Embracing Interruptions: The Church's Call to Serve

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Varied Community Engagement

The church is called to adopt multiple styles of community engagement—settler, gardener, and shepherd. Each style serves a unique purpose, enabling the church to meet the diverse needs of the community effectively. The settler focuses on establishing deep roots in local areas, the gardener nurtures growth through ongoing support and development, and the shepherd guides and protects, targeting specific groups that require attention. This strategic diversity ensures that the church's outreach is comprehensive and sensitive to the varying needs around us, making the ministry inclusive and impactful. [39:53]

James 1:27, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Reflection: How can you contribute to adopting one of these community engagement styles in your local church setting?

Day 2: Learning from Divine Interruptions

Interruptions are often viewed as inconveniences, yet they hold the potential for significant ministry opportunities. Just as Jesus used interruptions to minister and show His love, we are called to embrace these moments as divine appointments. These interruptions are not merely obstacles but are opportunities to demonstrate Christ's love and responsiveness. By redefining our perspective on interruptions, we can engage more deeply in our mission and reflect the compassionate nature of Christ in our everyday interactions. [24:25]

Acts 16:6-10, "And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'"

Reflection: Recall a recent interruption in your day that felt like a nuisance. How might you view it as a divine appointment instead?

Day 3: The Impact of Practical Ministry

The story of the retired Adventist woman in Africa who ministered to AIDS orphans exemplifies sustained, practical help that leads to significant community transformation. This approach aligns with biblical teachings that emphasize service and support for the needy as a core aspect of our faith. By engaging in practical acts of service, we not only meet immediate needs but also build bridges for the gospel and reflect the love of Christ in tangible ways. [12:09]

1 John 3:17-18, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve someone in your community this week?

Day 4: Overcoming Misconceptions and Barriers

It is crucial for the church to address and dismantle misconceptions, such as the fear of engaging with those outside our immediate faith community. By building genuine relationships and showing openness to learning, we can more effectively share Christ's love and message. This openness not only enriches our own spiritual lives but also broadens the impact of our ministry, breaking down barriers that hinder the gospel's reach. [43:17]

Colossians 4:5-6, "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: What is one misconception you might hold about people outside your faith community, and how can you work to overcome it?

Day 5: Commitment to Proactive Engagement

The urgency of our mission is clear—we must move beyond the pews and actively engage in the work Christ has set before us. This involves not only sharing the gospel but also taking concrete steps to address the needs of those around us. By stepping out of our comfort zones and engaging with our communities, we hasten the coming of God's kingdom through our actions and commitment to service. [51:21]

Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to move beyond your comfort zone and engage more actively in your community?

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound theme of "The Church That Meets Needs," drawing from the rich narratives of Mark chapter 5. We delved into the story of Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood, illustrating Christ's responsiveness to those in dire need, even amidst interruptions. This narrative underscores the essence of our calling as a church—to actively engage in meeting the needs of our community and beyond.

We began by reflecting on the importance of mingling with people, showing genuine compassion, and ministering to their needs, as exemplified by Jesus. This approach is not only about spiritual outreach but also involves practical acts of kindness and support that address the physical and emotional needs of individuals.

Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the critical role of the church in the community, highlighting three styles of engagement derived from a recent Sabbath school lesson: the settler, gardener, and shepherd styles. Each style represents a unique approach to community engagement, from focusing on local needs to reaching out to broader communities and targeting specific groups.

A poignant example shared was that of a retired Seventh-day Adventist woman in Africa who continued her ministry by addressing the needs of AIDS orphans, demonstrating the impact of sustained, practical help on community transformation. This story not only illustrates the power of service but also aligns with biblical teachings on helping the needy, as highlighted in various Proverbs and Ephesians.

The sermon also tackled the common challenges and misconceptions within the church, such as the reluctance to embrace interruptions as opportunities for ministry. I stressed the importance of seeing every interruption as a divine appointment to serve and reflect Christ's love.

As we concluded, the call to action was clear: to step out of our comfort zones, engage with our communities, and be the living embodiment of Christ's love through our actions. This involves not only sharing the gospel but also making tangible efforts to improve the lives of those around us.

Key Takeaways

1. updt-5wI&t=2393s'>[39:53]
2. Learning from Interruptions: Interruptions should be viewed as opportunities, not obstacles. They are moments when we can truly minister to others, just as Jesus did. By embracing these moments, we can fulfill our mission more profoundly and reflect Christ's responsiveness and love.

3. Practical Ministry Through Service: The story of the retired Adventist woman in Africa exemplifies how sustained, practical help can lead to significant community transformation. This approach aligns with biblical teachings that emphasize service and support for the needy as a core aspect of our faith.

4. Overcoming Misconceptions and Barriers: It is crucial to address and dismantle misconceptions within the church, such as the fear of engaging with those outside our immediate faith community. By building genuine relationships and showing openness to learning, we can more effectively share Christ's love and message.

