Enduring Faith: Embracing Community and True Righteousness
Summary
### Summary
Today’s service was unique due to unexpected circumstances caused by a storm that flooded parts of our building. Despite these challenges, we gathered together, embracing the essence of the church as a community of believers rather than a physical structure. We reflected on Hebrews 10:35-36, which encourages us to hold onto our confidence and endure, knowing that God’s promises await us. This scripture reminds us that adversities are part of life, but faith and perseverance lead to the fulfillment of God’s promises.
We then moved into a time of communion, reflecting on the profound love of Jesus Christ. Communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice, His body broken, and His blood shed for our salvation. It symbolizes God’s immense love for us, a love that transcends our past mistakes and labels. This act of remembrance is not just about looking back but also looking forward to His return, reinforcing our hope and endurance in the face of life’s challenges.
The sermon focused on practical righteousness, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:1. Jesus warns against performing acts of righteousness to be seen by others, emphasizing that our motives should be pure and centered on God. True righteousness is driven by love for God and others, not by the desire for human approval. We explored the importance of examining our motives, looking to the reward of eternal life, and keeping our focus on God. By doing so, we align our lives with God’s will and experience His blessings.
We concluded with a call to self-examination and a reminder of the rewards that come from living a life of faith and love. The ultimate reward is a deep, intimate relationship with God, which is the foundation of a life well-lived in His presence.
### Key Takeaways
1. Endurance in Faith: Hebrews 10:35-36 teaches us the importance of holding onto our confidence and enduring through challenges. Faith and perseverance are crucial in receiving God’s promises. Adversities are inevitable, but they refine our faith and bring us closer to the fulfillment of God’s will. [07:26]
2. The Essence of Communion: Communion is a profound act of remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice. It symbolizes His body broken and His blood shed for our salvation. This act reminds us of God’s immense love, which transcends our past mistakes and labels, and it reinforces our hope in His return. [09:55]
3. Motives Matter: Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:1 that our acts of righteousness should not be performed to be seen by others. True righteousness is driven by love for God and others, not by the desire for human approval. Our motives determine the quality of our work in God’s eyes. [39:28]
4. Expectation of Reward: Living a life of faith and righteousness comes with the promise of reward. Jesus assures us that following Him is not without its rewards, both in this life and in eternity. This expectation helps us endure and remain faithful, knowing that God honors our obedience. [46:49]
5. Focus on God: Keeping our focus on God is essential for living a life of practical righteousness. By setting our minds on things above and practicing the presence of God, we align our lives with His will and experience His blessings. This awareness transforms our daily actions and decisions. [53:09]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:40] - Storm and Flood Update
[06:44] - Adjusted Service Plan
[07:26] - Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:35-36
[08:17] - Gathering Despite Adversity
[08:50] - Communion Introduction
[09:55] - The Significance of Communion
[10:50] - Jesus’ Sacrifice and Love
[11:35] - Remembering Jesus’ Return
[12:29] - Preparing for Communion
[13:10] - Prayer Over Communion Elements
[14:08] - The First Passover and Jesus’ Blood
[15:30] - Proclaiming Healing and Grace
[16:20] - Worship and Praise
[17:37] - Announcements
[19:37] - Introduction to Sermon: Practical Righteousness
[20:15] - Jesus on Practical Righteousness
[21:11] - Personal Story: Wrestling Match
[22:51] - The Need to Belong
[24:39] - Seeking Acceptance
[26:02] - The Rich Young Ruler
[27:13] - Peter’s Question and Jesus’ Response
[29:06] - Seeking God’s Face and Hand
[30:23] - Reward for Righteousness
[31:11] - Testing of Faith
[31:56] - Avoiding Legalism
[33:16] - Balancing Good Works and Motives
[34:37] - Righteousness Empowered by Love
[35:31] - Christ at the Center
[37:05] - Maintaining Focus on Jesus
[38:41] - Main Idea: Matthew 6:1
[39:28] - Principle 1: Look to Yourself
[45:34] - Principle 2: Look to the Reward
[53:09] - Principle 3: Look to God
[59:18] - Setting God as Your North Star
[01:01:10] - Living by Love for God
[01:07:15] - Final Prayer and Reflection
[01:14:03] - Closing Announcements and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV): "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
2. Matthew 6:1 (NIV): "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 10:35-36 say about the importance of confidence and endurance in the life of a believer?
