Active Faith: Embodying Christ's Love and Healing
Summary
In our journey with Christ, we are not merely called to be passive recipients of His teachings but active participants in His mission. Drawing from Acts 1 and 2, we are reminded that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, gave commandments to His apostles, urging them to follow Him and become fishers of people. This call to action is not just about preaching or teaching but about embodying the gospel through tangible acts of love and healing. Jesus' ministry was marked by His ability to touch and transform lives, healing all manner of sickness and disease, and casting out demons. His fame spread because He was not just a teacher but a healer, a toucher, and a lifter of people.
The essence of our faith is not in how much we know or how holy we appear but in how we translate our beliefs into actions that impact others. We are anointed and appointed for action, to share what we have received with those who lack it. Our goodness should not be self-contained but should overflow to touch the lives of others. The world needs practical people with a practical knowledge of Jesus Christ, who believe in the power of His words and are willing to communicate it to those in need.
Words hold immense power. As believers, we are entrusted with the Word of God, which is alive and active. Just as Jesus spoke healing and life into situations, we too can speak words that bring healing, hope, and transformation. Our words, when aligned with God's Word, carry the energy to change lives. We are called to be more than just hearers of the Word; we are to be doers, allowing the Word to manifest through us in acts of compassion and service.
Ministry is not confined to the pulpit but extends to the streets, hospitals, and homes where people are hurting. We are the healing touch that the world desperately needs. By practicing the presence of Jesus and speaking His Word with faith, we can bring light to those in darkness and hope to those in despair. Our calling is to be God's instruments, ambassadors of His love and power, bringing life and dignity to those we encounter.
Key Takeaways:
- Active Faith: Our faith is not just about receiving but about acting. We are called to be fishers of people, actively engaging in the mission of Christ by teaching, healing, and lifting others. Our actions should reflect the teachings of Jesus, transforming our creed into deeds that impact the world around us. [05:03]
- The Power of Words: Words are powerful tools given to us by God. They are seeds that can bring healing, blessing, and love. When we speak God's Word with faith, we release His energy and power into the lives of others, bringing about transformation and miracles. [20:15]
- Practical Ministry: Ministry extends beyond the church walls. It is about reaching out to those in need, in the streets, hospitals, and homes. We are anointed and appointed to be the healing touch, bringing hope and life to those who are hurting. [13:46]
- Simplicity of the Gospel: The gospel is simple and powerful. We are called to practice the presence of Jesus in our daily lives, sharing His love and truth with those around us. By doing so, we can resurrect hope and bring life to those who have given up. [47:43]
- Belief in Our Calling: We are called to believe in the power of our words and actions. As God's ambassadors, we have the authority to speak life and healing into situations. By embracing our calling, we can change lives and bring glory to God. [46:25]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Called to Be Fishers of People
[02:03] - Jesus' Ministry of Healing
[05:03] - Transforming Creed into Deed
[06:34] - The Danger of Spiritual Indigestion
[08:03] - Sharing What We Have Received
[11:37] - The Power of Touch
[13:46] - Ministry Beyond the Pulpit
[16:35] - The Power of Spoken Words
[20:15] - Words as Seeds of Change
[22:25] - The Miracle of Transformation
[26:05] - Practicing the Presence of Jesus
[30:08] - Embracing Our Anointing
[36:20] - The Joy of Touching Lives
[47:43] - Resurrecting Hope in Others
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 1:1-8
- Matthew 5:19-24
- Matthew 8:1-4
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Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 1:1-8, what specific instructions did Jesus give to His apostles before His ascension? How does this relate to the concept of being "anointed and appointed for action"? [00:57]
2. According to Matthew 5:19-24, what actions did Jesus take that went beyond teaching? How did these actions contribute to His fame spreading among the people? [02:03]
3. In Matthew 8:1-4, how did Jesus demonstrate His role as both a teacher and a healer? What was the significance of His actions towards the leper? [11:37]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between hearing the Word of God and doing it? What analogy is used to explain this concept? [05:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be "anointed and appointed for action" in the context of the sermon? How does this concept challenge the traditional view of ministry? [13:46]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the power of words in the life of a believer? What examples are given to show the impact of spoken words? [20:15]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that ministry extends beyond the church walls? How can believers practice this in their daily lives? [13:46]
