Embracing Discipleship: The Power of Words and Community

Devotional

Day 1: The Cost of Discipleship

Jesus' call to deny oneself, take up one's cross, and follow Him is a profound invitation to live a life of sacrificial love and commitment. This path may involve suffering and rejection, but it leads to true life and fulfillment in Christ. Reflect on what it means to lose your life for the sake of the Gospel and how this paradoxical truth can transform your daily walk with God. [18:54]

Mark 8:34-35 (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.'"

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can practice self-denial for the sake of following Jesus more closely today?

Day 2: The Power of the Tongue

James teaches that the tongue, though small, has immense power to bless and curse. This duality calls for vigilance in our speech. Consider how your words can either build up or tear down, and strive to use your tongue to inspire, heal, and encourage others. Pray Psalm 141:3, asking God to set a guard over your mouth and keep watch over the door of your lips. [27:24]

James 3:5-6 (ESV): "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell."

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words may have hurt someone. How can you seek reconciliation and use your words to bring healing today?

Day 3: Practical Wisdom of Scripture

Scripture is not just theoretical but practical wisdom meant to guide our lives. It has been handed down through generations to help us live in a way that glorifies God and brings fulfillment. Reflect on how you can apply biblical teachings in your daily life, making them a living part of your journey. [25:57]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Identify one biblical teaching that you find challenging to apply in your life. What practical steps can you take today to begin living out this teaching?

Day 4: Community and Service

The church community plays a vital role in our spiritual growth and mission. Each member's contributions, whether through volunteering, financial support, or simply being present, are crucial. Consider how you can actively participate in your church community to support its mission and foster a sense of belonging and purpose. [46:54]

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 specific way you can contribute to your church community this week, whether through service, support, or encouragement?

Day 5: Diverse Images of God

Embracing diverse images of God, such as Father, Mother, Friend, and Lady Wisdom, can enrich our spiritual lives. These different aspects help us connect with God in unique and personal ways. Explore which image resonates most with you and how it can deepen your relationship with the Divine. [01:12:23]

Proverbs 8:1-3 (ESV): "Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud."

Reflection: Which image of God—Father, Mother, Friend, or Lady Wisdom—resonates most with you right now? How can you incorporate this image into your prayer and spiritual practices today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered as the body of Christ to praise the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Wisdom. We began with a land acknowledgment and a prayer for reconciliation, asking for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with us all. The Gospel reading from Mark 8:27-38 highlighted Jesus' question to His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" and Peter's declaration, "You are the Messiah." Jesus then taught about the necessity of His suffering, death, and resurrection, emphasizing the cost of discipleship: denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and following Him.

The sermon transitioned into a personal anecdote involving a humorous yet humbling experience with Canon Derrick and a WhatsApp message gone wrong. This incident served as a springboard to discuss the practical application of Scripture, particularly the teachings of James on the power of the tongue. James reminds us that the tongue can both bless and curse, and we must be vigilant in our speech. The pastor shared his own struggles and practices to guard his tongue, including the use of Psalm 141:3 as a prayer for self-control.

The message emphasized that Scripture is not just theoretical but practical wisdom handed down through generations, meant to guide us in living fulfilling and God-glorifying lives. The pastor also touched on the importance of community, highlighting the contributions of various church members and the need for volunteers and financial support to sustain the church's mission.

In closing, the pastor encouraged everyone to find their unique way to connect with God, whether as Father, Mother, Friend, or Lady Wisdom. The service concluded with a blessing and a call to serve the world inspired by the Holy Spirit.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus' call to deny oneself, take up one's cross, and follow Him is a profound invitation to live a life of sacrificial love and commitment. This path may involve suffering and rejection, but it leads to true life and fulfillment in Christ. Reflect on what it means to lose your life for the sake of the Gospel and how this paradoxical truth can transform your daily walk with God. [18:54]
2. The Power of the Tongue: James teaches that the tongue, though small, has immense power to bless and curse. This duality calls for vigilance in our speech. Consider how your words can either build up or tear down, and strive to use your tongue to inspire, heal, and encourage others. Pray Psalm 141:3, asking God to set a guard over your mouth and keep watch over the door of your lips. [27:24]
3. Practical Wisdom of Scripture: Scripture is not just theoretical but practical wisdom meant to guide our lives. It has been handed down through generations to help us live in a way that glorifies God and brings fulfillment. Reflect on how you can apply biblical teachings in your daily life, making them a living part of your journey. [25:57]
4. Community and Service: The church community plays a vital role in our spiritual growth and mission. Each member's contributions, whether through volunteering, financial support, or simply being present, are crucial. Consider how you can actively participate in your church community to support its mission and foster a sense of belonging and purpose. [46:54]
5. Diverse Images of God: Embracing diverse images of God, such as Father, Mother, Friend, and Lady Wisdom, can enrich our spiritual lives. These different aspects help us connect with God in unique and personal ways. Explore which image resonates most with you and how it can deepen your relationship with the Divine. [01:12:23]
### [72:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:03] - Gospel Reading: Mark 8:27-38
[18:54] - The Cost of Discipleship
[19:45] - Introduction to the Sermon
[21:56] - Personal Anecdote: WhatsApp Incident
[23:48] - The Power of the Tongue
[25:57] - Practical Wisdom of Scripture
[27:24] - Guarding Our Speech
[29:44] - Tony Campolo's Sermon on Child Poverty
[30:50] - The Duality of the Tongue
[32:50] - Apostles' Creed
[36:49] - Prayers and Birthdays
[41:04] - Announcements and Community Highlights
[46:54] - Call for Volunteers and Financial Support
[50:32] - Financial Update and Call to Action
[54:40] - Eucharistic Prayer
[59:59] - Lord's Prayer and Communion
[68:05] - Introduction to Lady Wisdom
[72:23] - Diverse Images of God
[81:57] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What question does Jesus ask His disciples in Mark 8:27-38, and how does Peter respond? ([18:03])
According to James 3:10-12, what duality does the tongue possess, and what examples does James use to illustrate this? ([30:50])
In Psalm 141:3, what specific request does the psalmist make to God regarding his speech? ([28:46])
What personal anecdote did the pastor share to illustrate the practical application of Scripture, particularly the teachings of James on the power of the tongue? ([23:48])

