Pentecost_19C_Homily_.pdf

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Promise Is Written on Our Hearts

God’s covenant is not a distant agreement, but a living promise that God inscribes deep within us. Rather than being about following a set of external rules, this relationship is about an inner transformation—God’s Spirit shaping our desires, our choices, and our very identity. Each day, God’s grace is at work, inviting us to respond with openness and trust.
Confirmation is a visible “yes” to this ongoing, personal work of God. It is a reminder that faith is not a one-time event, but a daily journey of saying yes to God’s love and guidance. As we allow God’s promises to shape us from the inside out, we become people whose lives reflect the heart of God to the world.

“I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 11:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God inviting you to deeper transformation? What is one area where you can say “yes” to God’s work in your heart today?

Day 2: Joy in God Overflows into Glad Service

True worship is not just about singing songs or attending church—it is about letting the joy of God’s presence fill us so completely that it spills over into how we serve others. Psalm 100 reminds us that worship and service are inseparable; when we truly rejoice in God, our gratitude naturally leads us to acts of kindness and compassion.
Our faith is not meant to be hidden or kept to ourselves. The joy we find in God becomes a witness to others and a source of strength for our calling. As we serve with gladness, we embody the love and faithfulness of God, turning ordinary moments into opportunities for worship and witness.

“Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalm 100:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one act of service you can do today out of joy for what God has done for you? How can you let your worship lead you into glad service this week?

Day 3: Unity Is Our Shared Responsibility

Unity in the body of Christ is both a gift and a calling. We are joined together by one Spirit, but we are also called to actively “bear with one another in love” and to “keep the bonds of peace.” This unity does not mean we are all the same, but that we are committed to walking together, supporting one another, and growing in grace as a community.
Our lives are meant to reflect the oneness of the God we worship. This means choosing to forgive, to listen, and to seek understanding even when it is difficult. Unity is not automatic; it is something we nurture through humility, patience, and love. In doing so, we become a living testimony to the world of God’s reconciling power.

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.” (Ephesians 4:2-4, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church or community do you find it hard to connect with? What is one step you can take today to pursue unity and peace with them?

Day 4: Confirmation Marks the Start of Our Mission

Confirmation is not the end of our faith journey, but the beginning of a life of discipleship. Jesus calls us to “go and make disciples,” inviting us to participate in God’s mission wherever we are. Our ministry is not defined by titles or positions, but by our willingness to be sent—showing compassion, courage, and love in everyday life.
Every encounter becomes an opportunity for witness. The world is our parish, and God sends us out to be agents of hope and transformation. As we step into this calling, we discover that God uses our ordinary lives to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom.

“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mark 16:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Where is God sending you this week—to your workplace, school, neighborhood, or home? What is one way you can intentionally live out your faith in that place today?

Day 5: Christ’s Presence Sustains Our Calling

We are not sent out alone. Jesus promises, “I am with you always,” and it is this assurance that gives us courage to face challenges, grace to forgive, and hope to persevere. Our calling is sustained not by our own strength, but by the abiding presence of the One who calls and sends us.
When we feel weak or uncertain, we can remember that the Spirit has sealed us and Christ walks beside us. God’s presence is our source of strength, comfort, and guidance. As we lean into this promise, we find the courage to keep going, trusting that God is at work in and through us.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel alone or overwhelmed? How can you invite Christ’s presence to strengthen and sustain you today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s sermon, “Sealed by the Spirit, Sent in Love,” centers on the meaning of Confirmation as a continuation of God’s covenant, not a conclusion of faith. Drawing from Jeremiah, Psalm 100, Ephesians, and Matthew, the message highlights how God’s promises are written on our hearts, inviting us into a life of joyful worship, communal unity, and active discipleship. Confirmation is presented as a public affirmation of God’s ongoing work in us—a moment to claim our place in the body of Christ and to be sent out in love to serve the world. The sermon calls us to remember that faith is both deeply personal and profoundly communal, and that our calling is to live out God’s love in unity, service, and mission.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Covenant Is Ongoing and Personal The covenant God makes with us is not a distant contract, but a living promise written on our hearts. This means our relationship with God is not about external rules, but about an inner transformation that shapes our desires, choices, and identity. Each day, God’s grace is at work within us, inviting us to respond anew. Confirmation is a visible “yes” to this ongoing, personal work of God.
2. Joyful Worship Leads to Glad Service Psalm 100 reminds us that worship and service are inseparable. True joy in God’s presence overflows into acts of service for others. Our faith is not meant to be hidden or hoarded, but expressed in the way we serve with gladness. The church’s collective joy becomes a witness to God’s faithfulness and a source of strength for our calling.
3. Unity Is a Calling, Not Just a Gift Ephesians teaches that unity in the body of Christ is both a reality and a responsibility. We are joined by one Spirit, but we are also called to “bear with one another in love” and to “keep the bonds of peace.” This unity is not uniformity, but a commitment to walk together, support one another, and grow in grace as a community. Our lives are meant to reflect the oneness of the God we worship.
4. Confirmation Is the Beginning of Ministry Confirmation is not a finish line, but a starting point for a life of discipleship. Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples” is a call to active participation in God’s mission, wherever we are. Our ministry is not defined by titles or positions, but by our willingness to be sent—showing compassion, courage, and love in everyday life. The world becomes our parish, and every encounter an opportunity for witness.
5. God’s Presence Sustains Our Calling Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always,” is the foundation for all we do. We are not sent out alone; we are sealed by the Spirit and accompanied by Christ himself. This assurance gives us courage to face challenges, grace to forgive, and hope to persevere. Our calling is sustained not by our own strength, but by the abiding presence of the One who calls and sends us.

