Embracing Community: The Journey of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Community

Community is essential for spiritual growth and support. It provides a space where believers can learn, worship, pray, and support one another. The early church in Acts 2 exemplifies this, showing how fellowship and breaking bread together can lead to a deeper sense of belonging and mutual support. In a world where individualism is often celebrated, the Christian community stands as a counter-cultural testament to the power of unity and collective faith. By engaging in community, we not only receive support but also offer it, creating a cycle of mutual edification and growth. [43:40]

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV): "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. And 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. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt supported by your church community. How can you extend that same support to someone else in your community this week?

Day 2: The Journey of Discipleship

Being a disciple of Jesus is a lifelong journey of transformation. It involves not just believing in Jesus but also following His teachings and being transformed by them. This journey is akin to an apprenticeship, where we learn and grow over time, continually striving to model our lives after Jesus. Discipleship is not a one-time event but a continuous process of learning, growing, and becoming more like Christ. It requires commitment, patience, and a willingness to be molded by the Holy Spirit. [57:20]

Mark 8:34-38 (ESV): "And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it challenging to follow Jesus' teachings? How can you take a step towards transformation in that area this week?

Day 3: Living Out Faith in Everyday Life

Our everyday interactions can have a profound impact on others. By living out our faith authentically, we can influence those around us and even lead them to Christ. Simple acts of kindness and service, like working in children's ministry or greeting people in the parking lot, can make a significant difference. Living out our faith is not just about grand gestures but about consistently reflecting Jesus' love and grace in our daily lives. [01:13:53]

Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: Think of a simple act of kindness you can do today to reflect Jesus' love to someone in your life. How can you make this a regular practice?

Day 4: Engagement in Community

Engaging in both larger and smaller communities is crucial for spiritual growth. Serving in the church and participating in community groups help us build relationships, support one another, and grow in our faith. It also provides opportunities to use our spiritual gifts for the common good. Being part of a community means being actively involved, not just as a participant but as a contributor to the collective spiritual health and growth of the group. [01:18:23]

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "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. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

Reflection: What is one way you can use your spiritual gifts to serve your church community this week? How can you be more engaged in both larger and smaller community settings?

Day 5: The Great Commission

Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations, which means living out our faith and sharing the good news of Jesus with others. This can be done through our everyday interactions, by being a living example of Christ's love and teachings. Evangelism is not just about preaching but also about living a life that reflects Jesus' love and grace. The Great Commission is a call to action for every believer to be a witness of Christ's transformative power in their lives. [01:23:48]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can share the love of Jesus with this week? How can you be intentional about living out the Great Commission in your daily interactions?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the essence of community within the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of fellowship and mutual support. We began with a heartfelt prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to minister to everyone present. We encouraged those with needs to come forward for prayer, reinforcing that no request is too small for God. The sermon highlighted the significance of community, both in a larger church context and in smaller, more intimate groups. We discussed how community provides a space for believers to learn, worship, pray, and support one another, drawing from the early church's example in Acts 2.

We also explored the concept of discipleship, defining a disciple as someone who fully believes in, follows, and is transformed by Jesus. This transformation is not instantaneous but a lifelong journey, much like an apprenticeship. We shared personal stories to illustrate how living out our faith in everyday interactions can have a profound impact on others, even leading them to Christ. The importance of being engaged in both larger and smaller communities was stressed, as it helps us grow in our faith and support others.

