Stewarding Life with Integrity and Purpose

Today, we stand at a pivotal moment as a church, discerning together how best to steward the resources and opportunities God has placed before us. As we consider a new space in downtown Pittsboro, we recognize this is not just about square footage or logistics, but about positioning ourselves to meet the needs of a growing community and to invite more people into authentic discipleship. The process has been marked by prayer, feedback, and a desire to move only as God leads, with transparency and unity. Our hope is to be ready to act when the right door opens, trusting that God will provide what is needed for His mission in Chatham County.

Turning to the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, we see a profound example of what it means to steward life well amidst competing demands. Like a plate spinner, Jesus navigates the pressures of public ministry, private needs, and the ever-present pull of the crowd. Yet, He does so with unwavering integrity and purpose. Whether healing in a private home or before a multitude, Jesus remains the same—His compassion, authority, and intent do not waver. He is not swayed by the allure of popularity or the demands of the masses; instead, He continually returns to the Father in prayer, anchoring His mission in relationship and clarity of purpose.

Jesus’ healing of Simon’s mother-in-law is a tender, wordless act that reveals the depth of His authority and care. He draws near, lifts up, and restores—not for show, but out of genuine love. This same tenderness is available to us today, inviting us to bring our needs and the needs of others before Him. Jesus models a life of integrity, consistency, and alignment with God’s purpose, showing us that the way to manage the complexities of life is not through frantic activity or people-pleasing, but through rootedness in God and courageous realignment when we drift.

As we reflect on our own lives, we are challenged to examine what sets our agenda and defines our purpose. Are we living with integrity, or are we wearing masks? Are we letting the crowd—or the urgent—dictate our direction, or are we anchored in God’s call? The invitation is to connect deeply with God, assess where we may be misaligned, and courageously realign our lives to Christ’s purpose, even when it feels counterintuitive. In doing so, we find the freedom and fullness of life that Jesus offers.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Integrity is Essential for a Well-Lived Life Jesus demonstrates that true stewardship of life requires consistency of character and intent, both in public and private. Living with integrity—being the same person in every setting—removes the exhausting burden of maintaining masks and allows us to experience the freedom and fruitfulness God intends. When we are tempted to compartmentalize or hide, Jesus invites us to authenticity, promising restoration and wholeness when we turn to Him. [17:01]
• 2. The Tenderness of Jesus Meets Us in Our Need The healing of Simon’s mother-in-law is a reminder that Jesus draws near in our most personal and vulnerable moments. His presence alone brings restoration, often without words, simply through His intent and compassion. We are invited to bring our needs—and the needs of others—before Him, trusting that His nearness is enough to lift us up and bring healing. [20:46]
• 3. The Demands of the Crowd Must Not Define Our Purpose Jesus faced the temptation to let the crowd’s expectations set His agenda, but He remained anchored in His mission. The allure of popularity, success, or even good opportunities can subtly pull us away from God’s unique call on our lives. We must discern what is driving our decisions and be willing to walk away from even “successful” ventures if they threaten to derail our true purpose. [29:10]
• 4. Connection with the Father is the Source of Clarity and Strength Before making pivotal decisions, Jesus withdrew to solitary places to pray and reconnect with the Father. This practice grounded Him, clarified His mission, and empowered Him to make counterintuitive choices. Our own clarity and courage to live purposefully flow from regular, honest connection with God, where we are reminded of who we are and what we are called to do. [31:21]
• 5. Realignment to God’s Purpose May Feel Counterintuitive, But It Leads to Life There will be moments when following God’s call means making choices that seem illogical or even disappointing to others. Jesus’ decision to leave the crowd was not the obvious path to “success,” but it was the only way to fulfill His mission. We are called to regularly assess where our lives are misaligned, and to realign—even when it’s hard—trusting that God’s way leads to the fullness of life we were created for. [32:28]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Congregational Update and Voting Process
• [03:46] - Details of the Pittsboro Storefront Opportunity
• [05:27] - Vision for Growth and Mission
• [11:59] - Following Jesus’ Example in Stewarding Life
• [15:23] - Jesus’ Private Healing and Integrity
• [17:01] - The Challenge of Living with Integrity
• [19:42] - The Tenderness and Authority of Jesus
• [22:01] - Bringing Our Needs and Others to Jesus
• [24:10] - The Temptation of the Crowd’s Approval
• [25:55] - The Crowd’s Influence and Jesus’ Response
• [29:10] - Staying Anchored in Mission Over Popularity
• [30:34] - Assessing What Sets Our Agenda
• [31:21] - Connecting with the Father for Clarity
• [32:28] - Realigning to God’s Purpose
• [33:30] - Prayer and Closing

Bible Reading

Mark 1:29-39 (ESV) —
> 29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
> 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
> 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
> 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.
> 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.
> 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
> 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
> 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,
> 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
> 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”
> 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Observation Questions

1. In Mark 1:29-31, how does Jesus respond to the need of Simon’s mother-in-law? What stands out about the way He heals her?
2. What differences do you notice between Jesus’ private healing in the home and His public ministry to the crowds later that evening?
3. According to the passage, what does Jesus do early the next morning before the crowds return? Why is this significant?
4. When the disciples tell Jesus that “everyone is looking for you,” how does He respond, and what does this reveal about His priorities?

Interpretation Questions

1. What does Jesus’ consistent character in both private and public settings teach us about integrity? Why might this be challenging for us today?
2. The sermon described Jesus’ healing of Simon’s mother-in-law as a “tender, wordless act.” What does this reveal about the nature of Jesus’ authority and compassion?
3. Why do you think Jesus chose to withdraw and pray before making decisions about His ministry, even when there were urgent needs and opportunities in front of Him?
4. The crowd’s demands could have easily set Jesus’ agenda, but He chose a different path. What are some modern “crowds” or pressures that can pull us away from God’s purpose for our lives?

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to consider where we might be “wearing masks” or living differently in public and private. Are there areas in your life where you feel tempted to hide or compartmentalize? What would it look like to take a step toward authenticity this week?
2. Jesus’ tenderness was shown in a simple, personal act of healing. Is there someone in your life who needs you to draw near and show compassion in a quiet, practical way? What is one thing you could do for them this week?
3. The demands of the crowd did not define Jesus’ purpose. What are some “crowds” (expectations, pressures, or opportunities) in your life that might be setting your agenda? How can you discern if these are pulling you away from God’s unique call for you?
4. Jesus regularly withdrew to connect with the Father for clarity and strength. What is one practical way you can make space for honest connection with God this week, even if life feels busy or urgent?
5. The sermon mentioned that realigning to God’s purpose can feel counterintuitive or even disappointing to others. Can you think of a time when following God’s call meant making a hard or unpopular decision? How did you handle it, and what did you learn?
6. As a church, we are discerning how to steward our resources and opportunities for God’s mission. How can you personally contribute to unity, transparency, and prayerfulness as we move forward together?
7. Jesus invites us to bring both our needs and the needs of others to Him. Is there a specific need—yours or someone else’s—that you want to bring before Jesus as a group tonight? How can the group support you in prayer or action?