Embracing Faith: Boldness, Community, and the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing New Life Through Baptism

Baptism is not merely a ritual; it is a profound testimony of a personal transformation and a public declaration of a new journey in faith. It represents the burial of the old self and the emergence of a new creation, cleansed and reborn in the image of Christ. This sacred act is a celebration that extends beyond the individual to the entire church community, as they witness and affirm the commitment to walk in obedience to the teachings of Jesus. The joy that accompanies each baptism is a reflection of the collective support and encouragement provided by the church family, reinforcing the belief that this step is not taken alone but with the strength and love of a wider spiritual family. The act of baptism, as observed with over 50 individuals at Crossroads, is a milestone that signifies a collective growth and a shared dedication to the path of righteousness. [22:30]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Reflection: How does your own baptism shape your daily walk with Christ, and in what ways can you renew this commitment today?

Day 2: Nurturing Faith in the Next Generation

The dedication of children is a covenant not only between the parents and God but also involves the wider church community. It is a solemn promise to raise the child in the knowledge and love of the Lord, guiding them towards a future where they can embrace the story of Jesus as their own. This dedication is a commitment to provide a nurturing environment, filled with love, teaching, and examples of godly living. It is a shared responsibility, where each member of the church pledges to be a mentor, a role model, and a source of spiritual support for the child as they grow. The church becomes an extended family, invested in the spiritual welfare of its youngest members, ensuring that they are equipped to discover and fulfill their God-given potential. [36:27]

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." - Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV

Reflection: In what tangible ways can you contribute to the spiritual growth of a child in your church community this week?

Day 3: Bold Faith in the Face of Adversity

The boldness of faith is characterized by a humble confidence that stands firm in the face of opposition. It is not about arrogance but about trusting in the power of God to prevail in challenging circumstances. The apostles Peter and John exemplified this boldness when they healed a man in the name of Jesus and faced persecution without wavering in their faith. Their courage to speak the truth of the Gospel, even before those who opposed them, serves as a powerful example for believers today. This kind of boldness comes from an unwavering faith and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to stand firm in their convictions and to see God's hand at work, even when human plans fail. [01:17:04]

"But Peter and John answered them, 'Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.'" - Acts 4:19-20 ESV

Reflection: When have you experienced a situation where you needed to stand firm in your faith, and how can you prepare yourself for the next challenge?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Sovereign Plan

Understanding that our plans may not align with God's plans is a fundamental aspect of faith. The apostles' experience of imprisonment, rather than being a setback, became an opportunity for the Gospel to reach influential leaders. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and to recognize that every circumstance, even the unexpected or challenging ones, is part of His divine plan. Believers are called to see beyond immediate obstacles and to trust that God is working all things for good, even when the path is not clear. This trust in God's sovereignty encourages a heart of obedience and a readiness to follow His lead, wherever it may go. [54:41]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 ESV

Reflection: Can you identify a recent event in your life that seemed negative but could be part of God's plan for you?

Day 5: Continually Filled with the Holy Spirit

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous journey that believers are called to pursue. The apostles were repeatedly filled with the Spirit, which enabled them to reflect the character and power of Jesus in their lives. This daily infilling is essential for living a life that is under the influence of the Holy Spirit, transforming believers and impacting those around them. The Spirit's presence brings about a change in actions and attitudes, aligning them with the will of God and empowering believers to live out their faith with authenticity and power. [01:18:37]

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." - Ephesians 5:18 ESV

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to seek a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit in your life?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the transformative power of faith and the steps we take to express our commitment to the Lord. We witnessed the joyous occasion of baptism, a public declaration of faith, where over 50 individuals participated, marking a record at Crossroads. This act of obedience to Jesus Christ signifies a new life, a rebirth in the Spirit, which we all had the privilege to support and cheer for in our family room, the heart of our church community.