Finally, we touched on the Great Commission, urging everyone to live out their faith and make disciples of all nations. This doesn't necessarily mean going to the mission field but living a life that reflects Jesus' teachings in our everyday interactions. We concluded with a call to action, encouraging everyone to engage in their communities, serve in the church, and live out their faith boldly.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Community: Community is essential for spiritual growth and support. It provides a space where believers can learn, worship, pray, and support one another. The early church in Acts 2 exemplifies this, showing how fellowship and breaking bread together can lead to a deeper sense of belonging and mutual support. [43:40]
2. The Journey of Discipleship: Being a disciple of Jesus is a lifelong journey of transformation. It involves not just believing in Jesus but also following His teachings and being transformed by them. This journey is akin to an apprenticeship, where we learn and grow over time, continually striving to model our lives after Jesus. [57:20]
3. Living Out Faith in Everyday Life: Our everyday interactions can have a profound impact on others. By living out our faith authentically, we can influence those around us and even lead them to Christ. Simple acts of kindness and service, like working in children's ministry or greeting people in the parking lot, can make a significant difference. [73:53]
4. Engagement in Community: Engaging in both larger and smaller communities is crucial for spiritual growth. Serving in the church and participating in community groups help us build relationships, support one another, and grow in our faith. It also provides opportunities to use our spiritual gifts for the common good. [78:23]
5. The Great Commission: Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations, which means living out our faith and sharing the good news of Jesus with others. This can be done through our everyday interactions, by being a living example of Christ's love and teachings. Evangelism is not just about preaching but also about living a life that reflects Jesus' love and grace. [01:23:48]
### [83:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:59] - Invitation for Prayer
[35:26] - Worship Team Acknowledgment
[36:15] - Sycamore Campus Update
[37:31] - Personal Background
[38:16] - Follow Me Series Introduction
[39:10] - The Importance of Basics in Faith
[40:46] - Definition of Community
[41:42] - Challenges in Today's Society
[42:17] - Christian Community Explained
[43:40] - Acts 2:42-47 Discussion
[44:27] - Daily Fellowship and Support
[45:24] - Building Relationships in Community
[46:11] - The Greatest Commandment
[47:00] - Listening and Building Relationships
[47:44] - Jesus' Example of Love
[48:30] - The Chosen and Jesus' Interactions
[49:26] - Larger and Smaller Communities
[50:31] - Personal Story of Community
[51:34] - The Power of Community Support
[52:30] - Jesus' Smaller Community
[53:27] - Intimacy in Smaller Groups
[54:13] - Influence of Character in Community
[55:21] - Mark 8:34-38 Discussion
[56:14] - The Boiling Frog Analogy
[57:20] - Definition of a Disciple
[58:02] - Master and Apprentice Analogy
[59:13] - Crowd vs. Disciples
[60:23] - Personal Encounter with Jesus
[61:33] - The Radio Show Testimony
[62:45] - The General's Testimony
[63:49] - The Heat of Conviction
[64:30] - Transformation and Freedom
[65:13] - Encounter with the Living God
[65:52] - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
[66:44] - The Importance of Relationship
[67:33] - The Grace of God
[68:14] - Influence of Character
[69:07] - Serving in Children's Ministry
[70:19] - Impact of Simple Acts
[71:40] - Importance of Children's Ministry
[72:07] - Serving in the Parking Lot
[73:09] - The Power of a Smile and Wave
[74:23] - Discipleship in Community
[75:02] - Engaging in Community
[75:48] - Fellowship and Koinonia
[76:26] - Joining Team Radiant
[77:02] - Importance of Volunteers
[77:51] - Creating an Environment for Encounter
[78:23] - Instant Community
[79:07] - Building Relationships
[79:38] - Helping Each Other
[80:17] - Living Generously
[80:55] - Building Each Other Up
[81:28] - Prophetic Presbytery
[82:03] - God's Intimate Knowledge
[82:43] - Strengthened in Community
[83:48] - Evangelism and Discipleship
[84:55] - Personal Story of Evangelism
[85:40] - Living Out Faith
[86:27] - Media and Christian Standards
[87:00] - Next Steps in Following Jesus
[87:32] - Becoming a Disciple
[88:19] - Engaging and Serving
[89:05] - Living Faith in Communities
[89:45] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[90:28] - Prayer of Salvation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What activities did the early church devote themselves to according to Acts 2:42-47?
How does Jesus describe the greatest commandments in Mark 12:30-31?
What command does Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the early church's practice of selling property and possessions to meet needs was significant? How does this reflect the essence of community? ([43:40])
How can loving your neighbor as yourself, as described in Mark 12:30-31, transform our interactions within our communities? ([46:11])
What does it mean to make disciples of all nations in the context of our everyday lives, as instructed in Matthew 28:18-20? How can this be applied without necessarily going to the mission field? ([01:23:48])

