Embracing Grace and Community for Spiritual Growth
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of being an active part of the church community. It's not just about having someone to preach at my funeral, but about having a community to help me walk with Jesus in victory as I live. There's grace to be found within the body of Christ, and everything is by grace. From grace, victory is a part of grace. Grace gives victory, so I want as much grace as I can have. I was also reminded that the leadership of the church equips God's people to do his work and build up the church. Each individual has a special work to help the other parts grow so the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
The sermon also touched on the importance of seeking the Lord for who He is, not just for what He can do. This is the key to personal revival in my spiritual journey. It's not enough to give lip service to returning to the Lord. It must be done with all my heart. I was also reminded not to blame the Philistines, or the enemies, opponents, obstacles, and barriers in my life. Judgment begins inside of the church, not outside of it. God is more agitated by sins in and among His people than He is by sins being committed by non-Christians.
Key takeaways:
- Victory is a part of grace and grace gives victory. It's important to seek as much grace as possible. [26:38]
- Each individual in the church has a special work to help the other parts grow so the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. [27:53]
- The key to personal revival in my spiritual journey is seeking the Lord for who He is, not just for what He can do. [10:36]
- Judgment begins inside of the church, not outside of it. God is more agitated by sins in and among His people than He is by sins being committed by non-Christians. [29:57]
- It's not enough to give lip service to returning to the Lord. It must be done with all my heart. [07:20]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel 7 - #!!28:31!!#
2. 1 John 5:4 - #!!03:02!!#
3. Romans 8:37 - #!!03:02!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the Israelites' change in strategy from religion to dependence on God through prayer in 1 Samuel 7?
2. How does 1 John 5:4 describe the victory that has conquered the world?
3. In Romans 8:37, what does it mean to be "more than conquerors"?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the change in strategy in 1 Samuel 7 reflect the Israelites' understanding of their relationship with God?
2. How does the concept of faith as described in 1 John 5:4 relate to the idea of victory?
3. What does Romans 8:37 suggest about the nature of victory for Christians?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a situation in your life where you relied on your own strategies instead of depending on God through prayer? How can you change this moving forward?
2. How can you actively pursue the victory that God has promised, purchased, and provided in your daily life?
3. In what ways can you demonstrate being "more than conquerors" in your interactions with others this week?
4. Can you think of a situation where you felt like you were losing but in reality, you were winning in Christ? How did that change your perspective?
5. How can you encourage others in your life to pursue the victory that is in Christ?
Devotional
Day 1: Pursuing God Beyond Winning
Christianity is not just about winning in life or overcoming challenges. It's about pursuing God, even when He seems distant or absent. It's about seeking victory in Christ, not just worldly victories that make us feel good about ourselves. This pursuit may not always feel like victory, but it is the path to true victory in Christ ([03:53]).
1 Chronicles 16:11 - "Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you pursued God even when it didn't feel like victory. How did that experience shape your faith?
Day 2: Seeking God for Who He Is
The key to personal revival and receiving more of the victory that God has for us is to seek God not for what He can do, but for who He is. This shift in perspective can lead to a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God ([10:36]).
Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking God for what He can do to seeking Him for who He is?
Day 3: The Role of the Church in Our Lives
The church plays a crucial role in our spiritual journey. It's not just a place to attend services, but a community where we can serve and grow together. Being an active part of the church can help us experience the fullness of victory in Christ ([26:38]).
Ephesians 4:16 - "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Reflection: How can you become more actively involved in your church community to experience the fullness of victory in Christ?
Day 4: Dependence on God Through Prayer
In facing our challenges, our strategy should not be religion, but dependence on God through prayer. This shift from self-reliance to God-reliance can lead to true victory ([29:11]).
Psalm 62:8 - "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."
Reflection: Reflect on a challenge you're currently facing. How can you shift from self-reliance to God-reliance in this situation?
Day 5: Judgment Begins Inside the Church
As Christians, we should not be quick to blame others for the problems in our world. Instead, we should recognize that judgment begins inside the church, not outside of it. God is more concerned with the sins committed by His people than those committed by non-Christians ([29:57]).
1 Peter 4:17 - "For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
Reflection: How can you take responsibility for your own actions and attitudes, rather than blaming others?
Quotes
1. "Victory for the Christ follower has been purchased by God, promised by God, and provided by God. But it must be pursued. We must position ourselves and pursue the victory that God has promised, purchased, and provided." - 03:02
2. "Membership is not somebody's gonna preach my funeral when I die. Membership is someone's helping me walk with Jesus in Victory as I live. And there's Grace to be had inside the body of Christ and everything is by grace and From Grace. So Victory is a part of Grace." - 26:38
3. "We are capable of settling for less and receiving less than God has won for us. If we're ever to see Revival in the church, it will be because enough of us say I am going to quit seeking the Lord for what he can give, I am going to seek the Lord for who he is." - 10:36
4. "Successful seeking is unconditional seeking. Successful seeking goes beyond just devotional moments and they become a movement of obedience. Christianity is not for reinforcing a lifestyle, it's for pursuing the person of the Cross, Jesus, and the path of the cross." - 16:31
5. "Victory for the Christ follower will always be Christ-centered, Christ dominant on the path of the cross. Victory is for the repentant. I agree, I acknowledge I'm wrong, I agree, I acknowledge I'm moving in the wrong direction, I'm going to turn and I'm going to pursue God and I am going to hate the rivals in my life to God and get rid of them if that's what it takes." - 18:47
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