Embracing Acceptance: The Power of Faith and Community
Summary
In the shared message, the focus is on the importance of acceptance, alignment, and the transformative power of faith. The concept of acceptance is likened to the first positive emotion a baby feels, which is the embrace of its mother. This metaphor extends to the spiritual realm, where individuals are encouraged to feel accepted by God and by their fellow believers. The idea is that just as a baby is cradled and accepted, so too should individuals feel cradled and accepted by God's love.
The message emphasizes that acceptance is not just a vertical relationship between an individual and God, but also a horizontal relationship among believers. The importance of aligning with God and with each other is highlighted, drawing on the imagery of a cross, which has both a vertical and a horizontal dimension. This alignment is crucial for building a strong spiritual life and community.
The speaker discusses the concept of being 'clothed with Christ' through baptism, which symbolizes a new identity in faith. This new identity transcends social, racial, and economic differences, uniting believers in Christ. The metaphor of clothing is used to illustrate how believers should view each other, not through worldly distinctions, but through their shared identity in Christ.
Belief is another key theme, with a distinction made between believing in God and believing on God. The latter implies a deeper level of trust and commitment, akin to entrusting one's life to God as one would trust a parachute when jumping from a plane. This level of belief is presented as essential for a true relationship with God.
The message also touches on the idea of dedication, urging believers to get their roots down in their faith community and to commit to God's purpose in their lives. The speaker uses the example of Joseph, whose branches grew over the wall, as a metaphor for believers who should not conform but grow beyond the ordinary limits.
Personal anecdotes are woven throughout the message to illustrate these points. One story recounts the speaker's experience with a car wash, which serves as an analogy for positioning oneself to receive God's cleansing and anointing. Another story shares the speaker's attempt at a DIY project, which failed due to a lack of alignment, reinforcing the importance of being aligned with God's word.
The message concludes with an invitation to those who wish to begin their journey of faith and trust in God, emphasizing the transformative power of acceptance, belief, and dedication in the life of a believer.
Key Takeaways:
- Acceptance is a foundational element of faith, akin to the first positive emotion a baby experiences. This acceptance is not only about feeling embraced by God but also about embracing others within the faith community, recognizing that everyone is clothed with Christ and therefore equal in God's eyes. This sense of acceptance can be a profound source of comfort and belonging for individuals. [05:13]
- Alignment with God and with fellow believers is crucial for spiritual growth and community building. Just as a cross has both vertical and horizontal dimensions, so too must believers align their relationship with God (vertical) and with each other (horizontal). This alignment ensures that the community is built on a solid foundation, with Christ as the cornerstone. [18:59]
- The metaphor of being 'clothed with Christ' through baptism illustrates a transformative identity that transcends worldly distinctions. This new identity should inform how believers interact with one another, focusing on their shared faith rather than external differences. This perspective can lead to a more unified and supportive faith community. [25:07]
- True belief in God involves a deep level of trust and commitment, similar to trusting a parachute with one's life. This belief is not merely intellectual assent but a wholehearted reliance on God for direction and purpose. Such belief can inspire individuals to live with confidence in God's plan for their lives. [29:37]
- Dedication to God's purpose involves actively participating in one's faith community and committing to personal spiritual growth. The story of Joseph, whose branches grew over the wall, serves as an inspiration for believers to exceed expectations and contribute uniquely to God's kingdom. This dedication can lead to a fruitful and impactful life of faith. [32:41]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 1:3-6 (NIV)
> "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."
