Empowered by Faith: The Call to Compassion and Collaboration

Devotional

Day 1: The Infinite Ocean of God's Love

God's love is described as boundless and profound, surpassing human understanding. It is likened to an ocean, vast and without limitation, sustaining us through all circumstances. This love is a gift that calls for continual gratitude. In our daily lives, we often encounter challenges and uncertainties, but the assurance of God's unwavering love provides a foundation of hope and strength. As we navigate through life's ups and downs, remembering the depth and width of God's love can transform our perspective, allowing us to face each day with renewed faith and gratitude. [10:16]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's boundless love in moments of doubt or fear today?

Day 2: Faith as a Catalyst for Change

Faith is a powerful force that empowers individuals to make a difference in their lives, families, communities, and the world. It does not require big names or titles but simply a belief in a big God. Each act of kindness, no matter how small, can have a significant impact. This perspective encourages believers to view their faith as a catalyst for change, inspiring them to take action and make a positive difference in the world around them. By embracing this mindset, individuals can become agents of transformation, driven by their faith to bring about meaningful change. [23:05]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: What small act of kindness can you perform today that reflects your faith and has the potential to make a difference in someone's life?

Day 3: Compassion as the Seed of Faith

Compassion is the driving force that compels individuals to act and is considered the seed that builds faith. When witnessing the suffering of others, hearts should be moved to take action. Compassionate actions are a true reflection of faith in God, demonstrating a willingness to serve and uplift those in need. This perspective encourages believers to cultivate a heart of compassion, allowing it to guide their actions and interactions with others. By doing so, they can embody the love and grace of God, making a tangible impact in the lives of those around them. [30:03]

Colossians 3:12 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of compassion today, and how can you extend a helping hand to them?

Day 4: The Power of Conviction

Conviction in Jesus' power drives individuals to overcome obstacles and take bold actions. The story of the four men who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus exemplifies this conviction, as they were convinced that Jesus could heal him. This belief led them to take extraordinary measures, demonstrating the power of conviction in action. This perspective encourages believers to hold firm to their convictions, trusting in the power of Jesus to bring about healing and transformation in their lives and the lives of others. [36:36]

Mark 2:4-5 (ESV): "And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"

Reflection: What is one obstacle you are facing today, and how can your conviction in Jesus' power help you overcome it?

Day 5: Collaboration in Faith

Collaboration in faith strengthens individuals and makes the impossible possible. When believers come together and work as a unified body, they can achieve great things. This collective faith can overcome any challenge and bring about miraculous outcomes. This perspective encourages believers to seek opportunities for collaboration, recognizing the power of unity in faith. By working together, they can amplify their impact and bring about positive change in their communities and beyond. [41:15]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: How can you collaborate with others in your faith community to address a challenge or need in your community today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to acknowledge and celebrate the boundless love of God, a love so profound that even the tongues of angels cannot fully describe its ecstatic heights. The Apostle Paul reminds us of the depth, width, and power of God's love, which is as vast as the ocean and without limitation. We came before God with thanksgiving, praising Him for the gift of life and the love that sustains us through all circumstances.

We also extended our prayers to those affected by Hurricane Helen, asking for God's protection and provision for the families and communities impacted. We prayed for healing within our church family, lifting up specific individuals and asking for God's river of healing to flow through our community.

As we concluded our series on faith, we reflected on how our faith empowers us to be difference-makers in our lives, families, communities, and the world. We don't need big names or titles; we just need faith in a big God. Our faith is contagious, and when we gather in a faith-filled environment, it strengthens and uplifts us.

We delved into the story of Jesus in Capernaum, where four men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus, demonstrating compassion, conviction, and collaboration. Their compassion moved them to act, their conviction in Jesus' healing power drove them to overcome obstacles, and their collaboration made the impossible possible. This story reminds us that our faith must be active and collaborative, leading us to take bold actions for the sake of others.

We are called to have a faith that is not just words but is accompanied by actions. Compassion is the seed of faith, and our faith must be rekindled and kept on fire. We need to bring our faith together, collaborate, and trust that with God, all things are possible. As we move forward, let us have full assurance in our hearts, knowing that God is faithful and able to meet all our needs.

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Key Takeaways

1. Maker**: Our faith empowers us to make a difference in our lives, families, communities, and the world. We don't need big names or titles; we just need faith in a big God. Each act of kindness, no matter how small, can have a significant impact. [23:05]
3. Compassion as the Seed of Faith: Compassion drives us to act and is the seed that builds our faith. When we see the suffering of others, our hearts should be moved to take action. Compassionate actions are a true reflection of our faith in God.

4. The Power of Conviction: Conviction in Jesus' power drives us to overcome obstacles and take bold actions. The four men in the story were convinced that if they could bring the paralyzed man to Jesus, he would be healed. This conviction led them to take extraordinary measures.

5. Collaboration in Faith: Collaboration strengthens our faith and makes the impossible possible. When we bring our faith together and work as a unified body, we can achieve great things. Our collective faith can overcome any challenge and bring about miraculous outcomes.

