Embracing Freedom and Community Through Christ
Summary
Welcome to Liberty Church! Today, we gathered to partake in communion, a sacred act that reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice and the covenant between God and His people. Communion is not just a ritual; it is a profound reminder of the victory we have through Jesus' death and resurrection. As we took the bread and the cup, we remembered His body broken for us and His blood shed for our sins, paving the way for our freedom and victory in Him.
Our mission at Liberty Church is clear and simple: it is all about Jesus and people. We are committed to reaching all people with the good news and great joy of Jesus. Without Jesus, our faith is just a set of rules, but with Him, it becomes a source of everlasting joy and transformation. Our mission is to guide individuals from the crowd into the church, where they can experience true freedom and authentic community. We are called to make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded.
True freedom comes from living under the authority of Jesus Christ. Many people are bound by the things of this world, but Jesus came to set us free. Transformation begins when we align our lives with God's Word, allowing Him to change us into new creations. This transformation is not just about changing our actions but also our thoughts, motivations, and desires.
At Liberty, we believe that faith is a communal mission. We are called to be the church in action, actively engaging our faith through connection and service. We are launching small groups, or tribes, to build community and support one another in our faith journeys. Serving in the church helps us discover our purpose and live out our calling in God. The Great Commission is not just about reaching the lost but also about discipling new believers and helping them grow in their faith.
Key Takeaways:
1. Communion as a Reminder of Victory: Communion is a sacred act that reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice and the victory we have through His death and resurrection. It is a time to reflect on His body broken for us and His blood shed for our sins, paving the way for our freedom and victory in Him. [14:09]
2. Mission of Liberty Church: Our mission is clear and simple: it is all about Jesus and people. We are committed to reaching all people with the good news and great joy of Jesus. Without Jesus, our faith is just a set of rules, but with Him, it becomes a source of everlasting joy and transformation. [39:16]
3. True Freedom in Christ: True freedom comes from living under the authority of Jesus Christ. Many people are bound by the things of this world, but Jesus came to set us free. Transformation begins when we align our lives with God's Word, allowing Him to change us into new creations. [43:45]
4. Faith as a Communal Mission: At Liberty, we believe that faith is a communal mission. We are called to be the church in action, actively engaging our faith through connection and service. We are launching small groups, or tribes, to build community and support one another in our faith journeys. [59:16]
5. Fulfilling the Great Commission: The Great Commission is not just about reaching the lost but also about discipling new believers and helping them grow in their faith. We are responsible for carrying out the Great Commission in community and service, making disciples and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded. [01:13:18]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[14:09] - Communion: A Reminder of Victory
[29:18] - Finding Peace and Freedom in Christ
[35:30] - Church App and Community Connection
[38:32] - Mission of Liberty Church
[40:33] - Simple Mission: People
[41:39] - Vision Statement: Encountering God's Love
[42:26] - The Great Commission
[43:45] - True Freedom in Christ
[45:31] - Experience vs. Encounter
[49:23] - Transformation Through Surrender
[51:00] - Community and Relationship with God
[52:51] - The Role of Scripture in Transformation
[56:40] - Testimony of Transformation
[59:16] - Faith as a Communal Mission
[01:13:18] - Fulfilling the Great Commission
[01:22:20] - Invitation to Respond
[01:25:15] - Prayer and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 26:26-28
- Matthew 28:19-20
- John 8:36
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus say about the bread and the cup during the Last Supper in Matthew 26:26-28, and how does this relate to the act of communion? [14:09]
2. According to Matthew 28:19-20, what are the specific instructions Jesus gives to His disciples regarding their mission?
