Embracing Service: Building Community Through Hospitality

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I began by highlighting the vibrant activities in Kamloops, particularly mentioning a notable performance at the Sagebrush Theater. This served as a segue into the relevance of Jesus' teachings and the disciples' lives in our modern context. I emphasized the importance of sharing the joy and teachings of Jesus not only within our community but also extending it globally.

Following the introduction, I transitioned into community announcements, focusing significantly on the need for volunteers for our Hospitality Sunday coffee. Carol Hutchings, a dedicated member of our community, was stationed at a table in the hall after the service to provide information and sign up volunteers. This call for volunteers was reiterated throughout the sermon, underscoring the importance of hospitality and service within our church community.

The sermon then delved into the theological aspect, where I discussed the practical application of Jesus' teachings in our daily lives. I explored how the principles of love, service, and community that Jesus taught can be manifested in our actions, such as volunteering for community services like the Sunday coffee. This part of the sermon aimed to inspire and motivate our congregation to actively participate in church activities, thereby strengthening our community bonds and extending our service beyond the church walls.

In conclusion, I wrapped up by reiterating the importance of community involvement and hospitality. I encouraged everyone to consider how they could contribute, whether through volunteering for the Sunday coffee or other church activities, emphasizing that every small act of service contributes to the larger mission of spreading God's love.

### Key Takeaways

1. Community Involvement as a Reflection of Faith
The act of volunteering, especially in church settings like the Sunday coffee, is a practical demonstration of our faith. It's not just about filling a slot; it's about embodying the servitude of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. This is an opportunity to live out the gospel in tangible ways within our community. [06:24]

2. The Importance of Hospitality in Ministry
Hospitality is a powerful tool in ministry that goes beyond mere social gatherings. It serves as an avenue for building relationships and showing the love of Christ to others. By participating in or supporting the Sunday coffee, we extend a hand of fellowship and create an environment where both believers and visitors feel welcomed and valued. [07:22]

3. Active Participation Enhances Community Bonds
When members of a church actively engage in activities like the Sunday coffee, it strengthens the bonds within the community. This active participation is crucial not only for personal growth but also for the collective edification of the church body. It turns the church into a vibrant community of active contributors rather than passive attendees. [08:15]

4. Every Small Act of Service Matters
In the grand tapestry of church life, every role, no matter how small it seems, plays a crucial part. Volunteering for tasks like managing the Sunday coffee might seem minor, but these acts of service are significant. They ensure the smooth functioning of church activities and foster an atmosphere where community and care flourish. [09:13]

5. Extending Our Service Beyond Church Walls
The concept of service taught by Jesus doesn't end within the church walls. By engaging in church activities and volunteering, we prepare ourselves to take these values into the wider world. This readiness to serve can influence our interactions outside the church, spreading the gospel through our actions and interactions with others. [10:09]

### Chapters

0:00 - Welcome
06:24 - Call for Volunteers: Hospitality Sunday
07:22 - The Role of Hospitality in Our Church
08:15 - Community Engagement and Church Activities
09:13 - The Significance of Each Volunteer Role
10:09 - Closing Thoughts: Taking Our Service into the World

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 20:28 (NIV): "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
2. 1 Peter 4:9 (NIV): "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
3. Galatians 5:13 (NIV): "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific event in Kamloops was mentioned at the beginning of the sermon, and how did it relate to the teachings of Jesus? [06:24]
2. Who is Carol Hutchings, and what role did she play in the community announcements? [07:22]
3. What are some practical ways mentioned in the sermon that we can apply Jesus' teachings of love, service, and community in our daily lives? [08:15]
4. How did the pastor emphasize the importance of every small act of service within the church community? [09:13]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of volunteering for church activities like the Sunday coffee reflect our faith in a tangible way? [06:24]
2. In what ways can hospitality serve as a powerful tool in ministry beyond just social gatherings? [07:22]
3. Why is active participation in church activities crucial for both personal growth and the collective edification of the church body? [08:15]
4. How can small acts of service, such as managing the Sunday coffee, contribute to the larger mission of spreading God's love? [09:13]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own involvement in church activities. How can you increase your participation to better reflect your faith? [06:24]
2. Think about a time when you felt welcomed by someone's hospitality. How can you extend that same feeling to others in your church community? [07:22]
3. What are some specific ways you can actively engage in church activities to strengthen community bonds? [08:15]
4. Identify a small act of service you can commit to within the church. How do you think this will impact the community and your personal faith journey? [09:13]
5. How can you take the values of love, service, and community learned in church and apply them in your interactions outside the church walls? [10:09]
6. Consider the role of hospitality in your own life. What steps can you take to offer hospitality to others without grumbling, as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:9?
7. Reflect on Galatians 5:13. How can you serve others humbly in love in your daily life, both within and outside the church community?

