Embodying Christ's Love Through Community Outreach
Summary
Community outreach is a vital aspect of our church's mission, and today, I want to emphasize its importance through stories and scripture. Our outreach efforts are not just about providing services or events; they are about embodying the love of Christ and making a tangible impact in our community. We have various outreach programs, such as the Harvest Carnival, Family Fun Day, and the community Thanksgiving meal, which serve as opportunities to connect with and serve our neighbors. These events are more than just activities; they are expressions of our commitment to being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.
One of the most profound stories of outreach involves a simple act of kindness at a local skate park. By offering hot dogs and drinks, we were able to connect with teenagers who lacked father figures and were often overlooked. This small gesture led to significant transformations, including the baptism of a young leader named Justin and many others. It was a reminder that God can use the simplest acts to bring about profound change.
Celebrate Recovery is another crucial ministry that highlights the power of community and support. It provides a safe space for individuals to find healing and restoration. The story of Ryan, who went from addiction to becoming a minister, exemplifies the transformative power of God's love and the importance of having a supportive community. His journey from a life of brokenness to one of purpose and ministry is a testament to the impact of outreach and recovery programs.
Our outreach efforts are not just about meeting physical needs but also about sharing the love of Christ and the hope of the gospel. We are called to be a light in the world, as Matthew 5:14-16 reminds us. Our actions should reflect the love of God, drawing others to Him. The question we must ask ourselves is whether our community would miss us if we were no longer here. Our goal is to be an indispensable part of our community, known for our love, service, and commitment to sharing the good news of Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Community outreach is essential for embodying the love of Christ and making a tangible impact in our community. It is not just about events but about being the hands and feet of Jesus. [42:24]
- Simple acts of kindness, like offering hot dogs at a skate park, can lead to profound transformations. God can use the smallest gestures to bring about significant change in people's lives. [01:14:34]
- Celebrate Recovery provides a safe space for healing and restoration. The story of Ryan, who went from addiction to ministry, highlights the transformative power of God's love and the importance of supportive community. [01:14:34]
- We are called to be a light in the world, reflecting God's love and drawing others to Him. Our actions should demonstrate the hope and love of the gospel. [01:14:34]
- The question of whether our community would miss us if we were gone challenges us to be an indispensable part of our community, known for our love, service, and commitment to sharing the good news of Jesus. [01:14:34]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:05] - Introduction to Community Outreach
[00:45] - Overview of Outreach Programs
[02:00] - Story of the Skate Park Outreach
[05:30] - Impact of Simple Acts of Kindness
[08:00] - Celebrate Recovery Ministry
[10:30] - Ryan's Transformation Story
[13:00] - Importance of Being a Light
[15:00] - The Question of Community Impact
[17:00] - Call to Action and Invitation
[19:00] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Community Outreach
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:14-16
2. Hebrews 13:16
3. Leviticus 19:34
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Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the outreach programs mentioned in the sermon that aim to embody the love of Christ in the community? [00:45]
2. How did a simple act of offering hot dogs at a skate park lead to significant transformations in the lives of teenagers? [13:00]
3. What role does Celebrate Recovery play in the church's outreach efforts, and how did it impact Ryan's life? [01:14:34]
4. According to the sermon, what question should we ask ourselves to evaluate the impact of our church on the community? [15:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Matthew 5:14-16 challenge Christians to reflect God's love in their daily actions and interactions with others?
2. In what ways does Hebrews 13:16 encourage believers to prioritize community outreach and sharing with others? [49:33]
3. How does the story of Ryan illustrate the transformative power of God's love and the importance of a supportive community? [01:14:34]
4. What does Leviticus 19:34 teach us about how we should treat strangers and those who are different from us? [49:33]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the question posed in the sermon: If our church were no longer here, would the community miss us? What steps can you take to ensure that your personal contributions to the church's outreach efforts are impactful? [15:00]
2. Think about a simple act of kindness you can perform this week that might lead to a meaningful connection with someone in your community. What will you do, and who will you reach out to? [13:00]
3. How can you personally support or get involved in the Celebrate Recovery ministry or a similar program that provides healing and restoration? [01:14:34]
4. Consider the strangers or neighbors in your life who might feel overlooked or marginalized. How can you show them love and acceptance in a tangible way this week? [49:33]
5. Reflect on Matthew 5:14-16. What specific actions can you take to let your light shine in your workplace, neighborhood, or social circles?
6. How can you encourage others in your church to participate in community outreach, and what role can you play in facilitating their involvement?
7. Identify one area of your life where you can better embody the love of Christ. What practical steps will you take to improve in this area?
Devotional
Day 1: Embodying Christ's Love Through Community Outreach
Community outreach is more than organizing events; it is about embodying the love of Christ and making a tangible impact in the community. The church's mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, serving and connecting with neighbors through various programs like the Harvest Carnival, Family Fun Day, and the community Thanksgiving meal. These initiatives are not just activities but expressions of commitment to living out the gospel. By engaging in outreach, the church demonstrates the love of Christ, aiming to be an indispensable part of the community. The question posed is whether the community would miss the church if it were no longer present, challenging believers to be known for their love, service, and commitment to sharing the good news of Jesus. [42:24]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively embody the love of Christ in your community this week? What specific action can you take to serve someone in need?
Day 2: The Power of Simple Acts of Kindness
Simple acts of kindness can lead to profound transformations. A story from the church's outreach at a local skate park illustrates this truth. By offering hot dogs and drinks, the church connected with teenagers who often felt overlooked. This small gesture led to significant changes, including the baptism of a young leader named Justin. It serves as a reminder that God can use the simplest acts to bring about profound change in people's lives. The impact of these small gestures is a testament to the power of kindness and the potential for transformation when we reach out to others with love and compassion. [01:14:34]
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)
Reflection: What simple act of kindness can you perform today that might have a lasting impact on someone else's life?