3. In the sermon, what is described as the mission of Liberty Church, and how does it relate to the Great Commission? [39:16]
4. How does the pastor describe the difference between experiencing God and encountering Him? [48:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the act of communion serve as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the victory believers have through His death and resurrection? [14:09]
2. What does it mean to live under the authority of Jesus Christ, and how does this lead to true freedom according to the sermon? [43:45]
3. How does the concept of faith as a communal mission challenge the idea of faith being a purely personal journey? [59:16]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that serving in the church helps individuals discover their purpose and live out their calling in God? [01:04:38]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal experience with communion. How does it remind you of the victory you have in Jesus, and how can you make this reflection more meaningful in your life? [14:09]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of moving from the crowd to the church. What steps can you take to deepen your involvement in your church community and help others do the same? [40:33]
3. Consider the areas in your life where you might be living under the influence of worldly things rather than the authority of Jesus. What changes can you make to align more closely with God's Word? [43:45]
4. How can you actively participate in the communal mission of faith at Liberty Church? Identify one way you can connect with others or serve in your church community this month. [59:16]
5. Think about someone in your life who might be in the "crowd" and not yet part of the church. How can you reach out to them and invite them to experience the love and community of Jesus? [41:39]
6. The sermon discusses the importance of transformation through surrender. What is one area of your life where you need to surrender to God, and what steps will you take to do so? [49:23]
7. Reflect on the Great Commission's call to make disciples. Who is one person you can mentor or disciple in their faith journey, and how will you begin this process? [01:13:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Communion as a Victory Reminder
Communion is a sacred act that serves as a profound reminder of the victory believers have through Jesus' death and resurrection. It is not merely a ritual but a time to reflect on Jesus' body broken for humanity and His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. This act symbolizes the new covenant between God and His people, paving the way for freedom and victory in Him. As believers partake in communion, they are reminded of the sacrifice that brought them salvation and the ongoing victory they have in Christ. [14:09]
"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" (1 Corinthians 11:23-25, ESV)
Reflection: As you prepare for your next communion, what specific victory in your life can you thank Jesus for today?
Day 2: Mission of Liberty Church
The mission of Liberty Church is centered on Jesus and people, emphasizing the importance of reaching all individuals with the good news and great joy of Jesus. Without Jesus, faith is reduced to a set of rules, but with Him, it becomes a source of everlasting joy and transformation. The church is committed to guiding individuals from the crowd into the church, where they can experience true freedom and authentic community. This mission involves making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded, ensuring that faith is not just a personal journey but a communal one. [39:16]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'" (Mark 16:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in Liberty Church's mission this week by sharing the joy of Jesus with someone in your life?
Day 3: True Freedom in Christ
True freedom is found in living under the authority of Jesus Christ. Many people are bound by the things of this world, but Jesus came to set them free. Transformation begins when individuals align their lives with God's Word, allowing Him to change them into new creations. This transformation is not just about changing actions but also thoughts, motivations, and desires. By surrendering to Christ's authority, believers can experience the true freedom that comes from being liberated from worldly constraints and living in alignment with God's will. [43:45]
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel bound by worldly constraints, and how can you invite Jesus to bring freedom to that area today?
Day 4: Faith as a Communal Mission
At Liberty Church, faith is seen as a communal mission, where believers are called to be the church in action, actively engaging their faith through connection and service. The church is launching small groups, or tribes, to build community and support one another in their faith journeys. Serving in the church helps individuals discover their purpose and live out their calling in God. This communal approach to faith emphasizes the importance of connection and service, ensuring that believers are not isolated in their journeys but are supported by a loving community. [59:16]
"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 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to building a supportive community within your church or small group this week?
Day 5: Fulfilling the Great Commission
The Great Commission is not just about reaching the lost but also about discipling new believers and helping them grow in their faith. Believers are responsible for carrying out the Great Commission in community and service, making disciples and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded. This involves not only evangelism but also nurturing and guiding new believers in their spiritual journeys, ensuring they are equipped to live out their faith and continue the cycle of discipleship. [01:13:18]
"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." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally disciple or mentor in their faith journey, and what is one step you can take to begin this process today?
