Embracing Community: Faith, Service, and Gratitude Together

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Community

Gathering as a community of believers is more than just attending events; it is an opportunity to connect, serve, and grow together as a family in Christ. Participating in community activities like the Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas gift exchange strengthens our bonds and reflects the joy of our faith. These gatherings allow us to set aside our daily responsibilities and focus on our spiritual growth, reminding us of the importance of community and the role each of us plays in the body of Christ. By actively engaging in these events, we not only celebrate our faith but also build lasting relationships that support our spiritual journey. [10:28]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your community this week to strengthen your bonds with fellow believers?

Day 2: Embracing Culturally Relevant Ministry

Supporting ministry beyond our walls is crucial for spreading the gospel and supporting fellow believers in their mission. The partnership with the Spanish-speaking church plant in Plainfield highlights the importance of culturally relevant ministry and the role we play in supporting global missions. By training national pastors to minister in their own language, we emphasize the need for ministry that resonates with diverse cultures. Our church's support, both financially and through prayer, is a testament to our commitment to spreading the gospel and supporting fellow believers in their mission. [41:24]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to support a ministry that reaches out to a different culture or community this month?

Day 3: Gratitude for the People in Our Lives

Paul reminds us to be grateful for both exceptional and ordinary people in our lives. These individuals, through their unique gifts and presence, play crucial roles in our spiritual journey, helping us grow and stay the course. By thanking God for the people He places in our lives, we acknowledge the impact they have on our faith and spiritual growth. Whether they are mentors, friends, or family, these individuals contribute to our journey in significant ways, and expressing gratitude for them is an essential part of our spiritual practice. [01:07:49]

"I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints." (Philemon 1:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Who are the ordinary and exceptional people in your life that you can thank God for today, and how can you express your gratitude to them?

Day 4: Standing Firm in Love and Faith

We are called to be watchful, stand firm, and let love guide our actions. These principles help us navigate life's challenges, ensuring that we remain steadfast in our faith and committed to our spiritual growth. By staying the course, we demonstrate our dedication to living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ. In moments of difficulty, it is essential to remember that our faith is not just a personal journey but a communal one, supported by the people God places in our lives. Letting love guide our actions ensures that we remain true to our calling as followers of Christ. [01:16:13]

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific situation this week can you choose to let love guide your actions, even when it's challenging?

Day 5: The Table as a Symbol of Commitment

Communion is a powerful act of recalibration, reminding us of Christ's sacrifice and our commitment to follow Him. It is a communal act that strengthens our resolve to stay the course and be thankful for the people God has placed in our lives. As we partake in the bread and the cup, we are reminded of the extraordinary sacrifice of Jesus, who, despite being exceptional, lived an ordinary life to relate to us and redeem us. This act of communion is a powerful reminder of our shared faith and the encouragement we find in one another to stay the course. [01:29:44]

"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (Luke 22:19, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use the act of communion this week to renew your commitment to Christ and strengthen your connection with your community?

Sermon Summary

Gathering together as a community of believers is a profound opportunity to worship Jesus Christ, set aside our daily responsibilities, and focus on our spiritual growth. Today, we are reminded of the importance of community and the role each of us plays in the body of Christ. As we prepare for upcoming events like the Thanksgiving dinner and the Christmas gift exchange, we are called to participate actively, recognizing these moments as opportunities to serve and connect with one another. These events are not just about the activities themselves but about building relationships and celebrating the joy of our faith together.

We also had the privilege of hearing from Junior Gonzalez, who is leading a Spanish-speaking church plant in Plainfield, Wisconsin. This partnership, spearheaded by Calvary Baptist Church, highlights the importance of training national pastors to minister in their own language, emphasizing the need for culturally relevant ministry. Our church's support, both financially and through prayer, is a testament to our commitment to spreading the gospel and supporting fellow believers in their mission.

As we conclude our series in 1 Corinthians, we reflect on Paul's final instructions to the Corinthians. He emphasizes the importance of thanking God for people, both the exceptional and the ordinary, who play vital roles in our spiritual journey. Paul encourages us to stay the course, to be watchful, stand firm, and let love guide our actions. These principles are crucial as we navigate the challenges of life, reminding us that our faith is not just a personal journey but a communal one, supported by the people God places in our lives.

