Embracing Change: Unity and Purpose in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Collective Effort

When we come together as a community, our individual contributions create a multiplying effect. This principle is evident in the story of Nehemiah, who rallied the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Each person’s small effort combined to achieve a monumental task. Similarly, as we work on renovating and preparing our new space, every small act of service and giving contributes to a greater impact. This principle also applies to our spiritual lives. When we align our efforts with God's will, we can achieve more than we could ever accomplish alone. Our collective effort, driven by a shared vision and purpose, can bring about significant change and growth within our community. [09:37]

Nehemiah 4:6 (ESV): "So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work."

Reflection: Think of a small way you can contribute to a collective effort in your church or community this week. How can your individual action, no matter how small, help achieve a larger goal?

Day 2: Jesus' Teachings on Motives

Jesus emphasized the importance of our motives in all our actions. Whether we are giving to the needy, praying, or fasting, our actions should be driven by a desire to glorify God rather than seeking admiration from others. This teaching is crucial as we navigate changes in our lives and our church. It reminds us to examine our hearts and ensure that our motives are pure and focused on pleasing God. As we merge with Stonebridge and embark on new endeavors, let us be mindful that our actions are not for personal gain but to honor God and serve others. [16:16]

Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV): "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Reflection: Reflect on your recent actions and ask yourself: Are my motives pure and focused on glorifying God? How can I ensure that my actions are driven by a desire to serve and honor Him?

Day 3: True Transformation Requires Heart and Mind Change

Change is inevitable, but true transformation requires a shift in our hearts and minds. We must transition from old ways of thinking to embrace new paths that align with God's will. This process involves examining our motives and ensuring they are pure and focused on pleasing God. As we prepare for the merger with Stonebridge, it is essential to let go of any old habits or mindsets that may hinder our growth. Embracing new ways of thinking and acting in accordance with God's will allows us to experience true transformation and navigate change with grace and unity. [19:30]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: Identify one old habit or mindset that you need to let go of to align more closely with God's will. What steps can you take today to begin this transformation?

Day 4: The Importance of Community and Unity

As we merge with Stonebridge, building relationships and fostering unity is essential. By sharing our experiences and working together, we can create a strong, united community. This unity will help us navigate the changes ahead and ensure a smooth transition for both congregations. It is through our collective effort and shared vision that we can achieve great things for the Lord. Let us focus on building strong relationships, supporting one another, and working together to create a community that reflects God's love and grace. [07:16]

Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reflection: Think of one way you can build a stronger relationship with someone in your church community this week. How can you contribute to fostering unity and support within the congregation?

Day 5: Staying Focused on Jesus

Our focus should always be on Jesus and glorifying Him. When our hearts are aligned with this purpose, we can navigate challenges and changes with grace. This focus helps us remain united and in community, ensuring we move in the same direction and avoid unnecessary conflicts. As we move forward with the merger and other changes, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, seeking to glorify Him in all that we do. By doing so, we will stay united and focused on our mission to impact our community for Jesus. [27:14]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself distracted from focusing on Jesus? What practical steps can you take today to refocus and ensure that your actions glorify Him?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to discuss the exciting changes happening within our church community. We are merging with Stonebridge, and this Wednesday, we will have an open house to share our vision and experiences. This merger is not just about physical changes but also about uniting our congregations and preparing our new space for worship and ministry. We have been working tirelessly on renovations, including the women's restroom and children's classrooms, to ensure everything is ready for our new beginning.

In our offering message, we reflected on the power of collective effort. Just as Nehemiah rallied the people to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, we are coming together to build something for the Lord. Each small contribution multiplies, creating a significant impact. This principle extends beyond physical labor to our spiritual lives. When we align our efforts with God's will, we achieve more than we could alone.

We also delved into the final part of our "Walking with Jesus" series. Jesus' journey from carpenter to preacher teaches us valuable lessons about obedience, temptation, and discipleship. His teachings often challenged the status quo, emphasizing the importance of motives. Jesus taught that our actions should be driven by a desire to glorify God, not to seek admiration from others. This principle is crucial as we navigate changes in our lives and our church.

Change is inevitable, but true transformation requires a shift in our hearts and minds. We must transition from old ways of thinking to embrace new paths that align with God's will. This process involves examining our motives and ensuring they are pure and focused on pleasing God. When our hearts are in the right place, we can navigate change with grace and unity.

