Embracing Change: Stewarding God's Grace Through Transition

Devotional

Day 1: Stewards of the Manifold Grace of God

To be a steward is to recognize that what we have—especially the grace of God—is not ours to keep, but ours to share and pass on. In a world that is always changing, our calling remains constant: to receive God’s abundant grace and to ensure it is extended to others, not hoarded or hidden away. This means looking for opportunities to embody grace in our relationships, our church, and our community, trusting that God’s love is meant to flow through us to the next generation and to all we encounter. [35:07]

1 Peter 4:8-10 (ESV)
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: Who in your life today needs to experience God’s grace through you, and what is one specific way you can extend that grace to them this week?

Day 2: God’s Unchanging Love in a Changing World

Change is a constant in life—schools, relationships, communities, and even churches shift and transform over time. Yet, amid all this, God’s love remains steadfast and unchanging. No matter how the world around us shifts, or how uncertain the future may feel, we can rest in the assurance that God’s love for us never wavers, and that we are always held in His care. [19:11]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where change has made you anxious or uncertain, and how can you remind yourself today of God’s unchanging love in that situation?

Day 3: Embracing Change and Letting Go of Nostalgia

It is natural to look back on the past with nostalgia, longing for what once was and feeling a sense of homesickness for days gone by. Yet, just as the ancestral Puebloans left Mesa Verde and adapted to new realities, we are called to move forward, trusting that God is with us in the unknown. Letting go of nostalgia allows us to embrace the new things God is doing, to honor the past while stepping boldly into the future He has prepared. [31:57]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What is one memory or tradition from the past that you find yourself clinging to, and how might God be inviting you to trust Him with something new today?

Day 4: Welcoming and Empowering Others to Use Their Gifts

A vital part of stewarding God’s grace is creating a community where all are welcomed, accepted, and encouraged to use their God-given gifts. This means actively looking for those who may feel excluded or overlooked, and inviting them to participate fully in the life and ministry of the church. When we empower others to serve, we reflect the radical hospitality and acceptance that is at the heart of the gospel. [42:15]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: Who is someone in your church or community who may not feel fully welcomed or empowered to use their gifts, and how can you personally encourage or invite them to serve this week?

Day 5: Trusting God’s Call and Saying Yes to New Opportunities

Often, God calls us to step out in faith, to take on roles or challenges that seem daunting or beyond our abilities. The stories of those who have gone before us remind us that when we say yes to God’s call, He provides the support and strength we need. Trusting God’s call means being willing to move beyond our comfort zones, believing that He will use us to carry His grace into the future. [36:12]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Reflection: What is one new opportunity or challenge God may be calling you to say yes to, and what step can you take today to move forward in faith?

Sermon Summary

Change is an inevitable part of life, shaping our experiences and communities in ways both welcome and difficult. From the shifting of school years and living room furniture to the profound transitions of entire cultures, we are constantly navigating new realities. The story of Mesa Verde National Park and the ancestral Puebloans offers a powerful illustration: when the world around them changed—when the rains stopped and the land could no longer sustain their way of life—they did not cling to the past or wait for things to return to how they were. Instead, they adapted, moved forward, and entrusted their legacy to future generations. Their story is not just about what was left behind, but about the courage to embrace change and steward what truly matters.

Nostalgia often tugs at our hearts, especially when we remember times in our lives, our nation, or our church that seemed fuller or more vibrant. There is a sweetness in remembering, but also a bitterness in knowing we cannot return. Yet, as 1 Peter reminds us, our true home is not in a particular place or time, but in the manifold grace of God. We are called to be stewards of this grace—not owners, but caretakers entrusted with passing it on. Our mission is not to preserve structures or traditions for their own sake, but to ensure that the love, acceptance, and gifts of God are shared with all, especially as the world changes around us.

