Growing in Faith: The Power of Community and Acceptance
Summary
In his message, Ken Jumper emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth and community within the Christian faith. He begins by highlighting the necessity of being faithful in giving and the role of the church as a beacon of light and influence in the world. He prays for the congregation, asking for blessings, mercy, and wholeness in their lives, and acknowledges God's faithfulness.
Jumper then transitions to the core of his message, focusing on the need for divine influence in one's life through the Holy Spirit. He cites Oswald Chambers, who speaks about the life of the Son of God beginning in an individual upon being born again. This new life can either be starved or nourished, and Jumper stresses the importance of nourishing one's soul through prayer and the word of God. He encourages a deeper commitment to knowing Jesus and growing in wisdom and revelation.
The concept of freedom is also explored, with Jumper referencing John 8:32, which speaks about the truth setting one free. He discusses the need to overcome burdens and sins that hinder one's potential and God's will. He acknowledges that everyone has experienced hurts, habits, and hang-ups, but emphasizes the power of Jesus to deliver from these.
Jumper then shifts to the importance of community, particularly within the context of a local church. He reflects on why being part of a church is essential, using Hebrews 12:22-23 to illustrate the spiritual significance of gathering with other believers. He describes the church as Mount Zion, the city of the living God, and a place where believers come together in a joyful assembly.
He further elaborates on the value of choosing community by presenting four benefits, symbolized by the vowels AEIO, with the first being acceptance. He explains that the world seeks genuine acceptance, which is found in the church, where individuals are honored and favored by God. He clarifies that acceptance does not equate to approval of all behaviors but is a powerful force that can transform lives.
Jumper also touches on the importance of encouragement within the church community, citing Hebrews 10:24-25, which calls believers to consider one another and spur each other on to love and good deeds. He emphasizes the need for support and encouragement in various seasons of life.
Throughout his message, Jumper intertwines personal anecdotes and calls for action, such as participating in a television segment to spread the gospel and encouraging the congregation to share the message with others. He concludes by reiterating the need to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, maintain a devotional life, and prioritize the word of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Divine influence is essential for spiritual growth, and it is characterized by the ongoing force or power of Christ's nature upon a believer. This influence is cultivated through prayer, worship, and engagement with the word of God, which nourishes the soul and strengthens one's faith. [46:08]
- Knowing Jesus is foundational to the Christian faith, and it involves a personal relationship that grows through time spent in God's word and prayer. This growth leads to a deeper understanding and knowledge of Jesus, which is crucial for navigating life's storms. [41:39]
- Freedom in Christ is about overcoming the weights and sins that hold us back. It is through the truth of God's word and the power of the Holy Spirit that believers can be set free from the hurts, habits, and hang-ups that prevent them from reaching their full potential. [49:45]
- Community is a vital aspect of the Christian life, providing a space for acceptance and encouragement. The church is not just another social gathering but a divine institution where believers come together as the body of Christ, supporting and uplifting one another. [51:26]
- Acceptance within the church is a reflection of God's acceptance of us. It is not based on earning favor but is a gift of grace. This acceptance should inspire believers to honor and accept one another, fostering a culture of love and grace within the community. [58:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 8:32 - "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
2. Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
3. Ephesians 1:17 - "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 8:32, what is the result of knowing the truth?
