Renewal and Community: The Church's Call to Action
Summary
In this sermon, I addressed the challenges and opportunities that the church faces in our modern society. I emphasized the need for the church to adapt and meet the culture where it's at, acknowledging that this is a challenging time to be a church. However, I also highlighted that this is not a time for despair, but rather a time of great opportunity. This is a chance for the church to rethink its priorities, strip away cultural influences that may have strayed us from our core mission, and return to the heart of the gospel. I expressed hope that this could be a time of renewal for the church, and that we can play a part in this renewal by focusing on what God is doing in our midst.
In the second part of the sermon, I shared my excitement about bringing God's word to His people. I reflected on the importance of preaching and teaching, and the joy of being able to actively engage in this again. I also discussed the importance of fostering a sense of community and fellowship within the church, pushing back against the individualism that often characterizes our modern society. I emphasized the need for us to not just attend church, but to truly be the church together.
Key Takeaways:
- The church needs to adapt and meet the culture where it's at, acknowledging the challenges of our time but also recognizing the opportunities for renewal and growth. ([11:54])
- It's important for the church to return to the heart of the gospel, stripping away cultural influences that may have strayed us from our core mission. ([12:33])
- Preaching and teaching God's word is a vital part of the church's mission, and it's a joy to be able to actively engage in this again. ([13:17])
- Fostering a sense of community and fellowship within the church is crucial, pushing back against the individualism of our modern society. ([05:55])
- We need to not just attend church, but to truly be the church together, supporting each other and deepening our relationships. ([05:19])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel Chapter 3 [13:54]
Observation Questions:
1. What are the key themes in 1 Samuel Chapter 3?
2. How does 1 Samuel Chapter 3 relate to the concept of community and fellowship within the church?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does 1 Samuel Chapter 3 inform our understanding of God's word and its role in the church?
2. How can the lessons from 1 Samuel Chapter 3 be applied to the challenges of individualism within the church?
Application Questions:
1. How can you contribute to creating a greater sense of community and fellowship within your church community, as suggested in 1 Samuel Chapter 3?
2. Can you identify any instances in your life where you've felt the challenges of individualism within the church? How did you respond to these challenges?
3. How can you actively participate in the church, not just attend, to foster a sense of community and togetherness?
4. What is one way you can help the church meet the complex issues that young people are encountering in society today?
5. How can you help the church in its mission to bring God's word to His people?
Devotional
Day 1: Turning to God Amidst Distractions
In our daily lives, we often get distracted by things that may be good in themselves, such as work, family, recreation, and health. However, these can become idols if we prioritize them over God. We must continually turn our hearts to God, making Him the priority in our lives. [27:02]
Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: What are some distractions in your life that you need to turn away from in order to focus more on God?
Day 2: Building Deeper Community
The essence of the church is not just about attending services, but about building deeper relationships with each other. We need to support each other and get into each other's lives more. This is a challenge in our individualistic society, but it is a biblical perspective of what the church should be. [05:55]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How can you contribute to building a deeper sense of community in your church?
Day 3: Meeting Cultural Challenges
Our society is becoming more complex, and the church needs to address these complex issues. This is a challenging time, but it is also an opportunity for the church to rethink its priorities and become more centered on the gospel. [11:54]
1 Corinthians 9:22 - "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."
Reflection: What are some cultural challenges that your church needs to address, and how can you contribute to this effort?
Day 4: Bringing God's Word to His People
One of the most important roles of the church is to bring God's word to His people. This involves not just preaching and teaching, but also equipping others to do the same. [03:22]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Reflection: How can you contribute to bringing God's word to His people, either through teaching, encouraging, or supporting those who do?
Day 5: Seeking God's Vision for the Church
The church needs to continually seek God's vision and guidance. This involves asking big questions about what God wants for the church and how it can achieve this. [04:06]
Proverbs 29:18 - "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."
Reflection: What do you think is God's vision for your church, and how can you contribute to achieving this vision?
Quotes
1. "Turning again from the things that distract, turning again from the things that they may be good in and of themselves because you make them good. You've given them as gifts to us whether they are our work or our families or Recreation our health Our Lives turning from these things making these things Idols perhaps and turn to you the Living God to make you priority to make you God again in our lives." - 27:02
2. "I think really that becomes part of the essence of what church ought to be so that would be I think the third priority. I'll stop there for now for now and just back to that preaching teaching component." - 06:32
3. "I'm super duper excited to be here um and just to be part of what God is already doing here and to do what God is calling me here I feel and just to be a part of this community this wonderful community that God has already established and it's been moving here for decades." - 02:07
4. "It's an opportunity I feel for the church to rethink what is church what are the priorities of church perhaps a strip away some of the things that may be more cultural in terms of what the church has been and to really come back to the center of what is the gospel what is really the church about and perhaps even to become more purified in terms of who we are as church." - 12:33
5. "The thing that I'm most excited about really is to bring God's word to his people as I said in that first priority and um yeah I kind of thinking about it as getting back into the saddle after being out of it for a little while in terms of that I've just been studying and now I get to be active again and bring God's word to his people." - 13:17
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