Faith, Repentance, and the Call to Transformation

Summary

### Summary

Today, we celebrated the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ through the testimonies and baptisms of four individuals. Their stories remind us that while faith in Jesus doesn't make life perfect, it anchors us in the hope and trust of a perfect God who is always faithful. We heard from Rodney and Karla, who turned to Jesus instead of worldly solutions, and from Myrna, who shared how even a small amount of faith can grow and transform a life over time. These testimonies underscore the importance of turning to God first in our times of need.

We then delved into Revelation 18, which describes the fall of Babylon. This chapter serves as a warning against the enticements of the world and the consequences of idol worship. Babylon's fall is depicted as a dirge, a lament for the wicked, emphasizing that the luxuries and pleasures of this world are fleeting and ultimately lead to destruction. The chapter also highlights God's mercy and patience, as He gives people multiple opportunities to repent and turn away from their sins.

The message is clear: we are called to come out of the world, to flee from its sins, and to not share in its judgments. This call to repentance is not just for our benefit but for the generations that follow us. We have the opportunity to break generational curses and to be grafted into the tree of the Kingdom of God, changing the trajectory of our family lines from judgment to blessing.

In closing, we were reminded of the seriousness of sin and the importance of removing anything that hinders our relationship with Jesus. We are called to be the salt and light of the world, standing apart in our faith while living in the world. This is not a call to isolate ourselves but to influence our environments positively without compromising our faith.

### Key Takeaways

1. Faith in Jesus as a Foundation: The testimonies of Rodney, Karla, and Myrna illustrate that faith in Jesus doesn't make life perfect but provides a foundation of hope and trust in a perfect God. Their stories remind us to turn to God first in our times of need, rather than seeking worldly solutions. [39:47]

2. The Fall of Babylon: Revelation 18 serves as a warning against the enticements of the world and the consequences of idol worship. The chapter describes Babylon's fall as a dirge, emphasizing that the luxuries and pleasures of this world are fleeting and ultimately lead to destruction. [52:54]

3. God's Mercy and Patience: Despite the impending judgment, God shows His mercy and patience by giving people multiple opportunities to repent. He withholds His judgment until the sins of Babylon are piled up to heaven, demonstrating His desire for all to come to repentance. [59:05]

4. Generational Impact of Faith: We have the opportunity to break generational curses and change the trajectory of our family lines from judgment to blessing. By coming out of the world and fleeing from its sins, we can be grafted into the tree of the Kingdom of God, impacting generations to come. [01:04:29]

5. Seriousness of Sin: Jesus' warning about causing others to sin and the imagery of the millstone emphasize the seriousness of sin. We are called to remove anything that hinders our relationship with Jesus and to live as the salt and light of the world, influencing our environments positively without compromising our faith. [01:23:27]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Opening Joke
[1:00] - Testimonies and Baptisms
[35:54] - Power of Prayer
[39:02] - Turning to God First
[43:13] - Myrna's Story
[50:50] - Introduction to Revelation 18
[51:23] - Context of Revelation
[52:24] - Babylon's Fall
[54:24] - Idol Worship and Worldly Enticements
[56:55] - True Fulfillment in Jesus
[57:23] - Call to Come Out of Babylon
[59:05] - God's Mercy and Patience
[01:04:29] - Generational Impact of Faith
[01:23:27] - Seriousness of Sin
[01:25:25] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 18:1-5
2. Jeremiah 51:5-6
3. Mark 9:42

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Revelation 18:1-5 describe about the fall of Babylon and its consequences? How is Babylon depicted in these verses?
2. According to Jeremiah 51:5-6, what is the instruction given to the people regarding Babylon, and what is the reason for this instruction?
3. In Mark 9:42, what warning does Jesus give about causing others to sin, and what imagery does He use to emphasize the seriousness of this warning?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the fall of Babylon in Revelation 18 serve as a warning against the enticements of the world and idol worship? What are the implications for believers today? [52:54]
2. What does the call to "come out of Babylon" in Revelation 18:4 mean for Christians in a modern context? How can this be applied to our daily lives? [57:23]
3. How does Jesus' warning in Mark 9:42 about causing others to sin relate to the overall message of Revelation 18? What does this tell us about the seriousness of sin and its impact on others? [01:23:27]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the testimonies of Rodney, Karla, and Myrna, how can you prioritize turning to God first in your times of need rather than seeking worldly solutions? What practical steps can you take to make this a habit? [39:47]
2. Revelation 18 warns against the fleeting nature of worldly luxuries and pleasures. Are there any areas in your life where you are tempted by these enticements? How can you shift your focus to find true fulfillment in Jesus? [56:55]
3. The sermon emphasized the opportunity to break generational curses and change the trajectory of our family lines from judgment to blessing. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith positively impacts future generations in your family? [01:04:29]
4. Considering the seriousness of sin as highlighted in the sermon, is there anything in your life that is hindering your relationship with Jesus? What actions can you take to remove these hindrances and live as the salt and light of the world? [01:23:27]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of influencing our environments positively without compromising our faith. How can you be a positive influence in your workplace, school, or community while staying true to your Christian values? [01:25:25]
6. Reflect on the call to repentance and the opportunity to come out of the world. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? How can you make this change starting today? [59:05]
7. Jesus' warning about causing others to sin is a serious one. Are there any behaviors or habits in your life that might be leading others astray? How can you address these issues to ensure you are a positive influence on those around you? [01:23:27]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Jesus as Our Anchor
Faith in Jesus doesn't make life perfect, but it provides a foundation of hope and trust in a perfect God. The testimonies of Rodney, Karla, and Myrna illustrate this truth vividly. Rodney and Karla turned to Jesus instead of worldly solutions, finding a steadfast anchor in Him. Myrna's story shows how even a small amount of faith can grow and transform a life over time. These stories remind us to turn to God first in our times of need, rather than seeking temporary fixes from the world. [39:47]

Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

Reflection: Think about a recent challenge you faced. Did you turn to God first, or did you seek worldly solutions? How can you make turning to God your first response in future challenges?

