Finding Holiness in Everyday Acts of Service

 

Summary

In a recent gathering, the focus was on the concept of holiness and its manifestation in everyday life, emphasizing that while no one is expected to endure suffering akin to that of Jesus, there is a universal call to serve others. The narrative began with a reflection on a recent event where community members came together to sing Christmas carols and support refugee families through the Samaritaz New Americans program. The event was not only a display of joy and community spirit but also an act of service, as evidenced by the collection of household items for the refugees.

During the event, despite being understaffed, the community demonstrated patience and kindness. A notable act of service was performed by Mary DeCarterette, who used her past experience as a server to assist in serving drinks to those waiting. This act, along with other examples of service like Trisha labeling boxes and Susie bringing her granddaughter on a tour, were highlighted as instances of holiness in action.

The narrative underscored the idea that holiness can be found in everyday actions and that by being attentive to it, individuals can connect to a deeper purpose from God. The message from Isaiah was distilled into three lessons: tell the truth, comfort people, and serve. These lessons were not only for those taking on formal roles within the church but for everyone, encouraging the community to seek out holiness and be inspired by it.

The gathering also included the ordination and installation of new church officers, which was described as a continuation of Christ's ministry among the community. The ordination was presented as a gift from Christ, ensuring that acts of care, compassion, governance, and the celebration of sacraments continue within the church. The newly ordained individuals were reminded of their baptismal vows and the responsibilities that come with their roles, including teaching charity, urging concern, and showing the love and justice of Jesus Christ.

The gathering also touched on the importance of truth-telling, as exemplified by Isaiah's call to speak the truth even when it is difficult. The narrative recounted the story of Isaiah's vision of God's holiness and the transformative power of such an experience. It was suggested that such perspective-altering experiences of holiness are available to everyone in ordinary ways.

The event concluded with a celebration of communion, where the community was reminded of Jesus' actions during the Last Supper and invited to partake in the bread and wine as symbols of God's gifts to humanity. The gathering ended with a benediction, sending the community out with the love of God, the faith of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

- Holiness is not confined to grandiose events or religious ceremonies; it can be found in the simple, everyday acts of service that individuals perform for one another. Whether it's labeling boxes or serving drinks, these actions can be seen as expressions of divine purpose and connection. [34:10]

- The act of ordination within the church is more than a ritual; it is a continuation of Christ's ministry, ensuring that the church remains a living, breathing embodiment of care, compassion, and community governance. This sacred tradition is a reminder of the ongoing presence of Christ's work in the world. [47:49]

- The importance of truth-telling is a timeless principle that resonates across generations. It is not only about being honest but also about having the courage to bring uncomfortable truths into the open, which can lead to healing and growth within a community. [36:14]

- The transformative power of witnessing or experiencing God's holiness can change one's perspective on life. It is an invitation to see beyond the immediate and recognize the divine in the mundane, which can lead to a life of greater purpose and service. [31:57]

- Communion serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ. It is a communal act that unites individuals in their faith and commitment to live out the teachings of Christ, offering a moment of reflection and connection with the divine. [01:12:17]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Isaiah 6:1-8 (NIV)
> In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

2. Isaiah 40:1-2 (NIV)
> Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

3. Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)
> We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

### Observation Questions

1. What was Isaiah's reaction when he saw the vision of the Lord in the temple? (Isaiah 6:1-8)
2. According to the sermon, what were some examples of holiness in action during the community event? [34:10]
3. What are the three lessons from Isaiah that were highlighted in the sermon? [45:21]
4. How did the community demonstrate patience and kindness during the event despite being understaffed? [43:58]

### Interpretation Questions

1. How does Isaiah's vision of God's holiness in Isaiah 6:1-8 change his perspective and mission? How might such a vision impact someone today?
2. In what ways can simple acts of service, like those mentioned in the sermon, be seen as expressions of divine purpose? [34:10]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of truth-telling, even when it is difficult? How does this relate to Isaiah's message? [36:14]
4. How does the act of ordination serve as a continuation of Christ's ministry according to the sermon? [47:49]

