Embracing God's Goodness: A Call to Faith and Service
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the baptisms of Bailey and Emmalyn, two young souls who have committed their lives to Christ. Their testimonies remind us of God's miraculous power and His plans for each of us. We prayed for them, asking God to guide them as they grow in faith and to use their baptisms as a witness to others who may be on the fence about making a similar commitment. We also took time to pray for those in need, whether they are battling illness, facing personal struggles, or dealing with loss. We lifted up our community, our country, and our world, asking for God's peace, unity, and protection.
Our scripture reading from Psalm 86 focused on the goodness of God. David, a man after God's own heart, cried out for help in his time of need, acknowledging his spiritual poverty without God. We are reminded that we all need God's forgiveness and grace. David's life, filled with highs and lows, mirrors our own experiences. Despite his sins, David found forgiveness and restoration in God, just as we can.
We discussed the importance of recognizing God's goodness in our lives. Even when we face challenges, God's goodness remains constant. David's words in Psalm 86:5, "You, Lord, are forgiving and good," serve as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering love and mercy. We are encouraged to reflect on the many blessings we often take for granted and to respond to God's goodness by doing good to others, especially within our community of believers.
We also touched on the vastness of God's love, which is higher than the heavens and endures forever. This love was most profoundly demonstrated through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. We are called to embrace this love and share it with others, knowing that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
As we concluded, we invited those who have not yet accepted Christ to make that life-changing decision today. We also encouraged those who are already believers to actively serve and share God's love with the world. We celebrated new members joining our church family and looked forward to continuing our mission together.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Baptism: Baptism is a public declaration of faith and a powerful witness to others. It symbolizes a commitment to follow Christ and serves as an invitation for others to consider their own spiritual journey. We are called to support and pray for those who take this step, helping them grow in their faith. [05:15]
2. The Necessity of Prayer: Prayer is essential for every believer. It connects us with God, provides comfort, and brings peace that surpasses all understanding. Whether we are praying for ourselves, others, or our community, prayer is a powerful tool that can bring about change and healing. [21:59]
3. God's Unfailing Goodness: Despite the challenges and attacks we may face, God's goodness remains constant. David's plea in Psalm 86 reminds us that God is forgiving and good. We are encouraged to reflect on the blessings in our lives and respond to God's goodness by doing good to others. [38:44]
4. The Vastness of God's Love: God's love is immeasurable and enduring. It is higher than the heavens and continues through all generations. This love was most profoundly demonstrated through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. We are called to embrace this love and share it with others, knowing that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. [55:23]
5. The Call to Serve: As believers, we are called to actively serve and share God's love with the world. This involves not only personal commitment but also community involvement. We are encouraged to support one another, especially within our church family, and to reach out to those in need. [50:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:15] - Baptism of Emmalyn
[06:10] - Opening Prayer
[21:59] - Invitation to Prayer
[23:16] - Praying for the Community
[24:06] - Praying for Healing
[24:54] - Praying for Unity
[25:37] - Live Out Loud Success
[26:28] - Call to Salvation
[28:18] - Scripture Reading: Psalm 86
[36:43] - Introduction with Humor
[38:44] - The Goodness of God
[40:23] - David's Plea for Help
[42:18] - The Need for Forgiveness
[44:18] - Confession and Cleansing
[45:55] - Hospital Visit Reflection
[47:14] - Assurance of Salvation
[47:59] - Basking in God's Grace
[48:46] - God's Covenant with David
[49:36] - Taste and See the Lord's Goodness
[50:21] - Doing Good to Others
[51:09] - Acts of Service in the Church
[52:42] - Thankfulness for God's Blessings
[53:30] - God's Faithfulness in Baptisms
[54:29] - Singing "God is So Good"
[55:23] - God's Abounding Love
[56:47] - The Greatest Act of Love
[57:57] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[59:43] - Simple Prayer of Salvation
[01:00:40] - Call to Serve and Join the Church
[01:01:39] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[01:03:08] - Introduction of New Members
[01:09:22] - Announcements and Closing Song
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 86:1-5 (NIV)
> Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does David acknowledge about his own condition in Psalm 86:1? How does he describe himself?
2. In Psalm 86:5, what attributes of God does David highlight? Why are these attributes significant?
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the challenges David faced that led him to cry out to God? [38:44]
4. How did the pastor describe the importance of baptism as a public declaration of faith? [05:15]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for believers to recognize their own spiritual poverty, as David did in Psalm 86:1? How does this recognition impact one's relationship with God?
2. How does the constancy of God's goodness, as mentioned in Psalm 86:5, provide comfort during times of personal struggle or community challenges? [40:23]
3. The sermon emphasized the vastness of God's love, especially through Jesus' sacrifice. How does understanding this love influence a believer's daily life and interactions with others? [55:23]
4. Reflect on the pastor's call to serve and share God's love. What are some practical ways believers can actively serve within their church and community? [50:21]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually poor and needy. How did you seek God's help, and what was the outcome? How can you apply David's example in Psalm 86:1 in your current life situation?
