Empowered to Serve: Living Boldly for Christ
Summary
In the sermon delivered by George Flattery during the 11 AM Worship Service, the central theme revolves around the significance of our relationship with Jesus Christ and its impact on our lives and the lives of others. Flattery begins by illustrating this through the story of William Borden, a wealthy young man who chose to dedicate his life to missionary work, adopting the mottos "no reserves" and "no retreats." Despite his untimely death from spinal meningitis at 25, Borden's commitment to God's work serves as a powerful example of living a life devoted to reaching the world for Jesus Christ.
Flattery encourages the congregation to become spiritual warriors for God, sharing a story about a child at a Christian camp who learns to be dangerous to demons rather than fearing them. This narrative sets the tone for the sermon's call to passionate service and the pursuit of extraordinary acts through God's power.
Reflecting on his own missionary experiences in France during the 1980s, Flattery recounts ministering to marginalized groups and the humorous yet impactful mistake of preaching "Jesus is our mushroom" instead of "Jesus is our champion." Despite language barriers and cultural challenges, the Holy Spirit's role in salvation and the church's vitality is emphasized.
The sermon also stresses the importance of partnership in spreading the gospel, drawing parallels between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee to illustrate the necessity of both receiving and giving in our spiritual lives. Flattery shares his current ministry efforts, which include church planting, coaching young pastors, and fostering relationships between churches in the United States and France. He challenges the audience to consider their own passion for God and to be open to the Holy Spirit's empowerment.
Flattery acknowledges the authority and empowerment given by God in various aspects of life, including school and work, and invites the congregation to join in future worship services. He also shares a vision for the mission field at the campus of San Clay, calling for prayer and passion for the tough places God leads us to.
In a powerful testimony, Flattery recounts an encounter with a demon-possessed man in Dunkirk, France, highlighting the need for God's power and presence to cast out demons and heal the sick. He encourages bold prayers and a willingness to take risks, citing David Livingston's missionary work in Africa as an example.
The sermon concludes with a call to action, inviting the congregation to give their lives to God and seek new opportunities to serve. Flattery emphasizes the importance of giving and serving, with the belief that God will reciprocate and fill believers with His purpose. The congregation is encouraged to become champions of God's kingdom and to participate in church planting and missions.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of William Borden exemplifies the profound impact of living a life fully surrendered to God's purpose, demonstrating that true fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God's mission, regardless of personal cost or sacrifice. [21:10]
- Spiritual warfare is not about living in fear of the enemy but about recognizing our authority in Christ to be formidable opponents against darkness. As believers, we are called to be proactive in our faith, engaging in the spiritual battle with confidence and determination. [05:45]
- The Holy Spirit is the true agent of change and transformation in people's lives. Our human limitations or mistakes do not hinder God's work; rather, they often serve as a reminder of our dependence on the Spirit's power and guidance. [09:54]
- The analogy of the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee teaches us that a healthy spiritual life involves both receiving from God and giving to others. Our faith is not meant to be stagnant but should flow outward in acts of service and mission. [18:03]
- Bold prayers and a willingness to take risks for the sake of the gospel honor God. As believers, we should not shy away from dreaming big or praying audaciously, for it is through such faith that God's kingdom is advanced on earth. [15:44]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 2:14 - "But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere."
