Embracing Faith, Love, and Community in Creation

Oct 05, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed Is Enough

Jesus teaches that even the smallest amount of faith can accomplish great things, and that we already possess what we need to live out our calling.

Luke 17:5-10 (ESV)
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel like you lack the faith or ability to do what God is calling you to do? How might you step forward today, trusting that what you have is already enough?

[24:00]

Day 2: God’s Love Is Already Within You

The love and faith we need to serve others is already present within us; we are called to live into it, not search for it elsewhere.

Romans 5:5 (ESV)
…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Description: The journey of faith is not about acquiring more love or faith from outside sources, but about recognizing and living out the love that God has already placed within us. Just as a teacher might remind a struggling student that the knowledge is already there, so too are we reminded that God’s love is built into our very being. We are invited to trust that we are equipped to love, serve, and grow, even when we feel inadequate or overwhelmed. [38:35]

Reflection: Think of a situation or relationship where you feel unprepared or unloving. How can you act today as if God’s love is already in you, ready to be shared?

Day 3: Embracing the Pain and Brokenness of the World

Instead of escaping from the world’s pain, we are called to face it with the “technology” of love, following the example of Christ and saints like Francis of Assisi.

Habakkuk 1:2-4 (ESV)
O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

Description: The world is full of injustice, violence, and brokenness, and it is tempting to numb ourselves or escape into distractions. Yet, we are called to stop running from the pain and instead embrace it with love, following the example of those who have gone before us. By facing reality and responding with compassion, we participate in God’s healing work and become instruments of peace in a hurting world. [30:23]

Reflection: What is one painful reality in your life or in the world that you tend to avoid? How can you face it today with love and compassion rather than escape?

Day 4: The Call to Serve with Self-Discipline and Love

We are called to balance self-discipline with a fervent love for others, taking seriously the call to serve as Christ’s body in the world.

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Description: The Christian life is a balance between self-discipline and the call to love others deeply. When we neglect love, the rules and structures of faith lose their meaning and power. But when we take seriously the call to serve, to love our neighbors, and to be self-controlled, we become living witnesses to Christ’s presence in the world. This is not a trivial matter—it is a matter of life and death, shaping who we are and how we will be remembered. [34:41]

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to practice more self-discipline so that you can love and serve others more fully? What is one concrete step you can take today?

Day 5: God’s Love Extends to All Creation

God’s love encompasses all of creation, and we are called to recognize and share that love with every living thing, including the animals and the world around us.

Psalm 145:9 (ESV)
The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

Description: The love of God is not limited to humanity but extends to all creatures and the whole of creation. By blessing and caring for the animals and the world around us, we participate in God’s ongoing work of love and redemption. Our pets and the natural world remind us of the reality of God’s presence and the call to be a blessing to others, both human and non-human alike. [49:31]

Reflection: How can you intentionally show care and love to God’s creation today—whether it’s a pet, another person, or the environment around you?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a joyful, lively celebration of God’s love, the gift of community, and the sacredness of all creation—including our beloved animals. We began by acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our choir and all who serve, reminding ourselves that worship is not just about routine but about bringing our whole selves—our hearts, our prayers, our joys, and even our chaos—before God. We paused to remember those we’ve lost, giving thanks for the ways their lives have touched ours, and we entered into confession, trusting in God’s mercy and forgiveness.

The Gospel reading from Luke 17 challenged us with difficult language and imagery, but at its heart, it marks a turning point: Jesus’ followers are no longer just disciples, but apostles—those who are sent out, entrusted with the work of love and service. The apostles’ plea, “Increase our faith,” is met by Jesus’ assurance that even faith as small as a mustard seed is enough. The call is not to acquire more faith, but to recognize and live out the faith and love already planted within us.

We reflected on the prophet Habakkuk’s lament over injustice and violence, and how easy it is to numb ourselves with distractions rather than face the pain of the world. Yet, Jesus invites us to embrace reality with the “technology” of love, to stop running from the world’s brokenness and instead meet it with compassion and presence. The story of St. Francis of Assisi reminded us that true transformation comes not from power or wealth, but from letting go and opening ourselves to God’s love as it is revealed in all of creation.

Our pets, in their simple, steadfast love, often bring us back to what matters most. They remind us to pause, to breathe, and to return to the present moment. In blessing our animals, we recognized the ways they teach us about God’s unconditional love and the call to be a blessing to others. The journey of faith is not about striving for more, but about trusting that God’s love is already within us, ready to be lived out in acts of kindness, justice, and mercy.