Application Questions

Reflect on your current involvement in your church community. Are there ways you can be more engaged in fellowship and mutual support? What steps can you take this week to deepen your involvement? ([43:40])
Think about a time when you had the opportunity to show love to your neighbor but didn't. What held you back, and how can you overcome that barrier in the future? ([46:11])
Identify one person in your life who might benefit from your support or encouragement. How can you reach out to them this week to show Christ's love? ([47:44])
Consider the concept of discipleship as a lifelong journey. What are some practical ways you can continue to grow and be transformed by Jesus in your daily life? ([57:20])
How can you live out the Great Commission in your workplace or community? What specific actions can you take to share the love and teachings of Jesus with those around you? ([01:23:48])
Reflect on the importance of serving in both larger and smaller communities. How can you use your spiritual gifts to serve others in your church or local community? ([01:18:23])
Think about a recent interaction where you had the chance to live out your faith. How did it go, and what could you do differently next time to better reflect Jesus' teachings? ([01:13:53])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Sometimes we feel my problem, my need, or my request is not that big. Don't worry about that. You know, if you've got a question, comment, concern about something that you need impartation from the Lord for, come up here and pray with us today. There's a need. We want to hear about it. Don't be bashful. Don't be ashamed. Don't be wondering. Just let go and come up here. It's never a question, will the Lord show up? Will you let him show up?" [20:59] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The beautiful thing about the gospel is you're never too far gone, right? You can always go back no matter how much you've made a mistake or how far off you think you are. You can come back and say, Jesus, forgive me. And he does." [39:10] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Bible teaches us that love is the foundation for all relationships. And love should be characterized by selflessness, kindness and forgiveness, which are kind of radical concepts in our society today. The Bible tells us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. And love one another. Love one another as I have loved you." [46:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I felt that I could be forgiven. I felt that I had a place to stand in front of Jesus without being ashamed. Without being judged by all the stuff I had done. It says in his word that when he forgives us. He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west. I felt that. I felt that love. I felt that freedom." [01:06:44] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "No matter how small the action is. You do something with intention of following Jesus. It can have an eternal and immediate impact." [01:14:23] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Do we understand what it really means to be a Christian, a disciple, a follower of Jesus, and to remind us of the fundamentals? I don't know about you guys, but I really am struggling watching the... the news and what's on TV and what's on social media today. It seems very distracting as well as discouraging. And really, from a standpoint that we know what the truth of the word says, but the world is really pushing us, what is the truth, and to create your own truth and to create your own value set that really could be contrary or are directly contrary to what the word of God says." [39:10] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The church provides a place where believers. Can learn from learned God's word, can worship God in truth and in spirit, can pray for one another, encourage one another, bears another's burdens, confess their sins to one another. Here's a good one for you. Forgive one another. Can you imagine forgiveness as a point of discussion in our media today? We can serve one another. We can use our spiritual gifts for the common good." [42:17] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The relationship with Jesus forms our character and directs our lives. It's what influences our decisions. It's what influences our behaviors. The character that we have is ultimately observed in the communities that we live in and we walk in and we interact in." [01:08:14] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Discipleship continues and is strengthened within community. So again, we'll talk about the larger community and the smaller community. So God doesn't give himself to one person. You're not called as a Christian to say, okay, I'm saved. I'm going to go in my little prayer closet. I'm going to keep doing this until Jesus comes. I can do it. No. He's called you to go out and live in the world and do something with what you now have." [01:15:02] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "By living our faith and interacting with our communities, small and large, we can give the good news of Jesus to people, intentionally or unintentionally. Working in the children's ministry, intentionally, unintentionally. We just want to live loving Jesus and let people see that. People can't be transformed by Jesus if we don't do that. If we don't live out first, they're watching, right?" [01:26:27] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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