Awakening Faith: Embracing God's Call and Purpose
Summary
In today's gathering, we were reminded of God's unwavering faithfulness, even when we falter in our own faith. As we continue our journey through the book of Revelation, we are called to reflect on the dual nature of God's message: a warning for those who do not believe and an encouragement for those who do. The essence of our mission is not just about physical structures or projects but about impacting lives and fulfilling God's mission. We are reminded that with every warning, God provides a way out through His grace, as exemplified by Jesus' sacrifice for us.
The call to action is clear: we must awaken from spiritual slumber and be vigilant in our faith. Many of us, at times, find ourselves sleepwalking through our spiritual lives, marked by emotionless prayers, self-centered worship, and spiritual apathy. We are urged to stay awake, be alert, and engage actively in our faith, recognizing the urgency of the times we live in. Jesus' return is imminent, and we must be found faithful and diligent in our assignments.
We are encouraged to be sober, not just in the literal sense but in being free from influences that distract us from God's purpose. Our prayers should be fervent and heartfelt, and our worship should be centered on God's presence rather than personal preferences. We are called to be present and engaged, not just showing up but actively participating in God's work.
The message is a reminder that we all have something to offer, something that the world needs. We are the vessels of God's grace and mercy, and we must be ready to deliver His message wherever we go. Our communities, our neighbors, and the world need us to be the light and salt that God has called us to be. As we face obstacles, we are assured of God's presence and faithfulness, knowing that He will guide us through every challenge.
Key Takeaways:
- God's faithfulness is constant, even when we struggle with our own faith. We are reminded that with every warning, God provides grace and a way out through Jesus Christ. This is a call to trust in His unwavering love and to remain steadfast in our faith. [28:20]
- Spiritual slumber is a danger we must avoid. We are called to awaken from sleepwalking through our faith, marked by emotionless prayers and self-centered worship. We must be vigilant and engaged, recognizing the urgency of the times. [50:57]
- Sobriety in faith means being free from influences that distract us from God's purpose. We must be influenced only by the Holy Spirit, staying alert and prayerful to avoid falling into temptation and spiritual apathy. [01:06:19]
- We all have something to offer, something the world needs. As vessels of God's grace, we must be present and engaged, ready to deliver His message and make a difference in our communities and beyond. [01:14:45]
- Obstacles are part of our faith journey, but God's presence and faithfulness guide us through. We are encouraged to give it all we have, knowing that God is with us and that His plans for us are vital and important. [01:23:53]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:20] - Bridge the Gap Offering
[29:25] - Series on Revelation
[43:22] - Financial Challenges and Faith
[48:38] - Encouragement in Revelation
[50:01] - Wake Up Call for Believers
[50:57] - Spiritual Slumber and Its Dangers
[52:02] - Staying Awake and Ready
[54:17] - Signs of Sleepwalking Faith
[56:14] - Emotionless Prayers
[57:40] - Self-Centered Worship
[58:49] - Spiritual Apathy
[01:01:46] - Warning Against Apathy
[01:04:07] - Apostasy and Anarchy
[01:06:19] - Sobriety in Faith
[01:09:18] - Power of Prayer
[01:10:53] - Showing Up for What Matters
[01:12:43] - Being Present and Engaged
[01:14:45] - Offering What the World Needs
[01:21:18] - Making Every Day Count
[01:23:53] - Overcoming Obstacles with Faith
[01:26:54] - Closing Prayer and Baptism Preparation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 24:42-46
2. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
3. Ephesians 5:15-18
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus emphasize about His return in Matthew 24:42-46, and how does this relate to the call to stay awake and be ready? [52:02]
2. According to 2 Timothy 3:1-5, what are some characteristics of people in the last days, and how might these traits lead to spiritual apathy? [01:01:46]
3. In Ephesians 5:15-18, what are believers instructed to do to live wisely, and how does this connect to being filled with the Holy Spirit? [01:21:18]
4. How does the sermon describe the dangers of spiritual slumber, and what are some signs of a sleepwalking believer? [50:57]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "naked and ashamed" in the sermon relate to the urgency of staying spiritually awake and engaged? [50:57]
2. What does it mean to be sober in faith, and how can influences other than the Holy Spirit distract believers from God's purpose? [01:06:19]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of being present and engaged in God's work, and what might this look like in everyday life? [01:12:43]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers have something to offer the world, and how can this understanding impact their interactions with others? [01:14:45]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual life. Are there areas where you might be sleepwalking through your faith? What steps can you take to become more spiritually awake and engaged? [50:57]
2. Consider the influences in your life. Are there any that distract you from God's purpose? How can you focus more on being influenced by the Holy Spirit? [01:06:19]
3. Think about your prayer life. Are your prayers fervent and heartfelt, or do they feel emotionless? What changes can you make to deepen your prayer life? [56:14]
4. Evaluate your worship experience. Is it centered on God's presence or personal preferences? How can you shift your focus to ensure your worship is God-centered? [57:40]
5. Identify a specific way you can be more present and engaged in your community or church. What practical steps can you take to show up and make a difference? [01:12:43]
6. Reflect on the idea that you have something to offer the world. What unique gifts or talents do you have, and how can you use them to serve others and fulfill God's mission? [01:14:45]
7. Consider the obstacles you face in your faith journey. How can you rely on God's presence and faithfulness to guide you through these challenges? [01:23:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in God's Unwavering Faithfulness
God's faithfulness remains constant, even when we struggle with our own faith. This truth is a cornerstone of our spiritual journey, reminding us that God's love and grace are always available to us. In moments of doubt or fear, we can find solace in the knowledge that God provides a way out through Jesus Christ. This assurance calls us to trust in His unwavering love and to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that His plans for us are good and purposeful. As we navigate life's challenges, we are encouraged to lean on God's faithfulness, allowing it to guide and sustain us. [28:20]
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust more in God's faithfulness today? How can you actively remind yourself of His unwavering love and grace?
