Living Above Reproach: Embracing Community and Spiritual Gifts
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Cornerstone Church, where we believe in the power of family and community. If you're new here, we invite you to give it a year and see how your life transforms. Our church is not just a place to attend but a family to belong to. We celebrate the growth and testimonies from our young adults and youth ministries, and we are excited about the increasing number of children in our congregation. We encourage everyone to get involved, take the Next Steps, and discover their spiritual gifts.
Today's focus is on living a life "above reproach," which is the culmination of our series, "Because of Jesus, We Have Confidence." Living above reproach means embodying the values of our church: being fully committed, speaking life, living with honor, and having a vision beyond the present. These values should be evident in our lives and recognized by our community. When people think of Cornerstone Church, they should see a group that loves Jesus and loves people, filled with the Holy Spirit and committed to bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth.
Living above reproach is not about working harder but about resting in Jesus and allowing His Spirit to work through us. It's about believing in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and letting go of the burdens that weigh us down. Jesus has set us free, and we are called to live in that freedom, not under the weight of demonic persuasions that tell us we need to do more.
We are reminded of the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus said that those who believe in Him would do even greater works than He did. This is not something to be explained away but embraced. The Holy Spirit empowers us to bring God's Kingdom to Earth, to heal the sick, cast out demons, and set captives free. Above reproach living is about receiving the gifts of the Spirit and giving them away, fanning the flames of the gifts we have received.
In 2 Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy to stir up the gift of God within him, a gift passed down through generations. We are encouraged to do the same, to fan the flames of the gifts we have received and to live a life that reflects the power and love of God. Above reproach living is about giving away what we have received, stepping out in faith, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Family and Community: Cornerstone Church is more than a place to attend; it's a family to belong to. We invite newcomers to give it a year and see the transformation in their lives. Being part of this community means experiencing growth in your marriage, family, peace, and confidence. [01:49]
2. Living Above Reproach: Living above reproach is not about working harder but about resting in Jesus and allowing His Spirit to work through us. It's about embodying the values of commitment, honor, and vision, and letting go of the burdens that weigh us down. [10:01]
3. The Power of the Holy Spirit: Jesus said that those who believe in Him would do even greater works than He did. This is not to be explained away but embraced. The Holy Spirit empowers us to bring God's Kingdom to Earth, to heal the sick, cast out demons, and set captives free. [22:00]
4. Stirring Up Spiritual Gifts: Paul reminds Timothy to stir up the gift of God within him, a gift passed down through generations. We are encouraged to do the same, to fan the flames of the gifts we have received and to live a life that reflects the power and love of God. [27:23]
5. Giving Away What We Have Received: Above reproach living is about giving away what we have received, stepping out in faith, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us. We are called to pray for others, speak life, and act from our beliefs, showing the world that Jesus is still alive. [38:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - Invitation to Family
[01:49] - Give It a Year
[02:18] - Celebrating Opportunities
[02:56] - Youth Ministry Growth
[04:08] - Children's Ministry
[04:57] - Next Steps and Spiritual Gifts
[05:23] - Opening Prayer
[06:08] - Above Reproach
[07:01] - Church Values
[08:54] - Worship and Commitment
[10:01] - Freedom in Christ
[12:07] - Demonic Persuasion
[13:34] - Jesus and the Father
[15:56] - Philip's Doubt
[18:33] - Believing in Jesus' Works
[22:00] - Greater Works
[23:35] - Holy Spirit's Role
[25:24] - Above Reproach Defined
[27:23] - Stirring Up Gifts
[31:10] - Fanning the Flames
[34:08] - Pursuing Love and Gifts
[38:11] - Giving Away What We Have Received
[41:27] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Timothy 1:5-7 (NIV)
> "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
2. John 14:7-12 (NIV)
> "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
3. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)
> "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul remind Timothy to do with the gift of God within him in 2 Timothy 1:6? How does this relate to the concept of "fanning the flames"? [27:23]
2. In John 14:7-12, what does Jesus say about His relationship with the Father and the works that believers will do? [13:34]
