Sermon Recap+ July 20, 2025

While They Were There: How Individual Faith Creates Collective Impact

The Christmas story begins with a wide lens before zooming in on the individuals who would change history. Emperor Augustus issued a decree that the entire world should be registered in a census. This single decision by one powerful individual affected countless lives, forcing people to travel to their hometowns regardless of personal circumstances.

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How Can One Person's Decision Impact the World?

Consider how the individual decisions we make have ripple effects that extend far beyond ourselves. Joseph chose to support Mary during her pregnancy, traveling with her from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This single decision—to honor his commitment despite difficult circumstances—ultimately benefited the whole world as it led to the birth of Jesus in the prophesied location. Interestingly, Joseph largely disappears from the biblical narrative after these events. Yet his choices created an impact that extended "beyond the known world."

What Does "While They Were There" Mean for Us Today?

The phrase "while they were there" from Luke 2:6 carries profound meaning. Joseph and Mary had no control over the circumstances that brought them to Bethlehem, yet they chose to participate in what God was doing in that moment and place.

Similarly, you chose to be present in church today. You brought your individual self, with your unique ideas and perspectives. The invitation is to remain individual while becoming part of something larger—the community of faith.

As 1 Corinthians 12:12 reminds us: "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all of the members of the body, though many are one body in Christ, so it is in Christ." Your faith is individual, but its ramifications extend throughout the body and are eternal.

How Does the Church Give Birth to New Things?

When Mary was in Bethlehem, "she gave birth to her firstborn son." As individuals, we bring ourselves to the body of Christ, but as a corporate body, we give birth to new ministries and expressions of love.

The church is described as the "bride of Christ" in 2 Corinthians 11, called to a "sincere and pure devotion to Christ." While we never stop being individuals with our own minds, hearts, and desires, when we belong to a body, transformation happens. Collectively, we create tangible expressions of God's love in the world.

Real Examples of Ideas That Became Ministry (That are currently happening!)

Consider these real examples of how individual ideas within the church body gave birth to meaningful ministry:

1. Someone noticed people coming to the church needing help. Though the church couldn't give cash, volunteers gathered to create care bags filled with resources, food, and water for those in need.

2. A volunteer who had been a teacher recognized the challenges of starting a new school year and suggested providing breakfast for teachers at a nearby school as they prepared their classrooms.

3. The "Let's Get Physical" event provided medical and sports physicals, not primarily to grow church membership, but simply to love people. One attendee remarked, "I have never been in a place where I am not trying to be sold something, but just able to feel love."

What Can We Learn from the Shepherds in the Christmas Story?

The shepherds in Luke's account lived "in the fields," on the outskirts of society. They cared for sheep that didn't belong to them and received little benefit from their work. Yet these marginalized individuals were the first to receive the announcement of Christ's birth.

"An angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them." These dirty, excluded people received front-row seats to God's blessing. Their response? They ran to see Jesus, then announced what they had witnessed to everyone they met.

How Do We Wrap Jesus in What We Have?

After giving birth, Mary "wrapped him in bands of cloth." She used what she had available. The nativity scene depicted in stained glass shows every element playing a valuable role—Mary, Joseph, the animals, even the straw. Though the actual birthplace was likely a cave without windows, muddy and cold, God used these humble surroundings for His divine purpose.

Joseph is often depicted holding a shepherd's staff, representing his role as protector, standing at the outskirts guarding the holy family—much like the words of Psalm 23 describe the Good Shepherd.

Why Is Your Idea Valuable to the Body of Christ?

Each person has ideas that are valuable and amazing. These ideas can only reach their full potential when shared with the body where they can grow and be born into ministry. Your responsibility, like Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds, is to bring your ideas into the community.

The body will then nurture these ideas to full maturity. Ideas don't need to be complex—they can be as simple as bringing breakfast for those who gather early on Sunday mornings or, like James who played cards with waiting families during the physical exams, creating moments of connection without using words.

When we bring our individual gifts and talents to the body, nothing is wasted. Every idea, thought, and effort preaches the gospel to those who encounter it—both strangers and friends alike.

Life Application

• This week, consider what unique idea or gift you could bring to the body of Christ. It doesn't need to be elaborate—even simple acts of service can have profound impacts when done with love.

• If you've shared an idea before and heard "no," be persistent. Be stubborn for the right reasons. Find allies who support your vision and come prepared with actionable steps.

The church needs your leadership and participation to fulfill its purpose.

Ask yourself:

1. What idea has God placed on my heart that could benefit others?

2. How might my individual gifts contribute to the collective impact of the church?

3. Where am I holding back from fully participating in the body of Christ?

4. What simple step can I take this week to bring my idea to the community?

Remember that the body of Christ is alive and well, but it needs each member to function as designed. Your contribution matters more than you know. Like Joseph's decision to support Mary, your choice to participate could have ripple effects that extend far beyond what you can imagine.