Embracing Faith: The Power of Jesus' Name
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound power and grace found in the name and blood of Jesus, as well as the importance of applying His presence in our lives. We began with a story of an evangelist who engaged in a conversation with an atheist, illustrating that just as soap must be applied to cleanse, so must the blood of Jesus be applied to our lives to cleanse us from sin. This analogy serves as a reminder that faith requires action and personal engagement with God's promises.
We then delved into the story of Moses' early life from Exodus, highlighting God's sovereignty and provision. Moses, born to Levite parents, was hidden for three months before being placed in a basket and set among the reeds of the Nile. This act of faith by his mother, and the subsequent intervention by Pharaoh's daughter, showcases God's miraculous ability to protect and provide even in dire circumstances. The narrative emphasizes the importance of trusting God's plan, even when it seems contrary to human logic.
The sermon also touched on the story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison, as recounted in the book of Acts. This story serves as a powerful testament to God's ability to break the chains that bind us, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. It encourages us to live in the freedom that Christ offers and to share our testimonies of His goodness with others.
Finally, we discussed the critical role of discipleship in the church. The call to make disciples is not just a command but a vital part of our spiritual growth and the expansion of God's kingdom. We are challenged to engage in life groups, fostering community and accountability, and to actively participate in the Great Commission by making disciples who make disciples.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith Requires Action: Just as soap must be applied to cleanse, the blood of Jesus must be actively embraced in our lives to cleanse us from sin. Faith is not passive; it requires us to engage with God's promises and apply them to our lives. [30:41]
2. God's Sovereignty in Unlikely Circumstances: The story of Moses' early life demonstrates God's ability to work through unlikely circumstances and people to fulfill His purposes. Trusting in God's plan, even when it defies human logic, is essential for experiencing His provision and protection. [47:03]
3. Freedom in Christ: Peter's miraculous escape from prison illustrates the freedom that Christ offers. Just as Peter's chains fell off, we too can experience liberation from the chains of sin and shame through Jesus. This freedom compels us to share our testimonies with others. [56:46]
4. The Importance of Discipleship: The call to make disciples is a fundamental aspect of our faith journey. Engaging in life groups and fostering community helps us grow spiritually and fulfill the Great Commission. Discipleship is not optional but a vital part of expanding God's kingdom. [01:03:52]
5. Living Testimonies of God's Grace: Our lives should be living testimonies of God's grace and power. By sharing our stories and experiences of God's goodness, we can lead others to the life-changing truth of Jesus. Our joy and transformation should be evident to those around us. [01:01:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [29:40] - The Power of Jesus' Name
- [30:41] - Faith Requires Action
- [32:33] - Living Testimonies
- [44:18] - Introduction to Exodus
- [46:11] - Moses' Early Life
- [47:03] - God's Sovereignty
- [52:14] - Miriam's Courage
- [53:29] - God's Redemptive Plan
- [54:53] - Moses in Pharaoh's Household
- [55:53] - Peter's Miraculous Escape
- [56:46] - Freedom in Christ
- [57:55] - The Power of Prayer
- [01:02:33] - The Role of Life Groups
- [01:03:52] - The Call to Discipleship
- [01:07:04] - Living in Freedom
- [01:14:32] - Responding to God's Call
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 2:1-10 - The birth and early life of Moses.
