Faith in Action: Embracing Love and Justice

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed Can Move Mountains

Even the smallest, most genuine acts of faith can have a profound and far-reaching impact, much like a tiny mustard seed growing into a large shrub. When you offer what little you have—be it a dollar, a can of food, or a simple act of kindness—God can use it to spread love and justice in ways you may never see. The true power of faith lies not in its size, but in its sincerity and willingness to act, trusting that God multiplies even our smallest efforts for His kingdom. [01:37]

Luke 17:5-6 (ESV)
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Reflection: What is one small, concrete act of love or justice you can offer today, trusting God to use it beyond what you can imagine?

Day 2: Serve Without Expectation of Recognition

True discipleship means serving others faithfully, not for praise or reward, but because it is our calling and a reflection of Christ’s humility. When you give, help, or serve, do so out of love and obedience, not for acknowledgment or thanks. This radical humility challenges us to examine our motives and to find joy in simply doing what is right, regardless of whether anyone notices. [05:18]

Luke 17:7-10 (ESV)
“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Reflection: In what area of your life can you serve someone this week without expecting any recognition or thanks in return?

Day 3: Faith Requires Action, Not Just Words

Faith is not a private comfort or a matter of words alone; it calls us to act with compassion and empathy, especially in the face of injustice and suffering. When tragedy strikes or when you see need in your community, resist the temptation to offer only “thoughts and prayers”—instead, let your faith move you to tangible acts of service and advocacy that reflect Christ’s love. [02:58]

James 2:14-17 (ESV)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Reflection: Where have you been tempted to offer only words instead of action? What is one step you can take today to put your faith into practice?

Day 4: Stand in Solidarity with the Oppressed

Empathy calls us to stand alongside those who are marginalized or suffering, to listen to their stories, and to take action that promotes justice and healing. Whether it’s supporting those facing hunger, violence, or discrimination, your willingness to stand in solidarity can bring hope and healing to a fractured world. Let your life reflect the love and courage of Christ by being present and active in the struggles of others. [11:51]

Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

Reflection: Who in your community or the wider world is experiencing oppression or injustice? How can you stand in solidarity with them this week in a practical way?

Day 5: Communion Unites Us to Embody Christ’s Love

As we gather at the Lord’s table, we are reminded that we are part of a global body of believers, called not only to unity but to embody Christ’s love in a divided world. Communion is both a celebration of our shared faith and a commissioning to live out empathy, humility, and courage in our daily lives, building a world where love triumphs over fear and division. [12:56]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV)
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Reflection: As you remember your connection to believers around the world, what is one way you can embody Christ’s love and unity in your relationships or community this week?

Sermon Summary

On this World Communion Sunday, we gather with Christians around the globe, united by our faith in Christ and the sacred act of breaking bread together. Yet, in a world marked by division, fear, and a lack of empathy, we are called to reflect on what it truly means to follow Jesus. In Luke 17, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith, seeking more certainty and power. Jesus responds by pointing to the mustard seed—a tiny seed that, when planted, grows into something much greater. This image reminds us that even the smallest, most genuine acts of faith and love can have far-reaching consequences. It is not the size of our faith that matters, but its authenticity and the willingness to act upon it.

Faith is not a passive comfort but a call to action. When tragedy strikes, it is easy to offer “thoughts and prayers,” but Jesus calls us to move beyond words to deeds. Whether it’s donating food to the hungry or giving what little we have, these are our mustard seeds—small acts that, when done in love, can transform lives. True discipleship is marked by humility and service, not by seeking recognition or reward. Like the servant in Jesus’ parable, we are called to serve simply because it is our calling, not for thanks or praise.

This teaching challenges us to examine our motives and the ways we measure worth, both in ourselves and others. In a time when racism, bigotry, and division persist, faith demands that we confront injustice with compassion and empathy. The stories of people like Greta Thunberg, who risked much to deliver aid to those in need, and the resilience of the Latino community after the Pulse nightclub tragedy, remind us that empathy is not passive. It requires us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, to listen, and to act for justice and healing.

As we share communion, we are reminded that we are part of a global body, called to embody Christ’s love in a fractured world. Our faith is measured not by certainty, but by our willingness to act, serve, and stand for justice. May we be people of empathy, humility, and courage, building a world where love and understanding overcome fear and division.

