Connecting Through the Relational Gospel at Fierce Church
Summary
Today, I had the privilege of leading our Connect Class series, where we delved into the importance of attending the weekend services. This is not just a routine gathering; it's a vital step in connecting with God and each other, a step that aligns with our mission at Fierce Church to develop prevailing followers of Jesus Christ. We discussed the various steps involved in our spiritual journey, emphasizing that stagnation in our spiritual life can lead to a loss of the vibrant flow we experience with the Holy Spirit.
During our session, we explored the vision of Fierce Church, aiming to become a top-of-mind church that deeply connects individuals with God through the Bible, maintains a casual vibe, and expands our discipling into the online world. This vision guides our actions and our focus, ensuring that we are not just a gathering place but a launching pad for deeper spiritual engagement.
A significant part of our discussion centered on the relational aspect of the gospel. I shared about the 'relational gospel' which highlights that Jesus doesn’t just love humanity in general; He loves each of us personally and profoundly. This personal affection is crucial because it transforms our understanding of God from a distant deity to a loving Savior interested in the details of our lives.
We also discussed the scriptural and theological dimensions of the gospel, emphasizing human fallenness and God’s redemptive initiative through Jesus Christ. This gospel is not just a set of theological points but a call to a transformed life, where every person who calls on the name of Jesus is saved and brought into a life of no condemnation.
The practical application of this gospel is seen in how we conduct our church services and activities. We aim to ensure that every aspect of our church life, from the music we play to the programs we run, is inclusive and considers those who are not yet part of our faith community. This outward focus is essential because the church is the only organization that exists primarily for the benefit of its non-members.
Finally, we wrapped up our discussion by emphasizing the importance of the gospel as the birth canal of the Kingdom of God. Without the gospel, there is no true life transformation or reconciliation with God. It is the core message that we must carry forward, ensuring that it remains at the heart of everything we do at Fierce Church.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of Steps in Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is not automatic; it requires intentional steps and engagement with the community and God's word. Just attending weekend services is the beginning, not the end, of our spiritual journey. Each step we take brings us closer to a fuller understanding and relationship with Jesus. [01:59]
2. Vision and Mission Alignment
Our church's vision and mission are not just organizational tools but are vital in guiding our daily decisions and interactions. They help us stay focused on why we exist and whom we serve, ensuring that our activities and programs align with our goal of deepening connections with God and each other. [02:38]
3. Relational Gospel: Jesus Likes You
Understanding that Jesus likes us personally changes our relationship with Him from fear-based to love-based. This personal connection is crucial for experiencing the fullness of life with Christ and helps us to convey genuine love and acceptance to others. [16:27]
4. The Gospel's Power in Transformation
The gospel is transformative, not just informative. It calls us to a changed life, one that is in constant communion with Jesus, free from condemnation, and full of eternal hope. This transformation is the core of our message and mission. [17:59]
5. Church as a Community for Outsiders
The church must always remember its unique role as the only organization that exists for the benefit of its non-members. This outward focus is essential in all our planning and activities, ensuring that we are always accessible and inviting to those seeking God. [21:16]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
2. Romans 10:13 - "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
3. Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 13:34-35, how will people know that we are disciples of Jesus? ([04:19])
2. What does Romans 10:13 say about who can be saved? ([17:33])
3. In Romans 8:1, what is the promise given to those who are in Christ Jesus? ([18:15])
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of taking steps in our spiritual growth? ([01:59])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us? How does this reflect in our daily interactions? ([04:19])
2. What does it mean that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"? How does this shape our understanding of the inclusivity of the gospel? ([17:33])
3. How does the promise of "no condemnation" in Romans 8:1 affect our relationship with God and our sense of security in Him? ([18:15])
4. The sermon emphasizes the need for continuous spiritual steps to avoid stagnation. How can this principle be applied in our personal spiritual journeys? ([01:59])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually stagnant. What steps did you take to overcome it, and how can you apply those lessons to your current spiritual life? ([03:10])
2. How can you personally contribute to making our church a place where people experience Jesus' kindness and feel honored? ([06:02])
3. Think of someone in your life who might feel distant from God. How can you share the message of Romans 10:13 with them in a way that is loving and inviting? ([17:33])
4. The sermon mentioned that the church exists for the benefit of its non-members. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your actions and attitudes reflect this outward focus? ([21:16])
5. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence and voice in your daily life, and how can this impact your interactions with others? ([09:39])
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of the gospel as the core message of the church. How can you keep the gospel central in your personal life and in your interactions within the church community? ([20:39])
7. Identify one specific way you can show Jesus' love and kindness to someone this week. How will you ensure that this action is intentional and reflective of Christ's love? ([04:19])
Devotional
Day 1: Steps Toward Deeper Spiritual Engagement
Spiritual growth requires intentional steps and engagement with the community and God's word. Just attending weekend services is the beginning, not the end, of our spiritual journey. Each step we take brings us closer to a fuller understanding and relationship with Jesus. This journey is about progressing beyond mere attendance, diving deeper into the Word, and actively participating in church life. It's about moving from passive listeners to active disciples, fostering a vibrant, living faith that grows and evolves. This process is crucial for personal transformation and for becoming effective witnesses of Christ's love and power in the world. [01:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkkkSw0xwiI&t=104s)
Ephesians 4:15-16, "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: What are specific steps you can take this week to deepen your engagement with your spiritual community and God's Word?
