Day 1: Spiritual Family as a Foundation for Growth
Finding a spiritual home in the church is akin to the comfort and belonging one feels in their own family. This community is where individuals learn, grow, and support one another in their faith journey. For many, the church becomes a place of spiritual growth and community, a beacon of faith and love. It is essential to cherish this spiritual family, as it provides a sense of belonging and a foundation for spiritual growth. The church is not just a building but a living body of believers who encourage and uplift each other. [01:17]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:23-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to offer encouragement or support in their faith journey?
Day 2: Passing the Torch of Faith
Like a relay race, the faith must be passed on to the next generation. This involves teaching them about God's works and commandments, ensuring that they too can carry the torch of faith with integrity and passion. It is crucial to instill in the younger generation the values and teachings of the faith, so they can continue to uphold and live out these principles. By doing so, the church remains a vibrant and living testament to God's love and truth. [03:39]
"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: What is one practical way you can share your faith with a younger person in your life this week?
Day 3: The Remnant's Commitment to Truth
Throughout history, God's true followers have often been a small remnant, committed to living out His truth. This remnant is characterized by a deep commitment to God's word and a willingness to stand apart from the larger, often complacent religious institutions. It is a call to remain vigilant and steadfast in one's faith, even when it means standing alone. The remnant serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the purity and integrity of one's faith. [05:24]
"So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace." (Romans 11:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your commitment to God's truth remains strong, even when faced with opposition or complacency around you?
Day 4: Emulating Christ's Humility
Jesus exemplified humility not through sin, but through His commitment to doing the Father's will. This humility is about reliance on God and a desire to please Him above all else. It is a humility that leads to grace and spiritual growth. As believers, it is essential to strive to emulate this humility, recognizing that apart from God, we can do nothing. True humility is not about self-deprecation but about a deep reliance on God. [25:46]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice humility by putting others' needs before your own this week?
Day 5: The Church as a Pillar of Truth
The church's mission is to uphold and proclaim the truth of living a godly life through Christ. This involves teaching and living out the principles of faith, love, and righteousness, ensuring that these truths are passed on to future generations. The church serves as a pillar and support of the truth, a beacon of hope and guidance in a world that often strays from these values. It is a call to remain steadfast in one's commitment to these principles. [39:43]
"But if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church's mission of being a pillar of truth in your community this week?
Sermon Summary
Finding a home in the church is a profound blessing, akin to the comfort and belonging one feels in their own family. For 43 years, this church has been my family, a place where spiritual growth and community have flourished. As we look to the future, it is crucial to pass on this spirit to the next generation, ensuring that the church remains a beacon of faith and love. Psalm 78 reminds us of the importance of teaching the next generation about God's wondrous works, so they too can put their confidence in Him and keep His commandments.
The history of Christianity shows that God's true people have often been a small remnant, not found in the large, recognized religious institutions. This remnant, like David's followers or Jesus' disciples, has always been committed to living out God's truth. The Apostle Paul warned the elders in Ephesus about the dangers of complacency and the need to retain the standard of sound doctrine. This warning is relevant today, as we must be vigilant in maintaining the purity and integrity of our faith.
Humility is a cornerstone of our spiritual journey. Jesus exemplified true humility, not because of sin, but through His unwavering commitment to doing the Father's will. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about a deep reliance on God, recognizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing. As we grow in our faith, we must strive to emulate this humility, seeking to please God above all else.
The church's mission is to be a pillar and support of the truth, proclaiming the possibility of living a godly life through Christ. This involves a commitment to teaching and living out the principles of faith, love, and righteousness. As we move forward, we must continue to emphasize these truths, ensuring that they are passed on to future generations.
In closing, we are reminded of the importance of perseverance and faithfulness. By holding fast to the teachings of Christ and living out our faith with humility and grace, we can be vessels of God's love and truth in the world.
Key Takeaways
1. tuMrs&t=77s'>[01:17] 2. Passing the Baton to the Next Generation: Like a relay race, the faith must be passed on to the next generation. This involves teaching them about God's works and commandments, ensuring that they too can carry the torch of faith with integrity and passion.
3. The Remnant of God's People: Throughout history, God's true followers have often been a small remnant, committed to living out His truth. This remnant is characterized by a deep commitment to God's word and a willingness to stand apart from the larger, often complacent religious institutions.
4. True Humility in Christ: Jesus exemplified humility not through sin, but through His commitment to doing the Father's will. This humility is about reliance on God and a desire to please Him above all else. It is a humility that leads to grace and spiritual growth.
5. The Church as a Pillar of Truth: The church's mission is to uphold and proclaim the truth of living a godly life through Christ. This involves teaching and living out the principles of faith, love, and righteousness, ensuring that these truths are passed on to future generations.
