Embracing God's Call: Transformation and Empowerment

 

Summary

In today's message, I shared a personal journey of transformation and the profound impact of God's call to "come." Reflecting on my life, I realized how God has been present in every chapter, even when I was unaware. This journey began with a simple invitation from God, a call to come and experience His love, acceptance, and salvation. Through the lens of my own story, I explored the themes of salvation, baptism, and the armor of God, emphasizing the importance of being equipped with spiritual tools to stand firm against life's challenges.

The call to "come" is a recurring theme in the Bible, inviting us to lay down our burdens and embrace a new life in Christ. This invitation is not just about salvation but also about transformation and empowerment through the Holy Spirit. I shared personal anecdotes of how God intervened in my life, teaching me humility, love, and forgiveness, even in the face of adversity. These experiences highlighted the importance of guarding our hearts and minds, aligning our thoughts with God's truth, and living a life that reflects His love and compassion.

Baptism symbolizes this transformation, representing the death of our old selves and the birth of a new life in Christ. It is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to follow Jesus. I recounted my own baptism experience, emphasizing the joy and freedom that comes from being submerged in God's grace and emerging as a new creation.

The armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6, equips us to stand against the schemes of the enemy. Each piece of the armor—salvation, righteousness, truth, faith, the Word of God, and the gospel of peace—serves a vital role in protecting and empowering us. By putting on this armor daily, we are prepared to face spiritual battles and live out our faith with integrity and courage.

As we conclude this series, I encourage everyone to embrace the gift of salvation, to be baptized, and to put on the full armor of God. Let us be united in purpose, living as ambassadors of Christ, and sharing His love with the world. Remember, God is always calling us to come, to be transformed, and to be part of His eternal kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

- The call to "come" is a divine invitation to experience God's love, acceptance, and transformation. It is a call to lay down our burdens and embrace a new life in Christ, where we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live with purpose and joy. [05:48]

- Baptism is a powerful symbol of our transformation in Christ. It represents the death of our old selves and the birth of a new life, publicly declaring our faith and commitment to follow Jesus. This act of obedience brings joy and freedom as we emerge as new creations. [41:54]

- The armor of God equips us to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. Each piece—salvation, righteousness, truth, faith, the Word of God, and the gospel of peace—protects and empowers us to live out our faith with integrity and courage. [48:14]

- Guarding our hearts and minds is essential for spiritual growth. By aligning our thoughts with God's truth and living a life that reflects His love and compassion, we can overcome adversity and be a light to others. [17:21]

- God's call to "come" is not just about salvation but also about being part of His eternal kingdom. As we embrace this call, we are invited to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and truth with the world and living as part of His divine multiplication. [30:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:43] - Opening Prayer
- [05:48] - The Call to "Come"
- [08:20] - Personal Journey and Transformation
- [10:09] - Overcoming Adversity
- [13:24] - The Power of Words
- [17:21] - A Changed Heart
- [23:33] - Acts of Forgiveness
- [28:55] - The Gift of Salvation
- [30:43] - God's Eternal Kingdom
- [34:53] - A Clean Slate
- [38:37] - Baptism and New Life
- [41:54] - Baptism Experience
- [44:38] - The Armor of God
- [48:14] - Helmet of Salvation
- [50:44] - Belt of Truth
- [53:37] - Spiritual Warfare
- [56:20] - Invitation to Choose Jesus
- [58:43] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 22:17 - "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."
2. Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
3. Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the invitation to "come" signify in Revelation 22:17, and how is it described in the sermon? [05:48]
2. How does the speaker describe their personal transformation upon accepting the call to "come"? [13:24]
3. What are the components of the Armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6, and how are they explained in the sermon? [44:38]
4. How does the speaker's baptism experience illustrate the concept of transformation and new life in Christ? [41:54]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the call to "come" in Matthew 11:28 relate to the speaker's personal journey of transformation and acceptance? [05:48]
2. In what ways does the Armor of God equip believers to face spiritual battles, according to the sermon? [44:38]
3. How does the speaker's story of overcoming adversity illustrate the importance of guarding one's heart and mind? [17:21]
4. What role does baptism play in the speaker's understanding of public declaration and commitment to faith? [41:54]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God calling you to "come." How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [05:48]
2. The speaker shared a personal story of transformation. Can you identify a moment in your life where you experienced a similar change? What prompted it? [13:24]
3. Consider the components of the Armor of God. Which piece do you feel you need to focus on strengthening in your life right now, and why? [44:38]
4. Baptism is described as a public declaration of faith. If you have been baptized, how did it impact your faith journey? If not, what are your thoughts on taking this step? [41:54]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts and minds. What practical steps can you take this week to align your thoughts with God's truth? [17:21]
6. How can you actively participate in God's call to "come" and be an ambassador of Christ in your community? [30:43]
7. Reflect on the speaker's story of forgiveness and love. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive or show compassion to? How can you take a step towards that this week? [23:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Divine Invitation
The call to "come" is a profound invitation from God to experience His love, acceptance, and transformation. It is an opportunity to lay down our burdens and embrace a new life in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live with purpose and joy. This divine invitation is not just about salvation but also about a continuous journey of transformation and empowerment. As we respond to this call, we are invited to experience the fullness of God's love and to live a life that reflects His compassion and grace. [05:48]

