Transforming Perceptions: The Church as Love and Light
Summary
In today's message, we explored the critical role of the church in our community and the broader culture. The perception of the church in today's society is often negative, seen as judgmental, hypocritical, and overly political. This perception is a stark contrast to the message we are meant to convey: that God is for everyone, and so are we. This message is rooted in the well-known scripture, John 3:16, which emphasizes God's love for the world and His desire for a relationship with us through Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we are called to carry this message forward, to be the salt and light in the world, enhancing and illuminating the lives of those around us.
We discussed two pivotal questions: "What do you want to be known for?" and "What are you actually known for?" These questions challenge us to reflect on our personal and collective identities and to bridge the gap between our aspirations and reality. As a church, we should be known for our love and support for the community, not for what we oppose. Our mission is to demonstrate God's love through our actions, creating a positive impact and fostering a thriving community.
Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount remind us of our purpose. We are to be the salt of the earth, enhancing the world around us, and the light of the world, providing hope and guidance. Our good deeds should not be hidden but should shine brightly, pointing others to God. This is not about self-glorification but about glorifying our Heavenly Father through our actions.
To embody this mission, we are committed to supporting local nonprofits, businesses, and schools. We aim to be a beacon of hope in St. Joe, ensuring that our community knows we are for them. Through initiatives like "For St. Joe," we engage in acts of service, demonstrating our commitment to the community. This week, we have several opportunities to serve, from helping at Second Harvest to supporting local schools and first responders. Our goal is 100% participation, encouraging everyone to be involved in making a difference.
Ultimately, our desire is to change the perception of the church in St. Joe, to be known for our love and support, and to make a lasting impact. By being salt and light, we can transform our community and show that God is for everyone.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Church's True Message: The church should be known for its message of love and support, rooted in John 3:16, which emphasizes God's love for the world. Our mission is to convey that God is for everyone, and so are we, countering the negative perceptions often associated with the church. [03:07]
2. Personal and Collective Identity: Reflecting on what we want to be known for versus what we are actually known for is crucial. Bridging this gap requires intentional actions that align with our values and mission, both individually and as a church community. [08:52]
3. Being Salt and Light: As followers of Christ, we are called to be the salt and light of the world, enhancing and illuminating the lives of those around us. Our good deeds should shine brightly, pointing others to God and creating a positive impact in our community. [16:19]
4. Supporting the Community: Our commitment to supporting local nonprofits, businesses, and schools is a tangible expression of our mission. By engaging in acts of service, we demonstrate our love and support for the community, fostering a thriving environment. [27:23]
5. Transforming Perceptions: By being actively involved in the community and showing genuine care, we can change the perception of the church. Our goal is to be known for our love and support, making a lasting impact and showing that God is for everyone. [45:15]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:07] - The Church's Message
[04:36] - We Are For You
[05:32] - Questions to Reflect On
[06:49] - What Do You Want to Be Known For?
[08:06] - What Are You Known For?
[10:15] - The Gap Between Perception and Reality
[11:31] - The Church's Current Perception
[12:50] - Jesus' Teachings on Being Salt and Light
[14:06] - The Metaphor of Salt
[16:19] - Creating Thirst and Curiosity
[17:30] - The Metaphor of Light
[18:56] - Being a Beacon of Hope
[20:40] - Letting Your Light Shine
[23:46] - Motivation for Good Deeds
[24:25] - Drawing People to God
[25:02] - Being Known for What We Are For
[27:23] - Supporting Nonprofits, Businesses, and Schools
[33:38] - Ways to Be For the Community
[38:00] - Serve Week Opportunities
[43:07] - Registering for Service Events
[43:53] - The Importance of Being Salt and Light
[44:17] - Reaching Out to the Community
[45:15] - Making a Dent in the Universe
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 3:16
- Matthew 5:13-16
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the main message of John 3:16, and how does it relate to the church's mission as described in the sermon? [03:07]
2. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus uses the metaphors of salt and light. What are the functions of salt and light according to the sermon, and how do they apply to the role of Christians in the community? [14:06]
3. The sermon mentions two pivotal questions: "What do you want to be known for?" and "What are you actually known for?" How do these questions help in assessing personal and collective identity? [06:49]
4. How does the sermon describe the current perception of the church in society, and what statistics are provided to illustrate this point? [11:31]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the message of John 3:16 challenge the negative perceptions of the church mentioned in the sermon? What steps can be taken to align the church's message with this scripture? [03:07]
2. What does it mean to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" in practical terms, as explained in the sermon? How can these metaphors guide the actions of the church community? [16:19]
3. The sermon discusses the gap between what we want to be known for and what we are actually known for. How can individuals and the church work to bridge this gap? [08:52]
4. How does the sermon suggest that supporting local nonprofits, businesses, and schools can transform the perception of the church in the community? [27:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the question, "What do you want to be known for?" How does your current lifestyle align with this aspiration, and what changes might you need to make? [06:49]
2. Consider the metaphor of being "salt and light." What specific actions can you take this week to enhance and illuminate the lives of those around you? [16:19]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of supporting local initiatives. Identify one local nonprofit, business, or school you can support this month. What steps will you take to get involved? [27:23]
4. How can you personally contribute to changing the negative perception of the church in your community? What role can you play in demonstrating that "God is for everyone"? [45:15]
5. The sermon encourages 100% participation in community service. What barriers might prevent you from participating, and how can you overcome them to engage in acts of service? [38:00]
6. Reflect on the idea of creating a "dent in the universe." What is one specific way you can make a positive impact in your community this week? [45:15]
7. How can you ensure that your good deeds point others to God rather than seeking personal recognition? What mindset or practices can help maintain this focus? [20:40]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church's Message of Universal Love
The church is often perceived negatively in today's society, seen as judgmental and overly political. However, the true message of the church is rooted in love and inclusivity, as emphasized in John 3:16. This message is that God is for everyone, and so should the church be. The church's mission is to convey this love and support to all, countering negative perceptions by demonstrating God's love through actions and words. By focusing on what the church stands for, rather than what it opposes, it can create a more welcoming and supportive environment for everyone. [03:07]
"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate God's love to someone who may feel excluded or judged by the church today?