According to Psalm 78, what is the responsibility of one generation to the next regarding God's works and commandments? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on passing the baton of faith? [03:39]
In Acts 20, what warning does Paul give to the elders in Ephesus, and how does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on the dangers of complacency within the church? [06:50]
How does John 15:5 illustrate the concept of reliance on God, as discussed in the sermon? What does it mean to do nothing apart from Christ? [35:25]
What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea of the church as a spiritual family, and how does this concept provide a foundation for spiritual growth? [01:17]
---
Interpretation Questions:
How does the sermon interpret the role of humility in the life of a believer, and how is this exemplified by Jesus according to John 6:38? [25:46]
What does the sermon suggest about the importance of maintaining sound doctrine, and how does this relate to the warnings given in Acts 20? [06:50]
How does the concept of a "remnant" of God's people, as discussed in the sermon, challenge the perception of large religious institutions? What implications does this have for individual believers? [05:24]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church should act as a pillar and support of truth, and how does this mission impact the way believers live out their faith? [39:20]
---
Application Questions:
Reflect on your own experience with your church community. In what ways has it been a spiritual family to you, and how can you contribute to fostering this sense of belonging for others? [01:17]
Consider the next generation in your church. What practical steps can you take to ensure that the faith is passed on with integrity and passion? How can you be a mentor or role model? [03:39]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with pride. What specific actions can you take to cultivate humility in that area? [25:46]
How can you personally uphold the standard of sound doctrine in your church community? What resources or practices can help you stay grounded in biblical truth? [06:50]
Think about a time when you relied on your own strength rather than on God. What was the outcome, and how can you shift your mindset to depend more on Christ in future situations? [35:25]
The sermon discusses the idea of being a remnant. How can you stand firm in your faith even when it means going against the larger cultural or religious trends? [05:24]
What are some ways you can actively participate in your church’s mission to be a pillar of truth? How can you support the teaching and living out of faith, love, and righteousness in your community? [39:20]
Sermon Clips
And if you have found a home in the church like I have found for 43 years, then we will say with me sorry, jajajajaja as CFC Amara which means is the whole world there's no place like CFC. The great tragedy is even in our own homes you know how children grow up and they don't value their home enough until they go away and see how it is elsewhere. I don't know if all of you really value this church if you are a part of it. [00:00:28]
The thing is to continue that spirit in the coming generations because time moves on and when we started Ian and I were the ones who prayed together and before the months before see if she started and I don't say that Ian and I are getting old I just say we're not getting inner so we need to pray that the new generation will rise up everywhere in all the churches that the Lord has planted so that his name will be glorified. [00:01:40]
The reason is that they worst 5 last part should teach them to their children and his asam is concerned about grandchildren that the generation to come might know even those children which are not yet born that they may arise and tell them to their children to the 4th generation and what should they teach them they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of his works of God but keep his Commandments. [00:03:58]
When Jesus went up to heaven he passed that baton to the next person running the race those of the Apostles they took the baton and handed it to the next generation and like that through the years there's always been a remnant not the big churches I mean if you read the history of Christianity, the big books on the history of Christianity tell you about the big big churches the big denominations but the people of God were not usually there the people of God was in a small remnant. [00:04:28]
The Apostle Paul was a human being when you think of Jesus you say oh well he was perfect let's look at Paul second Corinthians in Chapter five, says, second Corinthians five, verse nine, this is our ambition falses, whether we are at home in heaven you read the previous verses you know he's talking about heaven is our home the first aid absent from the body at home with the Lord so whether at home with the Lord in heaven or absent from the Lord here on earth let me paraphrase it, whether I'm in heaven or I am on earth, my one ambition is to please God to please the Lord. [00:27:04]
I want to first to read from Psalm 78 the psalmist is not a psalm of David it's a man called SF who wrote it he says here, verse 3 what we have heard from our fathers and what our fathers have told us we will not conceal them from their children but will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord, some 78 verse 5 and me his strength his wondrous works that he has done. [00:02:35]
The humility of Jesus was seen I'll tell you in one single statement turn with me to John chapter 6 and I believe that is the mark of the humility of a saint not the humility of the sinner the humility of a saint who's living in victory over sin John chapter 6 humility of Jesus is seen and read two or three verses to you and you'll understand it John 6:38 I came from heaven never to do my own will that is true humility. [00:25:04]
I want to hear that word and Jesus comes again I hope you want to hear it too, it's very simple very easy to keep your conscience clear to keep your conscience clear does not mean I have overcome every sin in my life no it means that if I slip up I set it right immediately, meaning of keeping your conscience clear you will never come to victory over sin if you don't start with keeping your conscience clear let me tell you that. [00:15:33]
We have taught in this church the importance of keeping a good conscience before God and before men that's the meaning of they did not spoil their garments and they will walk with me in white because they are worthy, it's an amazing statement in a book like revelation where it says Lord now alone not worthy old Lamb of God thou alone art worthy the Lamb of God turns around to some people sitting in the church in sardis and says you are worthy can you imagine that. [00:15:33]
And in this area what are we stressed we have stressed that this humility is not something we learn from the dictionary, you can look up the dictionary what is the meaning of humility and try to follow that you'll go astray, turn with me to Matthew and verse 29 what have we taught in CFC for 43 years, Jesus said learn from me the middle of that verse 4 I have humble in heart. [00:22:55]
And we must never go astray from being a pillar and support of this truth because there's hardly any other Church that I know around here who's proclaiming that, that we can walk as Jesus walked that we can learn humility from Christ, we can live that life where it want to do our own wheel when you always seek to do God's will in the beginning is difficult you know, like a paralyzed hand if your left hand is paralyzed now you're slowly getting some physiotherapy done too slowly can become a muscular hand one day we have done our own will so many years that we are paralyzed now we are learning something not to do our own will but the will of God we got to do that. [00:39:20]
The church's mission is to be a pillar and support of the truth, proclaiming the possibility of living a godly life through Christ. This involves a commitment to teaching and living out the principles of faith, love, and righteousness. As we move forward, we must continue to emphasize these truths, ensuring that they are passed on to future generations. [00:39:20]