Faithfulness: Unlocking God's Power in Our Lives

 

Summary

To have faith is to be faithful. This is a profound truth that resonates throughout our lives as believers. Despite the ups and downs, the failures, and the challenges, remaining steadfast in our faith is a testament to our faithfulness. Our journey is not about perfection but about perseverance. We are called to be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, representing Jesus Christ in every sphere of life, whether in business, community, or education. God's desire is to use us supernaturally, and our faithfulness is the key to unlocking His power in our lives.

The Kingdom of God is not a physical territory but the dynamic, powerful rule of God. From the beginning of creation, God's intention was to establish His rulership over the earth. The story of the Bible is the narrative of the loss and restoration of God's presence and Kingdom. Despite Adam's failure and Israel's shortcomings, Jesus came to succeed where they failed, pushing the boundaries of God's rule to the ends of the earth. The Kingdom of God is manifested through His presence, and we, as believers, are the mobile tabernacles of the Holy Spirit, carrying His presence wherever we go.

The church is not the Kingdom but the instrument through which the Kingdom operates. We are imperfect people filled with the power of God, and our imperfections do not disqualify us from being used by Him. The power of the Kingdom is not limited to church services but extends to every aspect of our lives. We are called to be faithful, and in our faithfulness, God shows up and works through us. Our qualification is not based on our abilities but on God's sovereign grace. He has chosen us, and His power is at work in us, enabling us to fulfill the Great Commission.

Key Takeaways:

- Faithfulness is the essence of faith. Despite our failures and challenges, remaining steadfast in our faith is a testament to our faithfulness. It is not about perfection but perseverance, and God uses our faithfulness to manifest His power in our lives. [36:45]

- The Kingdom of God is the dynamic rule of God, not a physical territory. From creation, God's intention was to establish His rulership over the earth, and Jesus came to succeed where Adam and Israel failed, pushing the boundaries of God's rule to the ends of the earth. [09:43]

- The church is the instrument through which the Kingdom operates. We are imperfect people filled with God's power, and our imperfections do not disqualify us from being used by Him. The power of the Kingdom extends beyond church services to every aspect of our lives. [17:11]

- Our qualification is based on God's sovereign grace, not our abilities. He has chosen us, and His power is at work in us, enabling us to fulfill the Great Commission. We are called to be faithful, and in our faithfulness, God shows up and works through us. [42:11]

- The power of the Kingdom is manifested through God's presence in us. We are mobile tabernacles of the Holy Spirit, carrying His presence wherever we go. Our faithfulness allows God to manifest His presence and push the boundaries of His Kingdom through us. [34:05]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction and Personal Story
[02:21] - Sarah's Journey to Faith
[03:28] - Divine Encounters and God's Plan
[04:42] - The Kingdom of God and Its Significance
[08:32] - God's Intention for Creation
[09:43] - Jesus' Mission and the Kingdom
[11:35] - Restoration of God's Presence
[12:43] - The Power of the Kingdom in Us
[13:40] - Imperfect People, Perfect Power
[15:14] - The Kingdom Beyond Church Walls
[17:11] - Ambassadors of Christ
[19:30] - God's Power in Everyday Life
[21:10] - Supernatural Encounters
[25:31] - Faithfulness and God's Sovereign Choice
[34:05] - The Power of Faith and Faithfulness
[36:45] - Conclusion and Call to Faithfulness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Mark 13:10 - "And the gospel must first be preached to all nations."
2. Matthew 24:14 - "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
3. Ephesians 1:19-20 - "And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest is the essence of faith, and how is it demonstrated in our lives? [36:45]
2. How does the sermon describe the Kingdom of God, and what is its significance in the biblical narrative? [08:32]
3. According to the sermon, what role does the church play in relation to the Kingdom of God? [17:11]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of being "mobile tabernacles" of the Holy Spirit? [34:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the relationship between faith and faithfulness, and why is this distinction important for believers? [36:45]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus succeeded where Adam and Israel failed, and what implications does this have for the Kingdom of God? [09:43]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of God's sovereign grace in choosing and empowering believers? [42:11]
4. What does the sermon imply about the power of the Kingdom being manifested through believers, and how does this relate to the Great Commission? [34:05]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced challenges in your faith journey. How did you remain faithful, and what did you learn from that experience? [36:45]
2. How can you actively represent the Kingdom of God in your workplace or community, as suggested in the sermon? [17:11]
3. The sermon emphasizes that our imperfections do not disqualify us from being used by God. How can you embrace this truth in your daily life? [13:40]
4. Consider the idea of being a "mobile tabernacle" of the Holy Spirit. What practical steps can you take to carry God's presence with you throughout the week? [34:05]
5. How can you rely on God's sovereign grace rather than your abilities when facing a daunting task or decision? [42:11]
6. Identify one area in your life where you can push the boundaries of God's Kingdom. What specific actions will you take to do this? [34:05]
7. How can you cultivate a heart of faithfulness in your relationship with God, even when you feel inadequate or unqualified? [36:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Faithfulness as Perseverance
Faithfulness is not about achieving perfection but about persevering through life's challenges and remaining steadfast in one's faith. This perseverance is a testament to one's faithfulness, allowing God to manifest His power in our lives. As believers, we are called to be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, representing Jesus Christ in every sphere of life. Our journey is marked by ups and downs, but it is our unwavering commitment to faith that enables us to be used supernaturally by God. In our faithfulness, God shows up and works through us, not because of our abilities but because of His sovereign grace. [36:45]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond in faith, and how can you continue to persevere in faithfulness despite difficulties?