Day 2: Awaken from Spiritual Slumber
Spiritual slumber is a danger that can creep into our lives unnoticed, leading to emotionless prayers and self-centered worship. We are called to awaken from this state, recognizing the urgency of the times we live in. The call to action is clear: we must be vigilant and engaged in our faith, actively participating in God's work. This involves being alert to the spiritual apathy that can dull our senses and hinder our relationship with God. By staying awake and ready, we position ourselves to be used by God in powerful ways, fulfilling our assignments with diligence and faithfulness. [50:57]
"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11, ESV)
Reflection: Are there areas in your spiritual life where you have been sleepwalking? What steps can you take today to awaken and engage more fully in your faith journey?
Day 3: Sobriety in Faith
Sobriety in faith means being free from influences that distract us from God's purpose. It calls us to be influenced only by the Holy Spirit, staying alert and prayerful to avoid falling into temptation and spiritual apathy. This requires a conscious effort to remove distractions and focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God. By cultivating a sober mind and heart, we can better discern God's will and align our lives with His purpose. This intentionality in our faith journey helps us to remain steadfast and committed, even in the face of challenges. [01:06:19]
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions are currently hindering your spiritual growth? How can you create space in your life to focus more on God's purpose and guidance?
Day 4: Offering What the World Needs
We all have something to offer, something the world needs. As vessels of God's grace, we are called to be present and engaged, ready to deliver His message and make a difference in our communities and beyond. This involves recognizing the unique gifts and talents God has given us and using them to serve others. By stepping out in faith and offering what we have, we become conduits of God's love and mercy, impacting lives and fulfilling His mission. Our willingness to be used by God can bring hope and transformation to those around us. [01:14:45]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: What unique gifts or talents has God given you? How can you use them today to serve others and make a positive impact in your community?
Day 5: Overcoming Obstacles with Faith
Obstacles are an inevitable part of our faith journey, but God's presence and faithfulness guide us through. We are encouraged to give it all we have, knowing that God is with us and that His plans for us are vital and important. This assurance empowers us to face challenges with courage and determination, trusting that God will provide the strength and wisdom we need. By relying on His guidance, we can overcome any obstacle and continue to grow in our faith, becoming more like Christ in the process. [01:23:53]
"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: What obstacle are you currently facing in your faith journey? How can you rely on God's presence and faithfulness to guide you through it?
Quotes
1. "A church with a lot of things and no people is a dead church. And so we're getting rid of things to make room for people. And so it's such a blessing to get rid of that stuff and to make a little room and to get a little money towards it." [43:22] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What is Christ going to do when he comes in and finds you sleeping? And this is his call to wake up. This is his call to tell believers, hey, look, look, I'm coming back. I'm coming home. What am I going to find believers doing? And here's the truth. Many of us have fallen asleep. Many in the church have fallen asleep and not doing what God has called them to do." [50:01] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Are you a slumbering Christian? Are you a sleeping Christian? Here's the truth. Many Christians are just sleepwalking through their faith. I know because I used to be one of those people. I used to sleepwalk through my faith like I had faith, but it didn't do anything in my life. There was no evidence of it." [54:17] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "A sleepwalking believer, first sign is emotionless prayers. Emotionless prayers. When you pray, do they have any emotion? Do they stir up anything in you? Here's the thing that we go through often. We pray over our food at lunch. We're going to go out afterwards, eat lunch, and you're going to pray for your food. And you're going to say, thank you, Lord, for this food. Thank you for this fried chicken, Lord. Bless all the calories out, right? But are we really thankful?" [56:14] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have to be a people that are really seeking after Him, because otherwise, we just have self -centered worship. I want to tell you a story. There's a, I'm on a committee, man. I'm on a committee where they help churches in the area. They need pastors or just need advice, things like that. And we come and serve them." [58:49] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Believers are not called to be apathetic. We are called to engage. We are called to move in. We are called to wake up and be aware of what's going on around us in our community. Are you aware of what's going on in the community? Are you aware of what's going on in your neighborhoods? Are you aware of the spiritual condition of your friends or your kids or your spouse? Are you aware? Are you awake?" [01:00:48] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We have to be awake. And the way to stay sober, the way to stay awake is through prayer. And here's the thing, man. It's hard to pray. Jesus even gets on the disciples in Matthew 26. He says, then he returned to the disciples. Jesus is about to go to the cross. He's praying. He's like, guys, we got to pray because something is about to happen. Something monumental is going to happen. We need to be ready." [01:09:18] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You are salt and you are light. You bring his presence wherever you go. You have to show up because light always prevails against. Darkness. This is why there's resistance. Christ said this, go and make disciples. What is go? Show up, make disciples. But here's the thing. Showing up is good, but you must be present. Be present. Don't just sit on the sidelines." [01:12:43] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You have something that people need, man. This past summer was peach festival. And just to be honest, I hate peach festival. I mean, all the weather 40 ends like, yes, some of you love it, but you've been there. I've been there, done that. T -shirt three times and it's hot every year. And I just don't, it's just not my thing. Like I've seen it before. It's all the same thing." [01:14:45] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "God has something so vital and important for you to do. He wants you to deliver things to people. He wants you to give them grace, give them mercy, give them Jesus. Give it everything you got. I pray you give it everything you got. You got to make every day count. Because it seems like evil is winning. But rest assured, it's not. Jesus wins. I've read the book." [01:21:18] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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