Living Out Our Mission: Trust, Serve, and Transform
Summary
In our journey as a church, we are reminded that the battle belongs to God, and our fears can be laid at His feet. This truth is foundational as we engage in our mission to point people to Jesus. Our commitment to missions is not just a task but a lifestyle that permeates every aspect of our lives. We are called to reflect on how we are pointing others to Jesus in our daily interactions, whether in our marriages, with our neighbors, or in situations where justice and truth need to be upheld. This conviction has transformed our lives and is central to our church's vision.
Our focus on missions is twofold: local and global. Locally, we partner with organizations like One Seven in Charlotte, supporting them financially and relationally. Globally, we support missionaries who spread the gospel in challenging and often illegal circumstances. Our goal for 2025 is to deepen these relationships, continuing to give generously, even as we undertake building projects. We believe that giving until it hurts is good for our souls, reminding us that eternity is what truly matters.
We are also committed to the ministry of presence, building relationships with our ministry partners, and developing a rhythm of life that includes regular communication and prayer. This involves expanding our leadership development, equipping natural leaders within our congregation to lead mission trips and initiatives. We aim to create a structure where missions can thrive without relying solely on our elders.
Ultimately, our mission is about serving others, sometimes in the humblest of ways, like washing feet. This act symbolizes our willingness to serve wherever needed, reflecting the heart of Jesus. Our identity is found in being part of God's family, and we are called to live in community, recognizing our eternal connection with fellow believers worldwide. As we move forward, we pray for transformation, that we may die to ourselves and live fully for Christ, embracing our identity as His.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Battle Belongs to God: In every fear and challenge, we are reminded that the battle is not ours but God's. By laying our fears at His feet, we find peace and strength to face life's uncertainties. This truth encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness. [39:29]
2. Pointing People to Jesus: Our mission is to point others to Jesus in every aspect of our lives. This involves a constant reflection on whether our actions and words leave others better than we found them. It's a call to live authentically and intentionally, embodying the love and truth of Christ. [59:43]
3. Commitment to Missions: Our church is deeply committed to both local and global missions. We support organizations and missionaries who spread the gospel, often in challenging circumstances. This commitment involves generous giving and building meaningful relationships with our ministry partners. [01:01:19]
4. The Ministry of Presence: Being present and building relationships with our ministry partners is crucial. This involves regular communication, prayer, and support, creating a community where we are known and know others. It's about being the hands and feet of Jesus in tangible ways. [01:05:31]
5. Servant Leadership: True leadership in the church involves humility and a willingness to serve in any capacity, even in the humblest tasks like washing feet. This reflects the heart of Jesus and is a litmus test for those who wish to serve in the church. [01:07:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [39:29] - The Battle Belongs to God
- [59:43] - Pointing People to Jesus
- [01:01:19] - Commitment to Missions
- [01:03:27] - Generous Giving
- [01:05:31] - The Ministry of Presence
- [01:06:53] - Developing Leaders
- [01:07:46] - Servant Leadership
- [01:09:17] - Community and Identity
- [01:10:59] - The Beauty of the Church
- [01:11:52] - Eternal Perspective
- [01:12:31] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 4:34 - "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
2. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
3. Philippians 2:3-4 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" in John 4:34? How does this relate to the church's mission focus? [59:43]
2. How does the sermon describe the church's approach to local and global missions? What are some specific examples given? [01:01:19]
3. What is the significance of the "ministry of presence" as discussed in the sermon? How is this concept applied in the church's mission strategy? [01:05:31]
4. How does the act of washing feet symbolize servant leadership in the context of the sermon? [01:07:46]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "the battle belongs to God" influence the way believers approach challenges and fears in their lives? [39:29]
2. In what ways does the church's mission to "point people to Jesus" challenge members to reflect on their daily interactions and relationships? [59:43]
3. How does the sermon suggest that generous giving is beneficial for the soul and aligns with an eternal perspective? [01:03:27]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of humility and service in leadership within the church? How does this reflect the heart of Jesus? [01:07:46]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current fear or challenge in your life. How can you lay this at God's feet and trust in His sovereignty? [39:29]
2. Consider your daily interactions. How can you intentionally point others to Jesus through your words and actions this week? [59:43]
3. What steps can you take to support local or global missions, either through financial giving, prayer, or active involvement? [01:01:19]
4. How can you practice the "ministry of presence" in your community or church? Identify one relationship you can invest in more deeply. [01:05:31]
5. Think of a humble act of service you can perform this week, similar to washing feet. How can this act reflect the heart of Jesus in your life? [01:07:46]
6. How can you develop a rhythm of life that includes regular communication and prayer for your church's ministry partners? [01:05:31]
7. Identify a natural leadership quality you possess. How can you use this gift to serve others in your church or community, even in humble tasks? [01:07:46]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Trusting God's Sovereignty in Our Battles
In life's challenges and fears, we are reminded that the battle belongs to God. This truth is foundational for believers, offering peace and strength amidst uncertainties. By laying our fears at His feet, we acknowledge His sovereignty and faithfulness, trusting that He is in control. This perspective encourages us to face life's trials with confidence, knowing that God fights for us and His plans are for our good. [39:29]
"For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." (Deuteronomy 20:4, ESV)
Reflection: What specific fear or challenge can you lay at God's feet today, trusting Him to fight on your behalf?