2. Acts 12:1-17 - Peter's miraculous escape from prison.
#### Observation Questions
1. What analogy did the evangelist use to explain the necessity of applying the blood of Jesus to our lives? How did the atheist respond to this analogy? [30:41]
2. How did Moses' mother demonstrate faith in God's protection and provision during his early life? [46:11]
3. Describe the sequence of events that led to Peter's escape from prison. What role did the angel play in this story? [56:46]
4. What was the response of the people praying for Peter when they realized he was at the door? How did this reflect their faith? [57:55]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the analogy of soap and the blood of Jesus illustrate the concept of active faith? Why is it important for believers to apply this concept in their lives? [30:41]
2. In what ways does the story of Moses' early life demonstrate God's sovereignty and provision in unlikely circumstances? How can this encourage believers today? [47:03]
3. What does Peter's escape from prison teach us about the freedom that Christ offers? How can this story inspire believers to live in that freedom? [56:46]
4. How does the call to discipleship relate to the Great Commission, and why is it considered a vital part of spiritual growth and church expansion? [01:03:52]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the analogy of soap and the blood of Jesus. How can you actively apply the promises of God in your daily life to experience spiritual cleansing and growth? [30:41]
2. Consider a situation in your life where trusting God's plan seems illogical. How can the story of Moses' early life encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty and provision? [47:03]
3. Identify any "chains" in your life that may be holding you back from experiencing the freedom Christ offers. What steps can you take to break free from these chains and live in the freedom of Christ? [56:46]
4. How can you actively participate in discipleship within your church community? What steps can you take to engage in life groups and foster accountability and spiritual growth? [01:03:52]
5. Think of a personal testimony of God's grace in your life. How can you share this story with others to lead them to the life-changing truth of Jesus? [01:01:31]
6. Reflect on the importance of prayer in your life. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer for others, especially those who are not yet believers? [57:55]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to respond to God's call to make disciples who make disciples? How can you overcome any barriers that may be preventing you from fulfilling this call? [01:03:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith in Action
Faith is not passive; it requires active engagement with God's promises. Just as soap must be applied to cleanse, the blood of Jesus must be actively embraced in our lives to cleanse us from sin. This analogy highlights the necessity of personal involvement in our faith journey. Faith is not merely a belief but a call to action, urging us to apply the teachings and promises of God in our daily lives. By doing so, we experience the transformative power of Jesus, leading to a life that reflects His grace and truth. [30:41]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Identify one promise of God that you have not actively applied in your life. What steps can you take today to begin living out this promise?
Day 2: Trusting God's Sovereignty
The story of Moses' early life demonstrates God's ability to work through unlikely circumstances and people to fulfill His purposes. Born during a time of oppression, Moses was hidden by his mother and later discovered by Pharaoh's daughter, showcasing God's miraculous provision and protection. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when it defies human logic. By surrendering our understanding and embracing His sovereignty, we open ourselves to experiencing His divine intervention and guidance in our lives. [47:03]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life that seems illogical or challenging. How can you trust God's sovereignty and provision in this circumstance today?
Day 3: Experiencing Freedom in Christ
Peter's miraculous escape from prison illustrates the freedom that Christ offers. Just as Peter's chains fell off, we too can experience liberation from the chains of sin and shame through Jesus. This freedom is not just a personal gift but a testimony to be shared with others, encouraging them to seek the same liberation. By living in the freedom Christ provides, we become living testimonies of His power and grace, inspiring others to pursue a relationship with Him. [56:46]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel bound or restricted? How can you invite Jesus to bring freedom to this area today?
Day 4: The Call to Discipleship
The call to make disciples is a fundamental aspect of our faith journey. Engaging in life groups and fostering community helps us grow spiritually and fulfill the Great Commission. Discipleship is not optional but a vital part of expanding God's kingdom. By investing in relationships and encouraging others in their faith, we participate in a cycle of growth and transformation that extends beyond ourselves, impacting the world for Christ. [01:03:52]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally invest in and disciple? What steps can you take to begin this journey with them today?
Day 5: Living Testimonies of God's Grace
Our lives should be living testimonies of God's grace and power. By sharing our stories and experiences of God's goodness, we can lead others to the life-changing truth of Jesus. Our joy and transformation should be evident to those around us, serving as a beacon of hope and encouragement. As we live out our faith authentically, we invite others to witness the reality of God's love and grace in action. [01:01:31]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you witnessed God's grace in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone who needs encouragement today?
