Awakening Authentic Faith Through Resurrection Power
Summary
Taking a moment to reflect on today's message, we are reminded of the profound truth that God is not calling us to play church but to live out our faith authentically and courageously. In a world filled with complexities and challenges, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. Yet, we are here to reclaim what has been lost, to awaken what has been dormant, and to embrace the resurrection power that God offers us through Jesus Christ.
We are not defined by our past failures or the disappointments that have piled up over the years. Instead, we are called to rise above them, to see them as the fertilizer that God uses to grow new life within us. Our dreams and visions, which may seem dead, are merely sleeping, waiting for the voice of Jesus to call them forth. Just as Lazarus was called out of the grave, so too are we called to step out of the shadows of our past and into the light of God's purpose for our lives.
This is a time for boldness, for standing up and not remaining silent. We are living in a pivotal moment in history where the world needs the hope and truth of Jesus more than ever. It is not enough to simply know the teachings of Christ; we must have the courage to live them out. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of God's love and grace, showing the world that with God, all things are possible.
As we navigate the valleys of life, it is crucial to remember that it is not the trials themselves that define us, but what we become through them. God is shaping our character, preparing us to be vessels of His glory. We must elevate the voice of Jesus above our circumstances, allowing His word to guide and sustain us. In doing so, we find our true identity and purpose, stepping into the calling that God has placed on our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Authentic Faith: We are not here to play church but to live out our faith with authenticity and courage. God calls us to reclaim what has been lost and awaken what has been dormant in our lives. [04:40]
- Resurrection Power: Our dreams and visions are not dead but sleeping, waiting for Jesus to call them forth. Just as Lazarus was called out of the grave, we too are called to step into the light of God's purpose. [09:13]
- Boldness in Faith: This is a time for boldness, to stand up and not remain silent. The world needs the hope and truth of Jesus, and we must have the courage to live out His teachings. [27:31]
- Character Development: It is not the trials that define us, but what we become through them. God uses our experiences to shape our character and prepare us for His glory. [31:04]
- Elevating Jesus' Voice: We must elevate the voice of Jesus above our circumstances, allowing His word to guide and sustain us. In doing so, we find our true identity and purpose. [35:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[04:40] - Not Here to Play Church
[06:21] - Vision and Irritation
[07:45] - Stretching and Imperfection
[09:13] - Resurrection Power
[11:32] - Dreams and God's Call
[13:07] - Overcoming Challenges
[15:12] - Personal Trials and Faith
[17:24] - God's Favor in Trials
[21:26] - Moving Forward
[23:17] - Living Out Faith
[24:09] - Dream Team and Service
[25:16] - Lazarus and God's Glory
[27:31] - Standing Out in Faith
[29:52] - Giving God the Pen
[31:04] - Character in Waiting
[32:18] - Altar Calls and Change
[33:48] - God's Questions to Us
[35:17] - Can These Bones Live?
[37:43] - Elevating Jesus' Voice
[39:24] - Jesus' Call to Life
[40:22] - Invitation to Know Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 11:1-4 - The story of Lazarus and the purpose of his sickness for God's glory.
2. Ezekiel 37:1-3 - The vision of the valley of dry bones and the question of whether they can live.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Jesus delaying his visit to Lazarus, and how does this relate to the concept of resurrection power? ([31:04])
2. How does the sermon describe the role of trials in shaping our character? ([21:26])
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea that our dreams and visions are not dead but merely sleeping? ([09:13])
4. How does the sermon emphasize the importance of elevating the voice of Jesus above our circumstances? ([35:17])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the story of Lazarus illustrate the transformative power of Jesus in our lives? How can this be applied to our personal situations? ([25:16])
2. How does the sermon suggest we should respond to the challenges and disappointments we face in life? What role does faith play in this response? ([23:17])
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between our past experiences and our current identity in Christ? ([21:26])
4. How does the sermon challenge us to live out our faith with boldness and authenticity in today's world? ([27:31])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like your dreams or visions were dead. How can you apply the concept of resurrection power to these areas of your life? ([09:13])
2. What are some practical ways you can elevate the voice of Jesus above your current circumstances this week? ([35:17])
3. Identify a trial you are currently facing. How can you view this trial as an opportunity for character development rather than a setback? ([21:26])
4. In what areas of your life do you feel called to be more bold and courageous in living out your faith? How can you take a step in that direction this week? ([27:31])
5. Consider the people in your life who may have thrown "dirt" on your dreams. How can you use this as "fertilizer" to grow and reclaim what has been lost? ([11:32])
6. How can you ensure that your faith is not just about knowledge but also about action? What specific steps can you take to live out the teachings of Jesus more authentically? ([23:17])
7. Reflect on the question, "Can these bones live?" in your own life. What areas need resurrection, and how can you invite God's power into those areas? ([33:48])
Devotional
Day 1: Living Faith Beyond Rituals
In a world where it is easy to go through the motions of religious practice, God calls us to live out our faith with authenticity and courage. This means moving beyond simply attending church services and engaging in rituals, to embodying the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. We are invited to reclaim what has been lost and awaken what has been dormant within us, stepping into a vibrant and genuine relationship with God. This call to authenticity challenges us to examine our hearts and align our actions with the transformative power of God's love. [04:40]
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you merely "playing church"? How can you begin to live out your faith more authentically today?