Day 2: The Fleeting Nature of Worldly Pleasures
Revelation 18 serves as a stark warning against the enticements of the world and the consequences of idol worship. Babylon's fall is depicted as a dirge, emphasizing that the luxuries and pleasures of this world are fleeting and ultimately lead to destruction. This chapter reminds us that true fulfillment and lasting joy can only be found in Jesus Christ. The world offers temporary satisfaction, but it cannot provide the eternal peace and joy that come from a relationship with God. [52:54]

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you are tempted by worldly pleasures. How can you shift your focus from these temporary enticements to the eternal joy found in Jesus?

Day 3: God's Mercy and Patience
Despite the impending judgment described in Revelation 18, God shows His mercy and patience by giving people multiple opportunities to repent. He withholds His judgment until the sins of Babylon are piled up to heaven, demonstrating His desire for all to come to repentance. This highlights God's incredible patience and His longing for us to turn away from our sins and return to Him. It is a reminder that no matter how far we have strayed, God's mercy is always available to us if we choose to repent. [59:05]

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's patience and mercy. How can you extend that same patience and mercy to others in your life today?

Day 4: Breaking Generational Curses
We have the opportunity to break generational curses and change the trajectory of our family lines from judgment to blessing. By coming out of the world and fleeing from its sins, we can be grafted into the tree of the Kingdom of God, impacting generations to come. This is a powerful reminder that our faith and actions have a lasting impact, not just on our lives but on the lives of those who come after us. We can choose to leave a legacy of faith and blessing for future generations. [01:04:29]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Reflection: Consider the legacy you are leaving for future generations. What steps can you take today to ensure that your family line is marked by faith and blessing rather than judgment?

Day 5: The Seriousness of Sin
Jesus' warning about causing others to sin and the imagery of the millstone emphasize the seriousness of sin. We are called to remove anything that hinders our relationship with Jesus and to live as the salt and light of the world. This means influencing our environments positively without compromising our faith. It is a call to be vigilant about the things in our lives that may lead us or others away from God and to take decisive action to remove those hindrances. [01:23:27]

Matthew 18:6-7 (ESV): "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!"

Reflection: Identify one thing in your life that may be hindering your relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take today to remove this hindrance and draw closer to Him?

Quotes

1. "Faith in Jesus Christ right just doesn't immediately make our lives perfect but we do put our hope and our trust in a perfect God who is always faithful and as his word says will never leave us nor forsake us." [35:54] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When you're kind of discouraged, when you're kind of beat down by the world. They're not turning to other things in the world. Right, to find help. They're not turning to other things in this world. They're turning to the one who created the world. Right? So both of their stories are very similar. Where they're turning to Jesus instead of a substance, instead of something else that's out there in the world. That so many people out there reach for first. They reach for God first." [39:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you have faith just the size of a mustard seed. Right? If you just have a little bit of faith. Just have a little bit of faith. And just put it in him. Over time that little faith just continues to grow and grow and grow. Until you look back and he's in three years has changed her life. Right? So that's something that only Jesus can do in a person's life." [43:33] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We believe that every good and perfect gift comes from his hand first. And we're simply stewards of the resources that he has entrusted us with. And one of that is to say to him. God I trust you with my life. And I trust you with my finances. And so we give back to God." [44:48] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "That whenever we're down or outward God that we turn to you first. Instead of the things in this world. And Father just thank you. That even in our own stubbornness or rebellion. That it just takes a little bit of faith. God that if we would just trust you with a little bit today. God you will make much of our faith. And you will make much of our lives." [45:32] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "There is nothing. Hopesters there is nothing. In this world. That will ever satisfy you. Or fill that void. That you have. Because it's not a thing. It's a person. And his name is Jesus Christ. And he is the only one. Who can fulfill whatever it is. That your heart is desiring. Or lacking." [56:23] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You have the opportunity. Right here. And right now. To break that in a sense. Generational curse. Off of your family tree. And to be grafted. In the tree of the kingdom of God. Which will change. Generations. For your family tree. To a thousand generations." [01:04:29] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "It doesn't matter. Well I grew up in a single family home. I grew up in a broken home. And you know. I have this sad story. And you know what. My heart goes out to you. And it breaks for you. But you have the opportunity. Right here. And right now. To break that in a sense. Generational curse. Off of your family tree. And to be grafted. In the tree of the kingdom of God. Which will change. Generations. For your family tree. To a thousand generations." [01:04:53] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "If there is anything in your life, if there is anything in your heart that is hindering you from Jesus and his kingdom, get rid of it. Get rid of it. Before that thing is hindering you, causes you to hinder somebody else. Man, what a warning." [01:23:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Let us be the ones who change the generations of our family tree, from the judgment of hundreds of years to the blessing of thousands of years. Let us be the called out ones. Let us be the ones." [01:27:01] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?