Embracing Childlike Faith: Listening, Acting, and Sharing
Summary
### Summary
Today, we reflected on the importance of coming to God with the heart of a child, embracing simplicity and trust. We were reminded of the transformative power of taking action in response to God's call, as illustrated by Sandra's journey from hearing God's call to serving the poor in Hamilton. The essence of our faith is not just in hearing God's word but in acting upon it, despite the fears and uncertainties that may arise.
We delved into the significance of waiting on the Holy Spirit, as the disciples did in Jerusalem, and the importance of listening to the still, quiet voice of God. The Holy Spirit speaks only what He hears from the Father, guiding us in truth and action. This was exemplified through personal testimonies and experiences, emphasizing that when God speaks, we must listen and act promptly.
The sermon also highlighted the power of testimonies in overcoming the enemy and inspiring others. Testimonies of God's work in our lives, like those of Glenn in Haiti and Sandra in Hamilton, serve as undeniable evidence of God's presence and power. We were encouraged to engage deeply with the Word of God, starting with the book of John, to build a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus.
Additionally, we discussed the practical aspect of our faith through the initiative of providing goats to widows in Nepal. This project not only meets physical needs but also spreads the love of Jesus in tangible ways. The call to action was clear: support this mission and be part of a chain of blessings.
Finally, we were reminded of the importance of sharing Jesus with others, whether through direct evangelism or by supporting those who do. The message concluded with a call to be bold in our faith, ensuring that our families and neighbors know about our relationship with Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Childlike Faith and Action: Embracing a childlike faith means coming to God with simplicity and trust. This faith should lead to action, as seen in Sandra's journey from hearing God's call to serving the poor. True transformation happens when we act on God's call, despite our fears. [24:36]
2. Listening to the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit speaks only what He hears from the Father. We must cultivate the discipline of waiting and listening to the still, quiet voice of God. This guidance is crucial for making decisions that align with God's will. [29:40]
3. Power of Testimonies: Sharing testimonies of God's work in our lives is a powerful tool against the enemy. Testimonies provide undeniable evidence of God's presence and inspire others to trust and act on their faith. [27:04]
4. Engaging with Scripture: Building a personal relationship with Jesus starts with engaging deeply with the Word of God. The book of John is a great starting point for understanding the intimacy and love of Jesus. Regular Bible study strengthens our faith and equips us to share it with others. [35:24]
5. Practical Faith in Action: Supporting initiatives like providing goats to widows in Nepal is a practical way to live out our faith. These actions meet physical needs and spread the love of Jesus, creating a chain of blessings that extends far beyond our immediate reach. [40:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:13] - Opening Prayer
[23:54] - Introduction and Handouts
[24:36] - The Call and Action
[25:23] - Sandra's Story
[26:13] - Out of the Box Faith
[27:04] - Power of Testimonies
[27:51] - Acts 14 and Waiting on the Holy Spirit
[28:45] - Pentecost and Listening to God
[29:40] - John 16:13 and the Holy Spirit
[30:18] - Recognizing God's Voice
[30:50] - Psalm 46:10 and Knowing God
[31:30] - Genesis and the Power of God's Word
[32:14] - Joy of Studying the Word
[33:32] - John 1:1 and the Word Made Flesh
[34:06] - Prison Ministry and the Book of John
[35:24] - Importance of Scripture
[36:28] - Book of Acts and Apostles' Actions
[37:01] - Saul of Tarsus and Transformation
[38:00] - Challenge to Read Scripture
[38:35] - Comfort in God's House
[39:17] - Helping Widows in Nepal
[40:07] - Goat Project Details
[41:20] - Logistics and Costs
[42:17] - Call to Support
[43:08] - Personal Stories and God's Call
[44:30] - Hearing God Speak
[46:42] - Personal Testimony from Haiti
[48:10] - God's Guidance in Everyday Decisions
[49:44] - Wearing Christ
[50:27] - Stroke and Lessons Learned
[51:29] - Completing God's Assignments
[52:39] - Hamilton International Mission Community
[55:01] - Vision for HIMC
[57:14] - James 1:27 and True Religion
[58:31] - Barton Street Jail Ministry
[59:15] - Encounter with a Correctional Officer
[01:01:21] - Revival and Changed Lives
[01:02:29] - Closing Remarks
[01:02:45] - Pat's Reading
[01:05:15] - Sharing Jesus
[01:13:24] - Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 16:13 - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
2. Psalm 46:10 - "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"
3. James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does John 16:13 say about the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on listening to the Holy Spirit? [29:40]
2. According to Psalm 46:10, what are we instructed to do to recognize God's sovereignty? How was this verse used in the sermon to encourage action? [30:50]
3. How does James 1:27 define "pure and faultless" religion? How was this verse connected to the practical faith initiatives mentioned in the sermon, such as the goat project in Nepal? [57:14]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In John 16:13, why is it significant that the Holy Spirit only speaks what He hears from the Father? How does this impact our understanding of divine guidance? [29:40]
2. Psalm 46:10 calls us to "be still" and know that God is sovereign. How can this stillness lead to recognizing and acting on God's assignments in our lives? [30:50]
3. James 1:27 emphasizes caring for orphans and widows. How does this practical aspect of faith challenge our usual understanding of religious practice? How did the sermon illustrate this through the goat project in Nepal? [57:14]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a clear call from God but were hesitant to act. What fears or uncertainties held you back, and how did you overcome them? [24:36]
2. How can you cultivate a habit of listening to the Holy Spirit in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are hearing and acting on God's guidance? [29:40]
