Captivating Faith: Exalting Jesus in Today's Church
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the significance of a church that is captivating, not by worldly standards, but through its unwavering focus on Jesus Christ. The speaker highlights the early New Testament Church's success, attributing it to its love, worship centered on Jesus, and generosity, despite lacking worldly power and influence. The church's growth is credited to its commitment to the word of God and the creation of a warm, inviting atmosphere where love abounds.
The speaker reflects on the importance of preaching the cross and the centrality of Jesus for salvation, recounting an incident where a Christian's belief in Jesus as the only way to heaven was criticized as hateful. Despite such opposition, the speaker insists on the necessity of remaining steadfast in the belief that Jesus is the only path to salvation. The church is encouraged to be unmoved by what others say about Jesus, focusing instead on exalting Him and building upon the revelation of Him as the Christ.
The speaker also discusses the church's role in society, emphasizing that it should not rely on politicians or political parties for deliverance but should instead be a Jesus-centered church that embodies His teachings. The sermon calls for Christians to prioritize Jesus in their lives and to let love abound in their actions towards others, aligning with the Bible's teachings.
The speaker recounts the story of Peter and John healing a crippled beggar in the name of Jesus, leading to thousands of conversions despite the religious leaders' opposition. This act of healing and the subsequent preaching underscore the power of Jesus' name and the importance of boldly proclaiming faith in Him.
The sermon concludes with an invitation to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, assuring that anyone who calls upon His name will be saved. The speaker offers assistance to those making this decision and invites the audience to join future services, either in person or via livestream.
Key Takeaways:
- The early New Testament Church thrived without worldly power because it was a community where love, worship of Jesus, and generosity were paramount. This model serves as a blueprint for modern churches to create a captivating environment that prioritizes spiritual over material values. [01:06:22]
- Preaching the cross and the centrality of Jesus Christ is crucial for salvation. Christians must remain steadfast in their faith, even when faced with criticism or opposition, as Jesus is the only way to heaven. This unwavering belief is essential for the church to maintain its integrity and mission. [58:05]
- A captivating church is characterized by its focus on Jesus and the gospel, rather than personal preferences or political correctness. The church's primary purpose is to exalt Jesus and ensure that all ministries and activities align with this goal, creating a unified body that moves people closer to Christ. [38:16]
- The church must be built on the revelation of Jesus as the Christ, and it should overcome the powers of darkness. This foundation is not swayed by the world's opinions but is rooted in the confession of faith that Jesus is the Lord, which is revealed by the Holy Spirit. [01:00:38]
- Christians are called to boldly declare who Jesus is, without hesitation or compromise. In a world that often promotes political correctness, believers must confidently affirm their faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, following the example set by Peter in the New Testament. [50:09]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:13-18 (ESV)
> Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
2. Acts 4:8-12 (ESV)
> Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What were some of the opinions people had about Jesus according to Matthew 16:13-14?
2. How did Peter respond to Jesus' question about His identity in Matthew 16:16?
3. In Acts 4:10, what name does Peter declare as the source of the crippled man's healing?
4. According to Acts 4:12, what is unique about the name of Jesus in terms of salvation?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus asked His disciples who people said He was before asking who they thought He was? [42:03]
2. How does Peter's declaration in Matthew 16:16 reflect the central message of the sermon about the importance of exalting Jesus?
3. What does Peter's boldness in Acts 4:8-12 teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit in proclaiming the gospel?
