Embracing Community: The Power of Invitation and Service
Summary
In today's gathering, I shared a heartfelt reflection on the journey many of us have taken to find our spiritual home at Current. Whether you were invited by a persistent friend, drawn in by your children's enthusiasm, or simply walked in on your own seeking solace, each of us has a unique story of how we came to be here. This journey is not just about finding a place to worship but about becoming part of a community that supports and uplifts one another. It's about recognizing that at one point, someone made the effort to invite us, to welcome us, and to make us feel at home. Now, it's our turn to extend that same hospitality and warmth to others who are searching for a place to belong.
We explored the concept of "Ekklesia," a Greek term used by Jesus to describe his movement—a gathering of people on a mission. This movement is not confined to a building but is a living, breathing community of believers committed to spreading light in a world often overshadowed by darkness. As members of this movement, we have a responsibility to ensure that our church remains a welcoming and inviting place for everyone, especially those who are new or uncertain about their faith.
I encouraged everyone to take practical steps to support our church and its mission. This includes creating a financial plan to support the church, listening for opportunities to invite others, and finding a team to serve with. These actions are not just about maintaining the church but about actively participating in the movement of Jesus, bringing hope and transformation to our community.
As we continue this journey together, let's remember that we are the church for our generation. Our actions, our hospitality, and our commitment to serving others reflect the love of Christ to those around us. Let's be intentional in our efforts to invite, serve, and give, ensuring that our church remains a beacon of hope and a place where lives are changed.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Invitation: Reflect on how you came to be part of this community. Whether through a friend's invitation or your own search for meaning, remember the impact of that first step. Now, it's your turn to extend that invitation to others, offering them a chance to experience the love and support you found here. [05:53]
- Understanding Ekklesia: Jesus described his followers as an "Ekklesia," a movement of people on a mission. This isn't about a physical building but a community committed to spreading light in a world filled with darkness. Our role is to ensure that this movement remains true to its purpose, adapting to cultural changes while staying rooted in Jesus's original intent. [12:52]
- Financial Commitment: Supporting the church financially is a way to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities we had. It's about being generous with what we have, knowing that our contributions help create environments where people can encounter God and grow in their faith. [17:29]
- Listening for Opportunities: Be attentive to the "three little knots"—not from here, not going well, and not prepared for. These are opportunities to invite others to experience the community and support we offer. By saying, "Come sit with me," you open the door for someone to find hope and belonging. [21:12]
- Serving with Purpose: Find your team and serve alongside others in the church. This is one of the best investments of your time, as it allows you to be part of something greater than yourself. Serving not only impacts others but also deepens your own faith and connection to the community. [32:39]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:53] - The Journey to Current
- [09:06] - Serving Others as We Were Served
- [12:52] - Understanding Ekklesia
- [17:29] - Financial Commitment to the Church
- [21:12] - Listening for the Three Little Knots
- [25:47] - The Importance of Inviting
- [29:46] - Host Mode vs. Coast Mode
- [32:39] - Finding Your Team
- [35:31] - The Impact of Serving
- [38:42] - Creating a Church for the Next Generation
- [41:04] - Taking Steps in Faith
- [43:54] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 16:18 - "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."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the term "Ekklesia" mean, and how does it differ from the traditional understanding of "church"? [12:52]
2. How did the pastor describe the journey of individuals finding their spiritual home at Current? What were some of the ways people were introduced to the church? [05:53]
3. What are the "three little knots" mentioned in the sermon, and how do they serve as opportunities for invitation? [21:12]
4. What practical steps did the pastor encourage the congregation to take in order to support the church and its mission? [17:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "Ekklesia" as a movement rather than a building impact the way one views their role in the church community? [12:52]
2. In what ways does the power of invitation play a crucial role in the growth and sustainability of a church community? [05:53]
3. How might financial commitment to the church be seen as an investment in future generations? What are the potential impacts of this commitment? [17:29]
