Strengthening Community Through Genuine Friendships and Service

Devotional

Day 1: The Strength of True Friendship

In times of need, genuine friendships become a lifeline, offering support and encouragement when we are at our lowest. The story of the paralytic man in Mark 2 illustrates the power of such friendships, as his friends went to great lengths to bring him to Jesus, overcoming obstacles to ensure he received the help he needed. This narrative serves as a reminder that real friends are those who stand by us not only in good times but also during life's challenges. They are willing to go the extra mile, providing a supportive community that lifts us up when life knocks us down. [01:00:46]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life has been a true friend during difficult times? How can you express gratitude to them today and be a supportive friend in return?

Day 2: Renewing Our Commitment to Service

It's easy to fall into routines and lose sight of our purpose in ministry. By renewing our commitment to God and our community, we can continue to grow and serve effectively. Each of us has unique gifts that contribute to the body of Christ, and it's essential to remain teachable and open to God's guidance. This renewal of dedication allows us to break free from complacency and rediscover the joy and fulfillment that comes from serving others and fulfilling our God-given purpose. [25:37]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your ministry or service have you become complacent in? How can you renew your commitment and approach it with fresh enthusiasm this week?

Day 3: Embracing Diversity for Growth

Our diverse personalities and perspectives are not hindrances but opportunities for growth and learning. By embracing these differences, we can strengthen our community and fulfill God's purpose for us. Working together despite our differences allows us to achieve more and grow in our faith. This unity in diversity reflects the beauty of God's creation and His desire for us to learn from one another, fostering a community that is rich in understanding and love. [29:50]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively embrace and celebrate the diversity within your community? What steps can you take to learn from someone with a different perspective this week?

Day 4: Gratitude for God's Unseen Work

Even in struggles, God is present, providing for our needs and guiding us through challenges. As we serve in our church and community, we must remember to thank God for His blessings and trust that He is working in our lives and the lives of those around us. Recognizing God's continuous work, even when it is not immediately visible, helps us cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in His divine plan. [31:08]

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 107:1, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing where you can choose to trust in God's unseen work? How can you express gratitude for His presence in this situation today?

Day 5: Keeping Focused on God's Purpose

Jesus modeled the importance of focusing on God's purpose rather than getting caught up in arguments or distractions. As a church, we must prioritize serving people and fulfilling God's mission, ensuring that our actions align with His will. By keeping the main thing the main thing, we can avoid unnecessary distractions and remain steadfast in our pursuit of God's calling for our lives and community. [01:15:55]

"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 distractions are currently pulling you away from focusing on God's purpose for your life? How can you realign your priorities to ensure you are serving His mission effectively?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the importance of community and the power of genuine friendships, especially in times of need. As we navigate through life, it's crucial to have people who can lift us up when we are down, just as the paralytic man in Mark 2 was carried by his friends to Jesus. This story serves as a reminder that real friends are those who stand by us, not just in good times, but also when life becomes challenging. They are the ones who will go the extra mile, even when obstacles arise, to ensure we receive the help we need.

We also emphasized the significance of rededicating ourselves to our ministries and the church community. It's easy to fall into routines and lose sight of our purpose, but by renewing our commitment, we can continue to grow and serve effectively. Each of us has unique gifts and talents that contribute to the body of Christ, and it's essential to remain teachable and open to God's guidance.

Moreover, we acknowledged the importance of working together despite our differences. Our diverse personalities and perspectives are not hindrances but opportunities for growth and learning. By embracing these differences, we can strengthen our community and fulfill God's purpose for us.

Finally, we were reminded of the importance of gratitude and recognizing God's continuous work in our lives. Even when we face struggles, God is always present, providing for our needs and guiding us through challenges. As we serve in our church and community, we must remember to thank God for His blessings and trust that He is working in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Genuine Friendships: Real friends are those who stand by us in times of need, just as the paralytic man's friends did in Mark 2. They are willing to go the extra mile, overcoming obstacles to ensure we receive the help we need. This story reminds us of the importance of having a supportive community that lifts us up when life knocks us down. [60:46]
2. Rededicating Ourselves to Service: It's easy to fall into routines and lose sight of our purpose in ministry. By renewing our commitment to God and our community, we can continue to grow and serve effectively. Each of us has unique gifts that contribute to the body of Christ, and it's essential to remain teachable and open to God's guidance. [25:37]
3. Embracing Diversity in Community: Our diverse personalities and perspectives are opportunities for growth and learning. By embracing these differences, we can strengthen our community and fulfill God's purpose for us. Working together despite our differences allows us to achieve more and grow in our faith. [29:50]
4. Gratitude for God's Continuous Work: Even in struggles, God is present, providing for our needs and guiding us through challenges. As we serve in our church and community, we must remember to thank God for His blessings and trust that He is working in our lives and the lives of those around us. [31:08]
5. Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing: Jesus modeled the importance of focusing on God's purpose rather than getting caught up in arguments or distractions. As a church, we must prioritize serving people and fulfilling God's mission, ensuring that our actions align with His will. [01:15:55]
** [75:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:16] - Ministry Leader Consecration
[23:47] - Call to Serve
[24:22] - Acknowledging Service
[24:47] - Room for Everyone
[25:37] - Remaining Teachable
[29:50] - Working Together
[31:08] - Gratitude and Provision
[34:12] - Seasons of Change
[35:16] - Welcoming Guests
[39:32] - God's Abundance
[52:23] - Youth Ministry Announcement
[60:46] - Real Friends Lift You Up
[65:25] - Facing Life's Challenges
[72:10] - Faith and Perseverance
[75:55] - Keeping Focused on God's Purpose
[82:20] - Church as a Community
[91:14] - New Members and Communion

