Shining Light Through Connection and Community

 

Summary

In these challenging times, many are facing significant hardships, from losing income to being separated from loved ones. The current situation has brought tangible difficulties, especially for those who were already struggling, such as single parents or individuals relying on school systems for support. As followers of Christ, we are called to be a light in the darkness, even when we cannot gather in large groups. The question arises: how can we be helpful to those in need during this time?

Technology offers us a unique opportunity to connect and support each other. Through phone calls, texts, emails, and video calls, we can reach out to those who might be feeling isolated or in need. It's crucial to check in on our neighbors, especially the elderly, and offer assistance in a responsible manner, such as dropping off supplies at their doorstep. This is a time to lead by example and show the world what it means to be the church.

Community remains vital, even if it looks different now. We can still engage in Bible studies, prayer groups, and fellowship through virtual means. This connection is essential as many feel alone and anxious. It's important to remember that while our feelings are real, they must be guided by the truth of God's Word. By meditating on scriptures like Matthew 6 and Philippians 4, we allow the Word of God to transform our emotions and bring peace amidst chaos.

This is not about following our hearts blindly but about following God and allowing His truth to shape our lives. We must continue to engage in conversations, ask questions, and support one another. Let's use this time as an opportunity to minister wisely and effectively, showing the love of Christ in practical ways.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Technology for Connection: In times of isolation, technology becomes a vital tool for maintaining relationships and offering support. By reaching out through calls and video chats, we can ensure that no one feels alone, especially the vulnerable in our communities. This is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, providing practical help and emotional support. [01:16]

2. Responsible Ministry: While physical distancing is necessary, it should not be an excuse to stop ministering. Instead, it challenges us to find creative and responsible ways to serve others, such as delivering essentials to those in need while maintaining safety protocols. This is a chance to demonstrate leadership and compassion in action. [02:00]

3. The Importance of Community: Community is crucial, even if it must be virtual. Engaging in online Bible studies and prayer groups helps maintain spiritual and emotional health. These gatherings remind us that we are not alone and that our relationships are vital for our well-being. [03:19]

4. Truth Over Feelings: Our emotions are real, but they must be aligned with the truth of God's Word. By meditating on scripture, we allow God's truth to transform our feelings, bringing peace and stability in uncertain times. This practice helps us navigate the tension between what we feel and what we know to be true. [04:05]

5. Continued Engagement: It's important to keep the lines of communication open, asking questions and sharing insights. This ongoing dialogue helps us grow and adapt, using the current situation as an opportunity to deepen our faith and understanding. Let's continue to engage with one another and with God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. [05:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Facing Hardships
- [00:42] - Being a Light in Darkness
- [00:57] - Using Technology to Connect
- [01:33] - Helping the Elderly
- [02:00] - Responsible Ministry
- [02:30] - Importance of Community
- [03:19] - Feeling Alone
- [03:33] - Truth Over Feelings
- [04:05] - Meditating on Scripture
- [04:49] - Peace Amidst Chaos
- [05:03] - Following God, Not Heart
- [05:17] - Continued Engagement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 6:25-34
- Philippians 4:4-9

---

Observation Questions:

1. What are some of the specific hardships mentioned in the sermon that people are facing during these challenging times? [00:15]

2. How does the sermon suggest we can use technology to maintain connections and support others? [01:16]

3. What are some of the ways mentioned in the sermon that we can responsibly minister to others while maintaining physical distancing? [02:00]

4. According to the sermon, why is community still important even if it has to be virtual? [03:19]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that technology can be a tool for being the "hands and feet of Christ"? How does this align with the teachings in Philippians 4? [01:16]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our feelings and the truth of God's Word? How does this relate to the message in Matthew 6? [03:33]

3. What does the sermon imply about the role of community in maintaining spiritual and emotional health? How does this connect with the idea of peace in Philippians 4? [03:19]

4. How does the sermon encourage us to use this time as an opportunity to minister wisely and effectively? What does this mean in the context of Matthew 6? [02:00]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current use of technology. How can you use it more effectively to reach out to someone who might be feeling isolated or in need? [01:16]

2. Think of a neighbor or someone in your community who might need assistance. What practical steps can you take this week to offer help while maintaining safety protocols? [01:33]

3. How can you create or join a virtual Bible study or prayer group to maintain a sense of community? What steps will you take to make this happen? [02:42]

4. Identify a specific emotion you are struggling with during this time. How can you align this feeling with the truth of God's Word, as suggested in the sermon? [03:33]

5. Consider the current challenges you are facing. How can you use this time to deepen your faith and understanding, as encouraged in the sermon? [05:17]

6. What is one specific way you can demonstrate leadership and compassion in your community this week? [02:00]

7. Reflect on a time when your feelings contradicted the truth of God's Word. How did you handle it, and what can you do differently in the future to ensure your feelings are guided by scripture? [03:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Technology as a Ministry Tool
In times of isolation, technology becomes a vital tool for maintaining relationships and offering support. By reaching out through calls and video chats, we can ensure that no one feels alone, especially the vulnerable in our communities. This is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, providing practical help and emotional support. Technology allows us to transcend physical barriers and connect with those who may be feeling isolated or in need. It is crucial to check in on our neighbors, especially the elderly, and offer assistance in a responsible manner, such as dropping off supplies at their doorstep. This is a time to lead by example and show the world what it means to be the church. [01:16]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community could benefit from a call or message today, and how can you use technology to reach out to them?


