Living an All-In Lifestyle for Christ
Summary
In the discussion centered around the concept of being "All In" with Jesus, the focus is on the transformative power of a lifestyle fully committed to Christ. This commitment is not merely a one-time decision but a holistic, all-encompassing life dedicated to honoring God. The message emphasizes that this lifestyle should not be confined to church gatherings but should permeate every aspect of one's life, including interactions with family, work, and community.
The idea of being lukewarm in faith is strongly cautioned against. The metaphor of hot and cold springs is used to illustrate the importance of being either fervent in faith or refreshingly honest in disbelief, rather than being mediocre or inconsistent in one's Christian walk. The message challenges the notion of living a polar opposite kind of life, where one may appear devout on Sundays but live contrary to those values during the rest of the week.
The early Christian community, as described in Acts 4, is presented as an example of the "All In" lifestyle. This community shared everything in common, and there was not a needy person among them. This radical way of living was not about following a set of rules but about a lifestyle of love that naturally cared for the needs of others. The community's generosity and unity were so profound that they would sell their possessions to ensure no one was in need.
The message also touches on the concept of discipleship, defining it as a journey of spiritual growth that begins with knowing Jesus and continues throughout one's life. Discipleship is not just about acquiring knowledge but about applying that knowledge in a way that transforms how one lives. It is a process of becoming more like Jesus in the everyday aspects of life, a journey often referred to as sanctification.
The strategy for living out this "All In" lifestyle involves three competencies: coming to the table, embracing the table, and sharing the table. These represent the stages of learning who Jesus is, choosing to follow Him, and then sharing that knowledge with others. The message underscores the importance of being present where people are and creating spaces to share the gospel.
The discussion also addresses the dangers of allowing anything to distract from following Jesus, including good things that can become idols. The Apostle Paul's words to the Galatians are cited to illustrate the futility of trying to please God through rule-keeping and the freedom found in living by faith in Christ.
In conclusion, the message calls for a commitment to an "All In" lifestyle that reflects the love and grace of Jesus in every area of life. It is a call to live differently, not for the sake of being peculiar but to genuinely reflect Christ to the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The "All In" lifestyle is a call to live with a consistent and fervent faith that permeates every aspect of life, not just during church services or religious activities. It's about embodying the teachings of Jesus in all interactions and decisions, striving for a life that is neither lukewarm nor divided between sacred and secular. [32:07]
- True discipleship is a lifelong journey of spiritual growth that goes beyond acquiring knowledge. It involves applying the teachings of Jesus in practical ways, fostering a lifestyle of love that builds up the community and reflects the grace of God. This process of sanctification is about becoming more like Jesus every day, in every aspect of life. [18:20]
- The early Christian community serves as a model for the "All In" lifestyle, demonstrating radical generosity and unity. Their way of life was characterized by sharing resources and ensuring that no one was in need, driven by love and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This example challenges modern believers to consider how they can live out similar values in today's context. [23:29]
- Discipleship involves a strategy that includes coming to the table, embracing the table, and sharing the table. This framework guides individuals through the stages of discovering Jesus, committing to follow Him, and then extending the invitation to others. It's a reminder that discipleship is both personal and communal, requiring active participation and engagement with others. [19:57]
- The message cautions against allowing anything, even seemingly good things, to become distractions or idols that hinder one's commitment to Jesus. Living an "All In" lifestyle means prioritizing faith over all else and recognizing that any form of legalism or rule-keeping cannot replace the relationship and grace found in Christ. This commitment is likened to a marriage, a lifelong covenant of growing in love and obedience. [42:56]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "All In" with Jesus
#### Bible Reading
1. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV)
> "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
2. Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
> "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
3. Acts 4:32-35 (ESV)
> "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Deuteronomy 6:4-9, what are the specific ways that the Israelites are instructed to keep God's commandments present in their daily lives?
2. In Matthew 28:19-20, what are the two main actions Jesus commands His disciples to do?
3. How did the early Christian community described in Acts 4:32-35 demonstrate their commitment to each other and to God?
4. What metaphor does the sermon use to describe the importance of being fervent in faith rather than lukewarm? ([32:07])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and might as described in Deuteronomy 6:4-9? How can this be applied in modern-day life?
2. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 define the mission of a disciple? What implications does this have for our daily lives?
3. The early Christian community in Acts 4:32-35 shared everything in common. What does this radical generosity and unity teach us about the "All In" lifestyle?