Sermon Clips

"At this time, we have ministry leader consecration. We want to begin every first Sunday in February, calling all of our ministry leaders to the altar and those that serve in those ministries with them so that we can rededicate ourselves. If you're not careful in the life of church, you can find yourself in the same position just going through the motion. And each year, we need to rededicate ourselves to the Lord. Amen?" [00:21:45] (25 seconds)

"and you got a church full of people and all of us are different but we come to you as our source and you do supply that as we work at your house you're working at our house as we give tithes to your house you pay the light bill the mortgage and and card notes and life insurance and health insurance and dental insurance you know what we need before we ask so lord god we gonna praise you in your house trusting that you're already working out things at our house watch over their mothers their fathers their their sons their daughters their nieces and their nephews that sometimes we serve with a heavy heart but you keep on making a way you keep on strengthening us and today lord god we're not gonna Don't wait until you do something else. We're going to tell you thank you for what you're doing right now. Right now, you're keeping us. Right now, you're fighting our battles. Right now, you're encouraging our hearts. Right now, you're picking us up." [00:31:23] (71 seconds)

"Be careful, young person, of people who can find you when they need help, problems. I know you don't want nobody to know it. I see how you're looking at me. You got on a straight tie and you got problems under that tie. You got a dress, it's white down to the flow, and there's some problems under that all -white dress. And there's some problems up under that all -white hat. Just because you in church don't mean you ain't got problems. It just means you brought your problems to the right place because we got a problem solver. We got somebody that ain't never saw a problem that he couldn't fix. We got somebody that ain't never saw a burden that he couldn't lift. We got somebody that ain't never saw a bill that he can't pay. We got somebody that ain't never saw a soul that he can't save. You got problems. I got problems, but we come to church because we got a problem solver." [01:05:25] (88 seconds)

"They persevere. What do you mean? Watch this church. Thank you, Holy Spirit. Last night, I was looking at the text again. The sermon was finished Friday, but I was looking at it, and he said, look, look, Terry, watch this. They had a good, good plan. But their first plan had a hiccup. They want to go through the door, but they can't get through. See, the first sign you got a real friend is they ain't turned around by a little adversity. People that never wanted to do it in the first place, all it take is a little hiccup to lead to a bridge. That's the first sign you got a real friend. But their first plan had a hiccup. They breakup." [01:08:09] (41 seconds)

"These friends knew who could help their friend. It was nobody but the Lord. The Bible says they're not turned around easily. And Jesus, watch this. When he sees their faith, he says, because of you all's faith, he's forgiven. Notice how their faith was displayed. Faith took them to the door. Faith took them up the steps. Faith had them pulling back the towels. Faith had them lowering him down. Faith had them lowering him down in the ceiling. I'm trying to help somebody that faith don't quit. Faith remains consistent and persistent until you get what God has promised you. Is there anybody here that can say, I ain't better than nobody. I just ain't quit. I'm trying to be consistent and persistent every day because I want what God has for me. And sometime I ain't going to be able to go through the door. Sometime I'm going to have to take the stairs. Sometime I'm going to have to get on the road. Sometime I'm going to have to get on the roof and break a little sweat. I'm trying to help somebody. Stop expecting a lot and you giving so little." [01:12:10] (72 seconds)

"That's how much God he is. Watch this. There's a bigger picture here. This helps us as a church. The scribes and the Pharisees, all they want to do is argue. And Jesus, remember, Jesus is helping this man, but he's also modeling to his disciples to keep the main thing, the main thing. If you get caught up arguing with people, you don't accomplish God's purpose. So Jesus says, which one you want me to do? Forgive him of his sin or that our little debates are not more important than people getting saved and getting what they need from God. Keep the main thing, the main thing. Sometimes we get caught up in a lot of stuff and we make big things. Out of little small things." [01:15:55] (70 seconds)

"you can get impatient, you can get tired, you can want to give up, but when God has assigned you to a job, when he's assigned you to a place, when he's assigned you to a person, you hang in there with them, and you keep encouraging them, and watch this, as you encourage them, you'll find encouragement for yourself. Somebody knows what I'm talking about. You can't walk away. Assignments aren't places. Assignments are people. Church is not a place I go. Church is a people I grow with. God cares more about you than he does brick, and mortar, and wool. So, sometimes you can get tired in your assignment, and God sent me to tell you, as I'm encouraging myself, don't you abort your assignment." [01:22:20] (71 seconds)

"watch this, we don't know his name, we don't know the four men name, but one of the greatest blessings of life is to make deposits in the lives of others, and let God acknowledge you, not men. Amen. you work with people. You'll be surprised if you don't give up on a person five or six years from now, walking through public and that person say, hey, man, my mama, my daddy had gave up on me. That day you set me in my office, man, I'm glad you didn't give up on me. Anybody got somebody in there? their life, you thank God, God sent them not to give up on you." [01:23:30] (55 seconds)

"I'm telling you, church, can't nobody do you like Jesus. You can come to him however you are, and he will not leave you the same. You can come one way, and he will free you. I want you to know that you can come just as you are. He will not leave you the same. But then there's somebody here you already saved. You need a church home where every week, Wednesday, Sunday, your children, we becoming a complete church where your daughter gonna be able to find encouragement, your son gonna be able to find encouragement, your wife gonna be encouraged, and you as the husband, if you divorce single widows, you gonna be able to find whatever you need in God's house at the St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church." [01:31:14] (63 seconds)

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