Planted in Community

  • Pastor Gabby Jenkins, Pastor Josh Smith
Have you ever wondered why you’re placed exactly where you are in life? It’s not by accident. Discover how being planted in your home and community is part of God’s divine purpose for you. Learn how to live out your calling with the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing hope and healing to those around you. Let’s explore this together in this message.

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Planted in Community

Message Summary
Have you ever wondered why you’re placed exactly where you are in life? It’s not by accident. Discover how being planted in your home and community is part of God’s divine purpose for you. Learn how to live out your calling with the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing hope and healing to those around you. Let’s explore this together in this message.
Key Scripture
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
Isaiah 61:1-3
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: Planted in the Home

Scripture:
Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33 (NLT)
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God… And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Read Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33

Devotional:
Being planted in the home means embodying Christ-like love and submission within our family dynamics. The Apostle Paul calls us to imitate God by living a life filled with love, just as Christ loved us. This love is sacrificial and selfless, aiming to build up and nurture those around us. In our homes, we are called to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, creating an environment where love and respect flourish. This mutual submission is not about hierarchy but about honoring each other as Christ honors the church. As we practice this, we plant seeds of faith and love that ripple through generations.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you imitate Christ’s love in your family relationships today?
  2. What does mutual submission look like in your home, and how can you practice it more effectively?
  3. In what ways can you create an environment of love and respect in your household?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength to love your family selflessly and sacrificially, as Christ loves the church.
  2. Ask God to help you cultivate a spirit of mutual submission and respect within your home.

Day 2

Day 2: Planted in Community

Scripture:
Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Read Acts 2:42-47

Devotional:
Being planted in community means actively participating in the life of the church and the broader community. The early church provides a model of devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This devotion led to a vibrant community where needs were met, and lives were transformed. As believers, we are called to be active participants, not passive observers. Our presence and participation can bring hope and healing to those around us. By living in community, we reflect the love of Christ and become a beacon of hope to those who are lost.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you actively participate in your church community this week?
  2. What steps can you take to ensure that your community is a place of hope and healing?
  3. How can you contribute to the needs of others in your community?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a heart that is open to fellowship and community, seeking to serve and love others.
  2. Ask God to use you as a vessel of hope and healing in your community.

Day 3

Day 3: Sent with a Purpose

Scripture:
Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Read Matthew 28:18-20

Devotional:
Jesus commissions us to go and make disciples, emphasizing that our faith is not meant to be stagnant but active and outward-focused. We are sent with a purpose to share the good news and teach others about the love and commands of Christ. This mission is not just for pastors or missionaries but for every believer. As we go about our daily lives, we are called to be witnesses of Christ’s love and grace, bringing others into a relationship with Him. Remember, Jesus promises to be with us always, empowering us for this mission.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you live out the Great Commission in your daily life?
  2. What are some practical ways you can share the love of Christ with those around you?
  3. How does knowing that Jesus is with you always impact your willingness to share your faith?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for boldness and courage to share the gospel with those around you.
  2. Ask for opportunities to disciple others and help them grow in their faith.

Day 4

Day 4: Anointed for Good Works

Scripture:
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NLT)
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
Read Isaiah 61:1-3

Devotional:
We are anointed by the Spirit to bring good news and hope to a hurting world. This anointing is not just for our benefit but for the purpose of serving others. We are called to comfort the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to captives, and bring joy to those who mourn. As we live out this calling, we become like great oaks, planted by the Lord for His glory. Our lives should reflect His love and grace, drawing others to Him. Embrace your anointing and step into the good works God has prepared for you.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you use your anointing to serve and bless others?
  2. What are some areas in your life where you can bring hope and healing?
  3. How does being anointed by the Spirit change your perspective on your daily interactions?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit to empower you for good works.
  2. Ask God to open your eyes to the needs around you and give you the courage to act.

Day 5

Day 5: Living for His Glory

Scripture:
Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT)
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Read Colossians 3:12-17

Devotional:
Living for God’s glory means embodying the character of Christ in all we do. We are called to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These virtues reflect the heart of Christ and draw others to Him. As we forgive and love one another, we create a community that reflects God’s kingdom. Our lives become a testimony of His grace and love. In everything we do, we are representatives of Christ, called to live in peace and thankfulness. Let your life be a reflection of His glory, pointing others to Him.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you embody the character of Christ in your daily interactions?
  2. What steps can you take to create a community that reflects God’s kingdom?
  3. How does living for God’s glory change your perspective on your daily activities?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength to embody the character of Christ in all you do.
  2. Ask God to help you live as a representative of Christ, bringing glory to His name.

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