Embracing Trust, Respect, and Community in Faith
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound themes of trust, respect, and belonging, drawing inspiration from the story of Jesus as a child in the temple. This narrative, nestled between the joyous celebrations of Christmas and the everyday life of Jesus' family, offers us a glimpse into the human and divine nature of Christ. When Jesus was found in the temple after being lost, his calm assurance that he was in his Father's house speaks volumes about his understanding of his identity and his relationship with God. This story invites us to reflect on our own sense of belonging within the family of God and the trust we place in our spiritual journey.
The story of Jesus in the temple also highlights the importance of community and the role of family and friends in shaping our spiritual lives. Jesus was not a solitary figure; he was part of a community that traveled together, which reminds us of the significance of our own faith communities. This sense of belonging is crucial, as it provides us with a spiritual home where we can grow and explore our faith.
Respect emerged as a central theme, illustrated by the way Jesus was received by the temple elders. Despite his youth, they engaged with him respectfully, a stark contrast to how he was treated later in life. This respect was not rooted in fear but in a genuine recognition of his wisdom and potential. In our polarized world, where respect is often lacking, we are called to see the divine in each other, to look beyond differences, and to engage with one another with love and understanding.
The story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II further exemplifies the power of respect. These African-American women, despite facing discrimination, were able to accomplish great things because they respected each other's gifts and were eventually recognized for their contributions. This narrative challenges us to respect others for their potential and to see them as part of the family of God.
Ultimately, we are reminded that as children of God, we are loved and valued. This assurance frees us from feeling threatened by others and empowers us to extend respect and love to everyone we encounter. By living out this respect, we can transform our communities and, ultimately, the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Trust in Divine Presence: Just as Jesus trusted that he was in his Father's house, we are invited to trust in God's presence in our lives. This trust allows us to navigate life's uncertainties with confidence, knowing that we are never truly lost. [29:11]
2. Community and Belonging: Jesus' story reminds us of the importance of community in our spiritual journey. We are not meant to walk alone but to be part of a faith community that supports and nurtures us. [31:02]
3. Respect Beyond Fear: The respect Jesus received as a child in the temple was not rooted in fear but in recognition of his potential. We are called to respect others by seeing the divine in them, which can bridge divides and foster understanding. [33:45]
4. Recognizing Potential in Others: The story of the 6888th Battalion teaches us to see others for their potential and contributions, regardless of societal prejudices. By respecting each other's gifts, we can achieve great things together. [36:43]
5. Living as Children of God: Knowing we are loved and valued as children of God frees us from feeling threatened by others. This assurance empowers us to extend love and respect to everyone, transforming our communities and the world. [49:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[27:20] - The Story of Eli
[29:11] - Trust in Divine Presence
[31:02] - Community and Belonging
[33:45] - Respect Beyond Fear
[34:58] - Seeing God in Each Other
[36:43] - Recognizing Potential in Others
[37:54] - Respect as Mutual Recognition
[38:38] - Respect in Society
[41:06] - Threat and Respect
[42:51] - The Story of the 6888th Battalion
[44:23] - Overcoming Disrespect
[45:56] - Achievements of the 6888th
[47:43] - Respect from Unexpected Places
[49:28] - Living as Children of God
[54:48] - Closing Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:41-52 - The story of Jesus as a child in the temple.
2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The importance of community and recognizing each member's value.
3. Philippians 2:3-4 - Encouragement to value others above ourselves and look to their interests.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus' response when his parents found him in the temple, and what does it reveal about his understanding of his identity? [31:02]
2. How did the temple elders react to Jesus, and what does this indicate about their perception of him at that time? [33:45]
3. What role did community play in Jesus' upbringing, as mentioned in the sermon? [29:11]
4. How did the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion demonstrate respect for each other's gifts during World War II? [45:56]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' sense of belonging in his Father's house challenge our understanding of our own spiritual identity? [31:02]
2. In what ways does the respect shown to Jesus by the temple elders contrast with the lack of respect he faced later in life? [33:45]
3. How can the story of the 6888th Battalion inspire us to recognize and respect the potential in others, despite societal prejudices? [45:56]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between feeling threatened and the ability to show respect? [49:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a strong sense of belonging in a community. How did that experience shape your spiritual journey? [31:02]
2. Consider someone in your life who you find difficult to respect. What steps can you take to see the divine potential in them? [34:58]
3. How can you contribute to creating a respectful and nurturing environment within your faith community? [38:38]
4. Identify a situation where you felt threatened by someone else's abilities or presence. How can understanding your identity as a child of God help you overcome that feeling? [49:28]
5. Think of a person or group who is often overlooked or disrespected in your community. What practical actions can you take to show them respect and recognize their contributions? [45:56]
6. How can you foster a sense of trust in God's presence in your life, especially during uncertain times? [29:11]
7. What is one specific way you can practice seeing God in others this week, especially in those who are different from you? [34:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Presence Amid Uncertainty
In the story of Jesus as a child in the temple, we see a profound example of trust in divine presence. Jesus, even at a young age, understood his identity and his relationship with God, which allowed him to remain calm and assured when found in the temple. This narrative invites us to reflect on our own lives and the trust we place in God's presence. In moments of uncertainty, we are encouraged to remember that we are never truly lost, as God is always with us, guiding us through life's challenges. This trust is not passive but an active engagement with our faith, allowing us to navigate uncertainties with confidence and peace. [29:11]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel uncertain or lost? How can you actively trust in God's presence to guide you through this uncertainty today?
