4D Discipleship: Dedication to Community

Jeremiah 29:4-14

Have you ever noticed that people who speak English as a second language always speak it better than we do? Many of us have experience being around non-native speakers and can quickly see how they learned correct rules which we break all the time (when to use me and I, than then, there, their, they’re, irregardless, etc.). Foreign-born English speakers recognize they are in a land that’s not their own and usually do the best they can to speak correctly and clearly. The prioritize respect and build favor while away from their home. God gave some similar advice to the Israelites as they were carried off to Babylon.

During vision casting series like this, one of the more common values in many churches is an importance placed on sharing the gospel, living on mission for God, etc. We will talk about that next week, but I would like to lay a foundation today. The 3rd D of discipleship is DEDICATION to our community. It’s easy for us to forget that, as Philippians 3 mentioned, our citizenship is elsewhere, we are not in our homeland, meaning we are exiles and need to live in a way similar to how God instructed the Israelites. Only by laying this foundation of dedication to our community can we build the relationships necessary to bring fruit in sharing the gospel.

Be Fruitful and Multiply (v4-6)

We are told that being homesick only happens to kids, but I don’t think that’s true. Living in Florida has taught me that A) almost no one is truly from here, and B) while people are glad to live here, they do miss their hometowns. I think homesickness is alive and well and many people are affected by it whether they are aware or not. Have you ever found yourself looking at homes back where you’re from? How about job searches? It’s a lot more common than one thinks. But God doesn’t want us dwelling on the past or longing for a place He doesn’t have us. In Romans 9, Paul reminds his readers that God is the potter and we are the clay – we can’t put ourselves outside of God’s providence. If you are here, then He wants you here. So, in this land of exile, continue to live, be yourself, grow your family, live your life! Don’t wait until you are somewhere else. You are called to life your life here…today.

Invest in the Locals (v7-9)

That’s even though our lives are not our own – this isn’t about us. We are here for the people in our community. We are God’s servants for the sake of the people around us. You’ll notice in these verses the type of benefit we are to be with these people is very basic and physical. We are to help them succeed and make money! This is why I joined the Chamber of Commerce. My goal is to help them make money in their businesses, and as a result, gain favor and respect from the community. It’s all about helping others so that you can build solid relationships with them. This means helping the city grow and be a long-term, viable success. There’s a million ways to do it!

Keep an Eye on the Horizon (v10-12)

This land is not your home and one day, just like when God promised the Israelites that He would come and get them, He will come and get you too (John 14:1-2), so know that the difficulties are not permanent. Yes, this is exhausting – many of us are retired and already did all these kinds of things, but God’s idea of retirement is Him calling you home – if you’re here, than you haven’t been retired yet in God’s kingdom. Our rest will come, but it is not today. Until then, we are to be at kingdom work, building relationships and serving.

Next Steps

Your faith is personal, but not private. You cannot lead people to Jesus without first establishing a relationship of trust and love. This means we need to be DEDICATED to our local community.

1. Follow a local team. Become a fan of something. Get excited about what’s here and stop dreaming of another place. You are where God wants you because He has you here, today.
2. Join a community organization – a hobby group, chamber of commerce, even your HOA board. Do something that makes you an active member of the local community.
3. Memorize Ephesians 2:10 and consider how you might do good works that get seen. Let me know.

When people know that we care for them, they will be much more likely to respond in favor of Jesus. Our care for them should be temporal and full of love. Dedicate yourself to friendship in this community!