2. Zechariah 4:6 - "So he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty."
3. Matthew 28:18-20 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the central theme of George Flattery's sermon? ([00:36])
2. How did William Borden's life exemplify a commitment to God's mission? ([20:21])
3. What analogy did Flattery use to illustrate the importance of both receiving and giving in our spiritual lives? ([17:30])
4. What was the humorous mistake Flattery made during his missionary work in France, and what was the outcome? ([08:37])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does 2 Corinthians 2:14 relate to the idea of being led in triumph by Christ and spreading His knowledge? ([05:11])
2. In what ways does Zechariah 4:6 emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in our efforts to serve God? ([13:13])
3. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 align with Flattery's call to action for the congregation to engage in missions and church planting? ([16:50])
4. What does the story of William Borden teach us about the cost and rewards of living a life fully surrendered to God's purpose? ([21:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith and take risks for the sake of the gospel? How can you respond to this call? ([15:44])
2. How can you cultivate a passion for God in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your enthusiasm for God remains strong? ([03:22])
3. Think about a time when you felt limited by your own abilities. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's power and guidance in such situations? ([09:54])
4. In what ways can you be both a receiver and a giver in your spiritual life, similar to the analogy of the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee? ([18:03])
5. How can you incorporate bold prayers into your daily routine? Share an example of a bold prayer you can start praying this week. ([16:15])
6. Consider the story of the demon-possessed man in Dunkirk. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to face challenging situations with God's authority and power? ([14:25])
7. What specific actions can you take to support missions and church planting efforts, either locally or globally? How can you get involved in your church's mission initiatives? ([16:50])
Devotional
Day 1: Surrender to Divine Purpose
Living fully surrendered to God's purpose transcends personal sacrifice, aligning life with divine mission for true fulfillment. William Borden's life story is a testament to the profound impact of such a commitment, where material wealth and personal aspirations are secondary to God's calling. This surrender is not about loss but about gaining a life imbued with eternal significance and joy. [21:10]
Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Authority Over Darkness
Believers are empowered to be formidable opponents against darkness, engaging in spiritual warfare with authority and confidence. The narrative of a child learning to be dangerous to demons rather than fearing them illustrates the proactive stance one must take in the spiritual realm. This empowerment comes from recognizing one's identity in Christ and the authority granted to us to overcome the enemy. [05:45]
Luke 10:19 - "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Reflection: How can you exercise your God-given authority to be a force against darkness in your community today?
Day 3: Reliance on the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the agent of transformation, and human limitations do not hinder God's work. Mistakes, like preaching "Jesus is our mushroom" instead of "Jesus is our champion," become opportunities to witness the Spirit's power in overcoming barriers and touching lives. Dependence on the Holy Spirit is essential for effective ministry and personal spiritual growth. [09:54]
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 - "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt inadequate for a task but saw the Holy Spirit work through you? How can this experience encourage you to step out in faith more often?
Day 4: The Cycle of Receiving and Giving
A healthy spiritual life involves a continuous cycle of receiving from God and giving to others, much like the flow of water in the Sea of Galilee. The Dead Sea, with no outlet, symbolizes stagnation, while the Sea of Galilee represents vitality through its outflow. This principle applies to our spiritual lives, where we are called to not only receive God's blessings but also to share them with the world. [18:03]
John 7:38 - "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Reflection: What blessings have you received from God recently, and how can you actively pass these on to others in your life?
Day 5: Audacious Faith in Action
God honors bold prayers and a willingness to take risks for the gospel. David Livingston's missionary work in Africa exemplifies the impact of such audacious faith. Believers are encouraged to dream big and pray with conviction, knowing that it is through such faith that God's kingdom is advanced on earth. [15:44]
James 5:16b - "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: What is one bold prayer you can commit to praying this week, and what is one step you can take to make that prayer a reality?
Quotes
"Life is more than social media, life is more than TV, life is more than friends. Our lives are not about us; our lives are about God." [21:10] (Download)
"When he made this decision, he wrote in the back of the Bible two words: 'No reserves.' Turning down high-paying job offers after graduation from Yale, he entered two more words in his Bible: 'No retreats.'" [21:45] (Download)
"If your prayers are not impossible for you, they are insulting to God. We're in this thing together, we are partners in mission." [16:50] (Download)
"God made us for more than just taking in; God made us to give out. Like the Sea of Galilee, vibrant with life because it both receives and gives water, our Christian life must also give out to avoid stagnation." [18:03] (Download)
"We can talk a good game, but unless we give out of a passion, from the inside out, empowered by the Holy Spirit, our faith remains hollow." [18:46] (Download)
"I will not pray for you to be safe; I will pray that God will make you dangerous, so dangerous that demons will flee when they enter into your room." [06:49] (Download)
"Passion, a real sense of God's fire in our spirit, will lead us to do things for God we have no right in the natural to be doing. God wants to take ordinary people to do extraordinary things for Him." [08:05] (Download)
"The power that's in you, but more importantly perhaps the authority that is in you to cast out demons and heal the sick, and they will recover. Can somebody agree with me on that this morning?" [14:25] (Download)
"Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. God is not offended by your biggest dreams or your boldest prayers; He's offended by anything less." [16:15] (Download)
"God uses ordinary people filled with extraordinary power to see miracles take place." [08:37] (Download)
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