Following Jesus: Embracing Relationships and Unity in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Relationships in Evangelism

Relationships are a primary tool God uses to bring people into His Kingdom. Statistically, 75-90% of people come to faith through a friend or family member, yet only 5% of Christians actively share their faith. Imagine the impact if just 10% of us took this call seriously. Relationships are the foundation of the Kingdom of God, and it is through these connections that many come to know Christ. The call to "Follow Me" is not just a historical event but a present-day invitation to each of us. By building and nurturing relationships, we can create opportunities to share our faith and bring others into the eternal family of God.

Consider the impact if more of us took this call seriously. If just 10% of Christians actively shared their faith, the ripple effect could be monumental. We are encouraged to be intentional in our relationships, to invest time and love into them, and to be bold in sharing the hope and joy we have in Christ. This is not about forcing conversations but about living authentically and allowing our lives to be a testament to the transformative power of Jesus.

John 1:40-42 (ESV): "One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas' (which means Peter)."

Reflection: Think of a friend or family member who does not know Christ. How can you intentionally invest in that relationship this week and create an opportunity to share your faith?

Day 2: Living a Life That Reflects Christ

Our lives should visibly reflect our faith so that others can see the transformation in us. This is especially important when sharing faith within our families, as even Jesus faced skepticism from His own brothers. By living a life that visibly reflects our faith, we can prove the truth of the Gospel. Our actions, attitudes, and words should all point to the hope and joy we have in Christ. When others see the transformation in us, they become curious about the source of our peace and joy.

Living a life that reflects Christ is not about perfection but about authenticity. It means being honest about our struggles and showing how our faith helps us navigate them. It means being kind, patient, and loving, even when it is difficult. By doing so, we create a powerful testimony that can draw others to Christ. Remember, our lives are often the first Bible that others will read.

Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you let your light shine more brightly in your family and community this week?

Day 3: Unity in Diversity

Jesus deliberately chose a diverse group of disciples, including political opposites like Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector. This teaches us that the Kingdom of God transcends political and social boundaries, and we must prioritize our unity in Christ over our political differences. The diversity among Jesus' disciples underscores the inclusivity of the Kingdom of God. It is a reminder that our unity in Christ should be stronger than any political or social differences we may have.

In today's polarized world, it is easy to let political and social differences divide us. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to love one another and to seek unity in the body of Christ. This does not mean we have to agree on everything, but it does mean that we should prioritize our shared faith and mission over our differences. By doing so, we can be a powerful witness to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel.

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Think about someone with whom you have political or social differences. How can you prioritize your unity in Christ and build a bridge of understanding and love this week?

Day 4: The Role of Women in Ministry

The New Testament Church began to break down societal stereotypes, making the community of believers inclusive and diverse. Women played a significant role in Jesus' ministry, and this inclusivity should be reflected in our churches today. Jesus' ministry was revolutionary in many ways, including His inclusion of women. He valued and respected women, and they played crucial roles in His ministry and the early church. This inclusivity is a model for us today.

In many cultures and societies, women have been marginalized and their contributions overlooked. However, the Kingdom of God is different. It is a place where everyone, regardless of gender, is valued and has a role to play. As followers of Christ, we are called to continue breaking down these societal stereotypes and to create inclusive communities where everyone can use their gifts to serve God and others.

Romans 16:1-2 (ESV): "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well."

Reflection: Reflect on the women in your church and community. How can you support and encourage them in their ministry and service to God?

Day 5: God's Divine Selection

God has chosen each of us, not because of our merits but because of His love and grace. This divine selection calls us into a relationship with Him and compels us to invite others into this eternal family. We are encouraged to live in a way that others can see the hope and joy in us, making them curious about the source of our peace. God's choice of us is a profound act of love and grace. It is not based on our merits or achievements but on His unconditional love for us.

This divine selection is both a privilege and a responsibility. It calls us into a deep and personal relationship with God, and it also compels us to share this love and grace with others. By living in a way that reflects the hope and joy we have in Christ, we can draw others to Him. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of God's love and grace.

