Embracing Jesus: Transformation Through Faith and Community
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound theme of experiencing Jesus in our everyday lives, drawing inspiration from the story of Wallace Perling and the Christmas pageant. Wallace's unexpected act of kindness, offering his room to Mary and Joseph, serves as a powerful reminder of the heart of Christmas—welcoming Jesus into our lives and allowing His presence to transform us. This transformation is not just about celebrating a season but about embracing a lifestyle that reflects Jesus' love and compassion.
We delved into the concept of "being one of," emphasizing the importance of community and discipleship. Through personal stories, such as my relationship with Dante and my encounter with David in Colombia, we saw how discipleship is a journey of becoming more like Jesus, both in our identity and actions. It's about being part of a community where we are not just with others but truly one of them, sharing life and faith together.
The story of the Syrophoenician woman in Matthew 15 highlighted the power of faith and persistence. Despite cultural and religious barriers, her unwavering faith led to her daughter's healing. This narrative challenges us to examine our own faith and the barriers we might face in seeking Jesus. It reminds us that Jesus' love and power transcend all boundaries, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him.
We also reflected on the transformation of the disciples, who moved from being with Jesus to having the Holy Spirit within them. This shift empowered them to live out their faith boldly, as seen in Acts 3, where Peter and John healed a lame man. This transformation is available to us today, as we are invited to live with the Holy Spirit's power and presence in our lives.
Finally, we were encouraged to consider what Jesus is inviting us into this year. Whether it's a new opportunity, a deeper relationship, or a fresh perspective, Jesus' invitation is an opportunity to "ruin" our preconceived notions of success and embrace His plans for us. As we close, let's open our hearts to His invitation and allow His love to guide us in every aspect of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Heart of Christmas: Wallace Perling's act of kindness in the Christmas pageant reminds us to keep the spirit of Christmas alive by welcoming Jesus into our lives and allowing His presence to transform us. This transformation is not limited to a season but is a call to live a life of love and compassion. [37:44]
2. Being One Of: Discipleship is about being part of a community where we are not just with others but truly one of them. It's a journey of becoming more like Jesus, both in our identity and actions, as we share life and faith together. [50:19]
3. Faith and Persistence: The Syrophoenician woman's story challenges us to examine our faith and the barriers we face in seeking Jesus. Her persistence and faith led to her daughter's healing, reminding us that Jesus' love transcends all boundaries. [01:03:09]
4. Transformation Through the Holy Spirit: The disciples' transformation from being with Jesus to having the Holy Spirit within them empowered them to live out their faith boldly. This same transformation is available to us, inviting us to live with the Holy Spirit's power and presence. [01:10:14]
5. Jesus' Invitation: Jesus invites us into something new each year, challenging us to "ruin" our preconceived notions of success and embrace His plans for us. This invitation is an opportunity to align our desires with His purpose and experience His love in deeper ways. [01:14:01]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[34:09] - The Story of Wallace Perling
[37:44] - Experiencing Jesus Like Wallace
[39:20] - The Journey of Discipleship
[41:01] - Dante's Transformation
[42:16] - Being One Of
[43:57] - David's Story
[45:17] - The Source of Refuge
[46:19] - Unique Identity in Christ
[50:19] - Community and Discipleship
[54:48] - The Syrophoenician Woman
[57:44] - Faith and Persistence
[01:03:09] - Jesus' Response and Healing
[01:10:14] - Transformation Through the Holy Spirit
[01:14:01] - Jesus' Invitation for the Year
[01:19:42] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 15:21-28 - The story of the Syrophoenician woman.
