Embracing Gifts: Transformative Faith and Community Service
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor expressing gratitude for the various gifts God has provided to the church and encouraging the congregation to use their own gifts in service to the church. The pastor then references a scripture passage from Acts 26, where Paul defends himself before King Agrippa. The pastor emphasizes the transformative power of encountering Jesus and the importance of using one's gifts for the service of God.
The pastor then reflects on their unique background as both a Christian and a Jew. They explain that while they were born into a Jewish family, their faith was not solely based on heritage but also on personal conviction. The pastor shares their extensive knowledge of the scriptures and their training as a Pharisee, emphasizing the importance of God's law in their life. However, they express their disdain for Jesus, as he seemed to dismiss the commandments and claimed authority over them.
The pastor emphasizes that the descendants of Abraham were chosen by God to bring His blessing to all families on Earth. However, being a descendant of Abraham is not limited to biological lineage, but also includes those who are connected by the genetics of faith. The pastor reminds the congregation that they have been chosen by Jesus and are present in the church because Jesus called and wanted them to be ambassadors of His grace.
The pastor reflects on his past as a hardworking and faithful Pharisee. He believed he was doing everything for God, including studying and teaching the scriptures, rigorous obedience, and even persecuting Jesus' followers. However, when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he realized that he had been living a lie. The pastor acknowledges that his actions were not truly for God but rather to enhance his own status and reputation.
The pastor discusses Bridge Ministries, a local nonprofit agency that they volunteer with and that the congregation supports through witness and action. The pastor begins by reading the mission statement of Bridge Ministries, which envisions a world where people with disabilities have full access to community life and are valued as indispensable members of society. The pastor then explains the three different ministries at Bridge: the guardianship agency, the spiritual connections ministry, and the medical equipment center.
Key Takeaways:
- The transformative power of encountering Jesus is emphasized, and the importance of using one's gifts for the service of God is highlighted. This is a reminder that every believer has a role to play in the body of Christ and that their gifts are not for personal gain but for the edification of the church. ([12:45])
- The pastor's unique background as both a Christian and a Jew provides a unique perspective on faith. It is a reminder that faith is not solely based on heritage but also on personal conviction. This emphasizes the importance of personal relationship with God over religious rituals or traditions. ([22:30])
- The descendants of Abraham were chosen by God to bring His blessing to all families on Earth. This is a reminder that being a descendant of Abraham is not limited to biological lineage, but also includes those who are connected by the genetics of faith. This emphasizes the inclusivity of God's grace and the universal call to be ambassadors of His grace. ([32:15])
- The pastor's past as a hardworking and faithful Pharisee serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of religious pride and self-righteousness. It is a reminder that true service to God is not about enhancing one's status or reputation but about humility, obedience, and love for God and others. ([42:00])
- The work of Bridge Ministries is highlighted as an example of practical service to the community. This is a reminder that the church's mission extends beyond its walls and that believers are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, serving those in need and advocating for justice and equality. ([52:30])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1) Acts 26:1-18 #!!40:54!!#
2) Acts 26:19-23 #!!43:06!!#
Observation Questions:
1) What was Paul's initial attitude towards Jesus and his followers as described in Acts 26:1-18?
2) How did Paul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus change his perspective and actions?
Interpretation Questions:
1) What does Paul's transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a follower of Christ tell us about the power of God's grace?
2) How does Paul's mission, as described in Acts 26:19-23, reflect the overall mission of the early Christian church?
Application Questions:
1) Can you recall a time when you had a significant change of heart or perspective, similar to Paul's transformation? What led to this change?
2) How can we apply Paul's mission of turning people from darkness to light in our own communities? Can you think of specific ways to do this?
3) Paul was initially resistant to the message of Jesus. Is there a message or teaching from the Bible that you have struggled with? How did you handle this struggle?
4) Paul used his personal testimony as a tool for evangelism. How can you use your personal experiences to share the gospel with others?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Dual Identities in Faith
As believers, we can embrace dual identities in faith, just like the speaker who identifies as both a Christian and a Jew. This duality is not a contradiction but a testament to the expansive nature of God's love and grace. It's a reminder that our faith can be multifaceted, rich, and deeply personal ([44:11]).
Romans 11:17-18 - "If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches."
Reflection: How do you reconcile the different aspects of your faith identity?
Day 2: The Law and Jesus
The speaker grappled with Jesus' approach to the law, which seemed to dismiss traditional commandments. This struggle led to a deeper understanding of Jesus' teachings, which prioritize love and grace over legalistic adherence ([45:54]).
Matthew 5:17 - "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Reflection: How can you balance respect for religious traditions with the transformative message of Jesus?
Day 3: Chosen by Jesus
We are chosen by Jesus, not because of our holiness or our efforts, but because of His grace. This grace is a gift that we are called to share with others ([54:47]).
Ephesians 1:4-5 - "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."
Reflection: How does knowing you are chosen by Jesus impact your daily life?
Day 4: The Lie of Self-Righteousness
The speaker's encounter with Jesus exposed the lie of self-righteousness. It revealed that actions thought to be for God were actually for self-enhancement. This realization invites us to examine our motives and realign our actions with genuine love for God ([51:18]).
Luke 18:9-14 - "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable..."
Reflection: How can you ensure your actions are genuinely for God and not for self-enhancement?
Day 5: The Cross Exposes Our Need for Grace
The cross doesn't expose Jesus as a fraud, but exposes our need for God's forgiveness and transforming grace. This realization invites us to accept our need for God's grace and forgiveness ([52:53]).
Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Reflection: How does the cross expose your need for God's grace and forgiveness?
Quotes
1. "Out of gratitude, we give, for you have given so much." [39:30]
2. "Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the Dead?" [40:54]
3. "I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from Darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God." [43:06]
4. "Encountering Jesus on that road to Damascus exposed the lie I had been telling myself. I had been telling myself all along that I was doing all this for God, but it wasn't for God, it was for me. It was to enhance my status, my standing as a Pharisee, to make me look good in front of my peers." [51:18]
5. "The cross did not expose Jesus as a fraud, it exposed me as a fraud. It exposed me as a sinner in need of God's forgiveness, exposed me as a person in need of God's transforming Grace. And the good news in all of that was that when Jesus came to me and spoke to me, it meant he still wanted me, he still called me to be his follower, he still called me to undertake a mission, a new mission for my life that would never be wasted or meaningless." [52:53]
6. "You are descendants of Abraham, not necessarily biologically, but connected by the genetics of Faith. You have been chosen by Jesus, called to be ambassadors of his grace, not trying to earn it with your Holiness but receiving it as a gift." [54:47]
7. "You too have been chosen by Jesus, or you wouldn't be here today. If Jesus had not wanted you to be ambassadors of his grace, you wouldn't have this opportunity to share it with others." [54:47]
8. "I saw myself as one of God's chosen people, the people rescued from slavery in Egypt, the people led across the Wilderness by Moses to the promised land, the people gifted with God's law... that set us apart from other people, that gave us our sense of purpose and identity that connected us to God." [44:11]
9. "To me, the law of Moses was not just a set of rules, it was God's word to us telling us who we are and what God expects of us... which is why I hated Jesus because Jesus dismissed the law with a wave of his hand." [45:02]
10. "The very person I considered an enemy of God was now speaking to me from God... calling me to follow him and spread his message to all the nations of the world." [48:52]
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