Embracing Awe, Boundaries, and Mission in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Renewing Awe and Reverence Towards God

We must strive to renew our awe and reverence towards God, especially when we've become too familiar with His words that we hardly read them anymore. Recognizing the authority and responsibility that leaders have, we must understand that God placed them in those roles. We should honor and respect spiritual leaders, acknowledging that they are God's servants. In all our relationships, we should maintain a spirit of appreciation and respect for one another. [45:38]

Psalm 111:10 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."

Reflection: How can you renew your awe and reverence towards God and His word in your daily life?

Day 2: Encouraging Healthy Relationships with Open Communication

Open communication is key to healthy relationships within the church. However, this communication must be respectful and considerate. Trust between leadership and the church is crucial, and leaders should be approachable. Boundaries are also important to maintain, ensuring that respect and understanding are upheld. [47:52]

Ephesians 4:15 - "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."

Reflection: How can you improve your communication within your relationships in the church?

Day 3: Embracing the Future Vision of the Church

God has a vision for the future of the church, and we must not become too familiar or complacent with the current state of things. We need faith to believe in what God has said will happen, and we must actively work towards these prophecies. We must not become familiar with one another, with God, with the leadership, and with the vision. [39:04]

Habakkuk 2:2-3 - "Then the LORD replied: 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'"

Reflection: How can you actively work towards the future vision of the church?

Day 4: Guarding Against Familiarity

Familiarity can lead to complacency and a lack of respect. We must guard against this by maintaining a spirit of repentance and humility. We need to recognize the dangers of familiarity and repent for any area where it has taken roots. [44:56]

Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to guard against familiarity?

Day 5: Maintaining Boundaries and Respect

While open communication and approachability are important, it's also crucial to maintain certain boundaries for the sake of respect and understanding. Leaders need to be approachable, but they also need their personal space and time. We must respect these boundaries and understand that they are necessary for the health of the church. [49:45]

Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: How can you better respect the boundaries of your leaders and fellow church members?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, the pastor underscores the importance of maintaining a sense of awe and reverence towards God, spiritual leaders, and fellow believers. The congregation is urged to identify and rectify any areas where familiarity has taken root, as this can lead to a decrease in faith. The pastor also emphasizes the need for open communication and trust between the church leadership and the congregation, while also maintaining respect and setting healthy boundaries.

The sermon also focuses on the future of the church, particularly the upcoming launch of a new church in Amsterdam. The pastor uses the biblical example of Jerusalem's restoration to illustrate that prophecies require action and faith from believers to come to fruition. The congregation is called upon to shift their mindset and actions, especially the leaders, to fulfill the apostolic work ahead.

The pastor further discusses the need to guard against familiarity within the church community. The congregation is reminded of the prophecies spoken about their move to Amsterdam and the changes that will come with the move to the new building. The pastor emphasizes that the new building will be unique and have an international impact, and likens their mission to the anointing of Nehemiah to build and war.

The sermon also delves into the importance of setting boundaries in relationships within the church community. The pastor acknowledges the value of connecting with others and being open to feedback and dialogue, but also stresses the need for healthy boundaries to prevent constant invasion of personal space. The pastor encourages constructive feedback and ideas over complaints, and highlights the importance of maintaining respect and avoiding its erosion.

Finally, the pastor discusses the significance of humility in navigating relationships with leaders and emphasizes the need for support and accountability within the church community. The congregation is encouraged to embrace change and remain focused on their mission.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Sermon Clips

"We need to recognize the authority and responsibility that leaders have and also understand that God placed them in those roles." [45:38]

"Just because God many years ago prophesied certain things doesn't mean it's automatically going to happen... we need Faith to believe in what God said will happen." [39:04]

"A lot will change when we move into the new building. It will be nothing that we have prepared for. It will be so different and unique that it's going to turn our world upside down." [42:20]

"I maintain certain boundaries of respect in this relationship. He is the one who is in charge, he is my father. Now of course we know each other very well, so I know sometimes what he wants. This is how we need to develop relationships - humility to navigate relationships with leaders." [51:40]

"God is going to do tremendous things in Amsterdam... but what God said to me is that the people and the leaders specifically will have to make a shift in their actions, but mainly a shift in their mindset." [41:43]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?