Faith, Obedience, and the Call to Surrender
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound purpose and mission that God has for each of our lives. We emphasized the importance of community and connection, encouraging everyone to get involved in various church activities and small groups. We also took a moment to pray for Central Baptist Church, celebrating their open-handed and kingdom-minded approach that has greatly supported our own church's journey.
We introduced a new series called "The Hall of Faith," inspired by Hebrews 11, which highlights the faith of Old Testament figures. This series aims to deepen our faith by examining these stories through the lens of Jesus Christ. We discussed how faith is not just a one-time decision but a muscle that needs to be developed through continuous trust and surrender to God.
Using the analogy of learning through mimicry, we compared how we grow in faith by emulating great examples, just as we might mimic a skilled singer to improve our own vocal abilities. We delved into the concept of faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, challenging us to trust in God's unseen plans for our lives.
We also examined the story of Abel from Genesis 4, highlighting three key lessons: faith is connected to obedience, not convenience; the heart of God always carries grace and kindness; and our doing well impacts our faith, even though it doesn't determine our righteousness. Abel's obedient sacrifice was contrasted with Cain's convenient offering, teaching us the importance of giving God our best.
Finally, we invited everyone to reflect on their own lives, asking where they might be choosing convenience over obedience and where they need to trust God more fully. We closed with a call to action, encouraging those who haven't yet surrendered their lives to Jesus to take that step of faith today.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith and Obedience: Faith is deeply connected to obedience rather than convenience. Abel's offering was accepted by God because it was given in obedience, not out of convenience. This challenges us to examine our own lives and see where we might be offering God what is convenient rather than what He has asked for. True faith requires us to step out in obedience, even when it is difficult. [33:17]
2. God’s Grace and Kindness: The heart of God always carries grace and kindness. Even when Cain's offering was not accepted, God extended grace and gave him clear instructions on how to be accepted. This shows us that God is always inviting us into a closer relationship with Him, offering us grace and kindness even when we fall short. [37:28]
3. Faith Beyond Sight: Faith involves trusting in what we cannot see. Just as we trust in gravity, wind, and other unseen forces, we are called to trust in God's plans and purposes for our lives, even when they are not visible. This kind of faith requires us to fix our gaze on the eternal and unseen, rather than the temporary and visible. [14:04]
4. Impact of Obedience on Faith: While our righteousness is not determined by our actions, our obedience to God significantly impacts our faith journey. Abel's obedient sacrifice was a testament to his faith, and it earned him a good reputation. Our acts of obedience, though they do not make us righteous, strengthen our faith and witness to others. [41:51]
5. Invitation to Surrender: The ultimate call of faith is to surrender fully to Jesus Christ. This involves laying down our fears, conveniences, and control, and trusting God with every aspect of our lives. Whether it's a first-time decision to follow Jesus or a renewed commitment to deeper faith, surrender is the key to experiencing the fullness of God's plans for us. [49:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:25] - Encouragement to Connect
[03:30] - Prayer for Central Baptist Church
[05:35] - Introduction to "The Hall of Faith" Series
[07:26] - Learning Through Mimicry
[09:54] - Faith Beyond Sight
[12:41] - The Firm Foundation of Faith
[14:04] - Trusting in the Unseen
[19:31] - The Challenge of Illusions
[21:46] - Steps of Faith in Uncertainty
[24:07] - Assurance and Conviction in Faith
[27:10] - Abel's Example of Faith
[30:31] - Faith and Obedience
[36:01] - God's Grace and Kindness
[41:51] - Impact of Obedience on Faith
[45:27] - Invitation to Surrender
[49:26] - Prayer of Commitment
[52:29] - Next Steps and Baptism
[54:16] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:1-4 (NIV)
> "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead."
2. Genesis 4:1-10 (NIV)
> "Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, 'With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.' Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.' Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let’s go out to the field.' While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?' 'I don’t know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother’s keeper?' The Lord said, 'What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.'"
3. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
> "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
### Observation Questions
1. What were the different offerings that Cain and Abel brought to God, and how did God respond to each? (Genesis 4:3-5)
2. According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined?
3. What does 2 Corinthians 4:18 say about the focus of our faith?
4. In the sermon, what analogy was used to describe how we grow in faith by emulating great examples? [07:26]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's? What does this tell us about the nature of faith and obedience? (Genesis 4:4-5)
2. How does the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 challenge our understanding of trust in God's unseen plans? [14:04]
3. What does the story of Abel teach us about the relationship between faith and righteousness? (Hebrews 11:4)
4. How can the concept of fixing our eyes on what is unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18) help us in our daily walk of faith? [24:42]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you chose convenience over obedience in your faith journey. How did that decision impact your relationship with God? [33:17]
2. In what areas of your life is God calling you to trust Him more fully, even when His plans are not visible? How can you take a step of faith in those areas this week? [21:46]
3. Abel's offering was accepted because it was given in obedience. What are some practical ways you can ensure that your offerings to God (time, talents, resources) are given out of obedience rather than convenience? [33:17]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of God's grace and kindness in your life, especially when you feel you have fallen short? [37:28]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of community and connection. How can you actively engage in your church community to strengthen your faith and the faith of others? [01:25]
6. Identify one area where you feel "stuck" in your faith. What specific steps can you take to move forward in trust and obedience to God? [22:41]
7. The ultimate call of faith is to surrender fully to Jesus Christ. What fears or conveniences are holding you back from full surrender, and how can you address them this week? [49:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith and Obedience
Faith is deeply connected to obedience rather than convenience. Abel's offering was accepted by God because it was given in obedience, not out of convenience. This challenges us to examine our own lives and see where we might be offering God what is convenient rather than what He has asked for. True faith requires us to step out in obedience, even when it is difficult. [33:17]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: Where in your life are you choosing convenience over obedience to God? What steps can you take today to offer God your best, even when it is difficult?
Day 2: God’s Grace and Kindness
The heart of God always carries grace and kindness. Even when Cain's offering was not accepted, God extended grace and gave him clear instructions on how to be accepted. This shows us that God is always inviting us into a closer relationship with Him, offering us grace and kindness even when we fall short. [37:28]
Psalm 103:8-10 (ESV): "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt you fell short. How did you experience God's grace and kindness in that situation? How can you extend that same grace and kindness to others today?
Day 3: Faith Beyond Sight
Faith involves trusting in what we cannot see. Just as we trust in gravity, wind, and other unseen forces, we are called to trust in God's plans and purposes for our lives, even when they are not visible. This kind of faith requires us to fix our gaze on the eternal and unseen, rather than the temporary and visible. [14:04]
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God because you cannot see the outcome? How can you practice trusting Him more fully in that area today?
Day 4: Impact of Obedience on Faith
While our righteousness is not determined by our actions, our obedience to God significantly impacts our faith journey. Abel's obedient sacrifice was a testament to his faith, and it earned him a good reputation. Our acts of obedience, though they do not make us righteous, strengthen our faith and witness to others. [41:51]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent act of obedience to God. How did it impact your faith and the faith of those around you? What is one act of obedience you can commit to today?
Day 5: Invitation to Surrender
The ultimate call of faith is to surrender fully to Jesus Christ. This involves laying down our fears, conveniences, and control, and trusting God with every aspect of our lives. Whether it's a first-time decision to follow Jesus or a renewed commitment to deeper faith, surrender is the key to experiencing the fullness of God's plans for us. [49:26]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
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?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There's a significant purpose on your life. There's a mission for your story. You're not meant to do life alone. You're meant to shine bright as a part of heaven's kingdom." [01:25] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for. It is the evidence of things we cannot see. Have you ever heard that verse? Faith is the substance of things we hope for. The evidence of what we can't see." [10:47] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What if Jesus' church rised up with bold faith and that became one of the catalysts for reaching lost people for Christ? What if our faith was so tangible and so visible and so evident and so seen that we had a great reputation as Christians because of our faith?" [11:29] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. The conviction of things not seen. How do you have assurance and conviction of what you're hoping for and what you can't see? Faith is confidence in what we hope for. Assurance about what we do not see in the NIV." [24:07] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We live by believing, not by seeing. How's your faith today? Where are you believing God to become unstuck right now? Where have you not taken a step? Not taken a risk? Not stepped out in faith? And as such, you're feeling restrained and held back." [25:34] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Faith is connected to obedience, not convenience. The Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife, it says in Genesis 3. Did you know that from the beginning of time, it's not stated, but it's most certainly implied, an animal's blood was spilled in response to Adam and Eve's original sin." [30:31] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The heart of God always carries grace and kindness. The Lord said to Cain, why are you angry? Why is your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? If you don't do well, sin's crouching at the door." [36:51] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Our doing well and offering to God what he desires is no longer attached to our righteousness. But it does impact our faith. Our doing well and our obedience to God is no longer connected to our righteousness. You can't be good enough to make yourself righteous enough." [41:51] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus offered up his life to pay the full penalty of sin for all of humanity. That's why we don't sacrifice animals anymore. Jesus is offering. Of sacrificing his life. Paid the price for our righteousness in full." [44:15] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "How does Abel's example challenge you to grow in your faith this week? How does Abel's example of obedient trust in what he sacrificed speak to your heart and to your life and to your story? Where are you believing God to become unstuck right now?" [45:27] (-1171 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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