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: Reflect on your own experience of God's love and grace. How can you share this experience with someone else this week?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we began a new series titled "Jesus Said," focusing on the profound and life-giving words of Jesus. We explored the significance of Jesus' call to "Follow Me," as seen in John 1, where John the Baptist's disciples, Andrew and John, first followed Jesus. This call to follow Jesus is not just a historical event but a present-day invitation to each of us. The essence of the Kingdom of God is built on relationships, and it is through these relationships that many come to faith. Statistically, 75-90% of people come to Christ through a friend or family member, yet only 5% of Christians actively share their faith. Imagine the impact if just 10% of us took this call seriously.

We also discussed the challenges of sharing faith within our families, as even Jesus faced skepticism from His own brothers. However, through His life and resurrection, He proved His divinity and won them over. This teaches us the importance of living a life that visibly reflects our faith, so others can see the transformation in us.

Jesus' choice of disciples was deliberate and diverse, including political opposites like Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector. This diversity underscores that the Kingdom of God transcends political and social boundaries. We must prioritize our unity in Christ over our political differences.

Furthermore, we touched on the role of women in Jesus' ministry, highlighting how the New Testament Church began to break down societal stereotypes, making the community of believers inclusive and diverse.

Finally, we emphasized that God has chosen each of us, not because of our merits but because of His love and grace. This divine selection calls us into a relationship with Him and compels us to invite others into this eternal family. We are encouraged to live in a way that others can see the hope and joy in us, making them curious about the source of our peace.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 90% of people come to faith through a friend or family member, yet only 5% of Christians actively share their faith. Imagine the impact if just 10% of us took this call seriously. [39:45]
2. Living a Life That Reflects Christ: Our lives should visibly reflect our faith so that others can see the transformation in us. This is especially important when sharing faith within our families, as even Jesus faced skepticism from His own brothers. By living a life that visibly reflects our faith, we can prove the truth of the Gospel.

3. Unity in Diversity: Jesus deliberately chose a diverse group of disciples, including political opposites like Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector. This teaches us that the Kingdom of God transcends political and social boundaries, and we must prioritize our unity in Christ over our political differences.

4. The Role of Women in Ministry: The New Testament Church began to break down societal stereotypes, making the community of believers inclusive and diverse. Women played a significant role in Jesus' ministry, and this inclusivity should be reflected in our churches today.

5. God's Divine Selection: God has chosen each of us, not because of our merits but because of His love and grace. This divine selection calls us into a relationship with Him and compels us to invite others into this eternal family. We are encouraged to live in a way that others can see the hope and joy in us, making them curious about the source of our peace.

