Living as Givers: Supporting Global Missions Together

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound impact of living a life of giving and service, both locally and globally. We began by acknowledging the feelings of loneliness, being unloved, and forgotten, which are often experienced by our missionaries around the world. This season, we have a unique opportunity to support them through Christmas gifts and encouragement notes, reminding them that they are not alone in their mission. This initiative is a tangible way to express our love and support for those who have dedicated their lives to spreading the gospel in challenging environments.

We also celebrated the incredible work being done in Mexico and Uganda. Many from our community have traveled to Mexico, participating in various projects that have not only transformed the lives of those they served but also their own. Similarly, our partnership in Uganda has seen remarkable progress, with our efforts contributing to the education and health of many children. We took time to pray for Pastor Peter and the leaders in Uganda, asking for strength and integrity as they continue their mission.

Our journey then took us to Syria, where the challenges are immense, with a staggering ratio of one Christian worker to a million people. Despite the difficulties, the workers there are committed to building relationships and sharing the love of Christ. We prayed for their strength and for the eyes of the Syrian people to be opened to the truth of Christ.

As we sent off a group to Ohio, led by Tony, we were reminded of the call to manage not just our possessions but our very lives for God's glory. This involves asking where our bodies and resources can make the greatest impact for the kingdom. The essence of our gathering was captured in the call to live as givers in a world of takers, reflecting the nature of our God, who is the ultimate giver.

Key Takeaways:

- Supporting Missionaries: Our missionaries often feel isolated and forgotten. This season, we have the chance to remind them of our love and support through gifts and encouragement, reinforcing the importance of community in their mission. [00:58]

- Transformative Service: Participating in service projects, like those in Mexico, can profoundly impact both the served and the server. These experiences remind us of the simplicity and power of stepping out in faith to serve others. [02:58]

- Global Partnerships: Our work in Uganda highlights the power of partnership and prayer. Supporting local leaders like Pastor Peter can lead to significant community transformation, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of our collective efforts. [05:29]

- Challenges in Syria: The spiritual landscape in Syria is challenging, with few workers and many obstacles. Our prayers and support are crucial for those serving there, as they navigate a complex environment to share the gospel. [10:30]

- Life as a Mission: We are called to manage our lives, not just our possessions, for God's purposes. This involves discerning where our presence can best serve the kingdom, whether locally or globally, and living as givers in a world of takers. [24:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction and Mission Focus
- [00:58] - Supporting Our Missionaries
- [02:30] - Mexico Mission Impact
- [04:14] - Uganda Mission Update
- [05:29] - Praying for Uganda
- [09:19] - Visit to Syria
- [11:12] - Prayer for Syria
- [16:02] - Prayer Resources for Syria
- [17:52] - Sending Off to Ohio
- [24:49] - Life as a Mission
- [26:15] - Living as Givers
- [29:01] - The Role of a Pastor
- [33:44] - Direct Words from God
- [44:56] - A Lifestyle of Giving

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
2. Matthew 25:35-40 - "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
3. Acts 20:35 - "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"

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Observation Questions:

1. What are some of the feelings that missionaries often experience while serving abroad, as mentioned in the sermon? [00:42]

2. How did the sermon describe the impact of participating in service projects in Mexico? [02:58]

3. What specific challenges do Christian workers face in Syria, according to the sermon? [10:30]

4. How does the sermon suggest we should view and manage our lives and possessions for God's purposes? [24:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) influence the way we should live our lives, according to the sermon? [24:49]

2. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the idea that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35)?

3. How does the sermon connect the work being done in Uganda with the biblical call to care for the needy (Matthew 25:35-40)? [05:29]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of prayer in supporting global missions, particularly in challenging environments like Syria? [11:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt lonely or forgotten. How can you use that experience to empathize with and support missionaries who might feel the same way? [00:42]

2. The sermon mentioned the transformative impact of service projects. Have you ever participated in a service project? How did it affect you, and how might you get involved in one in the future? [02:58]

3. Considering the challenges faced by Christian workers in Syria, what specific steps can you take to support them through prayer or other means? [10:30]

4. How can you apply the principle of managing your life and possessions for God's glory in your daily routine? What changes might you need to make? [24:49]

5. The sermon emphasized living as givers in a world of takers. Identify one area in your life where you can shift from taking to giving. What practical steps will you take this week to make that change? [26:15]

6. How can you incorporate the practice of writing encouragement notes or giving gifts to support missionaries into your holiday traditions this year? [01:13]

7. Reflect on the idea that our bodies are not our own. How does this perspective challenge your current lifestyle choices, and what adjustments can you make to honor God with your body? [24:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Reminding Missionaries of Their Community
In a world where missionaries often feel isolated and forgotten, it is crucial to remind them of the community that supports them. This season, there is a unique opportunity to express love and support through Christmas gifts and encouragement notes. These tangible acts of kindness serve as a powerful reminder that they are not alone in their mission. By participating in this initiative, individuals can reinforce the importance of community and solidarity in the challenging environments where missionaries work. [00:58]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one missionary or person in ministry you can reach out to today with a note of encouragement or a small gift to remind them they are not alone?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Service
Engaging in service projects, such as those in Mexico, can have a profound impact on both the individuals being served and those serving. These experiences highlight the simplicity and power of stepping out in faith to serve others. By participating in these projects, individuals are reminded of the transformative nature of service, which not only changes the lives of those they help but also enriches their own spiritual journey. [02:58]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one simple act of service you can perform this week that might transform both your life and the life of someone else?


