Flourishing in Faith: The Power of Presence
Summary
In today's reflection on Psalm 1, we explored the metaphor of trees planted by streams of water, drawing parallels between the life of a believer and the flourishing of a tree. Just as trees provide habitat, food, and air, we are called to be sources of life and influence in our communities. Our spiritual nourishment comes from being rooted in Christ, allowing us to bear fruit that reflects His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. This fruit is not just for our benefit but for the world around us, as we are called to impact others through our presence and actions.
The concept of being "miniature trees of life" was introduced, emphasizing that each of us, regardless of our perceived abilities or influence, has a role in God's kingdom. Our impact is not measured by the volume of our voice or the grandeur of our actions but by our faithfulness in everyday interactions. Whether it's answering a late-night call from a friend, sharing a meal with someone in need, or simply being present, these acts of love and service are the true markers of our influence.
We are reminded that our influence is not always immediately visible, much like the aroma of a tree that subtly fills the air. Yet, as we remain faithful to Christ, our impact will be felt, even if we don't always see it ourselves. The story of helping my mother move on New Year's Eve illustrated how collective efforts can create a significant impact, affecting not just individuals but entire communities.
Ultimately, our greatest influence comes from being present and available to those around us. It's about meeting people where they are and allowing our lives to reflect the love of Christ. As we align ourselves with Him, we become conduits of His grace, drawing others to ask about the source of our hope and joy. This week, let's consider how we can use our influence to make a difference, trusting that God will use our efforts to further His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
1. Rooted in Christ: Just as trees need water to thrive, we need to be rooted in Christ to bear spiritual fruit. Our influence comes from our connection to Him, allowing us to reflect His love and grace in our daily lives. [35:30]
2. Everyday Impact: Our influence is not determined by grand gestures but by everyday acts of kindness and presence. Simple actions like listening, helping, and being there for others can have a profound impact. [37:57]
3. Subtle Influence: Like the aroma of a tree, our influence may not always be visible, but it is felt. Our presence and the way we live our lives can draw others to Christ, even if we don't see the immediate results. [42:23]
4. Collective Effort: Our individual actions, when combined with others, can create a significant impact. Working together as a community, we can achieve more than we could alone, reflecting the unity and love of the body of Christ. [50:57]
5. Presence Over Performance: The greatest influence comes from being present and available to others. It's not about having the loudest voice or the most impressive actions but about meeting people where they are and showing them the love of Christ. [50:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Psalm 1
- [01:45] - The Metaphor of Trees
- [03:10] - Being Miniature Trees of Life
- [05:00] - Influence and Impact
- [07:20] - Everyday Acts of Kindness
- [09:00] - Subtle Influence and Presence
- [11:15] - Collective Effort in Community
- [13:00] - Presence Over Performance
- [15:00] - Aligning with Christ
- [17:00] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 1
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 1
Observation Questions:
1. What metaphor is used in Psalm 1 to describe the person who delights in the law of the Lord? How does this metaphor relate to the life of a believer? [35:30]
2. According to the sermon, what are some everyday actions that can demonstrate our influence as "miniature trees of life"? [37:57]
3. How does the sermon describe the subtlety of our influence, and what analogy is used to illustrate this? [42:23]
4. What story was shared in the sermon to illustrate the impact of collective efforts within a community? [42:23]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does being "rooted in Christ" enable believers to bear spiritual fruit, according to the sermon? What does this look like in practical terms? [35:30]
2. The sermon mentions that our influence is not always immediately visible. How might this affect a believer's motivation to continue doing good? [42:23]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that presence is more important than performance in influencing others? How does this align with the teachings of Psalm 1? [50:57]
4. How does the concept of "miniature trees of life" challenge traditional views of influence and impact within the church community? [37:57]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. How can you ensure that you are "rooted in Christ" to bear fruit in your daily life? [35:30]
2. Identify a simple act of kindness you can perform this week. How can this act serve as a subtle influence in your community? [37:57]
3. Think of a time when you felt your efforts were unnoticed. How can you remind yourself of the importance of subtle influence, even when results aren't immediately visible? [42:23]
4. Consider a group or community you are part of. What is one way you can contribute to a collective effort to make a significant impact? [42:23]
5. Reflect on your interactions with others. How can you prioritize being present and available over trying to impress or perform? [50:57]
6. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control) to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [37:57]
7. How can you use your unique influence to draw others to ask about the source of your hope and joy? What steps can you take to be more open about your faith in everyday conversations? [50:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Rooted in Christ for Spiritual Nourishment
To thrive spiritually, believers must be deeply rooted in Christ, drawing nourishment from Him to bear fruit that reflects His character. Just as a tree planted by streams of water flourishes, so too does a believer who remains connected to Christ. This connection allows us to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control, impacting the world around us. Our spiritual vitality is not just for personal growth but to influence and nurture our communities, reflecting the grace and love of Christ. [35:30]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your connection to Christ this week to ensure you are spiritually nourished and able to bear fruit in your community?
