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New Creation - Dorothy
Sermon Summary
This sermon encourages us to live out our God-given purpose through a life of love, service, and Spirit-led multiplication, recognising that our ordinary acts can bring glory to God and impact the world for His Kingdom.
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Each of us is given one wild and precious life, and deep within, we long to know that our lives matter—that we have made a difference, that our existence has value. Yet, so often, we wrestle with doubts about our significance, wondering if we have done enough or become enough. The world tempts us to seek meaning and identity apart from God, but Scripture calls us back to our true purpose: to live as image bearers of our Creator, serving under His authority and reflecting His glory in all we do.
From the very beginning, God designed us for ministry—not as a job title, but as a way of being. Ministry is the offering of our ordinary, everyday lives to God, allowing Him to use our joys and struggles, our small acts of service, to bring His presence into the world. Even the simplest gesture, like offering a cup of water in Jesus’ name, is sacred and noticed by God. Our value is not measured by status or achievement, but by our willingness to live in obedience and love, just as Jesus did—born in obscurity, living humbly, yet changing the world.
The story of the widow’s offering reminds us that God alone sees the true worth of what we bring. Our lives, when surrendered to Christ, become a ministry that fills the earth with the fragrance of His love and the beauty of His presence. As we follow Jesus, we are invited into a new way of inhabiting the world—living out our identity as God’s beloved, loving one another, working for peace, and bringing order to chaos through Spirit-led action.
This ministry is threefold: a ministry of love, a ministry of action, and a ministry of multiplication. We are called to love deeply, to serve faithfully in the ordinary moments, and to allow the Holy Spirit to multiply our efforts, making us ambassadors of reconciliation. Our authority is Christ, our influence is the Spirit, and our ministry is wherever we are, in whatever we do. As we open our lives to Jesus, we become agents of restoration, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. Let us invite the Holy Spirit to continue His work in us, building a legacy of love and faith that will echo into eternity.
Key Takeaways
1. True significance is found not in achievement or status, but in living as God’s image bearers, serving under His authority. The world’s narrative urges us to create our own meaning, but our deepest fulfilment comes from embracing the purpose for which we were created: to reflect God’s glory in every aspect of our lives.
2. Ministry is not a role reserved for a select few, but the sacred offering of our ordinary lives to God. Every act of service, no matter how small or unseen, is holy when done in obedience to Christ. The story of the widow’s offering teaches us that God alone perceives the true value of our faithfulness, even when we feel insignificant.
3. Our lives are meant to be a sweet aroma of Christ, spreading the knowledge of Him wherever we go. As we experience God’s love and goodness, we are compelled to share it, filling the earth with His presence through our words, actions, and relationships. This is the ongoing ministry of every believer, regardless of circumstance.
4. The ministry of love is foundational: we are called to love one another deeply, to work for peace, and to restore relationships in the ordinary moments of life. In times of challenge and pain, drawing near to God allows us to minister to others from a place of genuine compassion and hope, shining light in the darkness.
5. Multiplication is Spirit-led; we are ambassadors of reconciliation, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring others to Christ. Our authority comes from Jesus, and our influence is not dependent on our abilities but on our willingness to be led by the Spirit. In our daily lives, we are called to share the good news, bringing order and flourishing wherever we are planted.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: Created for Purpose as God’s Image Bearers
Scripture:
Genesis 1:26 NIV
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Each of us is created in the image of God, designed to reflect His character and bring honour to Him through our lives. Our value is not found in our achievements, status, or the world’s standards, but in living under God’s authority and serving as His representatives in the world. When we embrace our identity as image bearers, we discover the true meaning and significance of our “one wild and precious life.”
Reflection:
In what ordinary area of your life can you intentionally reflect God’s character and honour Him today?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for calling me to be Your image bearer, to reign and serve in Your name. Help me to understand that ministry is not just a role, but a way of being, serving with humility and love. Teach me to lay down my life daily, following Jesus’ example of sacrifice and service. May my ordinary acts be sacred in Your sight, bringing glory to Your Name. Amen
Day 2: Embracing Our Identity as Image Bearers and Servants of God
Scripture:
John 13:12-17 NIV
'When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
True greatness is found in serving others. Jesus exemplifies this as He humbly washes His disciples' feet. When we accept our identity as God's image bearers and servants, we live with purpose and humility, knowing our lives are sacred and meaningful in His eyes. As our master, we are to follow Jesus' example in our everyday lives - to minister to those He calls us to serve.
