Jesus Above All: Embracing Faith and Community

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the importance of placing Jesus above all else in our lives. Many of us walked into this room with something that has taken precedence over Jesus—be it an addiction, a sense of achievement, or a deep wound. We were reminded that true fulfillment and hope come only from Jesus. We sang, "You are my one thing, Jesus," and were encouraged to lay down anything that has lordship over our lives more than Christ. We prayed for redemption, renewal, and wholeness through Jesus, committing ourselves to His promise and His way.

We also celebrated the journey of Evolve Church, reflecting on its beginnings and the incredible work God has done over the past six years. We shared stories of transformation, hope, and renewal, emphasizing that our church exists for the one—one child, one family, one broken soul, one couple. We were reminded of the importance of remembering God's faithfulness, much like the Israelites did with their stones of remembrance. This act of looking back helps us to trust in God's promises for the future.

We concluded with a call to live as "living stones," our lives serving as altars that testify to God's goodness. We prayed for our nation, for the local churches across Canada, and for each other, asking God to continue His transformative work in our lives. We were encouraged to let our past experiences of God's faithfulness sing over our present and future, renewing our strength and commitment to Jesus.

### Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Over Everything: Many of us have something in our lives that we place above Jesus, whether it's an addiction, a sense of achievement, or a deep wound. True fulfillment and hope come only from Jesus. We must lay down these idols and let Jesus take His rightful place on the throne of our lives. [21:07]

2. The Power of Remembrance: Just as the Israelites built altars of stones to remember God's faithfulness, we too should look back and remember what God has done in our lives. This act of remembrance strengthens our faith and helps us trust in God's promises for the future. [47:38]

3. Living Stones: Our lives are meant to be living stones, altars that testify to God's goodness. Each story of transformation and renewal is a stone that others can look at and see the faithfulness of God. We are called to be visible reminders of God's work in the world. [01:17:57]

4. Community and Belonging: Evolve Church exists for the one—one child, one family, one broken soul, one couple. We are a community where people can belong even before they fully understand their faith. This sense of belonging is foundational to experiencing the hope and transformation that Jesus offers. [34:35]

5. Generosity and Stewardship: Our commitment to Jesus includes every part of our lives, including our finances. Generosity is a response to God's faithfulness and a way to participate in His mission. We are encouraged to seek guidance and be open about our stewardship, ensuring that our giving aligns with God's purposes. [01:36:25]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[21:07] - Identifying Your "One Thing"
[21:44] - Repentance and Confession
[22:14] - Declaring Jesus as Our One Thing
[30:45] - Community Interaction
[32:17] - Evolve Church Journey
[34:01] - Introduction to Evolve Church
[34:35] - Belong, Hope, Grow, Become
[35:45] - The Hard Work of Growth
[36:17] - Becoming Who God Created You to Be
[38:28] - Upcoming Events
[39:29] - Prayer for the Nation
[40:29] - Honoring God's Work
[41:32] - Deuteronomy 4:9 Reflection
[42:45] - Stones of Remembrance
[47:38] - Joshua 4:20 Reflection
[50:40] - Letting Your Past Sing
[52:26] - Sharing Stories of Transformation
[56:15] - Personal Testimonies
[01:00:33] - Brent and Judy's Story
[01:06:37] - Gerbers' Story
[01:13:53] - Philippians 1:6 Reflection
[01:15:11] - Living Stones
[01:17:57] - Slideshow of Stories
[01:24:54] - Deuteronomy 4:9 Closing
[01:25:51] - Jesus Over Everything
[01:31:44] - Prayer of Surrender
[01:32:39] - Invitation to Commit to Jesus
[01:34:56] - Closing Announcements
[01:36:25] - Generosity and Stewardship
[01:37:57] - Final Praise and Worship