4. How does the sermon emphasize the simplicity of the gospel? What practical steps are suggested for believers to practice the presence of Jesus in their communities? [47:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. How can you actively participate in Christ's mission by being a "fisher of people"? What specific actions can you take this week to engage with those around you? [00:57]
2. Consider the power of your words. How can you use your words to bring healing and hope to someone in need this week? Identify a situation where you can speak life into someone's circumstances. [20:15]
3. Think about your current ministry involvement. How can you extend your ministry beyond the church walls to reach those who are hurting in your community? What practical steps can you take to be the "healing touch" that the world needs? [13:46]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of translating beliefs into actions. What is one belief you hold that you can turn into a tangible action this week to impact someone else's life? [05:03]
5. Reflect on the simplicity of the gospel. How can you practice the presence of Jesus in your daily interactions? Identify one person you can share Jesus' love and truth with this week. [47:43]
6. How can you embrace your calling as God's ambassador? What specific area of your life do you feel called to speak life and healing into? [46:25]
7. Consider the sermon’s message about the joy of ministering to others. How can you experience this joy by helping someone in need this week? What steps will you take to reach out and offer support? [26:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Faith in Action
In our journey with Christ, faith is not a passive state but an active engagement with His mission. We are called to be fishers of people, which means actively participating in the work of teaching, healing, and uplifting others. This involves transforming our beliefs into tangible actions that reflect the teachings of Jesus. Our faith should be evident in our deeds, impacting the world around us and demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ. By embodying the gospel, we become instruments of change, bringing hope and healing to those we encounter. [05:03]
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can actively demonstrate your faith today. How can you be a fisher of people in your current environment?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Words
Words are powerful tools that God has entrusted to us. They have the potential to bring healing, blessing, and love into the lives of others. When we speak God's Word with faith, we release His energy and power, leading to transformation and miracles. Just as Jesus spoke life into situations, we too can use our words to bring hope and change. It is essential to align our words with God's Word, allowing them to carry the energy to change lives and bring about healing. [20:15]
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a person in your life who needs encouragement. What words can you speak to them today that will build them up and bring grace into their life?
Day 3: Ministry Beyond the Pulpit
Ministry is not confined to the church but extends to the streets, hospitals, and homes where people are hurting. We are called to be the healing touch that the world desperately needs. By practicing the presence of Jesus and speaking His Word with faith, we can bring light to those in darkness and hope to those in despair. Our calling is to be God's instruments, ambassadors of His love and power, bringing life and dignity to those we encounter. [13:46]
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (James 1:27, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a place outside of the church where you can serve others this week. How can you bring the presence of Jesus to those who are hurting in that environment?
Day 4: Simplicity and Power of the Gospel
The gospel is simple yet powerful, calling us to practice the presence of Jesus in our daily lives. By sharing His love and truth with those around us, we can resurrect hope and bring life to those who have given up. Our mission is to embody the simplicity of the gospel, allowing it to transform our interactions and relationships. As we live out the gospel, we become vessels of God's love, bringing His light into the world. [47:43]
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a simple way you can share the gospel with someone today. How can you demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus in your daily interactions?
Day 5: Belief in Our Calling
We are called to believe in the power of our words and actions. As God's ambassadors, we have the authority to speak life and healing into situations. By embracing our calling, we can change lives and bring glory to God. It is essential to recognize the authority we have been given and to use it to impact the world positively. Our belief in our calling empowers us to be effective instruments of God's love and power. [46:25]
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to embrace your calling more fully? How can you use your words and actions to bring life and healing to that area today?