Day 2: Embracing Community as a Spiritual Home
The story of Jesus in the temple underscores the importance of community in our spiritual journey. Jesus was part of a community that traveled together, highlighting the significance of belonging to a faith community. This sense of belonging provides us with a spiritual home where we can grow, explore our faith, and support one another. In our individualistic society, it's easy to overlook the value of community, but we are reminded that we are not meant to walk alone. Our faith communities are vital in nurturing our spiritual lives and helping us feel connected to something greater than ourselves. [31:02]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your faith community this week, fostering a sense of belonging and support for others?
Day 3: Respect Rooted in Recognition of Potential
The respect Jesus received from the temple elders was not based on fear but on a genuine recognition of his wisdom and potential. This respect challenges us to see the divine in each other, to look beyond differences, and to engage with one another with love and understanding. In a world often divided by fear and misunderstanding, we are called to respect others by acknowledging their potential and the divine spark within them. This approach can bridge divides and foster deeper connections, transforming how we interact with those around us. [33:45]
1 Peter 2:17 (ESV): "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."
Reflection: Think of someone you struggle to respect. How can you begin to see their potential and the divine within them, and what steps can you take to engage with them more respectfully?
Day 4: Recognizing and Valuing Others' Contributions
The story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II exemplifies the power of recognizing and respecting others' contributions. Despite facing discrimination, these women accomplished great things by respecting each other's gifts and were eventually recognized for their contributions. This narrative challenges us to see others for their potential and contributions, regardless of societal prejudices. By respecting each other's gifts, we can achieve great things together, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community. [36:43]
Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Reflection: Who in your life has gifts or contributions that you have overlooked? How can you acknowledge and celebrate their potential today?
Day 5: Living Confidently as Children of God
As children of God, we are loved and valued, which frees us from feeling threatened by others. This assurance empowers us to extend love and respect to everyone we encounter, transforming our communities and the world. When we live confidently in our identity as God's children, we can approach others with openness and compassion, fostering environments of mutual respect and understanding. This way of living not only enriches our own lives but also has the power to create positive change in the world around us. [49:28]
1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
Reflection: How does knowing you are a beloved child of God change the way you interact with others? What is one way you can extend love and respect to someone today, reflecting this identity?
Quotes
"When our son Eli was about six or seven years old, we went with some friends to Dorney Park, and we went to the water park. And in all of the chaos, Eli got lost. Lost. So he was a good swimmer, but there was a wave pool, and that was the last place we had seen him, and the wave pool was packed with people. And I thought, you know, it only takes one misstep. Someone doesn't see him. They knock him under. You know, so of course we're all getting a little frantic, and we start searching for him desperately." [00:27:20] (35 seconds)
"So we're looking all over the place and finally come to him, and he is at a first aid station. He's found his way to a first aid station and just stayed put. I was like, oh Eli, it's so good to see you. I wrapped my arms around him, and I said, oh honey, were you afraid? And he said, no mama, I knew you'd find me. And you know, I wonder if that's the way Jesus felt." [00:28:16] (27 seconds)
"You know, he knew his parents would find him. He had this sense of trust that his parents would find him, and he had a sense of trust because he was in his father's house. Right? And so I love all that this story reveals about who Jesus is. It's a story that is caught between the highs of all of Christmas, and the angels singing, and the visits, and the shepherds, and the wise men, and the rulers, and you know, all of this wonderful, the songs that are sung." [00:28:20] (32 seconds)
"He had family and friends, that his family traveled with a group of people, and I think we forget about that. We think of Jesus as kind of a lone ranger, and we forget that he had family and friends who helped shape him, helped him become the person that God wanted him to be." [00:29:31] (19 seconds)
"And you know, it's interesting because, you know, lots of people, you know, search for Jesus in the Gospels, and so that kind of sets up the sense that all of our lives, we're going to be searching for Jesus. We're going to be searching for who he's becoming in our lives. We're going to continue to grow in our relationship with him, and we're going to continue to see him in different ways." [00:31:05] (23 seconds)
"And so they received him with respect as a child, they allowed him to speak, they allowed him to ask questions, which again, in this society, 12 was about the age when maybe he was becoming accountable and seen as a man, but they still would not have necessarily allowed him to speak in that presence. But they did, they received him with respect, because they weren't threatened by who he was." [00:33:45] (26 seconds)
"Respect involves us looking again. That's what it means. Respect, right? Like spectacles. So looking again, seeing deeper, but looking at the person for who they are, not who you want them to be, right? So many times we look at people, and we are very good at picking out their flaws, and we think, if only they would do this, if only they would do that, I can help them fix this." [00:35:06] (28 seconds)
"Treating people around us with extraordinary respect means seeing them for the potential that they carry within them. I want you to picture this. Just for a moment, someone with whom you have a conflict. What would it look like seeing them for the potential they carry within them? Not seeing them for the thing you don't like about them, not seeing them for the disagreements that you have, but seeing them for who they are, for what they have to offer." [00:36:43] (35 seconds)
"And I wonder if in our society that is so lacking in respect for each other, for, you know, gosh, I hear the struggles that teachers have in schools these days. I know, you know, it's just hard right now in this culture that we live in where there seems to be no respect. But I believe that part of this invitation is to see everyone with that sense of respect, to look again and to think about what they might have to teach us." [00:40:10] (33 seconds)
"And so I think about this sense of respect. And I think about that sense of not being threatened by others, you know, that, when Jesus was 12, the rabbis and the priests weren't threatened by him. When he was an adult, they were. But oftentimes, we feel threatened by others. And that's part of what makes us not want to respect them. And yet, when we know, just like Jesus knew, that he was a son of God, when we know that we are daughters and sons and children of God and siblings with each other, we don't have to feel threatened." [00:41:06] (38 seconds)
"And so I pray that you know just how loved you are. And that you don't feel threatened. So that you too can welcome all with respect. Amen. Amen." [00:49:28] (12 seconds)
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