Embracing Grace: Living as Light in the World

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the profound invitation from God to connect deeply with Him and to live out our mission as His followers. We began by reflecting on the practice of communion, as instructed by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11. Communion is not about making ourselves worthy, for none of us can achieve that on our own. Instead, it is about accepting God's invitation to bring our brokenness, our struggles, and our imperfections to His table, where we find grace and mercy. This act of yielding our lives to God allows us to experience His transformative presence.

We are reminded that our purpose as a church and as individuals is to connect with Jesus, the true vine, and to remain in Him. This connection is not about seeking accolades or comfort but about clinging to the source of life. Jesus calls us to abide in Him, for apart from Him, we can do nothing. Our mission is to connect to Jesus and to build a Christ-centered community that reflects His love and light.

Furthermore, we are called to dispel the darkness in our world by being the light of the world, as Jesus described in Matthew 5. Our lives should shine with the light of God, bringing hope to those around us. Whether in our workplaces, homes, or communities, we are to bear the light of God and point others to the source of life.

Lastly, we exist to build kingdom people by sharing our stories of transformation. Our personal testimonies of how Jesus has changed our lives are powerful tools for building the kingdom of God. By sharing our faith stories, we offer hope and encouragement to others, inviting them to experience the transformative power of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

1. Communion as an Invitation to Grace: Communion is not about proving our worthiness but about accepting God's invitation to bring our brokenness to His table. It is a moment to yield our lives to God and experience His grace and mercy. This act of surrender allows us to be transformed by His presence. [15:47]

2. Connecting to the True Vine: Our purpose is to connect with Jesus, the true vine, and to remain in Him. This connection is not about seeking accolades or comfort but about clinging to the source of life. Jesus calls us to abide in Him, for apart from Him, we can do nothing. [46:24]

3. Dispel the Darkness: As followers of Jesus, we are called to be the light of the world, dispelling darkness wherever we go. Our lives should shine with the light of God, bringing hope to those around us. Whether in our workplaces, homes, or communities, we are to bear the light of God and point others to the source of life. [52:26]

4. Building Kingdom People: We exist to build kingdom people by sharing our stories of transformation. Our personal testimonies of how Jesus has changed our lives are powerful tools for building the kingdom of God. By sharing our faith stories, we offer hope and encouragement to others, inviting them to experience the transformative power of Jesus. [57:45]

5. Living on Mission with God: God calls us to live on mission with Him, using our unique gifts and abilities to serve and share His love with the world. Whether in ministry, our jobs, or our daily interactions, we are invited to partner with God in His mission to transform lives and build His kingdom. [38:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [02:15] - Reflection on Communion
- [05:00] - Understanding Worthiness
- [10:00] - Invitation to God's Table
- [15:47] - Embracing Grace and Mercy
- [18:45] - Open Communion Invitation
- [30:20] - Purpose and Mission of the Church
- [34:13] - Created for God's Purpose
- [40:00] - Connecting to Jesus
- [46:24] - Abiding in the True Vine
- [49:45] - Dispel the Darkness
- [52:26] - Being the Light of the World
- [54:36] - Sharing Stories of Transformation
- [57:45] - Building the Kingdom of God
- [01:00:47] - Reflecting on Our Mission

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
2. John 15:5
3. Matthew 5:13-16

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Observation Questions:

1. In 1 Corinthians 11, what does Paul say about the manner in which we should approach communion? How does this relate to the idea of worthiness? [15:47]

2. According to John 15:5, what is the relationship between the vine and the branches, and what does this imply about our connection to Jesus? [46:24]

3. In Matthew 5:13-16, how does Jesus describe the role of His followers in the world? What metaphors does He use, and what do they signify? [52:26]

4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how we can be the light of the world in our daily lives? [52:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the act of communion serve as an invitation to grace rather than a test of worthiness? What does this reveal about God's character? [15:47]

2. What does it mean to "abide" in Jesus as the true vine, and how does this concept challenge our understanding of success and comfort? [46:24]

