Celebrating Faith: Identity, Community, and God's Promises
Summary
Today, we gathered as a church family to celebrate a significant moment in the lives of Haley Williams and Rihanna Wiersma as they made their public profession of faith. This act is a testament to the work God has already done in their hearts, and it is a joyous occasion for us all. We are reminded of the gracious and compassionate nature of our Lord, as described in Psalm 145, and we join together in worship to extol His name. As we welcome Haley and Rihanna into the family of God, we reflect on the importance of baptism as a sign and seal of God's promise to His covenant people. It is a reminder that salvation is by grace alone through faith, and today, Haley and Rihanna affirm this truth publicly.
In our journey through the book of Nehemiah, we see how God uses structures and procedures to ensure the security and growth of His people. Nehemiah's appointment of godly leaders to guard the city of Jerusalem serves as a reminder that our safety is not just physical but also spiritual and communal. We are called to establish structures within our church that guide us in faith and protect us from false teachings. Belonging to the family of God is not about what we do but about who we are in Christ. Our identity is secure in Him, and as members of His family, we are called to use our gifts for the growth of His kingdom.
As we continue to worship, we are reminded of the importance of community and accountability. Our belonging is confirmed through recognition and accountability, and we are encouraged to live out our faith in action. The profession of faith made by Haley and Rihanna is not just a declaration of belief but a commitment to participate actively in the life of the church. We are all called to be participants in God's kingdom, using our gifts to contribute to the work He is doing in and through us.
Key Takeaways:
- The public profession of faith is a significant step in acknowledging the work God has done in our hearts. It is a declaration of belief and a commitment to live out our faith in action, affirming our identity as children of God. [18:39]
- Godly structures and procedures within the church are essential for spiritual security and growth. They guide us in faith, protect us from false teachings, and help us remain theologically sound. [43:28]
- Belonging to the family of God is not based on our actions but on our identity in Christ. Our spiritual identity is secure in who we are and whose we are, not in what we do. [53:21]
- As members of God's family, we are called to use our gifts for the growth of His kingdom. Our participation in the church is not just about receiving but also about giving and contributing to the work God is doing. [55:37]
- The journey of faith is not a burden but a blessing. We are called to work out of our belonging in Christ, finding joy and purpose in serving Him and others. [59:19]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:14] - Greeting and Worship
[16:43] - Baptism and Profession of Faith
[18:39] - Affirmation of Faith
[19:49] - Questions of Faith
[20:49] - Congregational Response
[22:29] - Blessing and Prayer
[24:19] - Presentation of Gifts
[28:21] - Announcements
[29:48] - Upcoming Events
[33:38] - Prayer for the Community
[36:55] - Introduction to Nehemiah
[41:55] - Nehemiah's Leadership
[43:28] - Importance of Godly Structures
[48:34] - Belonging and Accountability
[50:23] - Identity in Christ
[53:21] - Spiritual Identity
[55:37] - Participation in God's Kingdom
[59:19] - Faith as a Blessing
[01:05:08] - Closing Remarks
[01:07:02] - Final Hymn and Benediction
[01:10:31] - Doxology and Conclusion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 145:8-10
2. Romans 10:9-11
3. Nehemiah 7:1-3
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Observation Questions:
1. What characteristics of God are highlighted in Psalm 145:8-10, and how do they relate to the celebration of Haley and Rihanna's profession of faith? [07:14]
2. According to Romans 10:9-11, what are the two actions required for salvation, and how were these actions demonstrated by Haley and Rihanna during the service? [18:39]
3. In Nehemiah 7:1-3, what roles were appointed to ensure the security of Jerusalem, and why were these roles significant for the community's spiritual and physical safety? [43:28]
4. How does the appointment of godly leaders in Nehemiah 7 reflect the importance of having structures and procedures within the church? [43:28]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the public profession of faith serve as both a declaration of belief and a commitment to live out one's faith in action, as seen in the examples of Haley and Rihanna? [18:39]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our identity in Christ and our actions within the church community? How does this relate to the concept of belonging? [53:21]
3. How do the structures and procedures mentioned in Nehemiah 7 contribute to the spiritual growth and protection of the church community? [43:28]
4. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the idea that our journey of faith is a blessing rather than a burden? [59:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own profession of faith. How can you actively participate in the life of the church, similar to Haley and Rihanna's commitment? [18:39]
2. Consider the structures and procedures in your church. How do they help you grow spiritually and protect you from false teachings? Are there areas where you feel improvements could be made? [43:28]
3. How do you perceive your identity in Christ? In what ways can you remind yourself that your belonging to God's family is based on who you are in Christ, not on your actions? [53:21]
4. Identify a gift or talent you have. How can you use this gift to contribute to the growth of God's kingdom within your church community? [55:37]
5. Think about a time when your faith felt like a burden. How can you shift your perspective to see your faith journey as a blessing and find joy in serving others? [59:19]
6. How can you foster a sense of community and accountability within your small group or church? What steps can you take to ensure everyone feels recognized and supported? [48:34]
7. Reflect on the importance of godly leadership in your church. How can you support and pray for your church leaders to ensure they lead with integrity and faithfulness? [43:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Public Profession of Faith as a Commitment
The public profession of faith is a profound declaration of belief and a commitment to live out one's faith actively. It is not merely a ceremonial act but a significant step in acknowledging the transformative work God has done in an individual's heart. This act affirms one's identity as a child of God and signifies a willingness to participate in the life of the church community. For Haley Williams and Rihanna Wiersma, their public profession is a testament to their faith journey and a commitment to embody their beliefs in their daily lives. This moment is a reminder to all believers of the importance of publicly affirming their faith and the joy that comes with being part of God's family. [18:39]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a recent moment when you had the opportunity to share your faith with someone. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to be more open about your faith in the future?
