Empowered Hope: Living Boldly in a Hostile World
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the theme of "Living Hope in a Hostile World," focusing on the mission and message of the church as we approach Easter. We are reminded that the church exists to advance the kingdom of God by sharing the message of Jesus Christ. This mission is rooted in the resurrection, which empowers us to live with the hope and assurance that Christ is alive in us every day. The resurrection is not just an event to be celebrated once a year but a daily reality that fuels our faith and witness.
We delved into the transformation of Peter, who went from denying Christ to becoming a bold preacher at Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit. This transformation is a testament to the power of the resurrection and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The church's mission is clear: to seek and save the lost, as Jesus did. We are called to be "hope dealers," sharing the sure confidence of our future with Christ, not just wishful thinking.
The Great Commission, as recorded in the New Testament, is our mandate to be witnesses of Christ, starting in our local communities and extending to the ends of the earth. In our generation, with the aid of technology, we have the unprecedented opportunity to fulfill this commission. Evangelism and missions are not just activities of the church; they are the essence of who we are. The early church, as described in the book of Acts, was unstoppable because they were on message and on mission, despite facing great opposition.
We are encouraged to be bold and courageous in our witness, not cowering in the face of cultural hostility. The church is called to be a living, growing body that reproduces and shares the life of Christ with others. We are reminded that our witness is strengthened by spending time with Jesus, allowing His Spirit to move in us and through us. As we approach Easter, let us be intentional in inviting others to experience the hope and life found in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The resurrection of Jesus is not just an annual celebration but a daily reality that empowers us to live with hope and assurance. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on the truth of God's Word and the living presence of Christ in us. [40:56]
- The transformation of Peter from a denier to a bold preacher at Pentecost illustrates the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This same Spirit empowers us to be witnesses of Christ, sharing the message of salvation with boldness and clarity. [46:10]
- The Great Commission is our mandate to be witnesses of Christ, starting in our local communities and extending to the ends of the earth. In our generation, with the aid of technology, we have the unprecedented opportunity to fulfill this commission. [50:34]
- Evangelism and missions are not just activities of the church; they are the essence of who we are. The early church was unstoppable because they were on message and on mission, despite facing great opposition. [53:55]
- Our witness is strengthened by spending time with Jesus, allowing His Spirit to move in us and through us. As we approach Easter, let us be intentional in inviting others to experience the hope and life found in Christ. [57:05]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Living Hope
- [02:15] - The Power of the Resurrection
- [05:00] - Peter's Transformation
- [08:45] - The Mission of the Church
- [12:30] - The Great Commission
- [16:00] - Evangelism and Missions
- [20:00] - The Early Church's Boldness
- [24:00] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [28:00] - Being Hope Dealers
- [32:00] - The Importance of Witnessing
- [36:00] - Invitation to Respond
- [40:00] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
- [44:00] - Preparing for Easter
- [48:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Hope in a Hostile World
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
2. Acts 2:41 - "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."
3. Acts 4:12 - "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Observation Questions:
1. How does the transformation of Peter from a denier to a bold preacher at Pentecost illustrate the power of the Holy Spirit? [46:10]
2. What is the significance of the Great Commission as described in Acts 1:8, and how does it relate to the mission of the church today? [50:34]
3. In Acts 2:41, what was the result of Peter's preaching on the day of Pentecost, and what does this tell us about the early church's growth? [46:10]
4. According to Acts 4:12, what is the exclusive claim about salvation, and how might this be perceived in today's multicultural society? [50:34]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for the resurrection to be a "daily reality" rather than just an annual celebration, and how does this empower believers? [40:56]
2. How does the concept of being "hope dealers" challenge the way Christians engage with a world that is often without hope? [40:56]
3. In what ways does the early church's boldness and courage in the face of opposition serve as a model for modern-day believers? [53:55]
4. How can the church today utilize technology to fulfill the Great Commission, and what are some potential challenges and opportunities in doing so? [50:34]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit to share your faith. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your spiritual journey? [46:10]
2. Identify one person in your local community who might be open to hearing about the hope found in Christ. How can you intentionally engage them in a conversation about faith this week? [50:34]
3. Consider the cultural challenges you face when sharing your faith. How can you remain bold and courageous in your witness, even when facing hostility? [53:55]
4. What practical steps can you take to make the resurrection a daily reality in your life, rather than just an annual celebration? [40:56]
5. How can you leverage technology to share the message of Jesus with someone who is far from God? What specific tools or platforms might you use? [50:34]
6. Think of a situation where you might have been hesitant to share your faith. What held you back, and how can you overcome that barrier in the future? [53:55]
7. As Easter approaches, who can you invite to experience the hope and life found in Christ? What specific actions will you take to extend that invitation? [57:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Resurrection as Daily Empowerment
The resurrection of Jesus is not merely an annual celebration but a transformative reality that empowers believers to live with hope and assurance every day. This hope is not based on wishful thinking but on the confident expectation rooted in the truth of God's Word and the living presence of Christ within us. As we embrace this reality, we are called to let the resurrection power influence our daily lives, shaping our actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. The resurrection assures us that Christ is alive in us, providing strength and courage to face the challenges of a hostile world. [40:56]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you allow the reality of the resurrection to influence your decisions and interactions today?
Day 2: Transformation through the Holy Spirit
The transformation of Peter from a denier of Christ to a bold preacher at Pentecost is a powerful testament to the work of the Holy Spirit. This same Spirit is available to us, empowering us to be witnesses of Christ with boldness and clarity. The Holy Spirit transforms our weaknesses into strengths and equips us to share the message of salvation with others. As we rely on the Spirit, we can overcome fear and hesitation, becoming effective "hope dealers" in our communities. [46:10]
"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's transformation to become a more effective witness for Christ?