Key Takeaways

1. The transition from disciple to apostle is a call to move from learning to leading, from following to being sent. This shift requires us to trust that what we have received—faith, love, and the example of Christ—is enough to carry us forward, even when we feel inadequate or unprepared. [26:29]
2. Jesus’ response to the apostles’ request for more faith is not to give them something new, but to remind them that even the smallest seed of faith is powerful. The challenge is not to accumulate more, but to recognize and activate what God has already placed within us. [29:48]
3. The lament of Habakkuk resonates with our own struggles against injustice and suffering. Rather than escaping into distractions or consumerism, we are called to face the world’s pain with courage, allowing love to be our response to brokenness and our guide toward justice. [31:23]
4. The example of St. Francis of Assisi teaches us that letting go of status, wealth, and self-sufficiency opens us to a deeper experience of God’s presence in creation and in community. True spiritual growth often comes through surrender and attentive love for the world around us. [32:48]
5. Our pets and the act of blessing them serve as a living parable of God’s unconditional love. Their loyalty and presence draw us back to gratitude, humility, and the simple joys of life, reminding us that love is not something to be earned or achieved, but received and shared. [39:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:27] - Opening and Choir Appreciation
[08:15] - Liturgy Changes and Blessing of the Animals Introduction
[09:06] - Remembering Lois Ward and Community Gratitude
[09:41] - Confession and Forgiveness
[17:38] - Opening Prayer
[24:00] - Gospel Reading: Luke 17
[25:07] - Grace, Peace, and the Challenge of the Text
[26:29] - From Disciples to Apostles
[29:07] - The Faith We Already Have
[30:23] - Habakkuk’s Lament and Facing Reality
[32:00] - St. Francis of Assisi and Creation
[34:41] - The Balance of Love and Discipline
[36:47] - Seminary Story: Trusting What’s Already in Us
[39:07] - Living Out Love and the Faith of Our Pets
[43:41] - St. Francis Prayer and Animal Blessings
[51:00] - Prayers of Intercession and Sharing Peace
[56:10] - Communion
[63:36] - Announcements and Community Life
[69:21] - Sending Song and Blessing
[71:44] - Dismissal and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living Out Love and Faith

Bible Reading

Luke 17:5-10 (ESV)
> 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Habakkuk 1:2-4 (ESV)
> 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?
> 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
> 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

Observation Questions

In Luke 17, what is the difference between being a disciple and being an apostle, according to the sermon? ([26:29])
What does Jesus say in response to the apostles’ request for more faith? How does he describe the power of even a small amount of faith? ([24:00])
What is the main complaint or lament that the prophet Habakkuk brings before God? ([30:23])
According to the sermon, what role do our pets play in helping us remember God’s love? ([39:07])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says the move from disciple to apostle is a shift from learning to leading. Why might Jesus want his followers to see themselves as “sent out” rather than just learners? ([26:29])
When the apostles ask for more faith, Jesus tells them that even faith as small as a mustard seed is enough. What does this suggest about how God views our faith and what he expects from us? ([29:48])
Habakkuk’s lament is about injustice and suffering in the world. How does the sermon connect this ancient complaint to the distractions and “numbing” behaviors we use today? ([31:23])
The story of St. Francis of Assisi was shared as an example of letting go of status and wealth. What does his example teach us about how to experience God’s presence in creation and community? ([32:48])

Application Questions

The sermon says that being an apostle means trusting that what we have received—faith, love, and the example of Christ—is enough, even when we feel unprepared. Can you think of a time when you felt unprepared or inadequate, but God used you anyway? What did you learn from that experience? ([26:29])
Jesus’ answer to the apostles is not to give them more faith, but to remind them to use what they already have. Is there an area in your life where you keep asking God for “more” (faith, patience, love, etc.), but maybe God is inviting you to use what’s already inside you? What would it look like to act on that this week? ([29:48])
The sermon talks about how easy it is to escape into distractions or consumerism instead of facing the pain of the world. What is one distraction or “numbing” behavior you tend to use? How could you practice facing reality with love and presence instead? ([31:23])
St. Francis let go of wealth and status to experience God more deeply in creation and community. Is there something (a habit, possession, or status) you feel called to let go of in order to be more open to God’s love? ([32:48])
Our pets remind us to pause, breathe, and return to the present moment. Is there a simple practice you can adopt this week to help you slow down and notice God’s love in your daily life? ([39:07])
The blessing of the animals was described as a living parable of God’s unconditional love. Who in your life needs to experience that kind of love from you right now? What is one small, concrete way you can show it to them this week? ([39:07])
The journey of faith is not about striving for more, but about trusting that God’s love is already within us. What is one way you can live out kindness, justice, or mercy in your community this week, trusting that God is already at work in you? ([39:07])

Sermon Clips

“The key to this text is this is the first time Jesus or the gospel writer refers to the disciples who have been up till this point, disciples. He refers to them as apostles. And there's a big difference there. The difference between a disciple and an apostle is you go from being a disciple where you're following, you're practicing, you're learning, you're questioning, you're never really driving the boss, right? You're always sort of second fiddle to the boss, to the teacher, to the master. So they've been disciples up to this point, and we've watched Jesus throughout the Gospel of Luke up until this point.”

“They've now got a relationship with Jesus in a way where he is telling them he's about to hand this off. He's already told them that he's going to the cross. They know that this don't be sorry, that's called amen. That's my cue. But sorry about your ear, because that was right in your ear. Back to it really quick. Jesus is talking to the apostles at this point in a way that is like you talk to someone at, at the bedside of a passing person. This is the last words of a friend. This is, hey, when I'm gone, you got to know this stuff. Hey, when you're driving the bus.”