### [39:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:59] - Introduction to "Jesus Said" Series
[36:54] - The Call to Follow Jesus
[39:45] - The Power of Relationships in Evangelism
[45:03] - Living a Life That Reflects Christ
[52:06] - Challenges of Sharing Faith with Family
[56:19] - Jesus' Diverse Choice of Disciples
[63:30] - Unity in Diversity
[67:53] - The Role of Women in Ministry
[72:28] - God's Divine Selection
[77:39] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In John 1:35-51, what was the initial reaction of John the Baptist's disciples when they encountered Jesus? How did they respond to His invitation to "Follow Me"? [36:54]
According to the sermon, what percentage of people come to faith through a friend or family member, and what percentage of Christians actively share their faith? [40:35]
How did Jesus' own brothers initially react to His ministry, according to John 7:1-9? [50:48]
What does Galatians 3:27-28 say about the inclusivity of the Kingdom of God? How does this relate to the role of women in Jesus' ministry? [01:09:11]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think relationships are such a powerful tool for evangelism, as highlighted in the sermon? How does this align with the example of Andrew and John in John 1:35-51? [39:45]
What does it mean to live a life that visibly reflects Christ, especially in the context of sharing faith within our families? How did Jesus' life and resurrection impact His brothers' belief? [52:06]
How does the diversity of Jesus' disciples, including political opposites like Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector, teach us about unity in the Kingdom of God? [01:03:30]
In what ways did the New Testament Church begin to break down societal stereotypes, particularly regarding the role of women? How should this influence our churches today? [01:07:53]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own relationships. How can you be more intentional about sharing your faith with friends and family? What steps can you take this week to start a spiritual conversation with someone close to you? [40:35]
Think about your daily life. Are there areas where your actions do not visibly reflect your faith in Christ? What changes can you make to ensure that your life is a testimony to others, especially your family? [52:06]
Consider the political and social diversity within your own church or community. How can you prioritize unity in Christ over political differences? What practical steps can you take to foster this unity? [01:03:30]
Reflect on the role of women in your church. Are there ways your church can be more inclusive and break down societal stereotypes? How can you personally support and encourage the women in your church community? [01:07:53]
Think about the concept of God's divine selection. How does knowing that God has chosen you out of love and grace impact your daily life and interactions with others? How can you live in a way that makes others curious about the source of your peace and joy? [01:12:28]
Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? What specific actions can you take to invite them into a relationship with Christ? [44:02]
Reflect on the challenges of sharing faith within your family. What specific steps can you take to demonstrate the transformation in your life to your family members? How can you prove the truth of the Gospel through your actions? [52:06]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "One of the primary tools that God uses to call people into his kingdom is relationship. Because the kingdom of God is, is built on relationships, right? I mean, the kingdom of God is about a relationship. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit are in relationship. They create the universe and all that's in it so that he can bring us, and we can become his children in relationship. So God's all about relationship." [39:45] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Imagine the impact if we just started to be not aggressive, but we were attentive about sharing and inviting people to Christ. And I was sharing the first service that, that, you know, you can look around this room. Sitting here on the front row is Nikki Dybal. And Nikki works with our, she doesn't know I'm going to talk about her. But Nikki works with our, our toddler area in our little kids area. And Nikki has invited a herd of people to this church." [42:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We should be inviting people either through sharing our faith. That's one way. It doesn't always have to happen that way. You can also, you can just invite them to a church activity. Sometimes it's inviting them to a kind of a, a fun activity like the harvest fest or friend day. We do those activities on purpose to give you a reason to invite someone to come and visit so that they can be introduced to the family of God, the people of God." [44:02] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Hey, how do you have peace? How do you have joy? What's going on in you? And you get to share with them the good news of Jesus Christ. So we need to be about that and we need to be looking for opportunities. We should be praying for people. Uh, we should be praying daily for God to bring people into our life that we'll get to share the good news of Jesus Christ with." [45:03] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We have to be different. We have to be the different that Jesus has called us to be. We, Jesus said, let your light so shine before men. That they'll see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven. That we need to live in such a way that it's noticeable that we're living differently, that we're changed, not perfect. Right? Have you, you know, we live in this tension right where we're not perfect, but we're transformed." [52:33] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "So 80, 75 to 90% of people come because they're invited, but only 5% of Christians are involved in sharing their faith or inviting. So just, just think, just think how we could revolutionize and see people come to Christ if it just was 10%. If just 10% of Christians invited people to church or shared their faith with Jesus Christ." [40:35] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus deliberately call these this diverse group of knuckleheads, you know, be his disciples. Mark 313 and he went up the mountain and summoned those who he himself wanted and they came to him and appointed 12 so that they would be with him. And he he could send them out to preach and to have authority cast out the demons." [56:54] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus will put you where your sins and weaknesses can be revealed. Not to destroy you. But so that you can defeat and overcome those sins. It's not because he hates you. Because he loves you think about if you go to the doctor, you got a headache and you've had a recurring headache for weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks and it's not letting up." [59:13] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have to learn to walk in unity even with people who don't agree with us. Jesus disciples did. So we have to learn to walk in unity and love and agreement with people who don't agree with you. 100% Can you do that? Is it possible to do that? Are you married? Yes, it's possible. You have a fan. You have siblings. You have family and you agree with them a hundred percent. No, but you still love them." [01:07:09] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The God of the universe has chosen you. He chose you. Ephesians 1 3 blessed be the God and Father of Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual. Blessing in the heavenly places in Christ just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world. That would be homely and blameless holy and blameless before him in love. He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself according to the kind intention of his will." [01:12:28] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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