Investing in Love: Our Mission and Community

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound impact of our collective giving and the mission of our church to love others as God loves us. This mission is expressed through our four "love lanes": the next generation, local partners, our nation, and global partners. Each lane represents a unique avenue through which we extend our love and resources, from expanding our facilities to accommodate more students, to supporting local shelters and associations, to planting life-giving churches across the nation, and partnering with global ministries in places like Peru, DR Congo, and Kenya. Our giving is not just a financial transaction; it is an investment in the Kingdom of God, a diversified blessing that reaches far and wide.

We also reflected on the centrality of Jesus in our lives. The Scriptures remind us that there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. Jesus is the embodiment of God's promises, the one through whom we experience grace and favor. As we gather, we are reminded of the importance of not just being spectators but active participants in worship, experiencing the help, strength, healing, and love of God. Jesus promised that where two or three gather in His name, He is present among them, and we are encouraged to lift our hands and hearts in prayer and thanksgiving.

Furthermore, we celebrated the dedication of a young child, Mikey Jr., and prayed for his family as they embark on a new chapter with Mike's deployment. This act of dedication is a testament to the importance of planting ourselves and our families in the house of God, where we find strength, community, and purpose.

As we look forward to the year ahead, we are challenged to participate actively in church, engage with Scripture, join in prayer, and write down our prayers and dreams for 2023. Our faith is not just an opinion among many; it is grounded in the reality of God's intervention in history through Jesus Christ. We are called to engage our minds and hearts, to know and trust in the truths of Christianity, and to live out these truths in our daily lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Collective Giving: Our giving is a powerful expression of love that impacts the next generation, supports local and global partners, and plants life-giving churches. It is an investment in the Kingdom of God that blesses countless lives. [14:41]

2. The Centrality of Jesus: Jesus is the embodiment of God's promises, the one through whom we experience grace and favor. His presence among us is a reminder to actively participate in worship and experience God's love and healing. [26:57]

3. The Importance of Community: Planting ourselves and our families in the house of God provides strength, community, and purpose. It is a commitment to raise our families in God's love and to support one another in faith. [30:19]

4. Engaging with Scripture and Prayer: We are challenged to actively participate in church, engage with Scripture, and join in prayer. These practices ground us in the truths of Christianity and help us live out our faith in daily life. [41:45]

5. The Reality of God's Intervention: Our faith is not just an opinion; it is grounded in the reality of God's intervention in history through Jesus Christ. We are called to engage our minds and hearts, to know and trust in these truths, and to live them out. [43:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [14:41] - Impact of Giving
- [26:57] - Experiencing God's Presence
- [29:09] - Special Dedication
- [30:19] - Planting in God's House
- [33:41] - Community Engagement
- [41:45] - 2023 Challenge
- [43:05] - Core Truths of Christianity
- [46:37] - Knowledge and Faith
- [47:24] - Evidence of God's Intervention
- [49:13] - Considering Jesus' Life
- [52:06] - Historical Evidence
- [54:20] - Jesus' Unique Character
- [56:48] - Jesus' Impact on the World
- [59:39] - Personal Transformation
- [01:06:18] - Jesus' Works and Miracles
- [01:13:23] - Jesus' Teachings and Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
2. Acts 10:37-40 - "You yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen."
3. Hosea 4:6 - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the four "love lanes" mentioned in the sermon, and how do they reflect the church's mission to love others as God loves us? [14:41]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus in our lives, and what specific promises are associated with His presence? [26:57]

3. What significance does the dedication of Mikey Jr. hold in the context of the sermon, and how does it relate to the importance of community and family in the church? [30:19]

4. According to the sermon, what are the three core truths of Christianity that are emphasized for a successful life? [43:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of collective giving as described in the sermon challenge traditional views of financial contributions in the church? [14:41]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' presence among believers transforms their worship experience? [26:57]

3. How does the sermon use the dedication of Mikey Jr. to illustrate the broader theme of planting oneself in the house of God? [30:19]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between knowledge and faith, particularly in the context of Hosea 4:6? [43:05]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own giving habits. How can you align them more closely with the idea of investing in the Kingdom of God as described in the sermon? [14:41]

