Embracing God's Spirit: Our Journey of Faith
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of the spirit of God in our lives and how it breathes life into us. I stressed that what our society needs is not a political uprising, but ordinary people who have allowed God to touch their hearts and lives. I encouraged the congregation to see every day as an opportunity for God to use them, whether it's in a grand gesture or a simple act of kindness at the local store. I also highlighted the significance of God's word in our lives as believers, stating that it is our very identity and source. It is not just something we create songs or quotes from, but it is God's spoken word to humanity. I urged the congregation to have a fundamental hunger and passion for the word of God, as it is the only way we can follow Christ and be proficient in the call of God on our lives. I concluded by reminding everyone that we are on a journey, and no matter how tough it gets, we have Christ as our spiritual anchor that keeps us connected to the Heavenly Kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- The spirit of God breathes life into us and our society needs ordinary people who have allowed God to touch their hearts and lives. [ 01:07:57]
- Every day is an opportunity for God to use us, whether it's in a grand gesture or a simple act of kindness. [ 01:08:50]
- The word of God is our very identity and source, and we should have a fundamental hunger and passion for it. [ 38:46]
- We have Christ as our spiritual anchor that keeps us connected to the Heavenly Kingdom, no matter how tough life gets. [ 51:39]
- We will go through suffering, but it doesn't compare to the glory that will be revealed in us. [ 53:01]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [38:46]
2. Hebrews 4:12-13 [41:49]
Observation Questions:
1. What does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tell us about the importance and role of scripture in a believer's life?
2. According to Hebrews 4:12-13, what are the characteristics of the Word of God and how does it affect us?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 explain the concept of scripture being "God-breathed" and its implications for our daily lives?
2. In Hebrews 4:12-13, what does it mean that the Word of God is "living and powerful" and "sharper than any two-edged sword"?
Application Questions:
1. How can you cultivate a "fundamental hunger and passion" for the Word of God in your daily life as suggested in 2 Timothy 3:16-17?
2. In what ways can you allow the Word of God to "rewire" your thoughts, love, and treatment of others?
3. How can you use the Word of God as a "discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart" in your interactions with others?
4. Can you think of a recent situation where your personal opinion was contrary to what God's word says? How did you handle it and what can you do differently next time?
5. How can you make the Word of God more than just a "good suggestion" in your life, but rather your "very essence"?
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of God's Word
God's Word is not just a collection of nice songs, stickers, bookmarks, or quotes. It is the very identity of a believer, a follower of Christ. It is our source, our essence, and it renews our minds. It is not just a good suggestion, but a fundamental necessity for those who claim to follow Christ. [38:46]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Reflection: How can you increase your hunger and passion for God's Word in your daily life?
Day 2: Everyday Ministry
God uses everyday ordinary people to bring about His kingdom. Every day is an opportunity for God to use us, whether it's at the local store, the gas station, or a coffee shop. We should look for ways daily to be about the Father's business. [01:07:57]
Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Reflection: How can you be more intentional about letting God use you in your everyday interactions?
Day 3: Kingdom People
We walk through this world, but we are Kingdom people. We have a Kingdom destiny in mind. We must choose daily where our heart is, where our devotion and allegiance lie. [48:37]
Hebrews 6:19-20 - "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf."
Reflection: How can you keep your focus on your Kingdom destiny amidst the cares of this world?
Day 4: The Word of God Supersedes Personal Opinion
The Word of God should always supersede and trump our personal opinions, especially if our personal opinions are contrary to what God's Word says. The Word of God is living and powerful, discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart. [41:49]
Hebrews 4:12-13 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Reflection: How can you ensure that God's Word, not your personal opinions, guide your decisions and actions?
Day 5: Two Realities
We live daily in the midst of two realities: the culture of this world and the Kingdom of God. The cares of this world can easily consume us, but we must remember that we are Kingdom people. [41:39]
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Reflection: How can you better balance the demands of this world with your responsibilities as a Kingdom person?
Quotes
1. "Opinions are great, we all have them. Opinions are like armpits, we all got them and sometimes they stink. Nothing wrong with having an opinion, but the word of God should always supersede and trump my personal opinion, especially if my personal opinion is something contrary to what God's word says." - 41:39
2. "We live daily in the midst of two realities, two kingdoms, two cultures that we walk literally it's like two parallel worlds daily. The first reality, the first culture is the culture of this world. We understand every day when we wake up this natural world lets us know very quickly the responsibilities we have." - 48:20
3. "The word of God to a believer, to a follower of Christ, is our very identity, our source. There is no way in the world that you are going to follow Christ and claim to be a follower of Christ if you don't have a fundamental hunger and passion and conviction to the word of God." - 38:22
4. "Don't let the cares of this world so wrap you up and keep you mentally, emotionally, physically occupied for your entire life that one day when you stand before God you realize man my heavenly bank account is pretty empty." - 48:20
5. "What this country needs is just everyday ordinary people that have allowed God to get a hold of their hearts and their lives say God my life is yours to use. As I navigate through the cares and the worries and the responsibilities of this life, let me know that everything I do, everything I put my hand to every day is an opportunity for you to use me." - 01:07:50
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