Journey of Faith: From Sin to Community in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Transition from Sin to Victory

In the journey of faith, the transition from Egypt to Canaan serves as a powerful metaphor for moving from a life of sin and defeat to one of victory and overcoming. This journey is not just about conversion but about living a life where we conquer the giants of sin and live victoriously. It is a call to move beyond mere legalism and embrace a life of spiritual triumph. This transition requires a deep commitment to overcoming personal struggles and living in the freedom that comes from a victorious life in Christ. [01:36]

Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV): "And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.'"

Reflection: What is one area of sin in your life that you need to overcome? How can you actively seek God's help to gain victory over it today?

Day 2: Leaving Dead Religious Systems

The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem symbolizes leaving behind dead religious systems that prioritize money over God and moving towards a community that is fully obedient to God's Word. This is a call to leave behind any church or system that does not align with the teachings of Christ and to seek true fellowship with others who are committed to living out the New Covenant. It involves discerning the difference between genuine faith and mere religious formality, and choosing to be part of a community that truly reflects the heart of God. [02:22]

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

Reflection: Is there a religious practice or belief in your life that feels empty or misaligned with Christ's teachings? How can you seek a more authentic relationship with God and His community today?

Day 3: Embracing Community and Partnership

In the New Covenant, God emphasizes partnership and community, moving away from individual leadership to shared ministry. Jesus sent His disciples out two by two, highlighting the importance of fellowship and shared ministry. This shift from solitary leadership to communal fellowship is a reminder that we are not called to walk alone but to build deep, meaningful relationships with others in the body of Christ. It is about embracing the strength and support that comes from being part of a spiritual community. [06:16]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Reflection: Who in your life can you partner with in your spiritual journey? How can you strengthen your relationships within your faith community today?

Day 4: Glorying in Christ Alone

Making Jesus the glory in our midst involves not glorying in our achievements or possessions but in Him alone. This shift in focus leads to a life of discernment and spiritual insight, where we can see beyond the surface and understand the deeper spiritual realities. It is about making Jesus the center of our lives, allowing His presence to transform us and guide us in all things. This transformation enables us to love and forgive even those who pursue us with hostility. [16:29]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: What are you tempted to glory in besides Christ? How can you refocus your heart to make Jesus the center of your life today?

Day 5: Trusting God as Our Protector

Trusting in God as our protector, a wall of fire around us, and making Him the sole object of our glory transforms us. This trust and devotion lead to a life of discernment and spiritual insight, where we can see beyond the surface and understand the deeper spiritual realities. It is about relying on God's protection and making Him the foundation of our lives, which enables us to love and forgive even those who pursue us with hostility. [15:14]

Zechariah 2:5 (ESV): "And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst."

Reflection: In what ways do you need to trust God as your protector today? How can you make Him the sole object of your glory in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

In the journey of faith, the Old Testament narratives of Israel's movements from Egypt to Canaan and from Babylon to Jerusalem serve as profound spiritual metaphors for our lives today. The first journey, from Egypt to Canaan, symbolizes our personal transition from a life of sin and defeat to one of victory and overcoming. It is a call to move beyond mere conversion and legalism into a life where we conquer the giants of sin and live victoriously. The second journey, from Babylon to Jerusalem, represents leaving behind dead religious systems that prioritize money over God and moving towards a community that is fully obedient to God's Word. This is a call to leave behind any church or system that does not align with the teachings of Christ and to seek true fellowship with others who are committed to living out the New Covenant.

In the New Covenant, the focus shifts from individual leadership to communal fellowship. Unlike the Old Testament, where God often worked through a single leader, the New Covenant emphasizes partnership and community. Jesus sent His disciples out two by two, highlighting the importance of fellowship and shared ministry. This is a reminder that we are not called to walk alone but to build deep, meaningful relationships with others in the body of Christ.

The essence of the New Covenant is not just overcoming sin but also building genuine fellowship. It is about moving from a solitary, holy life to one of shared spiritual life with others. This involves a deep personal relationship with Jesus, where He becomes the glory in our midst. It is about making Jesus the center of our lives, not glorying in our achievements, culture, or possessions, but in Him alone. This relationship with Christ transforms us, enabling us to love and forgive even those who pursue us with hostility.

