Offering Hope: Building Transformative Relationships This Christmas

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the theme of offering hope during the Christmas season, drawing inspiration from the classic film "White Christmas." The film's narrative, centered around World War II veterans who come together to save their former general's inn, serves as a metaphor for the power of community and the importance of giving hope to others. This season, we are reminded to slow down and focus on building meaningful relationships, meeting the needs of those around us, and sharing the transformative message of Christ.

In Luke 10, Jesus sends out His disciples with a mission to bring peace and healing to the places they visit. This passage emphasizes the importance of being intentional in our interactions, building relationships that are not merely transactional but transformative. As followers of Christ, we are called to be laborers in the harvest, focusing on the people around us who are in need of hope and love. The challenge is to remain gentle and pure-hearted, even when faced with opposition, and to trust in God's provision as we carry out His mission.

We are encouraged to start where we are, using our unique gifts and talents to meet the practical needs of those around us. Whether it's offering a listening ear, providing a meal, or simply being present, these acts of kindness can open doors for deeper conversations about faith. As we give hope to others, we are reminded of the promise in Ephesians 6:8 that whatever good we do for others, God will make happen for us.

This Christmas, let's commit to being agents of hope, reaching out to those who are far from Christ and inviting them into a community where they can encounter His love. By calling our "three"—those we are praying for and inviting to church—we can make a significant impact in their lives. Let's be bold in our invitations, creative in our outreach, and faithful in our prayers, trusting that God will work through us to bring hope and transformation to our community.

Key Takeaways:

1. Transformative Relationships: We are called to build relationships that go beyond transactions, focusing on walking alongside others in their journey toward Christ. This requires intentionality and a commitment to being present, offering peace and friendship regardless of immediate outcomes. [49:47]

2. Meeting Practical Needs: Start where people are by addressing their immediate needs, which can open the door to deeper spiritual conversations. This approach reflects the heart of Jesus, who met physical needs as a way to reveal the kingdom of God. [58:58]

3. Staying Focused on the Mission: In a fast-paced world, it's easy to get distracted. Jesus reminds us to stay focused on our mission to make disciples, avoiding distractions that pull us away from our purpose. [47:37]

4. Trusting in God's Provision: As we go out as lambs among wolves, we are called to rely on God's provision, trusting Him to meet our needs as we focus on His mission. This trust is foundational to living out our faith authentically. [41:50]

5. The Promise of Reciprocity: Ephesians 6:8 assures us that whatever good we do for others, God will make happen for us. This promise encourages us to be generous and proactive in offering hope, knowing that God sees and rewards our efforts. [01:08:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:10] - Local Outreach and Africa Mission
- [32:55] - Introduction to "White Christmas"
- [34:41] - Slowing Down to Give Hope
- [36:43] - Luke 10: The Mission of the Seventy
- [39:35] - The Promise of Jesus' Presence
- [40:45] - Praying for Laborers, Not the Harvest
- [41:50] - Lambs Among Wolves
- [43:26] - The Art of the Walk-By
- [47:37] - Staying Focused on the Mission
- [48:51] - Building Transformative Relationships
- [49:47] - Transactional vs. Transformative Friendships
- [58:58] - Meeting Practical Needs
- [01:08:24] - The Promise of Reciprocity
- [01:20:35] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Offering Hope During the Christmas Season

Bible Reading:
- Luke 10:1-9
- Ephesians 6:8

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 10:1-9, what instructions does Jesus give to the seventy disciples He sends out? How does this relate to the theme of offering hope? [36:43]

2. How does the sermon use the movie "White Christmas" as a metaphor for community and hope? What specific examples from the movie were highlighted? [32:55]

3. What are the differences between transactional and transformative relationships as discussed in the sermon? [49:47]

4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "lambs among wolves" and what does it mean for believers today? [41:50]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be intentional in building transformative relationships, and how can this impact one's spiritual journey? [49:47]

2. How does meeting practical needs open doors for deeper spiritual conversations, according to the sermon? [58:58]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that staying focused on the mission can be challenging in today's fast-paced world? [47:37]

4. How does the promise in Ephesians 6:8 encourage believers to be generous and proactive in offering hope? [01:08:24]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are they more transactional or transformative? What steps can you take to deepen these relationships and offer hope? [49:47]