Quotes
"In Matthew chapter 26, beginning in verse 26, and it says, as they were eating, Jesus took some bread and he blessed it, then he broke it into pieces and he gave it to the disciples saying, take this and eat for this is my body. And then he took the cup of wine and he gave thanks to God for it and he gave it to them and he said, each of you drink from it for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many." [00:13:56]
"How many of you know that it was Jesus on the cross and his sacrifice that paved the way for you and I to live in victory? So if you've got that cup this morning, on the bottom is the bread. We're going to take this. And if you will take that bread. Lord, I'm thankful today for your body, your body that was broken, your body that was bruised for me, that my transgressions were taken in the beating that you received, that my punishment was taken in that abuse that you did. You endured." [00:14:09]
"With the good news and the great joy of Jesus. Because without Jesus, it's just religion. Hear me. Without the cross, it's just a list of rules of do's and don'ts and things you can and can't do. But with Jesus comes joy everlasting. With Jesus comes transformation and all of that stuff that we're going to be talking about today. I'm not going to get deep right here because we're going to talk about it today." [00:39:43]
"True freedom only comes from living under the authority of Jesus Christ. That's it. There are people walking around today that are bound up by all the things the world has to offer. And they're not walking in liberty because they've not experienced Jesus. Right? The spirit of God renews us. Breaking the chains of sin, self, and society. I've said it again and I'll say it a hundred times over. God has promised to redeem us if we allow him to." [00:44:04]
"Transformation begins. When we align with God's word. And when we align our lives with his word. he doesn't just simply repair our flaws and bad habits but he changes our character and our being when we align ourselves with the Word of God he changes us into a new creation when we're transformed it doesn't just affect our actions but it affects our thoughts and our motivations and our desires that's transformation." [00:54:02]
"Faith is not a personal journey, but a communal mission. What do I mean by that? That means we are called to be the church in action, actively engaging our faith through connection and service. The goal is, is if you're struggling, I should be able to come along beside you and help you in your struggle. The goal is that you're not alone." [00:59:16]
"When we're in community together, when we're serving together, fulfilling the Great Commission is not just about taking the gospel to the lost, but it is discipling new believers in the church once they have accepted Christ. And it's teaching them how to serve and become a part of the body of Christ. If you're already part of the body of Christ, it's our responsibility to take new Christians under our wing and help them mature and come to a place where they can become mature Christians who now disciple people." [01:12:46]
"The whole point of the Bible is to tell people about Jesus. If you read the Old Testament, it all points to who? Jesus. When you read the four gospels, it's all about the life of who? Jesus. And when you read the rest of the New Testament, it all points back to Jesus. Why? Because it's only in Jesus Christ that you can come to the Father. That's it." [01:13:21]
"Contrary to popular belief, the only way to the Father is through Jesus. That's it. And we are missing the point in the church if we're not fulfilling the great commission of reaching the lost. That's why Paul corrected a lot of churches in the New Testament because they were worried about things other than telling people about Jesus." [01:14:35]
"What we have to understand is that the great commission is a mandate for all believers, calling us to actively share the gospel and make disciples, going into the world, but then connecting them and serving with them and helping them grow in their faith so that they can then go and do the same. And while individually we are called to share the gospel, as a body, we are responsible to carry out the great commission in community and in service." [01:16:03]
"Here's what I pray you find is freedom in Christ and that you allow him to transform you. If you're sitting in this place today and you're not sure that God is the Lord of your life or you're struggling in your life, today is the day, right? I pray that we are the church in action. My prayer every single day, God, let us be a church in action, not just word, but let us live the word of God every single day in authentic community and in service by joining together and serving together and living life together and then actively sharing the gospel and making disciples by living out the great commission." [01:20:56]
"Because it's about us living as a community together, worshiping together and growing together. And this is what I wanna tell you individuals that came up here today. There is a God that sees your struggle and there are people that now have recognized you. You have said, I'm struggling and we're gonna come around you and we're gonna help you through that struggle. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to walk through what you're walking through without people around you. And guess what? Liberty Church is gonna walk around you with it. We're gonna help you carry that burden. We're gonna help you walk through that struggle." [01:23:29]
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