4. How does the sermon’s emphasis on being unmoved by the world's opinions about Jesus relate to the events in Acts 4? [55:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the sermon’s call to be a church that exalts Jesus. How can you personally contribute to making your church a place where Jesus is the focus? [38:16]
2. The sermon mentioned the importance of being unwavering in our belief about Jesus. How can you strengthen your own conviction that Jesus is the only way to salvation? [58:05]
3. In what ways can you demonstrate the love and generosity that characterized the early New Testament Church in your daily life? [37:43]
4. The sermon highlighted the need to be undeterred by political correctness when proclaiming Jesus. Have you ever felt pressured to downplay your faith? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now? [51:54]
5. How can you ensure that your personal worship and church activities are centered on Jesus rather than personal preferences or political views? [38:16]
6. Think about the story of Peter and John healing the crippled beggar. How can you be more attentive to opportunities to share your faith in your everyday interactions? [52:25]
7. The sermon concluded with an invitation to trust in Jesus. If you have already made this decision, how can you help others in your community to do the same? If you haven’t, what is holding you back from making this commitment? [01:11:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Love as the Church's Cornerstone
The early New Testament Church thrived on love, worship of Jesus, and generosity, setting an example for today's churches to follow. This love was not superficial but deeply rooted in the community's actions and interactions, creating a captivating environment that drew people closer to God. [01:06:22]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering a community of love and generosity in your local church?
Day 2: Unwavering in Proclaiming Christ
In a world that often challenges Christian beliefs, it is vital to remain steadfast in proclaiming Jesus Christ as the only path to salvation. This conviction must be held with grace and truth, standing firm against criticism and opposition. [58:05]
1 Peter 3:15-16 - "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Reflection: Have you ever faced opposition for your faith? How can you prepare yourself to respond with gentleness and respect while standing firm in your beliefs?
Day 3: Jesus-Centered Church Identity
A church that is truly captivating focuses on Jesus and the gospel, steering clear of personal preferences and societal pressures. This focus ensures that all ministries and activities are aligned with the goal of exalting Jesus and drawing people closer to Him. [38:16]
Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: In what ways can your church activities better reflect a Jesus-centered approach, and how can you personally contribute to this goal?
Day 4: Confessing Jesus as Lord
The church's foundation is the revelation of Jesus as the Christ, a truth that stands firm against the world's opinions. This confession, revealed by the Holy Spirit, empowers the church to overcome darkness and remain rooted in faith. [01:00:38]
Matthew 16:16-17 - "Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.'"
Reflection: How does your personal confession of Jesus as the Christ shape your daily life and interactions with others?
Day 5: Boldness in Faith Declaration
Believers are called to boldly declare their faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, without hesitation or compromise. This boldness is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the hope it brings to the world. [50:09]
Acts 4:11-12 - "Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
Reflection: What opportunities do you have today to boldly declare your faith, and how can you seize them to witness for Christ?
Quotes
"The captivating Church lifts up Jesus and is unmoved by what everybody else says about it." [47:19] (Download)
"Jesus is not a good way to heaven, he's not a better way to heaven, he's not even the best way to heaven; he's the only way to heaven." [59:53] (Download)
"Let's be a church that exalts Jesus, let's be a Jesus church. It's not about any person, it's not about political correctness, it's about exalting Jesus above all." [01:07:35] (Download)
"We're not a political Church; we're a Jesus church. I'm not looking to who's in Washington for my Deliverance, I hope you're not." [01:08:11] (Download)
"Without stutter and without stammer, we need to declare who Jesus is, we need to know what we believe about him, and we need to be unwavering in letting the world know who he is." [51:54] (Download)
"When you come to church you ought to hear about the cross, you ought to hear about the resurrection, and yet there are so many places you can go where you never hear about that, you never hear about the blood." [56:59] (Download)
"The captivating church is a church where love abounds and Jesus said a new commandment I give you; he was talking about Agape Love." [34:54] (Download)
"The captivating church is a church where the word wins... we should never do anything to the neglect of the word of God. The word has to win." [36:03] (Download)
"Trust Christ as your lord and savior; it's a decision that can transform your life. We are here to support you in taking this life-changing step." [01:11:42] (Download)
"Whatever we do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. That is, everything should be in His name, with His authority, for His glory, with His approval. Exalt Him, that's what we need to be about." [01:05:43] (Download)
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