Focusing on Christ: Embracing the Present and Future
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded not to glamorize the past as the "good old days" but to focus on the present and future. The sermon emphasized the importance of caring for both those within and outside the family of God, and not to neglect the Great Commission. It was stressed that personal preferences should not override God's mission and that the focus should not be solely on maintaining our facilities but on reaching out to the world. The sermon also highlighted the importance of being connected to the core, which is Jesus Christ, and how being connected to Him allows us to bear much fruit.
In the second part of the sermon, I was reminded that the core of the Christian life is found in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The sermon emphasized the importance of focusing on Jesus and His teachings, as there is nothing else that can change our lives and give us life. The sermon also highlighted the importance of being connected to the core of who God is and what He wants for us. It was stressed that every disciple should be worshiping, generous, in a community with one another, engaging the scriptures, equipped for ministry, sharing the word of God through personal witness, and caring for other people.
Key takeaways:
- The importance of not glamorizing the past but focusing on the present and future ([01:08:06])
- The need to care for both those within and outside the family of God ([01:08:36])
- The significance of being connected to the core, which is Jesus Christ ([01:09:45])
- The core of the Christian life is found in Jesus Christ and Him crucified ([01:10:22])
- Every disciple should be worshiping, generous, in a community with one another, engaging the scriptures, equipped for ministry, sharing the word of God through personal witness, and caring for other people ([01:13:42])
Study Guide
Takeaways from the sermon:
1. The importance of being connected to the core, which is Jesus Christ, is emphasized. This connection is what gives life to the church and its members. It is through this connection that we bear fruit and thrive in our spiritual journey ([40:15]).
2. The role of parents and the home environment in the spiritual upbringing of children is highlighted. Parents are the central discipling figures in their children's lives and are encouraged to raise them in the fear and instruction of the Lord ([41:24]).
3. The sermon also underscores the significance of sharing the gospel with others, both within and outside the family of God. This is part of the Great Commission that every believer is called to fulfill ([43:05]).
Bible Reading:
1. John 15:1-11
2. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says He is the vine and we are the branches in John 15?
2. In Deuteronomy 6, what instructions are given to parents regarding the spiritual upbringing of their children?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does being connected to Jesus as the vine influence our daily lives according to John 15?
2. What practical steps can parents take to fulfill the instructions given in Deuteronomy 6?
Application Questions:
1. How have you experienced the life-giving connection with Jesus in your personal life?
2. As a parent or guardian, how are you implementing Deuteronomy 6 in your home? If you're not a parent, how can you support parents in your community in this task?
3. How are you fulfilling the Great Commission in your daily life? Can you share a recent experience where you shared the gospel with someone?
4. How can you encourage and support others in your small group to stay connected to Jesus, the vine?
5. How can you use your Bible more effectively in your personal and family devotions?
Devotional
Day 1: The Integral Role of Parents in Discipleship
Parents play a crucial role in the spiritual development of their children. They are the primary disciplers, shaping their children's understanding of God and His word. The time spent with children far outweighs the time they spend in church, making parents the central figure in their spiritual journey. This responsibility is not to be taken lightly but embraced as a divine calling ([40:49]).
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate spiritual conversations and teachings into your daily interactions with your children?
Day 2: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
The core of the Christian life is fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the one who gives life and changes lives. As we engage with the scriptures, we grow in our understanding of who Jesus is and are drawn to live by His word ([01:12:06]).
Hebrews 12:2 - "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: How can you make Jesus the central focus of your daily life?
Day 3: Looking Up and Moving On
As believers, we are called to look up to God and move forward in faith. This involves trusting that God will protect and care for us, even as we face challenges and uncertainties. Our faith journey is not about looking back but moving forward towards the direction God is leading us ([01:14:56]).
Exodus 13:21 - "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night."
Reflection: What steps can you take this week to trust God more with your future?
Day 4: God as Our Leader
God is not a distant boss giving orders; He is a leader who goes before us and experiences our journey with us. He understands our struggles and leads us towards the direction and destination He has planned for us. Following God may not be easy, but it is the safest and best way ([58:36]).
Deuteronomy 31:8 - "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Reflection: How does understanding God as your leader change your perspective on the challenges you are currently facing?
Day 5: God's Guidance in Change
God knows the changes we will make in our lives and He guides us through them. Even when we are unsure or constantly changing our minds, God remains steadfast and leads us on the best path. His guidance is not dependent on our certainty but on His unchanging nature ([01:00:55]).
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: How can you trust God more with the changes and decisions you are facing in your life?
Quotes
1. "Don't make the past the hero and glamorize it as the good old days. Budgets focused inward only towards what we want. The people cared only about their own over caring about others and it's not an either or. We're supposed to care for those who are a part of the family of God and those who are outside of the family of God." - 01:08:06
2. "If you look up and move on instead of Inward and backwards, you will be the church that is thriving. It's the church that we heard about in John 15. Jesus says abide in me, be connected to me and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it is connected to the vine, neither can you unless you are connected to me." - 01:09:45
3. "What was the main message that Paul preached over and over and over again? Jesus. Every once in a while I'll hear this pastor we hear about Jesus crucified and risen again every weekend can we hear of something else? No. If that was good enough for Paul that better be good enough for me and for us." - 01:10:53
4. "The central discipling figure in their life is you. You get to raise them in the fear and instruction of the Lord. We pray that these Bibles would be well used, well studied and well worn out so that maybe come your freshman year of high school you can come back to us and go uh can I get a new Bible and we will certainly say yes because what more important thing can God's people do but provide Bibles for God's people." - 41:24
5. "As we spend these next few weeks looking up to you and looking forward to what you have for us as we spend some time celebrating the past and especially this past year but then more importantly looking forward to next year this year and all the work that you are calling us to may we ever look up to you move on into the future and by looking up look around us to see those who need to know about Jesus." - 01:14:56
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