HOPE IS HERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Hope is Here #3

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, December 12, 2021

(Jeremiah 29:4-7, NLT) “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

(Philippians 3:20, NLT) “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”

1. BE PRESENT AND AVAILABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

(Jeremiah 29:5, NLT) “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce.”

(Jeremiah 29:6, NLT) “Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!”

(John 17:17, NLT) “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.”

2. PRAY AND CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

(Jeremiah 29:7, AMP) “And seek (inquire for, require, and request) the peace and welfare of the city to which I have caused you to be carried away captive; and pray to the Lord for it, for in the welfare of [the city in which you live] you will have welfare.”

(Philippians 2:14–16, Message)  “Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.”

a. Be a passionate follower of Christ.

i. Fully devoted.

ii. Fully participating.

b. Be a good neighbor.

(Galatians 6:10, CEV) “We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.”

• Groceries
• Shovel the Sidewalk and Drive
• Car Wash
• Lawn Care
• An appropriate gift
• Meal Invitation

c. Give to the Christmas Offering.

(Acts 11:29, NLT) “So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could.”

d. Greet and embrace people with the love of Christ.

(John 13:35, NLT) “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

(Mark 9:50, NLT) “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”

e. Work for the good of the community.

(Proverbs 31:8, CEV) “You must defend those who are helpless and have no hope.”

f. Share the Good News.

(Romans 5:1, NLT) “We have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

3. PRAY FOR THE PROSPERITY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

(Jeremiah 29:7, NIV) “Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

(Matthew 5:44, NLT) “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

(Psalm 122:6-9, JB) “Pray for peace in Jerusalem: Prosperity to your houses! Peace inside your city walls! Prosperity to your palaces!” Since all are my brothers and friends, I say, Peace be with you! Since Yahweh our God lives here, I pray for your happiness.”

a. Pray for the prosperity of our community. 

b. Pray for the safety of our community.

c. Pray for the politics of our community.

d. Pray for the people of your community.

(Deuteronomy 28:2–3, NLT) “You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: Your towns and your fields will be blessed.”

The city is full of care, and he who has to go there from day to day finds it to be a place of great wear and tear. It is full of noise, and stir, and bustle, and sore travail; many are its temptations, losses, and worries. But to go there with the divine blessing takes off the edge of its difficulty; to remain there with that blessing is to find pleasure in its duties and strength equal to its demands. A blessing in the city may not make us great, but it will keep us good; it may not make us rich, but it will preserve us honest. Whether we are porters, or clerks, or managers, or merchants, or magistrates, the city will afford us opportunities for usefulness. It is good fishing where there are shoals of fish, and it is hopeful to work for our LORD amid the thronging crowds. We might prefer the quiet of a country life; but if called to town, we may certainly prefer it because there is room for our energies. –Charles Spurgeon

GROWTHWORK

“You don’t have to be great to start but you have to start to be great.” –Zig Ziglar

1. Invite someone to our Christmas Eve Service – Hope was Born This Night!

2. Invite someone of a different ethnicity than yourself.

3. Learn to tell your story.

4. Pray for the persecuted church this week.

5. Volunteer for a ministry or community service group.

6. Give to the Christmas Offering.

7. Pray for your neighbors.