Isaiah 55:1-3 (ESV): "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David."

Reflection: What burdens are you carrying today that you need to lay down at the feet of Jesus? How can you respond to His invitation to come and experience His love and transformation?


Day 2: Baptism as a Symbol of New Life
Baptism is a powerful symbol of our transformation in Christ. It represents the death of our old selves and the birth of a new life, publicly declaring our faith and commitment to follow Jesus. This act of obedience brings joy and freedom as we emerge as new creations, fully submerged in God's grace. Baptism is not just a ritual but a profound declaration of our identity in Christ and our commitment to live according to His teachings. [41:54]

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does this symbol of new life in Christ inspire you to live differently today?


Day 3: Equip Yourself with the Armor of God
The armor of God equips us to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. Each piece—salvation, righteousness, truth, faith, the Word of God, and the gospel of peace—protects and empowers us to live out our faith with integrity and courage. By putting on this armor daily, we are prepared to face spiritual battles and live out our faith with strength and resilience. This spiritual armor is essential for navigating the challenges of life and remaining steadfast in our commitment to Christ. [48:14]

Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Reflection: Which piece of the armor of God do you feel you need to strengthen in your life right now? How can you intentionally put on this armor today?


Day 4: Guard Your Heart and Mind
Guarding our hearts and minds is essential for spiritual growth. By aligning our thoughts with God's truth and living a life that reflects His love and compassion, we can overcome adversity and be a light to others. This involves being intentional about what we allow into our minds and hearts and ensuring that our thoughts and actions are rooted in God's truth. As we guard our hearts, we become more resilient in the face of challenges and more effective in our witness to others. [17:21]

Proverbs 4:23-27 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."

Reflection: What thoughts or influences do you need to guard against in your life? How can you align your heart and mind more closely with God's truth today?


Day 5: Be an Ambassador of Christ
God's call to "come" is not just about salvation but also about being part of His eternal kingdom. As we embrace this call, we are invited to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and truth with the world and living as part of His divine multiplication. This involves living with purpose and intentionality, seeking to reflect Christ's love in all that we do and say. As ambassadors, we have the privilege and responsibility to represent Christ to those around us, inviting them to experience His love and grace. [30:43]

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you be an ambassador of Christ in your daily life? How can you intentionally share His love and truth with those around you today?

