Reconciliation, Faith, and Family: Living Out God's Love

 

Summary

Today, I began by addressing the profound impact of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, emphasizing how it not only reconciles us to God but also empowers us to mend and sustain our relationships with others. Reflecting on the symbolism of communion, I invited the congregation to partake in the bread and wine, reminding us of the body bruised and the blood shed for our redemption and reconciliation.

Following this reflective moment, I transitioned into a time of offering, underscoring it as a practical expression of our gratitude and stewardship. I highlighted how our collective contributions have enabled us to meet our budget and continue our ministry effectively, including maintaining our church facilities and community outreach programs.

I then shared exciting details about our upcoming inaugural women's retreat at Bellwether Farms. I described the retreat as a time for seeking God through nature and scripture, with activities designed to engage all senses in spiritual practice. The retreat promises extensive worship and fellowship opportunities, emphasizing personal and communal growth.

In a more personal reflection, I shared insights from my family life, particularly how my children challenge me to live out my faith authentically. I discussed the importance of being a consistent example to them, especially in understanding and articulating our faith in simple, profound ways that even a child can grasp.

I concluded by addressing questions from the congregation about family dynamics, particularly dealing with differences in personality and expectations within family relationships. I shared wisdom on navigating these challenges by understanding and accepting each other's uniqueness within the framework of God's love and design.

### Key Takeaways

1. Communion as a Reflection of Christ's Sacrifice and Our Reconciliation
Communion is not just a ritual; it is a profound reminder of Christ's sacrifice, which enables not only our reconciliation with God but also with each other. This dual aspect of reconciliation teaches us the power of forgiveness and the importance of community, reflecting how deeply interconnected our spiritual and relational lives are. [01:40:59]

2. The Importance of Giving in Faith Communities
Giving is a tangible expression of our faith and commitment to God's work. Through our offerings, we participate in God's kingdom, enabling our church to meet its financial responsibilities and extend its outreach. This act of giving should be viewed as a spiritual discipline that enriches our communal life and personal spiritual growth. [01:43:23]

3. Engaging with God Through Nature
The upcoming women's retreat is designed to deepen our spiritual senses through interaction with nature. This setting provides a unique opportunity to experience God's presence in a tangible way, enhancing our spiritual perception and offering a refreshing environment for worship and scripture engagement. [01:49:33]

4. Parental Influence on Spiritual Formation
The way we live out our faith in front of our children shapes their understanding of God and His promises. By embodying the principles we teach, we provide a living testimony that reinforces the lessons of scripture and the reality of God's presence, making theology accessible and relatable to the younger generation. [01:16:52]

5. Navigating Family Relationships with Grace and Understanding
Family dynamics can be complex, especially when personalities and expectations differ. It's crucial to approach these relationships with grace, seeking to understand and accept each other's differences. This approach not only preserves harmony but also mirrors the unconditional love and acceptance we receive from God. [01:36:59]

### Youtube Chapters

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:38:36] - Communion Reflection
- [01:43:12] - Offering Time
- [01:49:33] - Announcing Women's Retreat
- [01:15:59] - Family and Faith
- [01:32:06] - Q&A on Family Dynamics

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 23:4 - "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
2. Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
3. Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 23:4 teach us about God's presence in difficult times? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about finding solace in God’s constant presence? [01:15:22]
2. How does Proverbs 22:6 emphasize the importance of parental influence in spiritual formation? Can you recall any examples from the sermon that illustrate this principle? [49:10]
3. In Ephesians 4:32, what are the key actions Paul instructs believers to take? How do these actions reflect the sermon’s emphasis on reconciliation and forgiveness? [01:40:50]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of God being with us in the "valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4) provide comfort in real-life situations? How did the pastor illustrate this with his own family experiences? [01:15:22]
2. What does it mean to "train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6)? How did the pastor’s reflections on his children challenge him to live out his faith authentically? [49:10]
3. How can the act of forgiving one another, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:32, transform our relationships within the church and family? How did the sermon address the importance of understanding and accepting each other's differences? [01:36:59]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God’s presence during a difficult situation. How did that experience shape your faith? How can Psalm 23:4 encourage you in future challenges? [01:15:22]
2. Think about the ways you are currently influencing the spiritual formation of those around you, especially children. What steps can you take to be a more consistent example of faith in your daily life? [49:10]
3. How do you practice forgiveness in your relationships? Is there someone you need to reconcile with? How can Ephesians 4:32 guide you in this process? [01:40:50]
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of giving as a tangible expression of faith. How do you view your own giving? What changes can you make to see it as a spiritual discipline that enriches your communal and personal spiritual growth? [01:43:23]
5. The upcoming women's retreat aims to deepen spiritual senses through nature. How can you incorporate nature into your own spiritual practices? What benefits do you think this could bring to your relationship with God? [01:49:33]
6. How do you handle differences in personality and expectations within your family? What steps can you take to approach these relationships with more grace and understanding, as discussed in the sermon? [01:36:59]
7. Reflect on the pastor’s story about his mother’s influence on his faith. How can you be a positive spiritual influence in your family or community? What specific actions can you take this week to live out your faith more authentically? [01:22:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Communion: Echoes of Sacrifice and Unity
Communion serves as a profound reminder of Christ's ultimate sacrifice and the reconciliation it brings between us and God, as well as among ourselves. As we partake in the bread and wine, we are invited to reflect on the body of Christ, bruised for our transgressions, and His blood, shed for the redemption of our sins. This sacred act is not merely a ritual but a powerful declaration of our unity in Christ and our collective forgiveness. It teaches us the importance of community and the strength found in forgiving one another, just as we have been forgiven. [01:40:59]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent conflict where forgiveness was challenging. How can communion inspire you to approach forgiveness differently?