2. Acts 3:1-10 - The healing of the lame man by Peter and John.
3. John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
---
Observation Questions:
1. In the story of Wallace Perling, what was the unexpected act of kindness he showed during the Christmas pageant? How did this act change the perception of the pageant for some people? [36:17]
2. How did the Syrophoenician woman demonstrate her faith and persistence when she approached Jesus, and what was Jesus' initial response to her request? [54:48]
3. What transformation did the disciples experience after Jesus' ascension, and how did it empower them in Acts 3? [01:10:14]
4. How does the story of Dante illustrate the concept of "being one of" in the context of discipleship and community? [41:01]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Wallace Perling's act of kindness in the Christmas pageant teach us about the heart of Christmas and welcoming Jesus into our lives? [37:44]
2. How does the persistence of the Syrophoenician woman challenge cultural and religious barriers, and what does this teach us about the nature of faith? [01:03:09]
3. In what ways does the transformation of the disciples through the Holy Spirit serve as a model for living out our faith today? [01:10:14]
4. How does the concept of "being one of" rather than just "being with" others deepen our understanding of community and discipleship? [50:19]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on Wallace Perling's act of kindness. How can you show unexpected kindness in your daily life to welcome Jesus into your interactions with others? [37:44]
2. Consider the barriers you might face in seeking Jesus. What steps can you take to persist in your faith like the Syrophoenician woman, despite these challenges? [01:03:09]
3. The disciples were transformed by the Holy Spirit to live boldly. What areas of your life need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and how can you invite His presence into those areas? [01:10:14]
4. Think about your current community or small group. How can you move from simply being with others to truly being one of them, sharing life and faith together? [50:19]
5. Jesus invites us into something new each year. What preconceived notions of success might you need to "ruin" to embrace His plans for you this year? [01:14:01]
6. Identify a person in your life who might benefit from a deeper relationship with Jesus. How can you engage them in a meaningful conversation about faith this week? [41:01]
7. Reflect on the story of Peter and John in Acts 3. How can you offer what you have, even if it's not material, to help someone in need this week? [01:10:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Welcoming Jesus into Everyday Life
In the story of Wallace Perling and the Christmas pageant, we see a profound act of kindness that embodies the true spirit of Christmas. Wallace's decision to offer his room to Mary and Joseph is a powerful reminder of the importance of welcoming Jesus into our lives. This act of hospitality is not just about celebrating a season but about embracing a lifestyle that reflects Jesus' love and compassion. By allowing Jesus' presence to transform us, we are called to live a life of love and compassion that extends beyond the holiday season. This transformation invites us to open our hearts and homes to Jesus, allowing His love to guide us in every aspect of our lives. [37:44]
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you extend hospitality to this week, and how can you make space for Jesus in your daily routine?
Day 2: Embracing Community and Discipleship
The concept of "being one of" emphasizes the importance of community and discipleship. Discipleship is not just about being with others but truly becoming one of them, sharing life and faith together. Through personal stories, we see how discipleship is a journey of becoming more like Jesus, both in our identity and actions. It is about being part of a community where we are not just with others but truly one of them, sharing life and faith together. This journey involves growing in our relationship with Jesus and with each other, as we support and encourage one another in our faith. [50:19]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in your community of faith this week, and what steps can you take to deepen your relationships with others in your church?
Day 3: Faith that Breaks Barriers
The story of the Syrophoenician woman in Matthew 15 highlights the power of faith and persistence. Despite cultural and religious barriers, her unwavering faith led to her daughter's healing. This narrative challenges us to examine our own faith and the barriers we might face in seeking Jesus. It reminds us that Jesus' love and power transcend all boundaries, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. Her story encourages us to persist in our faith, even when faced with obstacles, trusting that Jesus' love and power are greater than any barrier we may encounter. [01:03:09]
"And Jesus answered her, 'O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.' And her daughter was healed instantly." (Matthew 15:28, ESV)
Reflection: What barriers are you currently facing in your faith journey, and how can you persist in seeking Jesus despite these challenges?
Day 4: Living with the Holy Spirit's Power
The transformation of the disciples from being with Jesus to having the Holy Spirit within them empowered them to live out their faith boldly. This shift is seen in Acts 3, where Peter and John healed a lame man. This same transformation is available to us today, as we are invited to live with the Holy Spirit's power and presence in our lives. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith boldly, guiding us in our daily lives and helping us to reflect Jesus' love and compassion to those around us. [01:10:14]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's power, and how can you invite His presence into your daily routine?