Quotes

"And so when I was going over my story, I want to say that it started with a very simple word, come. And so now if you bow your heads with me, that's my prayer before I start. Holy Spirit, come. Use me, Lord. Lord, I surrender all. Not by my words, but yours. Empowered by not my spirit, but your Holy Spirit. I pray, Lord, that those of us here become one hearing your voice as one in unity." [00:03:31] (43 seconds)


"My journey began with a simple word. It says, come. And when I started analyzing and looking, I realized this morning that in Revelation 22, 17, it says, and the spirit of the bride and the bride say, come. And let him who hears say, come. And let him who thirst come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." [00:05:11] (34 seconds)


"And then it says, come, in Matthew 11, 28, it says, come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. And when I looked at my salvation, I said, Lord, I don't want to talk about it because you know what happened. And he said, sometimes you have to talk about it once you realize what you learned and what I taught you from it." [00:06:37] (30 seconds)


"And I didn't just mutter the words. I really meant it. I didn't want this life anymore. I didn't want to remember the bad times anymore. I want to feel loved. I want to feel accepted. And yes, I want to be adopted into the family. Can I be your daughter? Yes. Can I be your friend? Yes. Can I belong? Yes. And guess what? I said, what? He said, it'll be forever." [00:14:42] (27 seconds)


"And then it says in verse 13 and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved that name that word saved it comes from the Greek sozo sozo means to rescue to not just save but to deliver and to heal to be in a right relationship with God the implication is that the condition before salvation was one of grave danger and distress you see in fires the fire person will run in and save you but he cannot save you from the trauma from the pain from the fear that grips you see Jesus runs into the fire he saves you and then he heals you emotionally sozo it's a different type of being saved and you say saved from what a choice between life and death all of us have already experienced life and sometimes we don't want to think about what it was when we we talked about death and you see if I kept on the road I was going I was going to be in jail at some point you say really yeah well think about it you throw a chair at a teacher accidentally hit you know and they'll drum up some charges and rightly so you know finally you find yourself in a situation but that wasn't to be my situation and that stepfather that's a chapter in my life that I'll share in another time but he almost didn't made it out either it was because that 16 year old acted up almost cut him up in every sense in every sense of the word the Lord delivered me from that so there was a lot of times of the enemy said you know I got her figured out if you can get her her emotions stirred and she's not guarding her heart if you can just get it" [00:25:40] (120 seconds)


"And to be born again is to be given life and the Lord is now giving you a new life do you want a new life those of you who have no idea what I'm saying do you want a new life you just say yes because he's telling you right now come he's telling you right now come and if you mess up fess up that's all you have to do you don't have to come to anyone here for an absolution you don't have to come anyone here and say forgive me I don't have any authority as an ordained minister to put my hand on you and say you're forgiven I'm here to remind you that the Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven you I don't have what he has I am an instrument of his and see many times what happens is that we fixate on the person that everything after we came to we just fix on them whatever they say we're gonna do it no no no don't do and say because the Lord says you" [00:35:44] (66 seconds)


"And so to be baptized, once you've figured this out, once you've accepted Christ, once you understand, now I'm going to let all of you know what I learned in that church. And when the Lord said, come, when I turned my life, I want everyone to know. See, if my family had been paying attention, when I got baptized as an adult, they would have realized, whoa, she, now I know. Now I know what was going on." [00:38:37] (29 seconds)


"So you see, publicly I understood that God was telling me, you died. Jesus died. All your sins died. He took your place. And he was buried. Like you were. And then you submerged. That's the same feeling. And you come back up. And all of a sudden, you're freed. All of a sudden, you realize what baptism is about. And I'll tell you what happened to me on that day. And it took me a while until. It took me about, well, a long time." [00:41:13] (41 seconds)


"Go, because you're unashamed of your past. You don't have to be ashamed of it. Your past has been wiped clean. Go and tell your story, the before and then the after. Go, for now you have a focus and a firm foundation, a firm foundation on Christ Jesus. Go, because you've been suited up. You are now suited up in God's armor, because you can go now forward and not look back. And if you look back, it's to tell the story of what you learned and what you came out of and what it feels like and what it looks like and what you need to do and tell. No, dwell on the past and stay broken, because the Lord has healed you." [00:43:47] (38 seconds)


"And finally what I've learned, when you put on the full armor so you can stand against, because let me tell you, we're under attack. We're under attack. We're under attack. And when the enemy believes they are winning, guess what? They work even harder because they think they're going to win. They think they're going to win. But in Revelation, if you read the book to the end, we should take you to the chapter to the eternal life with God, it's not over." [00:52:39] (41 seconds)


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Transcript
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