Be Prepared: Embracing Spiritual Readiness and Transformation
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embark on a new series titled "Be Prepared," which is designed to ready us for the upcoming season in our church's life. This call to preparation stems from a word I received from God during our 21 days of prayer in January, echoing a similar message from January 2020 when God told us to "get ready." That year, we prepared extensively for Easter, only to find that God was actually preparing us for the challenges of COVID-19. Our readiness allowed us to adapt quickly and even grow during the pandemic, demonstrating the importance of being spiritually and practically prepared.
As we stand on the brink of a new season, I feel a strong sense that God is calling us to be prepared once again. While I don't know exactly what we are preparing for, I am confident that God wants to do something significant through us. Preparation involves both spiritual readiness and practical steps, such as our ongoing Saturday morning prayers and various outreach activities. This year alone, we've baptized 92 people and seen significant growth in our church community, all because we were prepared.
Our mission at New Hope Church is to help people find hope in Jesus. This mission is rooted in the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28, where He commands us to make disciples of all nations. To fulfill this mission, we focus on four key areas: knowing God, finding freedom, discovering purpose, and making a difference. Today, we delve into the first focus: knowing God.
Knowing God is not about religious rituals or merely knowing about Him; it's about having a life-transforming relationship with Him. Paul, in Philippians 3, contrasts his former life of religious zeal with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. True knowledge of God comes through faith in Jesus and His resurrection power, which transforms us from the inside out. This transformation requires faith, surrender, and confession. It's not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to live sacrificially, just as Jesus did.
In conclusion, being prepared means aligning ourselves with God's mission and allowing His resurrection power to work in and through us. As we move forward, let's commit to knowing God deeply, finding freedom, discovering our purpose, and making a difference in the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Spiritual and Practical Preparation: Being prepared involves both spiritual readiness and practical steps. Our church's growth during COVID-19 was a testament to the importance of being prepared. We must continue to pray, plan, and act in faith, trusting that God is preparing us for something significant. [03:30]
2. Mission of the Church: Our mission is to help people find hope in Jesus, rooted in the Great Commission. This mission guides every decision we make, from outreach activities to sermon series. It's not about our preferences but about fulfilling God's mandate to make disciples. [11:31]
3. Knowing God: Knowing God is not about religious rituals but about a life-transforming relationship with Him. Paul emphasizes that true knowledge of God comes through faith in Jesus and His resurrection power, which transforms us from the inside out. [24:32]
4. Resurrection Power: To know God, we must put our faith in His resurrection power. This power not only raised Jesus from the dead but also has the ability to transform our lives, lifting us out of the grave of sin and death. This transformation requires faith, surrender, and confession. [27:07]
5. Living Sacrificially: Knowing God involves a daily commitment to live sacrificially, just as Jesus did. The more we say no to self, the more the resurrection power of Jesus becomes available in our lives, enabling us to make a difference in the lives of others. [33:18]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:05] - Introduction to "Be Prepared" Series
[02:13] - Lessons from January 2020
[03:30] - COVID-19 and Church Growth
[04:29] - Importance of Preparation
[05:14] - Outreach and Community Service
[06:29] - Why We Need to Be Prepared
[07:35] - God Works Through People
[08:10] - Challenges Facing Churches Today
[09:36] - Mission of New Hope Church
[10:55] - Helping People Find Hope in Jesus
[12:11] - The Great Commission
[14:52] - Four Key Focuses
[15:50] - Knowing God
[18:48] - Summary of Four Focuses
[19:18] - Introduction to Knowing God
[20:13] - What Knowing God is Not
[24:32] - True Knowledge of God
[27:07] - Resurrection Power
[33:18] - Living Sacrificially
[36:40] - Invitation to Know Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV)
> But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
2. Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
> And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
3. Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV)
> But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Philippians 3:7-11, what does Paul consider as loss compared to the value of knowing Christ?
