Engaging in Restoration: The Power of Compassionate Service

Devotional

Day 1: Engage in Holistic Restoration

In times of crisis, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, actively engaging in both physical and spiritual restoration within our community. This dual mission involves meeting immediate needs while also introducing others to the transformative power of Jesus Christ. By partnering with organizations like Convoy of Hope, we can serve as a distribution center, providing for our community's needs. Our ultimate goal is to connect people to the life-changing power of Jesus, ensuring that their spiritual needs are met alongside their physical ones. This approach ensures that we are not only addressing temporary concerns but also eternal ones. [41:06]

Isaiah 58:10-11 (ESV): "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Reflection: Who in your community is in need of both physical and spiritual support? How can you take a step today to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them?

Day 2: Embrace Your Identity in Christ

Understanding our identity in Christ is foundational for loving others correctly and fulfilling the Great Commission. Knowing who God is allows us to see ourselves rightly, as we are made in His image. This understanding empowers us to love and serve others as He intended. By recognizing our identity in Christ, we are equipped to engage with the world around us in a way that reflects His love and purpose. This identity shapes our actions and interactions, guiding us to live out our faith authentically. [46:33]

Colossians 3:10-11 (ESV): "And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."

Reflection: How does understanding your identity in Christ change the way you interact with others? What steps can you take to live more authentically in this identity today?

Day 3: Commit to Persistent Prayer

Persistent prayer is about standing in the gap for others, interceding on their behalf, and allowing this process to mold us into the image of Jesus. It is not about getting something from God but becoming more like Him. Devoting ourselves to prayer means being intentional about our communication with God, seeking His guidance, and aligning our hearts with His will. Through prayer, we become more attuned to the needs of those around us and more equipped to serve them with Christ-like love and compassion. [49:51]

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Reflection: Who is someone you can stand in the gap for through prayer today? How can you make prayer a more consistent and intentional part of your daily routine?

Day 4: Stay Watchful and Thankful

Being watchful means staying alert to cultural circumstances and understanding how the gospel can be shared within them. Thanksgiving flows from recognizing the grace and redemption we have received through Christ, changing our perspective and filling our hearts with gratitude. By being watchful, we can discern opportunities to share the gospel in meaningful ways, while a thankful heart keeps us grounded in the truth of God's goodness and faithfulness. This combination of watchfulness and gratitude empowers us to engage with the world around us with wisdom and love. [55:12]

1 Thessalonians 5:6, 18 (ESV): "So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober... give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: What cultural circumstances around you present opportunities to share the gospel? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life?

Day 5: Lead with Compassion

Compassion, not confrontation, leads people to repentance. Our mission is to show the kindness of God, trusting that it will lead others to Him. This approach reflects the way Jesus connected with us, through love and compassion. By embodying the kindness of God, we create an environment where others can experience His love and be drawn to Him. Compassionate actions and words have the power to break down barriers and open hearts to the transformative message of the gospel. [01:07:56]

Romans 2:4 (ESV): "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the kindness of God through you? What specific act of compassion can you extend to them today?

Sermon Summary

In the wake of recent events affecting our community, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, actively engaging in both physical and spiritual restoration. Our mission is not only to meet the immediate needs of those affected but to introduce them to the transformative power of Jesus Christ. This is a time for us to step up, partnering with organizations like Convoy of Hope, to serve as a distribution center and provide for our community's needs. We are reminded that our ultimate goal is to connect people to the life-changing power of Jesus, ensuring that their spiritual needs are met alongside their physical ones.

As we continue our series on the book of Colossians, we delve into the importance of understanding our identity in Christ. Paul emphasizes that knowing who God is allows us to see ourselves rightly, as we are made in His image. This understanding is foundational for loving others correctly and fulfilling the Great Commission. Paul instructs us to devote ourselves to prayer, be watchful, and remain thankful. Persistent prayer is about standing in the gap for others, interceding on their behalf, and allowing this process to mold us into the image of Jesus. Being watchful means staying alert to cultural circumstances and understanding how the gospel can be shared within them. Thanksgiving flows from recognizing the grace and redemption we have received through Christ.

