Digital Disciples: Spreading Hope in a Modern World
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the power of social media as a platform to spread the message of Jesus. He encourages the congregation to see themselves as digital disciples, using their online presence to bring hope and lead others back to God. The pastor asserts that the keyboard can be a pulpit, and the internet can be a congregation. He urges the congregation to preach the message of Jesus through their online platforms, whether it be through sharing Bible verses or personal testimonies.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of running the race of faith with endurance, stripping off any weights that slow us down, particularly the sin that easily trips us up. He reminds the listeners that they have elders and ancestors who are watching and cheering them on in their journey of faith. The pastor references Philippians chapter 3, highlighting the idea of pressing on towards perfection in Christ and forgetting the past. He emphasizes the need to honor the past by how they handle the future, ensuring that every member is touched, loved, and cared for.
The pastor expresses gratitude for modern conveniences such as air conditioning and cars, highlighting the advancements that have made life easier. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the progress that has been made throughout history. However, he also emphasizes that while history is the foundation, the future is the mission. The congregation is encouraged to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, understanding that their history and wisdom should inform their future innovations.
The pastor emphasizes the power of personal testimony and the impact of digital footprints in spreading the message of Jesus. He encourages the congregation to openly share their experiences of how their lives have changed since encountering Jesus. They highlight the importance of testifying and sharing these stories with others who may be in a state of despair, as it can inspire hope and lead them to Jesus. The pastor also emphasizes the significance of digital footprints in the modern world, stating that online spaces can serve as platforms to evangelize and reach those who may not know Jesus.
The sermon concludes with the pastor emphasizing the importance of adapting to changing times in order to spread the good news of Jesus. He points out that Jesus never specifically outlined how to go into the world and teach the good news because he knew that things would evolve and change. The pastor highlights that in today's modern world, platforms such as YouTube, podcasting, and websites are the modern marketplace where faith should be shared.
Key Takeaways:
- The pastor emphasizes the power of social media as a platform to spread the message of Jesus. He encourages the congregation to see themselves as digital disciples, using their online presence to bring hope and lead others back to God. The keyboard, he asserts, can be a pulpit, and the internet can be a congregation. [01:15]
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of running the race of faith with endurance, stripping off any weights that slow us down, particularly the sin that easily trips us up. He reminds the listeners that they have elders and ancestors who are watching and cheering them on in their journey of faith. [15:30]
- The pastor expresses gratitude for modern conveniences such as air conditioning and cars, highlighting the advancements that have made life easier. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the progress that has been made throughout history. However, he also emphasizes that while history is the foundation, the future is the mission. [30:45]
- The pastor emphasizes the power of personal testimony and the impact of digital footprints in spreading the message of Jesus. He encourages the congregation to openly share their experiences of how their lives have changed since encountering Jesus. They highlight the importance of testifying and sharing these stories with others who may be in a state of despair, as it can inspire hope and lead them to Jesus. [45:00]
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing times in order to spread the good news of Jesus. He points out that Jesus never specifically outlined how to go into the world and teach the good news because he knew that things would evolve and change. The pastor highlights that in today's modern world, platforms such as YouTube, podcasting, and websites are the modern marketplace where faith should be shared. [60:00]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Mark 16:15 - "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
2. Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,"
3. Philippians 3:12-14 - "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Mark 16:15 instruct followers of Jesus to do, and where are they to do it?
2. In Hebrews 12:1, what are the believers encouraged to throw off and why?
3. What is the goal that Paul is pressing towards in Philippians 3:12-14?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Mark 16:15 relate to the concept of using modern platforms to spread the gospel?
2. How can the idea of running a race with perseverance, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:1, be applied to our spiritual journey?
3. What does "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" mean in the context of Philippians 3:12-14?
Application Questions:
1. How can you use your social media platforms this week to spread the gospel as instructed in Mark 16:15?
2. What is one weight or sin that is slowing you down in your race of faith, and what specific steps can you take to throw it off as suggested in Hebrews 12:1?
3. Reflecting on Philippians 3:12-14, what is one thing from your past that you need to forget in order to press on towards your spiritual goal?
4. Can you think of a specific way to use your digital footprint to share your personal testimony and inspire hope in others?
5. What is one new platform or method you can explore this week to adapt to changing times and spread the good news of Jesus?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Digital Discipleship
In this digital age, you are called to be a digital disciple, using your online presence to spread the message of Jesus. The internet is your congregation and your keyboard is your pulpit. Use your online platforms to share Bible verses and personal testimonies, bringing hope and leading others back to God. [01:15]
Bible Passage: Colossians 3:16 - "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Reflection: How can you use your online presence today to spread the message of Jesus? Can you think of a Bible verse or personal testimony you could share?
Day 2: Running the Race of Faith
You are encouraged to run the race of faith with endurance, stripping off any weights that slow you down, particularly the sin that easily trips you up. Remember, you have elders and ancestors who are watching and cheering you on in your journey of faith. [15:30]
Bible Passage: Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Reflection: What weights are slowing you down in your race of faith? How can you strip them off today?
Day 3: Embracing Progress and the Future
While it's important to recognize and appreciate the progress that has been made throughout history, remember that while history is the foundation, the future is the mission. Embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, using your history and wisdom to inform your future innovations. [30:45]
Bible Passage: Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Reflection: What opportunities and challenges lie ahead for you? How can your past experiences inform your future actions?
Day 4: The Power of Personal Testimony
Your personal testimony has the power to inspire hope and lead others to Jesus. Share your experiences of how your life has changed since encountering Jesus, especially with those who may be in a state of despair. [45:00]
Bible Passage: Revelation 12:11 - "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
Reflection: How has your life changed since encountering Jesus? Who can you share your testimony with today?
Day 5: Adapting to Changing Times
In order to spread the good news of Jesus, it's important to adapt to changing times. Jesus never specifically outlined how to go into the world and teach the good news because he knew that things would evolve and change. In today's modern world, platforms such as YouTube, podcasting, and websites are the modern marketplace where faith should be shared. [60:00]
Bible Passage: 1 Chronicles 12:32 - "From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take."
Reflection: How can you adapt to the changing times to spread the good news of Jesus? Can you think of a modern platform you could use to share your faith today?
Quotes
"Be the light and be present, but make sure when we do post something, we don't post just for likes, but to win souls."
"Our digital footprints can lead someone to the foot of the cross. In this digital age, we have the opportunity to reach people who may not know Jesus. Let us thank God for giving us the ability to leave these digital footprints."
"Did you know a well-placed Bible verse can have an internal impact? People are online looking for answers, looking for relief, looking for acceptance, and now God has made you a de facto digital disciple. It's your job to let people know that there is hope in the name of Jesus."
"I'm deputizing you right now to let you know that your keyboard is your new pulpit, the internet is your congregation. You can preach on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and twice on Sunday."
"Your next click could be someone's first step to having a relationship with God. Be careful what you click, your next post could change someone's destiny."
"Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that easily trips us up, and let us run with endurance the race God has placed before us."
"I press on to possess that Perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. I focus on this one thing, forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead."
"Honoring our past is making sure that every member is touched, loved, and cared for. Honoring our past is to make sure that people take that next step into Christlikeness."
"We're not erasing our history here at Mars Hill, we're not no no no. We stand firm on our tradition, we honor those who have gone before us, we make sure that everything we do is rooted in the word of God. But what we won't do is be held hostage and not use the tools available to us to reach for those who are in our tomorrow."
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