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a glimpse of holiness in an ordinary moment. How did it change your perspective or actions? [31:57]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of truth-telling. Can you think of a situation where telling the truth was challenging but necessary? How did you handle it? [36:14]
3. How can you incorporate acts of service into your daily life to reflect holiness, similar to the examples given in the sermon? [34:10]
4. The sermon mentioned the transformative power of experiencing God's holiness. How can you remain open to such experiences in your everyday life? [31:57]
5. During the community event, patience and kindness were demonstrated despite challenges. How can you practice these virtues in your interactions this week? [43:58]
6. The act of ordination was described as a continuation of Christ's ministry. How can you support and encourage those in leadership roles within your church? [47:49]
7. Communion was highlighted as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and love. How can participating in communion deepen your faith and commitment to live out Christ's teachings? [01:12:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Purpose in Daily Service
Holiness is often found in the simplest acts of kindness and service. It is in these moments that individuals embody the divine purpose, transforming mundane tasks into sacred offerings. By serving others, one connects to a deeper spiritual calling and reflects the love of God in the world. [34:10]

Hebrews 6:10 - "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."
Reflection: What simple act of service can you perform today that reflects God's love to those around you?

Day 2: Continuity of Christ's Ministry
Ordination is a sacred tradition that extends Christ's ministry into the present, entrusting individuals with the responsibility to lead with care, compassion, and justice. This act is a powerful reminder of the living presence of Christ's work in the world, calling all to participate in the governance and spiritual nourishment of the community. [47:49]

1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Reflection: How can you support or participate in the ministries of your church to continue the work of Christ in your community?

Day 3: The Courage to Speak Truth
Truth-telling is a vital aspect of spiritual life, requiring courage to voice what may be uncomfortable but necessary for healing and growth. It is a commitment to authenticity and integrity, fostering a community where honesty paves the way for deeper connections and transformation. [36:14]

Ephesians 4:25 - "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body."
Reflection: Is there a truth you have been hesitant to share with someone? How can you find the courage to speak it today?

Day 4: Recognizing the Divine in the Mundane
The experience of God's holiness can profoundly alter one's perspective, revealing the divine in everyday life. This recognition invites individuals to live with greater purpose and to serve with a sense of sacred calling, finding the extraordinary within the ordinary. [31:57]

Colossians 3:23-24 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Reflection: In what ordinary aspects of your life can you find and honor the presence of God today?

Day 5: Communion as a Unifying Act of Faith
The act of communion is a profound reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and love, uniting believers in their faith and commitment to embody Christ's teachings. It is a moment of reflection and connection with the divine, reinforcing the communal bond and shared spiritual journey. [01:12:17]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf."
Reflection: How does participating in communion inspire you to live out the teachings of Christ in your daily interactions?

Quotes

1) "In the midst of the mess and pain of this world, holiness inspires. Prayer means breathes life, we need life breathes into us and holiness is all around when we have the eyes to see." [45:21] (Download)

2) "Ordination really is Christ's gift to the Church, assuring that Christ's ministry continues among us. Through ordination, God provides for acts of care and compassion in the world." [47:49] (Download)

3) "Tell the truth, comfort my people, serve. Those are the lessons that Isaiah has not only for those getting ordained and installed but for all of us." [46:01] (Download)

4) "Sometimes getting the truth in the room is as simple as labeling a storage bin. Other times, it is having the courage to say the thing that no one else wants to say." [36:14] (Download)

5) "This is my body given for you. This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood which is poured out for you and for all creation." [01:12:17] (Download)

6) "We Americans were hurt and wounded, and we called in Bishop Desmond Tutu from South Africa to bring a word of hope and comfort. And he brought it, but he also brought a word of truth." [36:56] (Download)

7) "I felt a glimpse of holiness yesterday as I was walking away with the box and Trisha said, wait a minute, before you put that in the storage closet, I want to put a label on that." [34:10] (Download)

8) "We are opened to a deeper purpose from God. In the midst of the mess and pain of this world, holiness inspires. Prayer means breathes life, we need life breathes into us." [45:21] (Download)

9) "We are all called to serve. It was three weeks ago that we were all at Omaras, gathered to sing Christmas carols and collect household items for refugee families." [42:59] (Download)

10) "But on this first day, that we gather in 2024 as we ordain and install new officers. At the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning, I want us to dare to believe right now that this kind of perspective altering holiness is available to us all the time." [32:38] (Download)

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 08, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

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