Embracing Community: The Power of Baptism and Participation

Devotional

Day 1: Baptism as a Public Declaration

Baptism is a profound act of publicly identifying with Jesus Christ. It symbolizes a believer's commitment to follow Jesus and unites them with the global community of believers. This act of faith is a powerful testimony of one's trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. When Logan was baptized, it was not just a personal milestone but a public declaration of his faith and commitment to Jesus. Baptism serves as a reminder to all believers of their own commitment and the unity they share with Christians worldwide. [0:00]

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: Think about your own baptism or the moment you decided to follow Jesus. How does this public declaration impact your daily life and interactions with others?

Day 2: The Church as a Community

The church is not just a building or an event; it is a community of believers who gather to worship and serve. Jesus declared that He would build His church on the rock of Peter's confession, and this church would withstand the powers of hell. This underscores the importance of community and collective faith. The church functions best when it operates as a unified body, much like the intricate operations of a Costco warehouse, where every part plays a crucial role. [35:57]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the sense of community within your church? What specific actions can you take this week to strengthen your church community?

Day 3: One Another Commands

The Bible contains numerous "one another" commands, such as loving, forgiving, praying for, caring for, and exhorting one another. These commands are essential for building a supportive and loving community. They remind us that we are responsible for each other's well-being and spiritual growth. By following these commands, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, fostering spiritual growth and mutual care. [42:20]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Identify one "one another" command that you find challenging. How can you intentionally practice this command in your interactions with others this week?

Day 4: Stewardship and Generosity

Everything we have is a gift from God, and we are called to steward these gifts wisely. In the New Testament, financial giving is characterized by grace giving—generosity in response to God's grace. This means we are free to give as much as we want, reflecting our gratitude for God's blessings. Stewardship extends beyond finances to include our time and talents, all of which should be used to glorify God and advance His kingdom. [48:36]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: Reflect on your current use of time, talents, and treasures. How can you better steward these gifts to serve God and others?

Day 5: Active Participation in the Church

The New Testament introduces the concept of the priesthood of all believers, where every Jesus follower is given spiritual gifts to build up the church and advance God's kingdom. Church is not a spectator sport but a participation activity where every member has a role to play. This active involvement creates a vibrant and effective community where everyone is cared for and loved. [54:04]

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you? How can you use these gifts to actively participate in and contribute to your church community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we celebrated the baptism of Logan, a powerful symbol of his public identification with Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Baptism is a significant act that unites believers across the world, demonstrating their commitment to follow Jesus. We also welcomed Logan's friends and family, and extended a special welcome to Yvette, who led our congregational prayer remotely. This year, we are incorporating prayers led by our national and international workers to strengthen our bond with them.

In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Peter responded, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus affirmed Peter and declared that He would build His church on this rock, a church that the powers of hell would not conquer. This led us to explore what it takes to run a church, much like the intricate operations of a Costco warehouse. The church is not just a building or an event; it is a community of believers who gather locally to worship and serve.

We delved into the concept of "one another" commands in the Bible, which include loving, forgiving, praying for, caring for, and exhorting one another. These commands are essential for building a strong, supportive community. We also discussed the importance of stewardship, emphasizing that everything we have is a gift from God, and we are to use it wisely for His purposes. This includes financial giving, which in the New Testament is characterized by grace giving—generosity in response to God's grace.

The New Testament also introduces the concept of the priesthood of all believers, where every Jesus follower is given the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts to build up the church and advance God's kingdom. This means that church is not a spectator sport but a participation activity where every member has a role to play.

We concluded by emphasizing the importance of everyone using their time, talents, and treasures to build up the body of Christ and advance His kingdom. The church works best when all believers are actively involved, creating a community where everyone is cared for and loved.

###

Key Takeaways

1. being and spiritual growth. [42:20]
4. Stewardship and Generosity: Everything we have is a gift from God, and we are called to steward these gifts wisely. In the New Testament, financial giving is characterized by grace giving—generosity in response to God's grace. This means we are free to give as much as we want, reflecting our gratitude for God's blessings.

5. Active Participation in the Church: The New Testament introduces the concept of the priesthood of all believers, where every Jesus follower is given spiritual gifts to build up the church and advance God's kingdom. Church is not a spectator sport but a participation activity where every member has a role to play. This active involvement creates a vibrant and effective community.