3. According to 2 Corinthians 3:17, what is present where the Spirit of the Lord is? How does this relate to the idea of living above reproach? [12:07]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the idea of "fanning the flames" of spiritual gifts apply to our daily lives? What might this look like practically? [27:23]
2. Jesus mentions that believers will do greater works than He did. What might this mean for us today, and how should it influence our faith and actions? [22:00]
3. The sermon mentioned that living above reproach is not about working harder but about resting in Jesus. How can we balance this with the call to actively use our spiritual gifts? [10:01]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. How can you "fan the flames" of these gifts in your daily life? Are there specific actions you can take this week to use your gifts more effectively? [27:23]
2. Jesus said that believers would do greater works than He did. What steps can you take to embrace this promise and allow the Holy Spirit to work through you in powerful ways? [22:00]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of community and family within the church. How can you contribute to building a stronger sense of family and community at Cornerstone Church? [01:04]
4. Living above reproach involves letting go of burdens and resting in Jesus. What burdens are you currently carrying that you need to release to Jesus? How can you practically do this? [10:01]
5. The sermon encouraged giving away what we have received. Think of a specific gift or blessing you have received. How can you share this with someone else this week? [38:11]
6. The power of the Holy Spirit is essential for living above reproach. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit in your daily life? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt? [22:00]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of speaking life and living with honor. Identify one area in your life where you can improve in speaking life or living with honor. What specific steps will you take to make this change? [07:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Belonging to a Family and Community
Cornerstone Church is more than just a place to attend; it is a family to belong to. The church emphasizes the importance of community and invites newcomers to give it a year to see the transformation in their lives. Being part of this community means experiencing growth in various aspects of life, including marriage, family, peace, and confidence. The church celebrates the growth and testimonies from its young adults and youth ministries and is excited about the increasing number of children in the congregation. Everyone is encouraged to get involved, take the Next Steps, and discover their spiritual gifts. [01:49]
Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "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, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
Reflection: Think about how you can contribute to the sense of family and community at Cornerstone Church. What specific steps can you take this week to get more involved and build relationships within the church?
Day 2: Resting in Jesus for a Life Above Reproach
Living above reproach is not about working harder but about resting in Jesus and allowing His Spirit to work through us. It involves embodying the values of commitment, honor, and vision, and letting go of the burdens that weigh us down. Jesus has set us free, and we are called to live in that freedom, not under the weight of demonic persuasions that tell us we need to do more. This freedom allows us to live a life that reflects the values of our church and is recognized by our community. [10:01]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: Identify one burden or area of your life where you feel you are striving too hard. How can you surrender this to Jesus and allow His Spirit to work through you instead?
Day 3: Embracing the Power of the Holy Spirit
Jesus said that those who believe in Him would do even greater works than He did. This statement is not to be explained away but embraced. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to bring God's Kingdom to Earth, to heal the sick, cast out demons, and set captives free. Living above reproach involves receiving the gifts of the Spirit and giving them away, fanning the flames of the gifts we have received. The Holy Spirit's role is crucial in enabling us to live a life that reflects the power and love of God. [22:00]
John 14:12-14 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit working through you. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's power in your daily life to bring God's Kingdom to Earth?
Day 4: Stirring Up Spiritual Gifts
Paul reminds Timothy to stir up the gift of God within him, a gift passed down through generations. Believers are encouraged to do the same, to fan the flames of the gifts they have received and to live a life that reflects the power and love of God. This involves actively seeking to use and develop the spiritual gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. By doing so, we can live a life that is above reproach and demonstrates the transformative power of God's love. [27:23]
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV): "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you? How can you actively fan these gifts into flame and use them to serve others this week?