2. Identify a practical need in your community or among your friends. How can you use your unique gifts and talents to meet this need and share the message of Christ? [58:58]

3. Consider the distractions in your life that may be pulling you away from your mission to make disciples. What specific actions can you take to stay focused on this mission? [47:37]

4. Think of a time when you felt like a "lamb among wolves." How did you rely on God's provision during that time, and how can you continue to trust Him in similar situations? [41:50]

5. Who are the "three" people you are praying for and inviting to church this Christmas season? What creative ways can you reach out to them and offer hope? [01:12:35]

6. Reflect on the promise of reciprocity in Ephesians 6:8. How can you intentionally make good things happen for others, trusting that God will do the same for you? [01:08:24]

7. As you slow down this Christmas season, what specific actions can you take to offer hope to those around you? How can you incorporate this practice into your daily life beyond the holiday season? [01:11:26]

Devotional

Day 1: Building Transformative Relationships
In a world where interactions often feel transactional, the call to build transformative relationships is a profound one. This involves being intentional in our interactions, focusing on walking alongside others in their journey toward Christ. It requires a commitment to being present, offering peace and friendship regardless of immediate outcomes. Transformative relationships are not about what we can gain but about how we can serve and uplift others, reflecting the love of Christ in our actions. By investing in these relationships, we create spaces where genuine connection and spiritual growth can occur. [49:47]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you invest in more deeply this week, offering them genuine friendship and support?


Day 2: Meeting Practical Needs
Meeting the practical needs of those around us is a powerful way to demonstrate the love of Christ. This approach reflects the heart of Jesus, who often met physical needs as a way to reveal the kingdom of God. By starting where people are and addressing their immediate needs, we open the door to deeper spiritual conversations. Whether it's offering a listening ear, providing a meal, or simply being present, these acts of kindness can be transformative. They show others that they are seen, valued, and loved, paving the way for meaningful relationships and spiritual growth. [58:58]

"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?" (James 2:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical need you can meet for someone in your community this week, and how can this act of service open the door to a deeper relationship?


Day 3: Staying Focused on the Mission
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get distracted from our mission to make disciples. Jesus reminds us to stay focused, avoiding distractions that pull us away from our purpose. This requires intentionality and discipline, as well as a clear understanding of our calling. By keeping our eyes on the mission, we can navigate the challenges and distractions of life with clarity and purpose. This focus allows us to be effective in our ministry, reaching out to those who are far from Christ and inviting them into a community where they can encounter His love. [47:37]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: What distractions are currently pulling you away from your mission, and how can you refocus your efforts to align with God's calling for your life?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Provision
As we go out as lambs among wolves, we are called to rely on God's provision, trusting Him to meet our needs as we focus on His mission. This trust is foundational to living out our faith authentically. It requires a deep reliance on God's promises and a willingness to step out in faith, even when the path is uncertain. By trusting in God's provision, we can face challenges with confidence, knowing that He is with us and will provide for our needs as we carry out His mission. [41:50]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God more fully for His provision, and how can you take a step of faith in that area this week?


Day 5: The Promise of Reciprocity
Ephesians 6:8 assures us that whatever good we do for others, God will make happen for us. This promise encourages us to be generous and proactive in offering hope, knowing that God sees and rewards our efforts. By living with an open heart and a willingness to serve, we participate in a cycle of blessing that extends beyond ourselves. This promise of reciprocity is a reminder that our actions have eternal significance and that God is faithful to honor our efforts to love and serve others. [01:08:24]

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be more intentional in offering hope and generosity to others this week, trusting in God's promise of reciprocity?

