Embracing a Christ-Centered Life Through Prayer and Community
Summary
### Summary
Good afternoon, New Life! Today, we gathered to pray for our students, faculty, and staff as they embark on a new academic year. We celebrated those returning to school and those pursuing further education, asking for God's strength, protection, and guidance. We also prayed for our educators, that they may be a light in their classrooms and offices.
We then transitioned into a time of offering, emphasizing the importance of giving with a generous heart. We recited our tithing pledge, acknowledging that tithing is an act of obedience to God.
The core of today's message focused on being a Christ-centered church. We explored Acts 2:42-47, which outlines the early church's devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These practices led to a community filled with awe, where many wonders and signs were performed, and believers shared everything they had.
We emphasized that being Christ-centered means making Jesus the foundation of our lives. This involves understanding the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and recognizing that the Holy Spirit guides us towards Jesus. We discussed the importance of living out our faith daily, not just within the church but in every aspect of our lives.
We concluded with a call to action, encouraging everyone to seek divine appointments to share the gospel. Evangelism should be a natural part of our lives, driven by our personal experiences with Jesus. We prayed for boldness, wisdom, and divine connections, urging everyone to be the light in their communities.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Prayer and Community Support: We began by praying for students and educators, recognizing the importance of community support in our spiritual and academic journeys. Prayer is a powerful tool that invites God's protection, guidance, and strength into our lives. When we pray together, we create a supportive environment that uplifts and encourages each other. [21:33]
2. Generosity as an Act of Worship: Giving is not just a financial transaction but an act of worship and obedience to God. When we give with a generous heart, we acknowledge God's provision and express our trust in Him. Generosity also reflects our commitment to supporting the church's mission and helping those in need. [24:30]
3. Living a Christ-Centered Life: Being Christ-centered means making Jesus the foundation of our lives. This involves daily devotion to His teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. A Christ-centered life is marked by awe, miracles, and a sense of community where believers share their resources and support each other. [56:22]
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit guides us towards Jesus and reminds us of His teachings. When we feel overwhelmed or alone, we can call on the Holy Spirit for comfort and encouragement. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith and be a light in the world. [01:03:36]
5. Evangelism as a Natural Part of Life: Sharing the gospel should be a natural extension of our daily lives. We are called to seek divine appointments and share our personal experiences with Jesus. Evangelism is not about being overly religious or spiritualizing everything but about being genuine and letting our lives testify to God's goodness. [01:24:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[21:33] - Prayer for Students and Educators
[23:01] - Blessings for the Academic Year
[24:30] - Offering and Tithing
[32:36] - Worship: "You Are More Than Able"
[44:22] - Call to Surrender to Christ
[45:12] - The Journey of Faith Begins
[47:19] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[49:07] - Celebrating New Believers
[55:53] - Introduction to the Sermon
[56:22] - Acts 2:42-47: The Early Church
[01:00:01] - Keeping a Christ-Centered Culture
[01:03:36] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[01:12:55] - The Power of a Christ-Centered Church
[01:24:00] - Evangelism as a Natural Part of Life
[01:27:18] - Anointing and Divine Appointments
[01:33:18] - Commission to Preach the Gospel
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Acts 2:42-47 (ESV): "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
### Observation Questions
1. What four practices did the early church devote themselves to according to Acts 2:42?
2. How did the early believers respond to the needs within their community as described in Acts 2:45?
3. What was the result of the early church's devotion and communal living as mentioned in Acts 2:47?
4. In the sermon, what specific roles did the pastor pray for the Holy Spirit to fulfill in the lives of students and educators? [23:01]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to live a Christ-centered life based on the practices of the early church in Acts 2:42-47?
2. How does the concept of generosity as an act of worship challenge or affirm your current understanding of giving? [24:30]
3. In what ways does the Holy Spirit guide believers towards Jesus, and how can this guidance be recognized in daily life? [01:03:36]
4. How can evangelism become a natural part of a believer's life, and what are some practical steps to seek divine appointments? [01:24:00]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. How can you incorporate more communal prayer into your routine to support others in your community? [21:33]
2. Think about a time when you gave generously. How did it impact your faith and trust in God? How can you cultivate a more generous heart in your daily life? [24:30]
3. Identify one area of your life where Jesus is not currently the foundation. What steps can you take to make Him the center of that area? [56:22]
4. When have you felt the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life? How can you become more attuned to the Holy Spirit's leading in your daily decisions? [01:03:36]
5. Consider your personal experiences with Jesus. How can you share these experiences naturally with someone who does not yet know Him? [01:24:00]
6. What specific actions can you take this week to be a light in your community, whether at work, school, or in your neighborhood? [01:27:18]
7. How can you create opportunities for evangelism in your daily routine without being overly religious or spiritualizing everything? [01:24:00]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Prayer and Community Support
Prayer is a powerful tool that invites God's protection, guidance, and strength into our lives. When we pray together, we create a supportive environment that uplifts and encourages each other. This communal act of prayer is especially important as we embark on new journeys, such as the start of an academic year. By praying for students, educators, and staff, we acknowledge the challenges they face and ask for divine intervention to help them succeed. This collective prayer not only strengthens our faith but also fosters a sense of unity and support within the community. [21:33]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Think of someone in your community who is starting a new journey or facing a challenge. How can you support them through prayer today?
