Active Faith: Preparing for the Lord's Return

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord. This preparation is not passive but active, requiring us to engage wholeheartedly in the work of God's kingdom. Regardless of our past, the fact that we are still here means we have the opportunity to make things right and dedicate ourselves to serving the Lord. This is a time to boldly declare our faith, to be visible and vocal followers of Jesus Christ. We are called to be kingdom disciples, representatives of God in a world that desperately needs His light.

Being a Christian is not about blending in or being ashamed of our faith. It's about standing firm in the truth of God's word and being unashamed to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. Our identity as Christians should be evident in our actions and words, reflecting the love and truth of God to those around us. This is a call to authenticity, to live out our faith in a way that is both genuine and impactful.

As we anticipate the Lord's return, let us not be complacent. Instead, let us seize the opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to serve others in His name. This is a time to be active in our faith, to be diligent in our pursuit of God's kingdom, and to be bold in our witness to the world. Let us embrace our role as kingdom disciples, living out our faith with courage and conviction.

Key Takeaways:

1. Active Preparation for the Lord's Coming: Our faith journey requires active preparation for the Lord's return. This means engaging in the work of God's kingdom and making the most of the time we have to serve Him. We are called to be proactive in our faith, not passive observers. [00:10]

2. Bold Declaration of Faith: As followers of Jesus, we must be bold in declaring our faith. This involves being visible and vocal about our beliefs, unashamed to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. Our faith should be evident in our actions and words, reflecting God's truth to the world. [00:24]

3. Authentic Christian Living: Our identity as Christians should be authentic and impactful. We are called to live out our faith in a way that is genuine, allowing others to see the love and truth of God through us. This authenticity is crucial in our witness to the world. [00:38]

4. Seizing Opportunities for Growth: The time we have is an opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to serve others. We should not be complacent but instead, actively pursue God's kingdom and seek to make a difference in the lives of those around us. [00:10]

5. Courageous Witness to the World: Being a kingdom disciple means having the courage to stand firm in our faith and be a witness to the world. We are called to live out our faith with conviction, unashamed to be identified as followers of Christ. [00:24]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Preparing for the Lord's Coming
[00:24] - Boldly Declaring Our Faith
[00:38] - Living Authentically as Christians

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
2. Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be a "visible verbal follower of Jesus Christ" as mentioned in the sermon? [00:24]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of a "kingdom disciple"? [00:24]
3. According to the sermon, why is it important not to be "too embarrassed to name Jesus Christ"? [00:38]
4. What are some ways the sermon suggests we can actively prepare for the Lord's coming? [00:10]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of being the "light of the world" in Matthew 5:14-16 relate to the call for Christians to be visible and vocal about their faith?
2. In what ways does Romans 1:16 challenge believers to be unashamed of their faith, and how does this align with the sermon's message about bold declaration? [00:24]
3. What might it look like to live authentically as a Christian in today's world, according to the sermon's perspective? [00:38]
4. How can the idea of seizing opportunities for growth in our relationship with God be practically applied in our daily lives? [00:10]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you had the opportunity to declare your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [00:24]
2. Identify one area in your life where you feel you are blending in rather than standing out as a Christian. What steps can you take to change this? [00:38]
3. Consider a relationship or situation where you can be more proactive in sharing God's love and truth. What specific action can you take this week? [00:10]
4. How can you make your faith more evident in your workplace or community? What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them? [00:24]
5. Think about a time when you felt ashamed or hesitant to share your faith. What was the reason, and how can you address this fear moving forward? [00:38]
6. What is one practical way you can grow in your relationship with God this month? Consider setting a specific goal or habit to focus on. [00:10]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to be bold in their faith? What role can you play in supporting each other in this journey? [00:24]

Devotional

Day 1: Active Engagement in God's Kingdom
In our journey of faith, we are called to actively prepare for the coming of the Lord. This preparation is not passive but requires us to engage wholeheartedly in the work of God's kingdom. Regardless of our past, the fact that we are still here means we have the opportunity to make things right and dedicate ourselves to serving the Lord. This is a time to boldly declare our faith, to be visible and vocal followers of Jesus Christ. We are called to be kingdom disciples, representatives of God in a world that desperately needs His light. [00:10]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific action can you take today to actively engage in the work of God's kingdom, rather than being a passive observer?


Day 2: Boldness in Faith Declaration
As followers of Jesus, we must be bold in declaring our faith. This involves being visible and vocal about our beliefs, unashamed to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. Our faith should be evident in our actions and words, reflecting God's truth to the world. Being a Christian is not about blending in or being ashamed of our faith. It's about standing firm in the truth of God's word and being unashamed to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. [00:24]

"Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God." (2 Timothy 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about your faith in Jesus today, and how can you share it with them boldly and lovingly?


Day 3: Authentic Christian Living
Our identity as Christians should be authentic and impactful. We are called to live out our faith in a way that is genuine, allowing others to see the love and truth of God through us. This authenticity is crucial in our witness to the world. Our actions and words should reflect the love and truth of God to those around us, demonstrating a life transformed by His grace. [00:38]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." (Romans 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your actions and words today genuinely reflect your faith in Christ?


Day 4: Seizing Opportunities for Spiritual Growth
The time we have is an opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to serve others. We should not be complacent but instead, actively pursue God's kingdom and seek to make a difference in the lives of those around us. This is a time to be active in our faith, to be diligent in our pursuit of God's kingdom, and to be bold in our witness to the world. [00:10]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you can seek growth today, and what steps will you take to pursue it?


Day 5: Courageous Witness to the World
Being a kingdom disciple means having the courage to stand firm in our faith and be a witness to the world. We are called to live out our faith with conviction, unashamed to be identified as followers of Christ. Our identity as Christians should be evident in our actions and words, reflecting the love and truth of God to those around us. [00:24]

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prepare yourself today to be a courageous and respectful witness for Christ in your interactions with others?

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Transcript
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