Daily Discipleship: Embracing Community and Spiritual Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Daily Engagement with Jesus

Following Jesus is a continuous, daily practice that involves engaging in spiritual disciplines that draw us closer to Him. This journey is not about achieving perfection but about striving for spiritual growth through daily practices such as reading the Bible, praying, and finding moments of quiet reflection. These practices help us become more like Jesus, even amidst life's challenges. By committing to these daily habits, we open ourselves to transformation and allow Jesus to work in our lives, shaping us into His likeness. [01:55]

"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 daily practice can you commit to this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus, and how will you ensure it becomes a consistent part of your routine?

Day 2: Living in Community

Discipleship is not just about personal transformation but also about living in community. We are called to be part of a family of believers who support and encourage one another, helping each other grow in faith. This communal aspect of discipleship is essential, as it reflects the early church's model of unity and shared life. By engaging in community, we learn from one another, share our burdens, and celebrate our victories together, creating a space where spiritual growth can flourish. [05:17]

"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 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to this week to offer support or encouragement, and how can you intentionally foster deeper connections within your church family?

Day 3: Generosity and Unity

The early church exemplified a life of unity and generosity, sharing their possessions and meeting each other's needs. We are called to be irrationally generous and to live in unity, focusing on what we have in common rather than our differences. This spirit of generosity and unity is a powerful testimony to the world and reflects the heart of Jesus. By choosing to live generously, we demonstrate the love of Christ and create a community where everyone feels valued and cared for. [21:01]

"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." (Acts 2:44-45, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can practice irrational generosity this week, either with your time, resources, or talents, to bless someone in your community?

Day 4: Creating a Space for Jesus

Our mission is to create a space that honors Jesus, where grace, healing, and mission are at the forefront. We aim to be a church that reaches out to the lost and provides a place of love and support for all. This involves being intentional about creating environments where people can encounter Jesus and experience His transformative love. By prioritizing grace and healing, we become a beacon of hope for those who are hurting and in need of a Savior. [45:59]

"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create a welcoming and loving environment in your home or church this week that reflects the grace and love of Jesus to those who may feel lost or isolated?

Day 5: Revival Through Love and Community

The revival we seek is one of love, grace, and community that extends beyond the church walls. We are called to be disciple-makers, helping others realize the better way of living that Jesus offers. This revival is not just about personal renewal but about transforming our communities through the love of Christ. By living out our faith in tangible ways, we become agents of change, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. [01:04:17]

"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." (Acts 2:42-43, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to be a disciple-maker in your community, and how can you share the love and grace of Jesus with those around you?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of exploring what it means to be a follower of Jesus, we've come to understand that following Him is not a one-time decision but a continuous, daily practice. It's about engaging in a rhythm of life that draws us closer to Him, despite the challenges and tribulations we face. Jesus calls us to become more like Him every day, knowing that we will never be perfect but encouraging us to strive for spiritual growth through daily practices such as reading the Bible, praying, and finding moments of quiet reflection.

The essence of discipleship is not just personal transformation but also communal engagement. Jesus' call to "follow me" was a rabbinical invitation to learn and grow, but it also included the command to "go and make disciples." This involves living in community, sharing life with others, and helping them realize the better way of living that Jesus offers. The practice of being together, of forming a community, is crucial. We are not meant to walk this journey alone; we are called to be part of a family, a community of believers who support and encourage one another.

The early church exemplified this communal life, as described in Acts 2:42-47. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They lived in unity, shared their possessions, and met each other's needs. This model of community is what we strive to emulate today. We are called to be spiritual contributors, not consumers, to be irrationally generous, and to unapologetically share the love of Jesus.

Our mission is to create a space that honors Jesus, where grace, healing, and mission are at the forefront. We aim to be a church that reaches out to the lost, not just those who haven't accepted Jesus but also those who feel isolated and in need of love and support. We are committed to being a disciple-making church, where each member is encouraged to grow in their faith and help others do the same. This is the revival we seek—a revival of love, grace, and community that extends beyond the walls of the church and into the world we serve.

