Choosing Faith: Action and Hope in a Complex World

 

Summary

In this Advent season, we are reminded of the choice we have each day: to live with God or without Him. Today, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Condoleezza Rice, a distinguished leader and thinker, about finding God in our complex world. We began by acknowledging the global challenges we face, from the conflicts in Israel and Gaza to the war in Ukraine and the ongoing struggles in places like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These issues remind us of the persistent political struggles throughout history, yet they also call us to action as Christians.

Dr. Rice emphasized the importance of individual and collective action in alleviating human suffering. While governments can provide resources, it is often faith-based organizations and individuals who deliver compassion and care. She shared the example of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, where faith-based institutions played a crucial role in delivering aid. This highlights the power of acting locally, even when the problems seem insurmountable.

We also discussed the significance of small acts of kindness and service, following the example of Jesus, who thought big but worked small. This approach can transform lives and communities, as seen in the early Christian movement, which spread through acts of love and service. Dr. Rice shared personal stories of her faith journey, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and nurturing one's faith through prayer and community involvement.

In a world filled with division and despair, Dr. Rice finds hope in the progress humanity has made in recognizing right from wrong. She encourages us to be part of this evolution by taking action against injustices like human trafficking and hunger. Ultimately, our hope as Christians is rooted in Jesus Christ, whose birth and life continue to inspire and guide us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Living with God Daily: Each day presents a choice to live with or without God. Choosing to live with God enriches our lives and aligns us with His purpose, offering a deeper sense of peace and direction. [00:54]

2. Acting Locally with Compassion: While global issues can seem overwhelming, we are called to act locally, providing compassion and aid where we can. This reflects the heart of Christ, who ministered to individuals even as He envisioned a broader Kingdom. [06:43]

3. The Power of Small Acts: Jesus' ministry teaches us the power of small, intentional acts of kindness. These acts can have a profound impact, spreading love and hope in a world that desperately needs it. [08:18]

4. Sustaining Faith Through Practice: Maintaining a vibrant faith requires intentional practice, such as prayer and community involvement. These practices keep our faith alive and help us navigate life's pressures with God's strength. [14:37]

5. Hope in Progress and Action: Despite the challenges we face, there is hope in the progress humanity has made in recognizing and addressing injustices. We are called to be active participants in this progress, guided by our faith in Christ. [17:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:54] - Introduction to Dr. Condoleezza Rice
- [01:26] - Finding God in a Complex World
- [02:24] - Understanding Global Struggles
- [04:17] - Role of Citizens and Faith-Based Actions
- [05:58] - Acting Locally to Alleviate Suffering
- [07:26] - The Importance of Small Acts
- [09:09] - Jesus' Revolutionary Impact
- [10:45] - Limitations of Political Power
- [12:47] - Compassion in Action
- [13:35] - Personal Faith Journey
- [15:41] - Faith in Challenging Situations
- [17:29] - Finding Hope Amidst Despair
- [20:44] - Hope Rooted in Christ
- [21:22] - Closing Remarks and Blessings

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
2. Matthew 25:35-40 - "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
3. James 2:14-17 - "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

#### Observation Questions
1. What global challenges were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the historical political struggles mentioned in the Bible? [01:39]
2. How did Dr. Rice describe the role of faith-based organizations in addressing global issues like AIDS in Africa? [05:12]
3. What examples of small acts of kindness were highlighted in the sermon, and how do they reflect Jesus' ministry? [08:18]
4. How does Dr. Rice find hope in the progress humanity has made, according to the sermon? [17:59]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the choice to live with or without God each day impact a person's life, according to the sermon? [00:54]
2. In what ways can acting locally with compassion reflect the heart of Christ, as discussed in the sermon? [06:43]
3. How does the sermon suggest that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on communities and individuals? [08:18]
4. What practices are recommended in the sermon for sustaining one's faith, and why are they important? [14:37]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily choices. How can you intentionally choose to live with God each day, and what changes might this bring to your life? [00:54]
2. Identify a local issue or need in your community. What specific action can you take this week to address it with compassion? [06:43]
3. Think of a small act of kindness you can perform this week. How might this act reflect Jesus' teachings and impact those around you? [08:18]
4. Consider your current faith practices. What steps can you take to deepen your prayer life or increase your involvement in a faith community? [14:37]
5. Reflect on a global issue that concerns you. How can you contribute to addressing this issue, either through direct action or by supporting organizations involved in the cause? [17:59]
6. How can you find hope in the progress humanity has made, and how can this hope inspire you to take action against injustices? [17:59]
7. Identify a personal challenge or pressure you are facing. How can your faith help you navigate this situation, and what support do you need from your community? [14:09]