Day 2: Godly Structures for Spiritual Security
Godly structures and procedures within the church are essential for ensuring spiritual security and growth. These structures guide believers in their faith journey, protect them from false teachings, and help maintain theological soundness. The book of Nehemiah illustrates how God uses structures to ensure the security and growth of His people, appointing godly leaders to guard the city of Jerusalem. Similarly, the church today is called to establish systems that nurture faith and provide a safe environment for spiritual growth. These structures are not just about maintaining order but are vital for the spiritual well-being of the community. [43:28]
"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17, ESV)
Reflection: Consider the structures in your church or community that support your spiritual growth. How can you actively participate in or contribute to these structures to enhance their effectiveness?
Day 3: Identity in Christ, Not Actions
Belonging to the family of God is not based on our actions but on our identity in Christ. Our spiritual identity is secure in who we are and whose we are, not in what we do. This truth is a source of comfort and assurance for believers, reminding them that their worth is not determined by their deeds but by their relationship with Christ. As members of God's family, believers are called to embrace their identity in Christ and live out their faith with confidence and joy. This understanding frees individuals from the pressure of performance and allows them to rest in the grace and love of God. [53:21]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt your worth was tied to your actions. How can you shift your focus to embrace your identity in Christ and find peace in His acceptance?
Day 4: Using Gifts for Kingdom Growth
As members of God's family, believers are called to use their gifts for the growth of His kingdom. Participation in the church is not just about receiving but also about giving and contributing to the work God is doing. Each believer has unique gifts and talents that can be used to serve others and advance God's kingdom. This calling is an invitation to actively engage in the life of the church and to find joy and purpose in serving God and others. By using their gifts, believers can make a meaningful impact and help build a vibrant and thriving church community. [55:37]
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:6-8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one gift or talent you have that you can use to serve your church or community. What steps can you take this week to start using this gift for God's kingdom?
Day 5: Faith as a Blessing, Not a Burden
The journey of faith is not a burden but a blessing. Believers are called to work out of their belonging in Christ, finding joy and purpose in serving Him and others. This perspective transforms the way individuals approach their faith journey, shifting from a mindset of obligation to one of gratitude and joy. By recognizing faith as a blessing, believers can experience the fullness of life that comes from walking with Christ and serving others. This understanding encourages believers to embrace their faith journey with enthusiasm and to find delight in the opportunities to grow and serve. [59:19]
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (1 John 5:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your faith journey that feels burdensome. How can you reframe your perspective to see it as a blessing and an opportunity for growth and joy?