As we move forward, let's remain mindful of our motivations. Let's ensure our actions are driven by a desire to glorify God and serve others. By doing so, we will stay united and focused on our mission to impact our community for Jesus.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Collective Effort Multiplies Impact: When we come together, each small contribution creates a multiplying effect. Just as Nehemiah rallied the people to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, our collective efforts in renovating and preparing our new space will have a significant impact. This principle extends to our spiritual lives, where aligning our efforts with God's will allows us to achieve more than we could alone. [09:37]
2. Jesus' Teachings on Motives: Jesus emphasized the importance of motives in our actions. Whether giving to the needy, praying, or fasting, our actions should be driven by a desire to glorify God, not to seek admiration from others. This principle is crucial as we navigate changes in our lives and our church, ensuring our hearts are in the right place. [16:16]
3. True Transformation Requires Heart and Mind Change: Change is inevitable, but true transformation requires a shift in our hearts and minds. We must transition from old ways of thinking to embrace new paths that align with God's will. This process involves examining our motives and ensuring they are pure and focused on pleasing God. [19:30]
4. The Importance of Community and Unity: As we merge with Stonebridge, it's essential to build relationships and foster unity. By sharing our experiences and working together, we can create a strong, united community. This unity will help us navigate the changes ahead and ensure a smooth transition for both congregations. [07:16]
5. Staying Focused on Jesus: Our focus should always be on Jesus and glorifying Him. When our hearts are aligned with this purpose, we can navigate challenges and changes with grace. This focus helps us remain united and in community, ensuring we move in the same direction and avoid unnecessary conflicts. [27:14]
### [27:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:21] - Announcements and Open House
[06:26] - Women's Restroom Renovation
[07:16] - Building Relationships with Stonebridge
[08:03] - Acknowledging Volunteers
[09:37] - Offering Message: Collective Effort
[10:43] - Children's Classroom Updates
[11:23] - Call for Volunteers
[12:30] - Kitchen and Office Updates
[13:14] - Moving Plans
[14:23] - Prayer for Offerings
[15:09] - Walking with Jesus Series Recap
[16:16] - Jesus' Teachings on Motives
[19:30] - True Transformation Requires Heart and Mind Change
[27:14] - Staying Focused on Jesus
[29:49] - Teaching on Giving to the Needy
[33:03] - Teaching on Fasting
[34:45] - Sinful Cravings and Motives
[38:38] - Love Not the World
[41:12] - Upcoming Tasks and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the main reason for the open house event mentioned in the sermon? ([05:21])
According to the sermon, what was the purpose of the renovations being done in the church? ([06:26])
How did the pastor describe the collective effort of the congregation in relation to Nehemiah's story? ([09:37])
What specific teachings of Jesus were highlighted in the sermon regarding motives? ([16:16])

Interpretation Questions

How does the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem relate to the current efforts of the church community? ([09:37])
Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of motives in Matthew 6:1-4, and how does this apply to the church's current situation? ([16:16])
What does 1 John 2:15-17 warn against, and how can this warning be relevant to the changes happening in the church? ([38:38])
How can the principle of "true transformation requires heart and mind change" be applied to the church's merger with Stonebridge? ([19:30])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you contributed to a collective effort. How did your small contribution make a difference, and how can you apply this principle to the church's current renovations? ([09:37])
Jesus taught that our actions should be driven by a desire to glorify God. How can you ensure that your motives are pure in your daily life and in your involvement with the church? ([16:16])
The sermon emphasized the importance of community and unity. What steps can you take to build stronger relationships within the church, especially with members from Stonebridge? ([07:16])
Change is inevitable, but true transformation requires a shift in our hearts and minds. What old ways of thinking do you need to let go of to embrace new paths that align with God's will? ([19:30])
The pastor mentioned that staying focused on Jesus helps us navigate challenges with grace. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. How can you minimize this distraction this week? ([27:14])
How can you contribute to the church's mission to impact the community for Jesus, both through physical efforts like renovations and through spiritual efforts like prayer and discipleship? ([45:51])
Reflect on your motivations for serving in the church. Are there any areas where you seek admiration from others rather than glorifying God? How can you realign your motives to focus on pleasing God? ([16:16])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "When each of us does a little bit, when we're together doing it, it's a multiplying effect. It's a multiplying effect. If you need an envelope, envelopes are for cash giving. If you have a check, just write inspire on it. You can text the word give and we'll send you a link to the online platform or just get on the website, inspirethechurch.com slash give or the app to be most blessed." [09:37] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When all of us do a little bit, there's a multiplying effect to it. You know, when they were going to rebuild the walls back for Israel when they'd been broken down, Nehemiah called everybody. Hey, you guys do this and you guys do this. And you guys do that. And they all came together to do what looked like an impossible job. And the work got done." [09:37] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus was like, yeah, we're going to put that book away. Because I'm going to be your salvation. And once I come into your lives. All those things that you tried to do and failed at most of them. I'm going to empower you to actually do them. And so Jesus was changing things." [17:59] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When you pray, don't be like hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they'll ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. And your Father who sees everything will reward you." [32:30] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Do not love this world, nor the things it offers you. For when you love the world, you have not the love of the Father in you. For the world only offers a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and a pride in our achievements and possessions. But these are not from the Father. They are from the world." [37:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When Jesus began to teach, he began to teach and he. It really is a perfect. Let me say it like this. It's a great parallel. For our lives and where we're at right now. Because when Jesus came to start teaching. He changed things. He totally upended. The religious order of the day." [17:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Why is the position of our heart and it determines our focus on Jesus? Because if your focus is to please God, if your focus is to obey God, if your focus is to obey Jesus, if your focus is to glorify Jesus, then the things you do, the things you say, what you involve yourself in, the change you're undertaking, if it's for Jesus, you're going to find you're a lot less upset." [27:14] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Sinful cravings, selfishness, and pride often creep into our motives. And our motives should be for the glory and the gospel of Jesus. So these are things we have to watch out for. When we're in relation and in community, there are going to be some things that rub us the wrong way. That's good. Sometimes it's to help us. Sometimes it's to help somebody else." [34:45] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Bible says to love one another from a pure heart. And here, let me explain what it means by purity in this way. So when they're making steel, steel has a grade of hardness and what they call integrity. Right? Integrity. We always say integrity is what you do when no one's looking. Integrity. But the integrity of your steel, the strength of your steel is determined by the purity of the alloys in that steel." [35:29] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "In other words, if your motives, your why is singularly focused on pleasing God, then you'll know how to address problems. You'll know when you're right. You'll know when you're wrong. And you'll know how to address it. And you'll address it much easier and better." [37:47] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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