Day 2: Aligning Vision with Daily Living
Our church's vision and mission are not just organizational tools but are vital in guiding our daily decisions and interactions. They help us stay focused on why we exist and whom we serve, ensuring that our activities and programs align with our goal of deepening connections with God and each other. This alignment is not just about adhering to a set of rules; it's about embodying the vision in our daily lives, making decisions that reflect our commitment to God and His people. It's about being intentional in how we live out our faith, ensuring that every action and interaction is infused with the purpose and passion of our shared vision. [02:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkkkSw0xwiI&t=143s)
Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: How can you better align your daily actions and decisions with the vision and mission of your church?
Day 3: Personal Connection with Jesus
Understanding that Jesus likes us personally changes our relationship with Him from fear-based to love-based. This personal connection is crucial for experiencing the fullness of life with Christ and helps us to convey genuine love and acceptance to others. It's about recognizing that Jesus is deeply interested in the details of our lives and wants a relationship with us that is real and personal, not distant or formal. This realization invites us into a more intimate and joyful relationship with Him, where we are known and loved deeply. [16:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkkkSw0xwiI&t=972s)
1 John 4:10, "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus personally cares for you change the way you approach Him in prayer and daily life?
Day 4: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The gospel is transformative, not just informative. It calls us to a changed life, one that is in constant communion with Jesus, free from condemnation, and full of eternal hope. This transformation is the core of our message and mission. It's about allowing the truth of the gospel to penetrate our hearts and minds, leading to a radical change in how we live and interact with the world around us. It's about becoming new creations in Christ, living out the reality of His kingdom here and now. [17:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkkkSw0xwiI&t=1064s)
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to experience the transformative power of the gospel more deeply?
Day 5: Embracing the Church's Outward Focus
The church must always remember its unique role as the only organization that exists for the benefit of its non-members. This outward focus is essential in all our planning and activities, ensuring that we are always accessible and inviting to those seeking God. It's about being a community that not only nurtures its members but also reaches out with the love and truth of the gospel to those who are not yet part of us. This commitment to outreach reflects the heart of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. [21:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkkkSw0xwiI&t=1261s)
Matthew 20:28, "Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church more welcoming and accessible to non-members this week?
Quotes
1. "The mission of Fierce Church is to develop prevailing followers of Jesus Christ who walk with him step by step. Now there's a lot in there, but what I want you to notice is the step by step." [00:46]
2. "Once we start to stagnate, we actually start to lose spiritual flow. When you come into Sunday, often the Spirit of God gets you excited about it. But after a while, that excitement will wear off. That's why we need to keep taking steps." [01:59]
3. "Fierce Church will become a top-of-mind church for singles and families looking for a medium-sized church, a deep emphasis on personal connection with God through the Bible, a casual vibe for friends to feel at home, and an expanding focus on discipling the online world." [02:38]
4. "Jesus likes you, man. He wants to forgive you. He's able to forgive you if you trust him. Those are the four parts of the relational gospel. But he likes you is my favorite part because most folks have a hard time with the idea they can't even think maybe Jesus likes humans or Jesus likes other people. But Jesus likes me? Yeah." [15:52]
5. "The gospel is transformative, not just informative. It calls us to a changed life, one that is in constant communion with Jesus, free from condemnation, and full of eternal hope." [17:59]
6. "The church must always remember its unique role as the only organization that exists for the benefit of its non-members. This outward focus is essential in all our planning and activities, ensuring that we are always accessible and inviting to those seeking God." [21:16]
7. "The gospel is the birth canal of the kingdom of God. Without the gospel, there is no life transformation. There is no reconciliation with God. Sure, there's religion. Sure, people go back and forth and they're hearing maybe good, profitable, maybe helpful how-to messages." [20:39]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Apr 07, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?