Day 2: The Spiritual Discipline of Giving
Giving within our faith community is a tangible expression of our gratitude towards God and our commitment to His kingdom. It is through our offerings that we enable the church to meet its financial responsibilities and extend its outreach. This act of giving should not be seen merely as a duty but as a spiritual discipline that enriches our personal spiritual growth and strengthens our communal bonds. By contributing, we participate actively in God's work, reflecting our trust in His provision and our dedication to His cause. [01:43:23]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: Consider your current giving habits. How do they reflect your spiritual commitment and trust in God's provision?

Day 3: Encountering God in Nature
The upcoming women's retreat at Bellwether Farms offers a unique opportunity to engage with God through the beauty of nature. This setting allows for a tangible experience of God's presence, enhancing our spiritual perception and providing a refreshing environment for worship and scripture engagement. Activities designed to engage all senses in spiritual practice will help deepen our connection with God and with each other, fostering both personal and communal growth. [01:49:33]

Job 12:7-10 (ESV): "But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?"

Reflection: How can you incorporate nature into your daily spiritual practices to enhance your awareness of God's presence?

Day 4: Parental Influence on Faith Formation
The way we embody our faith in front of our children significantly shapes their understanding of God and His promises. By living out the principles we teach, we provide a living testimony to our children, reinforcing the lessons of scripture and the reality of God's presence. This approach makes theology accessible and relatable, helping to form a solid spiritual foundation in the younger generation. [01:16:52]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: What is one way you can more effectively model your faith to your children or to those younger than you in your community?

Day 5: Grace and Understanding in Family Dynamics
Navigating family relationships requires a deep understanding and acceptance of each other's unique personalities and expectations. Approaching these relationships with grace reflects the unconditional love and acceptance we receive from God. This approach not only preserves family harmony but also serves as a practical demonstration of God's love in our daily interactions. [01:36:59]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Identify a family relationship that could benefit from more grace and understanding. What specific steps can you take to improve this relationship?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "One of the things that I appreciate the most about my mom is my mom has consistently supported me throughout my entire life. So from basketball games to volleyball games to college to getting married, planting a church, starting a podcast. Like she's been present and she's participated. So like she watched service, she watched podcasts, you know, she was at games. She did a lot of things. Paid for me to do the things. And all that cool stuff." [38:34]( | | )

2. "My kids really forced me to live what I talk about because what I don't want to be is hypocritical in my household. I don't want to be like a public success and a private failure, and so my kids really forced me to live a sanctified life and they also forced me to know my word because they ask the questions that are like, 'Bruh, good question, like how did God, like how come God ain't got a God?' you know what I mean? And it's like, it's like 'cuz he's God,' but like you know what I mean? And like trying to rationalize that with a five-year-old is very difficult." [49:10]( | | )

3. "We have to get to the point to where we sit and we grieve the relationship we never had with our parent, right? And, we sit and we grieve and we go through a grieving process of that relationship. And, then, we also grieve the expectations that we've placed on that person based on sitcoms or society or other relationships and comparison. And, we grieve that. And, then, we give God the opportunity to create something new in that relationship that goes against what we thought it should have been." [01:36:38]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "When we're talking about the brokenness, when we're talking about his ability to sustain us in our relationships, that's only because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that we're able to be able to be reconciled with God, but he also gives us the ability to be reconciled back into relationship with one another, right? And so, as we look at the cracker, which represents the body of Jesus that was bruised and broken for us, can we eat together? And this juice represents the blood of Jesus that was shed for us on the cross, that as he hung for us, that he asked for God to forgive us, because we didn't know what we were doing, that we didn't realize that we were persecuting him, that we were hurting him, that we were harming him, and yet and still, he still shed his blood for us so." [01:40:59]( | | )

2. "This is the time in our service, where everyone gets to participate, this is offering time. Let's do that again. One of our core values here at Reach is giving, right, and it's giving of our time and our tithe and our talents, but today, right now, we are giving of the tithe or the financial blessing. Yes, amen. So we have been blessed here at Reach City Church in many different ways, from this building to the ability to serve the community and serve one another. And it's because of the giving that you all have done." [01:43:12]( | | )

3. "We will have some workshops specific to the idea of seeking God. We will do extensive time on Saturday morning from the area of sensing God. And so the desire is. We're on the farm for the ability to utilize our senses as we are reading through scripture, as we are seeking the Lord. Right. So whether we're going on hikes, whether we're fishing, whether we're canoeing, whether we're looking at the landscape. Right. It's intentional for us to be in nature and experiencing God." [01:50:26]( | | )

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