Embracing Grace: Living as Missionaries for Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we reflected on the profound need for God's grace in our lives, especially amidst the chaos and challenges we face both globally and personally. We acknowledged that God's grace is greater than all our sins and that we must continually seek a fresh outpouring of this grace. We also celebrated the fruits of our community's efforts, such as the camp visit and the upcoming consignment sale, which serve as opportunities to bless and serve our community.
We delved into 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, where Paul speaks about using his freedom to serve God and share the gospel. This passage challenges us to adopt a missionary mindset, to become "all things to all people" so that we might save some. We discussed the importance of understanding and immersing ourselves in the culture and perspectives of those who are far from God. This involves listening to their concerns and questions about Christianity and responding with love and understanding.
Paul's example teaches us that discipline is essential not only for our personal spiritual growth but also for our witness to the world. Just as athletes train rigorously to win a race, we must be disciplined in our spiritual lives to effectively share the gospel. We must be willing to lay down our rights and comforts for the sake of the gospel, aligning our priorities with God's priorities.
We are all called to be missionaries, whether we lead an organization or simply share our faith with a neighbor. The Great Commission is a mandate for every believer, and we must be intentional in building relationships and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The message of the gospel never changes, but the way we present it may need to adapt to our changing culture.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Need for God's Grace: In a world filled with chaos and personal challenges, we must continually seek a fresh outpouring of God's grace. This grace is greater than all our sins and is essential for navigating the complexities of life. [18:59]
2. Adopting a Missionary Mindset: Paul’s approach of becoming "all things to all people" challenges us to immerse ourselves in the culture and perspectives of those far from God. This involves understanding their questions and concerns about Christianity and responding with love and empathy. [49:46]
3. The Importance of Discipline: Just as athletes train rigorously to win a race, we must be disciplined in our spiritual lives. This discipline is crucial not only for our personal growth but also for our effectiveness in sharing the gospel. [52:55]
4. Living on Mission: Every believer has a mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ. This involves being intentional in building relationships and sharing our faith, recognizing that the Great Commission is a mandate for all, not just a select few. [59:04]
5. Aligning Priorities with God's: We must be willing to lay down our rights and comforts for the sake of the gospel. Our priorities should align with God's priorities, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness in all that we do. [56:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[18:59] - The Need for God's Grace
[32:59] - Community Efforts and Announcements
[35:08] - Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
[38:15] - The Challenge of Evangelism
[44:07] - Paul's Missionary Mindset
[49:46] - Immersing in Culture
[52:55] - The Importance of Discipline
[56:17] - Aligning Priorities with God's
[59:04] - Living on Mission
[01:00:47] - Personal Stories of Faith
[01:02:30] - Encouraging the Next Generation
[01:04:03] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[01:06:56] - Using Our Freedom to Share the Gospel
[01:08:50] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says he has made himself "a slave to everyone" in 1 Corinthians 9:19?
2. How does Paul describe the discipline required to run the race in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27?
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of how Paul immersed himself in different cultures to share the gospel? [49:46]
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the challenges that modern Christians face when it comes to evangelism? [38:15]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for discipline in the Christian life, and how does this relate to our effectiveness in sharing the gospel? [52:55]
2. How does adopting a missionary mindset, as Paul did, help in understanding and responding to the concerns of those far from God? [49:46]
3. What does it mean to align our priorities with God's priorities, and how can this impact our daily lives and decisions? [56:17]
4. How can the concept of using our freedom to serve God and share the gospel be applied in today's context? [46:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did you seek God's grace during that period, and how can you seek a fresh outpouring of His grace now? [18:59]
2. Think about your current relationships. How can you adopt a missionary mindset to better understand and respond to the concerns of those who are far from God? [49:46]
3. What specific disciplines can you incorporate into your spiritual life to help you grow and be more effective in sharing the gospel? [52:55]
4. Identify one right or comfort you are willing to lay down for the sake of the gospel. How can you take a step towards doing this in the coming week? [56:17]
5. Who in your life is Jesus inviting you to build a relationship with and share your faith? What practical steps can you take to engage with this person? [01:00:47]
6. Are there any aspects of your life where your priorities do not align with God's priorities? How can you make changes to seek first His kingdom and righteousness? [57:28]
7. Reflect on your daily interactions. Are you living in a way that draws people to Jesus or pushes them away? What changes can you make to be a better witness for Christ? [01:02:30]
Devotional
Day 1: The Need for God's Grace
In a world filled with chaos and personal challenges, we must continually seek a fresh outpouring of God's grace. This grace is greater than all our sins and is essential for navigating the complexities of life. God's grace is not just a one-time gift but a continual source of strength and renewal. It empowers us to face our daily struggles and to overcome the sins that so easily entangle us.
As we reflect on our need for God's grace, we are reminded that it is through His grace that we find peace, hope, and the ability to persevere. No matter the circumstances we face, God's grace is sufficient and available to us. Let us seek His grace daily, acknowledging our dependence on Him and trusting in His unfailing love and mercy. [18:59]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need a fresh outpouring of God's grace today? How can you intentionally seek His grace in those areas?
Day 2: Adopting a Missionary Mindset
Paul’s approach of becoming "all things to all people" challenges us to immerse ourselves in the culture and perspectives of those far from God. This involves understanding their questions and concerns about Christianity and responding with love and empathy. By doing so, we can build bridges and create opportunities to share the gospel in a way that is relevant and meaningful to them.