4. How can listening for the "three little knots" change the way one interacts with others in their community? What might be the challenges and rewards of this practice? [21:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own journey to finding a spiritual home. Who played a significant role in your journey, and how can you extend that same invitation to others? [05:53]
2. Consider the concept of "Ekklesia" as a movement. How can you actively participate in this movement within your community? What steps can you take to ensure you are contributing to its mission? [12:52]
3. What percentage of your income are you currently setting aside for the church? If you haven't yet, what steps can you take to create and commit to a financial plan that supports your church? [17:29]
4. Think about a recent conversation where you might have heard one of the "three little knots." How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in the future to invite someone to "come sit with me"? [21:12]
5. Identify a team or area within the church where you feel called to serve. What steps can you take this week to get involved and make a difference in that area? [32:39]
6. Reflect on your current mode when attending church—are you in "host mode" or "coast mode"? What changes can you make to ensure you are welcoming and inviting to newcomers? [29:46]
7. How can you ensure that your actions and commitments within the church reflect the love of Christ to those around you? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate this love? [38:42]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Invitation
Reflecting on how you became part of a community can be a powerful reminder of the impact of a simple invitation. Whether it was a friend's encouragement or your own search for meaning, that first step led you to a place of love and support. Now, it's your turn to extend that invitation to others. By inviting someone to join you, you offer them the chance to experience the same warmth and belonging that you found. This act of hospitality can be transformative, not only for the person you invite but also for you as you participate in the growth of your community. [05:53]
"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from an invitation to experience the community you cherish? How can you extend that invitation this week?
Day 2: Understanding Ekklesia
The term "Ekklesia" refers to a gathering of people on a mission, a concept introduced by Jesus to describe his followers. This movement is not about a physical building but about a community committed to spreading light in a world often overshadowed by darkness. As members of this movement, it is our responsibility to ensure that it remains true to its purpose. This involves adapting to cultural changes while staying rooted in Jesus's original intent. By doing so, we can continue to be a beacon of hope and transformation in our communities. [12:52]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to the mission of your community, ensuring it remains a source of light and hope? What specific actions can you take this week to support this mission?
Day 3: Financial Commitment
Supporting the church financially is a way to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities we had. It's about being generous with what we have, knowing that our contributions help create environments where people can encounter God and grow in their faith. This commitment is not just about maintaining the church but about actively participating in the movement of Jesus. By giving generously, we help bring hope and transformation to our community, ensuring that our church remains a welcoming and inviting place for everyone. [17:29]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: What financial commitment can you make to support your church's mission? How can you approach this commitment with a cheerful and generous heart?
Day 4: Listening for Opportunities
Being attentive to the "three little knots"—not from here, not going well, and not prepared for—can open doors for inviting others to experience the community and support we offer. By recognizing these opportunities, you can extend a simple invitation, saying, "Come sit with me," and offer someone the chance to find hope and belonging. This act of listening and responding to the needs of others is a powerful way to share the love and support you have found in your community. [21:12]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is experiencing one of the "three little knots"? How can you offer them support and an invitation to join your community this week?
Day 5: Serving with Purpose
Finding a team to serve alongside in the church is one of the best investments of your time. Serving allows you to be part of something greater than yourself, impacting others while deepening your own faith and connection to the community. By serving with purpose, you contribute to the mission of the church and help create an environment where lives are changed. This commitment to serving others reflects the love of Christ and ensures that our church remains a beacon of hope for future generations. [32:39]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: What gifts or talents can you offer in service to your community? How can you find a team to serve with and make a meaningful impact this week?