### [23:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:16] - The Boundless Love of God
[10:48] - Thanksgiving and Praise
[11:53] - Prayers for Hurricane Helen Victims
[13:47] - Prayers for Healing in Our Community
[15:39] - The Lord's Prayer
[20:39] - Faith as a Difference-Maker
[23:05] - The Impact of Small Acts
[24:16] - Faith in Community
[28:06] - The Story of Jesus in Capernaum
[30:03] - Compassion as the Seed of Faith
[36:36] - The Power of Conviction
[41:15] - Collaboration in Faith
[47:06] - The Importance of Collaboration in Missions
[48:09] - Defining Faith: Full Assurance in the Heart
[49:08] - Offering Prayer and Closing Blessings

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 3:18-19, what are the dimensions of God's love that Paul wants believers to grasp?
In Mark 2:1-12, what actions did the four men take to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus? [28:06]
How does James 2:14-17 describe the relationship between faith and actions?
What specific examples of compassion and collaboration were highlighted in the sermon? [41:15]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important for believers to understand the vastness of God's love as described in Ephesians 3:18-19?
How does the story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12 illustrate the power of conviction and collaboration in faith? [36:36]
What does James 2:14-17 suggest about the nature of true faith? How does this align with the sermon’s message about faith being accompanied by actions? [34:18]
How can the compassion shown by the four men in Mark 2:1-12 serve as a model for our own actions within our community? [30:03]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced God's boundless love in a profound way. How did it impact your faith and actions? [10:16]
Think about someone in your life who is in need of help. What specific steps can you take this week to show compassion and bring them closer to Jesus, similar to the actions of the four men in Mark 2:1-12? [28:06]
How can you actively collaborate with others in your church or community to address a specific need or challenge? What role can you play in this collaborative effort? [41:15]
Identify an area in your life where your faith needs to be rekindled. What practical steps can you take to keep your faith on fire and active? [39:31]
How can you ensure that your faith is not just words but is accompanied by actions? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your faith in a tangible way? [34:18]
Reflect on the sermon’s message about the power of conviction. How can you strengthen your conviction in Jesus' power to overcome obstacles in your life? [36:36]
Consider the importance of collaboration in faith. How can you encourage and support others in your small group to bring their faith together for a common purpose? [41:15]

Sermon Clips

1. "Every Sunday as you worship together, we have established as we worship together in community, as we fellowship together, our faith grows on and on. We also established in the series that our faith makes us difference makers. Our faith empowers us to make a difference in our communities, in our world, first in our lives. In our families, in our communities, and in our world. So our faith helps us to make a difference and we establish that you don't need a big name. You remember? You don't need a big name or a big title to make a difference. You just need a faith in a big God. Amen? And each of us make a difference. Each of us. The smile you put on somebody's face, that's a difference. You have no idea what you do, how it carries somebody from one season of life to the other. So we are all difference makers." [23:05] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Faith is contagious. Hope is contagious. Love is contagious. When you are among people that are exercising their faith. We established last week that one in every three people are losing their faith. And so the issue of faith is so critical. Because we need more and more people to be touched by the faith we have in God. The faith we have in Jesus. The faith we have in Jesus Christ. Amen?" [24:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Compassion is the seed of faith. Amen? Compassion is what builds our faith up, helps us to plant the seed of faith. The Bible says in Mark 6, verse 34, that when Jesus saw the crowd, he was moved with compassion. Jesus was moved. When he saw the crowd, he was moved with compassion. What drove Jesus to go about was the movement, the feeling of the people, the compassion of the people." [31:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Our God talk must revive the faith that we have and when we are revived, we are empowered, we are equipped to go out there and be the salt, the salt and light of Jesus. Our God talk must lead to God act. I pray for somebody today, I pray for us today that the spirit of compassion will be rekindled within us so that when we see somebody suffer, when we see the need, our eyes will be open to the need." [35:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I pray for us as a church that our faith will be on the rise. Our faith will be on the rise. It doesn't matter what comes our way. Our faith will be on the rise. We have conviction. We know that God is able and with God all things are possible. Do I have witness at all this morning? Come on give God some praise in the house. Sometimes you meet Christians and they talk and you feel like do they really believe in God? Do they believe in something? Do you have some conviction at all?" [40:01] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The Bible said that the four of them told themselves if we can work together and lift up this man and lift him into the roof and lay him down at the feet of the cross he will be touched by Jesus. The Bible says that in verse 5 when Jesus saw their faith Jesus saw that this is a faith move but this faith move is not only one person exercising their faith but it is a collaborative effort it is a faith that have come together it is a faith that is contagious and I came to remind her this morning what God is looking from us is that you bring your faith you bring your faith level and I bring my faith level somebody also bring their faith level when we come together we are more than conquerors." [41:59] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "I want to remind you this morning you have a gift of creativity you have a gift of faith and what God is saying that bring your gift of faith to the altar bring your gift of faith to the group bring your gift of faith to that small group to that place that God has called you bring your gift of faith to the church and when we put it together creativity creative miracles happen creative ideas come to us there is nothing we will not see God move in our midst." [43:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "I get excited because where two or three are gathered God is in their midst I get excited because God can use us as a mighty army to reach to our world one person at a time I get excited because faith is contagious they believed they had commitment they believed they believed A.W. Tozer who in the 19th century was one of the prolific Christian altar and a bible scholar and a minister an American minister in fact he lived in Canada he wrote this word this word that God is looking for people through whom he can do the impossible what a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves." [45:01] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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