In this journey, we are reminded that God is our protector, a wall of fire around us, and the glory within us. We are called to trust in His protection and to make Him the sole object of our glory. This trust and devotion lead to a life of discernment and spiritual insight, where we can see beyond the surface and understand the deeper spiritual realities.

Key Takeaways

1. The journey from Egypt to Canaan symbolizes our personal transition from sin to victory, urging us to move beyond conversion to a life of overcoming sin and living victoriously. [01:36]
2. The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem calls us to leave behind dead religious systems and seek true fellowship with others who are committed to living out the New Covenant. [02:22]
3. In the New Covenant, God emphasizes partnership and community, moving away from individual leadership to shared ministry, highlighting the importance of fellowship. [06:16]
4. Making Jesus the glory in our midst involves not glorying in our achievements or possessions but in Him alone, leading to a life of discernment and spiritual insight. [16:29]
5. Trusting in God as our protector, a wall of fire around us, and making Him the sole object of our glory transforms us, enabling us to love and forgive even those who pursue us with hostility. [15:14]
** [15:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Introduction to Israel's Journeys
[01:01] - Egypt to Canaan: Personal Victory
[02:04] - Babylon to Jerusalem: True Fellowship
[03:32] - Obedience to God's Word
[05:00] - Old Covenant vs. New Covenant
[06:16] - Community and Partnership
[08:38] - Marks of the New Covenant
[10:32] - Haggai and Zechariah: A New Pattern
[12:04] - Jealousy and Humility
[13:08] - God as Our Protector
[16:29] - Glorying in Christ Alone
[22:35] - Discernment and Spiritual Insight
[27:32] - Love and Forgiveness
[36:33] - The Power of Righteous Prayer
[48:14] - Conclusion and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading

Zechariah 2:5 - "For I, declares the Lord, will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst."
Revelation 18:4 - "Then I heard another voice from heaven say: 'Come out of her, my people,' so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues."
Galatians 6:14 - "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

#### Observation Questions

What are the two significant journeys of Israel mentioned in the sermon, and what do they symbolize in our spiritual lives today? [01:01]
How does the sermon describe the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant in terms of leadership and community? [06:16]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of making Jesus the glory in our midst? [16:29]
What does the sermon say about God's protection and how it relates to our trust in Him? [13:08]

#### Interpretation Questions

How does the journey from Egypt to Canaan reflect our personal spiritual journey from sin to victory? What does it mean to live a life of overcoming sin? [01:36]
In what ways does the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem challenge us to evaluate our current religious systems and communities? [02:22]
How does the concept of communal fellowship in the New Covenant differ from the individual leadership seen in the Old Covenant? [06:16]
What does it mean to make Jesus the sole object of our glory, and how does this affect our discernment and spiritual insight? [16:29]

#### Application Questions

Reflect on your personal spiritual journey. Are there "giants" of sin that you need to overcome? What steps can you take this week to move towards victory? [01:36]
Consider your current church or religious community. Are there aspects that resemble Babylon, prioritizing things over God? How can you seek true fellowship that aligns with the New Covenant? [02:22]
How can you actively participate in building a community that emphasizes partnership and shared ministry? What role can you play in fostering fellowship? [06:16]
Identify areas in your life where you might be glorying in achievements or possessions rather than in Jesus. How can you shift your focus to make Jesus the center of your life? [16:29]
Think of a situation where you need to trust God as your protector. How can you remind yourself of His promise to be a "wall of fire" around you? [13:08]
Is there someone in your life who has pursued you with hostility? How can you apply the sermon’s teaching on love and forgiveness in that relationship? [27:32]
What practical steps can you take to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus, ensuring He is the glory in your midst? [31:17]

Sermon Clips

I was reading the book of Zechariah this morning certain verses in it which I wanted to share with you. I want to tell you a little bit about the history of Israel because the Old Testament was written to teach us spiritual lessons for us as well in this time. [00:00:19]

Egypt to Canaan is a picture of our personal journey from sin and defeat to a life of victory where the Giants are slain we get come to a life of overcoming and that's a personal individual you can be in Egypt unconverted you can be in the wilderness you know saved but defeated and legalistic or you can come into cain and be an overcomer. [00:01:36]

