Embracing Community: Transformative Love and Inclusive Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Unity in Diversity

Description: The World Methodist Conference in Sweden showcased the beauty of diverse Methodist families coming together, creating a sense of home and unity. This unity is a reflection of God's inclusive love, which calls us to make everyone feel welcomed and loved in our own community. By embracing diversity, we can create a space where everyone feels at home, mirroring the unity experienced at the conference. This sense of belonging is essential for fostering a community that thrives on love and acceptance. [08:10]

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 someone in your community who may feel left out or marginalized. How can you reach out to them today to make them feel included and loved?

Day 2: Transformation Through Encountering Jesus

Description: Nicodemus' journey from fear to faith illustrates the transformative power of encountering Jesus. Like the seeds in the parable, we must break through old shells and embrace change, even when it’s uncomfortable, to experience the warmth and light of God's love. This transformation is not always easy, but it is necessary for growth and thriving in faith. By allowing ourselves to be transformed by Jesus, we can become part of God's story and help others experience His love. [16:02]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What old habits or fears are holding you back from fully embracing Jesus' transformative love? How can you begin to let go of these today?

Day 3: The Struggle for Peace and Justice

Description: The testimony from a pastor who lived through war highlights the struggle to reconcile faith with the reality of evil and suffering. It reminds us that peace and justice are intertwined, and we must work towards both, even in the face of immense challenges. This struggle is a call to action, urging us to teach and spread peace from a young age and to work tirelessly for justice in our communities. By doing so, we can help create a world that reflects God's love and justice. [40:18]

Isaiah 1:17 (ESV): "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."

Reflection: Identify an area of injustice in your community. What steps can you take today to begin addressing this issue and promoting peace?

Day 4: Cycles of Faith: Order, Disorder, and Reorder

Description: Our faith journey involves cycles of order, disorder, and reorder. This process, though painful, leads to a deeper understanding and a more inclusive perspective. Embracing this cycle allows us to thrive and become part of God's story. By accepting the discomfort of disorder and trusting in God's plan, we can emerge stronger and more faithful. This cyclical journey is essential for spiritual growth and for developing a faith that is resilient and inclusive. [50:22]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent period of disorder in your life. How did it lead to a deeper understanding or a new perspective in your faith journey?

Day 5: Drawing the Circle Wide

Description: We are called to draw the circle wide, including everyone in God's embrace. This involves planting seeds of love and justice, being hospitable, and participating in God's story. By doing so, we help others thrive and experience the transformative power of God's love. This call to inclusivity challenges us to extend our love and hospitality to all, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and valued in our community. [55:24]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Think of someone who is different from you in some way. How can you show them God's love and hospitality today, drawing the circle wider to include them?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the theme of drawing the circle wide, embracing community, and the transformative power of God's love. Reflecting on my recent experience at the World Methodist Conference in Sweden, I shared how diverse Methodist families from around the world came together, creating a sense of home and unity. This unity is mirrored in our own community, where we strive to make everyone feel welcomed and loved.

We delved into the story of Nicodemus, who came to Jesus in the dark, symbolizing his fear and confusion. Through a parable of three seeds, we illustrated how growth requires breaking through old shells and embracing change, even when it’s uncomfortable. Nicodemus' journey from fear to faith exemplifies how encountering Jesus can transform us, allowing us to thrive and become part of God's story.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of peace and justice, as discussed at the World Methodist Council. Young representatives inspired us to consider how we can teach and spread peace from a young age. We heard a powerful testimony from a pastor who has lived through the horrors of war, emphasizing the struggle to reconcile faith with the reality of evil and suffering.

Finally, we were reminded that thriving in faith involves cycles of order, disorder, and reorder. This process, though painful, leads to a deeper understanding and a more inclusive perspective. We are called to be part of God's story, planting seeds of love and justice, and drawing the circle wide to include everyone in God's embrace.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Community and Unity: The World Methodist Conference exemplified how diverse communities can come together, creating a sense of home and unity. This unity is essential in our own community, where we strive to make everyone feel welcomed and loved, reflecting God's inclusive love. [08:10]
2. Transformation Through Encountering Jesus: Nicodemus' journey from fear to faith shows that encountering Jesus can transform us. Like the seeds in the parable, we must break through old shells and embrace change, even when it’s uncomfortable, to experience the warmth and light of God's love. [16:02]
3. The Struggle for Peace and Justice: The testimony from the pastor who lived through war highlights the struggle to reconcile faith with the reality of evil and suffering. It reminds us that peace and justice are intertwined, and we must work towards both, even in the face of immense challenges. [40:18]
4. Cycles of Faith: Order, Disorder, and Reorder: Our faith journey involves cycles of order, disorder, and reorder. This process, though painful, leads to a deeper understanding and a more inclusive perspective. Embracing this cycle allows us to thrive and become part of God's story. [50:22]
5. Drawing the Circle Wide: We are called to draw the circle wide, including everyone in God's embrace. This involves planting seeds of love and justice, being hospitable, and participating in God's story. By doing so, we help others thrive and experience the transformative power of God's love. [55:24]
### [55:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:10] - World Methodist Conference
[08:53] - Embracing Community
[12:41] - Children's Message: Meeting New Friends
[13:38] - Parable of the Three Seeds
[16:02] - Nicodemus' Journey
[36:18] - Peace and Justice at the Council
[37:17] - Youth Representatives' Challenge
[38:18] - Testimony from a Pastor in War
[42:19] - Nicodemus and Jesus
[44:22] - The Pain of New Birth
[45:52] - Gaining a New Perspective
[50:22] - Cycles of Faith
[55:24] - Drawing the Circle Wide
[57:55] - Invitation to the Table
[72:02] - Closing Poem and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Nicodemus' initial reason for visiting Jesus, and how did he approach Him? ([42:50])
In the parable of the three seeds, what were the different responses of the seeds to their environment? ([14:25])
How did the World Methodist Conference exemplify the theme of community and unity? ([08:10])
What was the significance of the 100 pounds of spices Nicodemus brought for Jesus' burial? ([49:22])

