Core Values for a Vibrant Church Community

Devotional

Day 1: Worship as a Community Anchor

Worshiping biblically means being present and active in the community of believers, reminding ourselves of God's love and promises, and resisting the urge to isolate during difficult times. Worship is not merely a ritual but a vital connection to God and each other. It serves as a reminder of God's eternal love and promises, especially when life becomes overwhelming. By gathering together, believers renew their strength and faith, finding solace and encouragement in shared worship. This communal aspect of worship is essential, as it helps individuals resist the temptation to isolate themselves during challenging times. [06:22]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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 10:23-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prioritize being present in your church community this week, even when life feels overwhelming?

Day 2: Intentional Spiritual Growth

Intentional growth in faith requires commitment to studying the Word of God, allowing it to shape us into the likeness of Christ, and addressing our shortcomings with humility and dedication. Growth in faith is not accidental; it demands a deliberate effort to engage with the Word of God regularly. This engagement allows believers to be transformed into the likeness of Christ, addressing personal shortcomings with humility and dedication. By committing to this intentional growth, individuals can better align their actions and responses with the teachings of Jesus, fostering a deeper spiritual maturity. [11:06]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to engage more deeply with the Word of God and allow it to shape your daily life?

Day 3: Passionate Service

Serving passionately involves personal commitment, external focus, and a willingness to serve all people, reflecting the example set by Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served. Service to God and others should be marked by enthusiasm and dedication, mirroring the example of Jesus. This service is not about seeking recognition but about expressing gratitude for the salvation received. It requires a personal commitment to serve all people, regardless of their background, with an external focus that prioritizes the needs of others. [14:57]

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person or group you can serve this week with genuine enthusiasm and dedication. How can you reflect Jesus' example in your service?

Day 4: Generosity as Worship

Giving generously is an act of worship and trust in God's provision, requiring preparation, a cheerful attitude, and faith in God's ability to meet our needs. Generosity is more than financial contributions; it is an act of worship and trust in God's provision. It involves a cheerful attitude and faith in God's ability to meet all needs. By preparing to give generously, individuals demonstrate their reliance on God and their willingness to share their time and resources with others, reflecting a heart of worship. [19:14]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your current resources—time, talents, and finances. How can you prepare to give generously this week as an act of worship and trust in God?

Day 5: Outward Love

Loving outwardly means extending our love beyond the church walls, showing compassion, spending time with others, and sacrificing our resources to make a difference in their lives, reflecting Christ's love for us. Love should not be confined within the church but should extend outward to those in need. Believers are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing compassion and spending time with others. This outward love involves sacrificing resources to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, reflecting the love of Christ. [22:13]

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone outside your immediate church community who needs love and support. How can you extend Christ's love to them this week in a practical way?

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Sermon Summary

In our gathering tonight, we focused on the core values that will guide us as a church community in 2025. Our mission is to reach up to God and out to man, ensuring that no one walks alone. We began by addressing the importance of authenticity in our church identity, emphasizing that our actions must align with our declarations. Just as false advertising can mislead, so can a church that does not live up to its proclaimed values. Our goal is to be a church that genuinely embodies love, care, and community.

The first core value we discussed is the need to worship biblically. This involves not just attending church but actively participating and being present in the community of believers. Worship is a reminder of God's love, plan, and eternal promise for us. It is essential to gather together, especially when life becomes overwhelming, to renew our strength and faith.

Next, we explored the importance of growing intentionally. Growth in faith does not happen by accident; it requires commitment and effort. We must engage with the Word of God regularly, allowing it to shape us into the likeness of Christ. This intentional growth helps us address our shortcomings and become more like Jesus in our actions and responses.

Serving passionately is another core value. Our service to God and others should be done with enthusiasm and dedication, reflecting the example set by Jesus. Serving is not about seeking recognition but about showing appreciation for the salvation we have received. It involves personal commitment, external focus, and a willingness to serve all people, regardless of their background.

We also discussed the importance of giving generously. Giving is an act of worship and trust in God's provision. It requires preparation, a cheerful attitude, and faith in God's ability to meet our needs. Generosity is not just about financial contributions but also about sharing our time and resources with others.

Finally, we emphasized the need to love outwardly. Our love should extend beyond the church walls, reaching those in our community who are in need. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing compassion, spending time with others, and sacrificing our resources to make a difference in their lives. This outward love is a reflection of Christ's love for us and is essential for fulfilling our mission as a church.

Key Takeaways

1. Worshiping biblically means being present and active in the community of believers, reminding ourselves of God's love and promises, and resisting the urge to isolate during difficult times. [06:22]
2. Intentional growth in faith requires commitment to studying the Word of God, allowing it to shape us into the likeness of Christ, and addressing our shortcomings with humility and dedication. [11:06]
3. Serving passionately involves personal commitment, external focus, and a willingness to serve all people, reflecting the example set by Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served. [14:57]
4. Giving generously is an act of worship and trust in God's provision, requiring preparation, a cheerful attitude, and faith in God's ability to meet our needs. [19:14]
5. Loving outwardly means extending our love beyond the church walls, showing compassion, spending time with others, and sacrificing our resources to make a difference in their lives, reflecting Christ's love for us. [22:13]
** [22:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:22] - Worship Biblically
[11:06] - Grow Intentionally
[14:57] - Serve Passionately
[19:14] - Give Generously
[22:13] - Love Outwardly
[24:30] - Mercy on Moncrief
[29:55] - Trust in God's Plan
[33:02] - Church Growth and Vision
[34:55] - Expectation and Commitment
[37:40] - Trust and Risk
[39:55] - Community Connection
[41:10] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

1. "Tonight we just want to look at what I'm calling core values for 2025. How we become a church that reaches up to God and out to man where no one walks alone. You've seen it, right? You've been there. All of us have seen it. You've seen somewhat of the what I call false advertisement. If you were to pull up at a crab place or so you thought it was a crab place, it said the sign outside said Terry's Crabs. And then you went in to get crabs and you didn't smell the place didn't smell like seafood." [00:01:22] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Though I belong to him, I don't always act like him, so he got his thumbprint on me. He's shaping me into the image of his son. Philippians chapter 1 verse 6, he who has begun a good work in you shall complete it at the coming day of Jesus Christ. You still got some patience issues. You still got some love issues. You still got some long-suffering issues." [00:11:06] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "What do you think God says to us when we just go through the motion and don't serve him passionately? It's Mark chapter 10, verse 45. Jesus says it this way, that the son of man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. What does that mean? That when I serve, I serve personally. I serve externally, but then I serve identically." [00:14:55] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "It takes worshiping biblically. It takes growing intentionally. It takes serving passionately. It takes to give generously. Here's the fifth one. These are our core values for 2025. Here it is. It takes love outwardly. What do you mean loving outwardly?" [00:21:45] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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