Quotes
"So, once upon a time, if you consider current to be your church home, once upon a time there was a chair similar to this one, not red, but similar to this one that had your name on it in a theater similar to this one, or perhaps in a building that we were meeting in before we were here in the theater. And at the time, the chair with your name on it, you didn't know there was a chair with your name on it. Perhaps you were going to a different church, or maybe you weren't going to church at all. Maybe perhaps for some of you, you were completely disinterested in church altogether. Like it was just something that you weren't even really exploring at that point in your life. But somebody invited you and invited you, and you said no, and they invited you again, and you said no, and they kept inviting and kept inviting." [00:00:00]
"And perhaps if that's you, you kind of walked in on your own and you're checking things out. Perhaps you walked in, you're like, you know, this is a little bit odd walking into a theater and experiencing church in a theater. Perhaps you walked in, you're like, man, that music is really loud. That's the way I like it. Maybe that's not the way you like it, but you walked in, it's really loud. But you sat down in a seat and that Sunday and however many Sundays you came, after that, you didn't feel shame or guilt from us." [00:02:49] (26 seconds)
"For some of you, many of you, you maybe eventually took the step of going through starting point, which is an environment where you can ask questions about faith. You can actually explore it in a safe environment where like conversation is not only allowed, it's welcomed, it's invited to actually go deeper in your faith. For many of you, you got connected to a community group. And it was in that community group that you went through starting point together." [00:05:28] (24 seconds)
"Ekklesia is a Greek word. It's a word that Jesus used at one point to describe his movement, to describe his assembly, his congregation, his gathering of people. In our English Bibles, most of the time when that word Ekklesia is translated into English, it's translated as the word church. But it doesn't necessarily mean church like you and I think of, like a building or a place that we go. It means a movement, a group of people on a mission together." [00:09:51] (26 seconds)
"And Jesus used this word, as we've talked about for the last couple of weeks, he used this word when he was out in the middle of nowhere, geographically speaking, an insignificant place, speaking to, culturally speaking, insignificant people at the time. He made a very bold prediction. And it came on the heels of a conversation that he was having with his disciples. He's like, hey guys, who do you guys think that I am? You've been spending time with me. Who do you think that I am? And Peter, one of his closest friends, says, we believe, Jesus, that you are the king, that you're the Messiah, that you're the Christ, and that you are like the anointed one of God. And somehow, to some degree, we believe that you are the son of God." [00:10:21] (39 seconds)
"I don't want you to lose the power that is in this statement made by Jesus. He's talking about the fact that there is light and darkness in this world, and that you and I are the light, and that darkness and evil and death cannot overcome his movement. It cannot overcome us. It cannot overcome the church. And so throughout this series, we're just going to take a look back to ensure that we stay on track." [00:12:59] (25 seconds)
"Because expressions of the church, expressions of this movement are going to change from generation to generation. They're going to change depending on what culture you're a part of. We sing different songs in different parts of the world. We sing different songs in different churches right here in our own city. We take communion differently. We baptize differently. We baptize differently." [00:13:40] (17 seconds)
"I think every single one of us in this room, we all wanna be considered and known as generous people, right? We all wanna be generous. Generous people set aside a percentage of their income to give to the people and give to the things that they love the most. And so if you love current, I wanna invite you to pick a percentage of that percentage and give it on a regular basis so that we can do for the next generation what we wish had been done for us." [00:19:03] (25 seconds)
"When you hear any one of these three little knots, I want to invite you to say, it's very simple, come sit with me. No matter who's preaching that day, even if it's a video message, whatever music we're doing doesn't matter, doesn't matter what series we're in. When you hear any of those things, you just say, come sit with me because every single week we are doing everything we can to be intentional, specifically to address people who are dealing with the three little knots at current." [00:21:03] (30 seconds)
"One of the things that I say around here all the time is that people who were nothing like Jesus liked Jesus. Think about this. People who didn't think like him, act like him, behave like him, believe like him, they liked being around him, and Jesus genuinely liked them back. And the cool thing about it is you don't have to represent Jesus alone. You're part of the ecclesia, the movement of Jesus. You had the opportunity to be magnetic to people whether they believe what we believe or not." [00:28:12] (29 seconds)
"Coming in host mode means this. When you show up, put your phone down. Think about people other than the people that you talk about every single week. Talk to more people than the same people every single Sunday. Leave the best seats available. Leave the best parking spots open. Walk a little bit further so that somebody else can park closer. Look around for people that are wandering. You know the ones. They're like, where do I go? What do I do? I've got these kids. What am I supposed to do with them? Offer help to them." [00:30:21] (30 seconds)
"Last thing is this. I wanna invite you to find your team. And when I did this message several weeks ago, I put it this way. I want you to find something and do something that you will like alongside people that you will love. And there are so many opportunities to do things that you will like around here. We've got guest services that welcome people, help check kids in. We've got kids environments where you can sit and invest in the life of a young child. We've got church in and out, teams that come in and set up and tear down every single week. We've got production people that run tech gear. We've got band members that play instruments and sing. You can be a part of any one of those things." [00:31:25] (36 seconds)
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