Fulfilling Your God-Given Assignment Through Faith and Community
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound question: "What does your ministry look like?" We began by acknowledging that if you are still here, your assignment from God is not yet complete. This means that each of us has a unique purpose and mission to fulfill. We delved into three critical areas to focus on to complete our God-given assignments: walking with the Holy Spirit, living among other Christians, and trusting in what we cannot see.
First, we discussed the importance of living with the Holy Spirit in mind. Just as a dove would rest on your shoulder, the Holy Spirit rests upon us, guiding our actions and decisions. We must be mindful not to grieve the Holy Spirit by our actions, as intimacy with Him is crucial for fulfilling our assignments.
Second, we examined our relationships with other Christians. We are called to build each other up, to encourage and support one another. This involves recognizing what we need from others and offering that same support to them. Whether it's through words of encouragement, acts of service, or simply being present, our interactions should reflect the love and support that we ourselves desire.
Lastly, we focused on living by faith, believing in what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. This faith involves not only believing in God's existence but also trusting that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Even when our faith is as small as an ember, God honors it and moves in our lives.
We concluded by emphasizing the importance of these three areas in fulfilling our assignments. By being aware of the Holy Spirit, lifting up others, and living by faith, we can make a significant impact in the world and complete the work God has set before us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living with the Holy Spirit in Mind: Just as a dove would rest on your shoulder, the Holy Spirit rests upon us, guiding our actions and decisions. We must be mindful not to grieve the Holy Spirit by our actions, as intimacy with Him is crucial for fulfilling our assignments. Every step we take should be with the Holy Spirit in mind, ensuring that our actions align with His guidance. [42:51]
2. Building Each Other Up: Our relationships with other Christians are vital. We are called to build each other up, to encourage and support one another. This involves recognizing what we need from others and offering that same support to them. Whether it's through words of encouragement, acts of service, or simply being present, our interactions should reflect the love and support that we ourselves desire. [46:28]
3. Living by Faith: Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. This faith involves not only believing in God's existence but also trusting that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Even when our faith is as small as an ember, God honors it and moves in our lives. We must force ourselves to believe in what we cannot see, trusting that God is working even when we don't understand. [54:15]
4. The Power of Repentance: When we feel distant from God, the quickest way to restore intimacy is through repentance. Saying "I'm sorry" to God can immediately bring us back into close fellowship with Him. This act of humility and acknowledgment of our shortcomings allows the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in our lives. [52:04]
5. Impacting Others: Our assignment is not just about our personal relationship with God but also about impacting those around us. We are called to lift up others, to be a source of encouragement and strength. By focusing on the needs of others and offering support, we fulfill our God-given mission and make a lasting impact in the world. [50:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:34] - Prayer of Blessing
[30:06] - Welcoming Guests
[31:24] - Living by Faith
[32:46] - Jehovah-Jireh: God Provides
[34:11] - Introduction to the Message
[35:30] - The Reality of Heaven and Hell
[37:06] - Walking with the Holy Spirit
[42:51] - Living with the Dove in Mind
[44:35] - Avoiding Darkness
[46:28] - Building Each Other Up
[50:20] - The Power of Encouragement
[52:04] - The Importance of Repentance
[54:15] - Living by Faith
[56:09] - The Ember of Faith
[57:55] - Trusting in God's Rewards
[59:23] - Conclusion and Call to Action
[01:00:20] - Alone with God
[01:01:07] - Personal Testimony
[01:03:35] - Prayer and Dedication
[01:05:45] - Confession and Forgiveness
[01:07:25] - Final Worship and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 1:9-10 - "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove."
2. Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 - "Do not quench the Spirit."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Mark 1:9-10 describe happening to Jesus after His baptism? How is the Holy Spirit depicted?
2. According to Hebrews 11:6, what are the two essential components of faith that please God?
3. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:19 instruct us not to do regarding the Holy Spirit?
4. In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe living with the Holy Spirit in mind? ([42:51])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of the Holy Spirit descending like a dove in Mark 1:9-10 help us understand our relationship with the Holy Spirit? ([42:51])
2. Why is it important to believe that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, as stated in Hebrews 11:6? How does this belief impact our daily lives? ([54:15])
3. What does it mean to "quench the Spirit" as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, and how can we avoid doing this in our lives? ([42:51])
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of building each other up. How does this align with the biblical instruction to encourage and support one another? ([46:28])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily actions and decisions. How can you be more mindful of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life, similar to the analogy of the dove on your shoulder? ([42:51])
2. Think about a recent situation where you felt distant from God. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to restore intimacy with Him through repentance? ([52:04])
3. Identify a fellow Christian in your life who might need encouragement. What specific action can you take this week to build them up and support them? ([50:20])
4. Consider a time when you struggled to believe in what you cannot see. How did you handle it, and what can you do to strengthen your faith in God's unseen work in your life? ([54:15])
5. The sermon mentioned the power of saying "I'm sorry" to God to restore intimacy. Is there something you need to repent for today? How can you make this a regular practice in your spiritual life? ([52:04])
6. Reflect on your interactions with others. How can you ensure that your words and actions reflect the love and support you desire for yourself? ([46:28])
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of living by faith. What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more, and what practical steps can you take to grow in that trust? ([54:15])
Devotional
Day 1: Living with the Holy Spirit in Mind
Description: Living with the Holy Spirit in mind means being constantly aware of His presence and guidance in our lives. Just as a dove would rest on your shoulder, the Holy Spirit rests upon us, guiding our actions and decisions. We must be mindful not to grieve the Holy Spirit by our actions, as intimacy with Him is crucial for fulfilling our assignments. Every step we take should be with the Holy Spirit in mind, ensuring that our actions align with His guidance. This awareness helps us to live a life that is pleasing to God and effective in our ministry. [42:51]
Ephesians 4:30 (ESV): "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Reflection: Think about a recent decision you made. How might you have approached it differently if you had been more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance?
