Embracing God's Love: A Call to Action
Summary
In our lives, we have all experienced moments of criticism, lack of generosity, and self-absorption. We have sinned and fallen short of God's perfect standard. The consequence of our sin is eternal separation from God. However, the good news is that God's love for us is so profound that He sent Jesus to bear the curse of sin on our behalf. Jesus became our substitutionary atonement, taking the punishment we deserved. By placing our trust in Jesus as the Son of God, who was crucified and resurrected, we can be saved, forgiven, and find hope and purpose.
The transformative message of Jesus has reached many of us through various means—parents, friends, pastors, or even unexpected channels like media. It is this message that compels us to lift God up in our lives, not because He needs us to, but because we recognize His sovereignty and choose to honor Him above all else. In our worship, we declare that despite life's challenges, we trust in God's sovereignty.
As a church, we are called to a God-sized vision, inspired by Acts 1:8, which instructs us to be witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This vision is not about personal agendas but about fulfilling Jesus' directive to spread the gospel everywhere. We are to share what we have seen and heard of God's work in our lives, starting in our immediate surroundings and extending to the broader region, those culturally different from us, and ultimately to the entire world.
To achieve this vision, we must be willing to invest our resources, time, and action. We aim to raise $200,000 to support partner ministries and missionaries, provide ministry grants, and contribute to local and global outreach efforts. This endeavor is not just about financial giving but also about active participation in God's work through service opportunities.
Now, let us reflect on the key takeaways from this sermon:
- God's love is the driving force behind our mission to share the gospel. It is not out of obligation but out of a response to the love we have received that we witness to others. This love compels us to act, to give, and to serve, ensuring that the message of Jesus reaches every corner of the earth. [49:33]
- Worship is an act of reorienting our lives to recognize God's rightful place. When we sing praises, we are not merely uttering words but making a declaration of God's sovereignty over our circumstances. This act of worship is a powerful affirmation of our trust in God's unchanging nature and His supremacy in our lives.
- The God-sized vision for our church is rooted in the Great Commission, calling us to be witnesses in our local communities and beyond. This vision requires collective action and a commitment to invest in God's kingdom work, trusting that He will provide the means for us to fulfill this calling.
- Generosity is a key component of spiritual growth. By giving, we resist the pull of materialism and open ourselves to God's blessings. Generosity is not just about money; it is about being a conduit through which God's love and provision flow to others.
- Active participation in the God-sized vision is essential. It is not enough to give; we must also be willing to serve. Through various service opportunities, we tangibly express God's love and become His hands and feet in our communities and around the world.
In conclusion, let us embrace the God-sized vision with hearts full of God's love, hands ready to serve, and spirits willing to trust in His provision. As we step out in faith, may we see the transformative power of the gospel at work in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:14 - "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died."
3. Malachi 3:10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Acts 1:8 say about the source of power for being witnesses and the scope of the mission?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:14, what motivates Paul and should motivate us in our mission?
3. What promise does God make in Malachi 3:10 regarding tithing and blessings?
4. In the sermon, what are some specific ways the church plans to use the $200,000 for the God-sized vision? ([45:00])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the empowerment by the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8 enable believers to fulfill the Great Commission?
2. What does it mean for Christ’s love to compel us, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:14, and how should this influence our actions and decisions? ([56:08])
3. How can the promise in Malachi 3:10 about God’s blessings encourage us to be generous in our giving and participation in the church’s mission?