Devotional

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Quotes


"Today you got to live today you can live today with God or live today without God and trust me it will be better to do it with God." [00:00:47]

"While the folks in Washington or the folks in ke or uh the people in in uh Tel Aviv or Jerusalem are trying to to deal with the big political problems and and taking decisions that even I now don't have uh control over uh I always have to remember that I don't have control over these big decisions anymore I once did I any but each and every one of us can help to deal with the misery and the suffering that comes out of that and uh that I think is what we're really called to do uh as Christians." [00:05:36]

"Even even Christ of course thought big but he also worked small and so maybe we could follow that uh maybe we could feed the hungry maybe we could uh help the person who is a leper because they have a particular uh disease maybe we can put our arm around uh someone whose uh life has been broken by human trafficking or uh somebody who's been broken by alcoholism or somebody who's been broken by abuse um maybe we can maybe that's the way to express our Christianity." [00:08:18]

"People were stunned at the things they were doing they were suddenly having orphanages orphanages and hospitals and they believed that every person was worthy because they were a child of God and that was a kind of radical idea in jesus' time and after uh his resurrection and and maybe we can in our own way uh continue to show that this radical idea that I care about uh the person uh next to me I care about the person who's in need um I want to intervene uh on behalf of the person that is in need I want to use my resources and my time to do that." [00:09:39]

"Politics can certainly um uh when when coupled with power and the United States of America has a lot of power it can make a difference to the shape of the International System uh we made a big difference after the World War II uh defeating Germany and Imperial Japan and then uh helping Shepherd them to become democracies so that now uh these are countries that we would never imagine doing the things that Imperial Japan did or Nazi Germany did so big Power can do a lot but so can um the but what but big Power can't do is it can't person by person deliver that compassion deliver those values." [00:11:21]

"I have never in my life missed a um a good Friday or a a Palm Sunday Good Friday or Easter Sunday uh in ch in some in some form not in my entire life I was in China on uh a Palm Sunday when I was secretary and I said uh to my staff I need to go to church and they said well there's a problem because you'll have to go to an official church this is in China they said you'd like to go to one of the underground churches but you can't do that as secretarial you have to go to an official church and I kind of was a little warnery a little unhappy about it thought H an official church I went to this official church and the one thing that was really clear in that church was it might have been might have been official it might have been fake from the point of view of the Chinese government but from the point of view of the people worshiping in that church they were as authentic in their Christianity as I was and it was a great learning moment." [00:15:41]

"I find Hope in the fact that we have come a long way as human beings uh I think we know more about right and wrong now than um in in past uh centuries in past history we don't always act on it as if we know but uh there is some uh moral fiber that is uh is perfecting itself over time where are appalled when we see what Hamas did we are appalled when we see stories of human trafficking uh we are appalled uh when we know that there are people who are starving uh we're are appalled when we know that there is discrimination uh we are appalled when a policeman uh chokes a black man on the ground there would have been a time when that was unremarkable in yeah and so maybe it is working its way out slowly not as quick quickly as we would have liked but maybe it is working its way out to a better human." [00:17:59]

"I think on balance we are getting let me say not better but more aware of what it is to be wrong now here's the the uh the glincher I think you can't just count on it you can't just on that Evolution you've got to try to be a part of that Evolution so if you do believe that human trafficking is wrong do something about it there are so many many organizations that are doing the Lord's work in horrible places to save young people from a life in slavery if you believe that it is wrong that there are children that are starving do something about it and then you connect that sense of I know that's wrong to something that I again in my own small way can do about it and in a democracy we can going back to the big picture we can ask those questions of our leaders we can make sure that our leaders are attuned to where we are going uh as humankind and are trying to contribute in a way that is is uh is right." [00:19:48]

"My Hope comes uh my hope is built on nothing less then Jesus blood and righteousness and uh for for Christians uh that's where it comes from uh ultimately if uh if there was a little baby born uh and that's what we're about to celebrate who would turn into uh the greatest uh prophet and the greatest and would would spawn the greatest movement in human history uh who am I not to be hopeful." [00:20:44]

"While governments can provide resources, it is often faith-based organizations and individuals who deliver compassion and care. She shared the example of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, where faith-based institutions played a crucial role in delivering aid. This highlights the power of acting locally, even when the problems seem insurmountable." [00:05:03]

"Maintaining a vibrant faith requires intentional practice, such as prayer and community involvement. These practices keep our faith alive and help us navigate life's pressures with God's strength." [00:14:37]

"Despite the challenges we face, there is hope in the progress humanity has made in recognizing and addressing injustices. We are called to be active participants in this progress, guided by our faith in Christ." [00:17:59]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?