Paul's message is clear: we are to be active participants in sharing the gospel, using our words to testify to God's goodness. Compassion, not confrontation, leads people to repentance. Our mission is to show the kindness of God, trusting that it will lead others to Him. As we serve our community, let us be devoted in prayer, grateful for God's work in our lives, and alert to opportunities to share the gospel. May we see revival as we engage with those around us, driven by the love and compassion of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus: Our mission is to actively engage in both physical and spiritual restoration within our community. We are called to meet immediate needs while introducing others to the transformative power of Jesus Christ. This dual focus ensures that we are not only addressing temporary concerns but also eternal ones. [41:06]
2. Understanding Our Identity in Christ: Knowing who God is allows us to see ourselves rightly, as we are made in His image. This understanding is foundational for loving others correctly and fulfilling the Great Commission. Our identity in Christ empowers us to love and serve others as He intended. [46:33]
3. Devote Yourselves to Prayer: Persistent prayer is about standing in the gap for others, interceding on their behalf, and allowing this process to mold us into the image of Jesus. It is not about getting something from God but becoming more like Him. [49:51]
4. Be Watchful and Thankful: Staying alert to cultural circumstances helps us understand how the gospel can be shared within them. Thanksgiving flows from recognizing the grace and redemption we have received through Christ, changing our perspective and filling our hearts with gratitude. [55:12]
5. Compassion Leads to Repentance: Compassion, not confrontation, leads people to repentance. Our mission is to show the kindness of God, trusting that it will lead others to Him. This approach reflects the way Jesus connected with us, through love and compassion. [01:07:56]
** [67:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:25] - Community Response and Call to Action
[41:52] - Partnering with Convoy of Hope
[42:33] - Prayer and Trust in Jesus
[45:22] - Understanding Identity in Christ
[46:33] - Upward, Inward, Outward
[47:48] - The Great Commission
[49:05] - Devotion to Prayer
[50:35] - Intercession and Faith
[55:12] - Being Watchful and Thankful
[57:19] - Consuming Information Wisely
[58:41] - Gratitude and Perspective
[61:22] - The Power of Gratitude
[63:17] - God Opens Doors
[67:56] - Compassion and Repentance
[71:10] - Mobilizing for Revival

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul instruct believers to do in Colossians 4:2-6, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on being devoted to prayer? [49:05]
How does the sermon describe the role of compassion in leading others to repentance, and what biblical basis is given for this approach? [01:07:56]
In the sermon, what specific actions are suggested for being the "hands and feet of Jesus" in the community? [41:06]
How does the sermon explain the importance of understanding our identity in Christ, and what impact does this have on our ability to love others? [46:33]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of being "watchful and thankful" in Colossians 4:2-6 apply to the current cultural circumstances mentioned in the sermon? [55:12]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between persistent prayer and being molded into the image of Jesus? How does this align with the parable in Luke 18:1-8? [49:51]
How does the sermon interpret Romans 2:4 in the context of showing kindness and compassion to lead others to repentance? [01:07:56]
What does the sermon imply about the role of gratitude in changing our perspective and how does this relate to the message in Colossians 1:12-14? [01:01:22]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you were the "hands and feet of Jesus" in your community. What impact did it have on you and those you served? How can you engage in similar actions this week? [41:06]
Consider your current prayer life. How can you incorporate more persistent and intercessory prayer into your daily routine? What specific person or situation will you commit to praying for this week? [49:51]
Identify a cultural circumstance you are aware of. How can you be more watchful and alert to opportunities to share the gospel within that context? [55:12]
Think about a person in your life who may be far from God. How can you show them compassion and kindness this week, trusting that it might lead them closer to Jesus? [01:07:56]
Reflect on your understanding of your identity in Christ. How does this understanding empower you to love and serve others more effectively? What steps can you take to deepen this understanding? [46:33]
When was the last time you expressed gratitude for God's work in your life? How can you cultivate a habit of thankfulness, and what specific blessings will you focus on this week? [01:01:22]
How can you ensure that your conversations with others are full of grace and seasoned with salt, as Paul instructs in Colossians 4:6? What practical steps can you take to improve your communication with those who do not share your faith? [01:06:27]

