Embracing Our Gospel Identity and Mission

 

Summary

In today's reflection on 1 Thessalonians, we delved into the concept of a gospel-oriented church and the profound impact of having a gospel reputation. Living out the gospel is challenging because it requires us to confront our sinfulness, seek forgiveness, and acknowledge our need for a Savior. The gospel is indeed good news, but it begins with the humbling realization of our separation from God due to sin. Many people struggle with this truth, either by believing they are inherently good or by feeling unworthy of forgiveness. However, the gospel is the power to change us, as highlighted in Romans 1:20. It is a continuous process, reminding us daily of our need for salvation and the hope we have in Jesus.

A gospel reputation is built on three foundational truths: we are family, we are loved, and we are chosen. As believers, we become part of an eternal family, transcending our earthly ties. While our physical families are important, the family of God is eternal and should be prioritized. This spiritual family is characterized by love, as demonstrated by God’s sacrificial love through Jesus Christ. We are called to express this love to others, showing that we are beloved by God.

Furthermore, we are chosen by God, just as Israel was chosen to represent Him to the world. This chosenness is not exclusive but inclusive, as John 3:16 reminds us that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life. Our task is to take this gospel to the ends of the earth, living out our identity as God’s chosen people. This involves a mutual choice: God chose us, and we choose Him in return.

In summary, our gospel reputation should reflect that we are part of God’s family, loved by Him, and chosen to fulfill His mission. This identity should inspire us and be evident to those around us, even if they do not understand or accept it. Let us strive to embody these truths and live out the gospel in our daily lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Humbling Power of the Gospel: The gospel requires us to confront our sinfulness and acknowledge our need for a Savior. It is a humbling experience that challenges our self-perception and calls us to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. This ongoing process reminds us of our dependence on God’s grace and the transformative power of the gospel. [09:11]

2. The Eternal Family of God: As believers, we are part of an eternal family that transcends earthly ties. While our physical families are important, the family of God is eternal and should be prioritized. This spiritual family is characterized by love, unity, and a shared commitment to living out the gospel. [14:10]

3. The Transformative Love of God: God’s love is demonstrated through the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ. This agape love seeks our benefit and calls us to express it to others. As recipients of God’s love, we are called to love others and reflect His love in our interactions and relationships. [14:10]

4. Chosen by God, Choosing God: Our identity as God’s chosen people involves a mutual choice. God chose us, and we choose Him in return. This chosenness is not exclusive but inclusive, inviting all who believe in Jesus to become part of God’s family and participate in His mission. [14:10]

5. Living Out Our Gospel Reputation: Our gospel reputation should reflect that we are part of God’s family, loved by Him, and chosen to fulfill His mission. This identity should inspire us and be evident to those around us, even if they do not understand or accept it. Let us strive to embody these truths and live out the gospel in our daily lives. [14:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Gospel Reputation
- [01:45] - The Challenge of Living the Gospel
- [03:10] - The Power of the Gospel to Change
- [05:00] - The Continuous Need for the Gospel
- [06:30] - Family in the Gospel
- [08:00] - The Eternal Family of God
- [09:11] - The Love of God in the Gospel
- [10:45] - Chosen by God
- [12:30] - Mutual Choice in the Gospel
- [14:10] - Living Out Our Gospel Reputation
- [15:45] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Thessalonians 1:4
- Romans 1:20
- John 3:16

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Observation Questions:

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 1:4, what are the three key aspects of our identity in Christ mentioned in the sermon? [09:11]

2. How does Romans 1:20 describe the power of the gospel, and why is it significant for believers? [09:11]

3. In the sermon, how is the concept of being part of an "eternal family" explained, and what distinguishes it from our earthly families? [14:10]

4. What does John 3:16 reveal about God's love and the inclusivity of being chosen by God? [14:10]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the ongoing need for the gospel in a believer's life, and what does this imply about the process of spiritual growth? [09:11]

2. What does it mean to have a "gospel reputation," and how can this be evident in a believer's life according to the sermon? [14:10]

3. How does the sermon interpret the mutual choice between God choosing us and us choosing Him, and what implications does this have for our understanding of salvation? [14:10]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the love of God should be reflected in our interactions with others? [14:10]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: How do you confront your sinfulness and acknowledge your need for a Savior on a daily basis? What steps can you take to make this a regular practice? [09:11]

2. Consider your relationships within the church: How can you prioritize your spiritual family while still valuing your earthly family? What practical changes might this require? [14:10]

