Living as a Transformative Community of Faith
Summary
In "City On A Hill Pt. 1," Pastor Jono addresses the congregation with a message focused on the challenges faced by believers in the modern world and the call to live as a vibrant, transformative community of faith. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a spiritual identity that transcends political affiliations and cultural divisions, urging the congregation to prioritize their allegiance to the kingdom of God over any earthly kingdom, including the nation of Canada.
Pastor Jono identifies weariness, or acedia, as a significant challenge for the church in 2024. This state of spiritual listlessness, once recognized by early Christian monks, has become prevalent in today's society, manifesting as a pervasive indifference and lack of passion for life and faith. He challenges the congregation to reflect on their own spiritual state and to resist succumbing to this weariness.
Another challenge highlighted by Pastor Jono is careerism, which he describes as an idol that can lead to a damaging comparison and a sense of inadequacy among individuals. He warns against allowing one's career to define their worth or success, and he speaks against the sacrifice of family and faith on the altar of career advancement.
Pastor Jono also addresses the issue of injustice, noting the confusion and superficiality that often surrounds the topic in contemporary culture. He calls for a genuine response from the church that reflects the "God colors and flavors of the world," rather than using social justice as a means of self-promotion.
Despite these challenges, Pastor Jono expresses hope for the church's future, citing its growth and vitality in the face of cultural hostility. He points to Iran as an example of where the church is thriving due to the opposition it faces, suggesting that similar growth could occur in Canada if believers recognize and respond appropriately to the challenges before them.
The message then shifts to the practical ways in which believers can thrive as Jesus's church. Pastor Jono outlines several spiritual practices that can help the church shine as a "city on a hill," including community, scripture, prayer and fasting, silence and solitude, hospitality, Sabbath, vocation, simplicity, and generosity. These practices are presented as means to counteract the cultural challenges of individualism, ideological idolatry, moral relativism, political polarization, exhaustion, careerism, and injustice.
Pastor Jono calls for a radical re-surrender to Jesus as Lord, emphasizing the need for a fresh wave of surrender to Christ's lordship and a rejection of a nominal or superficial approach to Christianity. He encourages a radical recommitment to Jesus as the way to live, citing the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer during World War II, who prioritized raising up a new generation of Jesus followers over personal success.
The message concludes with an invitation to those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus to do so, offering a prayer of commitment and dedication to faith in Christ. Pastor Jono emphasizes the transformative power of accepting Jesus as Lord, which brings a new nature, kingdom, name, identity, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- Believers are called to rise above political and cultural divisions, focusing their allegiance on the kingdom of God rather than any earthly nation. This commitment to a higher kingdom fosters unity and purpose within the diverse body of Christ. [01:22:32]
- The modern challenge of acedia, or spiritual weariness, threatens to diminish the fervor and commitment of believers. Recognizing and combating this listlessness is crucial for maintaining a vibrant and active faith life. [01:25:37]
- Careerism, when it becomes an idol, can lead to harmful comparisons and misplaced priorities. Believers are encouraged to find their identity and worth in Christ, rather than in professional success or material possessions. [01:27:48]
- The church must engage with issues of injustice authentically, seeking to embody the kingdom of God by addressing societal wrongs with genuine concern and action, rather than as a means of self-promotion. [01:29:34]
- A radical re-surrender to Jesus as Lord involves a commitment to spiritual practices that cultivate a life of salt and light in the world. These practices help believers to counteract cultural challenges and to live out their faith in transformative ways. [01:35:16]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
> "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
2. 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
> "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
3. Psalm 80:19 (ESV)
> "Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "You are the light of the world" in Matthew 5:14-16?
