Embracing Our Inheritance: Serving Like Jesus
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of simplifying our faith and focusing on the primary purpose of what God has called us to do: reach people, teach people, and love them with all that we have. I was challenged to consider how the church has become overcomplicated and structured, moving away from the simplicity of Jesus's original design. I was encouraged to reflect on how we can strip away the fluff and focus on revealing the transforming presence of Jesus. I was also reminded that discipleship is not about attending a class, but about seeing real disciples walk out their faith and learning from their example.
In the second part of the sermon, I was challenged to rethink the way we view church and the world. I was reminded that God doesn't want us to separate ourselves from the world, but to engage with it, calling people to a higher standard of living. I was also reminded that God is breaking down the command and control model of the church, moving us towards a more organic, reproducing model. I was encouraged to consider how I can serve others without any expectation of reward or recognition, understanding that my inheritance comes from God, not from others.
Key Takeaways:
- We need to simplify our faith and focus on the primary purpose of what God has called us to do: reach people, teach people, and love them with all that we have. #!!01:53:42!!#
- Discipleship is not about attending a class, but about seeing real disciples walk out their faith and learning from their example. #!!01:54:30!!#
- God doesn't want us to separate ourselves from the world, but to engage with it, calling people to a higher standard of living. #!!01:37:06!!#
- God is breaking down the command and control model of the church, moving us towards a more organic, reproducing model. #!!01:41:51!!#
- We should serve others without any expectation of reward or recognition, understanding that our inheritance comes from God, not from others. #!!01:47:20!!#
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. The church has become overly complicated and structured, moving away from the simplicity of Jesus's original design. We need to return to the basics of loving Jesus, reaching people, teaching people, and loving them with all we have. [01:53:42]
2. The church has become too reliant on programs and classes, rather than mentoring and walking in covenant with one another. We need to start walking like Jesus and reflecting Him in our communities. [01:55:08]
3. The church needs to be organic and reproducing, with leaders training and pouring into others without fear of being overtaken. The focus should be on serving one another and out-serving each other. [01:47:20]
4. The vision of the church should be to be like Jesus, walk like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. This includes serving one another and our neighbors, and doing everything unto Him. [01:59:19]
5. There should be no separation between the church and the world. We are called to love people to the maximum capacity and call them to a higher standard, just as Jesus did. [01:39:47]
Bible Passages for Group Reading:
1. Acts 2:42-47
2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
3. John 13:1-17
4. Matthew 28:16-20
5. Matthew 5:13-16
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 2:42-47, how did the early church function in comparison to the points raised in the sermon?
2. How does 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 illustrate the importance of every member in the body of Christ?
3. What does John 13:1-17 teach us about serving one another?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Matthew 28:16-20 support the point about the church needing to be organic and reproducing?
2. In what ways does Matthew 5:13-16 challenge the idea of separation between the church and the world?
3. How can we apply the principle of serving one another as seen in John 13:1-17 in our current church context?
Application Questions:
1. How can we simplify our church processes to focus more on loving Jesus and loving people?
2. What steps can we take to mentor and walk in covenant with one another in our church community?
3. How can we better serve our neighbors and reflect Jesus in our communities?
Devotional
Day 1: The Simplicity of Church
The church, in its essence, is a simple concept that has been overcomplicated by man. It is about coming together, breaking bread, praying, spreading the gospel, and revealing Jesus. We need to strip away the fluff and focus on the primary purpose of loving Jesus and reaching out to people. [01:53:42]
Bible passage: Acts 2:42 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Reflection: How can you contribute to simplifying your church experience and focusing more on the primary purpose of loving Jesus?
Day 2: Walking Like Jesus
The vision of the church is to be like Jesus, walk like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. It's not about us, but about Him. We are called to serve one another and our neighbors, as they are our greatest need. [01:57:20]
Bible passage: 1 John 2:6 - "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."
Reflection: How can you better serve your neighbors and reflect Jesus in your daily life?
Day 3: Sonship and Adoption
We are all sons and daughters of God, but sometimes this knowledge needs to reach our hearts. We need to break free from the orphan spirit and step into the adoption of God. [02:00:01]
Bible passage: Romans 8:15 - "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship."
Reflection: How can you better embrace your identity as a son or daughter of God?
Day 4: Serving Humbly
We are called to serve one another humbly, without any requirement of title or entitlement. When we serve with humility, God will promote us and provide us with what we need to accomplish our mission. [01:48:44]
Bible passage: Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."
Reflection: How can you serve others more humbly in your daily life?
Day 5: The Harvest is Coming
We often talk about the coming harvest, but we need to be the ones to bring it in. God is calling us to go beyond our comfort zones and labor for His kingdom, even if our lives aren't perfect. [01:50:13]
Bible passage: Matthew 9:37 - "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.'"
Reflection: How can you step out of your comfort zone to labor for God's kingdom?
Quotes
1. "Jesus didn't look out for his own interest, he looked out for our interest. If Jesus had looked out for his own interest, he would have never gotten on that cross. From the moment he was born, his interest was to die for us." - 01:29:05
2. "Sonship is not a position of entitlement, sonship is a position of inheritance coming from the Lord. We are called to serve the kingdom with no expectation of reward or return." - 01:29:48
3. "If we can humbly serve one another with no requirement of title or entitlement in our lives, God will promote us. He will take us to the Nations, he will give us whatever we need to accomplish all mission." - 01:48:44
4. "We've come to a season where the church has so many programs because people are not ready to mentor one another, to walk in covenant with one another. How will somebody be a son if they've never seen a son before? How will you be like Jesus if you've never really seen Jesus in somebody else?" - 01:55:08
5. "Jesus didn't separate himself from the sinner, he actually went to the sinners because he said the sinners need me more than you guys do. We have to call people to a higher standard. Will they immediately change? No, it's a journey of understanding that there is no separation between the church and the world." - 01:37:48
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