Faith in Action: Embracing God's Call to Serve

In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound journey of faith and action that God has called us to. We began by acknowledging the unique opportunity we have to worship God not only through song but through tangible acts of service, such as supporting efforts to combat human trafficking. This is a reminder that our faith should lead us to action, reflecting God's love in practical ways.

We also shared the exciting news of our ongoing partnership with Impact Church in Northern Virginia, as we prepare to travel to Athens, Greece. This partnership, which began eight years ago, has grown from a simple act of obedience to a significant mission. We met a Syrian refugee who, after encountering Jesus, dedicated his life to sharing the gospel with other refugees. This journey has led to the establishment of a new Arabic-speaking church in Athens, where we will soon ordain him as a pastor. This story is a testament to the power of God's timing and the importance of perseverance in mission work.

As we prepare for this mission, we are reminded of the importance of prayer and support from our community. We invite you to pray for us and consider giving towards this mission, as it represents a collective effort from our church family to spread the gospel.

Reflecting on the Christmas story, we explored the life of Joseph, a man whose journey with Jesus was both joyful and challenging. Joseph's story teaches us that following Jesus requires trust, obedience, and a willingness to be inconvenienced. Despite the difficulties, Joseph's faithfulness to God's plan is a powerful example for us all.

As we navigate the complexities of life and faith, we are reminded that God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. His faithfulness is our strength, and His presence is our comfort. We are called to follow Jesus, not because of the benefits we might receive, but because of who He is—a Savior who is with us, Emmanuel.

Key Takeaways

• 1. term commitment and faithfulness. [29:25]
  3. Trust and Obedience: Joseph's story teaches us that following Jesus requires trust and obedience, even when it's difficult. His willingness to follow God's plan, despite the challenges, is a powerful example of faith in action.
  
  4. God's Promises: God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. His faithfulness is our strength, and His presence is our comfort. We can trust Him to fulfill His promises, even when we don't understand His timing.
  
  5. Emmanuel—God with Us: Jesus is both fully human and fully God, embodying the promise that God is with us. This truth is the foundation of our faith and the reason we can face life's challenges with hope and confidence.
  
  ** [29:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [27:00] - Syrian Refugee's Journey
• [27:52] - Meeting the Refugee
• [29:25] - Establishing a New Church
• [32:14] - Call to Prayer
• [38:44] - Personal Reflection and Prayer
• [40:16] - Addressing Injustice
• [52:09] - Joseph's Story
• [58:16] - Trust and Obedience
• [62:50] - Inconvenience in Following Jesus
• [75:33] - God's Promises
• [78:20] - God's Love in Action
• [80:00] - Grace and Forgiveness
• [80:47] - Emmanuel: God with Us
• [88:16] - Invitation to Follow Jesus

1. What was Joseph's initial reaction upon discovering Mary's pregnancy, and what does this reveal about his character? [52:09]
2. How did Joseph respond to the angel's message in his dream, and what actions did he take afterward? [58:16]
3. What are the two names given to Jesus in Matthew 1:21-23, and what do they signify about His identity and mission?
4. How does the sermon describe the journey of the Syrian refugee and the establishment of the new church in Athens? [27:52]

1. What does Joseph's willingness to trust and obey God, despite the potential for public shame, teach us about the nature of faith? [58:16]
2. How does the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, quoted in Matthew 1:23, reinforce the theme of God's faithfulness and promise-keeping in the sermon? [01:15:33]
3. In what ways does the story of the Syrian refugee illustrate the sermon’s message about perseverance in mission work? [29:25]
4. How does the concept of "Emmanuel—God with Us" provide comfort and strength in the face of life's challenges, as discussed in the sermon? [01:20:47]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to take a step of faith that required trust and obedience. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [58:16]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of faith leading to action. What is one practical way you can reflect God's love in your community this week, perhaps by supporting a cause like combating human trafficking? [40:16]
3. Consider the idea of perseverance in mission. Is there a long-term commitment or project in your life that requires renewed dedication and faithfulness? How can you stay motivated? [29:25]
4. Joseph's story shows a willingness to be inconvenienced for God's plan. What is one area in your life where you might need to embrace inconvenience for the sake of following Jesus? [01:02:50]
5. How can the assurance that God is a promise maker and a promise keeper help you trust Him more deeply in uncertain times? [01:15:33]
6. The sermon discusses the dual nature of Jesus as both fully human and fully God. How does this understanding impact your relationship with Him and your daily walk of faith? [01:20:47]
7. Identify a specific promise from God that you are holding onto in this season of your life. How does this promise encourage you to live out your faith more boldly? [01:15:33]