Key Takeaways

1. Genuine faith is not measured by its size, but by its authenticity and willingness to act. Even the smallest act of love or justice, like a mustard seed, can grow into something transformative when rooted in Christ. Our daily choices, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on the world around us. [01:37]
2. Discipleship calls us to serve others without expectation of recognition or reward. True humility is found in doing what is right simply because it is our calling, not because we seek thanks or praise. This challenges us to examine our motives and to find joy in selfless service. [04:39]
3. Faith is not a private comfort but a call to action, especially in the face of injustice. When we encounter suffering or oppression, our response must go beyond words to tangible acts of compassion and advocacy. This is how we embody Christ’s love in a broken world. [06:15]
4. Empathy requires us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized or oppressed. It is not enough to feel sympathy; we must listen to others’ experiences and take action that promotes justice and healing, even when it is difficult or unpopular. [11:51]
5. Communion is both a celebration of our unity with believers worldwide and a reminder of our responsibility to be agents of change. As we share the table, we are empowered to confront division, racism, and bigotry with courage, humility, and love, building a community where all are valued. [12:56]
** [12:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:55] - The Disciples’ Request for Greater Faith
[01:37] - The Power of the Mustard Seed
[02:26] - Faith Requires Action, Not Just Words
[02:58] - Everyday Mustard Seeds: Acts of Giving
[03:47] - Giving Without Expectation
[04:39] - The Parable of the Servant and Humility
[05:18] - Motives and Measuring Worth
[06:15] - Faith as a Call to Confront Injustice
[07:07] - Greta Thunberg and Humanitarian Courage
[08:33] - Barriers to Compassion and Service
[09:36] - Hungering for Spiritual Community
[10:45] - Empathy in Action: Lessons from Activism
[11:51] - Solidarity and Justice After Tragedy
[12:56] - Communion: Unity and the Call to Love
[13:38] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 17:5-10 (ESV) — 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Observation Questions

What did the disciples ask Jesus for in Luke 17:5, and how did Jesus respond to their request?
According to Jesus, what is significant about having faith “like a grain of mustard seed”?
In the parable Jesus tells (Luke 17:7-10), what is the attitude of the servant, and what does Jesus say about the servant’s expectations for thanks or reward?
The sermon mentions that faith is not just about “thoughts and prayers” but requires action. What examples did the pastor give of small acts of faith in everyday life? [02:58]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus uses the image of a mustard seed to describe faith? What does this say about the kind of faith God values?
The parable of the servant suggests serving without expecting recognition. How does this challenge common ideas about motivation and reward in our culture? [04:39]
The sermon connects faith with confronting injustice and acting with empathy. Why is it not enough, according to the sermon, to simply feel compassion or offer words? What does true discipleship require? [06:15]
How does sharing communion with Christians around the world remind us of our responsibility to act for justice and unity? [12:56]

Application Questions

The sermon says that even small acts—like donating a can of food or giving a dollar—are “mustard seeds” that can make a difference. What is one small, concrete act of love or justice you could do this week? [02:58]
Think about a time when you served or gave to someone without expecting anything in return. How did that experience shape your understanding of humility and discipleship? [04:39]
The pastor challenged us to move beyond “thoughts and prayers” when we see suffering or injustice. Is there a situation in your community or the world where you feel called to take action? What might that action look like for you? [06:15]
The sermon shared stories of people standing in solidarity with the oppressed, even when it was difficult or unpopular. Is there a group or person you feel called to stand with, listen to, or support right now? What is one step you could take? [11:51]
Communion is a reminder of our unity with believers worldwide. How can you help build bridges and promote understanding in your own circles—at work, school, or in your neighborhood? [12:56]
The sermon asks us to examine our motives for serving others. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself seeking recognition or reward? How can you shift your focus toward serving out of love and calling instead? [05:18]
The pastor mentioned the persistence of racism, bigotry, and division. What is one way you can practice empathy and advocate for justice in your daily life, even if it feels uncomfortable? [06:15]

Sermon Clips

He reminds us that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish remarkable things. Discipleship requires humility, dedication and service without expectation of recognition. The disciples sought greater faith, greater certainty, and greater power to act. Still, Jesus points to the quality rather than the quantity of faith. [00:00:46] (34 seconds) #FaithQualityOverQuantity

The mustard seed, though tiny, grows into a large shrub. It reminds us that even a small, genuine commitment to love and justice can have far reaching consequences. Think about that. The mustard seed, though tiny, grows into a large shrub and it reminds us that even small, genuine commitment to love and justice can have far reaching consequences. [00:01:20] (34 seconds) #SmallCommitmentBigImpact

See, it goes with a message that my mom would tell me often you don't do something because you want a thanks or because you're expecting something in return. You do it because you want to. It's a radical lesson in humility, a challenge to examine our motives and the ways we measure worth in ourselves and in others. [00:05:46] (29 seconds) #ConfrontingDivisionWithEmpathy

This teaching speaks directly to our time. We live in a moment marked by fear, division, and at times a troubling lack of empathy. Racism and bigotry persist, and instead of moving forward toward reconciliation and understanding, we often take steps backwards. [00:06:15] (25 seconds) #FaithInActionForJustice

The call of Luke reminds us that faith is not a private comfort. It is a call to action, to compassion, and to empathy. True discipleship demands that we confront these injustices not merely with words, but with deeds that reflect the love of Christ. [00:06:40] (27 seconds) #EmpathyDemandsSolidarity

Her actions remind us that empathy requires us to stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed, to listen to their experiences, and to take action that promotes justice and healing. [00:11:07] (16 seconds) #ActiveJusticeAndHealing

See, these stories remind us that empathy is not a passive act. It requires us to stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed, to listen to their experiences, and to take action that promotes justice and healing. [00:11:51] (16 seconds) #GlobalBodyCalledToLove

As we partake in communion today, let us remember that we are not only part of a global body of believers, but we are also called to embody Christ's love in a fractured world. [00:12:07] (17 seconds) #EmbodyingChristInFracturedWorld

May our lives reflect empathy, humility and courage that Jesus calls us to. And may our shared table inspire us to build a world where understanding and love triumph over fear and division. [00:12:50] (17 seconds)

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