Day 2: Generosity as an Act of Worship
Giving is not just a financial transaction but an act of worship and obedience to God. When we give with a generous heart, we acknowledge God's provision and express our trust in Him. Generosity also reflects our commitment to supporting the church's mission and helping those in need. By giving, we participate in God's work and demonstrate our faith in His ability to provide for us. This act of worship is a tangible expression of our love for God and our desire to see His kingdom flourish. [24:30]
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Reflect on your attitude towards giving. How can you cultivate a more generous heart in your daily life?
Day 3: Living a Christ-Centered Life
Being Christ-centered means making Jesus the foundation of our lives. This involves daily devotion to His teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. A Christ-centered life is marked by awe, miracles, and a sense of community where believers share their resources and support each other. By focusing on Jesus, we align our lives with His purpose and experience the transformative power of His presence. This commitment to living out our faith daily, not just within the church but in every aspect of our lives, is what sets us apart as followers of Christ. [56:22]
Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 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: Identify one area of your life where Jesus is not currently the foundation. What steps can you take to make Him the center of that area?
Day 4: The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit guides us towards Jesus and reminds us of His teachings. When we feel overwhelmed or alone, we can call on the Holy Spirit for comfort and encouragement. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith and be a light in the world. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we gain the strength and wisdom needed to navigate life's challenges and fulfill our God-given purpose. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives is a constant reminder of God's love and His desire to be intimately involved in every aspect of our journey. [01:03:36]
John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you in your daily life?
Day 5: Evangelism as a Natural Part of Life
Sharing the gospel should be a natural extension of our daily lives. We are called to seek divine appointments and share our personal experiences with Jesus. Evangelism is not about being overly religious or spiritualizing everything but about being genuine and letting our lives testify to God's goodness. By living authentically and being open about our faith, we create opportunities for others to encounter Jesus through us. This approach to evangelism is rooted in love and driven by our personal experiences with Jesus, making it a natural and impactful part of our lives. [01:24:00]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you could have shared your faith. How can you be more intentional about seeking divine appointments to share the gospel in the future?
Quotes
1. "I believe that there is divine appointment for people that is in this room there's going to be divine healing there's going to be divine connection for the bible says that when two or three are gathered in his name that he is there so we are coming alongside with you recognizing we can't but he can he is the god that can move mountains he is the god that stands before you he is the god that stands with you he is the god that is in you so don't you give the few more moments. He's not done with you yet. Sometimes it feels like it. But He is not done with you yet." [35:52] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "For the moment that you open your heart to Christ, and you believe, you devote yourself to Him, then your journey will begin. And the Bible teaches us that as a child is born, that there is a spiritual new birth that happens for a person who gives their life to the Lord. that journey does not end there, but that journey begins from the moment of belief, and confession, and dedication, and commitment, and devotion." [45:12] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "No sin is too great that God cannot forgive. Shame guilt is what holds people back. not a sinner. I'm not good enough. I'm going to mess up anyways. And we start creating narratives that we have no idea if they're even going to be true or not. I don't need you to live in your tomorrow. I need you to live in this moment right here and right now. The how-tos will work itself out. And we would commit to walk you through this." [45:50] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We don't give birth to a child and just abandon a child. When you give birth to a child, you take care of a child. And it is our responsibility as followers of Jesus to come alongside of you so that we can walk this journey out together." [47:57] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When God is capable of turning a heart that is made of stone into a heart that is flesh. This is why Jesus came. And to seek and save those who are lost. Don't you get it twisted. He left the 99 and He went after the one. And He did that with a purpose and a reason. That is because He came for those who were lost. To give us life and life in abundance." [49:39] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "It is about us following Christ so that ultimately we are in position in partnering with him to empty hell and fill heaven that responsibility is not only on me that responsibility is on all of us it's on you that responsibility is not limited to position well I got to be certified got to be able to have my academics I got to be able to be qualified no God qualifies you so all of us are in this journey together and as God impacts us and we grow and we mature we are so in all that we want to respond we want to exercise this faith." [58:55] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Everything changes when you devote yourself to Jesus everything changes because for some of us we do have to deconstruct how we saw God or how we have learned some of us have to take a step back and recognize that our faith is not in the politics or in the government that our faith is not in the church or in a pastor or a church that our faith is in Jesus Christ we have to be devoted and when we are devoted to Jesus then there is change that happens." [01:08:25] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When Jesus Christ resurrected the bible says that he encountered the disciples and listen to me he breathed on them why did God breath on them he breathed on them because the breath of death that took Adam and Eve from sin that killed them and that literally marked the world even to this day Jesus says I am giving you a new life and my breath is about to empower you for the good work that I have in store for you first for salvation and second for the work." [01:07:21] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When you walk in truth you will be or feel the presence of God many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles like Christ said the church is full of wonders and signs you will see signs you will see signs God will speak to you through his word through a person God would give you dreams God will put an impression in your heart God would give you signs when you walk into a space you would know that God is showing you or speaking to you you're so close to God so close to the word." [01:14:24] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Your priority is not to bring people to church that's not your main priority your priority is to bring people to Jesus that's your priority so in your prayer what Pasadena is saying don't bring us I'm not saying don't bring up what I'm saying is when it comes to salvation don't wait for Sunday to come in hopes that I preach a sermon that they respond to because Sunday may never come for them but would you pray God use me as a living sacrifice to reach the one Jesus left the 99 to and he went after the one." [01:21:54] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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