3. How can the metaphor of being the "light of the world" influence the way we interact with others in our community? What practical steps can be taken to ensure our light shines brightly? [52:26]

4. How do personal testimonies of transformation contribute to building the kingdom of God, and why are they important in sharing our faith? [57:45]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your approach to communion. Are there areas of brokenness or struggle that you need to bring to God's table? How can you embrace His grace and mercy in these areas? [15:47]

2. Consider your connection to Jesus, the true vine. Are there aspects of your life where you are seeking accolades or comfort instead of clinging to Him? How can you refocus on abiding in Him this week? [46:24]

3. Identify a specific situation in your workplace, home, or community where you can be the light of the world. What actions can you take to bring hope and point others to Jesus in that context? [52:26]

4. Think about a personal story of transformation in your life. How can you share this story with someone who might benefit from hearing about the transformative power of Jesus? [57:45]

5. Reflect on your unique gifts and abilities. How can you use them to serve and share God's love with the world, living on mission with Him? [38:28]

6. Are there any distractions in your life that prevent you from focusing on your mission with God? What steps can you take to minimize these distractions and stay committed to your purpose? [40:00]

7. Consider someone in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week, inviting them to experience the transformative power of Jesus? [57:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Communion as an Invitation to Transformation
Communion is a sacred invitation to bring our brokenness to God, where we find grace and mercy. It is not about proving our worthiness, but about accepting God's invitation to yield our lives to Him. In this act of surrender, we experience His transformative presence, allowing His grace to work within us. As we come to the table, we are reminded that it is not our perfection that God seeks, but our willingness to be transformed by His love. [15:47]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: What brokenness or struggle are you holding onto that you need to bring to God's table today? How can you invite His transformative grace into that area of your life?


Day 2: Abiding in the True Vine
Our purpose is to connect with Jesus, the true vine, and to remain in Him. This connection is not about seeking accolades or comfort but about clinging to the source of life. Jesus calls us to abide in Him, for apart from Him, we can do nothing. In our daily lives, this means prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else, allowing His life to flow through us and bear fruit. As we remain in Him, we find strength, purpose, and the ability to fulfill our mission as His followers. [46:24]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to deepen your connection with Jesus, the true vine? How can you ensure that your life is rooted in Him?


Day 3: Being the Light of the World
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be the light of the world, dispelling darkness wherever we go. Our lives should shine with the light of God, bringing hope to those around us. Whether in our workplaces, homes, or communities, we are to bear the light of God and point others to the source of life. This calling challenges us to live authentically and intentionally, reflecting God's love and truth in all we do. [52:26]

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you be a light in your community today? How can you intentionally bring hope and encouragement to someone in need?


Day 4: Sharing Stories of Transformation
We exist to build kingdom people by sharing our stories of transformation. Our personal testimonies of how Jesus has changed our lives are powerful tools for building the kingdom of God. By sharing our faith stories, we offer hope and encouragement to others, inviting them to experience the transformative power of Jesus. This act of sharing is not just about recounting past events but about living out the ongoing story of God's work in our lives. [57:45]

"Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul." (Psalm 66:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one story of transformation in your life that you can share with someone today? How can your testimony offer hope and encouragement to others?


Day 5: Living on Mission with God
God calls us to live on mission with Him, using our unique gifts and abilities to serve and share His love with the world. Whether in ministry, our jobs, or our daily interactions, we are invited to partner with God in His mission to transform lives and build His kingdom. This mission is not limited to specific roles or titles but is a call to all believers to actively participate in God's work. [38:28]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts and abilities has God given you to serve His mission? How can you use them today to share His love and build His kingdom?