2. In Matthew 28:18-20, what specific instructions does Jesus give to His disciples?
3. How does Ephesians 2:4-6 describe the transformation that occurs through God's mercy and grace?
4. What were some practical steps the church took to prepare for the challenges of COVID-19, as mentioned in the sermon? [03:30]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the surpassing worth of knowing Christ over religious achievements in Philippians 3:7-11?
2. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 align with the mission of New Hope Church to help people find hope in Jesus? [11:31]
3. What does it mean to be "raised up with Christ" as described in Ephesians 2:4-6, and how does this relate to the concept of resurrection power mentioned in the sermon? [27:07]
4. The sermon mentioned that knowing God involves a life-transforming relationship rather than religious rituals. How does this understanding impact the way we live our daily lives? [24:32]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually unprepared for a challenge. How did that experience shape your understanding of the importance of preparation? [02:13]
2. The sermon emphasized the need for both spiritual and practical preparation. What are some practical steps you can take this week to prepare for what God might be calling you to do? [04:29]
3. How can you actively participate in the mission of helping people find hope in Jesus within your community? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [11:31]
4. Knowing God involves a daily commitment to live sacrificially. What is one area of your life where you can practice sacrificial living this week? [33:18]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of faith, surrender, and confession in experiencing resurrection power. Is there an area in your life where you need to surrender more fully to God? How can you take a step towards that surrender this week? [30:27]
6. Think about someone in your life who might be living in a "grave" of despair or hopelessness. How can you share the message of resurrection power and hope with them? [32:31]
7. The sermon mentioned that the more we say no to self, the more the resurrection power of Jesus becomes available in our lives. What is one specific way you can say no to self this week to allow more of Jesus' power to work through you? [34:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual and Practical Preparation
Preparation is both a spiritual and practical endeavor.
Being prepared involves more than just spiritual readiness; it also requires practical steps. The church's growth during the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the importance of being prepared. By engaging in ongoing Saturday morning prayers and various outreach activities, the church was able to adapt quickly and even grow during challenging times. This readiness allowed the church to continue its mission and support its community effectively. Preparation is not just about anticipating challenges but also about being ready to seize opportunities that God presents. [03:30]
Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to prepare yourself spiritually and practically for the challenges and opportunities God may present to you?
Day 2: Mission of the Church
Our mission is to help people find hope in Jesus.
The mission of the church is rooted in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations. This mission guides every decision the church makes, from outreach activities to sermon series. It's not about personal preferences but about fulfilling God's mandate to make disciples. By focusing on helping people find hope in Jesus, the church aligns itself with God's purpose and ensures that its efforts are directed towards meaningful and impactful ministry. [11:31]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the mission of helping people find hope in Jesus in your daily life?
Day 3: Knowing God
Knowing God is about a life-transforming relationship with Him.
Knowing God goes beyond religious rituals and mere knowledge about Him. It involves having a life-transforming relationship with Him. Paul, in Philippians 3, contrasts his former life of religious zeal with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. True knowledge of God comes through faith in Jesus and His resurrection power, which transforms us from the inside out. This transformation requires faith, surrender, and confession. It's a daily commitment to live sacrificially, just as Jesus did. [24:32]
Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with God and experience His transforming power in your life?
Day 4: Resurrection Power
Faith in God's resurrection power transforms our lives.
To truly know God, we must put our faith in His resurrection power. This power not only raised Jesus from the dead but also has the ability to transform our lives, lifting us out of the grave of sin and death. This transformation requires faith, surrender, and confession. By embracing the resurrection power of Jesus, we can experience a profound change in our lives, enabling us to live in victory and purpose. [27:07]
Ephesians 1:19-20 (ESV): "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience God's resurrection power? How can you invite Him to bring transformation in those areas today?
Day 5: Living Sacrificially
Commit to living sacrificially as Jesus did.