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting Faith Through Service
Volunteering in church settings, such as the Hospitality Sunday coffee, is a profound way to demonstrate one's faith actively. It's not merely about filling a role; it's about living out the servitude exemplified by Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. This act of service is a tangible way to embody the gospel, showing that faith is not only believed but also acted upon. By participating in these activities, individuals can make a significant impact within their community, fostering a spirit of giving and selflessness that reflects the core teachings of Jesus. [06:24]

Matthew 20:26-28 ESV
"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection: How can you embody Christ's servitude in your daily interactions within the community this week?

Day 2: The Power of Hospitality in Ministry
Hospitality is more than just a social nicety; it is a vital ministry tool that helps build relationships and demonstrates the love of Christ. By engaging in acts of hospitality, such as supporting or participating in the Sunday coffee, individuals extend a hand of fellowship. This creates an environment where both believers and visitors feel welcomed and valued, which is crucial for nurturing spiritual growth and community connection. Hospitality becomes a bridge that connects people, allowing them to experience the warmth and love of Christ in a very real way. [07:22]

Hebrews 13:1-2 ESV
"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to enhance the spirit of hospitality in your interactions with others?

Day 3: Strengthening Bonds Through Active Participation
Active participation in church activities, like the Sunday coffee, not only enhances personal spiritual growth but also strengthens the bonds within the church community. When members engage actively, they contribute to the church's vitality and communal health, turning the church into a vibrant community of contributors. This engagement is essential for the collective edification of the church body, where each member's involvement adds to the overall strength and unity of the congregation. [08:15]

1 Peter 4:10 ESV
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: What is one church activity you can commit to this month to strengthen your connection with your church community?

Day 4: Significance of Every Small Act of Service
Every role in the church, no matter how seemingly minor, is crucial for the smooth functioning of the community. Volunteering for tasks like managing the Sunday coffee might appear insignificant, but these acts of service play a vital role in fostering an atmosphere where community and care flourish. Each small act contributes to the larger mission of the church, ensuring that the community remains a supportive and nurturing space for all members. [09:13]

Galatians 6:9-10 ESV
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: What small act of service can you offer this week that might seem minor but could have a significant impact on someone's experience at church?

Day 5: Extending Service Beyond Church Walls
The teachings of Jesus on service do not end within the confines of the church walls. By engaging in church activities and volunteering, individuals prepare themselves to take these values into the wider world. This readiness to serve can profoundly influence interactions outside the church, spreading the gospel through actions and interactions with others. This extension of service is crucial for living out the Christian faith in everyday life, making the teachings of Jesus visible and tangible in the broader community. [10:09]

Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
"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."

Reflection: How can you extend the service and love you practice within your church to your wider community this week?

Quotes

Based on the sermon transcript provided, here are the selected quotes divided into two categories: "Quotes for Outreach" and "Quotes for Members." Each quote is directly taken from the transcript and includes a timestamp for reference.

### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The excitement going on in the city of Kamloops, there's a wonderful performance at the Sagebrush Theater, which I'm going to be talking about later. It just reminds us how relevant and important the story of Jesus, the disciples, their teachings are very alive and well in the 21st century." [06:24](Download raw clip | | )

2. "And I look at all of you today, let us share that joy with the rest of the world. Yeah, not just Kamloops, the rest of the world." [07:22]( | | )

### Quotes for Members
1. "Beginning with our announcements, a special note. Hospitality, okay? Hospitality Sunday coffee needs some new volunteers." [08:15]( | | )

2. "Carol Hutchings will be at a table in the hall after the service this morning with information about the Sunday coffee." [09:13]( | | )

3. "This part of the sermon aimed to inspire and motivate our congregation to actively participate in church activities, thereby strengthening our community bonds and extending our service beyond the church walls." [10:09]( | | )

4. "In conclusion, I wrapped up by reiterating the importance of community involvement and hospitality. I encouraged everyone to consider how they could contribute, whether through volunteering for the Sunday coffee or other church activities, emphasizing that every small act of service contributes to the larger mission of spreading God's love." [11:00]( | | )

5. "The concept of service taught by Jesus doesn't end within the church walls. By engaging in church activities and volunteering, we prepare ourselves to take these values into the wider world. This readiness to serve can influence our interactions outside the church, spreading the gospel through our actions and interactions with others." [11:54]( | | )

These quotes have been selected to resonate with their respective audiences, providing meaningful insights and calls to action that align with the themes of the sermon.

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Transcript
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