3. Think about a testimony of God's work in your life. How can sharing this testimony help others in their faith journey? Who can you share it with this week? [27:04]
4. The sermon encouraged engaging deeply with Scripture, starting with the book of John. What specific plan can you set to read and reflect on the book of John this month? [35:24]
5. The goat project in Nepal was highlighted as a practical way to live out faith. What local or global initiative can you support to meet physical needs and spread the love of Jesus? [40:07]
6. How can you be more intentional about sharing your faith with your family and neighbors? What specific actions can you take to ensure they know about your relationship with Jesus? [05:15]
7. Reflect on the importance of waiting on the Holy Spirit as the disciples did in Jerusalem. How can you incorporate periods of waiting and listening into your spiritual practice? [28:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Childlike Faith and Take Action
Embracing a childlike faith means coming to God with simplicity and trust. This kind of faith is not passive but active, leading us to respond to God's call even when we face fears and uncertainties. Sandra's journey from hearing God's call to serving the poor in Hamilton is a powerful example of this. She didn't let her fears hold her back but stepped out in faith, trusting that God would guide and provide for her. True transformation in our lives happens when we act on God's call, despite our fears. [24:36]
Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): "And said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take action? How can you step out in faith and trust Him today?
Day 2: Cultivate the Discipline of Listening to the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit speaks only what He hears from the Father, guiding us in truth and action. Cultivating the discipline of waiting and listening to the still, quiet voice of God is crucial for making decisions that align with His will. Just as the disciples waited in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, we too must learn to be patient and attentive to God's guidance. This practice helps us to recognize His voice and follow His lead in our daily lives. [29:40]
John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance? What steps can you take to be more attentive to His voice?
Day 3: Share the Power of Testimonies
Sharing testimonies of God's work in our lives is a powerful tool against the enemy. Testimonies provide undeniable evidence of God's presence and inspire others to trust and act on their faith. Personal stories, like those of Glenn in Haiti and Sandra in Hamilton, serve as living proof of God's transformative power. When we share our experiences, we not only glorify God but also encourage others to seek and trust Him more deeply. [27:04]
Revelation 12:11 (ESV): "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death."
Reflection: Think of a recent experience where you saw God's hand at work in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone who needs encouragement today?
Day 4: Engage Deeply with Scripture
Building a personal relationship with Jesus starts with engaging deeply with the Word of God. The book of John is a great starting point for understanding the intimacy and love of Jesus. Regular Bible study strengthens our faith and equips us to share it with others. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we gain a deeper understanding of God's character and His will for our lives, enabling us to live out our faith more effectively. [35:24]
John 1:1-2 (ESV): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."
Reflection: How can you make Bible study a more consistent part of your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God's Word?
Day 5: Live Out Practical Faith in Action
Supporting initiatives like providing goats to widows in Nepal is a practical way to live out our faith. These actions meet physical needs and spread the love of Jesus, creating a chain of blessings that extends far beyond our immediate reach. By participating in such projects, we demonstrate the tangible love of Christ and make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need. This practical expression of faith not only helps others but also strengthens our own walk with God. [40:07]
James 2:15-17 (ESV): "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can show the love of Jesus to someone in need this week? How can you support a mission or initiative that aligns with your faith?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "First there's a call. And then there's fear. And then there's a confirmation. And then there's a decision that takes action. And then there's a changed life. So it was so cool, Robin. It was so cool to see Sandra down on Ferguson Street on a Wednesday night because she heard the message. It's really cool. Because if we don't take action, if we don't take some sort of action, in my opinion, and I think it bears some fruit with many people, and they're fruit. Glenn is certainly one. If you don't take action, how can you have any fruit?" (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I just fell in love with Jesus in 1995. And I've experienced him. So to put this word together, when God speaks, he has spoken. I was in Haiti with Glenn, and I saw Glenn preaching down there at a seminary, and God was speaking. Who? Glenn. Because Glenn went down there to do that. So God must have spoke to him. Why Haiti? I think he was off in another country last year as well. So I try and be funny when I say this, but I say I'm a Godaholic and a testimonialholic. And it's so true." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When I think of the reality of that, that they went and they waited, and they were praying, 120 in that room, and the Holy Spirit came, and that's Pentecost. I hear Pentecost Sunday. You'll get the Pentecostal people. I'm with a lot of them, you know, and I love them because they love the Lord, and they're going to stand up and let you know, you know. But they waited. They waited. John 16-13. John 16-13 is a favorite verse of mine because John 16-13 says, the Holy Spirit only says what he hears the Father say. The Holy Spirit only says what he hears the Father say. So if the Holy Spirit is speaking, he's speaking on behalf of the Father." (49 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I told you these things that in me you'll have peace. You don't have Jesus, you don't have peace. I don't care who you are. You do not have peace. And everyone needs Jesus. We need Jesus. We've got Jesus. But if we don't lean on Jesus, we don't have the peace. He says, in this world you're going to have trouble, but take heart, I've overcome the world. One verse in the book of John, and I can go on when I'm in there, I can get talking with the groups and stuff like that, and they're hungry." