Embracing God's Ongoing Work in Our Lives
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound truth that God is not finished with us yet. We are all under construction, being molded by the divine potter into vessels of honor for His glory. This journey of transformation requires us to acknowledge our imperfections and the areas in our lives that need healing and growth. We are reminded that God, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion. Our church, Worship Without Walls, exists to guide people to a place where they acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. This is essential because life is filled with challenges, and we need God's guidance every day.
We celebrated the recent baptisms, where 21 individuals publicly declared their faith, ranging from ages 11 to 88. This event highlighted the importance of baptism as a step of obedience and a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. We also discussed upcoming events, including our service project at Cope, where we will engage in various activities to serve the community. This is an opportunity for everyone to participate, regardless of physical ability, as there are many ways to contribute.
The new series, "Room for Growth," emphasizes the need for personal growth in our spiritual lives. We must recognize that we have not yet attained perfection and that there is always room for improvement. The Apostle Paul, despite his significant contributions to the New Testament, acknowledged his own need for growth. We are encouraged to focus on our own spiritual development rather than judging others. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7 reminds us to remove the logs from our own eyes before addressing the specks in others.
We are conditioned to find faults in others, but we must surrender fully to God, allowing Him to work in us and address our own shortcomings. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of pride. We must continue to exercise our faith, just as we would exercise a muscle, to prevent spiritual atrophy. By doing so, we can grow in love, compassion, empathy, and our relationship with God.
Key Takeaways:
- God is actively working in our lives, molding us into vessels of honor. We must acknowledge our imperfections and allow Him to heal and transform us. This process requires daily reliance on God, as life presents numerous challenges. [34:33]
- Baptism is a significant step of obedience and a public declaration of faith. It is a choice made by individuals who understand and accept Jesus as their Lord. This act of faith is a celebration of new life in Christ. [40:00]
- We all have room for growth in our spiritual lives. Like the Apostle Paul, we must recognize that we have not yet attained perfection and continue to press on toward the goal of becoming more like Christ. [50:08]
- Jesus teaches us to focus on our own spiritual development rather than judging others. We must remove the logs from our own eyes before addressing the specks in others, allowing God to work in us. [55:04]
- Spiritual growth requires continuous effort, like exercising a muscle. We must maintain our spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and reading the Bible, to prevent spiritual atrophy and grow in our relationship with God. [01:04:59]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[34:33] - God's Work in Our Lives
[37:59] - Vision of Worship Without Walls
[40:00] - Celebrating Baptisms
[48:00] - Tithing and God's Provision
[50:08] - Room for Growth Series Introduction
[51:12] - Apostle Paul's Example
[54:17] - Jesus' Teaching on Judgment
[55:04] - Finding Faults in Others
[57:53] - Surrendering to God
[01:01:43] - Spiritual Atrophy
[01:04:59] - Maintaining Spiritual Disciplines
[01:09:59] - Logs in Our Eyes
[01:12:46] - Removing Logs and Helping Others
[01:14:52] - Worship and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:12-14
- Matthew 7:1-5
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Philippians 3:12-14, what does Paul say about his own spiritual journey and goals?
2. In Matthew 7:1-5, what does Jesus teach about judgment and self-awareness?
3. How did the pastor describe the significance of baptism during the sermon? [40:00]
4. What example did the pastor give to illustrate the concept of "spiritual atrophy"? [01:04:59]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for believers to be "under construction" as described in the sermon? [34:33]
2. How can the teaching in Matthew 7:1-5 about removing the log from one's own eye before addressing the speck in another's eye be applied to personal spiritual growth?
3. Why is it important for believers to acknowledge their imperfections and rely on God daily, according to the sermon? [37:59]
4. How does the pastor's story about the glass of water relate to focusing on personal spiritual growth rather than judging others? [01:00:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. What are some areas where you feel "under construction" and need God's guidance to grow? [34:33]
2. How can you practice humility and self-awareness in your daily interactions to avoid judging others unfairly? [55:04]
3. Baptism is a public declaration of faith. If you have been baptized, how can you continue to live out that declaration in your daily life? If not, what steps might you consider taking toward baptism? [40:00]
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of maintaining spiritual disciplines to prevent spiritual atrophy. What specific spiritual discipline can you commit to strengthening this week? [01:04:59]
5. Think of a recent situation where you were quick to judge someone else. How might you have handled it differently by focusing on your own growth first? [55:04]
6. Identify one "log" in your own eye that you need to address. What practical steps can you take to work on this area with God's help? [01:09:59]
7. How can you actively participate in your church community, like the service project at Cope, to grow in love and compassion for others? [40:00]
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Ongoing Work in Us
God is actively working in our lives, shaping us into vessels of honor. This process requires us to acknowledge our imperfections and allow Him to heal and transform us. It is a journey that demands daily reliance on God, as life presents numerous challenges. By recognizing that we are under construction, we can embrace the changes God is making in us and trust that He will carry on the good work He began in us to completion. This transformation is not instantaneous but a gradual process that requires patience and faith. [34:33]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is actively working? How can you cooperate with Him in this process today?