### [42:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Baptism of Logan
[34:21] - Congregational Prayer
[35:57] - Jesus Builds His Church
[37:19] - Costco Analogy
[38:27] - Running a Church
[39:46] - Defining the Church
[42:20] - One Another Commands
[48:36] - Stewardship and Tithing
[51:20] - Grace Giving
[52:37] - Priesthood of All Believers
[54:04] - Spiritual Gifts
[55:32] - Body of Christ
[56:58] - Involvement in the Church
[66:22] - Call to Action
[71:41] - Closing Prayer and QR Code

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 16:13-18 (NIV) — > When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

2. John 15:12 (NIV)
> My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

3. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
> Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Observation Questions

What significant declaration did Peter make about Jesus in Matthew 16:16, and how did Jesus respond to it? [35:57]
According to John 15:12, what command does Jesus give to His followers?
In Ephesians 4:31-32, what behaviors are believers instructed to avoid, and what positive actions are they encouraged to take?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose Peter's confession as the foundation upon which He would build His church? How does this relate to the concept of community in the church? [35:57]
How does the command to "love each other as I have loved you" in John 15:12 challenge our everyday interactions within the church community?
What might be the impact on a church community if members consistently followed the instructions in Ephesians 4:31-32 to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving? [43:32]

Application Questions

Baptism as a Public Declaration: Have you publicly declared your faith in Jesus through baptism? If not, what might be holding you back? If you have, how did it impact your faith journey? [0:45]
The Church as a Community: How can you contribute to making your local church a stronger community? Are there specific ways you can help build up the church based on your gifts and talents? [39:46]
One Another Commands: Reflect on the "one another" commands. Which one do you find most challenging to practice, and why? How can you take a step towards improving in that area this week? [42:20]
Stewardship and Generosity: How do you currently view and practice financial giving? What changes can you make to align more closely with the concept of grace giving? [48:36]
Active Participation in the Church: Identify one area in your church where you can start or increase your involvement. What steps will you take this week to get involved? [54:04]
Forgiveness: Is there someone in your life you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? What practical steps can you take to address this situation? [43:32]
Loving One Another: Think of a specific person in your church community who might need extra love and support. How can you show them Christ-like love this week? [43:32]

Sermon Clips

1. "We don't go to church. We are the church. The church by definition is all Jesus followers everywhere. So there's a several hundred of us in here. We are, are just a microcosm of the church because there are Jesus followers all across the world. And all Jesus followers make up the church." [39:46] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If we are going to be a church that models Jesus Christ, this is a non-negotiable. So one of the things we can categorize a lot of the verses into is to love one another. Another one is to forgive one another. Ephesians 3, 4, 31 to 32. This actually gives us a couple, but the one I'm focusing on is forgive." [43:32] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are expected to be involved in each other's lives and taking ownership for each other's well-beings. This goes all the way back to the beginning of our Bible, where Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, right? Cain kills Abel. God comes to Cain and says, where's Abel? He goes, am I my brother's keeper? And God basically says, yes." [46:01] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Financially supporting the work of God and the workers of God was never a question of if, but maybe a question of how much. So that's something else that this whole church thing involves. Let's talk about the priesthood or the workers." [51:20] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If we start to summarize all this, the church was never meant to be a spectator sport. It was always meant to be a participation activity. It's also referred to as a body with Christ as the head. Every part is important. And just like every part of your body is involved, every member of the body of Christ should be involved. We need you. No part is unimportant." [54:04] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Church works when we do. It works when all believers take ownership and do their part, using their gifts and their resources to join God on his mission and fulfill the one another's prescribed in scripture. It works when we invest our finances to fund the work and the workers of God. It works when we use our gifts and resources to do our part." [01:07:43] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When church becomes a spectator sport, it becomes a cultural commodity to be examined and critiqued and judged and criticized. It becomes a cultural commodity to be examined rather than a caring community to be experienced. And I would add to shit and shared." [01:09:08] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Join us because the church is the best version of itself when all believers are investing their time, talents, and treasure to build up the body and advance the kingdom. Okay? So if you forget everything else I said, because I already asked you to forget everything you know about church. If you forget this sermon too, you can now tap into your memory again." [01:10:20] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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