Throughout our church’s history, there have been moments of radical welcome and courageous leadership—times when people stepped into new roles, when the church opened its doors to those previously excluded, and when the community supported one another through change. These stories are not just memories; they are examples of what it means to steward God’s grace. The world will continue to change, and so will we. But God’s love remains constant, and our calling endures: to create spaces where all are loved, accepted, and empowered to use their gifts. The hardest part is deciding to embrace this calling, to trust that God’s grace is enough for whatever lies ahead, and to invite others to join us in the work of the kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. Change is Unavoidable, but God’s Love Remains Constant Life is marked by continual change—sometimes welcome, sometimes painful. Yet, amid all transitions, God’s love for us is the one unchanging reality. No matter how the world shifts, we are assured that God’s love endures, providing a foundation of hope and security in uncertain times. [19:11]
2. Nostalgia Can Inspire, but Our True Home is God’s Grace It is natural to feel homesick for the past, to long for times that seemed better or more comfortable. However, our ultimate home is not a place or a memory, but the manifold grace of God. This grace calls us to look forward, not backward, and to find our identity and purpose in God’s ongoing work rather than in what once was. [31:57]
3. Stewardship Means Passing On, Not Preserving for Its Own Sake To be a steward is to hold something precious for a time, with the responsibility to pass it on. Our calling is not to maintain structures or traditions simply because they are familiar, but to ensure that the grace and love of God are shared with new generations and new people, even if it means letting go of what is comfortable. [35:07]
4. Radical Welcome and Empowerment Are Central to Our Identity The history of our church is filled with moments of radical acceptance—welcoming those who were excluded elsewhere, empowering people to serve regardless of their background, and supporting one another in bold acts of faith. These stories remind us that the heart of our calling is to create spaces where all can use their gifts and know they are loved. [37:19]
5. Embracing Change Requires Courage and Trust in God’s Grace Like the ancestral Puebloans, we are called to adapt and move forward when the world changes, trusting that God’s grace will sustain us. The hardest part is choosing to step into the unknown, to invite others into ministry, and to trust that God’s love is enough for whatever comes next. Our task is to steward grace into the future, not to retreat into the past. [42:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[09:10] - Announcements and Prayer Requests
[11:06] - Call to Worship and Opening Prayer
[15:41] - Children’s Time: Understanding Change
[18:37] - Sharing God’s Love in Everyday Life
[24:06] - Reflections on Scripture: 1 Peter
[25:27] - Mesa Verde: Lessons from History
[26:43] - The Mystery of Abandonment and Adaptation
[29:16] - Change, Nostalgia, and Homesickness
[31:57] - Finding Our True Home in God’s Grace
[35:07] - The Call to Steward God’s Grace
[37:19] - Radical Welcome in Church History
[39:27] - Embracing Change as a Community
[41:18] - Creating Spaces of Love and Acceptance
[42:15] - The Challenge and Courage of Stewardship
[43:43] - Affirmation of Faith and Hymn
[48:35] - Prayers for the Community
[54:10] - Ways to Connect and Serve
[56:21] - Mission Focus and Announcements
[63:06] - Passing the Peace and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 4:8-10 (ESV) — > Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 4:8-10, what are the specific instructions given to believers about how to treat one another?
In the sermon, what example from history was used to illustrate how people responded to major change? ([25:27])
What does the word “steward” mean in the context of 1 Peter and the sermon? ([35:07])
What are some ways the church in its history has shown “radical welcome” or acceptance, as mentioned in the sermon? ([37:19])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Peter emphasizes being “good stewards of God’s varied grace” instead of owners or preservers? What difference does this make in how we live out our faith? ([35:07])
The sermon talks about nostalgia and homesickness for the past. How can longing for the past help or hinder our ability to follow God’s calling today? ([31:57])
The ancestral Puebloans adapted to change rather than waiting for things to return to the way they were. What does this teach us about faith and trust in God during times of transition? ([29:16])
The sermon mentions that God’s love is the one thing that never changes, even when everything else does. How does this truth affect the way we face uncertainty or loss? ([39:27])