The second journey is from Babylon to Jerusalem which is a picture of being in a dead church which is not following all of God's Word you may be born again that you know revelation 18:4 says come out of her my people come out of Babylon my people so there are born again people in Babylon it's very clear but the Lord says you shouldn't be there you should come out of there you should come out of a church that's not obeying God's Word. [00:02:22]

In the New Covenant as soon as you come to the pages of the New Covenant Jesus sends his disciples two-by-two that one man ministry is gone that is Old Covenant any man who is doing a one man ministry even if he calls himself chief pastor or superintendent general superintendent or Pope for metropolitana Bishop is in the Old Covenant in the New Covenant there's no such thing. [00:06:16]

Making Jesus the glory in our midst involves not glorying in our achievements or possessions but in Him alone, leading to a life of discernment and spiritual insight. This relationship with Christ transforms us, enabling us to love and forgive even those who pursue us with hostility. [00:16:29]

I read that promise as a young Christian and I said Lord that's what I want. I don't want human beings to be my defense and I'm very glad that is a young Christian I learned in my 20s that I need to trust the Lord to be a wall affair around about me I don't want to depend on man to protect me I want the Lord Himself to protect me he'll be a wall of fire roundabout wherever I go. [00:15:14]

I want a glory you are in my admits that my only glory is that Jesus is with me my glory is that Jesus is in my house not that I'm so educated or I'm so capable or I've got such a good job or I earned so much salary or I'm so cultured you know I find many cultured people despise those who are not cultured it's a very sad thing you think culture is Christianity know there are Greeks and barbarians in the church do you know that and barbarians are very crude people. [00:16:29]

I want to encourage you my brothers and sisters to develop this inner life with Christ because it is from there the rivers of living water flow proverb says watch your heart with diligence proverbs 4 from there are the Springs of life and I fear in this age in which we live in our life is becoming more and more of an external life where we're more occupied with doing the externals of Christianity right doctrine and going to the right church and we don't want dead churches and we don't want all this soulish emotional singing and all we want solid Word of God all that is good but if you don't have a personal individual relationship with Jesus where you know him and where you can talk to him and you can walk to him read Song of Solomon the way they love each other the bride and the bridegroom if you don't have that type of relationship with Jesus Christ something is fundamentally missing in your life whatever reputation you may have in CFC don't buy I don't care for that I will be the glory in your midst and I hope that would be true in your life. [00:31:33]

Zechariah chapter two the Lord says in verse five I will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem and I will be the glory in her midst number one very important to understand this you know they were thinking we must protect ourselves from our enemies and in the olden days they used to protect every city used to protect itself by building a huge wall so the enemies can't come in so Jerusalem also had a wall around it and the Lord says no no no no that's not the thing that'll protect you I will be a wall of fire around you and we also you know one of the great things many Christians face is insecurity because we're not millionaires who can even if you are millionaires how do you protect yourself from sickness billionaires also get sick and dying there's so many problems in this world not only financial many medical problems health problems and many other problems enemies billionaires can get killed by enemy who can come to hurt them so there are many dangers in this world from enemies from sickness from poverty and the Lord says you can do everything to try and build a wall around yourself by protecting yourself from all these things but no you you must trust in me I will be a wall of fire around you. [00:13:08]

I want to say to you in Jesus name any of you who are jealous of somebody else in this church who is but jealous or whatever it is earthly things spiritual thing ministry you are under no covenant at least come to the Old Covenant before you get lost eternally so Haggai he was not jealous of zechariah zechariah such a young man and god's giving so much prophecies to him dear brothers and sisters be very careful these two people worked together and i want to share with you some of them you take some time to read Haggai and Zechariah these two whole Testament books it doesn't take long read and ask God to show you this is the preparation for the new covenant and there's some things that Zechariah said which really you know resound in my mind as new covenant truths that we need to understand. [00:12:04]

I want to trust you I want to trust you Lord do a work in everybody's life pray in Jesus name. [00:51:14]

I want to trust you I want to trust you Lord do a work in everybody's life pray in Jesus name. [00:51:14]

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Journey of Faith: From Sin to Community in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Transition from Sin to Victory

Day 2: Leaving Dead Religious Systems

Day 3: Embracing Community and Partnership

Day 4: Glorying in Christ Alone

Day 5: Trusting God as Our Protector

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Journey of Faith: From Sin to Community in Christ

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