Faith in Action: Impact Through Service and Discipleship
Summary
In this sermon, I shared about the recent mission trip where we distributed over 500 Bibles to patients and their families and 300 Gospels of John to pastors who participated in a week-long conference. The mission trip was a success, with over 1200 patients treated and 62 adults making professions of faith. Additionally, seven individuals rededicated their lives to Christ and 27 children made sincere professions of faith during the vacation Bible school program. I also mentioned our upcoming trip to Ethiopia, where we will be training pastors and church planters in mission work and discipleship.
In the second part of the sermon, I interviewed Anna, a teenager from our church who has been actively involved in our Wednesday night serve program. Anna shared her experiences of sharing her faith and hearing the testimonies of others in her youth group. She emphasized the importance of building relationships and witnessing God's work in other people's lives. She also encouraged others to join the Wednesday night serve program, highlighting the impact it has on the people they serve.
Key Takeaways:
- The Word of God does not return void, and distributing Bibles can have a significant impact on people's faith journeys. #!!35:32!!#
- Training pastors and church planters in mission work and discipleship can have a multiplying effect, as they can then train others in their own communities. #!!38:43!!#
- Sharing personal faith stories can be a powerful tool for evangelism and building relationships within the church community. #!!48:45!!#
- Participating in service programs like the Wednesday night serve can have a profound impact on both the servers and those being served. #!!49:38!!#
Study Guide
Bible Passages:
1. Matthew 28:16-20
2. Acts 1:8
3. James 5:16
Key Points from the sermon:
1. The importance of being a sending church, actively participating in missions and outreach.
2. The power of collective prayer and the need for the church to come together in prayer.
3. The impact of sharing God's word and building relationships through service.
Observation Questions:
1. What command does Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 28:16-20?
2. What promise does Jesus make in Acts 1:8 regarding the spread of the Gospel?
3. What does James 5:16 say about the power of prayer?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be a "sending" church as implied in Matthew 28:16-20?
2. How does Acts 1:8 relate to the church's mission and outreach efforts?
3. How can James 5:16 guide our approach to collective prayer in the church?
Application Questions:
1. How can we actively participate in the mission of spreading the Gospel in our daily lives?
2. In what ways can we foster a culture of collective prayer in our church community?
3. How can we use the power of God's word to build relationships and serve others?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of God's Word
God's Word is a powerful tool that can transform our lives. It is a source of wisdom, guidance, and comfort. It is a mirror that reflects our true selves and a lamp that illuminates our path. It is a sword that cuts through the lies of the enemy and a seed that produces a harvest of righteousness.
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when a specific Bible verse or passage deeply resonated with you. How did it impact your thoughts, attitudes, or actions? How can you make a habit of regularly engaging with God's Word to allow it to shape your life?
Day 2: The Importance of Mission Work
Mission work is a crucial part of our Christian calling. It involves sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others and demonstrating His love through our actions. It is not just about going to far-off places but also about reaching out to the people in our own communities.
Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit to share your faith with others? How did that experience impact you and the person you shared with? What steps can you take to be more proactive in your mission work?
Day 3: Training Pastors and Church Planters
Training pastors and church planters is a vital task in the body of Christ. It involves equipping faithful men and women with the knowledge and skills they need to lead and shepherd God's people effectively.
2 Timothy 2:2 - "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."
Reflection: Who are the reliable people in your life that you could entrust with the teachings you have received? How can you actively contribute to their spiritual growth and development?
Day 4: The Power of Sharing Personal Testimonies
Sharing personal testimonies is a powerful way to encourage others and glorify God. It allows us to share how God has worked in our lives, providing hope and inspiration to others.
Revelation 12:11 - "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
Reflection: Reflect on a personal testimony that you have shared or heard that had a significant impact. How did this testimony strengthen your faith or the faith of others? How can you create more opportunities to share and listen to personal testimonies?
Day 5: The Impact of Serving Others
Serving others is a tangible expression of our love for God. It allows us to demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Matthew 25:40 - "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
Reflection: Can you think of a time when you served someone and felt that you were serving Christ through that act? How did that experience impact your perspective on service? How can you incorporate more acts of service into your daily life?
Quotes
1. "Recognizing that the Word of God does not return void, we gave out over 500 Bibles to patients and their families and 300 Gospels of John. In terms of outcomes, we treated over 1200 patients during the week in Yolanda. But more important than that, we had 62 adults who made professions of faith during that time." - 32:16
2. "We're working with the church here this week doing the exact same process that you went through with us a couple of years ago. So how exciting is that and we have really high hopes for this church here. But what I'm most excited about for you guys is that we're going to be going to eat the OBS soon." - 38:43
3. "I really hate change. I really do. Unless I'm the one that's initiating it, I really hate it. Are you with me? You resemble that, don't you? I mean, yeah. That's the deal. But God's been at work. And we want to take an opportunity and celebrate that." - 24:00
4. "Father, we come before you today and with hearts that are filled with anticipation, excitement, just to hear and see what you're up to through us in our midst. Thank you for the privilege of giving this, being a part of what you're accomplishing. And your creation, may you find us to be faithful and may our response to you together here this morning be something that blesses you and brings honor and glory to you." - 24:44
5. "The thing I like most about these GA Joe mission trips is that they are holistic. We share the gospel with the patients at every step of the way. You're going to see many photos in the slideshow of our doctors and nurses actually praying and holding hands with the patients, sharing with them about the gospel, and also their physical needs." - 31:47
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