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Deuteronomy 4:9 - "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children."
2. Joshua 4:20-24 - "And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And he said to the people of Israel, 'When your children ask their fathers in times to come, "What do these stones mean?" then you shall let your children know, "Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground." For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.'"
3. 1 Peter 2:5 - "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Deuteronomy 4:9 emphasize about the importance of remembering God's works? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about remembering God's faithfulness? [41:32]
2. In Joshua 4:20-24, why did Joshua set up the twelve stones, and what were they meant to signify for future generations? How does this practice compare to the concept of "stones of remembrance" mentioned in the sermon? [47:38]
3. According to 1 Peter 2:5, what does it mean for believers to be "living stones"? How does this metaphor connect to the idea of our lives being testimonies of God's goodness as discussed in the sermon? [01:17:57]
4. The sermon mentioned that many of us have something in our lives that we place above Jesus. What are some examples given, and how are we encouraged to address these in our lives? [21:07]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of remembering God's past faithfulness, as described in Deuteronomy 4:9 and Joshua 4:20-24, help strengthen our faith and trust in His promises for the future? [47:38]
2. What does it mean to live as "living stones" according to 1 Peter 2:5, and how can our personal stories of transformation serve as altars that testify to God's goodness? [01:17:57]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of placing Jesus above everything else in our lives. How can identifying and laying down our "one thing" that sits above Jesus lead to true fulfillment and hope? [21:07]
4. Reflecting on the journey of Evolve Church, how does the concept of community and belonging play a role in individual and collective spiritual growth? [34:35]

#### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can you use that memory to strengthen your faith in a current situation where you need to trust God? [47:38]
2. Identify one "one thing" in your life that you have placed above Jesus. What steps can you take this week to lay it down and let Jesus take His rightful place? [21:07]
3. How can you actively live as a "living stone" in your daily life? Share a specific story of transformation or renewal that you can use to testify to God's goodness to others. [01:17:57]
4. Evolve Church emphasizes belonging even before fully understanding faith. How can you create a welcoming environment in your small group or church community for newcomers? [34:35]
5. Reflect on the importance of generosity and stewardship as discussed in the sermon. How can you align your financial giving with God's purposes, and what practical steps can you take to be more generous? [01:36:25]
6. The sermon called for prayers for our nation and local churches. How can you incorporate regular prayer for your community and nation into your daily routine? [39:29]
7. Consider the idea of "letting your past sing" over your present and future. How can you use past experiences of God's faithfulness to encourage yourself and others in times of doubt or difficulty? [50:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Over Everything
Many of us have something in our lives that we place above Jesus, whether it's an addiction, a sense of achievement, or a deep wound. True fulfillment and hope come only from Jesus. We must lay down these idols and let Jesus take His rightful place on the throne of our lives. [21:07]

> "And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'" (Luke 12:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you have placed above Jesus? How can you begin to lay it down today and let Jesus take His rightful place?

Day 2: The Power of Remembrance
Just as the Israelites built altars of stones to remember God's faithfulness, we too should look back and remember what God has done in our lives. This act of remembrance strengthens our faith and helps us trust in God's promises for the future. [47:38]

> "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, 'Till now the Lord has helped us.'" (1 Samuel 7:12, ESV)

Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on a specific instance where you experienced God's faithfulness. How can this memory strengthen your trust in His promises for your future?

Day 3: Living Stones
Our lives are meant to be living stones, altars that testify to God's goodness. Each story of transformation and renewal is a stone that others can look at and see the faithfulness of God. We are called to be visible reminders of God's work in the world. [01:17:57]

> "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: How can your life serve as a testimony to God's goodness? What specific actions can you take to be a visible reminder of His work in the world?

Day 4: Community and Belonging
Evolve Church exists for the one—one child, one family, one broken soul, one couple. We are a community where people can belong even before they fully understand their faith. This sense of belonging is foundational to experiencing the hope and transformation that Jesus offers. [34:35]

> "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who might feel like an outsider. How can you extend a sense of belonging to them today?

