a house with a hot meal says, are you a Republican or Democrat? Who are you voting for next week? Nobody says that. They say, you need help. I'm here to help. You need stuff lifted out. You need to be recognized. You need to be up and about. You need to be up and about. You need to be up and rescued you need to be nobody comes by in a helicopter and they say oh that's a republican helicopter i'm not getting on it there is something about disaster there is something about when the the structures of society collapse that all the issues that truly are important do not take away community." ([00:06:59] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "The work of stripping homes, dumping furniture, all their couches, the fold-out beds, stuff their kids had slept on, their grandkids slept on, pictures on the refrigerator, all that stuff had to go. And it was just, the conversation was, I don't know how I'm going to do this. I can't even think I'm so tired. But from, then to a week later, the transformation, because of the tragedy, combined with the community. Shoulders were up. Laughter was heard." ([00:08:34] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "But ministry, a style of ministry in your own life is a choice that you make. I think one of the, we're going to look at some scripture, but the main issue that I see in the flaw is that when a person becomes a Christian, they say, what is the point of being a Christian for me to get to heaven? That's all I really want. I'm looking, I'm looking out for me. I want my sins forgiven. I want to get to heaven. That's the only thing that really matters. Look out for yourself. You're number one." ([00:10:34] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "If what we say then is, the whole point of being a Christian is, I get heaven, then heaven comes my way. The door is open for me. The angels are singing. My welcome, on and on. It's all still to me. But that misses the whole point of why God left you here. If the whole point was to get to heaven, you accept Jesus, bingo, he kills you and you're gone. Good for you. But he left you here. And then the big question is, why did he leave you here?" ([00:11:51] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "Now, some people take this as this gigantic burden of burden, that everything has to flow out of your life until you're utterly exhausted. You have to surrender everything, give everything away. You have nothing, nothing left. But the real nature of community is not exhaustion versus greed. It's not that question. It's in, out, back, forth, vulnerability, access, resource, care. It's all of that. That's what creates community." ([00:12:24] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "The Holy Spirit is going to work in you and it's not just about getting to heaven as fast as possible. If that was God's agenda, you'd get saved, you would die, and you'd go right to heaven. Bingo. Problem solved. But he left you here. He left the apostles. He left these seven guys. And this was the starting point. This wasn't the end of it. So that they could start doing ministry. What ministry? Make sure that all the widows get enough food in their bag and that everybody is happy." ([00:18:37] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "It's very, very interesting to me that as they're learning there's a model they're trying they don't really do it too well they walk into a town and they don't get welcomed jesus says you know what's going to happen somebody's going to not like what you say turn around walk away it's okay when they get upset at you for what you're saying just pass it off it's really about the lord that's fine it's very very interesting this ministry lifestyle uh that that that there's 12 we hear about them all the time but who are these 72 where do they come from what where's what where's this where did they come why are they doing this because jesus has this multi-level way of connecting up with people it's not all on one team and a bird and a crushing destruction to them there's 72 others and he says go don't load up all your stuff just go do the best you can you'll try it'll work it won't work your message is simple the kingdom of god is nearby and i'm going to do everything i can in my power to help you that in and out and in and in that." ([00:26:13] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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