2. According to Matthew 6:1, what warning does Jesus give about practicing acts of righteousness?
3. In the sermon, what were the unexpected circumstances that led to a unique service? [05:40]
4. How did the pastor describe the significance of communion during the service? [09:55]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of enduring through challenges, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:35-36, apply to the adversities faced by the church during the storm? [07:26]
2. What might be some modern examples of practicing righteousness to be seen by others, as warned against in Matthew 6:1? [20:15]
3. How does the act of communion serve as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and God's love, according to the sermon? [09:55]
4. Why is it important to examine our motives behind our actions, as discussed in the sermon? [39:28]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you hold onto your confidence and faith during that time? What was the outcome? [07:26]
2. Think about your daily actions and routines. Are there any areas where you might be performing acts of righteousness to be seen by others? How can you shift your focus to doing these acts for God alone? [20:15]
3. During communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can you incorporate this act of remembrance into your daily life to reinforce your hope and endurance? [09:55]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of pure motives. Can you identify a specific action you took recently and examine your true motive behind it? How can you ensure your future actions are driven by love for God and others? [39:28]
5. The pastor mentioned the need for self-examination. How can you incorporate a daily or weekly practice of examining your heart and motives? What steps will you take to start this practice? [39:28]
6. How does the expectation of reward, both in this life and in eternity, influence your daily decisions and actions? Can you think of a specific instance where this expectation helped you remain faithful? [46:49]
7. The sermon concluded with a call to focus on God. What practical steps can you take this week to keep your focus on God amidst daily distractions? [53:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Endurance in Faith
Adversities are an inevitable part of life, but they serve a greater purpose in refining our faith and bringing us closer to the fulfillment of God’s promises. Hebrews 10:35-36 encourages believers to hold onto their confidence and endure through challenges, knowing that God’s promises await those who persevere. This passage reminds us that faith and perseverance are crucial in receiving God’s promises. When we face difficulties, it is an opportunity to deepen our trust in God and to grow spiritually. By enduring through trials, we demonstrate our faith and reliance on God’s strength rather than our own.
In moments of hardship, it is essential to remember that God is with us and that He has a plan for our lives. Our endurance in faith is not just about surviving the storm but about thriving and growing through it. As we hold onto our confidence in God, we can face any challenge with the assurance that He is working all things for our good. Let this be a reminder to stay steadfast in your faith, knowing that God’s promises are sure and that He will see you through every trial. [07:26]
Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV): "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond in faith, and how can you continue to trust God’s promises in similar situations?
Day 2: The Essence of Communion
Communion is a profound act of remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice. It symbolizes His body broken and His blood shed for our salvation. This act reminds us of God’s immense love, which transcends our past mistakes and labels, and it reinforces our hope in His return. When we partake in communion, we are reminded of the depth of Jesus’ love for us and the price He paid for our redemption. It is a time to reflect on His sacrifice and to renew our commitment to live in a way that honors Him.
Communion is not just about looking back at what Jesus did on the cross but also looking forward to His return. It is a reminder that we are part of a larger story of redemption and that our hope is anchored in the promise of His return. As we partake in communion, let us do so with a heart of gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that we are loved and forgiven by God. [09:55]
1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Reflection: As you prepare for the next communion, take a moment to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice. How does this act of remembrance impact your daily life and your relationship with God?
Day 3: Motives Matter
Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:1 that our acts of righteousness should not be performed to be seen by others. True righteousness is driven by love for God and others, not by the desire for human approval. Our motives determine the quality of our work in God’s eyes. It is essential to examine our hearts and ensure that our actions are motivated by a genuine desire to please God rather than seeking recognition from others.
When we perform acts of righteousness with pure motives, we align ourselves with God’s will and experience His blessings. It is a call to live authentically, with integrity, and to seek God’s approval above all else. By focusing on pleasing God rather than people, we can live a life that is truly righteous and pleasing to Him. [39:28]
Matthew 6:1 (ESV): "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Reflect on your recent acts of kindness or service. Were your motives pure, or were you seeking approval from others? How can you shift your focus to seek God’s approval in your actions?
Day 4: Expectation of Reward
Living a life of faith and righteousness comes with the promise of reward. Jesus assures us that following Him is not without its rewards, both in this life and in eternity. This expectation helps us endure and remain faithful, knowing that God honors our obedience. The rewards of living a righteous life are not just material or temporal but also spiritual and eternal.
