Rediscovering Faith and Purpose Through Serving Others

Devotional

Day 1: Rediscovering Faith Through Doubt

Doubt can often feel like a barrier to faith, but it can also be a powerful catalyst for rediscovery. When faced with skepticism, it is important to remember that questioning can lead to a deeper understanding and a more authentic relationship with God. Witnessing the genuine transformation in someone else's life can serve as a reminder of God's presence and power. This journey of rediscovery is not about having all the answers but about being open to the possibility that God is working in ways we may not yet understand. [10:50]

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you experienced doubt in your faith. How can you use that experience to deepen your relationship with God today?

Day 2: The Power of Serving Others

Serving others is not merely an additional task but a vital part of our spiritual journey. It is through acts of service that we often find our own needs met and our faith strengthened. When we serve, we align ourselves with God's purpose, experiencing fulfillment and joy. Serving others allows us to live out our faith in practical ways, demonstrating God's love and compassion to those around us. This act of giving not only benefits those we serve but also enriches our own spiritual lives. [37:47]

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person in your community who could use your help this week. How can you serve them in a way that reflects God's love?

Day 3: Embracing Opportunities to Serve

The church offers countless opportunities to serve, each providing a unique chance to use our gifts and grow in faith. Whether through creative arts, online engagement, or leading a group, these opportunities allow us to connect with God and others in meaningful ways. Embracing these opportunities not only helps us develop our talents but also strengthens our sense of community and purpose. By stepping into these roles, we can experience God's presence and purpose in our lives. [41:47]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one gift or talent you have that you can use to serve in your church or community? How can you take a step to use it this week?

Day 4: Finding Purpose in Community

Being part of a community that encourages and supports our faith journey is crucial. Through shared experiences and opportunities to serve, we discover our purpose and the joy of living out our faith together. Community provides a space for growth, accountability, and encouragement, helping us to stay grounded in our beliefs. It is within this supportive environment that we can explore our faith, serve others, and find fulfillment in our spiritual journey. [48:17]

"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, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to building a supportive community within your church or group? What steps can you take to encourage others in their faith journey?

Day 5: The Kingdom Principle of Sacrifice

Laying down our lives for Christ leads to true fulfillment. As we surrender our desires and embrace opportunities to serve, we find the meaning and purpose we seek. This principle of sacrifice is central to the Christian faith, reminding us that true life is found in giving ourselves for the sake of others. By embracing this kingdom principle, we experience the abundant life that Jesus promises, discovering joy and fulfillment in serving God and others. [57:52]

"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender to God? How can you begin to let go and trust Him with it today?

Sermon Summary

In this message, I shared my personal journey of faith, highlighting the moments of doubt and rediscovery that have shaped my relationship with Jesus. Growing up in a Christian home, I initially embraced my faith but faced significant doubts during high school. I questioned the reality of my beliefs, feeling a deep sense of emptiness despite outward success and popularity. It was through the transformation of a close friend, John, who found purpose and meaning in Christ, that I began to reconsider my skepticism. His genuine faith journey inspired me to explore my own beliefs, leading me back to a meaningful relationship with Jesus.

This journey of rediscovery was not just about personal faith but also about finding purpose in serving others. I recounted how God called me to listen to the cries of high school students and share His love with them, which led me to volunteer in youth ministry. This experience opened doors to various roles in ministry, including worship and creative leadership, where I found fulfillment in serving others and using my talents for God's glory.

I emphasized the importance of serving as an integral part of our walk with Jesus. Serving is not just an additional activity but a core aspect of our faith journey. It is through serving others that we often find our own needs met and our faith strengthened. I shared stories of individuals in our creative team who have experienced this truth firsthand, discovering that as they give of themselves, they are filled with a deeper sense of purpose and joy.

Moreover, I encouraged everyone to consider the diverse opportunities available to serve within the church, from creative arts to online engagement. These opportunities not only allow us to use our gifts but also to grow in our faith and connect with others in meaningful ways. Whether it's through music, social media, or leading a group, each act of service is a chance to experience God's presence and purpose in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Rediscovering Faith Through Doubt: Doubt can be a powerful catalyst for rediscovering faith. My journey from skepticism to belief was sparked by witnessing the genuine transformation in a friend's life, reminding us that God often uses the faith of others to draw us back to Him. [10:50]
2. The Power of Serving Others: Serving is not just an additional task but a vital part of our spiritual journey. As we serve others, we often find our own needs met and our faith strengthened, experiencing the fulfillment that comes from living out our purpose. [37:47]
3. Embracing Opportunities to Serve: There are countless ways to serve within the church, each offering a unique opportunity to use our gifts and grow in faith. Whether through creative arts, online engagement, or leading a group, serving allows us to connect with God and others in meaningful ways. [41:47]
4. Finding Purpose in Community: Being part of a community that encourages and supports our faith journey is crucial. Through shared experiences and opportunities to serve, we discover our purpose and the joy of living out our faith together. [48:17]
5. The Kingdom Principle of Sacrifice: Laying down our lives for Christ leads to true fulfillment. As we surrender our desires and embrace opportunities to serve, we find the meaning and purpose we seek, experiencing the abundant life Jesus promises. [57:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:18] - Personal Introduction
[09:23] - Early Faith and Doubts
[10:50] - Rediscovering Faith Through a Friend
[20:16] - Calling to Serve in Ministry
[37:21] - Creating an Environment of Permission
[37:47] - The Power of Serving Others
[41:47] - Opportunities to Serve
[48:17] - Growth Through Leadership
[57:52] - The Kingdom Principle of Sacrifice

