Rooted in Christ: The Power of Ordinary Devotion
Summary
In the message delivered at Oak Community Church, the focus is on the mission of helping ordinary people become fully devoted followers of Jesus. The message begins with an emphasis on the importance of ordinary individuals in the advancement of the church's mission. It is highlighted that the church is not built on the efforts of super Christians but on the daily acts of service by ordinary people who say yes to Jesus. These small acts of service, often unseen by the world, are what truly change the world and are a testament to the faithfulness of those who serve.
The message then delves into the concept of being fully devoted followers of Jesus, equating it with being true disciples. In the first-century context, a disciple was someone who patterned their entire life after their rabbi, not just in learning but in living. Similarly, being a disciple of Jesus means patterning one's life after Him, allowing Him to be the God of every day of the week, not just Sundays. This involves loving, trusting, and obeying God's will, command, and laws, which ultimately glorifies God.
The joy of being known by God is presented as unparalleled, and it is posited that with this as the central mission, there is no obstacle too great to overcome. The message encourages a pursuit of God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, which promises to change everything. As Oak Community Church embarks on its journey, the congregation is invited to consider their role in advancing God's kingdom and to contribute their time, talents, and treasures.
The message also touches on the importance of community within Christianity, emphasizing that Christians are designed to be in community, not to live as lone individuals. The church is presented as a place where individuals can put down roots and work together for the greater good.
The message references the Great Commission from Matthew 28, where Jesus instructs His followers to make disciples of all nations. This mission is seen as the overarching mandate for all churches, though each church may express it in its own unique way. The message also explores the early history of the church as depicted in the book of Acts, particularly focusing on the boldness of Peter and John, who were ordinary men empowered by their association with Jesus.
The message further illustrates the ordinariness of early followers of Jesus through examples like Priscilla and Aquila, Lydia, and Phoebe, who were not celebrities or scholars but ordinary people used by God to advance His kingdom. The message underscores that Jesus died for ordinary people and that to be ordinary is to share in the human condition of brokenness and the need for a healer.
The message concludes with a call to live lives rooted in Jesus, drawing an analogy to the fig tree, which has the deepest roots of any tree when measured from the surface to the water source. Just as the fig tree's roots persevere through any obstacle to reach water, believers are encouraged to root themselves in Jesus, ensuring that no storm can uproot them. The message ends with a prayer, inviting the congregation to commit to loving God and others wholeheartedly.
Key Takeaways:
- The true impact of the church is often found in the small, everyday acts of service by ordinary individuals who are faithful to their calling. These acts, though not always visible to the world, are significant in God's eyes and contribute to the transformation of the world. [13:20]
- Being fully devoted to Jesus means patterning one's life after Him in every aspect, not just in learning but in living. This devotion is not limited to a single day of the week but encompasses every moment, with Jesus as the Lord of one's entire life. [15:02]
- The greatest joy and mission in life is to be known by God, and with this as the central focus, believers can overcome any obstacle. Pursuing God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength is transformative and central to the Christian mission. [24:36]
- The Christian life is meant to be lived in community, not in isolation. As believers come together to contribute their unique gifts and resources, they can collectively advance God's kingdom and find their place within the church community. [25:41]
- Rooting one's life in Jesus is like the fig tree that extends its roots deep into the ground to find water. No matter the obstacles, a life deeply rooted in Christ will remain steadfast and satisfied, drawing from the goodness of God. [23:29]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 4:13 - "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
2. Mark 12:28-31 - "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?' 'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.'"
3. Colossians 2:6-7 - "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the religious leaders when they saw the courage of Peter and John in Acts 4:13?