Interpretation Questions

What does Jesus mean when He says, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me"? How does this relate to the cost of discipleship? ([18:54])
How does the pastor's story about the WhatsApp message gone wrong illustrate the power of the tongue as described in James 3:10-12? ([23:48])
Why is it important to set a guard over our mouths, as mentioned in Psalm 141:3, and how can this practice impact our daily interactions? ([28:46])
How does the concept of diverse images of God, such as Father, Mother, Friend, and Lady Wisdom, help us connect with God in unique and personal ways? ([01:12:23])

Application Questions

Reflect on Jesus' call to deny oneself and take up one's cross. What are some specific ways you can practice self-denial and sacrificial love in your daily life? ([18:54])
Think about a recent time when your words either built someone up or tore someone down. How can you be more vigilant in your speech to ensure it blesses rather than curses? ([30:50])
How can you incorporate the prayer from Psalm 141:3 into your daily routine to help guard your speech? What specific situations do you need to be more mindful of? ([28:46])
In what ways can you actively participate in your church community to support its mission and foster a sense of belonging and purpose? Consider volunteering, financial support, or simply being present. ([46:54])
Explore which image of God—Father, Mother, Friend, or Lady Wisdom—resonates most with you. How can this image deepen your relationship with the Divine and influence your spiritual practices? ([01:12:23])
The pastor emphasized the practical wisdom of Scripture. Identify one biblical teaching that you can apply to a current challenge in your life. How will you implement this wisdom in a tangible way? ([25:57])
Reflect on the importance of community and service in your spiritual growth. How can you encourage others in your church to get involved and support each other in fulfilling the church's mission? ([46:54])

Sermon Clips

1. "Scripture and its teachings are not just some abstract theory, you know, some armchair philosophy. But they are meant to be wisdom, practical wisdom, handed down from generation to generation, literally over thousands of years. And that's what tradition is, right? Traditory, to hand on, to hand down, to hand over. So wisdom handed over generation to generation, inspired by God and intended to be applied to our lives so that we can lead life in the way, the way to fullness, the way to happiness, the way to fulfillment, the way for a better planet." [25:57] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "James is inviting us to remember the power of the tongue. To inspire. To educate. To wound. To heal. To hurt. To restore. To encourage. To teach. James says, From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing? My brothers and sisters, this not ought be so. Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips. How might Scripture, these words of wisdom, these words of James, be speaking to you today, in your life, right now?" [30:50] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "How blessed we are so with all that we're going to see what the kids were doing when they were talking about who is God lastly as adults I encourage you find the doorway that lets you into God is that Jesus's friend God is father Jesus within you God is lady God is lover God is wife I mean there are so many roots that makes God immediate and alive for you." [01:12:23] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "May the vision of Christ's love and care keep you throughout the week. May the Christ who walks on wounded feet walk with you on the road. May the Christ who serves with wounded hands stretch out your hands to serve. May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart open your hearts to love. May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet. And may everyone you meet see the face of Christ in you. Amen." [01:21:57] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Followers of Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, serve the world God loves. Thanks be to God." [01:22:23] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "For those who want to save their life will lose it. And those who lose their life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit? For their life. Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." [19:45] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The Apostle James says, But no one can tame the tongue, for all of us make many mistakes. Well, you might have met while I was away, Canon Derrick, Canon Derrick Stapleton. Canon Derrick is a priest with many years of deep experience in the diocese, and prior to that, a wealth of experience and wisdom in the diocese of Barbados. I have been actively courting Derrick to be an honorary assistant here at Holy Trinity Guildwood." [21:56] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "So wisdom handed over generation to generation, inspired by God and intended to be applied to our lives so that we can lead life in the way, the way to fullness, the way to happiness, the way to fulfillment, the way for a better planet. And in so doing, then we give glory to God, just like if you're a gardener and you put all this work into your garden and the flowers are beautiful, that gives glory to the gardener and nature." [25:57] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I have a really tough job. I just go to parties and picnics. So on Friday, Wellspring was here. And they had a big community barbecue. Of course, Wellspring takes care of those on the neurodivergent spectrum. Mostly autism. And they've become a valued part of our community. The police were here. Other community dignitaries. And then our MPP for this area, Andrea Hazel, was here on Saturday." [43:36] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I actually think. Holy Trinity is more than capable. Of figuring a way forward. But let no one say. Oh I didn't know. So I'm. Saying something. We all need to. See if we can think. A way forward. And Holy Trinity has responded. In many ways before. I'll be exploring this. With ministry leaders team. But if we continue at the path. We're going now. It won't be 21. It'll be 24. 25. So. We need to address now. While we can still. Change the course of the ship." [49:38] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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