Reflection:
Today, look for ways to serve someone around you, whether through a kind word, a helpful act, or simply being present. Remember, true ministry is a way of being, not just doing.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for creating me in Your image. Help me to see my worth through your eyes and to serve others with humility and love. May I reflect Your glory in all I do, knowing that my life has eternal significance because I am Yours. Amen
Day 3: The Sacredness of Small Acts
Scriptures:
Luke 21:1-4 NIV
'As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Matthew 25:40,41 NIV
' “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
God sees and values even the smallest acts of service done in His name, elevating the ordinary to the sacred. The world may overlook humble offerings, but Jesus teaches that even a simple act, like giving a cup of water or a widow’s two coins, is precious in God’s sight and has eternal significance. You may not always perceive the value of what you do, but God does, and He uses these moments to build His Kingdom and inspire others.
Reflection:
What small, unnoticed act of kindness can you offer today, trusting that God sees and values it?
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for giving me breath and life. May I trust that You see the worth in even the smallest acts of kindness and service, like the widow’s offering. Fill me with confidence that my life matters in Your eyes. Guide me to live intentionally, embracing the life You’ve given me as a wild and precious gift. Amen
Day 4: Filling the World with God’s Glory
Scripture:
Habakkuk 2:14 NIV
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
As followers of Jesus, we are called to fill the earth with the beauty and presence of God, spreading the knowledge of Christ like a sweet perfume wherever we go. This ministry is not reserved for a select few but is the calling of every believer, as we live out our faith in daily life and allow God’s glory to shine through us. Our significance is found in participating in this vision—letting our lives be a part of God’s plan to fill the world with His glory and goodness.
Reflection:
Where are you going this week that you can intentionally bring the “sweet aroma” of Christ’s presence?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the vision of Habakkuk, that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Your glory. Help me to be part of this great filling, spreading Your goodness and love wherever I go. May my life be a sweet perfume of Christ, drawing others to Your beauty. Help me to live out my calling, reflecting Your glory in my words and actions, so that the world may see and praise You. Amen
Day 5: The Ministry of Love and Peace
Scripture:
1 John 4:7 NIV
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
The heart of our ministry is to love one another deeply, reflecting the Father’s heart and bringing light into the world. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers and to restore relationships, building a legacy of love and faith in the ordinary moments of our lives. When we allow God’s love to fill us, we are compelled to act, to be present for others, and to bring order and healing to the chaos around us. This is holy work, and it is how we shine God’s light in the darkest places.
Reflection:
Who is one person you can reach out to today to bring peace or restore a relationship, reflecting God’s love?
Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for the gift of community and the command to love one another. Teach me to love as You love, selflessly, patiently, and unconditionally. Help me to be present with others, restoring relationships and bringing peace wherever I go. Fill my heart with Your love so that it overflows into my actions, shining light in darkness. Amen.
Day 6: Multiplying God’s Kingdom as Ambassadors
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:17-20
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
We are called to be Christ’s ambassadors, carrying the message of reconciliation and new life wherever we go. The work of multiplying God’s Kingdom is not about our abilities but about being led by the Holy Spirit, sharing our experience of Jesus in the context of our ordinary lives. As we open ourselves to the Spirit’s influence, we bring a Kingdom culture to our families, workplaces, and communities, participating in God’s work of restoration and redemption.
Reflection:
What is one way you can intentionally represent Jesus and share His message of reconciliation in your daily context this week?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I know that without Your Spirit, I am powerless. Fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit, so I can be unstoppable in sharing Your love and truth. Help me to trust that even an ordinary person like me, when Spirit-led, can do extraordinary things. Amen
Day 7: Living a Life of Love, Action, and Multiplication
Scripture:
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”'
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be ambassadors of His love and reconciliation. Our lives are meant to overflow with His goodness, bringing order and peace into chaos. Jesus commissions us to go and make disciples, spreading His message of reconciliation and hope. Even in our ordinary daily routines, we can live out this calling by loving others, doing good, and sharing the good news of Jesus, trusting that the Holy Spirit empowers us to multiply His Kingdom.
Reflection:
Identify one person in your life who needs to experience God's love. Pray for them and look for a simple, Spirit-led way to show Christ’s love today, whether through a kind gesture, a word of encouragement, or sharing your testimony.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for making me an ambassador of Your love. Fill me with Your Spirit so I can live out my faith boldly and lovingly. Help me to see every moment as an opportunity to share Your goodness and to bring Your Kingdom into my world. Teach me to obey Your call to make disciples, knowing that You work through me to multiply Your love and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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