Day 2: Awakening Dormant Dreams
Our dreams and visions, though they may seem dead, are not beyond revival. Just as Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, He calls us to step into the light of God's purpose for our lives. The resurrection power of Christ is available to awaken what has been dormant within us, breathing new life into our aspirations and hopes. We are encouraged to listen for the voice of Jesus, who calls us to rise above our past failures and embrace the future He has prepared for us. [09:13]
"Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live." (Ezekiel 37:5, ESV)
Reflection: What dreams or visions have you allowed to fall asleep? How can you invite Jesus to awaken them today?
Day 3: Courageous Boldness in Faith
In a time when the world desperately needs the hope and truth of Jesus, we are called to stand up and not remain silent. Boldness in faith requires us to live out the teachings of Christ with courage, even when it is challenging. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of God's love and grace, showing others that with God, all things are possible. This is a pivotal moment in history, and we are invited to be active participants in sharing the message of Jesus with those around us. [27:31]
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: Where is God calling you to be bold in your faith today? What steps can you take to share the hope of Jesus with someone in your life?
Day 4: Transformation Through Trials
It is not the trials themselves that define us, but what we become through them. God uses our experiences to shape our character and prepare us for His glory. As we navigate the valleys of life, we are reminded that God is at work within us, molding us into vessels of His glory. By elevating the voice of Jesus above our circumstances, we allow His word to guide and sustain us, discovering our true identity and purpose in the process. [31:04]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How have recent trials shaped your character? What is one way you can allow God to use your current circumstances for His glory?
Day 5: Elevating the Voice of Jesus
In the midst of life's challenges, it is crucial to elevate the voice of Jesus above our circumstances. By allowing His word to guide and sustain us, we find our true identity and purpose, stepping into the calling that God has placed on our lives. This requires us to prioritize His voice over the noise of the world, trusting in His promises and direction. As we do so, we become more attuned to His leading and more confident in the path He has set before us. [35:17]
"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21, ESV)
Reflection: What voices are currently the loudest in your life? How can you intentionally elevate the voice of Jesus above them today?
Quotes
We're not going to have a touchback. We're going to have a take back. Amen. I believe in the name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, because honestly, I didn't come up here to stand up here to play church this morning in Jesus' name. I did not come up here to tickle anybody's ears. [00:04:40] (14 seconds)
There is something going on in the body of Christ. One of the advantages that Teresa and I have is to travel and see the body of Christ from a different perspective. How many of you know what I'm talking about? See, because there's people in the body of Christ are feeling something that's going on inside of them. [00:08:52] (21 seconds)
The dirt that's been thrown on you over the years by well-meaning people, the verbal dirt that the enemy wants you to throw, the one to use to bury the vision and the desire and the passion of God in your life, guess what? God today will use that same dirt as the fertilizer to begin to grow that seed back. [00:12:44] (21 seconds)
Overcoming everything you thought would kill you. Is that like the best title ever? Overcoming everything. Yeah, but, is it going to kill you? Listen, we think things are killing us right now. There's things that are killing this and killing that, killing relations. Can I tell you, I'm going to preach a message this morning. [00:14:20] (15 seconds)
I stand out when I stand up and not stay silent when I give God the stroke of the pen to write my final chapter. It's time that we stand up and not be silent. We're living in the greatest time of history for the body of Christ right now. This is the moment that we have been waiting for in the church. [00:27:31] (22 seconds)
The worst that the world gets, and you've got to take this right, the better we get because we need to be the answer. Government is not the answer. The answer is the Lord Jesus Christ and advancing the kingdom of God in us. That's the answer. And so we need to understand that who has the stroke of the pen? [00:28:44] (24 seconds)
It's the space, it's that space between our wanting and our waiting that develops character inside of us. Vision is to be cast on the mountaintops of glory. When you're on that mountaintop and everything is going perfect, cast your dream, cast your vision. But only character can be cast in the valley of the shadow of death. [00:31:42] (28 seconds)
Elevate the voice of Jesus. When he had said this, Jesus called out in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out. John 11, 43. Listen to me. Elevate, elevate, elevate. See, it means this. I take what's here and I elevate it above what I think, what I feel. I'm tired of Christians telling me how they feel all the time. [00:36:18] (24 seconds)
There's a Jesus, and he's so real. And he's looking at you right now, and he's seeing all the things that you believe has died in you, and that he died for. He died. He died. He rose again. Why? So that you could be raised, and the things inside of you that are good. [00:39:31] (19 seconds)
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