Quotes
"Anointed and appointed for action. Action. Basing this on Acts 1 and 2, he, through the Holy Ghost, gave commandment to the apostles whom he had chosen. I want to read some verses to you as a background for this message tonight. In Matthew chapter 5, verse 19, Jesus said, Follow me and I'll make you fishers of people." [00:00:20]
"Where did they follow him? What were they doing? Just preaching? Just lecturing? The next verse says, He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Is that all? Is that all? And healing. I love it. All manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." [00:01:31]
"Rains descended, the floods came, the wind blew, beat upon the house, it fell not, for it was founded. Upon a rock, the rock of hearing the word of God and doing it. Young people, when you hear it, do it. Let our creed become our deed. We haven't learned until we do. You can't." [00:05:03]
"That's what I call being good for something. And I have the feeling that's the paramount ideal in Scripture and in God's mind that we get it and we give it. We receive it and we share it. We hear it and we communicate it. And if it isn't that, it's a dead hole. It's a dead sea. It's hopelessness." [00:08:18]
"He's got lots of that. We can't beat Him at being holy and spiritual. He is holy. He is spiritual. He needs us in the flesh reaching people who hurt. Touching them. Healing them. Lifting them. Blessing them. That's what we are appointed for. And that's what. That's what we are anointed for. Hallelujah. Glory to God." [00:09:21]
"The world needs practical people with practical knowledge of Jesus Christ and faith enough to communicate it. Believe in it enough to believe it will work on people. I keep preaching. I keep preaching here. What we've got will heal anybody if we'll just get it in touch with people. In contact with people. You believe that?" [00:13:11]
"Ministry is out in the burials, out in the villages, out in the streets, out in the alleys, out where people are hurt, out in the hospitals, out in the jails, out in the communes, out where the people are struggling and living and dying and killing themselves and destroying themselves. They need a healer. And we're the healer. We're the healing touch." [00:14:19]
"Jesus believed in the power of His words. He was appointed. He was anointed. He believed in both of them. He spoke the Word and the servant was healed. Hallelujah. You would be amazed at what would happen if you would practice the presence of Jesus. Talk to people. Minister to people." [00:25:08]
"Be unconscious of Jesus in you, of His Word in you, of His seed in you, and speak His Word with faith. You would be amazed at the coals that would dry, at the tumors that would disappear, at the backs that are lame that would go, that would be straight, at the pains in the body that would go away." [00:25:32]
"People who kill themselves have given up on life and don't believe they're good for anything or that they can do anything or that they have any purpose other than another digit in another computer. And we can show them the way in Tulsa is crammed with those kind that have been hurt and put down and scared and frightened and have become cynical and equipped." [00:51:42]
"I believe in my words because my words are based on His words and when His words flow through me there's power there's energy and the devil's in trouble and I put that word out there and Isaiah said it will accomplish that for which it sent it'll never return void you bet hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah stand to your feet in the name of Jesus." [00:52:30]
"I bless you that have watched my video I pray that this message has lifted you and given you hope not only for yourself but that you will share it with a neighbor with a friend with people all around you and discover the power of Jesus by the power of the Holy Ghost flowing through you that will heal people and lift people and bless people you are called of God discover your calling accept your calling cooperate with your calling be God's instrument and ambassador and whatever you need He promises to supply He wants you well and happy your problem solved He wants you to prosper and then He wants to walk with you in this new life you that are blessed of the Lord hallelujah receive that blessing it's not too good to be true accept it now in the name of Jesus I pray for you I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will visit you now in a quickening experience and give you new life that you didn't know you could have if you're sick I pray for your healing that the power of the Holy Ghost will quicken your body and your soul and destroy every sickness in your body I pray that if you've got a problem that seems unsolvable to you I pray that by the power of the Holy Ghost that problem will find a solution and it will all come as a witness to you that this message is true and that God has spoken to you in Jesus name" [00:52:50]
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