Application Questions

Think about a recent change in your life or in our church community. How did you respond? Was it with resistance, nostalgia, or openness to what God might be doing? ([16:21])
The sermon challenges us to be stewards who pass on God’s grace, not just preserve what’s comfortable. Is there a tradition, habit, or structure you are holding onto that might need to change so that God’s love can reach more people? ([35:07])
The church’s history includes moments of radical welcome—inviting in those who were excluded elsewhere. Who in your life or community might feel left out or unable to use their gifts? What is one step you could take to invite or empower them? ([42:15])
When you feel nostalgic or homesick for “the way things used to be,” what helps you refocus on God’s grace and the mission ahead? ([31:57])
The sermon asks: “Is there someone you know who isn’t allowed to use the fullness of who God created them to be?” How can you personally help create a space where all are loved, accepted, and empowered? ([42:15])
The hardest part of embracing change is deciding to do it. What is one area where you sense God calling you to step out in faith, even if it feels risky or unknown? ([42:15])
This week, what is one practical way you can “share God’s love and grace” with someone in your daily life—at work, school, or home? ([18:37])

Sermon Clips

A steward is someone who has something only for a short period of time. A steward is someone who doesn't own the thing that they have. A steward is someone who is keeping something only to pass it on. And Peter, writing to the church, says, you are stewards. You have right now the manifold grace of God and your job is to pass it on. [00:34:39] (28 seconds) #TemporaryStewardship

Your job isn't to keep Mesa Verde running. Your job isn't to keep people in Mesa Verde. Your job is to figure out whatever happens in the world, how do we pass on the grace of God, the manifold grace of God that you have been given, you have been entrusted with, that we have been entrusted with, our task, our role, our job. Is to pass it on. [00:35:07] (29 seconds) #PassingGraceForward

As we look at change, as we understand change in our world, the world is always changing. The world is always becoming something different than it was. And the church is going to be something different tomorrow than it was yesterday. I am going to be someone different than I am, different tomorrow than I was yesterday. You are going to be someone different tomorrow than you are today. That's just reality. [00:39:16] (27 seconds) #EmbracingChange

You have been given the gift of the manifold grace of God, and your job is to steward it into the future. Your job is to carry it into the future. Your job is to create, not even create, but to continue a place where people know they are accepted, where people know they can use their gifts. [00:39:56] (17 seconds) #GraceIntoFuture

The world changes. We can see that in Mesa Verde. Something happened. Something changed. And the Puebloan, ancestral Puebloans didn't say, well, we're going to stay here and wait until it starts raining again. They said, we're going to strike it out into the unknown. We're going to take who we are with us, and we're going to pass it down to the next generation. We're going to pass it down into the world. [00:40:28] (33 seconds) #CourageToMoveOn

The world around us can change. The world around us will change. Things will look different tomorrow than they did today. Sometimes it'll look better. Sometimes it'll look worse. But what doesn't change is the grace and love of Jesus Christ. [00:41:11] (18 seconds) #GraceThatEndures

And what doesn't change is our task as Christians to steward that manifold grace into the future. To create places where people know they are loved, to create places where people know they are accepted, to create places where people know they can use their gifts, to create places where people can live into their call and be supported as they live into their call. [00:41:29] (34 seconds) #CreatingWelcomingSpaces

``We are called to steward the manifold grace of God to create and build a place where people know they are loved, where people know they are accepted, where people can use their gifts. [00:42:34] (16 seconds) #EmpoweredToServe

And so the question that we all wrestle with right now, is there someone that you know who isn't allowed to use their gifts? Who isn't allowed to use the the fullness of who God created them to be? How do you invite them into ministry? How do you invite them into the work of the kingdom? How do you pass off that manifold grace of God to them, trusting that they are also stewards of the gift we have received? [00:42:50] (42 seconds)

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Transcript

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