5. Commitment to Action: The urgency of our mission is clear—we must move beyond the pews and actively engage in the work Christ has set before us. This involves not only sharing the gospel but also taking concrete steps to address the needs of those around us, thereby hastening the coming of God's kingdom.

** [39:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:20] - Introduction to the Sermon Theme
[05:22] - Reading from Mark Chapter 5
[12:09] - Example of Practical Ministry
[17:09] - The Power of Divine Interruptions
[24:25] - Embracing Interruptions as Opportunities
[34:21] - Benefits of Helping Others
[39:00] - Community Engagement Styles
[43:17] - Overcoming Church Misconceptions
[47:12] - Personal Testimony and Call to Action
[53:24] - Urgency of Mission and Final Appeal
[57:17] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[60:17] - Final Blessings and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the circumstances that led Jairus to seek out Jesus? How did he approach Jesus with his request? [05:22]
Describe the condition of the woman with the issue of blood. What actions did she take to seek healing from Jesus? [05:22]
How did Jesus respond to the woman who touched his robe? What was the outcome of this interaction? [07:46]
What was Jesus' reaction when he was informed that Jairus' daughter had died? How did he proceed? [09:54]

Interpretation Questions

In what ways does the story of Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood illustrate the importance of faith in seeking Jesus' help? [07:46]
How does Jesus' willingness to be interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood reflect on his approach to ministry and meeting needs? [19:24]
What can we learn from Jesus' actions and words when he arrived at Jairus' house and found the people mourning? How did he handle the situation? [09:54]
The sermon mentioned different styles of community engagement: settler, gardener, and shepherd. How do these styles reflect the diverse ways a church can meet the needs of its community? [39:53]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you were interrupted while doing something important. How did you handle the interruption? How can you view such interruptions as opportunities for ministry in the future? [19:24]
The sermon emphasized the importance of mingling with people and showing genuine compassion. What are some practical ways you can start mingling with and showing compassion to people in your community this week? [03:20]
Consider the story of the retired Adventist woman in Africa who helped AIDS orphans. What specific needs in your community can you address through sustained, practical help? [12:09]
The sermon highlighted the need to overcome misconceptions and barriers within the church. What are some common misconceptions you have encountered, and how can you work to dismantle them? [43:17]
Jesus asked the people he healed what they wanted, even though he knew their needs. How can you apply this approach in your interactions with others to show respect and care? [26:46]
The sermon called for a commitment to action. What specific steps can you take this week to move beyond the pews and actively engage in meeting the needs of those around you? [51:21]
Reflect on the different styles of community engagement mentioned in the sermon. Which style resonates most with you, and how can you implement it in your personal ministry or within your church? [39:53]

Sermon Clips

Quotes for Outreach:

1. "Helping others makes you feel good. Helping others creates a sense of belonging. Helping others gives you a sense of purpose. Helping others keeps things in perspective. Helping others is contagious. Helping others can help you live longer. Helping others will give you a sense of renewal. Helping others will boost your self-esteem. Helping others will create stronger friendships. Helping others could help you change your own outlook and attitude." [34:21](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | )

2. "The greatest opportunities to minister to the needs of people come through interruptions. Let me try it again. The greatest ministry opportunities come through interruptions. Hello, lights. I can't get no amen today. Let me try it one more time. The greatest opportunities to minister to the needs of people come through interruptions." [19:24]( | | )

3. "It is time to get out of the pews and do the work. I'm going to say that one more time. It is time to get out of the pews and do the work. It is time to get off the pews and do the work. You show me a church who refuse to do the work, I'll show you a church who will not grow." [51:21]( | | )

Quotes for Members:

1. "The shepherd's style, which is serving one target population rather than a specific geographic neighborhood. God has called us to do this work. And while it's the pastor's responsibility to help and teach, it's your responsibility to win. Because sheep win sheep. Let me say that one more time. Sheep win sheep." [47:12]( | | )

2. "Somebody on social media one time called us a cult, which we ain't, we love Jesus. We believe in the Bible and the Bible only. God is calling us to build relationships with people outside of our faith. Because here is what I'm tired of as a pastor. I'm tired of us having evangelism crusades and only us show up." [43:17]( | | )

3. "Christ's method alone brings true success. Mingle with people. Desire their good. Have compassion on them. Win their confidence. If you haven't met nobody's need, you ain't show compassion on them, you haven't won their trust, they ain't coming to your church. That's just plain and simple." [45:47]( | | )

4. "The Sabbath school lesson talks about helping the church that meets needs, and it gave three styles of needs. But the Sabbath school lesson suggested we should choose one as a church. It gave three styles of needs. The first style that it gave was the settler style, which focuses on meeting the needs of the community around the church." [39:00]( | | )

5. "Stop trying to win folk to doctrine and win them to Jesus. The first thing we want to do is throw a book in their hand about the three angels' messages or the great controversy. Those are great books. We must give people milk first before giving them meat. Some folk can't handle the meat right now." [55:00]( | | )

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?