Trinity Church Outreach: Serving and Sharing Jesus Locally

Devotional

Day 1: God Uses the Willing, Not Just the Qualified

In God's economy, He often chooses those who feel unqualified or inexperienced, equipping them as they step forward in faith. Rather than seeking out the most impressive resumes, God looks for hearts that are willing to serve, and then He provides what is needed for the task. This upside-down approach means that anyone, regardless of background or expertise, can be used powerfully if they are open to God's call. The story of the food pantry at Trinity is a living example: volunteers stepped up not because they were the most qualified, but because they were willing, and God has done remarkable things through their obedience. [21:53]

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)
"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: Where do you feel unqualified or hesitant to serve? Ask God today if He is inviting you to step forward in that area, trusting Him to equip you as you go.

Day 2: Discernment in Serving—Seeking God’s Will, Not Just Needs

Not every need is a call; God invites us to discern where He is leading us to serve, rather than simply responding to every opportunity. The presence of a need does not automatically mean it is God’s assignment for us—He often confirms His will by raising up the right leaders and providing the necessary resources. This approach requires prayerful listening and a willingness to ask, “Lord, is this for me?” rather than assuming every good work is ours to do. [24:56]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Is there a need or opportunity before you right now? Take time to pray and ask God if He is calling you specifically to step into it, or if He has another assignment for you.

Day 3: The Power and Purpose of the Holy Spirit

Jesus promised His followers the Holy Spirit, not just as a comforter, but as the source of power to be His witnesses in the world. This power is not given for personal gain, but so that ordinary people can shine the light of Jesus in their communities and beyond. The Spirit equips every believer—not just a select few—to speak, serve, and love in ways that point others to Christ. The story of Pentecost reminds us that God’s mission is carried out through all who are willing, empowered by His Spirit. [57:13]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s power to be a witness for Jesus? Ask the Spirit to fill and empower you today for that purpose.

Day 4: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact

Throughout Scripture and today, God accomplishes His work through everyday people who are willing to say yes, even in fear and trembling. Whether it’s Esther, Gideon, or someone serving at a local outreach, God delights in using those who feel small or inadequate to do great things for His kingdom. The invitation is not to become a famous evangelist, but to be available and responsive to the Spirit’s prompting, trusting that God can use your unique story and gifts to bless others. [59:28]

Esther 4:14 (ESV)
"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Reflection: What is one small, specific way you can step out in faith this week—even if you feel afraid or unprepared—to be a light for Jesus in your sphere of influence?

Day 5: Living as the Light of Jesus in Your Community

Being a representative of Jesus means intentionally seeking ways to bless, serve, and share His love with those around you. Whether through organized outreach, spontaneous acts of kindness, or simply being present with neighbors, every believer is called to let the light of Christ shine in their daily life. This is not about grand gestures, but about faithfully living out the gospel in word and deed, trusting that God will use your efforts to draw others to Himself. [52:50]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Who is one person or group in your community you can intentionally bless or serve this week as a representative of Jesus? What practical step will you take today?

Sermon Summary

Every year, we pause to reflect on our calling as representatives of Jesus—how we shine His light both globally and right here in our own community. Over the past weeks, we’ve celebrated our global and local partners, and today, we turned our focus to the unique ways God is working through us at Trinity Church in Silicon Valley. Our Gateway Neighborhood Center is a powerful example: a 32,000-square-foot space dedicated to serving our neighbors through sports, fitness, food distribution, and outreach events. The rent from our nonprofit partners directly funds outreach, staff, and ministries like Stay and Play and our food pantry, ensuring that every dollar is invested in loving our community in Jesus’ name.

We heard from Jan Ramirez about the Gateway Food Pantry, a ministry born not from professional qualifications but from a willingness to serve. God’s pattern is to call the willing, not the already qualified, and then to equip them for His purposes. The pantry, run entirely by volunteers, meets tangible needs and offers prayer, embodying Christ’s love for those on the margins. As we look to the future, we’re discerning God’s will for this ministry, trusting that if He wants it to continue, He will raise up new leaders from among us.

We also have the privilege of partnering with City Team for a special Christmas outreach, blessing hundreds of families with gifts, necessities, and a joyful kid zone. These are opportunities not just to give, but to be present with those who are often overlooked, to say, “You matter. We see you. God loves you.”

Our regular outreach events—Hunt and Harvest Festival, Stay and Play—are more than just fun; they are seeds planted in hearts, as we heard from Lichie’s testimony. Sometimes the impact is immediate, but often it ripples out over time, drawing people into God’s family through simple acts of kindness and presence.

Looking ahead, we’re prayerfully considering our outreach budget, seeking to increase support for our global and local partners, and preparing for above-and-beyond opportunities if God provides more than we expect. The invitation is for each of us to participate—not just by giving or praying, but by living as lights in our own spheres of influence. Like Esther, Gideon, or the early disciples, we may feel unqualified or afraid, but God delights in using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The Holy Spirit empowers us not for our own comfort, but to be witnesses of Jesus to the ends of the earth.

