Living Out Our Mission: Love, Generosity, and Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Commitment Beyond Perfection

Our journey with Christ is not about flawless services or perfect attendance; it's about a steadfast commitment to His mission. The true measure of dedication is found in the willingness to surrender to the head of the church and serve others with a compassionate heart. This commitment is what fosters growth within the church—not merely an increase in numbers, but a deepening of our collective relationship with Jesus. It's about creating spaces where people can genuinely encounter Christ, perhaps for the first time, and nurturing an environment that encourages spiritual growth. [01:06:38]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23

Reflection: How can you demonstrate unwavering commitment to Christ's mission in your daily interactions?

Day 2: Beauty in Holiness

The splendor of the church is not contingent on last-minute efforts but on a life of holiness and purpose. As believers, we are called to be part of a radiant church, one that is prepared for the return of Christ, adorned for the marriage supper of the Lamb. This readiness is not achieved through frantic activity but through a consistent life of purity and dedication to God's calling. It is a daily pursuit of holiness, a conscious effort to live a life that is pleasing to God and reflective of His love. [45:00]

"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

Reflection: What daily practices can you adopt to live a life of holiness that prepares you for Christ's return?

Day 3: Reflecting Christ's Love

The essence of the church is not encapsulated in its leadership or programs but in how it reflects the character and love of Jesus. The church is not an entity separate from Christ; it is His body, and He is its head. Therefore, our love for the church should stem from our love for Jesus, who is the true owner and the reason for its existence. The church's actions, its compassion, and its community should all point back to Him, showcasing His grace and love to the world. [47:32]

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died." - 2 Corinthians 5:14

Reflection: In what ways can you help your local church better reflect the character and love of Jesus?

Day 4: Mission Begins at Home

The mission field starts right where we are, in our own "Jerusalem," and extends to the furthest corners of the earth. Following Jesus' command, we are to share the gospel with those closest to us—our families, friends, and neighbors—as well as those who are different from us. This includes reaching out to those we may struggle to understand or even like, mirroring Jesus' love for all people. Our influence for Christ should push us beyond our comfort zones, embodying the Great Commission in every aspect of our lives. [58:25]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." - Acts 1:8

Reflection: Who in your immediate circle can you intentionally share the gospel with this week?

Day 5: Generosity as Worship

Our love for the church is practically expressed through our generosity—our tithes and offerings. These acts of worship enable the church to support various ministries and missions, impacting lives both locally and globally. Giving is not merely a financial transaction; it is a spiritual discipline that reflects our trust in God and our desire to participate in His work on earth. Through our contributions, we leave a legacy that honors God and furthers His kingdom, demonstrating our commitment to the church and its mission. [01:04:33]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." - Hebrews 13:16

Reflection: How can you cultivate a spirit of generosity towards God's work, starting today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, I reflected on the profound journey we've been on together, celebrating the consistency and dedication that has marked our time as a community. Over the years, we've seen growth not just in numbers but in the depth of our relationship with Jesus. Our mission has always been clear: to bring hope and impact our community by leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus. This mission drives us to innovate and create environments where people can encounter Jesus, perhaps for the first time, through our services and outreach.

I shared my vision of heaven and the eternal impact of our earthly actions. I encouraged each one of us to consider who we are taking with us to heaven, emphasizing the importance of sharing the gospel and living a life that reflects our heavenly calling. I spoke about the church's future, referencing Ephesians 5:27, which speaks of a church presented to Christ in splendor, without spot or wrinkle, holy and faultless.

I urged you not to love the church for superficial reasons but to love it because it belongs to Jesus, who shed His blood for it. The church is a reflection of its owner, Jesus, and everything we do should point back to Him. I shared the story of our church's humble beginnings and how God has grown it into a vibrant community that reflects His love and grace.

I also spoke about the importance of starting our mission at home, in Jerusalem, as Jesus instructed in Acts 1:8. We must reach out to our families, our communities, and even those we may not like or understand, just as the Jews were called to reach out to the Samaritans. Our influence for Christ should extend beyond our comfort zones to the ends of the earth.

Finally, I discussed the practical ways we express our love for the church, such as through our tithing and offerings, which enable us to support various ministries and missions, both locally and globally. I shared our church's financial commitment to missions and the upcoming "Leave a Legacy" offering, aiming to raise funds for furthering God's kingdom.

Key Takeaways

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Observation Questions

What does Ephesians 5:27 say about the condition of the church when it is presented to Christ?
According to Acts 1:8, where does Jesus instruct his followers to begin their mission?
What are the two main actions Jesus commands in Matthew 28:19-20?
In the sermon, what practical ways were mentioned to express our love for the church? ([01:00:04])

Interpretation Questions

How does the idea of the church being "without spot or wrinkle" in Ephesians 5:27 influence our understanding of holiness and purpose in our daily lives?
What might be the significance of starting the mission "in Jerusalem" as mentioned in Acts 1:8, and how can this be applied to our personal lives and communities? ([58:25])
How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 shape the mission and activities of the church today?
Reflecting on the sermon, why is it important to love the church because it belongs to Jesus rather than for superficial reasons? ([45:32])

Application Questions

Ephesians 5:27 speaks of a church without spot or wrinkle. What steps can you take this week to live a life of holiness and purpose that contributes to this vision?
Acts 1:8 emphasizes starting the mission at home. Who in your immediate sphere of influence (family, friends, coworkers) can you reach out to with the gospel this week? ([58:25])
The Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations. What is one practical way you can engage in disciple-making in your community or workplace?
The sermon mentioned the importance of generosity in giving. How can you participate in supporting your church's mission through tithes and offerings this month? ([01:04:33])
Reflect on the idea of loving the church because it belongs to Jesus. How can you deepen your love for the church in a way that reflects your love for Christ? ([45:32])
The pastor shared a vision of heaven and the eternal impact of our actions. What is one action you can take this week to ensure you are living with an eternal perspective? ([01:08:34])
The sermon emphasized the importance of inviting others to church. Who is one person you can invite to church this week, and how will you approach them? ([01:11:04])

Sermon Clips

"Live on Mission. The church has a mission that was given by Jesus... He said I want you to come to church together to worship, to be equipped to mature, but then when you leave, I want you to walk out that door to the mission field." [56:41] ( | | )

"Make me a person of influence and give me the opportunity to open the door to somebody to know you... I want you to be my church, I want you to be my people, but I want you to go. I want you as you go love God, love people, and serve the world." [58:25] ( | | )

"Love the church because of who shed his blood to obtain the church and his name is Jesus. Love the church because of who the church belongs to, his name is Jesus. Love the church because of who the church worships, who Jesus." [47:32] ( | | )

"The church should reflect the owner of the church and his name is Jesus... when you come to this campus... what you will see is a reflection of the owner." [48:17] ( | | )

"Everything we do should create an experience that makes it easy for people to come to church and love God... We do everything we can to create an experience here because here's what we know: Jesus owns this church." [50:01] ( | | )

"We are bringing hope and impacting our community by Leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus... We'll do everything short of sinning to win one more person to Jesus." [01:07:19] ( | | )

"Jesus came for people like you and me... he shed his blood on the cross for my sins and your sins and on the third day God raised him from the dead that as many as call upon his name... will be saved." [01:12:54] ( | | )

"Thank you for sending your son Jesus to die for my sins... as best as I can I'm going to serve you all the days of my life. Thank you, Jesus, fill me with your spirit." [01:15:03] ( | | )

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