Empowered to Serve: The Power of Prayer and Community
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor introducing a series of guest speakers who will share their personal prayers. These prayers are described as deep desires that keep them up at night and motivate them to take action. The pastor emphasizes that these speakers are ordinary people who have recognized a burden placed on their hearts by God and have chosen to do something about it. The pastor refers to Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, highlighting the importance of community and the support we can provide to one another. The congregation is reminded that they have been blessed to be a blessing and that it is their responsibility to be representatives of Jesus and help those in need.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of taking action and meeting the needs of others. The congregation is encouraged to not be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the needs around them, but rather to focus on what they can do. They are reminded of the phrase "see a need, meet a need" and are encouraged to keep their eyes open for opportunities to help others. The pastor also highlights the importance of putting faith into action and being doers of the word, not just hearers. The congregation is reminded that each person has unique gifts, skills, and passions that can be used to make a difference in the community.
The pastor then emphasizes the power of one prayer by highlighting several examples from the Bible. He mentions how Elijah's prayer caused a three-year drought and then brought rain upon his request. Moses prayed for the parting of the Red Sea, which allowed him and his troops to cross on dry land. Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still, enabling his army to win a battle. Jesus, with just one prayer, brought Lazarus back to life after being dead for three days. The pastor encourages the congregation to consider what prayer they would choose if they knew God would answer it. Instead of selfish desires, he urges them to think about prayers that could bring about positive change in their community, city, nation, or even the world.
The pastor then engages in a conversation with a guest from Safe Families, a part of Bethany Christian Services. The guest emphasizes the importance of coming alongside families in crisis and providing support, rather than simply placing children in foster care. The pastor highlights the significance of impacting children's lives and setting a positive foundation for their future. The pastor and guest emphasize the role of the church and its members in coming alongside families and making a positive impact in their lives.
Finally, the pastor introduces the guest speaker, Nikki Condon, who is a friend and part of a group that meets regularly to collaborate on community issues. The pastor emphasizes the importance of working together instead of individual organizations trying to solve community problems on their own. The pastor then invites Nikki to the stage and encourages the congregation to welcome her with enthusiasm. The pastor is discussing an opportunity for the congregation to come alongside families in their local community through an organization called Safe Families. The pastor emphasizes that everyone has the opportunity to be the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus to help people in their communities and even around the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of community and the support we can provide to one another. We are reminded that we have been blessed to be a blessing and that it is our responsibility to be representatives of Jesus and help those in need. [12:45]
- The pastor encourages the congregation to not be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the needs around them, but rather to focus on what they can do. We are reminded of the phrase "see a need, meet a need" and are encouraged to keep our eyes open for opportunities to help others. [22:30]
- The pastor emphasizes the power of one prayer by highlighting several examples from the Bible. He encourages the congregation to consider what prayer they would choose if they knew God would answer it. Instead of selfish desires, he urges them to think about prayers that could bring about positive change in their community, city, nation, or even the world. [32:15]
- The pastor and guest emphasize the role of the church and its members in coming alongside families and making a positive impact in their lives. The guest emphasizes the importance of coming alongside families in crisis and providing support, rather than simply placing children in foster care. [42:00]
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of working together instead of individual organizations trying to solve community problems on their own. The pastor is discussing an opportunity for the congregation to come alongside families in their local community through an organization called Safe Families. The pastor emphasizes that everyone has the opportunity to be the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus to help people in their communities and even around the world. [52:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
2. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
3. 1 John 2:6: "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."
Observation Questions:
1. What does James 1:22 suggest about the relationship between hearing and doing in the context of the word of God?
2. How does Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 portray the importance of community and mutual support?
3. In 1 John 2:6, what does it mean to live as Jesus did?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the phrase "do what it says" in James 1:22 relate to the concept of putting faith into action?
2. How can the principle of mutual support in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 be applied to the idea of meeting the needs of others in the community?
3. How does living as Jesus did, as mentioned in 1 John 2:6, align with the responsibility of being representatives of Jesus and helping those in need?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a need in your community that you can meet this week? What specific action can you take to meet this need?