Sermon Clips

1) "And immediately I was connected. And it was like, Jesus, we got to do something. We got to do something now. For our entire community, we got to be the hands and feet of Jesus right now. And so that's exactly what we're going to do. We're going to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We're going to go to those communities. And we're not just going to do what we can to supply physical needs. But we are going to help, by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, meet spiritual needs. Because it doesn't matter if their houses are back intact and they don't connect to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ so that they can spend eternity with a good father. That's our mission. And so that's what we're going to do." [41:06] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "when we see God correctly, we are able to not just have this high and lofty view of God, but then we understand that we can see ourselves rightly. When we see God correctly, we then understand who we are for we are made in the image of God. This conversation about identity that my generation and that teenagers are having, this conversation gets dead in the water when we have a correct view of God. Because then we understand, okay, I have a high and lofty view of God. I know who God is. I'm created in God's image, which means that my identity is now in Jesus. And so that solves the problem. It's upward, it's inward, right? God first, my identity is now in him, and then it's outward." [46:33] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Intercession, our standing in the gap for someone or for something is not so that we can get something from God, it is so that we can be more made into the image of Jesus. This is why Jesus ends the parable by simply asking his disciples as he tells them this, he's like, when the son of man comes, will he find faith on earth? And so when we're done interceding, when we're done praying, when the prayer has been answered, when the prayer has been answered, will it have produced in us more faith? Whatever it is that you were praying for, whatever it is that you're asking God for, whoever it is that you were standing in the gap for, after you are done, will it have molded us more into the image of Jesus or not?" [52:11] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "This place is full of stories of intercession where God has infiltrated the hearts of people because grandparents and parents did not give up. This place is full of stories of God moving because people did not stop praying. You understand that, right? But what you would notice as these people began to tell you these stories, what you would begin to hear from them is that they have been changed in the same manner in which the people they were praying for have been changed. Their intercession changed them just as much as it changed the person that they were praying for. It molded them into the image of the Father. It molded them into the image of Jesus. It produced in them more faith. And so I would encourage you, do not give up. Be devoted in prayer." [54:02] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Consume the information so that you can be mindful of how the culture is being formed. How the culture is related to the spread of the gospel. And here's where I would say we have to be better at. We need to pray before we consume and after we consume. We need to pray, Jesus, I'm about to see what is going on in the world, and I'm doing this to be aware of where the gospel can be at work, protect my heart and my mind. This is for your glory. This is not for my anxiety. That's how we need to approach the information. That's how we need to approach the information that we consume. Because you know what happens if we don't? If we're not prayerful before and after we consume, the information consumes us. We don't consume the information." [57:19] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "And thanksgiving is a consistent theme throughout Paul's letter to the Colossians. And this thankfulness that he talks about, well, it flows from the hearts of those who have been rescued, who have been redeemed, who have been reconciled. Reconciled is this big, fancy, beautiful world that ultimately means God has mended what was broken and put it back together. God, through the person of Jesus, has mended our relationship with himself. Our relationship due to sin was broken with the Father. And Jesus came, died after he lived the perfect life that you and I could never live, and then rose on the third day, and he became the bridge for our relationship from us to the Father. This thankfulness flows from the hearts of us. This thankfulness flows from the hearts of a people that understand that they have been rescued by Jesus." [58:41] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "And so Paul moves forward in Colossians four, verse three, by pleading with the Colossians. He says in verse three, pray for us too. He's like, pray for me and pray for my companions. That God may open up a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ for which I am in chains. This man is in jail. Paul, they believe, is writing in Ephesus, in jail. He is in jail and his prayer isn't that he would be free. His prayer is like, hey, open up, pray that God would open up the door for us to share the gospel. I don't care about my freedom. We worry about that another day. Pray. Pray that we would have an opportunity to share the gospel." [01:01:58] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "We pray for our friends to come to know Jesus, our coworkers, our family members, the people in the community we are serving. The question is, is are we ready to share how Jesus has transformed our lives? This is why it says in the next verse, be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity. N.T. Wright says, regard time as an opportunity for witness and use it eagerly as such. And so are we taking advantage of the opportunities that God presents to us? Are we doing all of the work on the front end? And then when we get the chance, are we quiet? I don't like the phrase, share the gospel and sometimes use words. It's a terrible phrase. It's not true. Share the gospel with your words." [01:05:00] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "Compassion will expose people to the undeserved kindness of God. It's how you connected to the life-changing power of Jesus. You didn't connect to the life-changing power of Jesus because somebody was arguing with you about a belief system. Let's be honest, salvation isn't about believing the right thing. Jesus never came up to a disciple and said, hey, I want you to believe this system. So now you're saved. No, what'd he say? Follow me. Follow me. But why'd that happen? Compassion. Compassion led to conviction. Compassion exposed us to the undeserved kindness of God. And so we watch this get put on display as we served our community this past week. This undeserved kindness, this people loving people as Andy talked about, this radical generosity of the people in this place, 120 of y'all went out literally after a call less than 24 hours before to serve our community and know it was on display, compassion in full effect." [01:07:56] (79 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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