From VIP to Shepherd: Grace, Hospitality, Faithfulness

Devotional

Day 1: Work wholeheartedly as serving the Lord.

Diligence and wholeheartedness mean showing up with intentionality and joy, treating every task as worship rather than obligation. Whether it’s arriving early to worship, cooking a home meal for house church, or saying “my pleasure” when asked to serve, these small sacrifices communicate value and invite VIPs to experience God’s love. Remember to balance preparation with presence so the people, not the perfect meal, remain the priority. [21:09]

Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Reflection: What one practical habit will you change this week to demonstrate wholehearted service (for example: arrive early, cook once for a group, or say “my pleasure” instead of grumbling)? When and how will you do it?

Day 2: Faithful loyalty that commits through uncertainty.

Loyalty is shown by steadfast faithfulness to people and to God, even when the future is unclear or inconvenient. This looks like consistent attendance, faithful giving, stepping into mission when called, and being the dependable person others can rely on in tough seasons. Such faithfulness builds trust and models God’s own steadfast love to VIPs and members alike. [28:29]

Ruth 1:16 (ESV)
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”

Reflection: Who or what have you been tempted to abandon when things got hard? What concrete step will you take this week to remain faithful to that person or commitment and to trust God in the uncertainty?

Day 3: Honor leaders so their work is joyful.

Respecting and submitting to leaders helps them serve without burden and invites their ministry to flourish with joy. Practical ways to honor leadership include punctuality, prompt communication, readiness to serve when asked, and being someone who eases their load rather than adds to it. Being a joy to your shepherd fosters a healthy culture that attracts and sustains VIPs. [36:10]

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Reflection: Identify one specific way you can make your leaders’ work more joyful this month (for example: arrive on time, reply promptly to messages, or volunteer for a regular task). What will you commit to and by when?

Day 4: Practice devoted love; honor others above self.

Respect flowing outward creates a culture of humility, trust, and mutual care where VIPs feel safe to be vulnerable. Choosing to honor others—apologizing when wrong, keeping confidences, and serving without seeking credit—builds the credibility that allows deeper relationships to form. Small acts of reliability (picking up food, helping with moves, or simply listening) communicate worth and open doors for gospel influence. [37:22]

Romans 12:10 (ESV)
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Reflection: Recall the last time you chose honor over being right in a group setting. What happened, and what is one follow-up step you can take this week to repair or deepen that relationship?

Day 5: Let your example overcome youth or inexperience.

Self-respect and confidence in God’s calling free a person to serve despite perceived shortcomings in age, background, or experience. Being faithful in small responsibilities—showing up on praise team, co-leading a trip, or stepping into an internship—builds credibility and proves that God equips those He calls. Embrace humility, be willing to learn, and let obedience be the test of readiness rather than self-doubt. [40:16]

1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Reflection: What perceived weakness (age, experience, background) is holding you back from stepping up? Choose one small, faithful action you will take this week to act despite it and grow in confidence.

Sermon Summary

I shared how God found me long before I knew His name. I grew up in Illinois as the son of Thai immigrants, steeped in Buddhism and even ordaining twice as a monk. I had zero Christian background. College exposed my failure and drift—probation, a closed door to my major, and a final exam I should have failed—yet three “miracles” kept opening a path I didn’t deserve. I later took a job that moved me to Houston, where a co-worker invited me to “dinner with friends.” That house church broke my stereotypes: they were honest, joyful, and kind without pressure. Curiosity grew into real seeking. A 10-week challenge to attend Sundays helped me see a pattern—God had been stitching my detours into a rescue. I accepted Christ and was baptized in March 2018.

Years as a member taught me how to receive grace; stepping into shepherding taught me how to give it. I don’t have charisma or a churchy pedigree, but I learned to cling to core practices. First, diligence and wholeheartedness (Colossians 3:23). I lead by example—showing up, preparing, and serving with a “my pleasure” heart so I burn bright, not out. Hospitality matters; I often cook because love tastes like time, but I’ve also learned not to be Martha—presence matters more than perfection.

Second, loyalty characterized by faithfulness. Faithfulness looks like dependable rhythms (worship and house church), creating a trustworthy, gossip-free culture, and backing my leaders with prayer, honesty, and help. It also means having the courage to speak up for the good of the body.

