Empowering Ordinary Lives for Lasting Impact

 

Summary

The Peace Plan at Saddleback Church is a mission that emphasizes the empowerment of ordinary people by God to make a significant impact in the world. This initiative is not reserved for religious elites like saints, nuns, or priests, but is designed for everyday individuals like you and me. The essence of the Peace Plan is rooted in the belief that God empowers us with the energy and ability to make a difference, and it is through community and teamwork that we achieve this. We are called to act wherever we are, whether locally or globally, as part of our life mission.

Jesus' words in John 15:16 highlight the importance of being chosen and appointed to go and bear fruit. This fruit symbolizes a successful, fulfilling, and productive life. However, it is crucial to recognize that most of what we do in life will not have lasting significance. The transient nature of our daily activities means that they will likely be forgotten in a few decades. Jesus challenges us to focus on what truly matters—investing in truth and people, as these are the only things that will endure eternally.

By dedicating our lives to truth and people, we align ourselves with God's eternal purposes. This approach ensures that our efforts and contributions have a lasting impact, transcending the temporary nature of worldly pursuits. The Peace Plan encourages us to live intentionally, making choices that reflect our commitment to God's mission and the well-being of others.

Key Takeaways:

1. Empowerment of Ordinary People: The Peace Plan is designed for ordinary individuals, not just religious leaders. It emphasizes that God empowers each of us to make a difference, highlighting the importance of community and teamwork in fulfilling our mission. [00:42]

2. The Call to Go and Bear Fruit: Jesus' appointment for us to go and bear fruit signifies a life of purpose and productivity. This fruit represents a life that is successful and fulfilling, with a focus on eternal significance. [01:30]

3. The Transience of Life's Activities: Most of our daily activities will not have lasting significance. Recognizing this helps us prioritize our efforts towards what truly matters—investing in truth and people. [02:05]

4. Investing in Eternal Values: Truth and people are the only things that will last forever. By focusing our lives on these, we ensure that our contributions have a lasting impact, aligning with God's eternal purposes. [02:35]

5. Living Intentionally: The Peace Plan encourages us to live with intention, making choices that reflect our commitment to God's mission and the well-being of others. This intentionality ensures that our lives bear fruit that lasts. [01:47]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to the Peace Plan
[00:26] - Definition of the Peace Plan
[00:42] - Empowerment of Ordinary People
[00:55] - The Role of Community
[01:11] - The Call to Go
[01:30] - Bearing Fruit in Life
[01:47] - The Meaning of Fruit
[02:05] - The Transience of Life's Activities
[02:20] - What Truly Matters
[02:35] - Investing in Eternal Values

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- John 15:16: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says He has appointed us to "go and bear fruit"? How is this concept explained in the sermon? [01:30]
2. According to the sermon, who is the Peace Plan designed for, and why is this significant? [00:42]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of community and teamwork in fulfilling the Peace Plan? [00:55]
4. What are the two things mentioned in the sermon that will last forever, and why are they important? [02:35]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the idea of being "chosen and appointed" by Jesus influence a believer's understanding of their life mission? [01:30]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that ordinary people can be empowered by God to make a difference? [00:42]
3. Why does the sermon emphasize the transience of most daily activities, and how should this affect a believer's priorities? [02:05]
4. How does investing in truth and people align with God's eternal purposes, according to the sermon? [02:35]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current activities. Are there areas where you are investing time that may not have lasting significance? How can you shift your focus to what truly matters? [02:05]
2. Think about a time when you felt empowered by God to make a difference. How can you seek more opportunities to be empowered in your daily life? [00:42]
3. How can you actively participate in your community or team to fulfill the Peace Plan? What steps can you take to strengthen these relationships? [00:55]
4. Identify one truth or person you can invest in this week. What specific actions will you take to ensure this investment aligns with God's eternal purposes? [02:35]
5. Consider the concept of bearing fruit that lasts. What is one area of your life where you can focus on producing lasting fruit, and what changes might be necessary to achieve this? [01:30]
6. How can you live more intentionally, making choices that reflect your commitment to God's mission and the well-being of others? What practical steps can you take this week? [01:47]
7. Reflect on the idea of being chosen by Jesus. How does this understanding impact your sense of purpose and direction in life? [01:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Empowerment of Ordinary People
The Peace Plan at Saddleback Church emphasizes that God empowers ordinary individuals, not just religious leaders, to make a significant impact in the world. This empowerment is rooted in the belief that God provides us with the energy and ability to make a difference. It is through community and teamwork that we fulfill our mission, acting locally or globally as part of our life mission. The plan encourages everyone to recognize their potential and to work together to achieve meaningful change. [00:42]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: Think of a specific talent or skill you have. How can you use it this week to serve your community or someone in need?


