Our Core Values Part 2: Our Value of Devotion

"Our Core Values"

Part 2: Our Value of Devotion - 2 Timothy 2
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
September 20, 2026

Theme Verse:
“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.”
Acts of the Apostles 2:42-44 NLT

Introduction:
Welcome to another exciting Sunday here at the River of Faith! Today we are in week two of our series I entitled "Our Core Values." In this series we are going to re-discuss the values that made us who we are as a church! As we have just finished our 21st year anniversary we will continue to revisit the principles that guided us and the importance of embodying them in our fellowship and our meetings.

Vision Statement:
A Spirit-empowered church committed to give the people of San Diego the best opportunity to come to Christ and be transformed by His amazing Love.

Mission Statement:
We are committed to invite people to COME to Christ.
We are committed to LIVE according to the Word of God.
We are committed to SHARE the Gospel to the whole world.

Purpose:
Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry

Core Values:
Acceptance, Devotion, Accountability, Discipline, and Speaking the truth in Love.

To be devoted means to have a deep commitment to your beliefs or causes. We may have different devotions to our jobs, sports, politics, environment or lifestyles, but nothing is more important than our devotion to our faith and belief system. The Bible teaches us to be devout followers of Christ and not just seasonal followers. One of our core values as a church is to teach our members how to be devoted!

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.”
2 Timothy 2:1-7 NLT

Main Pointers:

1. Nothing in life progresses unless there is genuine devotion.

A. What does this look like to you church? This is a description of a life that is devoted. Many people today think that personal growth just happens naturally and all you need to do is just show up. Wrong! The key part of growth is consistency and there is no consistency unless there is devotion.
B. “As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:57-62 NLT

2. Devotion prepares us for the Master's work.

“In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” 
2 Timothy 2:20-21 NLT

A. Almost every Christian today would quickly say the words "Lord use me for your glory" or "here I am Lord send me!" But how many Christians today live a life of devotion? How many Christians today live a life of continuity after church service on Sunday? Devotion does not
happen over night it must be practiced daily.
B. “As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand- washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.”
Luke 11:37-41 NLT

3. Devoted people are not easily distracted in life.

“Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”
2 Timothy 2:23-26 NLT

A. When we are completely devoted to following Christ we find ourselves giving less and less time to the things that only serve as a distraction in life. We find ourselves focusing more on what really matters and caring less to the godless things of this world.

“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 NLT

Conclusion:
Do you value devotion? Can you find something in your life that has consistency and deep commitment? We all want progression. We all want promotion and growth but let's ask ourselves first, is true devotion to Christ a core value in my life?