Knowing God involves a daily commitment to live sacrificially, just as Jesus did. The more we say no to self, the more the resurrection power of Jesus becomes available in our lives, enabling us to make a difference in the lives of others. Living sacrificially means putting others' needs before our own and being willing to give up our comforts for the sake of God's kingdom. This kind of living not only transforms us but also impacts those around us, drawing them closer to God. [33:18]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can live sacrificially today to reflect the love and sacrifice of Jesus to those around you?
Quotes
1. "There's not a Sunday goes by that I don't meet somebody new or that's been coming for a little while. And I'll ask them, I'll say, you know, what brought you to New Hope Church? And here's what they say. We started watching during COVID. Yeah, they started watching during COVID. Four years later, people are still coming to New Hope Church because of COVID. Why? Because we got ready. We got ready." [03:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to be prepared because God works through people. That's what he does. He works through people in a church to accomplish the mission. And we're going to talk more about the mission here in a minute. But he works through people. And please hear me. I'm not saying that he can't work without us. How many of you know God can work without us? Okay, he doesn't need us. But he's given us the privilege." [07:01] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I want to see us go above that. And so this fall, for me, is all about that. I hope we grow numerically, but that's not my focus, just so you know. If you just want to grow a bigger church, then you don't know me. What I want is you to grow deeper in your faith. I think if we do that, I think that that's the focus, we'll grow. Because God will begin to work in and through us in greater ways. Amen?" [09:36] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The mission is to help people find hope in Jesus. That's pretty simple, isn't it? Yeah, we want to help people find hope in Jesus. You might say, Pastor, where did you come up with that? Is that something? Is that something you came up with? Is that something you and the board came up with? You know, where was I? I didn't get to vote. We didn't come up with it. Actually, Jesus mandated it to us." [10:55] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We want them to know God. How many think that's a good idea? Yeah, it's a good idea. And when I say know God, I'm not talking about know about Him. I'm not talking about knowing that He exists. Hey, guess what? The Bible says the demons, know about Him and know He exists. They know that. And you know what the Bible says? They tremble. They tremble. And so we're not talking about that. When I say know God, I'm talking about an accurate view of God, because sometimes we have an inaccurate view of who He is." [15:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We want people to find freedom. Find freedom. What we're talking about here is the victorious and abundant life that Jesus offers us. And I think, unfortunately, a lot of Christians don't live this life. There's just still bondage in their life, things that hold them down. We're not talking about addiction here. Some of you are like, well, you're talking about addiction and stuff. No, I'm talking like anger. I'm talking like fear. I'm talking like jealousy. I'm talking about gossip. I'm talking about all this junk that Jesus wants to deliver us from, but we continue to hold on to it for whatever reason, and it has us in bondage." [16:17] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We want you to learn what your purpose is so that then number four, you can start making a difference. See, we don't just want you to know about God and find freedom and discover your purpose, but we want you to lead others to that. We want you to help others know God, discover, you know, find freedom, discover their purpose, and you begin to make a difference then in the lives of others. Church, amen?" [17:45] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And here's what's amazing about these four focuses is when you know God, find freedom, discover your purpose, and begin making a difference in the lives of others, that's where the greatest, and joy, and fulfillment of being a Christian comes from, from serving, from giving. That's where Me Church goes out the window and the church becomes the powerhouse of Jesus Christ. Amen?" [18:16] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So to sum it all up, this is the goal at the end of the three weeks and really into the fall, if somebody would come to you and say, what's your church all about? You'd be able to say this, we help people find hope in Jesus. We want them to know God. We want them to find freedom. We want them to discover their purpose and we want them to learn how to make a difference in the world they live in. Amen? Pretty simple, but very powerful." [18:48] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Paul says, listen, I came to this place where I realized all my religious stuff, it's not that it's not important and it doesn't have meaning, but it doesn't make me right with God. It doesn't make me know God in the way He wants to know me. The only one that will help me know God in the way I need to know God is Jesus. That's what he's saying. It has nothing to do with religious thinking or living. Nothing to do with baptism, church affiliation, denomination, confirmation, whateveration. Okay? It only has to do with Jesus. That's how you know God, through Jesus." [24:03] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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