Day 2: Building Each Other Up
Description: Our relationships with other Christians are vital. We are called to build each other up, to encourage and support one another. This involves recognizing what we need from others and offering that same support to them. Whether it's through words of encouragement, acts of service, or simply being present, our interactions should reflect the love and support that we ourselves desire. By fostering a community of mutual support and encouragement, we create an environment where everyone can grow and thrive in their faith. [46:28]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: Identify one person in your church community who might need encouragement today. How can you reach out to them and offer your support?
Day 3: Living by Faith
Description: Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. This faith involves not only believing in God's existence but also trusting that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Even when our faith is as small as an ember, God honors it and moves in our lives. We must force ourselves to believe in what we cannot see, trusting that God is working even when we don't understand. This kind of faith is essential for fulfilling our God-given assignments and experiencing His presence in our lives. [54:15]
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to trust God? How can you take a step of faith in that area today?
Day 4: The Power of Repentance
Description: When we feel distant from God, the quickest way to restore intimacy is through repentance. Saying "I'm sorry" to God can immediately bring us back into close fellowship with Him. This act of humility and acknowledgment of our shortcomings allows the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in our lives. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but about turning away from them and seeking to live in a way that honors God. It is a powerful tool for maintaining a close and vibrant relationship with Him. [52:04]
Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
Reflection: Is there something in your life that you need to repent of today? Take a moment to confess it to God and ask for His forgiveness and guidance.
Day 5: Impacting Others
Description: Our assignment is not just about our personal relationship with God but also about impacting those around us. We are called to lift up others, to be a source of encouragement and strength. By focusing on the needs of others and offering support, we fulfill our God-given mission and make a lasting impact in the world. This involves being attentive to the opportunities God places in our path to serve and encourage others, thereby extending His love and grace to those around us. [50:20]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is struggling. How can you be a source of encouragement and support to them today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If your assignment were over, your assignment on what God has put on your life, if it were over, you would not be here right now. The Lord would snatch you up. And take you to heaven. If you've ever lost a loved one or a close friend, their assignment was over on this earth and the Lord snatched them up." [34:11] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You cannot play, in the darkness and walk in the light at the same time. You can call yourself a Christian all you want to. I believe in God. I believe in God. Here's a little secret. Satan believes in God and he knows the Bible very well, very well." [42:51] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You cannot please me unless you live by faith. You can't please me unless you live believing in what you cannot see. And then the Lord says this, this faith has two parts to it. It's like a sandwich. There's two pieces of bread. Faith has two parts. And he says this, if you're going to please me, you got to believe in both. The first one is that I am here, that I exist. Without that, forget about it. You can't please me." [54:15] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we stand before God, it is not going to be, you're not going to get in just because you believe in him. In Matthew chapter 7 verse 22, it reads like this. When people stand before me, they will say, Lord, Lord, didn't we do miracles in your name? These are children of God. Didn't we cast out demons in your name? These are children of God. And the Lord will look back at them and say, depart from me. I never knew you. Depart from me. You, you didn't, we had no relationship." [44:35] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're going to fulfill your assignment, rather than just walking through this world and, and living like some, uh, you know, random person, just walking through and live your life and die and back up. If you're going to make an impact at all, we have to remember that the way we talk, the way we live has to be with the dove in mind." [44:35] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "There are some people when they live with the Lord, they treat their relationship like a salad bar, right? You go through a salad bar and, oh, I like that. I'll take that. Oh, I don't like that. I'll take this. I don't like that. I'll take that. And you know, we're going to be accountable for that. We're going to be accountable for that, where when we stand before the Lord, we just say, Lord, I just didn't trust you in this area." [31:24] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we do something or say something, we feel that distance. Welcome to being human. We back up and say, Lord, I'm sorry. bam, you, you will never see the Lord move so quickly as when you feel distant with him. And you say the words, I'm sorry. You will never ever. He's like, you feel him straight away." [44:35] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we live with each other, we should build each other up. Uh, let me think. What is it? It's in, um, Ephesians, Ephesians chapter 11, verse 12. It in verse 11, it says that pastors are supposed to equip the saints. They're supposed to help you equip you, um, in apostles and preachers and evangelists, all these offices supposed to make you equip you watch this to build up people." [46:28] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we have this mentality that when we see people, whoever we see, it is my assignment to lift them up. This is my assignment. And some of you have this gift where you can look at someone's face and see that they're not doing good. Don't leave them there. By the time you walk away, they ought to be feeling stronger. They ought to have light in their eyes." [50:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Pay attention to the Holy Spirit. Look for people to lift up. And then number three, force yourself to believe in what you cannot see. Would you stand to your feet? Put your hands together for the Lord. Come on, he's a good God. He's a present God. You know what I love about the Lord? Is that he's omnipresent. He's everywhere. But you are also alone with him." [01:00:20] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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