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Sealed by the Spirit, Sent in Love”**

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### Bible Reading

- **Jeremiah 31:31–34**
- **Psalm 100**
- **Ephesians 4:1–6**
- **Matthew 28:16–20**

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### Observation Questions

In Jeremiah 31:33, what does God promise to do with His law, and how is this different from the old covenant?
According to Psalm 100, what attitudes and actions are connected to worshiping God?
In Ephesians 4:1–6, what are the “ones” that Paul lists, and why do you think he repeats this idea?
In Matthew 28:19–20, what are the specific instructions Jesus gives to His disciples?

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon says God’s covenant is “written on our hearts” and not just about following rules. What does it mean for faith to be an “inner transformation” rather than just outward behavior?
Psalm 100 connects joyful worship with serving others. Why do you think joy and service are linked in the Christian life?
Ephesians 4 talks about unity as both a gift and a calling. What are some practical ways believers can “bear with one another in love” and “keep the bonds of peace” in a church community?
The sermon describes Confirmation as the “beginning of ministry” and not the end. How does this change the way someone might view their role in the church after being confirmed?

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### Application Questions

The sermon says God’s covenant is ongoing and personal, not just a one-time event. Is there an area of your life where you’ve treated faith as a “checklist” instead of a daily relationship? What would it look like to invite God’s ongoing work into that area this week?
Psalm 100 calls us to serve the Lord with gladness. Think of a recent time you served someone—did it feel joyful or more like an obligation? What could help you serve with more gladness?
Ephesians 4 challenges us to unity, even when it’s hard. Is there someone in your church or small group you find it difficult to “bear with in love”? What is one step you could take to move toward unity with them?
The sermon says Confirmation is a starting point for ministry. Whether you’ve been confirmed or not, what is one way you can “be sent” this week—at home, work, school, or in your neighborhood?
Jesus promises, “I am with you always.” When have you felt alone in your faith journey? How can remembering Christ’s presence give you courage or hope in a current challenge?
The sermon says our faith is both personal and communal. Are you more comfortable with one than the other? What is one way you could stretch yourself—either by deepening your personal walk with God or by engaging more with the church community?
The world becomes our parish, and every encounter is an opportunity for witness. Can you think of a specific person or situation this week where you could show God’s love in a practical way? What might that look like?

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Sermon Quotes

Confirmation is not graduation from faith, but the next faithful step in God’s ongoing covenant with you. It’s the moment when you claim as your own the promises made for you in baptism—the promises God has already been keeping since the day you were born.

This promise is not about rules written on stone, but about love written deep within our souls. God is writing that covenant in our hearts every single day.

You are not beginning God’s love story—you are continuing it. God has already been at work in you. Today you simply affirm what Jeremiah proclaimed long ago: “I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

In The United Methodist Church, we believe that faith is not a private possession—it’s a communal calling. You are becoming full participants in a community that worships, prays, serves, and witnesses together.

Joy and service belong together in the Christian life. Worship leads to service: “Serve the Lord with gladness.” The church’s joyful noise is thanksgiving that God is still calling new disciples and raising up the next generation of believers.

The Spirit that unites us in one baptism also calls us to bear with one another in love, to keep the bonds of peace, to live lives worthy of our calling.

Confirmation is not the end of a class or the closing of a chapter—it’s the beginning of your ministry. You are being sent out as disciples, just as Jesus sent the first ones out to teach, to baptize, and to serve.

Christ’s command to “go” is not about distance—it’s about direction. Go wherever you are, and live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

You are sealed by the Spirit and sent in love. You are not alone. You belong to the one body, one faith, one baptism, and one Lord who promises: “I am with you always.”

Live as people with God’s love written on your hearts. Walk in unity and peace. Go into the world as disciples of Jesus Christ—for the transformation of the world.

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