Quotes
And the evangelist said, I can put the soap right next to you. And if you're dirty, the presence of it just being next to you is not enough to make you clean. You have to grab the soap and apply it to your life so that you can see the results of the soap washing your body. [00:30:03] (22 seconds)
He said, the same thing is true with the same thing that you do with the same thing that you do with the same thing that you do with the spirit, with the blood of Jesus. You have to allow his presence, allow his word, allow his blood to come over you so that he can wash. [00:30:25] (16 seconds)
And I have conversations with other Christians and other evangelists, and there's just something different about when you speak. Why are you much more powerful than they are? He said, my answer is not going to help you in any way. I can't speak for them or anyone else, but I can tell you that the blood of Jesus has changed me, and I am a living testimony of his goodness in my life. Absolutely, amen. [00:31:03] (31 seconds)
When Israel, Jacob had his sons, they kind of made the 12 tribes of Israel and they were to take land and take ownership of different areas. The Levites were kind of a unique group of people that were set apart to be kind of guards of the temple. They were the priests in the area. And so they had multiple places that they stayed. But their goal, their job was really to guard the temple, to proclaim God and to just make sure that the priestly hood was moving forward and empowering other believers in the way of God. And so a Levite was kind of like a really holy, set apart person. [00:45:06] (46 seconds)
God put all of these pieces together for one purpose. For one redemptive story so that his people could be rescued. And we're going to get into that in the weeks ahead. It's such a great story of God's provision, such a great story of God's power. I mean, to think that Moses is now in the presence of the enemy, the one who was saying, kill these babies. Now he's in the household. With them. Who can do that? Only God. [00:54:11] (42 seconds)
They're praying for God to somehow rescue Peter from prison because they know he's going to die for belief in Jesus. And so the scripture reads, Peter is on the floor. And it says an angel of the Lord struck him. I don't know if it was a slap in the face. I don't know if it was a stick in his arm. I just wonder. I don't know. But it got his attention. And the angel said, get up. [00:56:27] (30 seconds)
And scripture says as he gets up, the chains that were on him fell off. There was no hammering of a hammer. There was no scissor. They just fell off. Angel says, put the clothes on. Wrap yourself. Let's go. And so they go. Scripture says they went through many guards, many people who were supposed to keep him in there. And it's as if they have like an invisible cloak on or something. And they just walk through. [00:56:58] (34 seconds)
And the journey that God has been taking him down is so powerful. And he's like, Dad, I remember when you were praying and we prayed for these things and God showed up. And I started writing these things down. I was like, please continue to write the things that God is doing. Do not forget them. And so I'm sharing this story of Peter like emphatically, like this story is crazy. [01:00:04] (22 seconds)
But the goal for our life groups is to grow big, small. I don't want to just fill this place up with people in warm bodies. I want everyone in this room to be a part of the body through biblical prayer, through biblical Bible study, through biblical fellowship, so that we can grow into the men and the women God has called us to be. Everyone in this room, God has a plan for your life, and it's not to be wasted. [01:02:36] (30 seconds)
And then I said, do you really believe discipleship is one of the greatest ways that we can grow the kingdom of God? He said, absolutely it is. You believe it with all your heart? Yes. How many disciples have you made this past year? Zero. Zero. I love my brother and he loves the Lord. I'm not cutting him down because there's probably people in this room that last year you made no disciples last year. [01:04:51] (38 seconds)
Lord, but the truth is, everyone in this room has been bound by chains of some kind of shame, of guilt, of pride, of gossip, of every sin known to mankind. It has been, they've been in chains, Lord. But those who have found freedom in Jesus, those chains have fallen off. So, Lord, we're asking for your help to live in that freedom, that we're no longer bound, but we have been set free. [01:07:02] (30 seconds)
And we would see more people walking in grocery stores or restaurants or gymnasiums with a smile on their face because you abide in them. So, Lord, we believe you have led us to take the biblical model of church growth and apply it here at this church. So all we're trying to do, Lord, is follow your word and your spirit. And so would you move in the hearts of my brothers and my sisters in this room that they would sign up wherever you're leading them. And they can begin this journey of life group, but more importantly, making disciples who make disciples. [01:07:59] (43 seconds)
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