Key Takeaways

1. Daily Practices for Spiritual Growth: Following Jesus requires daily engagement in practices that draw us closer to Him, such as reading the Bible, praying, and finding moments of quiet reflection. These practices help us become more like Jesus, even amidst life's challenges. [01:55]
2. Community and Discipleship: Discipleship is not just about personal transformation but also about living in community. We are called to be part of a family of believers who support and encourage one another, helping each other grow in faith. [05:17]
3. Generosity and Unity: The early church exemplified a life of unity and generosity, sharing their possessions and meeting each other's needs. We are called to be irrationally generous and to live in unity, focusing on what we have in common rather than our differences. [21:01]
4. Creating a Space for Jesus: Our mission is to create a space that honors Jesus, where grace, healing, and mission are at the forefront. We aim to be a church that reaches out to the lost and provides a place of love and support for all. [45:59]
5. Revival Through Love and Community: The revival we seek is one of love, grace, and community that extends beyond the church walls. We are called to be disciple-makers, helping others realize the better way of living that Jesus offers. [01:04:17]
** [64:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:55] - Running on Empty
[03:12] - The Rabbinical Call
[04:00] - The End Goal: Making Disciples
[05:17] - The Practice of Together
[06:07] - Spiritual Multiplication
[08:26] - The Importance of Community
[10:02] - Spiritual Formation is Relational
[11:53] - Layers of Community
[13:17] - The Village Level
[14:41] - Devotion to Teaching and Fellowship
[16:12] - Authority in Breaking Bread
[18:38] - Signs and Wonders in Everyday Life
[21:01] - Unity and Generosity
[23:16] - The Future of the Church
[26:03] - Spiritual Contributors, Not Consumers
[27:42] - Building Disciples for the World
[30:04] - The Meaning of Devotion
[33:10] - Irrational Generosity
[35:23] - Sharing the Love of Jesus
[39:19] - Reaching the Lost
[42:14] - Needs, Hurts, and Love
[45:59] - Creating a Space for Jesus
[47:41] - Gathering of Grace and Healing
[48:57] - Mission and Community
[50:28] - Overcoming Excuses
[54:22] - Immeasurably More
[56:05] - The Power Within Us
[58:51] - Embracing Imperfection
[60:54] - A Place of Grace and Healing
[62:32] - Revival in the Community
[64:17] - Ready to Serve

Sermon Clips

"We just help them realize that there's a better way of living by living the better way. Did you hear that? We help people realize that there's a better way of living, go and make disciples, by living the better way, being disciples." [00:05:17] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Because you see, Jesus' invitation was to come and do life with him. But his call involved others. He called his disciples together and told them that everything they had learned from him, they were now meant to go and help other people realize it." [00:04:57] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus's desire is not just to form you into a person of love, but to form a community of love." [00:09:46] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"You cannot follow Jesus alone because spiritual formation is a relational process." [00:10:23] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to pray. Have a look at that. Everyone say devoted. Devoted. They devoted themselves. What did they devote themselves to? To teaching, the apostles' teaching. In other words, they devoted themselves both, and they're talking about being together. I'm not talking about your disciplines. I'm not talking about your practices. When we come together, we devote ourselves to the apostles' teaching, number one. Number two, to fellowship." [00:14:41] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"All the believers were together and everything, had everything in common. What does it mean to have everything in common? They were in unity. Why? Because they were devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching." [00:20:58] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And Jesus is saying, no, no, no, disciples, I need you to be able to work through your differences and have everything in common. That is a practice of being together. We work to unity. We don't work to our own expressions." [00:21:47] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"May it always be written that we were for the community that we serve, the people that are lost, the people that are hurting. Even those who eat bad hot dogs can come to this church, be loved, be accepted." [01:04:04] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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