Day 2: The Call to Go and Bear Fruit
Jesus' words in John 15:16 highlight the importance of being chosen and appointed to go and bear fruit, symbolizing a life of purpose and productivity. This fruit represents a successful, fulfilling, and productive life with a focus on eternal significance. The call to bear fruit is a reminder that our lives should be marked by actions and choices that reflect our commitment to God's mission. It challenges us to live with intention and to seek out opportunities to make a lasting impact. [01:30]

Colossians 1:10 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel unproductive. What steps can you take today to align this area with God's purpose and begin bearing fruit?


Day 3: The Transience of Life's Activities
Most of our daily activities will not have lasting significance. Recognizing this helps us prioritize our efforts towards what truly matters—investing in truth and people. The transient nature of our daily tasks means they will likely be forgotten in a few decades. This understanding encourages us to focus on actions that have eternal value, ensuring that our lives are not consumed by temporary pursuits but are instead dedicated to what truly matters. [02:05]

Psalm 39:4-5 (ESV): "O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!"

Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. What is one activity you can replace with something that has eternal significance, such as spending time with loved ones or serving others?


Day 4: Investing in Eternal Values
Truth and people are the only things that will last forever. By focusing our lives on these, we ensure that our contributions have a lasting impact, aligning with God's eternal purposes. This approach encourages us to live intentionally, making choices that reflect our commitment to God's mission and the well-being of others. It is a call to invest in relationships and truth, knowing that these investments will endure beyond our lifetime. [02:35]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: Consider your current priorities. How can you shift your focus to invest more in relationships and truth this week?


Day 5: Living Intentionally
The Peace Plan encourages us to live with intention, making choices that reflect our commitment to God's mission and the well-being of others. This intentionality ensures that our lives bear fruit that lasts. By living intentionally, we align our actions with God's eternal purposes, ensuring that our contributions have a lasting impact. It is a call to be mindful of our choices and to seek out opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. [01:47]

Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Reflection: What is one intentional change you can make in your daily life to better align with God's mission and positively impact those around you?

Quotes

"Ordinary People empowered by God making a difference together wherever they are now every one of those phrases is important Ordinary People the peace plan is not for superstars it's not for Saints and nuns and Priests and missionaries it's for people like you and me normal people ordinary people can do the peace plan empowered by God we don't do it on our own power God gives us the energy and the ability to do it making a difference together you don't do it on your own we always do it in groups we do it in teams we do it together we're better together we're in community and we do it wherever we are and so we do it here we do it there we we do it everywhere." [00:27:92]

"You did not choose me but I chose you and I appointed you to go circle the word to go I've appointed you to go so part of your appointment part of your mission in life your life mission is to go you are to be sent and you are to go I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit fruit that will last now fruit is a metaphor for a successful life a fulfilling life a productive life a fruitful life and Jesus said I want you to bear fruit in your life that will last that will last." [00:78:56]

"Let me now let me be honest with you most of what you do in life isn't going to last most of what I do in life isn't going to last the things that we spend most of our time on people aren't even going to remember in 10 years much less in 30 50 or 100 most of the things you do in your life it isn't going to last nobody's going to care what movies you went to what books you read what how you spent your summer and Jesus said I want you to do something with your life that lasts now there are only two things that going to last forever truth and people truth and people so if you invest your life in truth and in people then you're investing your life in things that last." [00:120:64]

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