Faith: A Flavorful Journey of Unity and Growth
Summary
### Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of faith being both for here and to go, emphasizing the importance of a multi-dimensional faith that is rich and flavorful. We began by imagining our favorite meal, noting how the combination of various ingredients creates a memorable experience. This analogy was used to illustrate how our faith should be—a blend of different elements that make it worth sharing and taking with us wherever we go.
We delved into the idea that our faith should not be one-dimensional or bland, but rather a rich combination of qualities that enhance each other. Just as a well-prepared meal involves various ingredients coming together in harmony, our faith should be a blend of different spiritual qualities. This richness is cultivated through our relationship with Christ and our interactions with others.
We examined the book of Galatians, where Paul addresses the early church, urging them to move away from legalism and embrace the freedom that comes from faith in Christ. Paul emphasizes that in Christ, there is no division—no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. This unity in Christ is likened to putting on new clothes, symbolizing a transformation that should be evident in our lives.
The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not just a checklist but a developmental process that the Holy Spirit cultivates in us. This transformation is not instantaneous but requires us to lean into the Spirit, allowing Him to work in us over time.
We also discussed the importance of community and how the "one another" commands in the New Testament serve as a runway to display the fruits of the Spirit. These commands—such as forgiving, loving, and encouraging one another—are essential for a vibrant, united church. By practicing these, we create a rich, five-star quality community that is irresistible and transformative.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith as a Rich Combination: Just as a flavorful meal is made up of various ingredients, our faith should be a blend of different spiritual qualities that enhance each other. This richness makes our faith worth sharing and taking with us wherever we go. [29:14]
2. Unity in Christ: In Christ, there is no division—no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. This unity is like putting on new clothes, symbolizing a transformation that should be evident in our lives. Our faith should break down barriers and bring people together. [41:12]
3. Fruits of the Spirit: The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not a checklist but a developmental process. The Holy Spirit cultivates these qualities in us over time, transforming us from the inside out. [43:08]
4. Leaning into the Spirit: Instead of trying harder to be patient, kind, or self-controlled, we should lean harder into the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who produces these fruits in us, not our own efforts. This leaning requires a posture of surrender and trust. [51:04]
5. Community and One Anothering: The "one another" commands in the New Testament—such as forgiving, loving, and encouraging one another—serve as a runway to display the fruits of the Spirit. Practicing these commands creates a rich, five-star quality community that is transformative and irresistible. [54:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:14] - Imagining the Best Meal
[31:05] - Unlikely Flavor Combinations
[32:02] - Family Food Tour
[33:18] - The Perfect Burrito
[34:47] - Faith Like a Flavorful Meal
[35:49] - Unique Flavors in the Church
[37:47] - Uniting with Christ
[38:17] - Context of Galatians
[41:12] - Putting on New Clothes
[43:08] - Fruits of the Spirit
[45:32] - Developing Spiritual Qualities
[51:04] - Leaning into the Spirit
[54:00] - One Anothering in Community
[58:03] - The Importance of Groups
[01:06:34] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 3:27-28 (NIV) - "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
2. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
### Observation Questions
1. What analogy does Paul use in Galatians 3:27-28 to describe the transformation that occurs when we unite with Christ? How does this relate to the concept of unity in the sermon? [41:12]
2. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit? How does the sermon describe the process of developing these fruits? [43:08]
3. In the sermon, what is the significance of the "one another" commands in the New Testament? How do they serve as a runway to display the fruits of the Spirit? [54:00]
4. How does the sermon use the analogy of a flavorful meal to describe the richness of faith? What elements are necessary to make our faith "worth sharing and taking with us wherever we go"? [29:14]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the analogy of putting on new clothes in Galatians 3:27-28 help us understand the transformation that should be evident in our lives as Christians? What does this transformation look like in practical terms? [41:12]
2. The sermon emphasizes that the fruits of the Spirit are not a checklist but a developmental process. How does this perspective change the way we approach spiritual growth? [43:08]
3. What does it mean to "lean into the Spirit" rather than trying harder to produce the fruits of the Spirit on our own? How can this change our daily walk with Christ? [51:04]
4. The sermon discusses the importance of community and the "one another" commands. How do these commands help create a vibrant, united church? What are some practical ways we can practice these commands in our own church community? [54:00]
### Application Questions
1. Think of a specific area in your life where you struggle to exhibit one of the fruits of the Spirit. What steps can you take to lean into the Holy Spirit for growth in that area? [51:04]
2. Reflect on a time when you experienced unity in Christ that broke down barriers. How did this experience impact your faith and relationships? How can you foster such unity in your current community? [41:12]
3. Identify one "one another" command from the New Testament that you find challenging. What practical steps can you take this week to better live out this command in your interactions with others? [54:00]
4. The sermon uses the analogy of a flavorful meal to describe a rich and multi-dimensional faith. What "ingredients" (spiritual qualities) do you think are currently missing from your faith? How can you cultivate these qualities? [29:14]
5. How can you create a "five-star quality" community in your small group or church? What specific actions can you take to encourage, love, and support one another more effectively? [54:00]
6. The sermon mentions that the transformation by the Holy Spirit is a process that requires grace. How can you extend grace to yourself and others as you all grow in the fruits of the Spirit? [48:33]
7. Think of a person in your life who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person to help you lean into the Spirit for patience? [50:05]
Devotional
### Day 1: Faith as a Rich Combination
Our faith should be a blend of different spiritual qualities that enhance each other, making it worth sharing and taking with us wherever we go. Just as a flavorful meal is made up of various ingredients, our faith should be a rich combination of qualities that create a memorable and impactful experience. This richness is cultivated through our relationship with Christ and our interactions with others. By embracing a multi-dimensional faith, we can better reflect the love and grace of God in our daily lives. [29:14]
Bible Passage: "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." (2 Peter 1:5-7, ESV)
Reflection: Think about the different qualities that make up your faith. Which ones are strong, and which ones need more development? How can you actively cultivate a richer, more multi-dimensional faith this week?
