Power of The Church

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Southeast Christian Church

Feb 1, 2023

When we face difficult situations and circumstances, we pray for solutions and answers, but we should also pray that these situations will bring about opportunities. There should be an awareness that the struggles we are going through bring Kingdom opportunities to impact and influence others. It might be something really difficult that you aren’t sure how to get through, but we, as Christ followers, have an understanding that there is an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus and to reflect to Jesus through it all.

We often ask God to give us a reason why we are going through a current struggle or heartbreak. What's the purpose? Why is this happening? What's the good that God wants to bring out of this situation? What does God want to do in me? What do you want to do through me? We see this throughout the first century in the early church, where they dealt with incredible, struggles, persecution, and suffering, but at every turn, the Kingdom of God expanded and grew.

We see through the example of the early church in Acts that these Kingdom opportunities require compassion and generosity. When they gave financially, it wasn't so much that they were giving to the church, it's that they were giving through the church; that was the opportunity. Acts 2:45 says, “They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” They brought their offerings to the church and through the church they were able to meet the needs of people in the community. They were able to help the church expand and grow to reach the ends of the earth. It's not necessarily that they gave to the church as much as they gave through the church, and that shift in thinking is really helpful as we see the dramatic impact that's possible when we collectively embrace this way of thinking. The church is the hope of the world. When we give through the church, the church advances the Kingdom of God. The early church was able to have a tremendous impact because people weren't just coming and attending, but they were actively serving, sacrificing, and giving generously.

Reflection/Discussion Question: What is a way that you can practice more generosity and compassion?

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