Day 2: Living a Life that Points to Jesus
Our mission is to reflect Jesus in every aspect of our lives. This involves a conscious effort to ensure our actions and words leave others better than we found them. By living authentically and intentionally, we embody the love and truth of Christ, becoming a beacon of hope and light in a world that desperately needs it. This calling challenges us to examine our daily interactions and align them with the teachings of Jesus. [59:43]
"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." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your daily life where you can more intentionally reflect Jesus to those around you.
Day 3: Generosity in Missions
Our church's commitment to missions, both locally and globally, is a testament to our dedication to spreading the gospel. Supporting organizations and missionaries, especially in challenging circumstances, requires generous giving and building meaningful relationships. This commitment is not just financial but involves being present and engaged with our ministry partners. By giving until it hurts, we remind ourselves of the eternal significance of our mission. [01:01:19]
"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: How can you contribute to your church's mission efforts, either through giving, prayer, or active involvement?
Day 4: The Power of Presence
Being present and building relationships with ministry partners is crucial for effective missions. This involves regular communication, prayer, and support, creating a community where we are known and know others. By being the hands and feet of Jesus in tangible ways, we demonstrate His love and compassion to those we serve. This ministry of presence is a powerful tool in spreading the gospel and building God's kingdom. [01:05:31]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community or church can you reach out to this week to offer support and encouragement?
Day 5: Embracing Servant Leadership
True leadership in the church is characterized by humility and a willingness to serve in any capacity. This reflects the heart of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. By embracing servant leadership, we demonstrate our commitment to following Christ's example, serving others in the humblest of ways. This approach to leadership is a litmus test for those who wish to serve in the church, ensuring that our motives align with the teachings of Jesus. [01:07:46]
"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice servant leadership in your church or community this week?
Quotes
My food is to do the will of my father and to finish his work. What satisfies him, what satisfies him, what satisfies him, what satisfies him, what satisfies him, what satisfies him, what gives him everything he craves is that one thing that that was that James talked about earlier. And that is to to do the will of my father and finish his work. [01:01:19]
We have missions that are taking the gospel to risky places. They're spreading the gospel where where it's as as our brother saw here said when he was here, technically everything we do is illegal. I, I want to support people that wake up every morning and do illegal things for Jesus. That sounds like a good way to live and maybe a good way to die. [01:02:33]
We want to give we want to give till it hurts because that's good for our soul to realize that eternity is all that matters. None of this matters ultimately. OK, so we want to continue to give. OK, so we want to continue to give. One of the international and practically we want to continue to go. We want to go to one seven. [01:04:27]
We want to build out more of an infrastructure where we we know that our ministry partners are being prayed for, that we're getting praise, praise reports. We're getting prayer reports. We're getting requests. We're finding out what's happening. There's nothing like there's just nothing like me sharing. I'm going through my my father's health is failing pretty rapidly. [01:06:09]
When you get missionaries praying for you by name, I'm telling you, the God of the universe listens. OK, we. We want to be known by them and we want to know them. And that's why we're here and that's what we're going to continue to do. There may be a couple of other things here. Continue giving. Yeah, we want to give the prayer request. [01:05:31]
Some of the people in this room right here, I know who you are, your natural leaders. When you go in a certain direction, people are going to follow you. We need to do that with with pointing people to Jesus in mind. We need to we need to develop that out so that one of the elders doesn't have to go on the trip for the trip to occur. [01:06:53]
And the first thing he says is we're getting ready to do a conference. The women are going to go do a women's conference. I mean, there's there's stuff to do. And he says, what we're going to do on the first night is we're going to wash their feet. That's what we're going to do, because God doesn't need us. And so I washed a guy's stinky feet. [01:07:46]
And I've never been the same since then. I mean, it just changes things. So we want to develop leaders. OK, but there's a difference when you come in going, I'm good at this. Put me in this spot because God, quote, called me and come in and say, and here's my qualification. Here's my experience. What do you need? And we might say we need you to wash feet. [01:08:36]
And that's a litmus test. If you don't want to wash feet, you're probably not going to serve. Hopefully anywhere in the church. But if you're but everything I'm this, the the sanctification life. Is a constant test of God wanting to go with to. To live out jobless or is he increasing and am I decreasing or is this about my time to shine? [01:09:17]
I mean, it's easy to be cynical about the church. People love taking pot shots at the church, but that's your bride. We're going to give an account. For how we treat the bride of the God of you of the universe. And so I pray that you help us to experience the beauty of living in community the way you designed it. [01:11:52]
Where we realize and are conscious of the reality that we have more in common. With the widow or the orphan that doesn't speak our language that we've never met. We're closer to them from an eternal perspective than we are the relative we grew up with. That's an agnostic. Our true family is your family. That's it. [01:12:31]
And I pray that you help us and show us and teach us and cause us to become people that die to everything else. We found the one thing. Everybody wants to know who am I? Your answer is you are mine. And that's as good as it gets. And so we pray that you would change us in this moment here and throughout 2025. [01:12:52]
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