Key Takeaways

1. God Qualifies the Willing, Not the Qualified God’s pattern is to call those who are available and willing, not necessarily those with the most impressive resumes. He delights in equipping ordinary people for extraordinary service, transforming our willingness into effectiveness for His kingdom. When we step forward in faith, even with fear and trembling, God meets us and does more than we could imagine. [21:53]
2. Serving the Margins Reflects Christ’s Heart Ministries like the food pantry and City Team outreach are not just about meeting physical needs—they are about seeing, valuing, and loving those who are often overlooked. When we serve the marginalized, we embody the compassion of Jesus, who always moved toward those on the edges of society. Our presence and care can be a powerful testimony of God’s love. [27:47]
3. Small Seeds Can Yield Eternal Fruit Events like Stay and Play or the Harvest Festival may seem simple or even insignificant, but God uses these moments to plant seeds in hearts. The impact may not be immediately visible, but over time, these seeds can grow into life-changing faith and community. Our faithfulness in small things can have a ripple effect far beyond what we see. [33:06]
4. The Holy Spirit Empowers Ordinary People The same Spirit that filled the early church is given to each believer—not just leaders or “super Christians.” God’s power is for all of us, enabling us to be witnesses in our everyday lives. We are called to listen to the Spirit’s prompting and step out, trusting that God will use us, even in our weakness or fear. [57:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:08] - Global and Local Outreach Recap
[11:03] - Gateway Neighborhood Center Overview
[12:05] - Outreach Funded by Gateway
[12:32] - Second Harvest and Community Services
[13:03] - Community Blessing Initiatives
[13:34] - Trinity Food Pantry Introduction
[16:55] - God Uses the Willing
[21:53] - Discerning God’s Will for Ministry
[27:08] - City Team Christmas Outreach
[29:31] - Trinity’s Role in Christmas Outreach
[31:15] - Hunt and Harvest Festival Impact
[33:06] - Stay and Play Testimony
[35:34] - God’s Ripple Effect in Lives
[41:48] - Proposed Outreach Budget
[46:22] - Above and Beyond Opportunities
[52:50] - Faith Promise and Prayer
[55:21] - Living as Light: Esther’s Example
[57:13] - The Holy Spirit Empowers All
[59:28] - Invitation to Be a Light

Bible Study Guide

Trinity Church Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living as Lights in Our Community

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### Bible Reading

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
> "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
> "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Esther 4:14 (ESV)
> "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

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### Observation Questions

In Acts 1:8, what does Jesus say will happen when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples? What is the purpose of this power?
According to the sermon, what are some specific ways Trinity Church is serving the local community through the Gateway Neighborhood Center and other ministries? [[11:03]]
What was Jan Ramirez’s background before leading the Gateway Food Pantry? How does her story illustrate God’s pattern of calling the willing rather than the already qualified? [[21:53]]
In the story of Esther, what was Esther’s initial reaction to Mordecai’s challenge, and how does this relate to the feeling of being unqualified or afraid? [[55:21]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized that the Holy Spirit’s power is given so that believers can be witnesses, rather than for their own comfort or benefit? [[52:50]]
How does the example of the Gateway Food Pantry show that God can use ordinary people to meet real needs in the community? What does this say about the kind of people God chooses to use? [[21:53]]
The sermon mentioned that serving those on the margins reflects Christ’s heart. Why is it important for the church to focus on people who are often overlooked? [[27:47]]
What does Esther’s story teach us about stepping out in faith even when we feel afraid or unqualified? How might this apply to opportunities to serve or lead in our own lives? [[55:21]]

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### Application Questions

The sermon said, “God’s pattern is to call those who are available and willing, not necessarily those with the most impressive resumes.” Is there an area of service or outreach where you have felt unqualified, but sense God might be nudging you to step forward? What’s holding you back? [[21:53]]
Jan and her team serve people on the margins through the food pantry, offering not just food but prayer and presence. Who are the “overlooked” people in your daily life or neighborhood? What is one practical way you could show them that they matter this week? [[27:47]]
Events like Stay and Play or the Harvest Festival may seem small, but the sermon said “small seeds can yield eternal fruit.” Can you think of a time when a simple act of kindness or invitation made a big difference in your life or someone else’s? How can you be intentional about planting those seeds? [[33:06]]
The Holy Spirit empowers all believers, not just leaders or “super Christians.” What is one area in your life where you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s power to be a witness for Jesus? [[57:13]]
The sermon challenged us to “live as lights in our own spheres of influence.” What does that look like for you at work, school, or home? Is there a specific relationship or situation where you want to be more intentional about representing Jesus? [[59:28]]
Trinity is discerning God’s will for the future of its ministries, trusting that He will raise up new leaders. How can you pray for God’s guidance for our church, and is there a step you feel called to take in supporting or leading a ministry? [[24:56]]
Like Esther, Gideon, and the early disciples, we may feel fear or uncertainty. What is one step of faith you could take this month, even if you feel afraid or unqualified? Who can encourage or pray for you as you take that step? [[55:21]]

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Sermon Clips

We are in a unique series for us. This is not, I guess you could say, church as normal. We take once a year, we take some time out and we look at our role as representatives of Jesus and how we've been representing Him to the world locally and personally. [00:09:47] (20 seconds) #RepresentingJesus

You know what I always find interesting is in the world that we grow up in, you go look for the most qualified candidate and that's who you want to lead. In God's economy, he looks for the most willing candidate who's usually not qualified and then he qualifies them. It's completely upside down. [00:21:42] (23 seconds) #UpsideDownLeadership

Part of what we do here is as we presenting what God has done we look forward to what we hope that he will do and so and this is a this is a family affair and so we try to do everything above board as we possibly can so I want to kind of give you what we're thinking about in terms of what God might do in outreach in this coming year. [00:41:23] (24 seconds) #FaithfulOutreach

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