2. According to Mark 12:28-31, what are the two greatest commandments that Jesus highlights?
3. In Colossians 2:6-7, what are believers encouraged to do in their walk with Christ?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the religious leaders were astonished by Peter and John’s boldness despite them being "unschooled, ordinary men"? ([07:32])
2. How does Jesus’ summary of the commandments in Mark 12:28-31 encapsulate the essence of being a fully devoted follower of Jesus? ([17:36])
3. What does it mean to be "rooted and built up in Him" as described in Colossians 2:6-7, and how does this relate to the analogy of the fig tree mentioned in the sermon? ([23:29])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt ordinary or inadequate. How can the example of Peter and John encourage you to step out in faith despite feeling ordinary? ([07:32])
2. Jesus calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. What is one specific way you can deepen your love for God this week? ([17:36])
3. Loving your neighbor as yourself can take many forms. Identify one neighbor (literal or metaphorical) you can show love to this week and describe how you plan to do it. ([18:07])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of community in the Christian life. How can you contribute your time, talents, or treasures to your church community this month? ([25:41])
5. The analogy of the fig tree teaches us about perseverance and rooting ourselves in Christ. What obstacles are currently hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you overcome them to root yourself more deeply in Jesus? ([23:29])
6. The sermon mentioned the joy of being known by God. How does this truth impact your daily life and decisions? ([24:36])
7. Consider the small, everyday acts of service you can perform. What is one specific act of service you can commit to this week to help advance God's kingdom? ([13:20])
Devotional
Day 1: Ordinary Acts, Extraordinary Impact
Ordinary individuals are the backbone of the church's mission, with their small acts of service making a significant difference in the world. These acts may go unnoticed by many, but they are powerful expressions of faith and devotion, contributing to the transformation of the world in ways that align with God's vision. [13:20]
Hebrews 6:10 - "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."
Reflection: What small act of service can you offer today that reflects your commitment to God's work in the world?
Day 2: Total Devotion to Jesus
Devotion to Jesus is an all-encompassing commitment that shapes every aspect of life. It is not confined to a single day or place but is a continuous journey of loving, trusting, and obeying God's will. This level of devotion glorifies God and aligns one's life with the example set by Jesus. [15:02]
1 John 2:6 - "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."
Reflection: How can you pattern your daily life more closely after Jesus, moving beyond learning to living out your faith?
Day 3: Known by God, Overcoming Obstacles
The joy of being known by God is the ultimate mission and source of strength for believers. With this relationship at the center of one's life, no obstacle is too daunting. Pursuing God with every facet of one's being promises a transformative experience that changes everything. [24:36]
Psalm 139:1-3 - "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your pursuit of God to experience the transformative joy of being known by Him?
Day 4: Community as the Fabric of Faith
Christianity thrives in community, not in isolation. Believers are called to come together, contributing their unique gifts and resources to advance God's kingdom. The church is a place to form deep roots and collaborate for the greater good, embodying the collective mission of the faith. [25:41]
Ephesians 4:15-16 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Reflection: What unique gifts can you bring to your church community, and how can you actively engage in building up the body of Christ?
Day 5: Rooted in Christ, Unshaken by Storms
Like the fig tree with deep roots, a life anchored in Jesus can withstand any storm. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Christ, ensuring that their faith remains unshakable regardless of life's challenges. Drawing from the goodness of God provides steadfastness and satisfaction. [23:29]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 - "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your roots in Christ, and how can you maintain your faith during difficult times?
Quotes
1) "The church is made up of ordinary people who say yes to Jesus and in so doing, by the grace of God, change their little corner of the world." [13:54] (Download)
2) "To be fully devoted simply means to be fully rooted in love. That is our foundation, that we say God I am yours and you are mine." [19:18] (Download)
3) "Being the church is a serious thing... following Jesus is one of the most fun things you can do, it is an adventure of a lifetime." [03:38] (Download)
4) "The reality is that we are all ordinary... but what makes our lives different is not that we are exceptional, it's because Jesus is exceptional." [08:41] (Download)
5) "To be ordinary is to share in the human condition that we are sick and in need of a healer. We are broken and in need of someone who can repair our souls." [12:02] (Download)
6) "When we put our roots deep into Christ, there is no storm, there's nothing in this life that is going to uproot us." [22:49] (Download)
7) "As followers of Jesus, as we come to do that together and we become a community that says there's nothing else I am pursuing above and beyond Jesus." [24:06] (Download)
8) "If we start with that posture of complete love and complete commitment, then if we are truly fully devoted to Him, we will watch God do miraculous things in our life." [18:42] (Download)
9) "It's those stories of ordinary people stepping up and saying yes to Jesus that inspire me... those little acts of service that change the world." [13:20] (Download)
10) "If we keep God as our center... there is no mountain that we will not be able to move, there is nothing we will not be able to accomplish." [24:36] (Download)
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