Day 2: Creative and Responsible Ministry
While physical distancing is necessary, it should not be an excuse to stop ministering. Instead, it challenges us to find creative and responsible ways to serve others, such as delivering essentials to those in need while maintaining safety protocols. This is a chance to demonstrate leadership and compassion in action. By being innovative in our approach, we can continue to serve and support those around us, showing the love of Christ in practical ways. It is important to remember that our actions speak volumes, and this is an opportunity to be a light in the darkness. [02:00]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one creative way you can serve someone in need while respecting safety guidelines?


Day 3: The Vital Role of Community
Community is crucial, even if it must be virtual. Engaging in online Bible studies and prayer groups helps maintain spiritual and emotional health. These gatherings remind us that we are not alone and that our relationships are vital for our well-being. In a time when many feel alone and anxious, maintaining a sense of community is essential. By participating in virtual gatherings, we can continue to support one another and grow in our faith together. It is important to remember that while our feelings are real, they must be guided by the truth of God's Word. [03:19]

"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 participate in or initiate a virtual gathering to foster community this week?


Day 4: Aligning Emotions with God's Truth
Our emotions are real, but they must be aligned with the truth of God's Word. By meditating on scripture, we allow God's truth to transform our feelings, bringing peace and stability in uncertain times. This practice helps us navigate the tension between what we feel and what we know to be true. It is not about following our hearts blindly but about following God and allowing His truth to shape our lives. By focusing on scriptures like Matthew 6 and Philippians 4, we can find peace amidst chaos and allow the Word of God to transform our emotions. [04:05]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: What scripture can you meditate on today to help align your emotions with God's truth?


Day 5: Engaging in Ongoing Dialogue
It's important to keep the lines of communication open, asking questions and sharing insights. This ongoing dialogue helps us grow and adapt, using the current situation as an opportunity to deepen our faith and understanding. Let's continue to engage with one another and with God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. By maintaining open communication, we can support one another and grow in our faith together. This is a time to ask questions, share insights, and continue to learn and grow in our relationship with God and with each other. [05:17]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one question you have about your faith that you can discuss with a trusted friend or mentor this week?

Quotes


we're hearing a lot from people in the comments as I respond to the messages that are out there about seeing how much hardship is coming as a result of this there are people that are losing their income you know not able to work separated from those that they love there are people that already were struggling to do things on their own with help because their kids were in school and so there's somewhere for their kids to go or you know single parents who are doing it all on one income there's there's real tangible difficulty attached to this not just the baseball games are closed but actually my place of business is closed so as a person who wants to be a light who wants to show up and be the church but we can't gather together you know in groups of more than ten now one of the questions that keeps popping up is what can I do like what can I actually do now to be helpful to people who who need my help [00:00:03]

well first of all technology again helps us because that means you can contact people by phone by text by email by face with interface thing Facebook okay all right it's time base time because you can see them there but you still have a safe distance and you can ask them are you okay is there if there a need I can meet in an appropriate way if there's an elderly person in your neighborhood finding out what they need and and and getting it and dropping it on the porch and telling them it's out there make sure you wipe you know do you do your 20 seconds with your hands and they do theirs but drop it off so that because you've left the knee but you're still done it in a responsible way [00:01:03]

and we're going to get people doing that at our church and I want Christians doing that all around the country especially Christians because we're supposed to be like we're supposed to be leading the way yeah yeah so we have a worldwide opportunity now and so let's take advantage of it and we're gonna make sure we call out elderly and make sure we deliver what they need in a responsible way so don't use this as an excuse not to minister use it as an opportunity to wisely minister mm-hmm [00:01:58]

you can still do Bible studies there's types there's there's different things you can do as a community there's conference calls we used to have a conference call room or void Trent Shelton used to have a thousand people on his conference call and we used to do those and he'd have somebody come on and give a message and they would ask questions and and someone would be moderating the questions to the person who's the speaker I mean there's all types of opportunities out there that you can take with another individual or five individuals and y'all can all still get together and have that community time because community is important [00:02:50]

this has made a lot of people feel alone it shows how much relationship is important talk about the anxiety right now that people are facing you talked about before I've heard you say don't worry you know God is in control and I hear that but I don't feel that so what what do I do and what I'm hearing or what I'm feeling or contradicting one another your feelings always have to follow the truth because feelings change you don't deny feelings because feelings are also real so what you have to do is speak truth to trouble you have to speak truth to your emotions this is how I feel but this is what God says [00:03:22]

and when you rehearse that long enough when you read those scriptures like Matthew 6 or Philippians 4 so that it settles down in the nutrients of the Word of God get into the bloodstream of the soul your feelings can begin to adjust to the Word of God being spoken the problem with the Word of God not getting to our system is that like James 1 says we become forgetful hear us so so we don't we don't let it roll around like chewing gum you know meditate [00:03:59]

yeah yeah well you that's why there's so much in the songs about meditation keep that thing rolling until it settles in the gut in the gizzard you know down you know and then the feelings begin to have to be begin to be manipulated by the Word of God so they calm comes as a result of or in spite of the chaos that you would be going through so this is not about the American slogan follow your heart no this is about following God and let him change your life [00:04:36]

keep sending in your questions and comments we want to be able to have this conversation we want to be able to talk with you about the questions that you have and so keep sending in those questions those comments so that we can keep having the conversation because we want to communicate with you you can communicate with us and we can continue to use this like my dad said as an opportunity and so let's keep going [00:05:09]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Apr 28, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

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