Day 5: Embracing Jesus' Invitation
Jesus invites us into something new each year, challenging us to "ruin" our preconceived notions of success and embrace His plans for us. This invitation is an opportunity to align our desires with His purpose and experience His love in deeper ways. By opening our hearts to His invitation, we allow His love to guide us in every aspect of our lives, leading us to new opportunities, deeper relationships, and fresh perspectives. This year, consider what Jesus is inviting you into and how you can embrace His plans for your life. [01:14:01]
"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." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What new opportunity or perspective is Jesus inviting you to embrace this year, and how can you align your desires with His purpose for your life?
Quotes
Wally was nine that year. And in the second grade, though he should have been in the fourth, most people in town knew that he had difficulty in keeping up. He was big and clumsy, slow in movement and mind. Still, Wally was well liked by the other children in his class, all of whom were smaller than he, though the boys had trouble hiding their irritation when Wally would ask to play ball with them or any game for that matter in which winning was important. [00:33:43] (26 seconds)
Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary and laid her head upon her husband's shoulder, and the two of them started to move away. The innkeeper did not return inside his inn, however. Wally stood there in the doorway watching the forlorn couple. His mouth was open, his brow creased with concern, his eyes filling unmistakably with tears. [00:36:26] (24 seconds)
And suddenly, this Christmas pageant became different from all the others. He said, don't go, Joseph. While he called out, bring Mary back. And Wallace Perling's face grew into a big, bright smile. You can have my room. Some people in town thought that the pageant had been ruined. Yet there were others, many, many others, who considered it the most Christmas of Christmases pageants they had ever seen. [00:36:50] (33 seconds)
And just overall, this idea of discipleship has permeated his life. Right? For me, the idea of Jesus being with his disciples and becoming one of, we'll touch on this here in a second, of being with us, right, it really transformed the way that I view scripture. The way I view my relationship with God. But it being informs doing. It also began to inform how I do life and how I do relationships. [00:41:43] (33 seconds)
And so as a nurturing presence, I was like, well, so let's play that out. I was like, what is your identity? What is your identity in this world? You know, what is your identity at this company? He's like, honestly? He's like, I'm a refuge. He's like, I'm a refuge. And he landed on that word all by himself. [00:44:30] (15 seconds)
And I was like, yes, yes, this is good. We're getting there. Right? He's like, I'm a refuge. And I was like, David, I was like, and we've been doing this coaching work for about a year now. So I know about David. And I'm like, David, I was like, do you ever run out of yourself? And I know he does. Right? He's like, absolutely. He's like, I'm a refuge. I'm created to be a refuge in this world. And yet, I'm so tired. I'm so tired. Right? He's investing financially and physically and time in his people. [00:44:56] (32 seconds)
And so Jesus, and this is probably the hardest phrase for me. This is probably the toughest phrase, I think, that Jesus says while he is making a point, but man, is it a hard point to make, right? Kind of like Wally going, no, there's no room at the end, right? It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs. [01:01:44] (28 seconds)
Like at first he's like, I didn't, I came for the lost sheep, but only of Israel and now he's like, well, there are my children. Let me say it a different way. If you didn't understand it, Sarah, Phoenician woman, these are my children, the Israelites. You are not my child. She's like, whatever identity you have for me, Jesus, I'm here to receive for you. [01:02:09] (30 seconds)
And in this story, in Acts 3 .3, we'll just go straight through Acts 3 .3. It says, one day, I'll wait for you. Yeah, one day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. Now, a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple. The temple courts. [01:07:52] (27 seconds)
Then Peter said, silver or gold, I do not have, but what I do have, I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. Walk. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. [01:08:55] (27 seconds)
I wonder how many things you desire this year, whether it's professionally or physically, in your personal health, whether it's to lose a few pounds, or run a marathon, whether it's to have more money, or have more influence, or have a new home, or have a new, you know, a new relationship, right? I was going to say new spouse, but I was like, you don't need a new spouse. You need the spouse you got right now. Okay? [01:11:57] (39 seconds)
Jesus is inviting you into something very specific, and your desires, your desires inform that, and your life informs that, and your spouse informs that, your work informs that, your schooling informs that, the season of life you're in informs it, the amount of money you have in the bank informs it. It all informs it. Everything informs it right now. But Jesus is inviting you into something. [01:14:07] (28 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 05, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?