As we follow Jesus, we can expect to experience His peace, joy, and presence in our lives. These rewards are a foretaste of the eternal life that awaits us. Knowing that God sees and rewards our faithfulness can motivate us to continue living according to His will, even when it is challenging. Let this be an encouragement to stay faithful and to trust that God’s rewards are worth the sacrifices we make. [46:49]
Matthew 19:29 (ESV): "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."
Reflection: Consider the sacrifices you have made in your walk with Christ. How have you experienced God’s rewards in your life, and how does this motivate you to continue following Him?
Day 5: Focus on God
Keeping our focus on God is essential for living a life of practical righteousness. By setting our minds on things above and practicing the presence of God, we align our lives with His will and experience His blessings. This awareness transforms our daily actions and decisions, helping us to live in a way that honors God.
When we focus on God, we are reminded of His greatness, His love, and His faithfulness. This perspective helps us to navigate life’s challenges with a sense of peace and purpose. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our ultimate goal is to glorify God and to enjoy His presence forever. Let this be a reminder to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. [53:09]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally focus on God throughout your day? How can this shift in focus impact your actions and decisions?
Quotes
1. "One of the things that the Lord just kind of encouraged me is that we are going to face adversities and challenges in life. But the reality is, is that if we will hold on in faith, we will receive the promise. And so, sometimes we have situations. Like this, you know, we, we are blessed because the body of Christ and church is not a building. It's a people. It's the assembling of the saints." [07:26] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "No matter what you've done in this life, God's love came after you. The Bible says, and this is love. Amen. Amen. When we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. And it's not that we love God first, but it's that he loved us first. And this is what this communion service represents. This is what the elements represent. The fact that you are deeply, deeply loved. So loved by God that he left glory to come down to earth." [10:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "No matter what we're going through in this life, no matter what you've dealt with, no matter what troubles you face, no matter what challenges you face today, I want you to remember that God deeply loves you. God deeply loves you and he's coming back for you. And because of that, we can take courage this morning because of that. We can endure this morning, no matter what, you know, no matter what you're struggling with, you can endure and you can hold fast and you will receive the promises of God. He is faithful. Just hold on." [11:35] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you are going to live the life that God wants you to live, if you're going to experience the kingdom of heaven, if you're going to experience the great and precious promises that God has appointed for you, you have to get your focus on one thing, Christ at the center. If you don't start with Jesus, you will get off track. If you don't maintain in your daily life. Jesus at the center of everything, you will get off track." [35:31] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you set your mind upon God, you're always able to follow him and be with him wherever he is. Do you know that for centuries, sailors used the North Star for guidance and direction when they were sailing? Do you know why? Because the North Star has a special relationship to the North Pole, essentially. It always stays in alignment. So it's faithful and it's easy to reliably use as a method to getting from point A to point B. As long as you can find that star, you can position yourself in relative space so that you know how to get from where you are to where you're going." [58:54] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "A life of practical righteousness is one that lives by love for God and not for the love of men. We're going to see this repeated over and over and over again. This is kind of the setup for the second half of the Sermon on the Mount. It's a life of faith working by love. A life well pleasing to God that brings a great reward. I want you to shift your faith and realize that you don't serve God for the reward, but you can't serve God without reward." [01:01:10] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Ultimately, God is, like he told Abraham, I am your exceeding great reward. You get to have a relationship with the God of universe. God who calls you by your name. God who knows the numbers of hairs on your head. God who knows everything about you. You get to have a relationship with him. You get to come boldly to the throne of grace. You get to call him your father. That is the greatest reward you can ever get." [01:05:00] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When a husband works on himself so he can be a better husband, ain't nobody mad, right? When a Christian works on themselves to be more faithful as a follower of Jesus, there's nothing wrong with that. When a husband does the right thing in his marriage, or when a wife does the right thing, isn't there a reward? There is. Why? Because love just responds to love." [01:06:50] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When you love the Lord, can anyone stop you from talking about Jesus? They can't. Man, I got saved and I've been talking about Jesus since and I can't stop. I don't want to stop. If I start stopping, y'all better check me. Amen. Y'all be like, y'all know before I do, I guess." [01:13:16] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So we get ready to close. We're going to be done now. We're just going to close with worship and then we'll be dismissed. I remind you, we have First Wednesday coming up. That's going to be a great meeting. Hopefully you can come. We're going to dig into the Bible. You're going to learn how to study the Bible for yourself. We're in the book of Revelation. I think we finally made it to the first letter to the churches. It's going to be crazy. So you want to come." [01:14:03] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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