3. Think about a recent interaction where you had the opportunity to demonstrate God's love. How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to better reflect agape love? [14:10]

4. Identify a person in your life who may not feel "chosen" or loved by God. How can you share the message of John 3:16 with them in a way that is both loving and inclusive? [14:10]

5. Evaluate your current "gospel reputation": What aspects of your life clearly reflect your identity as part of God's family, loved by Him, and chosen for His mission? Where do you see room for growth? [14:10]

6. How can you actively participate in taking the gospel to the ends of the earth, starting within your own community? What specific actions can you take this week to live out this mission? [14:10]

7. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of forgiveness. How did you overcome this feeling, and how can you help others who might be struggling with similar feelings of unworthiness? [09:11]

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel's Humbling Call to Transformation
The gospel challenges us to confront our sinfulness and recognize our need for a Savior. This humbling process begins with acknowledging our separation from God due to sin, which can be difficult for many. Some may believe they are inherently good, while others feel unworthy of forgiveness. However, the gospel is the power to change us, as it continually reminds us of our need for salvation and the hope we have in Jesus. This ongoing journey of transformation is rooted in the grace of God, which calls us to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. [09:11]

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: What specific sin or area of your life do you need to confront today, and how can you invite God's transformative power into that area?


Day 2: Embracing Our Eternal Family
As believers, we are part of an eternal family that transcends earthly ties. While our physical families are important, the family of God is eternal and should be prioritized. This spiritual family is characterized by love, unity, and a shared commitment to living out the gospel. Being part of this family means we are united by a common purpose and a deep, abiding love that reflects God's love for us. It is a family that supports, encourages, and challenges us to grow in our faith and live out the gospel in our daily lives. [14:10]

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prioritize your spiritual family this week, and what steps can you take to strengthen your relationships within this eternal community?


Day 3: Reflecting God's Transformative Love
God’s love is demonstrated through the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ. This agape love seeks our benefit and calls us to express it to others. As recipients of God’s love, we are called to love others and reflect His love in our interactions and relationships. This transformative love is not just a feeling but an active choice to seek the well-being of others, even at a cost to ourselves. It is a love that transforms us and those around us, drawing us closer to God and each other. [14:10]

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's love through you today, and what specific action can you take to demonstrate that love?


Day 4: The Mutual Choice of Being Chosen
Our identity as God’s chosen people involves a mutual choice. God chose us, and we choose Him in return. This chosenness is not exclusive but inclusive, inviting all who believe in Jesus to become part of God’s family and participate in His mission. Being chosen by God means we have a purpose and a calling to live out the gospel and share it with others. It is a privilege and a responsibility that requires us to actively choose God daily and align our lives with His will. [14:10]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively choose God today, and how can you align your actions with His purpose for your life?


Day 5: Living Out Our Gospel Reputation
Our gospel reputation should reflect that we are part of God’s family, loved by Him, and chosen to fulfill His mission. This identity should inspire us and be evident to those around us, even if they do not understand or accept it. Living out our gospel reputation means embodying the truths of the gospel in our daily lives, allowing our actions and words to reflect our faith and commitment to God. It is a call to be a light in the world, showing others the love and grace of God through our lives. [14:10]

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can your life today reflect your identity as part of God’s family, and what specific actions can you take to live out your gospel reputation in your community?

Quotes

The gospel requires that we are willing to reconcile and seek forgiveness and know that we need a savior. I mean, it's really a humbling experience. I mean, it's really a humbling experience. I mean, it's really a humbling experience. Yes, it's good news. It's glad tidings. It's good news because we know what happened with the bad news, that we're sinners, that we're in need of a savior, that we're, that we fall short of God's glory and that we do have mistakes and we have faults and the world's a mess and relationships are a mess. And our relationship with God is a mess. In fact, without the gospel, without what Jesus did, right, we are separated from God, the Bible tells us. [00:06:10]

But Jesus will say to him, go sell all you have and then come follow me. And he couldn't do it because his wealth, and he left a sad person because he couldn't give his life to Christ. So the gospel, though, is the power to change. So when we look at Romans 1 .20, a very awesome text, right? The gospel is the power to change. We are to be unashamed of it because it's the power to change, first unto the Jew, then to the Gentile. That is the gospel. The gospel is the power to change us. [00:08:01]