2. Consider your participation in worship. What steps can you take to move from being a spectator to an active participant in experiencing God's love and healing? [26:57]

3. How can you and your family become more deeply planted in the house of God, and what benefits might this bring to your community and personal life? [30:19]

4. The sermon challenges us to engage with Scripture and prayer actively. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your engagement with God's Word? [41:45]

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's intervention in your life. How can this experience strengthen your faith and encourage others in your community? [43:05]

6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of writing down prayers and dreams for the year. What is one prayer or dream you have for 2023, and how can you take steps to pursue it? [41:45]

7. How can you apply the teachings of Jesus, particularly the concept of agape love, in your relationships and interactions with others this week? [01:19:31]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: The Transformative Power of Generous Giving
Our collective giving is more than a financial act; it is a profound expression of love that impacts lives across generations and geographies. By investing in the Kingdom of God, we support the next generation, local and global partners, and the planting of life-giving churches. This diversified blessing reaches far and wide, embodying the mission to love others as God loves us. Our giving is a tangible way to participate in God's work, extending His love and resources to those in need. [14:41]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Consider how your giving reflects your love for others. What is one specific way you can contribute to your community or church this week that aligns with God's mission of love?

Day 2: Jesus, the Fulfillment of God's Promises
Jesus is central to our faith, embodying God's promises and offering grace and favor. His presence among us is a reminder to actively participate in worship, experiencing God's love, healing, and strength. As we gather in His name, we are encouraged to lift our hands and hearts in prayer and thanksgiving, knowing that He is with us. This active participation transforms us from spectators to participants in God's divine plan. [26:57]

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in worship this week to experience the presence of Jesus more fully? What specific actions can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?

Day 3: Rooted in Community and God's House
Planting ourselves and our families in the house of God provides strength, community, and purpose. It is a commitment to raise our families in God's love and to support one another in faith. This dedication is exemplified in the celebration of life events, such as the dedication of a child, which signifies the importance of being rooted in a faith community. By doing so, we find a sense of belonging and a shared mission to live out God's love. [30:19]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you strengthen your connection to your faith community this week? How can you encourage and support others in their spiritual journey?

Day 4: Engaging with Scripture and Prayer
We are challenged to actively engage with Scripture and join in prayer, grounding ourselves in the truths of Christianity. These practices help us live out our faith in daily life, providing guidance and strength. By writing down our prayers and dreams, we align our desires with God's will, seeking His intervention and wisdom. This engagement is not passive but requires intentionality and commitment to grow in our understanding and relationship with God. [41:45]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your engagement with Scripture and prayer? How can you incorporate these practices into your daily routine to strengthen your faith?

Day 5: The Reality of God's Intervention in History
Our faith is grounded in the reality of God's intervention in history through Jesus Christ. It is not merely an opinion but a truth that calls us to engage our minds and hearts. We are invited to know and trust in these truths, living them out in our daily lives. This understanding challenges us to see our faith as a response to God's historical actions, shaping our worldview and guiding our actions. [43:05]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding God's intervention in history through Jesus Christ impact your daily life? What is one area where you can apply this understanding to live out your faith more fully?