Interpretation Questions

How does Nicodemus' journey from fear to faith illustrate the transformative power of encountering Jesus? ([16:02])
What does the cycle of order, disorder, and reorder mean in the context of our faith journey? ([50:22])
How can the struggle for peace and justice, as discussed at the World Methodist Council, be applied to our local community? ([36:18])
What does it mean to "draw the circle wide" in the context of our church and personal lives? ([55:24])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like Nicodemus, approaching Jesus in the dark. How did that experience change you? ([42:50])
The parable of the three seeds shows different responses to growth. Which seed do you most identify with in your current faith journey, and why? ([14:25])
The World Methodist Conference highlighted the importance of community and unity. How can you contribute to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in our church? ([08:10])
The testimony from the pastor who lived through war emphasized the struggle to reconcile faith with suffering. How do you personally wrestle with the presence of evil and suffering in the world? ([40:18])
The concept of order, disorder, and reorder is a natural part of our faith journey. Can you identify a recent experience in your life that fits into one of these categories? How did it impact your faith? ([50:22])
Drawing the circle wide involves planting seeds of love and justice. What specific actions can you take this week to include others in God's embrace? ([55:24])
Reflect on the idea of thriving in faith. What steps can you take to move from merely surviving to truly thriving in your spiritual life? ([50:52])

Sermon Clips

1. "But the most amazing thing was it felt like such a place of home. And I think that's because wherever I go, I carry the spirit of Epworth with me. You all make us feel at home, and so then we can feel at home wherever we go. So I thank God for the gift of you." [08:10] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we grow, we have to break open something. Something has to change, doesn't it? Sometimes we have to give up old ways of thinking. Sometimes we have to give up old shoes. And Bree, if you outgrow those shoes, I'll take them. You know where to donate them. Right? So when we grow, we have to change and then we give away our old things and we put on new things." [16:02] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus loves you too. Yes, exactly. Even if you're afraid to come up, Jesus still loves you. Jesus loves all of us. Jesus loves all of them too. And so that never changes. No matter how big we get, no matter how many pairs of really cool shoes you donate to me, Bree, Jesus' love never changes." [17:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And so when we do allow ourselves to enter this struggle, we get a new perspective. And this perspective can be a fresh perspective or it can be a perspective from above. I love to think about how does God see this situation? You know, it's a wonderful way for us to get a deeper perspective, a broader perspective, a more inclusive perspective that draws that circle wide because God loves me as much as God loves the person I might be in conflict with or the person who's ignoring me." [45:22] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And so when you are entering into that struggle, it may not be a struggle you want to enter into. And yet there's a promise there. There's a promise that you can live through that and get to a place on the other side. But it's a process. And I guarantee you it will not just happen once in your life. It will happen multiple times. Now not all of them will be as traumatic. Some of them may be very traumatic." [47:22] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "And so it's all about that encounter with Jesus that leaves us changed. That reminds us that no, we may not be able to believe all of the things that we used to believe. And yet, God's love does not ever let us go. And so Nicodemus experienced that. How do we know that? Well because the last part of what Ruthanne read to us today was from after Jesus was crucified." [48:22] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "And so when we have that encounter with the living water who is Jesus Christ then we become part of that flow. And everything we touch Jesus can use and work through us to help others thrive. And so we become a part of that story. And so this coming year we're going to look at hospitality and that's what it means to be hospitable. It means to become a part of God's story so that everyone we encounter experiences that sense of welcome. And that does change the world." [51:52] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "And so she's created this beautiful community. And she talked about one woman whose son had been murdered. Who said, I have lost my son, but I do not want to lose a sense of justice. And she said, I was afraid to speak up and I was alone. And so I was out there by myself one day when along comes this deaconess. And she said people would ask me why don't you go to church? And she said I didn't go to church. The church came to me." [54:25] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "And so I invite you wherever you are in this process whether you are in a place of order or disorder or reorder to know that you are part of God's beautiful story. And that God invites you to know that you are loved. Not just for yourself to show and share that love with other people. One of the things about planting a seed is that when it grows up it gives off more seeds. We are called to be those plants that plant seeds of God's love everywhere. Just like Nicodemus did." [55:55] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "And so before Jesus shared this meal with his disciples he took a moment to pause and to thank God. And we go and do the same. Let us pray. The Lord be with you. Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. And a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you gracious and loving God. You who created us in your image. And you whose love will never let us go." [01:00:31] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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