Embracing Servanthood and Healing Through Christ's Wisdom

 

Summary

In my sermon, I began by invoking the sacredness of our gathering at Encounter Church, a place where we experience the divine and where the divine encounters us. I expressed gratitude for the space where heaven and earth meet, and I prayed for the Lord to feed us with honey from The Rock as we break the bread of life together.

I shared the story of a camp meeting in the early 1900s, where a woman named Amy Simple McPherson exemplified servitude by volunteering for menial tasks and eventually preaching when the preacher fell ill. This story illustrated the heart of servanthood and the importance of being willing to serve in any capacity for Jesus.

I then spoke about the disillusionment that comes with entertainment Christianity and the need for a genuine encounter with the Holy. I emphasized the importance of recognizing Jesus in the scriptures and in our daily lives, rather than seeking spectacular signs. I encouraged the congregation to slow down and feed on the sacred text, allowing Jesus to reveal Himself in our stories.

I recounted the story of the road to Emmaus, where Jesus appeared to two disciples and revealed Himself through the scriptures and the breaking of bread. This story served as a metaphor for our own journey with Christ, where we learn to recognize Him in the text and in our experiences.

I addressed the trauma of the disciples who abandoned Jesus at the cross, contrasting their response with that of the women and John, who stayed. I explained that Jesus folded the napkin in the tomb as a sign that He had finished the work of salvation and would return.

I spoke about the need for healing from the voices of our past that erode our sense of worth and dignity. I led the congregation in a prayer of healing and acceptance of ourselves as beloved by Jesus.

I concluded by emphasizing the importance of wisdom in our lives and prophesied over individuals in the congregation, declaring a season of fresh wisdom and insight.

Key Takeaways:

1. True servanthood is not about the grandeur of the tasks we undertake but the heart with which we serve. Like Amy Simple McPherson, we must be willing to serve in the simplest of roles, for in doing so, we serve Christ Himself. This willingness to serve without seeking recognition is a hallmark of a mature Christian faith. [07:21]

2. The disillusionment that comes with entertainment Christianity is a divine disruption meant to lead us back to the true essence of our faith. It is in the quiet, unassuming moments of reading scripture and recognizing Jesus in our daily lives that we find the most profound encounters with God. This shift from the spectacular to the spiritual is essential for a deep and authentic relationship with Christ. [10:13]

3. The road to Emmaus story is a powerful reminder that Christ is present in our doubts, struggles, and the unfolding understanding of scripture. As we journey through life, we must allow the Word to read us, transforming our hearts and minds, so that we can truly know Jesus after the spirit. [01:00:23]

4. Healing from past wounds is a critical aspect of our walk with Christ. We must allow Jesus to silence the negative voices that have shaped our self-perception and embrace the skin we are in. This healing is not just for our benefit but also enables us to extend grace to those who have wounded us, reflecting the love of Christ. [01:18:40]

5. Wisdom is a divine gift that grows and multiplies as we walk with the Lord. In this season, God is imparting fresh wisdom that will enable us to navigate the complexities of life with clarity and divine insight. This wisdom will manifest in words that bring healing and solutions, reflecting the heart of God to those around us. [01:28:18]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Luke 24:36-49 - The story of Jesus appearing to the disciples after His resurrection, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Him in the scriptures and the breaking of bread.
2. Isaiah 61:1-3 - The prophecy about the Messiah bringing good news to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, and proclaiming liberty to the captives.
3. John 20:6-7 - The account of the folded napkin in Jesus' tomb, symbolizing the completion of His work and His promise to return.

### Observation Questions
1. In the story of the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:36-49), how did Jesus reveal Himself to the disciples? What was their initial reaction? [19:35]
2. What does Isaiah 61:1-3 say about the mission of the Messiah? How does this relate to the outreach efforts mentioned in the sermon? [02:43]
3. According to John 20:6-7, what is the significance of the folded napkin in Jesus' tomb? How did the pastor explain this in the sermon? [33:01]

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the road to Emmaus serve as a metaphor for our own journey with Christ? What does it teach us about recognizing Jesus in our daily lives? [19:35]
2. The pastor mentioned the disillusionment with entertainment Christianity. How does this disillusionment serve as a divine disruption to lead us back to the true essence of our faith? [09:26]
3. In what ways does the prophecy in Isaiah 61:1-3 align with the actions and mission of Encounter Church as described in the sermon? [02:43]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you served in a simple or menial role. How did that experience shape your understanding of servanthood? How can you apply this understanding in your current context? [05:02]
2. The pastor emphasized the importance of recognizing Jesus in the scriptures and in our daily lives. What practical steps can you take to slow down and feed on the sacred text this week? [26:50]
3. Have you ever experienced disillusionment with entertainment Christianity? How did that experience affect your faith, and what steps did you take to seek a more genuine encounter with Jesus? [09:26]
4. The sermon highlighted the need for healing from past wounds and negative voices. What are some specific ways you can allow Jesus to silence these voices and embrace your identity as beloved by Him? [01:17:52]
5. Wisdom was described as a divine gift that grows as we walk with the Lord. Can you identify a situation in your life where you need fresh wisdom? How will you seek God's guidance in this area? [01:28:18]
6. The pastor spoke about the folded napkin in Jesus' tomb as a sign of the completion of His work. How does this symbol impact your understanding of Jesus' promise to return? [33:01]
7. Reflect on the story of Amy Simple McPherson and her willingness to serve in any capacity. How can you cultivate a similar heart of servanthood in your own life and community? [05:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Heartfelt Service Transcends Task
In the Kingdom of God, the measure of service is not quantified by the visibility or grandeur of the work but by the sincerity and willingness with which one serves. True servanthood is exemplified in the readiness to undertake even the most menial tasks with joy, as an act of worship and devotion to Christ. It is in these humble acts that one's character is refined and one's faith is expressed most genuinely. The story of Amy Simple McPherson, who began by serving in simple ways and was prepared to step up when called upon, serves as a powerful example of how God honors a servant's heart. This kind of servitude is a testament to a mature Christian faith that seeks to honor God, not self. [07:21]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)

