Team Chosen: Serving Together for Christ's Mission
Summary
### Summary
Growing up, sports played a significant role in shaping my character and instilling a sense of competitiveness. Being part of a team taught me the value of unity and working towards a common goal. This sense of camaraderie and shared mission is something I cherish deeply, and it’s a feeling I experience even more profoundly here at Lift Church. This church community is the greatest team I’ve ever been a part of, and it’s a joy to serve alongside so many dedicated individuals.
However, many Christians feel bored or disconnected because they aren’t actively participating in the life of the church. Christianity is a team sport, and we are called to be part of "Team Chosen." As believers, we are chosen by God, set apart to declare His praises and bring others into the light. This calling is not just for a select few but for all of us. We are chosen to make a difference in our workplaces, schools, and communities.
The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 2:9 that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. This means we have a responsibility to share the good news with those who don’t yet know they are chosen. Jesus Himself said in John 15:16 that He chose us and appointed us to bear lasting fruit. This is our mission: to go out and make disciples, to serve others, and to show them the love of Christ.
One practical way to live out this calling is through serving. Next Saturday is Serve Day, and we have 20 projects lined up throughout the city. This is an opportunity for us to meet the needs of our community in tangible ways, whether it’s providing food, water, shelter, clothing, or care. When we serve others, we ourselves are refreshed, as Proverbs 11:25 says, "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
Serving is not just an act of kindness; it’s a way to ignite a passion for God in our hearts and to make a lasting impact on those around us. Let’s take this opportunity to serve our city and show the love of Christ in practical ways. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope, joy, and salvation to our community.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in Purpose: Being part of a team with a shared mission fosters unity and strength. This is true in sports and even more so in the body of Christ. When we work together towards a common goal, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve great things for God's kingdom. [03:39]
2. Chosen and Appointed: As believers, we are chosen by God and appointed to bear lasting fruit. This means we have a divine purpose and a mission to share the love of Christ with others. We are not here by accident; we are here to make a difference. [09:59]
3. Responsibility to Serve: It is our responsibility as the chosen ones to serve others and meet their needs. This is not just a suggestion but a mandate from God. When we serve others, we reflect the love of Christ and fulfill our calling. [18:46]
4. Refreshing Others: Proverbs 11:25 teaches us that when we refresh others, we ourselves will be refreshed. Serving others is not just beneficial for them; it also brings renewal and refreshment to our own souls. This is a divine principle that goes against the world's logic. [22:21]
5. Impact of Small Acts: Small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on someone's life. Whether it's handing out water bottles or serving a meal, these acts can open doors for sharing the gospel and showing the love of Christ. Never underestimate the power of a simple act of service. [30:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - The Power of Team Sports
[03:39] - Unity and Reconciliation
[04:53] - Fun and Fellowship in Teams
[07:28] - The Greatest Team: Lift Church
[08:47] - Introduction to Team Chosen
[09:59] - You Are Chosen and Set Apart
[11:23] - Appointed for a Purpose
[12:41] - The Importance of Serving
[15:02] - The Responsibility of the Chosen
[17:34] - Serve Day: A Call to Action
[18:46] - Motivated by Matthew 25
[22:21] - Refreshing Others Refreshes You
[24:40] - Personal Stories and Analogies
[27:30] - Childlike Faith and Evangelism
[30:06] - The Power of Random Acts of Kindness
[33:05] - A Call to Servolution
[34:18] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
2. John 15:16 - "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."
3. Proverbs 11:25 - "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 2:9, what are the characteristics of the people God has chosen? How does this verse describe their purpose?
2. In John 15:16, what does Jesus say about the nature of our calling and the fruit we are to bear?
3. What does Proverbs 11:25 say about the relationship between generosity and personal refreshment?
4. The pastor mentioned that many Christians feel bored or disconnected because they aren’t actively participating in the life of the church. What does he suggest is the solution to this issue? [07:28]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that we are a "chosen people" (1 Peter 2:9) impact our daily lives and interactions with others?
2. What does it mean to bear "lasting fruit" as mentioned in John 15:16? How can this be applied in practical terms within our community?
3. Proverbs 11:25 suggests a counterintuitive principle about generosity. How does this principle challenge the world's view of success and fulfillment?
4. The pastor emphasized the importance of serving others as a way to ignite a passion for God in our hearts. How does this align with the biblical passages discussed? [18:46]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current involvement in the church. Are you actively participating in a way that fosters unity and a shared mission? If not, what steps can you take to become more involved? [07:28]
2. Think about a time when you felt chosen or set apart for a specific purpose. How did that experience shape your actions and decisions? How can you apply that sense of purpose to your spiritual life today? [09:59]
3. Serving others is a key theme in the sermon. Identify one specific way you can serve your community this week. How can you make this a regular practice in your life? [18:46]
4. The pastor mentioned that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. Can you recall a time when a small act of kindness made a significant difference in your life? How can you replicate that for someone else? [30:06]
5. Proverbs 11:25 states that refreshing others will lead to personal refreshment. What are some practical ways you can refresh others in your daily life? How do you think this will impact your own sense of fulfillment and joy? [22:21]
6. The pastor shared a story about the power of random acts of kindness in leading someone to Christ. How can you incorporate random acts of kindness into your daily routine to share the love of Christ with others? [30:06]
7. Next Saturday is Serve Day with 20 projects lined up. Are you planning to participate? If so, which project interests you the most and why? If not, what is holding you back, and how can you overcome that obstacle? [17:34]
Devotional
### Day 1: Unity in Purpose
Being part of a team with a shared mission fosters unity and strength.