Day 3: The Great Commission in the Digital Age
The Great Commission is a mandate for all believers to be witnesses of Christ, starting in their local communities and extending to the ends of the earth. In our generation, technology provides an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill this commission. We are called to leverage these tools to spread the gospel, reaching people who may never set foot in a church. Evangelism and missions are not just activities of the church; they are the essence of who we are as followers of Christ. [50:34]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use technology today to share the message of Christ with someone who may not know Him?
Day 4: Unstoppable Mission of the Early Church
The early church was unstoppable because they were on message and on mission, despite facing great opposition. Their boldness and courage came from their unwavering commitment to the mission of Christ. As modern believers, we are called to emulate this same determination, not cowering in the face of cultural hostility. Our mission is to be a living, growing body that reproduces and shares the life of Christ with others, regardless of the challenges we face. [53:55]
"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." (Acts 5:42, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that you remain on mission for Christ, even when facing opposition or discouragement?
Day 5: Strengthening Our Witness through Time with Jesus
Our witness is strengthened by spending time with Jesus, allowing His Spirit to move in us and through us. As we approach Easter, we are encouraged to be intentional in inviting others to experience the hope and life found in Christ. By deepening our relationship with Jesus, we become more effective in sharing His love and truth with those around us. This intentionality in our spiritual walk not only transforms us but also impacts those we encounter. [57:05]
"And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach." (Mark 3:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you prioritize spending time with Jesus this week to strengthen your witness and invite others to experience His hope and life?
Quotes
And in a hostile culture, and the culture is becoming increasingly hostile towards Bible-believing Christians in these days, in a hostile culture, we need to stand boldly and courageously, and lovingly but boldly with our faith in Christ. And the reason that we do this is because of the resurrection. Now, we make a big deal about Easter, and we should, but for all of us who follow Jesus, Christ lives in us. It's Easter every single day. [00:36:39] (34 seconds)
And so begin finding the book of Acts, and go ahead and get to chapter 5, which you'll find our text in just a moment. But before we get to our text and the story that is in front of us, you say, I thought this lesson was about 1 Peter. I thought we're in 1 Peter. Well, I'm going to take us back a little bit after the gospels, and how Peter was transformed from the denier of Christ. He totally failed the Lord and denied the Lord, and yet Jesus, after the resurrection, restored him. [00:37:34] (31 seconds)
And we don't have to wonder what is the message and what is the mission. People ask me, what is, sometimes younger pastors want to know, what is the secret to Prestonwood? All these years, these decades of powerful growth and reaching people for Christ and this great church, what is the secret? And I tell them frankly and forthrightly, there is one secret. It is the message. It's the message. It's not the messenger or messengers. It's the message. [00:39:20] (37 seconds)
And everyone, you say, what does it mean to be lost? Everyone is lost apart from Jesus because people are looking for God. They want to know. And so often, and we see it in our generation, people don't know which direction to go. And yet I'm seeing a new openness, a renewed openness, because people are so without hope. And, you know, we as Christians, we're hope dealers, not dope dealers. We're hope dealers. [00:40:19] (32 seconds)
In Acts chapter 1, verse 8, says, You shall be witnesses unto me. Again, the words of Jesus. This is the fifth time recorded in the New Testament from the four Gospels to now the book of Acts. Our great commission, which unfortunately has become the great omission for so many churches and so many Christians. But he said, You shall be witnesses unto me. After the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will be my witnesses. [00:41:36] (32 seconds)
And so the same commission is our commission. His commission is our commission. And that is to reach our neighbors and the nations with the gospel of Christ. And we're living in a generation that is possible to do this. As we are a global church due to. We are a global church due to the value of technology, and we're preaching right now online. We're live, and our programs go all around the world. [00:42:08] (27 seconds)
And they were bold and courageous in doing that in the face of great opposition. The opposition of the religious establishment. The opposition of the Roman government. And yet the church is unstoppable. Because Jesus said, I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against you. You can't stop the living church of Jesus Christ. You just can't. [00:46:55] (24 seconds)
And this is what God has called us to do. And now to our text. Because the way this happens, I think, is best taught in these verses in chapter 5 and verse 28. Are you there with me? Say yes. All right. Peter and John are arrested for preaching the gospel. They're put in jail. They're beaten. They're told never to speak the name of Jesus again. Can you imagine telling these guys not talk about Jesus when they knew He was alive? [00:53:36] (33 seconds)
And this is our job as well. Verse 30 says, the God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. Who killed Jesus? You say, well, the Jews did. No, they were part of it. The Romans did it. No, they, yes, they were a part of it. But we were also there because our sins were there. Who crucified Jesus? [00:56:18] (32 seconds)
The way our witness is strong and bold is when we spend time with Jesus, we cannot help but speak of what we've seen and what we've heard. Could it be that so many never speak of Jesus because they haven't seen a lot or heard a lot? If you want to be an effective witness for the gospel, you need to pray and ask God to move in your heart. Spend time with Jesus every day. [00:58:40] (28 seconds)
We have the good news, and too many Christians are more interested in keeping the faith and giving it away. Now, I'm all for guarding the gospel, protecting the faith, and conserving truths, and being protective of everything we have. But this isn't the church. The church doesn't huddle up and hide stuff. No, we go with this gospel of Jesus Christ. We tell the world, let's go. [01:03:26] (23 seconds)
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