Day 2: The Power of Everyday Acts of Kindness
Our influence is not determined by grand gestures but by the small, everyday acts of kindness and presence we offer to others. Simple actions like listening, helping, and being there for others can have a profound impact, often more significant than we realize. These acts of love and service are the true markers of our influence, demonstrating our faithfulness in everyday interactions and reflecting the love of Christ to those around us. [37:57]
Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Reflection: Identify one small act of kindness you can perform today for someone in your life. How can this act reflect the love of Christ to them?
Day 3: Subtle Influence Through Presence
Like the aroma of a tree, our influence may not always be visible, but it is felt. Our presence and the way we live our lives can draw others to Christ, even if we don't see the immediate results. By remaining faithful to Christ, we trust that our impact will be felt, influencing others in ways we may never fully understand. This subtle influence is a powerful testament to the transformative power of living a life rooted in Christ. [42:23]
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when someone else's quiet presence impacted you. How can you be a subtle influence in someone else's life today?
Day 4: Collective Effort in Community
Our individual actions, when combined with others, can create a significant impact. Working together as a community, we can achieve more than we could alone, reflecting the unity and love of the body of Christ. This collective effort amplifies our influence, allowing us to make a greater difference in the world and further God's kingdom through our combined efforts and shared purpose. [50:57]
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: Consider how you can collaborate with others in your community to make a positive impact. What steps can you take to contribute to a collective effort this week?
Day 5: Presence Over Performance
The greatest influence comes from being present and available to others. It's not about having the loudest voice or the most impressive actions but about meeting people where they are and showing them the love of Christ. By prioritizing presence over performance, we become conduits of His grace, drawing others to ask about the source of our hope and joy. This approach allows us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us. [50:57]
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (ESV): "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
Reflection: How can you prioritize being present for someone in your life today, rather than focusing on what you can do for them? What might this look like in your daily interactions?
Quotes
But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaves does not wither. Whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked. They are like chaff. [00:33:18]
If we live, if we are, if we ground our, if we choose to ground ourselves, in Christ, then our fruit would bear what she has for us. And in a sense, we would be miniature trees of life. Miniature trees of life. That kind of intrigued me because I never really thought of, I heard of the tree of life. [00:35:44]
Whatever we, wherever we are. The hard part is, we are, the hard part is, not everyone that we are around would want our influence. But if we remain faithful, we will have a harvest. Like, we don't like every tree, fruit that every, every tree bears, but, but, but, so, but, we all have an influence. [00:36:58]
We take the world in the direction that God wants us. In our own circles of influence, we are, we can take the world. We have influence. We have impact. What does that look like, individually? Does that mean building houses, giving a lot of money to the poor? Well, it can, but practically, more practically, more practical matters. [00:38:20]
Our trees, per se, our influence would bear the fruit of love, joy, and peace, patience, kindness, and goodness, and self-control. Those are, that's, again, my, my, my, the point I wanted to get you, talk about, is we all have influences. We all have an impact. We may not understand what our impact is. [00:39:24]
The greatest influence is someone that shows up when someone else really needs it and meeting their need, to meet their need. We as a church, we do a good job at doing this. Really good, really good job. We are led by a really good group of pastors. Thank you, Josh. Thank you. Thank you, Josh. Thank you, David. [00:41:58]
Sometimes we don't even, we don't even know our, what our impact is. It's an aroma that we have. Something about our, something about our presence is just phenomenal to people. Like, we, we can go around and say, what is that aroma you have? I want to be, walking down the street, I want to be like you. [00:43:51]
Truly the greatest impact of that we can have is our presence if sometimes like I said this before I at my job I can go all I'm an activities direct coordinator and I can spend all that time trying to prepare for the for the for the activity then forget about the people that I'm serving in that activity. [00:45:22]
So, to draw us back when we when we align ourselves with Christ and let Christ nurture us let us take in the nutrients like the tree we get to breathe out the air to to affect those around us and make them ask questions we get to give them our fruit which is love joy and peace patience kindness. [00:46:52]
We all have influence. What are we going to do with it? How are we going to take that influence this week? I'll leave you with that. What is your influence? And how are you going to make an impact this week, if you choose to? Let us pray. Dear God, thank you for this day. Thank you that this wasn't my words. [00:50:24]
Thank you for teaching us a little bit of something today. Thank you for this church. Thank you that we don't have to grow alone. Thank you for who you are, that you never leave us. Just thank you, God, for who you are. Amen. [00:51:00]
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