Embracing Revival: The Call to Shepherding Love
Summary
In this time of spiritual awakening, God is moving powerfully in our generation, city, and church. We are on the brink of a significant revival, a great harvest of souls, and it is crucial that we prepare for this influx. The call to prepare is not just about logistics but about readying our hearts and communities to embrace the messiness that comes with new believers encountering Jesus for the first time. This preparation is deeply rooted in love, symbolized by the covenant ring finger, which reminds us of the relational nature of God and His design for team and family.
The fivefold ministry, akin to a Swiss army knife, serves different purposes but works as one tool. Each function, like the elements in "Captain Planet," contributes to the whole, with the heart being central. The pastor's role, as outlined in Ephesians 4, is to partner in the preparation and purification process, helping the church mature into the spotless bride Jesus is returning for. This involves embracing our identity as sons and daughters, being set free, healed, and whole.
The heart of a shepherd is rising within the body of Christ, not as a program or platform but as a burden birthed in love. This heart is stirring in kitchens, prayer rooms, and workplaces, calling us to care for the one who is unseen and hurting. It is a divine discomfort that seeks connection over attention, longing to see people restored. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep, and He is awakening that same heart in us.
The call to shepherd is not about titles but about grace assignments. It is about being the safe place for others, feeling their burdens, and knowing their stories. Jesus moved towards brokenness, and He is shepherding others through us. This morning, we are called to activate this grace, to rise up as shepherds in our families, workplaces, and communities. We are ordinary people, but God is calling us to extraordinary love and service.
As we step into this calling, we are reminded of Jesus' words in Luke 4, where He declares His mission to heal the brokenhearted and set captives free. We are all on a journey, being shepherded by our perfect Father. His love restores us, gives us identity, and makes us whole. Today, we are invited to step deeper into His love, to receive the Father's embrace, and to be transformed by His presence.
Key Takeaways:
1. Preparation for Revival: We are in a season of preparation for a significant move of God. This involves readying our hearts and communities to embrace the messiness of new believers encountering Jesus. It is a call to love and relational readiness, symbolized by the covenant ring finger, reminding us of God's relational nature. [01:35:25]
2. The Fivefold Ministry: The fivefold ministry functions like a Swiss army knife, with each role serving a unique purpose. The pastor's role is to partner in the preparation and purification process, helping the church mature into the spotless bride Jesus is returning for. This involves embracing our identity as sons and daughters. [01:37:47]
3. The Shepherd's Heart: The heart of a shepherd is rising within the body of Christ, not as a program but as a burden birthed in love. It seeks connection over attention, longing to see people restored. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep, and He is awakening that same heart in us. [01:43:29]
4. Grace Assignments: The call to shepherd is not about titles but about grace assignments. It is about being the safe place for others, feeling their burdens, and knowing their stories. Jesus moved towards brokenness, and He is shepherding others through us. [01:54:22]
5. Stepping into Love: We are invited to step deeper into God's love, to receive the Father's embrace, and to be transformed by His presence. His love restores us, gives us identity, and makes us whole. Today, we are called to rise up as shepherds in our families, workplaces, and communities. [01:56:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:35:25] - Preparing for Revival
- [01:37:47] - The Fivefold Ministry
- [01:43:29] - The Shepherd's Heart
- [01:54:22] - Grace Assignments
- [01:56:49] - Stepping into Love
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 4:11-13
2. John 10:11
3. Luke 4:18-19
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 4:11-13 say about the roles within the church, and how do they contribute to the maturity of the body of Christ? [01:37:47]
2. In John 10:11, how does Jesus describe His role as the Good Shepherd, and what does this imply about His relationship with His followers? [01:43:29]
3. According to Luke 4:18-19, what mission does Jesus declare, and how does this relate to the concept of revival and healing in the sermon? [01:56:49]
4. How does the sermon describe the "messiness" that comes with new believers encountering Jesus for the first time? [01:35:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the fivefold ministry, as described in Ephesians 4, function like a Swiss army knife, and why is the pastor's role crucial in the preparation and purification process? [01:37:47]
2. What does it mean to have a "shepherd's heart," and how is this heart rising within the body of Christ according to the sermon? [01:43:29]
3. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' mission in Luke 4:18-19 as a call for us to step into love and service? [01:56:49]
4. What are "grace assignments," and how do they differ from traditional titles or roles within the church? [01:54:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current role in your community or church. How can you prepare your heart and community for the "messiness" of new believers encountering Jesus? [01:35:25]
2. In what ways can you embrace your identity as a son or daughter of God to contribute to the maturity of the church? Consider specific actions you can take this week. [01:37:47]
3. Identify a situation in your life where you can demonstrate the heart of a shepherd. How can you move towards brokenness and offer support to someone in need? [01:43:29]
4. Think about a "grace assignment" you feel called to. How can you step into this role without seeking titles or recognition? What practical steps can you take to fulfill this calling? [01:54:22]
5. How can you deepen your experience of God's love this week? Consider a specific practice or habit you can adopt to receive the Father's embrace more fully. [01:56:49]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt a divine discomfort or a burden for someone unseen. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to apply in future situations? [01:43:29]
7. How can you actively participate in the revival and harvest of souls mentioned in the sermon? Identify one action you can take to support this movement in your community. [01:35:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Messiness of Revival
In this season of spiritual awakening, we are called to prepare for a significant move of God. This preparation is not merely logistical but deeply relational, requiring us to ready our hearts and communities to embrace the messiness that comes with new believers encountering Jesus for the first time. The covenant ring finger symbolizes this call to love and relational readiness, reminding us of God's relational nature. As we anticipate a great harvest of souls, we must be willing to welcome and nurture those who are new to the faith, understanding that their journey may be complex and challenging. [01:35:25]
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is new to faith or exploring spirituality? How can you intentionally create a welcoming and supportive environment for them this week?