Third, respect—up, out, and in. I honor leaders so their work is a joy (Hebrews 13:17), honor peers by owning my faults and keeping confidences, and honor myself by receiving God’s call with humility. Imposter syndrome melted as God reminded me He doesn’t always call the equipped; He equips those He calls (1 Timothy 4:12). Healthy boundaries freed me to lead without carrying burdens that aren’t mine. I’m simply responsible to be faithful; the results belong to Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Grace precedes our awakening to God God often moves before we notice—through undeserved second chances, redirected steps, and closed-and-reopened doors. When we finally look back, the scattered pieces form a picture of careful mercy. Faith doesn’t require every answer; it grows from recognizing God’s fingerprints already on our story. Gratitude becomes the doorway to trust. [06:57]
2. Community dismantles stereotypes, invites questions Gospel credibility is embodied in a people before it is argued in propositions. Non-pressured, patient kindness creates space for hard questions and slow journeys. Real hospitality exposes the counterfeit in our assumptions and draws seekers toward Jesus without coercion. Presence, not performance, opens hearts. [12:44]
3. Serve with diligence and wholehearted love Excellence in small things sets the ceiling for a community’s devotion. Cooked meals, on-time presence, and thoughtful preparation preach before words do—but love must remain greater than logistics. A “my pleasure” posture guards the soul from burnout by relocating service from duty to delight. [21:09]
4. Loyalty builds trustworthy gospel spaces Faithfulness is not flashy; it is a steady yes that people can lean on. Keeping confidences, showing up, and backing leaders with prayer creates a culture where vulnerability is safe. In such soil, correction can heal, and seekers can be honest about their doubts. Trust is the currency of transformation. [27:20]
5. Respect up, out, and in Honor leaders so their work becomes joy, honor peers by prioritizing their good, and honor yourself by receiving God’s call without contempt. Boundaries protect love; responsibility is not ownership. Give your all and leave outcomes to God—mistakes may delay, but they cannot derail His kingdom. [35:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:04] - VIP to Member: My Start
[05:31] - Thai Buddhist Roots, No Background
[06:57] - Three Miracles in College
[11:39] - Invited to “Dinner with Friends”
[12:44] - Stereotypes Shattered by Kindness
[17:54] - Ten-Week Challenge to Attend
[18:45] - Seeing God’s Puzzle Pieces
[19:22] - Baptism and New Beginning
[20:19] - Member to Shepherd: The Shift
[21:09] - Principle 1: Diligence and Heart
[27:20] - Principle 2: Loyalty and Faithfulness
[35:38] - Principle 3: Respect Up, Out, In
[41:52] - Healthy Boundaries, God’s Sovereignty
[42:58] - Gratitude and Final Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
- Colossians 3:23
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
- Ruth 1:16
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God."
- Hebrews 13:17
"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Observation questions

What does Colossians 3:23 say about the motive and manner of serving others? (focus on heart and audience of service)
List the three events described as “miracles” that redirected a life toward Houston and into community. How did those events function like second chances rather than mere luck? [06:57]
What concrete examples of hospitality and wholehearted service were given (what was done, how often, and why it mattered), and why was cooking chosen over ordering takeout? [22:10]
How does Ruth’s declaration of loyalty (Ruth 1:16) connect to practical community behaviors like showing up, keeping confidences, and backing leaders? [27:20]

Interpretation questions

How does the command to work "heartily, as for the Lord" reshape ordinary leadership habits (arrival times, preparation, energy level) in a small-group setting? [21:09]
Ruth’s commitment meant trusting into an uncertain future. How should that kind of fidelity shape rhythms like steady attendance and dependable follow-through in a local community? [27:48]
Hebrews asks that leaders’ work be a joy. What combination of attitudes and boundaries (both from leaders and members) practically produces joy instead of groaning in ministry responsibilities? [36:10]
If God is often at work before we notice, how should past setbacks or confusing closed doors be interpreted in shaping future faithfulness and gratitude? [18:45]