In both sports and the body of Christ, unity is essential for achieving great things. When individuals come together with a common goal, they can overcome any obstacle. This unity is not just about working together but also about supporting and uplifting one another. In the church, this means collaborating to advance God's kingdom, sharing the gospel, and serving the community. The sense of camaraderie and shared mission strengthens our faith and makes our efforts more impactful. [03:39]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt part of a unified team. How can you bring that same sense of unity and purpose to your church community today?
### Day 2: Chosen and Appointed
As believers, we are chosen by God and appointed to bear lasting fruit.
Being chosen by God means we have a divine purpose and mission. This calling is not just for a select few but for all believers. We are here to make a difference in our workplaces, schools, and communities by sharing the love of Christ. Jesus Himself said that He chose us and appointed us to bear lasting fruit, which means our actions and words should lead others to Him. This divine appointment gives our lives meaning and direction, encouraging us to live out our faith boldly. [09:59]
John 15:16 (ESV): "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."
Reflection: Reflect on your unique gifts and talents. How can you use them to bear lasting fruit in your community this week?
### Day 3: Responsibility to Serve
It is our responsibility as the chosen ones to serve others and meet their needs.
Serving others is not just a suggestion but a mandate from God. As chosen people, we have a responsibility to reflect the love of Christ through our actions. This means actively looking for ways to meet the needs of those around us, whether it's through providing food, shelter, or simply offering a listening ear. Serving others not only helps them but also fulfills our calling and brings us closer to God. When we serve, we become the hands and feet of Jesus, making a tangible impact in our communities. [18:46]
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who could use your help today. What specific action can you take to serve them and show them the love of Christ?
### Day 4: Refreshing Others
Proverbs 11:25 teaches us that when we refresh others, we ourselves will be refreshed.
Serving others is not just beneficial for them; it also brings renewal and refreshment to our own souls. This divine principle goes against the world's logic, which often focuses on self-preservation and personal gain. When we pour out our time, energy, and resources to help others, God promises to replenish us. This cycle of giving and receiving creates a community of mutual support and encouragement, where everyone is uplifted and strengthened. [22:21]
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: Think of a recent time when you served someone. How did it impact you personally? How can you make serving others a regular part of your life?
### Day 5: Impact of Small Acts
Small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on someone's life.
Never underestimate the power of a simple act of service. Whether it's handing out water bottles, serving a meal, or offering a kind word, these small gestures can open doors for sharing the gospel and showing the love of Christ. These acts of kindness may seem insignificant, but they can have a lasting impact on someone's life. They demonstrate God's love in practical ways and can lead to meaningful conversations about faith. [30:06]
Matthew 10:42 (ESV): "And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."
Reflection: What small act of kindness can you perform today to show someone the love of Christ? How can you make these small acts a habit in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Christianity is a team sport. Following Christ is a team sport. And in fact, even more than this team I get to be on at Lift Church, the team that is the greatest team of all time is the big C church of God. And so we get to be a part of this big C church team." [08:07] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you're in this room and you'd say, man, I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Man, I have gone all in. I, I, I am a Christian. I follow Christ. He calls you chosen. He calls you set apart. And the, and the real secret behind this thing is even before you go all in with you, he goes all in with you." [08:47] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You see, you were chosen to be commissioned. You chosen to be commissioned with a mission, and that was to declare the praises of those who brought you out of darkness and into the marvelous light. You see, there are a lot of people in your workplaces. There's a lot of people in your schools. There's a lot of neighbors that you have that do not know they are chosen." [09:59] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He could have chosen anyone, but he chose you. And he has purposely appointed you and given you a purpose to make a difference now. To make sure that those who are not chosen know that they are chosen and set apart and loved by a God who is infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Can I get an amen?" [11:23] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's the responsibility of the chosen to make sure that they know that the church is always open. It's the responsibility of the chosen to make sure they know the church is here and we're loving and we got the chicken sandwich and we got the waffle fries and we got your chicken nuggets and we got your sweet tea and we're here and we're ready. And we're never closed." [15:02] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "There are so many people that are bored in the Christian church because they aren't a part of the team. There are so many Christians and people in the church that are bored because they're not a part of a team yet because they're by themselves. And can I tell you that many of y'all know our pastor is from Louisiana and there's one by you, you don't want to live on and that's by yourself." [07:28] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I believe this morning, God wants to reignite a passion in some of you. I believe this morning, God wants to soften a hardened heart and reignite a love that is so deep and so passionate that you have nothing more that you can do, nothing else you can do. Except for go serve and spread that love." [16:24] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "A generous person will prosper and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Now, this is the opposite of what the world wants to tell you. The world wants to tell you, take care of your stuff, get the next house, do the next thing, buy the cool car, get those shoes, buy the thing, go out to eat. And that's how you're going to feel refreshed. But the brother of God and the kingdom of God has a funny way of flipping everything upside down that we think." [22:21] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You could be one of those two people that steps into someone's story and serve and change their life forever. You know, I'm, I'm running out of time, but as I was celebrating the 4th of July, I wasn't going to do this part, but I was watching fireworks last night and they're, the, the, the song was on and man, I just felt inspired. I just felt some sort of American something come up in me." [31:31] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I believe that in the name of Christ, if we do this, that hope will spring out. That joy will spring out. That salvation will be in the streets. That it won't just be here in our four walls, but it'll be out there at our parks, in our city, in our workplaces. I love one of our team members wants to do a serve project at his workplace. And I'm believing that revival and hope and joy is going to break out in his workplace because he had the faith to say, I'm going to take it to my place." [34:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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