Day 2: Baptism as a Declaration of Faith
Baptism is a significant step of obedience and a public declaration of faith. It is a choice made by individuals who understand and accept Jesus as their Lord. This act of faith is a celebration of new life in Christ, symbolizing the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative work God has done in a person's life. Celebrating baptisms reminds us of the joy and commitment involved in following Christ and encourages us to reflect on our own faith journey. [40:00]
"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." (Romans 6:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: If you have been baptized, how does your life reflect the newness of life in Christ? If not, what steps can you take to explore this important step of faith?
Day 3: Embracing Spiritual Growth
We all have room for growth in our spiritual lives. Like the Apostle Paul, we must recognize that we have not yet attained perfection and continue to press on toward the goal of becoming more like Christ. This journey of growth requires humility and a willingness to learn and change. It involves examining our lives, identifying areas where we need to grow, and taking intentional steps to develop our spiritual maturity. By focusing on our own spiritual development, we can avoid the trap of judging others and instead encourage them in their own journeys. [50:08]
"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." (Philippians 3:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your spiritual life where you feel the need for growth? What practical steps can you take this week to pursue that growth?
Day 4: Removing the Logs from Our Eyes
Jesus teaches us to focus on our own spiritual development rather than judging others. We must remove the logs from our own eyes before addressing the specks in others, allowing God to work in us. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of pride. By examining our own hearts and actions, we can become more compassionate and understanding towards others. This self-reflection helps us to see others through the lens of grace and love, fostering a community of support and encouragement. [55:04]
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you were quick to judge someone. How can you shift your focus to address your own shortcomings and extend grace to others?
Day 5: Exercising Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual growth requires continuous effort, like exercising a muscle. We must maintain our spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and reading the Bible, to prevent spiritual atrophy and grow in our relationship with God. These practices help us to stay connected to God and align our lives with His will. By prioritizing these disciplines, we can strengthen our faith, develop a deeper understanding of God's Word, and cultivate a heart of worship and gratitude. This ongoing commitment to spiritual growth enables us to live out our faith in meaningful ways. [01:04:59]
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual discipline do you find most challenging to maintain? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine to strengthen your relationship with God?
Quotes
And God, this morning, all of us in this room, every person watching at home on online campus, God, we thank you for the work that you started in our lives. God, we declare that work that you start, you finish, and you perfect, God. Father, we tell you, have your way in our lives today. Father, remove those areas of our lives that need removal. God, heal the areas of our lives that need healing. God, we thank you for you're not done yet. [00:34:56] (33 seconds)
And at Worship Without Walls, we always like to declare who we are, why we do what we do. And the way that God has called us as a church, we say we exist to get people to a place. Where they will acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. That is the vision of our church. Worship Without Walls exists to get people to a place where we acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. I need God every single day. [00:38:06] (27 seconds)
And so the little girl comes up. And again, I don't know. So I said, where are your mom and dad? And she pointed. And mom was there filming. And I was like, we're good. We're tough. And then we asked her. And she knew who Jesus was. She had made Jesus Lord of her life. And we prayed. And she got baptized. And that was awesome. Somebody that was just there. And so we celebrate that. [00:41:20] (20 seconds)
And it is something that is done once you understand, once you recognize. And so in our church, we don't believe in the baptisms of babies. We dedicate babies to the Lord. But we believe in scriptural baptism, which is once the person understands, they make the choice. They make the choice for Jesus and then the choice to be baptized. And so it was awesome yesterday. I was looking. I actually was texting with my pastor and some of the pastors that I interact with. [00:42:56] (29 seconds)
And the title of this series, and I can't tell you if it's going to be two weeks, three weeks. Four weeks. I'm not sure how long it's going to be. But the title of this series is this room for growth. Room for growth. Now, I want your permission for a minute. I am asking for your permission to preach to myself. Yeah, I want us to understand something. Unfortunately. We tend to put leaders on pedestals. [00:49:40] (28 seconds)
Every one of us has room to grow. Look what the Bible says in the book of Philippians. I want you to go to Philippians. This is Paul writing to the church in Philippi, right? This is Paul writing to them. And he says this in chapter number three, starting in verse number 12. Philippians chapter three, starting in verse 12. This is what Paul writes. Not that I have already obtained this. Or am already perfect. But I press on. I press on to make it my own. [00:51:12] (31 seconds)
And this is what's wrong with the body of Christ sometimes. And Jesus said it. You're walking around with a log sticking out of your eye and trying to point out the fault in everyone else. We tend to find what's wrong. And here's the reality. If you look for what's wrong, you'll find it. I'm going to be honest. 3W Church is not a perfect church. You know why? I'm not a perfect man, and I never will be. [00:58:42] (29 seconds)
And many of us come to God, and we begin to work out our faith, and we begin to get strong, and then we stop doing what got us there. We stop working out. We stop praying. We stop fasting. We stop reading the Bible. Why? Because we prayed for the blessing, and God gave it to us, and now we're too busy. Because we asked God to do something, and he did it, and now I don't have time. [01:04:31] (28 seconds)
And so we begin to live our lives based on what other people are saying, instead of saying, God, show me the mirror of your word, and what are the things in my life that I have room to grow? And because if we're honest, we all have room we wouldn't need Jesus. If we could do it on our own, God wouldn't have sacrifice. He's the only begotten Son. We need it. [01:05:31] (46 seconds)
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