Day 5: Generosity and Stewardship
Our commitment to Jesus includes every part of our lives, including our finances. Generosity is a response to God's faithfulness and a way to participate in His mission. We are encouraged to seek guidance and be open about our stewardship, ensuring that our giving aligns with God's purposes. [01:36:25]

> "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current approach to generosity. How can you align your giving more closely with God's purposes and participate more fully in His mission?

Quotes

1. "As we were singing this song, I just sensed that some of you stepped into this room today with a one thing that sits above Jesus in your life. You're tethered to something that you think is going to give you hope and fulfillment, but it's not. And maybe out of desperation or a deep hunger or a sense of failure, you've stepped into this room or you've tuned in from home today. But there's one thing that sits above Jesus in your life. Maybe it's an addiction. Maybe it's a sense of achievement. Maybe you're still trying to please your dad after all these years. Maybe that one thing is deep wound and pain in your marriage. You can't see a way forward." [21:07] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We declare your goodness here in this space, in our lives. Be glorified. And today and tomorrow and to the next generation and to the next generation, let us be a people committed to your promise, committed to the way and the truth and the life that is Jesus. Oh, that we would continue to be made whole, made new, set apart, undone by your presence. All we are is yours, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen, amen." [22:14] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Our prayer is still that you would know without any sort of doubt in your heart that because of Jesus, you belong to family. That God invites you in as a daughter, as a son. That Jesus qualifies you for that. That you belong. You can belong to family even before you've really figured out all the faith pieces. You can have that sense of like, man, these are my people. This is my tribe. And from that place of identity as a son of God, knowing who you are. That you would anchor your life to the hope of Jesus Christ. And that that hope would begin to shape every piece of your worth, every piece of your story. Bring healing to your past. Bring purpose to your future." [35:10] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Wouldn't you know that God is faithful? Wouldn't you know that we can take Him at His word? Wouldn't you know that we can trust in His promises? Wouldn't you know that the same spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead fills us up as a people of God to empower us for a life marked by kingdom principles and kingdom promises and the goodness of God? Wouldn't you know that God faithfully has gone before us and continues to make a way where we can't see one?" [41:32] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And wouldn't you know that God, in his kindness and in his goodness and in his character and his nature, he's still doing great and mighty things in his church. He's still doing tremendous things that nature and science and reasoning can't explain away. He's still doing things. Celebrating today is us choosing as a family on mission. Us choosing to acknowledge that God is faithful in his work. All glory, all honor, all majesty, all praise to the one who sits on the throne." [50:40] (93 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Let your past sing over today. Let your past sing over the future. Let your past begin to remind you of who God is and what he's able to do. And if you need some help, we're going to invite some friends up to the platform right now. Where's my first service peeps at? Come on up. Make yourselves comfy. But we're just going to like ask them to just share a little bit with us." [52:26] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "It's actually just about, it's about one. One child that needs encouragement. One family that needs a family. One broken soul that needs hope. One couple that needs a greater purpose. Why do we do what we do week in, week out? Church family. It's for the one." [01:16:03] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You yourselves are like living stones being built up as a spiritual house. Actually, these stories represent stones. Living stones. Your story represents stones. Your life is meant to be a reminder. Your life is meant to be an altar that people walk by and go, oh, God did something there." [01:17:57] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Take care, take care, keep your soul diligently lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen and lest they depart from your heart. All the days of your life make them known to your children and your children's children. Let our lives serve as an offering, as an altar, as living stones, as a clear indicator in our homes, in our families, in our workplaces that God's still at work in the world. It's still the goodness of God that leads others to repentance." [01:25:26] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Would you dare to believe today that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. That there is one God and one mediator between us and the Father and his name is Jesus. Jesus, our reconciliation. He alone resolved all the conflict of sin, all the tension and the weight and the shame and the guilt that you've felt for so long. Jesus resolved it through his death and resurrection and he restored your relationship with the Father. Jesus alone." [01:31:44] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?