Honoring Sacrifice: Reviving Faith in Everyday Life

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. As we gather on this Memorial Day weekend, let us remember that this day is more than just the beginning of summer. It is a time to honor those who have given their lives for our freedom. We are always grateful for our servicemen and women, and today we set aside time to remember their ultimate sacrifice.

Today, we return to our series on the Book of Revelation. For those who are new or have missed a few weeks, let me catch you up. Revelation is a complex and often misunderstood book, but it was written by John, a leader in the early church, to seven specific churches under the oppression of the Roman Empire. These churches were facing persecution and needed guidance and encouragement.

John's messages to these churches often follow a pattern: he acknowledges their good deeds, offers criticism, and ends with a promise of hope. However, the message to the church in Sardis is different. It jumps straight into a warning, telling them that although they have a reputation for being alive, they are actually dead. This church had separated their faith from their daily lives, treating church activities as separate from the rest of their existence. This separation is a form of dead faith.

I shared a story from my time at a camp meeting in Conyers, where a little boy asked me to "pray" with him, but he actually meant "play." This mix-up led me to reflect on how playing and praying are more connected than we might realize. Both activities allow us to be ourselves, expressing our creativity and vulnerability. This connection is vital for a living faith, unlike the dead faith of the Sardis church.

The whole earth is God's temple, and if we treat any part of it as less than holy, we are draining it of life. The dead church needed to hear this message to become alive again. How will we respond to this message here at Hickory Flat in 2024? This past Friday was Aldersgate Day, commemorating John Wesley's heartwarming experience that set his life on fire for God. Wesley's enthusiasm and spirited preaching often got him kicked out of churches, but he continued to preach wherever he could, even on his father's grave. He famously said, "I look upon the whole world as my parish." Do we see our community as our parish, or do we separate our church life from the world outside?

We are called to build connections between the sacred and the secular, to be the salt and light in the world. God is present and active in our daily lives, both inside and outside the church. We must see and experience the living God among us and beyond our sanctuary doors.

Let's pray. God, we are thankful for these words, even though some are hard to hear. We know you are with us and call us to more than we can imagine. On this Aldersgate Sunday, warm our hearts and fill us with your Holy Spirit. Help us to be your faithful people, both inside and outside the church. In Jesus' name, Amen.

As we go into Memorial Day, let us remember those who have given their lives for our country. Our freedom is not free. Go in God's peace.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Importance of Memorial Day: Memorial Day is more than just the beginning of summer; it is a solemn day to honor those who have given their lives for our freedom. We must remember the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women and be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy because of their bravery. This day calls us to reflect on the cost of our liberty and to honor those who paid the ultimate price. [17:48]
• 2. The Connection Between Playing and Praying: The story of the little boy who confused "pray" with "play" serves as a reminder that both activities allow us to be our true selves. When we play, we express our creativity and delight, and when we pray, we expose our vulnerability and heart to God. Both are essential for a living faith, as they outwardly express the vitality of our relationship with God. [63:37]
• 3. The Whole Earth as God's Temple: Treating any part of the earth as less than holy drains it of life. The dead church in Sardis needed to hear this message to become alive again. We must recognize that the entire world is God's temple and treat it with the reverence it deserves. This perspective helps us see God's presence in all aspects of life, not just within the church walls. [69:53]
• 4. John Wesley's Example: John Wesley's experience at Aldersgate and his subsequent enthusiastic preaching, even when it got him kicked out of churches, serves as an inspiration. His famous words, "I look upon the whole world as my parish," challenge us to see our community as our parish. We must not separate our church life from the world outside but see our mission field everywhere we go. [71:42]
• 5. Building Connections Between the Sacred and Secular: We are called to build connections between the sacred and the secular, to be the salt and light in the world. God is present and active in our daily lives, both inside and outside the church. We must see and experience the living God among us and beyond our sanctuary doors, influencing the world with our faith. [01:12:48]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [17:48] - The Importance of Memorial Day
• [41:19] - Returning to the Revelation Series
• [63:37] - Playing and Praying
• [69:53] - The Whole Earth as God's Temple
• [71:42] - John Wesley's Example
• [72:48] - Building Connections Between the Sacred and Secular

Observation Questions

1. What was the main criticism John had for the church in Sardis? ([59:32])
2. How did John describe Jesus in his message to the church in Thyatira? ([51:49])
3. What was the little boy's mix-up between "pray" and "play," and what did it lead the pastor to reflect on? ([01:03:37])
4. What was John Wesley's famous response when criticized for preaching outside the church? ([01:11:42])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the church in Sardis was described as having a reputation for being alive but was actually dead? How does this apply to modern churches? ([59:32])
2. What does the connection between playing and praying reveal about the nature of a living faith? ([01:03:37])
3. How does the concept of the whole earth being God's temple challenge our daily interactions with the world? ([01:08:55])
4. In what ways can John Wesley's example of seeing the whole world as his parish inspire us to integrate our faith into our daily lives? ([01:11:42])

Application Questions

1. Reflect on Memorial Day's significance. How can you honor those who have given their lives for our freedom in a meaningful way this year? ([17:48])
2. Think about your daily activities. How can you incorporate prayer into moments that might otherwise be considered "play" or leisure? ([01:03:37])
3. In what ways can you treat your workplace, home, or community as part of God's temple? What specific actions can you take to show reverence for these spaces? ([01:08:55])
4. John Wesley preached wherever he could, even on his father's grave. Are there unconventional places or ways you can share your faith? How can you start this week? ([01:11:42])
5. How can you build connections between the sacred and secular in your life? Identify one area where you can be more intentional about integrating your faith. ([01:12:48])
6. Reflect on the idea of being the salt and light in the world. What is one specific way you can influence your community positively this week? ([01:12:48])
7. The church in Sardis was criticized for separating their faith from their daily lives. Are there areas in your life where you have done the same? How can you bridge that gap? ([59:32])