Adopting a missionary mindset means being willing to step out of our comfort zones and engage with people who may have different beliefs and values. It requires us to listen actively, to learn from others, and to demonstrate the love of Christ through our actions and words. Let us be intentional in our efforts to reach out to those who are far from God, showing them the love and grace that we have received. [49:46]
1 Corinthians 9:22 (ESV): "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some."
Reflection: Who in your life is far from God, and how can you better understand their perspective and concerns? What steps can you take to build a relationship with them and share the love of Christ?
Day 3: The Importance of Discipline
Just as athletes train rigorously to win a race, we must be disciplined in our spiritual lives. This discipline is crucial not only for our personal growth but also for our effectiveness in sharing the gospel. Spiritual discipline involves regular practices such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and service, which help us grow closer to God and strengthen our faith.
Discipline also means being intentional about our actions and choices, aligning them with God's will and purpose for our lives. It requires perseverance and commitment, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. By cultivating spiritual discipline, we can become more effective witnesses for Christ, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [52:55]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What spiritual disciplines do you need to cultivate in your life? How can you create a plan to incorporate these practices into your daily routine?
Day 4: Living on Mission
Every believer has a mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ. This involves being intentional in building relationships and sharing our faith, recognizing that the Great Commission is a mandate for all, not just a select few. Living on mission means seeing every interaction and opportunity as a chance to demonstrate and proclaim the love of Christ.
We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in our words and actions. This requires us to be proactive in seeking out opportunities to share the gospel and to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. Let us embrace our calling and live with a sense of purpose and urgency, knowing that we have been entrusted with the greatest message of all. [59:04]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: How can you be more intentional in sharing your faith with others? What specific steps can you take to build relationships and create opportunities to share the gospel?
Day 5: Aligning Priorities with God's
We must be willing to lay down our rights and comforts for the sake of the gospel. Our priorities should align with God's priorities, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness in all that we do. This means putting God's will above our own desires and being willing to make sacrifices for the sake of His mission.
Aligning our priorities with God's involves a continual process of self-examination and surrender. It requires us to seek His guidance and to be open to His leading, even when it challenges our plans and preferences. By aligning our priorities with God's, we can live lives that are truly fulfilling and impactful, making a difference for His kingdom. [56:17]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God? How can you align your priorities with His and seek His kingdom first in your daily decisions and actions?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life and not tell them that? There's something that we can learn maybe from him. When you think about what we have as a gift of eternal life, what we have is the gospel. How much do we have to hate somebody not to share that with them, not to pass it on to them?" [39:50] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The good news never changes. The message never changes. Jesus is king. God's grace is greater than all of our sin. The message never changes. Jesus is the only way of to life. The message never changes, but the way that we present it or the way that we share it might, might change in a changing culture for sure." [52:55] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The law of love compels us to be a missionary, to go and be one who's reaching out to them, not waiting for them to come to us. So we've got to change our focus. Instead of church being about us and how they come to us and they conform to us and they need to dress right and they need to act right and they need to, they change, they change, they, how about us reach out to them?" [51:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus has given us a commission to go and make disciples and he's given it to all of us. We're not all going to be the apostle paul, we're not all going to be barb or pastor josh or duane or katherine. But God has called us to be who we are and to be a missionary in the world that we live in." [01:06:56] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "How much do we have to hate people to have this good news and this message and not share it with them? Let's stand together. Father, we thank you for your word. We thank you for the life of the apostle Paul and his passion and his willingness to do whatever it takes." [01:07:46] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul says in verse 19, he's going to use his freedom to serve God and to share this message about God to anybody that he comes in contact with, right? When I was a freshman in college, I remember down my freshman hall, there were all of these students here that attended this, you know, really conservative school in Mid-America, Nazarene University." [46:51] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Discipline is not only essential in our progress in the Christian life, but discipline is essential to our witness in the world. Do you hear that? We've got to be disciplined if we want to grow in our faith, but we've also got to be disciplined if we're going to be obedient to the commands and directions that Jesus has given us to go and be a Christian." [52:55] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Are you living your life in such a way that people are drawn to Jesus or are you pushing people away from Jesus? Are you pushing people away from Jesus? What's his problem that's in chris jenkins close enough because they accept more than I will so they're out of our understanding of howrecourt took's oh man I hate daniel miller的 to shine out like bright stars in a dark world in our culture we ought to be a breath of fresh air to people in our culture it ought to be easy for us to be salt and light in the world that we live in because it's so easy to be different right we need to have some boldness to step up and be different and not be afraid of being different." [01:04:03] (-111 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Apostle Paul, who wrote this letter, 1 Corinthians, to the church at Corinth, he was actively persecuting the church. He was on fire for arresting Christians and those who were following Jesus. He was putting them to death. He was overseeing that. He was very ambitious in going after those early Christians, and then Jesus met him, and Jesus asked him, a simple question, why are you persecuting me?" [44:07] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So I'm asking the questions, how often do we take the time and effort to see things from the perspective of your neighbor? How often do we take the time and effort to see things from the perspective of somebody who's not in our generation? Are we willing to talk to somebody who is younger than us? Who might dress differently than we dress? Do we know the questions that they're asking? Do we know the troubles that they're dealing with?" [49:46] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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