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If we're not sharing Jesus, we'd miss the whole message. And some people are just not comfortable doing it, and I get it. So if you're not comfortable doing it, you get somebody else. You team up, sentiment two by two, get someone else. But if your family doesn't know who you are, and your neighbor doesn't know that you're a Christian, that you're coming to Grace United Church, and you're coming here because of Jesus Christ, and that they've got to know Jesus, it's not just coming to church in Kumballa, it is knowing Jesus Christ." (91 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When I was praying about this, I thought, okay, what do I say? How do preachers like Glenn get a sermon together and get a one, two, three-point sermon? And they work at it all week long. I don't have the patience, and I don't have that. You know what I mean? But I really believe that God showed me this because I wanted to be prepared to share when God speaks. So you've heard. I don't want to take the time to put it up now and read it again. But what it told me this week was, in Acts 1-4, was we've got to wait. He said, wait in Jerusalem. I'm going to send you the Comforter. I'm going to send you the Holy Spirit. Wait in Jerusalem. That's like telling us here, okay, wait in, go to Brantford and wait there." (56 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When God spoke, let there be light, and there was light. crazy. Now I see why the Glenn and others and guys that I respect very much preach every Sunday and that. I see why they get such joy studying all week long, because they get a chance to experience that all week. But then I'm thinking for you all and for myself, we can have that too. We can have that too. We If it's a Bible study, if I'm involved in a men's group, we have a prayer group on a Monday and stuff, we get into the Word, well, you've got to get up early, 7 o'clock in the morning. We're still on Zoom, but we're in the Word of God. And it's just incredible what happens. So we can have what Glenn has all week long." (50 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you know it's God, and God says to you to do something, I encourage people, I'm going to get into the widows and stuff in a minute, but I encourage you that when you hear and you know that it's God, because my sheep know my voice, then you react as fast as you can. If he's saying support that, do that, shut up, do this, make that email. You got to do it as quick as you can. Why? Because you know it's God. So that's the four verses, Acts and John and Psalms. When I tried to dig a little bit deeper, I thought I'd be like a preacher guy, you know, and like a pastor Glenn, because I love him so much. You know, he's your pastor. He was my pastor at St. John United for years. We went to Haiti a couple times together. So I just love the way he drills down. You have him, so you know what I'm saying." (58 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I want to share the stories when God speaks. And people would say to me, you know, and I get it enough, because I'm like this all the time. You're telling me that God speaks? You've heard God speak? I want to cry. And I say, yes, I have. Yeah, I have. In 1995. I'm in Haiti. My first mission trip. And the voodoo drums are beating. It's my very first mission trip. We're building schools. They built now, Joy and Hope in Haiti, they built 25 schools. They're still there, supporting the schools, Christian education, all that. Way back. 1995. First mission trip. I just got saved, accepted Jesus in 1994. A friend of mine said, you're going to be a Christian, you should do something about it. I said, you're right. Well, come on to Haiti. Well, that'll be interesting. I had no idea that that would be one of, Haiti is so beautiful. And the people are so beautiful. And all of what you hear, they're so poor. But they love Jesus. they've got darkness. And it's called voodoo. And devil worship. And anything else you can, witchcraft. You can't imagine the darkness there. But then there's a light of Jesus Christ. That's there." (76 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In 2010, I had a major stroke. And, it wasn't good. So, as a result of that stroke, I ended up getting healthy. I ended up doing some, a triathlon and stuff. So, I ended up, you know, getting, feeling good. When I come out of the hospital, I, no, when I was in the hospital, before I come out, okay, here's what I felt him saying. It was weird. Don't waste pain. What's that? Don't waste pain. I guess it must be so simple. He just gives me short ones, eh? Don't waste pain. Okay. I've learned that that's physical and mental now. Not just physical pain, it's mental pain. Don't waste it. Jesus, by his stripes, we were healed. Like there's a, in pain, you're better. Look at what you went through last year. You're better. You made it through the pain. Okay? You didn't waste it. And then he said, the second time was, when I give you an assignment, complete it. And I go, Lord, that's pretty interesting. Because by this time, I had already been doing missionary stuff in that. When you give me an assignment, complete it. How am I going to know which ones are assignments? Because I've got such a hyper, doot, doot, doot. They all can't be yours because it's impossible to do them all. And sometimes I run myself down and get tired. People say, Art, you got to slow down. I said, I'm not even getting started. Like I like going. I like to see stuff happen. So I said, Lord, I want to know when your assignments. And he told me, is so beautiful. Psalm 46, 10. Be still and know that I'm God. Be still. Sit, shut up. If you sit longer, sit longer. If you're hyper like me, go for a run and sit some more. be still and know that I'm God." (127 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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