The table, a symbol of Christ's sacrifice, serves as a weekly recalibration, reminding us of our commitment to follow Christ and the strength we draw from our community. As we partake in the bread and the cup, we are reminded of the extraordinary sacrifice of Jesus, who, despite being exceptional, lived an ordinary life to relate to us and redeem us. This act of communion is a powerful reminder of our shared faith and the encouragement we find in one another to stay the course.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Community: Our gatherings are more than just events; they are opportunities to connect, serve, and grow together as a family in Christ. Participating in community activities like the Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas gift exchange strengthens our bonds and reflects the joy of our faith. [10:28]
2. Supporting Ministry Beyond Our Walls: The partnership with the Spanish-speaking church plant in Plainfield underscores the importance of culturally relevant ministry and the role we play in supporting global missions. Our involvement is a testament to our commitment to spreading the gospel. [41:24]
3. Thanking God for People: Paul reminds us to be grateful for both exceptional and ordinary people in our lives. These individuals, through their unique gifts and presence, play crucial roles in our spiritual journey, helping us grow and stay the course. [67:49]
4. Staying the Course: We are called to be watchful, stand firm, and let love guide our actions. These principles help us navigate life's challenges, ensuring that we remain steadfast in our faith and committed to our spiritual growth. [76:13]
5. The Significance of the Table: Communion is a powerful act of recalibration, reminding us of Christ's sacrifice and our commitment to follow Him. It is a communal act that strengthens our resolve to stay the course and be thankful for the people God has placed in our lives. [01:29:44]
** [89:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:28] - Thanksgiving Dinner and Gift Exchange
[13:16] - Christmas Movie Night
[14:09] - Special Presentation: Church Planting
[41:24] - Importance of Training National Pastors
[43:16] - Prayer for Ministry
[59:16] - Final Instructions from 1 Corinthians
[64:42] - Thank God for Exceptional People
[67:49] - Thank God for Ordinary People
[70:39] - The Role of Ordinary People
[74:09] - Jesus: Exceptional and Ordinary
[75:13] - Faithfulness in Everyday Life
[76:13] - Staying the Course: Be Watchful
[82:23] - Stand Firm in the Gospel
[89:44] - The Table: A Symbol of Commitment

Sermon Clips

"Thank God for people. Now, I know that there's a phrase in ministry that you'll hear in seminary and Bible college, and things like this, and older pastors say this, and it's a joke, and everyone always laughs when they say this, and it's this. You know, ministry would be great if it wasn't for the people, okay?" [01:01:37] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"We really need to thank God for people. And one of the things I love about Paul's writings is that when you look at his writings, he is very concerned about individuals. And even at the end of his life, he's going to talk about people that, and this is like in the book of 2 Timothy, you would read this in chapter 4, he's very thankful for some certain individuals, even people that he had conflict before that was obviously mended." [01:03:02] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"But the people who have had the most impact in your life at a day-to-day basis are most likely the ordinary people in life. And we need to thank God for that. We need to thank God that we are just surrounded by people that God has gifted that will help us grow in our spiritual walk and help us follow Christ." [01:09:44] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus is both exceptional and ordinary. Okay, he's exceptional. He's a son of God, right? He's exceptional that while he was on earth, in his humanity, I'm speaking, in his humanity, he did miracles, okay? He walked on water. That's not ordinary. You know, he took five loaves, two fishes, fed, you know, more than 5,000 people. That's not ordinary." [01:12:52] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Your kids and my kids do not need someone extraordinary. They need someone who's going to ordinarily be faithful to God. And you say, well, isn't that kind of extraordinary in today's world? It shouldn't be. We just need to be faithful." [01:14:55] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Don't give opportunity to the enemy here. So watch your own life. Watch the enemy. But then the text here gives something else to be really watchful for. And it's just this cool word, in verse 22. But we got to watch for Jesus's return." [01:18:37] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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