Day 3: The Power of Global Partnerships
The work in Uganda exemplifies the power of partnership and prayer. Supporting local leaders like Pastor Peter can lead to significant community transformation, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of collective efforts. Through prayer and collaboration, individuals can contribute to the education and health of many children, showcasing the strength of global partnerships in advancing the mission of spreading the gospel. [05:29]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively support a global mission or partnership today, whether through prayer, financial support, or raising awareness?


Day 4: Overcoming Challenges in Syria
The spiritual landscape in Syria presents immense challenges, with a staggering ratio of one Christian worker to a million people. Despite these difficulties, workers remain committed to building relationships and sharing the love of Christ. Prayers and support are crucial for those serving in such complex environments, as they navigate obstacles to share the gospel. [10:30]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can support those working in challenging mission fields today, perhaps through prayer or by learning more about their needs?


Day 5: Living as Givers in a World of Takers
The call to manage our lives, not just our possessions, for God's purposes is a profound one. This involves discerning where our presence can best serve the kingdom, whether locally or globally. By living as givers in a world of takers, individuals reflect the nature of God, who is the ultimate giver. This mindset encourages a lifestyle of generosity and service, impacting the world for God's glory. [24:49]

"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: In what specific area of your life can you choose to be a giver today, reflecting God's generosity to those around you?

Quotes

We also celebrated the incredible work being done in Mexico and Uganda. Many from our community have traveled to Mexico, participating in various projects that have not only transformed the lives of those they served but also their own. Similarly, our partnership in Uganda has seen remarkable progress, with our efforts contributing to the education and health of many children. [00:05:29]

We want to pray for Pastor Peter and the leaders of the Ministries there. Pastor Peter is the front runner of everything that's going on over there, and God has given him incredible Vision, incredible passion. We want to just bathe him in prayer and bathe his ministry leaders in prayer that they would remain faithful to what God has called them to. [00:05:46]

The spiritual landscape in Syria is challenging, with few workers and many obstacles. Our prayers and support are crucial for those serving there, as they navigate a complex environment to share the gospel. We want to pray for the strengthening of the workers there, the Christian workers there. We want to pray for more laborers in the region. [00:11:12]

We are called to manage our lives, not just our possessions, for God's purposes. This involves discerning where our presence can best serve the kingdom, whether locally or globally, and living as givers in a world of takers. It's not just your stuff, your things, but this very body that you live in, it doesn't belong to you. [00:24:49]

This Christmas season, we want to do something that we've never done before. We want to provide Christmas gifts for our missionaries around the world, an opportunity for you to do that. We want to give them as many Christmas cards as possible, just inundate them with love and prayers and encouragements from Cornerstone Community Church. [00:01:23]

Participating in service projects, like those in Mexico, can profoundly impact both the served and the server. These experiences remind us of the simplicity and power of stepping out in faith to serve others. Every person I talk to who's gone down to Mexico says the same thing: God rocked my world, and it was easy and simple. [00:02:58]

Our work in Uganda highlights the power of partnership and prayer. Supporting local leaders like Pastor Peter can lead to significant community transformation, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of our collective efforts. Your work, your prayer, your resources are going such a far way there. It's an amazing thing. [00:05:29]

The challenges in Syria are immense, with a staggering ratio of one Christian worker to a million people. Despite the difficulties, the workers there are committed to building relationships and sharing the love of Christ. We prayed for their strength and for the eyes of the Syrian people to be opened to the truth of Christ. [00:10:30]

We are called to manage not just our possessions but our very lives for God's glory. This involves asking where our bodies and resources can make the greatest impact for the kingdom. The essence of our gathering was captured in the call to live as givers in a world of takers, reflecting the nature of our God, who is the ultimate giver. [00:24:49]

Our missionaries often feel isolated and forgotten. This season, we have the chance to remind them of our love and support through gifts and encouragement, reinforcing the importance of community in their mission. We want to provide Christmas gifts for our missionaries around the world, an opportunity for you to do that. [00:01:23]

Life as a mission involves discerning where our presence can best serve the kingdom, whether locally or globally, and living as givers in a world of takers. It's not just your stuff, your things, but this very body that you live in, it doesn't belong to you. You were purchased with a price; therefore, honor God with your body. [00:24:49]

Supporting missionaries is crucial as they often feel isolated and forgotten. This season, we have the chance to remind them of our love and support through gifts and encouragement, reinforcing the importance of community in their mission. We want to provide Christmas gifts for our missionaries around the world, an opportunity for you to do that. [00:01:23]

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