Quotes
1. "In baptism, God promises by grace alone through faith to forgive our sins, to adopt us into the body of Christ, the church. To send his Holy Spirit daily to renew and cleanse us, and to resurrect us to eternal life, like we just sang. We believe that it is God who does the work of regeneration in each person. Yet, we are also to respond to that work that he does in us because of Paul's words and also Jesus. In our tradition, that sign and seal was placed on them as babies, and their parents brought them to do this. But this is their act. And as they profess with their... In their mouth, they believe in their hearts the saving work that God has done by grace through faith, and it has come to them." [16:43] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "By publicly professing and affirming what Jesus has done and is doing in your hearts, by making this public profession, you are not only believing what God says in his word, but you are also putting it into action. By doing so, you agree with Paul that Jesus was the one who created man. will not let you be put to shame. You are also agreeing with Jesus' brothers. James, when he says and wrote in James 2 .14, What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith, but you do not show it in your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Today, you are taking action along with your belief. This profession is publicly acknowledging the saving work of God in you through the Holy Spirit." [18:39] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Be assured that as you declare your faith, God will continue to be faithful to strengthen you and to renew you by the Holy Spirit, that you may grow in grace and knowledge and may keep this covenant faithfully all of your days. Larry, would you pray for us? We're going to pray one more time together as a congregation. So Jesus taught his disciples to pray a prayer. And this is a prayer that we pray together corporately, also as ourselves as well, as we may not know exactly what to pray. Larry is an eloquent person for prayer and it is amazing that some of us have this gift. But some of us struggle. But you can always pray this prayer." [22:29] (93 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We live in a broken world. you got it now there we go all right so we live in a broken world we know that things aren't as they are supposed to be but nehemiah as we've been walking through we see how he worked through the broken world to give a glimpse of the kingdom of god rebuilding the walls of faith and also his community today we come up to chapter 7 in our walk through nehemiah and uh it's 73 chapter 73 verses we're just going to plow through just kidding we're not going to go all through 73 um there's a lot of list of names that we will say and read through some of it together but if you wanted to turn in your bibles to um page 449 in our our pew bibles here and if your bible at home or downstairs um to nehemiah 7 and we'll read a little bit about that little bit until we get to the list of names and then we'll skip over the list of names and come back because i think nehemiah has something really good for us and it just so happens that it is amazing again how god works that what we're learning through nehemiah really really dictates and kind of goes along with our profession of faith today." [36:55] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Walls by themselves will not keep us totally safe. It is these also guards of good faith people. See, godly structures and procedures help, keep security and also should help spur growth in our faith communities. That's why when we have professions of faith, it isn't just random talking that we do up there. We have a liturgy that we do to kind of guide us. When we bring new people into the fold of our church, we take them, if they haven't already been in our fold, learning through the years about who we are as a family, we actually have a class or a procedure to share. What we believe about God, what we believe about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, all these things, because people come from all over. Remember, these people were in captivity in Babylon and may have forgotten what was going on or what the Israelites really believed, because as we go out into the world, there are competing belief systems. So we need to set up structures, policies, and procedures in the church to help us, keep us theologically and also procedurally correct." [43:28] (78 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Belonging is confirmed through recognition and accountability. So we move on from that first step, but then in verse 4, Nehemiah kind of goes into this thing where, hey, the walls have been built, we've got leaders in place, but then we need to find out who's here. We need to know that we are all from Israel or that we can't have outsiders per se. We want people coming and investigating Christ, but we also, when we have communion together, we have people that we share. Hey, if you are not a Christ follower, yeah, you may not be part of this church, but if you're not a Christ follower, this communion is not for you. This communion actually is for those who follow Jesus, and that's special. We need to protect us. Some churches go as far as having closed communion. If we can't prove that you are part of the family in our own kind of own assessment, we will not let you share communion with us. That's how important some churches view this." [48:34] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Your belonging needs, you need to understand, your spiritual identity is not what you do. It's who you are and whose you are. So as we gather today, we look at 1 Peter and Nehemiah here. But 1 Peter says this, but you are a chosen people. Chosen. You didn't choose it. You were chosen. A royal priesthood. A nation. A people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of him, who called you out of darkness into this wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you receive mercy. See, as children of God, we share a familial relationship with him, Jesus, and with each other. Just this morning, I was talking with Cindy DeFries before church, and we were just talking, and she said this question. What do people do that are not part of a church? How do they find support? And I'm sure they do, but a lot find despair." [54:45] (78 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We get as followers the kingdom of god everyone is a participant and i've shared that before but we need to realize that this belonging is more than just deceiving it is also giving and the 70 it said that some of the heads of work in first corinthians paul says that we are god's fellow workers also the responsibilities together to use our gifts to contribute and hopefully lord willing grow the kingdom see in nehemiah 7 how structures where nehemiah put things in place how structures where nehemiah put things in place the belonging and identity nehemiah showed through this list of names and the responsibilities they all come together to form a strong and secure zion which they were as the church goes we need to understand that we want people to belong not because of what they've done but whose they are and once we get to that place of knowing who we are we're going to have to wouldn't just take people out of we use the gifts and ability god has given us for the good of the kingdom in itsants people from death to life people fro death to life that's what we celebrate today that's what we celebrate today that's what we celebrate every day but especially today that's what we celebrate every day but especially today it is amazing that this miracle happens it is amazing that this miracle happens I would dare say and I don't want to speak for you ladies but I would say that you're like again I didn't do enough right I mean like I had faith in what God held to me i don't do enough and that's the the thing that we get a lot is i need to work i need to do more but the reality is you can rest in whose you are and work out of that so working in the kingdom of god is not a burden but a blessing to us and others." [55:37] (147 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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