### Day 2: Unity in Christ
In Christ, there is no division—no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. This unity is like putting on new clothes, symbolizing a transformation that should be evident in our lives. Our faith should break down barriers and bring people together, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ. By embracing this unity, we can create a community that is welcoming and transformative for all. [41:12]
Bible Passage: "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all." (Colossians 3:11, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on any divisions or barriers you see in your community or church. How can you actively work to break down these barriers and promote unity in Christ?
### Day 3: Fruits of the Spirit
The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not a checklist but a developmental process. The Holy Spirit cultivates these qualities in us over time, transforming us from the inside out. This transformation requires us to lean into the Spirit, allowing Him to work in us and through us. [43:08]
Bible Passage: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in this area and look for opportunities to practice it today.
### Day 4: Leaning into the Spirit
Instead of trying harder to be patient, kind, or self-controlled, we should lean harder into the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who produces these fruits in us, not our own efforts. This leaning requires a posture of surrender and trust, allowing the Spirit to guide and transform us. [51:04]
Bible Passage: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6b, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you are relying on your own strength instead of the Holy Spirit. What would it look like to surrender this area to the Spirit and trust Him to work in you?
### Day 5: Community and One Anothering
The "one another" commands in the New Testament—such as forgiving, loving, and encouraging one another—serve as a runway to display the fruits of the Spirit. Practicing these commands creates a rich, five-star quality community that is transformative and irresistible. By living out these commands, we can build a vibrant, united church that reflects the love of Christ. [54:00]
Bible Passage: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Think of one "one another" command that you can practice today. How can you intentionally encourage, love, or forgive someone in your community?
Quotes
1. "And that is something. That I feel like God is wanting to develop. In our faith. Something so good that you just can't leave here. You have to take it with you. Because really no one wants to take home. Just a piece of lettuce. Or a leftover bun. And so if we are going to be the followers of Jesus. That he is calling us to. We cannot be one ingredient. Kind of believers." [34:47] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We have got to learn how to galvanize with each other. To galvanize with him. And matter of fact. One thing that I love about the church. When I look at just the summit church even. But even the broader church. As you look at all of us. We are all unique. We all have different skill sets. We are all gifted differently. And Jesus is calling us to be flavorful. Matter of fact he called us the salt of the earth." [35:49] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And when I look at us. With all our different backgrounds. With all our different skill sets. All our unique individualities. We see a lot of flavors. Some of you are pretty sweet. Some of you are a little spicy. And that is a good thing. We like that spice. Some of you are a little sour. And then some of you when we all come together. You just create the base. That allows some of the other flavors. To come up to the forefront. We just begin to enhance each other. And when cultivated. Through the spirit. We become something pretty amazing." [36:17] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so when we look at this fruits of the spirit. Is what it is so often called. And probably some of you have heard of those. If you have been around church. And I would say even if you haven't read the scriptures before. If you are not familiar with that. You would probably look at that list and go. That is a pretty good list. I would not argue against any of those. Which is what Paul was saying. There is no law against them. We would all agree. These are some good things to adapt." [43:38] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The beauty of this is. When it is not a to do list. And it is not a checklist. Is you realize that God is producing all of this in you. Not just one thing. Not just one moment. But this is something he is producing. In all of us. At all the time. It comes as a package deal. And so instead of looking at this. As a to do list. What if we began to change our minds. And look at it. As a to develop list. Because it is always developing." [45:01] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And while this can seem a little bit challenging. Because it is a lot. It is a lot to take in. I don't think it is impossible. And this is why. I feel like it is not impossible. Why God is calling us to this. And let's go back to Galatians and figure out why. But the Holy Spirit. Produces this kind of fruit. In our lives. And we will say it again. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness. Faithfulness, gentleness. And self control." [46:01] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And the beautiful thing about that. Is we can keep trying harder. And we can try to produce this fruit. But it is not pure. But if we begin to lean into the Holy Spirit. And give him our bitterness. And our anger. That fruit that he produces in us is pure. It is coming from a genuine place. And what this might look like. Going back to the scripture. Is Paul said we need to nail it to the cross. And when I look at that. That means we have got to put some effort into it. That is not a passive thing. When we nail something to the cross. We need to take it to Jesus." [51:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so how are you one anothering? When it comes to community. And group life. Are you just staying out of it? You're just avoiding it. You just want to stay in your controlled circumstances. Because it's easier. And yeah it's easier. Because to stay a single ingredient Christian. Or a single ingredient follower. We're missing so much more. Of what Jesus died for. And what he's building his church to be." [58:03] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And so as we live out these one another's. And as we transform ourselves. And unite with Christ. Transforming our spirit. Into the fruits of the spirit. We begin to create a rich place. Five star quality. That no matter who walks in these doors. Is going to bump up against some patience. Is going to bump up against some love. When they bring in their bitterness. They are going to bump up against some joy. They see people clothed differently. Looking differently." [01:05:02] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We become the church that he envisioned. And the people that he intended. A place that people can't resist. Because we are irresistible. Because of the way that we love Jesus. And while this is challenging. I want to take us back to who does this. It is the Holy Spirit. And so I want to spend our last couple of minutes together. Just praying over us. And you individually. As a family. As a church. That God begins to cultivate these things in our lives." [01:06:05] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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