Day 2: The Kingdom of God as Dynamic Rule
The Kingdom of God is not a physical territory but the dynamic, powerful rule of God. From the beginning of creation, God's intention was to establish His rulership over the earth. Despite the failures of Adam and Israel, Jesus succeeded in pushing the boundaries of God's rule to the ends of the earth. The Kingdom of God is manifested through His presence, and believers are the mobile tabernacles of the Holy Spirit, carrying His presence wherever they go. This understanding calls us to live with the awareness that we are part of a larger narrative of God's Kingdom being restored on earth. [09:43]

"And he said to them, 'To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables.'" (Mark 4:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be more aware of God's dynamic rule in your daily life, and what steps can you take to carry His presence into your community?


Day 3: The Church as an Instrument of the Kingdom
The church is not the Kingdom itself but the instrument through which the Kingdom operates. As imperfect people filled with God's power, our imperfections do not disqualify us from being used by Him. The power of the Kingdom extends beyond church services to every aspect of our lives. We are called to be faithful, and in our faithfulness, God shows up and works through us. Our qualification is based on God's sovereign grace, not our abilities. This understanding encourages us to embrace our imperfections and trust in God's power to work through us in every sphere of life. [17:11]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you allow God's power to work through your imperfections in your workplace or community this week?


Day 4: God's Sovereign Grace as Our Qualification
Our qualification to fulfill the Great Commission is not based on our abilities but on God's sovereign grace. He has chosen us, and His power is at work in us, enabling us to fulfill His purposes. This truth reminds us that our worth and effectiveness in God's Kingdom are not determined by our skills or achievements but by His grace. As we remain faithful, God shows up and works through us, demonstrating His power and love to the world. This understanding calls us to rely on God's grace and trust in His plan for our lives. [42:11]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area where you feel inadequate. How can you rely on God's grace to empower you in this area today?


Day 5: Manifesting God's Presence Through Faithfulness
The power of the Kingdom is manifested through God's presence in us. As mobile tabernacles of the Holy Spirit, we carry His presence wherever we go. Our faithfulness allows God to manifest His presence and push the boundaries of His Kingdom through us. This understanding calls us to live with the awareness that we are carriers of God's presence, and our actions and attitudes can reflect His love and power to those around us. As we remain faithful, we become vessels through which God's Kingdom is extended on earth. [34:05]

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally carry and manifest God's presence in your interactions with others today?

Quotes

To have faith is to be faithful. That's what it is. If you've been through hell, you've been up and down, you've been in and out, you've failed the Lord the odd time, but you're still here. You're faithful. [00:00:01] (17 seconds)


The kingdom of God is the rule of Almighty God. It's a dynamic, powerful rule of God himself. And from the very beginning of the Bible, God's intention was to establish his rulership over his creation. So he put Adam and Eve in the garden, which was a portion of the earth, but it was wasteland outside, with the intention of then pushing out the boundaries until they'd taken all of it and turned the whole thing into a paradise. [00:07:58] (29 seconds)


What is God doing here? He's saying, Jesus is going to succeed where Adam failed. Jesus is going to succeed where Israel failed. Jesus is going to take and push out the boundaries of the rule of God to the very ends of this earth before he returns. And then the whole thing is going to be recreated into what God wanted to be in the first place, but even better. [00:10:48] (26 seconds)


We are the temple of God because God is restoring his presence on the earth. And the presence is called the kingdom. Now, a long time ago, there was a Catholic theologian. He got disillusioned with the institutional church and he made this statement. Jesus preached the kingdom, but all he got was the church. [00:13:20] (20 seconds)


The church is just imperfect people. It's actually good news because it's imperfect people filled with the power of God that God still has the intention of using. And so the devil will come to you and tell you you're disqualified for any number of reasons. Martin Luther, who definitely had the power of the kingdom operating within him, had a dream one night, and the devil came to him in this dream, and all of his sins were listed. [00:13:47] (25 seconds)


To have faith is to be faithful. That's what it is. If you've been through hell, you've been up and down, you've been in and out, you failed the Lord the odd time, but you're still here, you're faithful. You got faith. You have more faith than you think. You have way more faith than you think. You have way more faith than you think. Way more faith than you think. [00:36:30] (27 seconds)


God doesn't use you because you're good. He doesn't, what is it? He doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. He's called you. That's what the word elect means in the New Testament. You're called. You are a called and chosen people. It wasn't because you looked good or you did good or any quality that you had that God called you. It's because of his sovereign grace. [00:36:51] (28 seconds)


That's all he calls for you to do. You just be faithful. The kingdom power of God will work through you. Wherever you go, you are qualified by God, not because of who you are or anything special about you, but simply because he has chosen you. My goodness, how great is our God. Don't we need the power of this kingdom if our church is to fulfill, if the body of Christ as a whole is to fulfill the great commission? [00:41:48] (40 seconds)


Let your will, your will as it is in heaven, let it be done on earth. How's it going to be done? It's through people like you and me, imperfect, ordinary people who know we're nothing, but the power of God is operating through us. Why? Simply because we have made a commitment to be faithful and just see what God does. Amen. Fantastic. [00:45:13] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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