Day 3: Healing and Restoration Through Community
Celebrate Recovery is a ministry that highlights the power of community and support in healing and restoration. It provides a safe space for individuals to find healing from their struggles. The story of Ryan, who transitioned from addiction to becoming a minister, exemplifies the transformative power of God's love and the importance of having a supportive community. His journey from brokenness to purpose and ministry is a testament to the impact of outreach and recovery programs. This ministry underscores the significance of community in the healing process and the role of the church in providing a supportive environment for transformation. [01:14:34]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs support in their healing journey? How can you be a source of encouragement and community for them today?
Day 4: Reflecting God's Love as a Light in the World
Believers are called to be a light in the world, reflecting God's love and drawing others to Him. The church's outreach efforts are not just about meeting physical needs but also about sharing the love of Christ and the hope of the gospel. Matthew 5:14-16 reminds believers of their role as a light in the world, and their actions should demonstrate the hope and love of the gospel. The church's mission is to reflect God's love in all they do, drawing others to Him through their actions and service. [01:14:34]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can your actions today reflect the love and hope of the gospel to those around you?
Day 5: Being an Indispensable Part of the Community
The church is challenged to be an indispensable part of the community, known for its love, service, and commitment to sharing the good news of Jesus. The question posed is whether the community would miss the church if it were no longer present. This question challenges believers to evaluate their impact and presence in the community. The goal is to be a vital part of the community, demonstrating the love of Christ through service and outreach. By being an indispensable part of the community, the church fulfills its mission of sharing the gospel and being a light in the world. [01:14:34]
"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: How can you contribute to making your church an indispensable part of the community? What specific role can you play in enhancing its impact and presence?
Quotes
"Well, this morning as these ladies are coming up, if you're new with us, or just missed last month, we're going to take a few minutes. I say that with my wife's talking, so we're going to take a few minutes, and we're going to highlight a ministry this month. We're going to highlight a ministry every month, and this month is community outreach, and it's Easter. Easter's coming up, so what a great time that we have to have a community outreach." [00:35:46] (39 seconds)
"And so we do a lot of outreaches here at Westside, this community, and I'm just going to talk about... I'm just going to name a few of them, and then we're going to highlight one. One of the ones that we do is a harvest carnival, and that's... We can't say Halloween in church, so we just call it a harvest carnival. We get..." [00:37:11] (20 seconds)
"One year, I think we counted about 3,000 kids that had come through that, so that's a huge one. We also do Family Fun Day, which is a newer one that we do, which we have a carnival outside in the summertime for the kids to come, and we have free hot dogs and popcorn and cotton candy. Ethan runs that one. He didn't know that until today." [00:37:50] (20 seconds)
"so Jennifer's here she's going to highlight outreach that we do that we do inside of the church it's called Celebrate Recovery and I've called her up here I'm also a head of Celebrate Recovery I'm the ministry leader of Celebrate Recovery but you guys hear me talk all the time so I wanted Jennifer is the women's leader for Celebrate Recovery so I wanted her to share what Celebrate Recovery was and so the question that I want to ask you Jennifer is who needs Celebrate Recovery" [00:43:07] (31 seconds)
"we get to hear people we have hats that say Westside people say you know what I take my kids there to harvest carnival or I was there at the the car my kids go to VBS" [01:06:13] (11 seconds)
"I got a friend that goes to celebrate recovery there I mean all of these things that you hear from the the the community my phone goes off call I had messages this morning you guys doing VBS how can I sign up my kids up for VBS community members that want to know what we're doing because we're always doing stuff here and so if you're saying you know what is it really a big deal to give free hot dogs out on a Saturday or free hot dogs out on Halloween or a free meal on Monday nights or filling shoe boxes up and sending them to foster kids if you want to if you're asking yourself and you're saying is this really important yes the local outreach of the local church is so important is so crucial it's one of the heartbeats of the church" [01:06:34] (56 seconds)
"so this morning I want you to see and here's what Matthew says because I kind of missed this earlier we've been talking about healthy church the last three weeks and this having a community outreach is a healthy church and this building isn't the church we're the church I've been saying that right and so community outreach is us being the church outside" [01:07:00] (30 seconds)
"and why is church important why is it important that we outreach so we we get to share the good news with the lost I will tell you that there's some people that don't walk through the church doors because they say I'm gonna catch on fire if I walk through the church I've heard people say that I'll never walk in the church have you ever said that like I'm such a bad person that if I walk through the church I'm gonna catch on fire people actually believe that guess what I we can we can have church right out here we can have church over there we can have church everywhere and so Matthew tells us that Matthew 5 14 and 16 and he's talking to us as Christians and if we are the part of the church then he's talking to the church he says you are the light of the world he's telling us that we are the light of the world and a city set on a hill cannot be hidden nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a stand that gives light to all the house in the same way let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven so everywhere we go our lights should be shining everybody should see our lights shining everywhere we go and it's not because of me or what I've done it's because of what God's done in our life in the simple fact that if you say yes to the Lord lives can change all over the place and if we're trying to take a number and say you know what I baptized five people look at me that's not what we're doing I hope that Ryan has baptized more people than I'll ever get to baptize I hope that he's baptized people that are now out baptizing people I hope there's prison ministries right now with people in prison are coming to Jesus because Ryan got to go in there and share the good news over a hot dog because we did a local outreach worship team" [01:07:44] (141 seconds)
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