2. According to 1 Peter 2:9, what are the characteristics of the people of God, and what is their purpose?
3. How does Pastor Jono describe the challenge of acedia, and why is it significant for the church in 2024? [01:24:18]
4. What are some of the spiritual practices Pastor Jono suggests to counteract cultural challenges? [01:31:26]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How can believers maintain their spiritual identity that transcends political affiliations and cultural divisions, as emphasized in the sermon? [01:22:43]
2. What are the dangers of careerism as described by Pastor Jono, and how can believers find their worth in Christ instead? [01:27:14]
3. How does the concept of being a "city on a hill" relate to the church's response to cultural hostility and challenges? [01:29:52]
4. What does a "radical re-surrender to Jesus as Lord" look like in practical terms, according to Pastor Jono? [01:35:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have allowed political or cultural divisions to overshadow your allegiance to the kingdom of God? How can you realign your focus? [01:22:43]
2. Have you experienced spiritual weariness or acedia? What steps can you take to rekindle your passion for life and faith? [01:24:18]
3. In what ways have you been tempted to define your worth by your career or material success? How can you shift your identity to be rooted in Christ? [01:27:14]
4. How can you engage with issues of injustice authentically, ensuring that your actions reflect the kingdom of God rather than self-promotion? [01:28:11]
5. Pastor Jono emphasizes the importance of spiritual practices like community, scripture, prayer, and fasting. Which of these practices do you feel most drawn to, and how can you incorporate it into your daily life? [01:31:26]
6. What does a "radical recommitment to Jesus" mean for you personally? Are there specific areas in your life where you need to re-surrender to Christ's lordship? [01:36:00]
7. Think about the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Are there sacrifices you need to make to prioritize raising up a new generation of Jesus followers? What might that look like in your context? [01:37:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Allegiance to the Heavenly Kingdom
In a world rife with political and cultural divisions, it is vital for believers to anchor their identity in the kingdom of God. This allegiance unites the diverse body of Christ and provides a sense of purpose that transcends national boundaries and societal conflicts. It is a call to live out the values of the heavenly kingdom here on earth, demonstrating unity in the midst of diversity. [01:22:32]
Hebrews 11:13-16 - "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your primary allegiance to God's kingdom in your daily interactions and decisions?
Day 2: Combatting Spiritual Weariness
The pervasive sense of acedia, or spiritual weariness, can lead to a lack of passion and indifference in one's faith journey. It is essential to recognize this state and actively resist it by seeking renewal through spiritual disciplines and community support. This intentional effort helps to reignite the fervor for life and faith, keeping the flame of commitment burning brightly. [01:25:37]
Romans 12:11-12 - "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Reflection: What are some signs of spiritual weariness you have noticed in your life, and what steps can you take to rekindle your spiritual fervor?
Day 3: Identity Beyond Career
Careerism, when idolized, can distort one's sense of worth and lead to unhealthy comparisons. It is crucial to find identity and value in Christ, not allowing professional achievements or material success to define self-worth. This perspective helps maintain balance and prioritize what truly matters, such as family and faith. [01:27:48]
Colossians 3:23-24 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your career and work align with your identity in Christ and do not become your primary source of worth?
Day 4: Authentic Engagement with Injustice
The church is called to engage with issues of injustice in a manner that genuinely reflects the kingdom of God. This involves moving beyond superficiality and self-promotion to address societal wrongs with true concern and actionable steps. By doing so, believers can embody the transformative "God colors and flavors of the world." [01:29:34]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to move beyond mere talk and take action against an injustice in your community?
Day 5: Practices of a Transformative Faith
Embracing a radical re-surrender to Jesus as Lord involves committing to spiritual practices that shape a life of influence and transformation. These practices, such as community, prayer, and generosity, equip believers to counteract the cultural challenges of our time and to shine as a "city on a hill." [01:35:16]
James 1:22-25 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."
Reflection: Which spiritual practice can you more fully integrate into your life this week to live out a transformative faith?
Quotes
1) "We hold the sacred middle ground of faith in our Lord, surrender to Christ. But who is your allegiance to? In an age of being divided politically, I want us as people of God to be more devoted to the kingdom of God than we are to the kingdom of Canada." [01:22:32] (Download)
2) "The noonday demon, acedia. This is a cultural challenge rampant and at large in the world around us. This weariness, this I'm not even sure of my place in the world right now. I'm just tired on a physical, moral, spiritual, mental, every part kind of way." [01:25:37] (Download)
3) "Career is like a cult that people have given themselves over to in this day and age. And I know people that are sacrificing their families on the altar of career and sacrificing their faith and their surrender to Jesus on the altar of a career, their physical health." [01:27:48] (Download)
4) "We need a radical recommitment to Jesus as how we do life. His ways become our ways. His practices become our spiritual disciplines, our rhythms, our routines." [01:36:27] (Download)
5) "We have to re-up today a fresh wave of surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord. We have to give up these foolish, dare I say, demonic attempts at feeble Christianity." [01:35:16] (Download)
6) "In a culture of careerism, we shine as a city on a hill by being a people of contribution through the practice of real vocation, not laying down our families on the altar of career, but understanding what it means to have a vocation." [01:33:52] (Download)
7) "In a cultural challenge moment of fear, how do we thrive? Well, we get to shine as a city on a hill, a city of peace through learning the spiritual practices of silence and solitude." [01:32:23] (Download)
8) "But scripture says when we believe in our hearts and speak with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the price that he paid becomes yours in full. And you are transformed from the inside out." [01:43:06] (Download)
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