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of prayer for oneself, others, and the community. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine? [21:59]
3. Think about the blessings in your life that you often take for granted. How can you make a habit of recognizing and thanking God for these blessings daily? [52:42]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of doing good to others, especially within the community of believers. Identify one specific act of kindness you can perform this week for someone in your church or community. [50:21]
5. How can you share the message of God's vast and enduring love with someone who may not yet know Christ? What steps can you take to be a witness to them this week? [55:23]
6. The pastor encouraged believers to actively serve in the church. What are some areas within your church where you feel called to serve? How can you take the first step towards getting involved? [50:21]
7. Reflect on the pastor's invitation to accept Christ. If you have already made this decision, how can you support and encourage others who are considering this life-changing step? If you haven't, what is holding you back from making this commitment today? [57:57]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes and messages from the sermon, fostering meaningful discussion and personal application.
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Baptism
Baptism is a profound act of faith that publicly declares one's commitment to Christ. It symbolizes a spiritual rebirth and serves as a powerful witness to others who may be contemplating their own spiritual journey. When Bailey and Emmalyn chose to be baptized, they not only affirmed their faith but also invited the community to support and pray for them as they grow in their relationship with God. This act of obedience and faith can inspire others to consider their own walk with Christ and the steps they need to take to deepen their faith. [05:15]
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: Think about your own baptism or the moment you decided to follow Christ. How can you use your testimony to encourage someone who is on the fence about making a similar commitment?
Day 2: The Necessity of Prayer
Prayer is an essential practice for every believer, serving as a direct line of communication with God. It provides comfort, peace, and the strength to face life's challenges. Whether praying for personal needs, interceding for others, or lifting up our community, prayer has the power to bring about change and healing. The congregation's collective prayers for those battling illness, facing personal struggles, or dealing with loss demonstrate the importance of coming together in prayer to support one another. [21:59]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Identify one specific person or situation in your life that needs prayer. Commit to praying for them daily this week and consider reaching out to let them know you are praying for them.
Day 3: Recognizing God's Unfailing Goodness
Despite the challenges and adversities we may face, God's goodness remains constant. David's plea in Psalm 86 reminds us that God is forgiving and good, and we are encouraged to reflect on the blessings in our lives. By recognizing God's goodness, we are inspired to respond by doing good to others, especially within our community of believers. This acknowledgment of God's unwavering love and mercy can transform our perspective and actions, leading us to live more grateful and generous lives. [38:44]
Psalm 34:8 (ESV): "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"
Reflection: Take a moment to list three specific blessings in your life that you often take for granted. How can you show gratitude for these blessings today, and how can you extend God's goodness to someone else?
Day 4: Embracing the Vastness of God's Love
God's love is immeasurable and enduring, extending higher than the heavens and continuing through all generations. This love was most profoundly demonstrated through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. As believers, we are called to embrace this love and share it with others, knowing that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Understanding the depth of God's love can transform our relationships and interactions, leading us to love others more deeply and selflessly. [55:23]
Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by God's love. How can you share that same love with someone who may be feeling unloved or forgotten today?
Day 5: The Call to Serve
As followers of Christ, we are called to actively serve and share God's love with the world. This involves not only a personal commitment to live out our faith but also engaging in community involvement. Supporting one another within our church family and reaching out to those in need are vital aspects of our Christian walk. By serving others, we demonstrate the love of Christ and fulfill our mission to be His hands and feet in the world. [50:21]
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can serve someone in your church or community this week. What steps will you take to put this act of service into action?
Quotes
1. "Maybe you're here today and you need to tap into God's light, giving life-changing power. And I'd like to invite you to join me. If you feel led to kneel at this altar, you may stand. You can stand from where you're sitting or wherever you're worshiping can be your prayer altar. But I invite you to come join me as we lift up our prayers together." [21:59] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are all spiritually poor without Jesus Christ. We have spiritual poverty without Christ in our lives. My prayer is that if you came into this place without Jesus, you will leave here with him in your heart and in your life. That he would be your Lord and Savior." [38:44] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Regardless of what your circumstance is, and we all are concerned about the condition of our country and world right now, aren't we? We're all concerned, and regardless of what the circumstances in our country or in our world, I pray that we might feel the goodness of God in our lives. That we might understand even though things seem out of control, God is still in control." [40:23] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God knows exactly what our sin is, whether you're showing it on the outside or you're thinking it on the inside. God knows our hearts. He knows our minds. He knows us inside and out. And again, as I shared last week, we can run, but we can't hide. God looks for us, and He wants to forgive you today." [44:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You would feel better if you could, each day, begin to thank God for all the good in your life instead of complain about all the bad. We have so much to be thankful for. God has blessed us in a mighty way." [52:42] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We don't have to be afraid. That we have the blessing, the blessed assurance of eternal life when we know Jesus Christ personally as our Lord and as our Savior. Today I pray that we would bask in His grace, that unmerited favor, that undeserved mercy that He shows us. His grace covers a multitude of our sins." [47:59] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Paul said in Galatians chapter 6, verse 9, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially to the family of believers. Did you hear that? We are to do good to everyone, especially God's people." [50:21] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you came into this service today, or you're watching, and you think nobody loves you, I want to remind you that you are loved. God loves you, and as I often say, we love you too." [56:08] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "I've told you, you don't go make the changes and then invite Christ in. You invite Christ in, and he makes the changes. He takes care of us through power of the Holy Spirit that comes inside of us." [57:57] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Anyone and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Isn't that great? Young, old, black, white, rich, poor, tall, short, wherever you're from, anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Regardless of your past, regardless of bad decisions you've made, regardless of what people might think of you, we are all sinners saved by God's grace." [59:09] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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