Quotes

"We're gonna spend the next couple of moments contemplating some communion time the scripture from the Apostle Paul and first Corinthians chapter 11 Paul is beginning to instruct the church on the practice of communion Paul writes this for I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed that he took bread mm -hmm and when he had given thanks Jesus broke it and said this is my body which is for you do this in remembrance of me in the same way he took a cup also after supper saying this cup is the new covenant in my blood do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me and for as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes therefore whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord but a man must examine himself and in doing so he is to eat the bread and to drink of the cup for he who eats and drinks eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly growing up I grew up in a wonderful little church but there were some times in that wonderful little church that as they read communion as we were ready to take communion together we read that passage and they started reading about um you know if you drink in an unworthy manner uh that you're going to fall asleep you're going to die you're uh there's judgment that's coming upon you and I just remember thinking as this young boy like holy moly what is this I'm afraid to approach the table of the Lord I was reading a while back some time ago on this passage here and the author was challenging the readers of the scripture to not necessarily view this as I need to reflect in a way to make myself worthy to receive the elements of the bread and the Jews because truth be told we cannot make ourselves worthy before the Lord can we church no none there is none righteous no not one what Paul is encouraging the church to in these moments first Corinthians chapter 11 is to approach the invitation of the father towards the table in this particular moment in the book of Acts chapter 11 and in this particular moment in time according to the Bible Jesus had declared his life was become for the hundred and give him to exceed all." [00:11:19] (171 seconds)


"Lord this is my hardship and what I'm giving this to you and I'm opening my mind and my heart my will and my actions I'm giving me to you Lord have your way Paul is inviting us the Lord Himself is inviting us to this place of yielding our whole lives to the presence of God and so in the next couple moments as we hold the bread and the juice you're opening your lives to the presence of God the good things that we're really proud of we have some proud things don't we yes Jesus I'm gonna give you my proud moments" [00:14:59] (47 seconds)


"we set our hearts and our minds on you today for we want all of you in us in the perfect name of jesus our savior we pray amen amen as our ushers come forward and we prepare to have the elements today we practice open communion here which means if you have made a profession of faith to follow jesus then we invite you to the table" [00:18:45] (30 seconds)


"God has given our church a mission and a purpose, and the church, the church's mission, capital C Church, the big church worldwide has the same mission, to share Jesus, to disciple the world, to be on mission with God for the purpose of the gospel." [00:35:56] (19 seconds)


"God calls the church to live our lives on mission, and he invites us, ordinary people like you and me, to live on mission with and for God in our world." [00:37:31] (17 seconds)


"Whether you serve vocationally in ministry, or you serve as a volunteer within the work of ministry, whether you serve in a club, or you serve in a classroom teaching snotty -nosed kids, and by golly, there's a lot of them these days, you're on mission with God for the good of our little part of the world." [00:38:02] (26 seconds)


"Whether you clean the city streets, or make decisions in a chamber or a boardroom of a business, you are on mission with God for the good of our little part of the world, called Reedsport." [00:38:28] (15 seconds)


"Jesus calls us to connectedness to be known by the creator of the universe and to know the creator of the universe Jesus calls us to personal connection to himself and we exist as a church and as individuals to come to find our connection to Jesus the call of Jesus in John's 15th chapter is to a life of remaining it's this life of abiding it's this life of intimate connection to Jesus and again we notice these words are no call to impress him no call to act in such a way to garner God's attention it's not a call to to to to devote some action or behavior to God in order to get him to notice us or to pay attention to us to gain his approval the communication of Jesus is to cling unto Jesus" [00:42:56] (64 seconds)


"Jesus says that he is the vine of life, and our mission and our purpose, not to have all the great things of the world, but our mission and our purpose is to connect to the vine." [00:47:34] (15 seconds)


"We exist as a church and as individual followers of Jesus to dispel the darkness in our world and in our lives." [00:50:07] (9 seconds)


"Jesus famously saying in Matthew chapter 5, you are the light of the world. I won't shine it in your eyes. You're the light of the world. That as you connect with Jesus, you're the light. You're living in his light. You've experienced his grace and his forgiveness and you're experiencing his love and his power and his presence. Jesus says you're the light of the world." [00:52:06] (33 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?