4. The sermon warns against being lukewarm in faith. What are the dangers of living a lukewarm Christian life, and how can one avoid it? ([32:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 emphasizes teaching God's commandments to children and discussing them throughout daily activities. How can you incorporate discussions about faith into your daily family routines?
2. Reflect on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. What specific steps can you take this week to share the gospel with them?
3. The early Christian community in Acts 4:32-35 showed radical generosity. What is one practical way you can demonstrate generosity to someone in need this week?
4. The sermon discusses the importance of being "All In" with Jesus in every aspect of life, not just during church services. What is one area of your life where you struggle to live out your faith consistently? ([18:20])
5. The concept of discipleship involves a journey of spiritual growth. What is one specific spiritual discipline (e.g., prayer, Bible study, fasting) you can commit to improving this month? ([19:57])
6. The sermon mentions the dangers of distractions and idols. Identify one distraction in your life that hinders your relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take to minimize or eliminate this distraction? ([42:56])
7. The sermon uses the metaphor of marriage to describe the "All In" commitment to Jesus. How can you cultivate a deeper, more committed relationship with Jesus, similar to a marriage covenant? ([42:56])
Devotional
Day 1: Consistency in Faithful Living
Living a life "All In" for Jesus means integrating faith into every action and decision, not just during worship or religious observances. It's about a steadfast commitment that influences how one interacts with family, approaches work, and engages with the community, ensuring that every aspect of life reflects a deep and genuine faith. [32:07]
James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your faith in a practical way in one area of your life today?
Day 2: The Journey of True Discipleship
Discipleship is not a destination but a journey of continuous growth and application of Jesus' teachings. It's about transforming knowledge into action and living out a lifestyle of love that cares for others and reflects God's grace, a process that shapes us to become more like Christ every day. [18:20]
Ephesians 4:15 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: What is one way you can apply a teaching of Jesus in your interactions with others this week?
Day 3: Emulating Early Christian Generosity
The early Christian community exemplifies an "All In" lifestyle, marked by radical generosity and unity. Their commitment to sharing and ensuring no one was in need is a powerful model for how love and the Holy Spirit can drive us to care for our community today. [23:29]
Acts 4:32-33 - "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all."
Reflection: How can you practice generosity in a way that strengthens your community and reflects the unity of the early church?
Day 4: Engaging in Discipleship Strategy
Discipleship involves a strategic approach that includes discovering Jesus, committing to follow Him, and sharing His message with others. This process requires active participation and engagement, inviting us to be present with others and create opportunities to share the gospel. [19:57]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 - "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
Reflection: Who can you invite to "come to the table" this week, sharing your life and the message of Jesus with them?
Day 5: Prioritizing Faith Over Distractions
An "All In" lifestyle means prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else, recognizing that even good things can become idols if they distract us from our faith. It's about living in the freedom of Christ's grace rather than being bound by legalism or rule-keeping. [42:56]
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 "good thing" in your life that might be becoming a distraction from your relationship with Jesus, and how can you address it?
Quotes
1) "Discipleship is a process that starts when we come to know Jesus and continues all throughout our life. It's an invitation to be all-encompassing within every aspect of her life." [18:20] (Download)
2) "Living a life of discipleship should not be approached lightly, but it's not something that we can just turn on and off. It's something that we run hot with in one moment and then cold in the next." [30:31] (Download)
3) "The church is supposed to be helping to see where those needs are and helping to meet those needs. Can you imagine what a gathering would look like if there were no needy people in that Gathering?" [24:56] (Download)
4) "The church was built on this generosity that's beyond what we can expect. It wasn't just like out of my extra that I gave so people could help, no it was sacrificial kind of living." [25:58] (Download)
5) "This knowledge that we possess, it puffs up, it kind of separates, it makes us want to elevate, whereas love builds up. And that's the contrast that Paul tells us that we should be living for." [14:09] (Download)
6) "The Holy Spirit can do incredible things. There wasn't a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses, they sold them and brought the proceeds... and distributed to each as any had need." [25:24] (Download)
7) "If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God." [14:09] (Download)
8) "The all-in lifestyle presents not a set of rules, but living a lifestyle of love that builds up so much love that you're very easy to say, 'I have this, oh here, I'm gonna give this to you.'" [26:27] (Download)
9) "It's not about this knowledge of how to be all in, it's not about this set of rules or this kind of way to live that sets us apart. It's actually this love that compels us and drives us." [14:40] (Download)
10) "The life you see me living is not mine, but it is lived by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. And I'm not going back on that." [41:46] (Download)
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