2. In Hebrews 10:24-25, what are believers encouraged to do for one another?
3. What does Ephesians 1:17 say Paul is praying for the believers to receive from God?
4. Pastor Ken mentioned the importance of community in the church. What are some benefits he highlighted about being part of a church community? [51:26]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does knowing the truth lead to freedom in a believer's life, as mentioned in John 8:32? [49:45]
2. Why is it important for believers to meet together and encourage one another, according to Hebrews 10:24-25? [51:26]
3. What does it mean to receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, as Paul prays in Ephesians 1:17? [48:34]
4. Pastor Ken emphasized the role of divine influence in our lives. How can prayer and worship help cultivate this influence? [46:50]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when knowing the truth of God's word set you free from a particular burden or sin. How did that experience impact your faith? [49:45]
2. How can you make a deeper commitment to knowing Jesus through prayer and the word of God this week? What specific steps will you take? [41:39]
3. Think about the community aspect of your faith. How can you contribute to the encouragement and support of others in your church? [51:26]
4. Pastor Ken mentioned the importance of acceptance within the church. How can you show acceptance to someone in your church community this week, even if you don't approve of all their behaviors? [58:00]
5. Identify one area in your life where you need to experience more freedom. What truth from God's word can you apply to this area to help you overcome it? [49:45]
6. How can you prioritize your devotional life to ensure you are growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine? [45:33]
7. Pastor Ken talked about the importance of divine influence through the Holy Spirit. How can you create more opportunities for this influence in your life through prayer and worship? [46:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating Divine Influence
Divine influence is the ongoing power of Christ's nature within believers, essential for spiritual growth. It is nurtured through dedicated prayer, worship, and engagement with Scripture, which in turn feeds the soul and fortifies faith. This spiritual nourishment is a daily pursuit, aligning one's life with the heart and mind of Christ. [46:08]
Colossians 3:16 - "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Reflection: How can you more intentionally allow the message of Christ to dwell in you richly today?
Day 2: Deepening Our Knowledge of Jesus
Knowing Jesus is a journey of deepening intimacy, achieved through time spent in Scripture and prayer. This relationship is the bedrock of faith, providing strength and wisdom to navigate life's challenges. As one grows in understanding, the presence of Jesus becomes a guiding force in every aspect of life. [41:39]
Ephesians 3:17-19 - "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."
Reflection: In what practical ways can you root yourself more deeply in the love of Christ this week?
Day 3: Embracing Freedom in Christ
True freedom in Christ is liberation from the burdens and sins that constrain us. It is through embracing the truth of God's word and the Holy Spirit's power that one can break free from life's hurts, habits, and hang-ups, unlocking the full potential God has for each life. [49:45]
Galatians 5:1 - "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What is one burden or sin you can surrender to Christ today to experience His freedom more fully?
Day 4: The Value of Christian Community
Community within the church is a divine provision for believers to find acceptance and encouragement. It is a spiritual family where individuals are honored and God's grace is evident. This fellowship is crucial for spiritual growth and mutual support, reflecting the love and unity of Christ's body. [51:26]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in building up someone in your church community this week?
Day 5: Acceptance as a Gift of Grace
Acceptance in the church mirrors God's grace towards us, not based on merit but given freely. This divine acceptance calls believers to honor and accept one another, creating a transformative culture of love and grace within the community. It is through this acceptance that lives are changed. [58:00]
Romans 15:7 - "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Reflection: Who can you extend Christ-like acceptance to today, and how will you show it?
Quotes
1) "We need to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Holy Spirit through prayer, worship, communication and the word of God." [46:08] (Download)
2) "Divine influence is the ongoing force or power of Christ's nature upon a believer." [46:50] (Download)
3) "Prayer is the way the life of God is nourished in us, with that communication time with Him." [48:34] (Download)
4) "Grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ... to increase or enlarge in our relationship with Him." [42:49] (Download)
5) "The word of God grows my faith because the just shall live by faith... Faith food feeds my faith." [44:00] (Download)
6) "The church is not just another social gathering but a divine institution where believers come together as the body of Christ." [53:03] (Download)
7) "Acceptance within the church is a reflection of God's acceptance of us. It is not based on earning favor but is a gift of grace." [58:00] (Download)
8) "The power of Jesus is there to deliver us from all that hinders us from reaching our full potential." [50:53] (Download)
9) "Choosing community is so important because we are part of something that's been around a long time, the people of God." [56:08] (Download)
10) "God's Temple is sacred, and together you are that temple, being built together for a habitation of God through the spirit." [55:00] (Download)
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