Day 2: The Multifaceted Role of Ministry
The fivefold ministry, akin to a Swiss army knife, serves different purposes but works as one tool to build up the body of Christ. Each role within this ministry, as described in Ephesians 4, contributes uniquely to the church's growth and maturity. The pastor's role is particularly focused on partnering in the preparation and purification process, helping the church mature into the spotless bride Jesus is returning for. This involves embracing our identity as sons and daughters, being set free, healed, and whole. As we engage with the fivefold ministry, we are reminded of the importance of unity and diversity within the body of Christ. [01:37:47]
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Which aspect of the fivefold ministry do you feel most connected to, and how can you use your unique gifts to serve your community this week?
Day 3: The Heart of a Shepherd
The heart of a shepherd is rising within the body of Christ, not as a program or platform but as a burden birthed in love. This heart seeks connection over attention, longing to see people restored. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep, and He is awakening that same heart in us. This divine discomfort calls us to care for the unseen and hurting, to be present in kitchens, prayer rooms, and workplaces, offering love and support to those in need. As we embrace the shepherd's heart, we are called to move towards brokenness, offering grace and compassion to those around us. [01:43:29]
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is unseen or hurting? How can you reach out to them with the love and compassion of a shepherd this week?
Day 4: Grace Assignments Over Titles
The call to shepherd is not about titles but about grace assignments. It is about being the safe place for others, feeling their burdens, and knowing their stories. Jesus moved towards brokenness, and He is shepherding others through us. As we embrace our grace assignments, we are called to rise up as shepherds in our families, workplaces, and communities, offering love and support to those around us. This call is not about seeking recognition or status but about serving others with humility and grace. [01:54:22]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: What grace assignment has God placed on your heart? How can you step into this role with humility and love this week?
Day 5: Stepping Deeper into God's Love
We are invited to step deeper into God's love, to receive the Father's embrace, and to be transformed by His presence. His love restores us, gives us identity, and makes us whole. As we journey through life, being shepherded by our perfect Father, we are called to rise up as shepherds in our families, workplaces, and communities. This call to love and service is not about our own strength but about relying on God's love and grace to guide us. As we step into this calling, we are reminded of Jesus' mission to heal the brokenhearted and set captives free. [01:56:49]
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." (Luke 4:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you step deeper into God's love today? What practical steps can you take to share this love with those around you?
Quotes
"And I really believe that there is something stirring today in the body of Christ. It's something deep. It's something that it's ancient and it's holy and it's not a program. It's not a paradigm shift. It's not a platform, but it's a burden birthed in love. It is the heart of the shepherd. It's the burden heart of the shepherd. And it's rising. It's not just in pulpits, but it's rising in kitchens, in prayer rooms. It's in late night conversations around the coffee table. It's in workplaces. It's in life groups." [01:33:31] (42 seconds)
"We all have our own pain and we're in it. We're in our own journey. And yet you feel it, don't you? Like that ache inside of you, not for a crowd, but for the one. The one who's wandering, that one sheep, right? And the one who's hurting, the one who hasn't yet been seen, doesn't feel noticed or isn't known. And say, I believe that God is stirring that up right now, even as we speak, just in your own heart, that ache inside of you for that one." [01:34:32] (42 seconds)
"And it's the holy, it's the hunger pangs. It's the divine discomfort of the shepherd's heart. It doesn't seek attention, but it seeks connection. And it's that heart that longs to see people restored, that grieves when the flock is scattered and weeps when the prodigal comes home and that one person comes back into the fold. You're not content just anymore to just attend. You look around the room and you are the one noticing. You're thinking, who's caring for that person over there who's about to wander off?" [01:35:32] (41 seconds)
"You're the one that can sit with the broken people and not try and fix them. You're the one who can call out the gold in somebody, even when they've forgotten who they are. You're the one that smells like sheep because you've been with them. Because you've been sitting there in the sheep pen, holding the sheep, cuddling away. It says in Ephesians 4, as we read on there, he's appointed some with the grace to be shepherds or pastors." [01:37:35] (31 seconds)
"One of the, the scripture that's resonated with us both and deeply with this house, but with many of you is Luke 4, when Jesus is in the synagogue and he stands up and he quotes Isaiah 61. He says, the spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me because the Lord has chosen me. He's commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives and the freeing of prisoners, to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor." [01:53:34] (34 seconds)
"And some of us have, have experienced the flow of the father's love, the shepherd's love. And he's calling us to step into a deeper immersion of his love. There's always more. There's always more. And it's his love that restores us. It's his love that, that gives us identity, makes us whole again. And so this morning, as we sing this song, I want to encourage you to take one step deeper to receiving his love, to receiving the father's love." [01:55:28] (37 seconds)
"We are all in desperate need of the father's loving embrace of the shepherd's hand. Would you encounter us with your love this morning afresh? Take us deeper into your heart. Some of us for the first time, some of us for the thousandth time, but we desperately need a supernatural encounter with the father's love." [01:56:37] (25 seconds)
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