Day 2: Aligning Identity with Mission
Reflecting on what we want to be known for versus what we are actually known for is crucial for both individuals and the church community. This reflection helps bridge the gap between aspirations and reality, requiring intentional actions that align with core values and mission. As a church, the goal is to be known for love and support, not opposition. This involves a conscious effort to embody the values of Christ in everyday actions, ensuring that the church's identity is consistent with its mission. [08:52]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to ensure your actions align with the values you want to be known for?
Day 3: Being Salt and Light
Followers of Christ are called to be the salt and light of the world, enhancing and illuminating the lives of those around them. This calling involves performing good deeds that shine brightly, pointing others to God and creating a positive impact in the community. The metaphor of salt and light emphasizes the transformative power of living out one's faith in practical ways, providing hope and guidance to others. By embodying these qualities, believers can draw others to God and foster a thriving community. [16:19]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you be a source of light and hope to someone in your community today?
Day 4: Commitment to Community Support
Supporting local nonprofits, businesses, and schools is a tangible expression of the church's mission to demonstrate love and support for the community. By engaging in acts of service, the church can foster a thriving environment and show genuine care for the well-being of others. This commitment involves active participation in community initiatives, such as volunteering and supporting local causes, to make a positive impact and build strong relationships within the community. [27:23]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can support a local nonprofit, business, or school this week?
Day 5: Transforming Perceptions Through Action
By being actively involved in the community and showing genuine care, the church can change its perception and be known for love and support. This involves demonstrating God's love through actions, making a lasting impact, and showing that God is for everyone. The goal is to transform negative perceptions by being a beacon of hope and support, ensuring that the church is seen as a positive force in the community. [45:15]
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to changing the perception of the church in your community through your actions today?
Quotes
1. "The reality is that that shouldn't be the case that the perception of the church is poor in our culture and in the community around us and the reason for that is because the church as we talked about last week carries the greatest message that has ever been communicated and will ever be communicated and the biggest part of that message is is this that god is for you and so are we." [03:07] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can belong here with what we do at Current before you ever believe what we believe. You can belong before you choose to behave any sort of way that we would encourage you to behave. You can belong." [04:36] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Today, what do you wanna be known for? What do you wanna be known for? What is it that you hope people say about you behind your back when you're not around? To take it a step further, what is it that you hope someday at your funeral people say about you? What do you wanna be known for?" [06:49] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If a business had a big gap between what they want to be known for and who they claim, what they claim they're about and what they're actually about or what they're actually known for, that means they have a bad reputation among the community, among their customers. And if they can shrink that gap between those two things, you know what they'll harness? They'll harness the greatest form of advertising that has ever been and ever will be, positive word of mouth." [10:15] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The church should be asking the question, what? What do we want to be known for? And the capital C church, not just current, but the church as a whole, you know what the church should be known for? We should all have the same answer. We should be known for communicating to people that, hey, there is a God that is for you and so are we." [11:31] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It's no longer good for anything. except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. So again, Jesus is speaking to his disciples. He's speaking to his followers, people that want to follow him with their lives. And to them, he says, you are salt. You're the salt of the earth." [14:06] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If you love Jesus, if you're so in love with Jesus and you are so focused on shining his light, then people, as Jesus said, they'll begin to see your good works. By the way, that verse where Jesus says, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. There's some context there." [22:26] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "For too long, the church has been known for what is, what it is against. And here at current, we just believe, and we want to be known for what we're for. And we are for St. Joe." [25:02] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We want to be able to say to our community, hey, listen, you might say no to us, but we're going to say yes to you. We are for you, whether you are for us or not. Well, but I don't believe what it is that you believe. I don't even know if I believe in this whole Jesus thing. You know what? That's okay. We believe in you. Jesus believes in you." [44:17] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You might not be able to change the world, but I'm telling you, you can change your world. That's your dent in the universe. This is your opportunity to make a dent in the universe. And this is our opportunity to make a dent in St. Joe." [45:15] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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