Faith, Promise, and Our Mission as Believers
Summary
In this sermon, I explored the story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 18, focusing on the promise God made to them about having a son. I emphasized the importance of faith and trust in God's promises, even when they seem impossible from a human perspective. I also highlighted the grace of God in dealing with Sarah's unbelief, not by taking away the promise, but by reaffirming it. I also discussed my recent training experience in Atlanta, Georgia, where I learned valuable lessons about communication, vision, and unity. This training helped me to grow as a communicator and to understand the importance of digging deeper into God's word.
In the second part of the sermon, I discussed the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, emphasizing the invitation and challenge of following Jesus. I stressed the importance of not falling into an affirmation culture or an enemy culture, but rather into a gospel culture. I concluded the sermon by encouraging the congregation to see themselves as missionaries, to pray for those who do not know God, and to live out their faith in a way that draws others to Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Trust in God's promises, even when they seem impossible from a human perspective. God's plans are not limited by our understanding or circumstances. ([05:25])
2. God deals with our unbelief not by taking away His promises, but by reaffirming them. His grace is abundant even in our moments of doubt. ([07:00])
3. The call to follow Jesus is both an invitation and a challenge. It involves both coming to Him and taking up our cross daily. ([08:28])
4. We should strive to live in a gospel culture, not an affirmation culture or an enemy culture. Our focus should be on sharing the good news of Jesus with others. ([10:28])
5. We are all called to be missionaries, praying for those who do not know God and living out our faith in a way that draws others to Christ. ([42:35])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 18 [07:40]
2. Genesis 19 [05:25]
3. John 4:10-18 [36:43]
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the Lord appearing to Abraham in human form in Genesis 18?
2. In Genesis 19, what is the context and what are the key events that take place?
3. In John 4:10-18, how does Jesus interact with the woman at the well and what does he offer her?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the appearance of the Lord in human form to Abraham in Genesis 18 relate to the concept of God's presence and interaction with humanity?
2. What can we learn from the events in Genesis 19 about God's judgment and mercy?
3. How does Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well in John 4:10-18 illustrate the nature of God's grace and the offer of eternal life?
Application Questions:
1. How can we apply the lessons from Abraham's encounter with the Lord in Genesis 18 to our understanding of God's presence in our lives?
2. Reflecting on Genesis 19, how can we respond to God's judgment and mercy in our own lives?
3. Considering Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well in John 4:10-18, how can we better extend grace and offer the 'living water' of the gospel to those around us?
4. Can you think of a person in your life who, like the woman at the well, might be open to hearing about the 'living water' Jesus offers?
5. What is one way you can demonstrate God's grace to someone this week, following the example of Jesus with the woman at the well?
Devotional
Day 1: Intercession for the Lost
Abraham's intercession for the wicked city of Sodom is a powerful example of compassion and mercy. He did not justify or affirm the city's sins, but he pleaded with God for mercy, showing his deep concern for the lost. This should challenge us to intercede for those in our world who are far from God, rather than condemning or dismissing them ([26:11]).
Genesis 18:23-32 - "Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?..."
Reflection: Who in your life is far from God? How can you intercede for them this week?
Day 2: The Righteous Judge
God is the righteous judge who sees all and knows all. We must trust in His justice and mercy, even when we don't understand His ways. This trust should shape our prayers and our interactions with others ([27:26]).
Genesis 18:25 - "Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
Reflection: How does trusting in God as the righteous judge affect your prayers and your interactions with others?
Day 3: The Call to Follow Jesus
The call to follow Jesus is both an invitation and a challenge. It requires us to die to ourselves and live for Christ. This call should shape our identity and our mission in the world ([42:35]).
Luke 9:23 - "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"
Reflection: How is the call to follow Jesus challenging you today? How is it inviting you?
Day 4: The Gospel Culture
As Christians, we are called to live in a "gospel culture," not an "affirmation culture" or an "enemy culture." This means we should be marked by grace, truth, and a desire for others to know Christ ([44:45]).
Ephesians 4:15 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a "gospel culture" in your life and relationships?
Day 5: The Power of God's Grace
We are saved not by our own efforts, but by the power of God's grace. This grace should fill us with gratitude and motivate us to share the good news of Jesus with others ([46:47]).
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: How has God's grace impacted your life? How can you share this grace with others this week?
Quotes
1. "How do I take the intercession of Abraham and let that resolve in my spirit and land firmly into the path of calling people to follow Jesus? Because it's not just found an easy invitation alone, it's not just found in the complicated challenge, but it's what Jesus did. It's both. It's both Come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Come and get this water that springs from it eternal life and let's deal with this that is here." - 42:35
2. "One day, whether it was at VBS, whether it was at a worship service, whether it was at a Bible study, whether it was at a youth camp or whether it was like me. Strangely, in a rock in the middle of a river, you and I were just sitting there by the well, doing what we did. And Jesus came down and sat beside us and we heard the invitation and received the challenge to follow him." - 44:45
3. "God, may we never back down from the sweet goodness that is the invitation. To come and follow Christ. But Lord, may we also not back down with the challenge of come to. Die so that what comes from that is a follower of you." - 46:47
4. "Abraham humbly over and over and over again. I am like dust before you, Lord, if I can have permission to say this. This is not an argument. This is a humble plea. And Abraham humbly intercedes. Abraham came near to the Lord, and. In intercession, draws near to God so that he can pray with his heart." - 27:26
5. "No one around Jesus was like, I wonder what he thinks about that. But everyone around Jesus knew there was a seat at the table. He invites her to understand that he's different. He invites her to understand that He's God and that he can give her something, as we just sang before I walked up here on stage, that only can satisfy in Him." - 33:42
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