But we're not perfected yet. We're not glorified yet. We're in this process. We need the gospel. I need the gospel daily in my life. I need the good news to remind me that I'm a sinner. I need the good news to remind me that I have hope. I need the good news to remind me that I have salvation. I need the good news to remind me that I have Jesus. I need the good news to remind me that I can get better because God's at work in my life. I need the good news to remind me that God can change other people. I need the good news to remind me that I need to forgive others. [00:08:52]

So we're family, we are loved, and we are chosen. All three of those things come together in one moment, in one moment in this text. And it's about the gospel reputation. So what is that? One, we are family, yes, I've got all my brothers and sisters and me, that kind of stuff, right? You and I, when the gospel comes into our life, we become family. That is an eternal family. Listen, as hard as this is going to be for some of you, because I know I see some of you out there, you've got grandkids, you love your family, you know, and you think flesh and blood. [00:09:43]

Flesh and blood is not, flesh and blood is not more important than the family of God. That's hard for people to wrestle with. It's hard for me because I love my family, right? But I also realize what's really important. One, I want my physical flesh and blood family to know Jesus and their family of God with me, right? And flesh and blood family is important, but the family of God is eternal. Sometimes we get our philosophies turned upside down, right? Sometimes we think, well, you know, this is family, but this is church. No, this is family. Church is family. [00:10:13]

Now, this doesn't take away from our marriage, our immediate family, our extended family. Those are important things. God tells us to take our family. Joshua, as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. Even look at Joshua's word in chapter 24 when he's talking about establishing that promised land and giving those final words to all of Israel as they're about to go into their tribes and to break out into all their tribal territories. He is reminding all of Israel, my family is going to follow the Lord. He's telling us what's more important. [00:10:50]

All of you, if you don't want to do that, that's on you. But my family, it's about the Lord. Your family is about the Lord. The family of God. Our reputation by the gospel makes us family. People should see, wow, I've got a physical family. I've got a family here and that's important to me. But look what they got. That's unique. I want that. They get together. They have fellowship. They love each other. They sing songs together. They proclaim God's word. They take this faith thing seriously. They actually want to live it out. [00:11:35]

You know, they work out their differences. Yeah, they've got issues like any family, right? Families have family. But look how they work it out. They try to at least. Right? When we see a healthy, functioning church, a family of God, that's a good example to the world. I want that. That reputation is, I want to be a part of the family of God. That song, I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God. We should say that and mean it. So the church is family. Brothers and sisters in Christ, the gospel reputation is that we're family. [00:12:20]

The gospel reputation is that we're loved by God. We should have this reputation that people know. That's the beloved. People should know that you are loved by God and that you love God. And that you express that God loved you and loves you. John 3, 16. For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish. And this gets us to this love thing. God loves you. It's true. Because you're family. You're his family. I'm his family. He loves me. He loves you. [00:12:52]

Something that not only do we get to be family, but God really loves you. And Jesus, it says that God demonstrated his love for us, that while we were sinners, separated from God, Christ died for us. Why? So that we could be family. So that his love could be known to us. Greater love hath no man than this, but he lays down his life for a friend. That's why God sent Jesus. His love. Now it blows us away that he knew. I mean, when you think about it, Jesus was on a suicidal mission. He was on a crucifixion mission. [00:13:24]

He knew he would die. Wow. He knew as an act of love, he would die for you and me. So we are known as family. We are known by the love of God. That's part of the gospel, right? Because part of the gospel is Jesus died for you. That's love. Agape love. A love that seeks your benefit and my benefit. Then we get to this last part, we're chosen. This is important. Use that John 3, 16 platform. I think sometimes we get so confused. Listen, he chose us, but we also chose him. It is both you all. [00:14:10]

You are the chosen of God, the chosen people of God, just like Israel was chosen by God to present God to the world. Now the church has that task. The family of God, the love of God, the chosen of God, that's you and me. If we're going to have a gospel reputation, it is that, that we are family, that we express the love of God and know the love of God, and that we also realize we're the chosen by God to take that gospel to the ends of the earth. That is part of our task, to take that gospel to the ends of the earth. [00:14:53]

Loved by God and chosen by God. And if you use John 3, 16 as that platform, for God so loved the world that he gave. So in here, he gave, he loved the world to send Jesus. He gave Jesus that whoever, whoever believes in him. So here's where we get this chosen, chosen, but I also chose. There's choice. So God's love was chosen for us. What was predestined was God loved you, that God would die for you, that God chose you, and anyone who chooses him back are the chosen of God. [00:15:06]

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