4. Why is it important to have a God-sized vision that includes local, regional, and global outreach, as described in the sermon? ([36:06])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt compelled by Christ’s love to act. How did it influence your actions, and how can you let this love guide you more consistently? ([56:08])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of worship as a declaration of God’s sovereignty. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily life and worship practices? ([24:06])
3. The church aims to raise $200,000 for various outreach efforts. What specific steps can you take to contribute financially or through service to this God-sized vision? ([45:00])
4. How can you be a witness in your "Jerusalem" (immediate surroundings)? Identify one person or group you can share your faith with this week. ([39:32])
5. Generosity is highlighted as a key component of spiritual growth. What are some practical ways you can practice generosity in your daily life, beyond financial giving? ([52:00])
6. The sermon mentioned various service opportunities. Which of these opportunities resonates with you, and how can you get involved? ([01:08:10])
7. Reflect on the idea of being a conduit for God’s blessings. What are some ways you can open the valve of generosity and service in your life to allow God’s blessings to flow through you? ([01:09:01])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Transformative Love
God's love is a catalyst for sharing the gospel, not out of obligation but as a heartfelt response to the grace we've received. This love is transformative, compelling us to act, give, and serve with the aim of spreading Jesus' message to every corner of the earth. It is a love that does not merely change our status before God but also our hearts and actions towards others.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:7-8 ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate God's transformative love to someone in your community today? [49:33]
Day 2: Declaring God's Sovereignty in Worship
Worship is more than a song; it's a declaration of God's sovereignty over our lives. When we worship, we are not just singing; we are reorienting our lives to recognize and affirm God's rightful place. This act of worship is a powerful statement of trust in God's unchanging nature and His ultimate authority over every circumstance we face.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea." (Psalm 46:1-2 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to acknowledge God's sovereignty, and how can your worship reflect that acknowledgment?
Day 3: Pursuing the Great Commission Together
The church's vision, inspired by the Great Commission, calls for collective action to be witnesses in our local communities and beyond. This vision is not about personal agendas but about fulfilling Jesus' directive to spread the gospel. It requires a commitment to invest in God's kingdom work, trusting that He will provide the means for us to fulfill this calling.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8 ESV)
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to actively participate in the Great Commission within your own "Jerusalem" or local community?
Day 4: Cultivating Generosity as Spiritual Growth
Generosity is a vital aspect of spiritual growth, challenging the pull of materialism and opening our hearts to God's blessings. It is not confined to financial giving but extends to being a channel through which God's love and provision flow to others. Generosity reflects our trust in God's provision and our willingness to be part of His work in the world.
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV)
Reflection: How can you practice generosity today in a way that stretches you beyond your comfort zone?
Day 5: Serving as God's Hands and Feet
Active participation in God's vision is essential; it's not enough to give—we must also be willing to serve. Through service, we tangibly express God's love and become His hands and feet in our communities and around the world. Service is a practical demonstration of our faith and commitment to God's kingdom.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45 ESV)
Reflection: What service opportunity can you commit to this month that will allow you to be God's hands and feet in your community or beyond?
Quotes
1) "The Holy Spirit empowers us not in our own strength, intellect, or education, but to share what we have seen and heard, what God has done in our lives." [36:40] (Download)
2) "When we say we lift you up, we're declaring that despite life's challenges, we trust in God's sovereignty and choose to honor Him above all else." [25:22] (Download)
3) "The love of Jesus demonstrated toward me compels me not just to be a recipient of grace but to contribute back what I myself have experienced." [01:00:50] (Download)
4) "Generosity is not just about money; it's about being a conduit through which God's love and provision flow to others." [01:09:22] (Download)
5) "Our God-sized vision is not just about financial giving but also about active participation in God's work through service opportunities." [01:06:40] (Download)
6) "We aim to invest $200,000 to support ministries and missionaries, reflecting our commitment to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." [45:00] (Download)
7) "The transformative message of Jesus reaches us through various means, compelling us to act, give, and serve, ensuring His message reaches every corner of the earth." [01:00:10] (Download)
8) "We are better together. When we move together toward a purpose, nothing can stop us. This is the essence of our God-sized vision." [35:14] (Download)
9) "One of the greatest enemies to spiritual growth is materialism. Generosity helps us resist its pull and opens us to God's blessings." [51:46] (Download)
10) "We don't just care about eternity; we care about the now. Our outreach efforts reflect our desire to meet both physical and spiritual needs." [01:07:42] (Download)
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