“And of course, their reaction to Jesus is, oh, okay, we're going to need more of that faith because we've been listening to it, but I don't know if I have enough. And so the concept of increase our faith comes up. Give us more faith, give us maybe more belief in our guts or more gumption to stand up, or more Jesus, I don't think I have enough.”

“And when Jesus is talking to them, he's not talking about getting more love, he's talking about reflecting upon the love, the faith that we have. In other words, guys, we have enough. You and I have enough. We have the ability to love others more than we can possibly imagine. We have the ability to listen and learn and serve in ways that are profound.”

“Jesus invites us into a world that stops running away from the pain, stops running away from the trouble, but instead embraces it with the technology, if you will, of love. And I think that's what today is about.”

“This was a kid who grew up in the top shelf of schools where he was from. He was a rich kid. His dad was an importer. He had it all going. Everybody kind of wanted to be him. And as he looked at his dad's riches, as he looked at what was happening in their lives and he read the Gospel, he found this ridiculous tension. He could not. The dissonance between the two, he could not hold on to anymore. The cognitive dissonance between the two realities did not fit.”

“And so one day, Francis threw off all of his clothes and stands there naked and rejects his father's empire and goes off to be a monk. He goes off to study, he goes off to pray, he goes off to cry, he goes off to suffer because of something inside of him that read these texts and said, I'm not going to get there through my power, my wealth, my strength, I'm going to get there another way.”

“And as he was going on that journey of his life, he started noticing creation around him, animals, plants, rocks, trees. And he started to realize, this is God's house, this is God's kingdom, this is God's communication for us.”

“About three centuries later, Luther would make the argument that the gospel of Jesus Christ raised from the dead is written on every tree and leaf in creation. We are not tied to a tradition, we are not tied to a practice in what we do. We can watch the history of the church in people relating to the call to love in their time and place. And there's different ways we are informed of love.”

“And I gotta tell you, there's a lot of days I walk into my house at the end of the day like a tyrant. I've got the worries of the world in my mind, I've got the plans of tomorrow in my heart. And I come in the door and reminding me there is my friend going, hey, this is reality, not that. Could you maybe stop enough to pet me? Could you maybe stop enough to breathe?”

“In this Timothy text today, Paul is discussing the concept of being self controlled, self discipline as a follower of Jesus. And I think this is the balance, the balance between love and the call to love. And the reminder to take that seriously as seriously as we take all the bills and all of the standards of society and all of the rules. Because when we stop doing the love part, the rules begin to fade.”

“The stark reality, though, is it's not meh. This is life and death. This is what will happen on the last day we breathe. Where will our hearts be? Will our hearts be thankful and gracious and alive even in our death? Or will we placate ourselves and surround ourselves with crap, junk boxes and trinkets and money? That's the challenge.”

“That's why Jesus calls them apostles. He's like, now you're ready to drive the bus. And it's hard, but you can do it. And you can do it because love is never going to leave you. That's the work of Christ.”

“I remember, I'm going to close with this. I remember being in seminary and I told you this story Ali before, but I can remember being in Greek first semester. Greek, we're taking all of our other classes, but if you don't pass Greek, you don't get to go to year number two. It's just, you got to get it down. And I was about probably this part of the semester. We'd been rolling since August. And I've probably six or seven weeks into the semester. And I can remember my F in Greek was growing. I was not doing well. I was behind. I didn't get it. I was having issues with it. It's a lot like algebra, by the way. It is.”

“And I remember Professor Bob Smith, Seminex professor, who was out at Plts when I was there. And he was our professor. And he just kept looking at me and shaking his head going. And he talked to me after class, and one day he broke through and he said, you already know this. And I'm like, what do you mean, man? There's no way. Like, this is Greek. I literally. I don't understand it. It's literally Greek. And he's like, it's in you. It's built into your English. It's built into how you already formulate words. It's already in you. You don't have to go looking for it. You just have to find it in your own language that you already know.”

“I got to tell you, that was one of those moments that gave me so much positive reinforcement. It gave me so much like jet fuel to move forward. It was a moment of trust, too. I think maybe that's what turned it on, was like, oh, I can. And I did. I think I pulled a hot C plus out of that class. But I think that's what Jesus is trying to tell us, too. This love is in you. You can be an apostle. You can be someone who corrects and loves and goes through the process of correcting yourself and loving yourself and going through the rock polisher that is the faith.”

“It's not a matter of having more faith. Jesus says it's a matter of using and learning and driving that boss of faith. I guess, to use the analogy way too far, that we're called to be. And I think in this day and age, each of us need to hear those words. It's in you. You don't have to go do something or go get something or be something that you're not. But you do need to live into that call to love the people that you're called to love, even the ones you maybe don't want to, even the ones you'd love to not love. Right? That's just faith.”

“May we have the faith of our pets, the faith to stick with those of us who come home like a tyrant and love us through it and bring us down to reality and get us back to that core truth, which is that God so loved the world he gave his only Son so that all might become part of his light. God so loved the world. Is the miracle in that phrase. I have a hard time loving that world. I bet you have a hard time loving that world. But in this world, may love lead us to where we're called to go.”

Ask a question about this sermon