Quotes

1) "You know, our church's mission is to love people the same way that God loves us. And we do that through what we call four love lanes. You know, love lane number one is the next generation. We do that through See Kids, our kids ministry, Firescape. That's our middle and high school ministry. And we also do it through our amazing Christian school, Virginia Academy. You know, right now our church is expanding over 60,000 square foot of expansion to our building, an amazing gymnasium, nine classrooms, science labs, a library. What are we doing, Pastor Charlie? We're making room for more students so they can hit the road. We're making room for more people. We're making room for more people. We're making room for more people." [14:41] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "You know, it's so tempting you come in a church like this, you know, it's so tempting you come in a church like this, there's lights, there's screens, and guitar players and drums, and if we're not careful, we can just get caught up watching. And our prayer is that every single one of us would experience the help and the strength, the healing, and the love of God. Jesus said, when two or three of you gather together, if you'll do that in my name, I'll be there. And God is with you forever, that we may be in your midst." [26:57] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "I just want to remind everyone that we closed out this past year with our our usual our big give we had a goal the largest goal we've ever had of of two million dollars and uh we surpassed that two million dollar goal by 2.1 million more than what we needed so I just wanted to say thank you for being a generous church and everything that we listed on there to help people because the big give was about helping people uh we're gonna do everything including the you've seen the bulldozers and stuff outside there the expansion got a missionary joe said I don't know if you're in this service or you and joe said and jay's you're right there come on stand up you guys wave at everybody come on point to them come on point to them right now you guys are you guys are a clappy second service I want you to point to them right now come on jay stand up next next to joe said next to your bride stand up he's having trouble understanding my english but because of the big give this couple was going full time um to the congo and going to take the ministry there to to abused women and their children to a whole new level that's what happens folks when we give so we're all about that they're gonna with us for another month you'll hear more about it we'll be praying and um and sending them out but all those projects we talked about just wanted to give you an update or happening so thank you um for for being a part" [33:41] (97 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Christianity. This is in your notes. Christianity is a sober minded, well -grounded representation of the way things really are. That's what the word reality. Come on. Come on. Let's read it again. I want you to engage your mind. This might be the last place on planet earth where we can actually think clearly. I pray that it's a place where we can think clearly about our lives. Let's read together. Christianity is a sober minded, well -grounded representation of reality. It's truths are what, what does that mean? That means they're verifiable available. You can test them to anyone. And this is important to anyone who, and this is important to anyone who, and this is important to anyone who, and this is a key word truly or genuinely wants to know where these truths found. These truths are found in the Bible." [43:05] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "What man has impacted the history of the entire world as this carpenter from Galilee? Now, we're going to read a passage that describes Jesus' life. This is from an unknown author. But if it's up there, you can. Follow along with me. He says, he never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never went to college. By the way, there were colleges back then. There were places of learning. You know, people went to school, had rabbis, had teachers. He never traveled more than 200 miles from the place he was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompanies greatness. Yet, reason here, reason here, yet all the armies that ever marched, all the governments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned have not affected life upon this earth as powerfully as has this one solitary life." [58:30] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Wouldn't we expect, if you're a thinking person, if someone claims, if someone claims to be the son of God, wouldn't you expect that you better do something to show us, give us some proof, give us some sign. There it is. What's a sign do? A road sign is pointing you to in a direction I'm driving. You have to give us a sign of who you are that I'm any rational person would think that. And yet here we have Jesus's life and it's full of signs of who he is. In fact, I was reading this with the new light in John's account of Jesus's life. And I can almost hear his frustration because he's like, you don't believe. Yet look at the evidence. Look at the things I'm doing. We still have to wrestle with that today." [01:06:18] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "Has there ever been a man who gave us? Teachings like Christ. And should we expect anything less? Teachings. Anybody heard the golden rule? You think that's a good idea for the healing of society? Come on, I'm not tricking you. I'm asking you a real question. In the first service, I saw Loretta Hall. And she's been a teacher here in Loudoun County for, oh goodness, 45 years. They named a gymnasium after her. She's a Loudoun County walking piece of history. African American. And she can tell you stories about here right in Loudoun County. About Douglas Schoolhouse down right down here, how it was built, why it was built. All kinds of stories. She's been a teacher here ever. Since 40 years. She's been a teacher here in Blessed County. someone to be like okay you you can whatever be down and mad and upset at everything why are you she goes when my parents raised me they said i should treat everyone just how i would want to be treated so i've tried to do that with my life what was happening it was like god was sending a message to the world hey hey human civilization this is how it can work if you treat others with the kind of respect and that you yourself would like to be treated by you and jesus is turning on a light he said i am the light of the world he who follows me learns from me is my disciple will not walk in unclarity will not walk in darkness but will have the light and clarity of everlasting life" [01:14:03] (169 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "I believe we could debate it, but See, we take it for granted today, but what was Jesus teaching about agape love? It's the kind of love. It's the kind of love that wills good. It wills and wills into action the benefit of the person being loved. Even to the point where it hurts you, or it might, even to the point of, that's how much I want to see you succeed. That's the idea in the Greek of agape love. God so agape you. God so loved you that he gave his only begotten son. Are you getting the idea? His son was sacrificed so that we might have eternal life in and through him. God, you love me that way. And in turn, as I receive, as I receive that love, he challenges us to agape one another." [01:19:31] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?