Sermon Clips

"like you're insane like this is not what is happening so I'm like oh yeah I am insane like this is crazy like so along with that I had this deep you know desire like any high schooler would but just really to needing to fit in and um I had a real craving for uh to be known but uh at the time I think it was more of a surface level like I just want to be popular I just want to be known sort of maybe not necessarily deeply known but just I just want people to know who I am um because that would make me feel better about myself so I had some like deep sort of um insecurities in that way and so I found that in high school just like wow a lot of people know me now I have this I have that I if you were to see my life you'd probably think okay that kid's like kind of got everything they would want but I just had this deep longing like this deep emptiness this deep loneliness of like wait is there something more like does somebody is there somebody who really could know the true me uh who even is the true me um and and I was feeling like kind of purposeless like a purposeless in that phase it was like okay I have all this that I thought I needed and thought I you know would make me happy and yet I am like deeply miserable" [00:20:07] (74 seconds)

"all kinds of crazy stuff. But anyway, it's been really amazing. But that was kind of my entry to Jesus and to ministry." [00:23:17] (6 seconds)

"I think is huge. Right. When you think about like how we all got involved in ministry or our listeners that are tuning in. Like when was the first time they ever felt like God could use my life? Maybe God could. Maybe God could, you know, because oftentimes we we don't start there. We start with God can never use me. And so I just love that. Maybe that was the first time, you know, that that kid had. So and we're hoping that we can create not just a first time for one person, but like a first time that people feel that like we hope there would be like 100 stories of that. It's like this is my first time, you know. Yeah. So I asked a couple of people that serve with the creative team. I'm like, you know, what? What is a way that God's grown you as a follower? Of Jesus or what does it feel like to be used by God? And one gal named Janelle, she serves with the creative team with music." [00:37:58] (49 seconds)

"And she said that I try to present to God the best sound I can make. She's this amazing cello player. She's like world class. She just comes and volunteers and she joins the worship team and plays along. And she says, best sound I can make to connect with others while doing so, because music is my language to express love for God. And love for others. I thought, well, what a cool angle that as she's serving in the creative team in that way, it's the way that she's loving God and loving other people. And it's behind what we do is this this motivation to to love. And I love that. I was like, oh, that's that's that's beautiful that it's really about the Lord and about other people. It's not about even though she's so amazing and could all be about her. She's just directing it upward and outward to people. And then she said, God's taught me that. Serving is not an additional, but rather an integral part of my walk with Jesus. Life can become busy, which we all know in the Bay Area. Our listeners know. But I've discovered that it's during those busier weeks of serving that my faith strengthens by relying on God more and that by serving others, my own needs get fulfilled." [00:38:47] (69 seconds)

"So that was the other like, wow, she just is hitting at such a major principle of what we're talking about in terms of opportunities to serve is that when we serve others, all of a sudden, this deep need inside. Us is like met. It's like we really are created to love and serve other people. And when it's inward about ourselves, we never get that. It's just a never ending sort of black hole of like, I can't ever get that kind of fulfillment I'm after, even though everything around us says, no, it's about you. And it's about using everybody around you and everything around you to make it, you know, to make yourself feel better or whatever advance. And this is the opposite. It's like as you give yourself. Away, you actually end up feeling filled up. And so I love that. That's just one example of somebody who's serving in our teams that is experiencing that as they give their their talent, their skill, their time, their sacrifice away." [00:40:27] (59 seconds)

"I was going to share. I don't know that there's a greater way for someone to grow in their faith than to lead a group. Like, you know, because we've had that experience. Like all of a sudden we're entrusted with leading a group and we're like, oh, this is scary. What's going to happen? And then how much more we actually grow as we're helping others and as we're like maybe sharing some of the content or teaching or facilitating some of it. We're like, whoa, I'm actually I'm growing in my own love for God and love for people and love for his word. And so it's like I'm thinking of the listener who's just like if they're feeling kind of stagnant in their life or their walk with Jesus, like this would be a huge sort of growth, you know, moment for them if they were to step in and lead as scary as it is. But when they step when you step in and lead, if you're listening and you're like, man, maybe that's me. You will be amazed at how God shows up and grows you through it. It's just it's just a really fun experience. Your faith kind of comes alive in a new way." [00:48:17] (57 seconds)

"We're asking something for you. Of course, Jesus asks us for our life. He says, you know, be crucified with Christ. And so yes, like Jesus asks us for everything. And yet as we lay it down, we find what we're really after. Like he fills us up with that meaning and that purpose. And it's just like, whoa, it's just this interesting thing that happens. It's for this kingdom and principle of like, I'm going to say, I'm going to lay my life down and say yes to whatever this opportunity might be that he's like stirring me to do, whether it's like lead a group or, you know, help with students or help with, you know, creative team. Those are just a few examples. There's hundreds of ways to serve in this church and outside this church. And as we do that, what we discover is like, wow, this is lighting me up, you know? And so anyway, excited for people and what will happen in their lives as they take a step." [00:57:52] (48 seconds)

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