Day 5: Giving Away What We Have Received
Living above reproach is about giving away what we have received, stepping out in faith, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us. Believers are called to pray for others, speak life, and act from their beliefs, showing the world that Jesus is still alive. This involves a willingness to share the gifts and blessings we have received with others, trusting that God will work through us to bring His love and power to those around us. [38:11]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Think of one person in your life who could benefit from the gifts and blessings you have received. How can you step out in faith and share God's love and power with them this week?
Quotes
1. "You're running around out here, and you're going through all this. By yourself, you need a family, and you need a spiritual family to plug in with. And that's where I invite people into. So welcome home and welcome to family. If today is your first time, I want to tell you right out of the gate, you know what? Thank you so much for being here, but also, don't let it be the last time." [01:04] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Your marriage will be better. Your family will be better. Your peace will be better. Your confidence will be better. You know what? You'll pray and see God move and just realize, you know what? Your understanding as a son, as a daughter of God will be strong. Give it a year. And if you're a member here, if you're regular, if you've been through Next Steps, and you've connected, and you're involved, can I say this? Don't come alone. Invite somebody with you. Bring somebody with you every single time. And invite them to family." [01:49] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are finishing out a series called Because of Jesus We Have Confidence. And today is a final. And we've been talking about the values of our church. The values that we hope, you know what, if you're a part of Cornerstone Church, that people will recognize upon not just you but me. And not just me but you. Not just you but us. Not just we but all. Not just all of us if you follow what I'm saying. And this is the final that we will hopefully paint a clear picture in this series of these cultural values." [06:08] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Do you realize that when we worship, when we don't just sing. When we worship, not when we skip out, but when we worship. That we are truly rejoicing and praising and adoring the one who makes all things possible. When I speak of these values to some may go like, yeah, that's cool, but it's not possible. But we sing and we worship to the one who makes all things possible." [08:54] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "A worshiping life has a very easy time being committed. A worshiping life has a very easy time living above reproach. A loving, a worshiping life has a very easy time. Speaking life and honoring and seeing with a visionary mind. In fact, it's been said, I've heard other people say that, you know what? If you are a believer, if you are, if you are, if you are living the life of a believer and it's difficult. Well, then you're just not believing right yet." [09:34] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Above reproach is not working harder. Above reproach is simply holding on to less and resting in Jesus more. Above reproach is holding on to less and resting in Jesus more. Can I tell you we cannot make the kingdom of God happen but we can allow it to happen. Above reproach is receiving. Above reproach is receiving that faith is planted in us. Above reproach is also releasing the gift that God has given you." [26:20] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When we turn to Jesus, you know what, things turn faster. When we turn to Jesus, you don't realize the legacy that you're bringing down behind you. And Paul told him in New Living Translation in verse 6 says, Fan into flames. I like fan into flames because I like a good bonfire. I like a fire that gets a little bit out of control even as long as I can bring it back in control without burning the neighborhood down." [30:18] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Above reproach is not work harder on problem areas that we see in our life. Above reproach is resting. Having faith in Jesus as the Savior. And saying, you know what? I'm going to fan the flame of the gift that He's given me. Above reproach is receiving. Above reproach is giving what we've already been given by the Spirit. It's giving it away. It's not holding on to it." [31:58] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Above reproach is this. It's giving away what we have received. If we receive openly, we give openly. Because the spirit of fear has lost control. And we rested in the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, given from God himself. What did Jesus tell Philip? Believe the works. Why do we fan the flames of the spiritual gifts? Because you know what? Church people are offended by the works of God, but lost people break out in revival and salvation over the works of God." [37:03] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I invite you this week, pray for someone in public. Seriously, pray for someone in public. Give it away. Someone, it's gonna happen. If you're a believer, somebody's coming to tell you a problem. And they're probably gonna finish it with, if they know who you are, if they know that you're a Christian, they're probably gonna say one of two things. If they're from a country church, they're gonna say, put us on the prayer list. If they're not from a country church, they're gonna say, please pray for us." [39:15] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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