Reflection: How can you embody Christ-like servanthood in your daily routine, and what is one simple act of service you can commit to this week?

Day 2: Encountering God Beyond Spectacle
The pursuit of faith is not to be confused with the pursuit of entertainment. The true essence of Christianity is found not in the grandiose and the spectacular but in the quiet, consistent engagement with the sacred texts and the presence of Jesus in the mundane aspects of life. It is in the stillness that one can hear the whisper of God, and in the simplicity of reading scripture that one can encounter the divine. The disillusionment with entertainment Christianity serves as a divine disruption, calling believers back to a genuine relationship with Christ, where the spiritual outweighs the spectacular. [10:13]

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:2 ESV)

Reflection: What are some ways you can cultivate a daily practice of seeking God in the scriptures and in the ordinary moments of your life?

Day 3: Christ Revealed in Our Journey
The road to Emmaus is a profound narrative that mirrors the journey of every believer. It is in the midst of doubts and struggles that Christ often reveals Himself, transforming our understanding of the scriptures and our personal narratives. This journey is not a passive one; it requires an active engagement with the Word, allowing it to read us and change us from the inside out. As we walk with Christ, we learn to recognize Him after the spirit, in the text, and in our experiences, which deepens our relationship with Him. [01:00:23]

"And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'" (Luke 24:31-32 ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent time when you felt distant from God. How might your current challenges be an opportunity for Christ to reveal Himself to you through scripture or your circumstances?

Day 4: Embracing Healing and Identity in Christ
The journey with Christ is not only about external ministry but also about internal healing. Past wounds and negative voices can erode one's sense of worth and dignity, but Jesus invites believers to find healing and acceptance in Him. Embracing oneself as beloved by Jesus is a critical step in the healing process. This acceptance allows believers to extend grace to others, reflecting the love of Christ. It is a journey of silencing the lies and embracing the truth of who we are in Him. [01:18:40]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Reflection: What negative voices from your past need to be silenced by the truth of Christ's love for you, and how can you begin to see yourself as He sees you today?

Day 5: Wisdom as a Divine Gift for the Journey
Wisdom is not merely human insight; it is a divine gift that grows as one walks with the Lord. In this season, God is imparting fresh wisdom to His people, enabling them to navigate life's complexities with divine clarity and insight. This wisdom is not stagnant but active, manifesting in words that bring healing and solutions. It reflects the heart of God to those around us and is essential for living out a faith that is relevant and transformative. [01:28:18]

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5 ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need God's wisdom right now, and how can you actively seek His guidance in this matter today?

Quotes

1) "Entertainment Christianity cannot minister to the deepest needs of The Human Condition and it's time for us to realize that our disillusionment is the work of the spirit because until you are disillusioned you won't be willing to let go of all the illusions that have no substance in Christ." [09:26]( | | )

2) "If you are not willing to feed the poor you don't deserve to be on a platform. I am persuaded that we are living in a day and a time where entertainment Christianity has played its last show." [07:21](Download clip | | )

3) "Jesus is your savior and in his death he makes it safe for you to be you. He's not ashamed of you, he's not disappointed in you, his wounds are there for your healing." [01:17:52]( | | )

4) "Once you can see him in the text, you'll see him in your experience. You won't need to see some physical manifestation; you'll recognize him in the breaking of the bread and the breaking of the bread when you feed on him at the Eucharist." [01:00:23]( | | )

5) "Jesus said lean over the front of your little car window and look up to the right on the second floor of the Music City building... I've got the paintbrush, I've got the sander, I began the work, I will complete it." [01:02:30]( | | )

6) "Jesus himself stood in their midst... when you tell of him, does he show up? Let him who prophesies speak as it were the Oracle of God. If you're talking about Jesus, he's going to show up." [01:05:32]( | | )

7) "Stop reading the Bible, start reading the scriptures. Scriptures are the inspired story of a God who reveals himself as father, son, and spirit progressively until God the father says this is my beloved Son, hear ye him." [30:18]( | | )

8) "The road to Emmaus is the Journey of the church from our doubts, our struggles, our short take on what the scripture really says about Jesus, and the progressive enlightenment we have all through life where he's with us in our struggles, our questions." [54:31]( | | )

9) "The man in the glory is ever beckoning us to feed on him and drink of him and we've really got to learn how... to feed on the sacred text. It takes time to tell the story and Jesus is telling his story in your life all over again." [01:09:11]( | | )

10) "The hand of the diligent makes rich and the blessing of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow. It shall be well... The spirit of anointed industry is a Grace that has been entrusted to you." [01:30:50]( | | )

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