We also had the tender moment of dedicating children to the Lord. This dedication is not just a moment for the families but for our entire church family to commit to supporting, mentoring, and nurturing these young lives. It's a promise to guide them in the ways of the Lord until they can claim the story of Jesus as their own.

The core of today's message centered on the boldness of faith as exemplified by the apostles Peter and John in the book of Acts. They faced persecution and imprisonment for healing a man in the name of Jesus, yet they remained steadfast. Their unwavering faith and the subsequent filling of the Holy Spirit empowered them to speak the truth of the Gospel with courage, even before the very authorities that opposed them.

We were reminded that our plans are not always God's plans. The apostles' unexpected imprisonment became an opportunity for God to open doors for the Gospel to be shared with influential leaders. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and to see every circumstance as part of His divine plan.

The sermon concluded with a call to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Just as the apostles were repeatedly filled, we too should seek daily infilling to ensure that our lives reflect the character and power of Jesus. It's not about a one-time experience but a continuous journey of being under the influence of the Holy Spirit, which transforms us and impacts those around us.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What significant event led to Peter and John being arrested in Acts 4? ([50:17])
How did Peter and John respond when questioned by the authorities about the healing of the man? ([51:08])
What was the reaction of the Sanhedrin council to Peter and John's boldness and the miracle they performed? ([01:03:32])
What did the early believers pray for after Peter and John were released from custody? ([01:15:00])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Peter and John were able to speak so boldly before the Sanhedrin council despite being uneducated and untrained? ([01:05:08])
How does the apostles' imprisonment and subsequent release demonstrate the concept of God's sovereignty in unexpected circumstances? ([54:02])
What does it mean to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit, as seen in the apostles' experience in Acts 4? ([01:18:04])
How does the communal lifestyle of the early church, as described in Acts 4:32-35, reflect the transformative power of the Holy Spirit? ([01:24:01])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced opposition for your faith. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Peter and John's example of boldness? ([01:05:02])
The sermon emphasized the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, even when our plans don't align with His. Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust God's plan more fully? ([54:02])
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is described as an ongoing process. What daily practices can you incorporate to seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit in your life? ([01:18:04])
Child dedication was highlighted as a communal commitment. How can you actively support and mentor the children in your church community? ([37:30])
The early church shared their possessions and took care of each other's needs. What practical steps can you take to foster a similar sense of community and generosity in your small group or church? ([01:24:01])
The sermon mentioned the importance of not just having religious knowledge but truly being transformed by Jesus. How can you ensure that your faith is not just a veneer over your old self but a genuine transformation? ([01:10:00])
How can you cultivate a humble boldness in your faith, ensuring that you stand firm in your convictions while remaining humble and approachable? ([01:17:01])

Sermon Clips

- "Perfectionism is the enemy of grace... because the core of the gospel is the fact that all of us need to be saved because none of us get everything right." [01:27:23] (Download | )

- "We live in a day and age where say whatever you do don't be on the wrong side of history... what God says is the case is what matters." [01:00:53] (Download | )

- "We love education here at Crossroads. But I hope that when someone knows you... they're like, 'man that person's been with Jesus' because there is a quality to someone who has been with Jesus that is unique." [01:06:14] (Download | )

- "For those of you who are here today who have put your faith and trust in God, you need to learn how to trust in God's brilliant plans, not our plans that we came up with." [55:31] (Download | )

- "We want to be so filled with the Holy Spirit that if someone bumps into us they get wet... Lord will you fill me again." [01:20:16] (Download | )

- "No matter what anyone says we need to always speak of Jesus... because you see what goes on here notice as Peter's done speaking, it says that they saw Peter and John's boldness." [01:13:18] (Download | )

- "A humble boldness is needed... Lord in the face of opposition let me be bold... And I call it a humble boldness because we live in a day and age where I'm learning now it's all in the nuance." [01:17:04] (Download | )

- "A healthy church... because they were filled with the spirit because God was working... What we find now is that those who believe they had one heart and one soul." [01:24:22] (Download | )

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