2. Galatians 3:27-28 (NIV)
> "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
3. Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)
> "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 1:3-6, what are some of the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ? How does this passage describe our relationship with God? [06:02]
2. In Galatians 3:27-28, what does it mean to be "clothed with Christ"? How does this new identity affect social distinctions among believers? [23:02]
3. What does Jeremiah 1:5 reveal about God's knowledge and purpose for us even before we are born? How does this relate to the concept of acceptance discussed in the sermon? [07:42]
4. The sermon uses the metaphor of a baby being cradled by its mother to describe acceptance by God. How does this imagery help us understand our relationship with God? [05:26]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the idea of being "chosen in Him before the creation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4) impact our understanding of God's acceptance and love for us? [06:21]
2. What are the implications of being "clothed with Christ" for how we view and treat other believers, especially those who are different from us? [24:46]
3. How does the story of Joseph, whose branches grew over the wall, illustrate the concept of dedication and going beyond ordinary limits in our faith? [32:46]
4. The sermon distinguishes between believing in God and believing on God. How does this deeper level of trust and commitment change our relationship with God? [29:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt truly accepted by God or by your faith community. How did that experience impact your spiritual journey? [05:26]
2. In what ways can you actively work on aligning your life with God's word and with your fellow believers? Are there specific areas where you feel out of alignment? [18:11]
3. How can you practice seeing others as "clothed with Christ" rather than through worldly distinctions? Think of a specific person you struggle to accept and how you might change your perspective. [24:46]
4. Consider the metaphor of trusting a parachute when jumping from a plane. What are some practical steps you can take to deepen your trust and commitment to God in your daily life? [29:51]
5. How can you get your roots down in your faith community and commit to God's purpose in your life? Identify one specific way you can contribute to your church or community this month. [31:48]
6. Reflect on the personal anecdotes shared in the sermon, such as the car wash story. How can you position yourself to receive God's cleansing and anointing in your life? [35:20]
7. The sermon concludes with an invitation to begin a journey of faith and trust in God. If you haven't already, what steps can you take to start or deepen this journey? If you have, how can you support others in their journey? [38:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Acceptance
Acceptance is the bedrock of our faith experience, reflecting the unconditional love we receive from God. It is a reminder that we are embraced by divine love, just as a baby is cradled in its mother's arms. This acceptance extends to our interactions within the faith community, where we are called to see each other through the lens of our shared identity in Christ, rather than through worldly divisions. [05:13]
Galatians 3:26-28 - "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you practice extending God's acceptance to someone in your faith community today?
Day 2: Aligning with God and Community
Spiritual growth and community strength are rooted in our alignment with God and with one another. Like the intersecting lines of a cross, our relationships must be vertically grounded in God and horizontally connected to our brothers and sisters in faith. This dual alignment forms the foundation upon which a robust spiritual life and a unified community are built. [18:59]
Ephesians 4:15-16 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Reflection: In what ways can you improve your alignment with God and your faith community this week?
Day 3: Transformed Identity in Christ
Through baptism, we are clothed with Christ, signifying a transformation that transcends all societal labels. This new identity calls us to view each other not by external differences but as fellow bearers of Christ's image. As we embrace this shared identity, we foster a community that reflects the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. [25:07]
Colossians 3:10-11 - "and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."
Reflection: How does recognizing your identity in Christ change the way you interact with others in your daily life?
Day 4: Deep Trust in God's Faithfulness
Believing on God is an act of profound trust, akin to relying on a parachute when jumping from a plane. It is a commitment that goes beyond intellectual assent to a heartfelt reliance on God's faithfulness and direction. This deep trust shapes our lives, giving us the confidence to live out God's purpose with boldness. [29:37]
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to deepen your trust in God, and how can you take a step toward that today?
Day 5: Growing Beyond Ordinary Limits
Dedication to God's purpose calls us to be active participants in our faith community and to commit to personal spiritual growth. Like Joseph, whose influence extended beyond his immediate boundaries, we are encouraged to grow beyond ordinary limits, contributing uniquely to God's kingdom. This dedication leads to a life that is both fruitful and impactful. [32:41]
Genesis 49:22 - "Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall."
Reflection: What unique gifts can you dedicate to God's service, and how can you start using them to grow beyond your current boundaries?
Quotes
1) "The first positive thing that a baby feels is acceptance, that cuddle... it's like the cuddle of God. It's like the baby being taken to the mother and the mother saying you are part of me." [05:13] (Download)
2) "When you do dealing with the things of God, that which is vertical has to meet with that which is horizontal... our vertical and our horizontal must meet." [18:59] (Download)
3) "Clothed with Christ... it affects how the father sees us, how the devil sees us, and it massively affects how we see one another." [25:07] (Download)
4) "Believing on God... you've stepped out of the driving seat to the passenger seat and let him steer your future. That is the biggest vitamin B that we could imagine." [30:17] (Download)
5) "Joseph is a fruitful vine whose branches go out over the wall... the deeper our roots in God, the higher we will grow in 2024 for God." [33:21] (Download)
6) "We can't cleanse ourselves; we need to get in a place where God will cleanse us. We can't anoint ourselves; we have to be in a place where God anoints us." [35:06] (Download)
7) "We're not tolerated by God, we've been chosen. We're accepted... I'm praying that you're going to feel the acceptance of God over your life." [08:22] (Download)
8) "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ... we should be accepting one another in the fact that when we see one another, we see a sister or brother in Christ." [23:17] (Download)
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