Quotes


And so when we invite folks and they don't cross the line, they don't cross the line of faith, we become discouraged. It's quiet up in here, right? You've invited that neighbor time after time, and at first they were very obstinate. They were not coming. I don't want anything to do with church. I'm busy that day. They make whatever excuses they got to make, and then all of a sudden, you sent your daughter or your granddaughter over and said, hey, we're going to be doing a kid's thing. Would you come and watch me? And all of a sudden, that somehow softened the heart of the neighbor, and now the neighbor goes, well, yeah, I'll show up to see the kid. [00:53:21] (43 seconds)


And what it is to be a transactional friend is to go, I'm going to invite you. If you cross the line of faith, great, you can become a part of our church. But if you don't, then maybe I'll invite you next year. Jesus said, make a friend, build a relationship. Walk into the city, say peace to this house. If they receive you, if they look at you and go, hey neighbor, stay in that house and build the relationship. Let them know that you're a friend whether they cross the line of faith or not. [00:54:18] (45 seconds)


But if I love you, if you're my friend, if you're my neighbor, if you're my co-worker, if you're my family, I love you enough to constantly and consistently pray that you're my friend. That you would get closer and closer and closer to knowing Jesus because he's made such an impact in my life. I just want you to experience the same thing. Make a friend, build a relationship. Don't be the transactional kind of friend. Be the transformative type of friend. Be the person who goes, I just want to be friends with you. I want to walk with you through life. I want to be there. [00:55:05] (45 seconds)


In the movie, y'all remember that, you know, the point of the movie is they're trying to save the generals in. Do you know why the generals' problem mattered so much to the two men? Because the general mattered to the two men. When we turn evangelism into a transactional thing, we can actually do that without, honestly, if we be real honest about this, and we can do that without really caring about the person. But I can't invest my life into yours and yours into mine without me caring for you. [00:55:53] (57 seconds)


And what I've found is in our culture, we're awfully transactional. But in the biblical culture, it was transformative. Ask Peter. Jesus goes, come follow me. Peter's got a temper problem. He's got a cussing problem. He's... He's... Come on. He ain't all the way there yet. Jesus could have looked at him and said, you know what? I invited you to follow me three weeks ago. I would have really thought your life would have been changed by now. You know, we've been walking together three years and you're still cussing at the fire pit. [00:56:47] (45 seconds)


Jesus shows back up after he's done... After he's done chopped off a guy's ear. He's cussed at a fire pit and now he's back fishing. He's feel like he's a failure. Jesus shows up and he goes, do you love me? Hey, come on. Follow me. Come on back to me. He restores him back. Right? Come on. It's transformative. Make a friend. Build a relationship. The second point that I want you to... See from Luke chapter 10. He says, I want you to make a friend. Build a relationship. You know, say peace to this house and remain in the same house. [00:57:46] (38 seconds)


Now, coming from a Pentecostal background, charismatic background, we immediately want to go power evangelism. Let's start praying for healing and let's see the miracles roll. And I'm all for the miracles and that sort of thing. But I want it to be a little more practical for our personal everyday life. Okay, so please don't misinterpret what I'm about to say. As me saying, I don't believe in miracles and we don't pray for miracles because that's not the truth. I hope you know that by now. I was healed. [00:58:52] (25 seconds)


How many years ago was it now? Four, two, three, something like that. I was healed. So we believe in the gifts. We believe in that stuff. I believe in power evangelism. But I want you to look at it from a very practical standpoint. And I want you to understand, if he wants you to make a friend and build a relationship, let's be real practical. He wants you to, second of all, meet a need. Let me say it like this. Start where people are. We know that the biggest need that everyone in our city faces is a relationship with Jesus. [00:59:38] (42 seconds)


Because that's what Wallace and Davis did. And here's the thing, is they used, their gifts and talents to meet a need for the general. Right? Come on, let's be honest. If we were in their situation and let's imagine just a minute, let's use our God imagination, right? A lot of us in this room, most of us probably in American Christianity would have looked and said, oh no, I really, I really, I really hate to hear that. I'm going to be praying for you. And he would have graciously said thank you and moved on, but they went beyond that and they said, you know what? [01:01:45] (49 seconds)


Because of our talent, we have connection. I can get on TV, I can do, you see what I'm saying? They use their natural gifts and talents. So here's what that means for you. You go, pastor, I don't have connections with TV. You also don't have a former general who's losing his end. Right? So let's bring it on down. Start with what you're familiar. Come on. If you've got a need for your car to be fixed, you probably don't want to call me. I can't do anything for you. I can go, when you turn the key, does it start? No? Oh, man. [01:02:37] (49 seconds)


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Transcript
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