Application questions

Grace often precedes awakening; where can you now see God’s "fingerprints" on a past setback or closed door in your own story, and how does that shift your posture toward gratitude this week? [18:45]
Hospitality opens space for seekers. When is the last time you intentionally invited a non‑Christian or a recent newcomer into your life for a meal or simple time together? What specific, practical invite could you make in the next two weeks? [22:10]
Serving with a "my pleasure" posture preserves joy. Name one ministry task you currently do with grumbling or obligation. What is one mindset shift or small ritual you could adopt to turn it into a privilege this month? [26:02]
Loyalty builds trust. Which single habit (regular attendance, confidentiality, praying for leaders, helping with logistics) can you commit to for the next six weeks to strengthen trust in your group? How will you make that commitment concrete? [30:54]
Respect flows up, out, and in. Where do you need healthier boundaries so you can give generously without carrying burdens that aren’t yours? What specific boundary will you set and when will you practice it? [41:52]
Imposter feelings are common, but faithfulness matters more than pedigree. What small leadership step (hosting once, leading a study, serving on a team) can you try in the next month, trusting God to equip you? [40:16]

(End of guide)

Sermon Clips

There was one specific exam that I was terrified of because, once again, I didn't know the material that well. But during that exam, there was a student about two or three rows next to me, and they suddenly had a seizure. And the exam had to be halted while they received medical attention. After the chaos had settled, the TA told everyone to just try their best and turn what they had in by the end of the hour. I received a B-plus on that exam, which is a much, much higher grade that I absolutely did not deserve had everything been under normal circumstances. [00:09:45] (37 seconds) #GraceInChaos

I remember one of my very first questions I asked him was, okay, if Jesus is your Lord and Savior, why on earth did your people kill him? I generally didn't know. I didn't understand or know any theology, but Tim was patient with me, and we spent a lot of one-on-ones together, which over time built and strengthened our relationship. But in the end, I was just curious. I wasn't serious. I was just window shopping Jesus with no intention of ever entering this shop. [00:15:07] (32 seconds) #WindowShoppingFaith

As I attended, and then as I started to build the streak, the Sunday messages eventually made me reflect and look back at my life, and I started to notice all the miracles that happened during my college years. The academic probation, the final exam seizure, the job that I received because of my poor grades, that same job which led to a job loss which turned into a relocation to Houston that led me to a random co-worker who invited me out to house church. I realized that these weren't accidents, but puzzle pieces, and for the first time, I saw the picture that they were forming. [00:18:06] (40 seconds) #PiecesToPurpose

God had been moving me, protecting me, and guiding me to this very specific city and this very specific group of people long before I even knew his name. I saw prayer requests in our house church getting answered, improbable and some near impossible things. I saw my own life stabilizing and thriving because I was coming out to house church on Sunday service. I soon realized there was never going to be a way for me to have all of the answers. I would never have them, but that's why it's called faith. I had enough evidence of God's goodness in my life to finally take that leap. [00:18:45] (37 seconds) #FaithOverAnswers

Eight years ago, I walked into a member's home for the very first time as that VIP. I was welcomed into a stranger's home. Served a home-cooked meal and was genuinely loved upon. The members listened to me. They prayed for me and they showed me a welcoming, hospitable spirit that I had never, ever experienced before. All of this despite me not being a believer of their faith. [00:22:24] (26 seconds) #WelcomedHome

I learned that sometimes you can actually do too much when all that is needed is simply enough. While preparing and serving are important, they should never ever overshadow the heart of house church which is to love people and point them to Christ. If the food is five-star but the host is stressed and absent, then you've missed the point. [00:24:43] (24 seconds) #HeartOverHype

``By the time the decision came to select a new shepherd earlier this year in May, I was in a much better place. I've grown much in my walk with God and I learned to embrace the future that he has for me. What started as a step taken out of necessity and obedience has now become a joy and a chance for my spiritual growth. My fears of not being enough have faded because though God doesn't always call the equipped, he always equips those that he calls. [00:40:40] (29 seconds) #CalledAndEquipped

And now when I reflect back on my own journey from that unbelieving VIP who was lovingly welcomed into the faith to now being called to shepherd others I am deeply humbled. I never imagined being in disposition speaking to you all here today. Yet here I am as a testament to God's grace. He takes the most unlikely people and He uses them for His kingdom work. All that is required is a willing heart. [00:43:15] (30 seconds) #UnexpectedShepherd

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