2. Think of a prayer that could bring about positive change in your community or city. What is one step you can take this week to start making that prayer a reality?
3. Reflect on the phrase "see a need, meet a need". Can you think of a person in your life who could use some support right now? What is one practical way you can offer them help this week?
4. How can you live as Jesus did in your interactions with others this week? Can you think of a specific situation where you can demonstrate love, patience, and kindness?
5. Consider the role of the church in supporting families in crisis. What is one way you can contribute to this effort in your local church or community?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Community and Responsibility
We are reminded of the profound importance of community and the support we can provide to one another. Blessed to be a blessing, it is our responsibility to be representatives of Jesus and help those in need. [12:45] This is not a passive role, but an active one, requiring us to step out of our comfort zones and into the lives of others.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Reflection: How can you actively support and encourage someone in your community today? What specific action can you take to be a representative of Jesus?
Day 2: Meeting Needs Through Action
We are encouraged to not be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the needs around us, but rather to focus on what we can do. The phrase "see a need, meet a need" is a call to action, urging us to keep our eyes open for opportunities to help others. [22:30] Each of us has unique gifts, skills, and passions that can be used to make a difference.
Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: What is one need you have noticed in your community recently? How can you use your unique gifts to meet this need?
Day 3: The Power of Prayer
The power of one prayer is emphasized through several examples from the Bible. We are encouraged to consider what prayer we would choose if we knew God would answer it. Instead of selfish desires, we are urged to think about prayers that could bring about positive change in our community, city, nation, or even the world. [32:15]
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: If you knew God would answer one prayer, what would you pray for that could bring about positive change in your community?
Day 4: Supporting Families in Crisis
The importance of coming alongside families in crisis and providing support is emphasized. Rather than simply placing children in foster care, we are called to impact children's lives and set a positive foundation for their future. [42:00] The church and its members play a crucial role in this process.
Psalm 82:3 - "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed."
Reflection: How can you support a family in crisis in your community? What specific steps can you take to make a positive impact in their lives?
Day 5: Working Together for Community Impact
The importance of working together, rather than individual organizations trying to solve community problems on their own, is emphasized. We are discussing an opportunity to come alongside families in our local community through an organization called Safe Families. Everyone has the opportunity to be the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus to help people in their communities and even around the world. [52:30]
Ecclesiastes 4:9 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor."
Reflection: How can you collaborate with others in your community to address a specific problem? What organization could you partner with to make a greater impact?
Quotes
"If you see a need, meet a need. That's what we do. We're always just keeping our eyes open for what are the needs that I see and is the needs that you guys are directing me then to help meet that need." [29:45]
"James said don't just be hearers of the word, make sure that you're a doer of the word as well. We need to actually be putting our faith in action." #!!29:45!!#
"We are better together, we're better in community because we can be there for others when they fall and others will be there for us when we fall. We need each other in order to be your body to this lost and hurting world." #!!35:30!!#
"Pity the man or pity the woman who is blessed in their life, who has it sort of quote unquote all together and you're not reaching back to help pick somebody else up. Pity that person as well. You and I have been blessed to be a blessing. Why does God bless us? Not for us. He blesses us to bless others, to help others." #!!05:26!!#
"And so there is something you can do and I love what Mother Teresa one time she said if you can't feed one thousand just feed one." #!!28:40!!#
"Let's not just try to do this on our own, each individual organization trying to solve the problems of our community. Let's actually work together." #!!06:22!!#
"Safe Families is a part of a larger group called Bethany Christian Services whose mission is that everyone deserves to be safe, loved, and connected." #!!13:39!!#
"But in this case, it's a family that needs another family to come alongside... we're going to be here and we want to help support you." #!!16:34!!#
"Think about Elijah. Elijah, he prays one prayer that God make it stop raining, and it doesn't for over three years. And then with just one prayer, he prays God make it rain, and almost immediately it happens again. That's the power of one prayer." #!!49:33!!#
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