Living as Witnesses: Biblical Examples of Faith
Summary
In my sermon, I began by addressing the current state of our church, acknowledging the unique position we find ourselves in without a pastor. I emphasized the importance of living a life that reflects Jesus, especially now, as the community and other churches are observing how we respond to this situation. I drew a parallel to "The Truman Show," where the protagonist's life is constantly under surveillance, to illustrate how our actions as Christians are always being watched by others.
I then transitioned into discussing ten biblical examples that can guide us in living a life that honors God and serves as a witness to those around us. The first example was the love of John, who was known for his deep understanding of God's love, as evidenced by his writings, particularly the famous verse John 3:16. This love is the foundation of our faith and should be evident in our interactions with the world.
The second example was the passion of Esther, who risked her life to save her people. Her story reminds us to be passionate about God's purposes and the welfare of His people. Similarly, the third example was the faithfulness of Paul, who endured immense suffering for the sake of the gospel, demonstrating unwavering commitment to God's kingdom.
I then spoke about hope, using Mary, the mother of Jesus, as an example. Despite her young age and the upheaval of her plans, Mary trusted God's promises and hoped in His faithfulness. This hope is something we should all emulate, especially in uncertain times.
The fifth example was the strength of Samson, who, despite his flaws, was used by God to accomplish great feats. His story shows that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. The sixth example was the courage of David, who faced Goliath with the conviction that God was with him. This courage is something we should aspire to have in our daily lives.
I continued with the boldness of Daniel, who refused to compromise his prayer life even when faced with the threat of the lion's den. His boldness was honored by God, and we too should be bold in our faith. The eighth example was the fight of Peter, who was always ready to stand up for Jesus, even when it meant physical confrontation or standing before authorities.
The ninth example was the obedience of Moses, who followed God's commands despite the daunting tasks set before him, such as confronting Pharaoh and parting the Red Sea. His obedience is a model for us to follow God's leading without hesitation.
Lastly, I spoke about the prayer life of Elijah, a man who prayed fervently and witnessed God's powerful response. His example challenges us to be people of prayer, consistently seeking God's will and intervention in our lives and the lives of others.
Key Takeaways:
1. Love, as exemplified by John, is the essence of our witness to the world. It's not merely an emotion but an action that reflects the sacrificial love of Christ. When we love as John did, we embody the message of the gospel, making it tangible to those around us. [04:56]
2. Passion, as shown by Esther, is a driving force that compels us to act on behalf of God's purposes. It's the kind of zeal that pushes us beyond our comfort zones and into the realms of faith where we advocate for God's will, even at great personal risk. [07:16]
3. Faithfulness, as demonstrated by Paul, is about enduring through trials and tribulations for the sake of Christ. It's a steadfastness that keeps us committed to God's call, regardless of the hardships we may face, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. [08:46]
4. Hope, as seen in Mary's life, is about trusting in God's promises even when they disrupt our plans. It's a confident expectation that God's plans are better than our own and that He is working all things for our good and His glory. [11:18]
5. Strength, as illustrated by Samson, is not about our physical might but about relying on God's power. It's recognizing that our greatest accomplishments are not by our hands but by the Spirit of God working through us, enabling us to do more than we could ever imagine. [13:37]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 3:16 (NIV) - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
2. Esther 8:3 (NIV) - "Then Esther spoke again to the king, fell at his feet and wept and pleaded with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews."
3. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 (NIV) - "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked."
#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of John 3:16 in the context of John’s understanding of God's love? How does this verse encapsulate the essence of the gospel? [03:40]
2. How did Esther demonstrate her passion for God's purposes and the welfare of her people? What risks did she take? [06:30]
3. What trials and tribulations did Paul endure for the sake of the gospel, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:24-28? How do these experiences reflect his faithfulness? [08:46]
4. How did Mary exhibit hope and trust in God's promises despite the upheaval of her plans? What was her response to the angel Gabriel's message? [11:18]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does John 3:16 challenge us to live out the love of Christ in our daily interactions? What does it mean to embody sacrificial love in practical terms? [04:56]
2. In what ways can Esther's passion for her people inspire us to advocate for God's purposes today? How can we step out of our comfort zones to serve others? [07:16]
3. Considering Paul's unwavering faithfulness despite immense suffering, what can we learn about enduring hardships for the sake of the gospel? How can we remain steadfast in our faith during difficult times? [08:46]
4. How does Mary's hope in God's promises serve as a model for us in uncertain times? What does it look like to trust God's plans over our own? [11:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you show the love of Christ more tangibly to those around you this week? Is there a specific person or situation where you can demonstrate sacrificial love? [04:56]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel called to step out of your comfort zone for God's purposes. What practical steps can you take to act on this passion, similar to Esther's boldness? [07:16]
3. Think about a recent hardship or trial you have faced. How can Paul's example of faithfulness encourage you to remain committed to God's call despite challenges? What specific actions can you take to stay steadfast? [08:46]
4. Consider a situation in your life where your plans were disrupted. How can you emulate Mary's hope and trust in God's promises? What specific prayers or actions can help you align your plans with God's will? [11:18]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or inadequate. How can Samson's story remind you to rely on God's strength rather than your own? What practical steps can you take to depend more on God's power in your daily life? [13:37]
6. Think of a situation where you need to show courage, like David facing Goliath. What specific steps can you take to trust God and act courageously in that situation? [16:13]
7. Evaluate your prayer life. How can you become more like Elijah, fervently seeking God's will and intervention? What specific prayer habits can you develop to deepen your relationship with God? [23:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Embodying Sacrificial Love
Love is not just a feeling but an active choice to live sacrificially for others, reflecting Christ's love. This kind of love is transformative, both for the one who loves and for those who are on the receiving end. It's a love that goes beyond words and is demonstrated through actions that put others' needs above one's own comforts and desires. It's the kind of love that John spoke about, a love that is willing to lay down one's life for friends, and even for strangers. This love is the essence of the Christian witness to the world; it's what sets believers apart and draws others to Christ. When love is lived out, it becomes a powerful testimony of the gospel's truth and the reality of God's love in a broken world.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:7-8 ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate sacrificial love to someone in your life today in a way that goes beyond words and requires selfless action? [04:56]
Day 2: Zeal for God's Purposes
Passion for God's purposes ignites a fire within that compels believers to step out in faith and advocate for His will. It's a zeal that is not content with the status quo but seeks to make a difference in the world for the kingdom of God. This passion is not reckless; it is directed and purposeful, much like Esther's, who used her position and influence to save her people. It's a passion that is willing to face opposition, to stand up against injustice, and to take risks for the sake of others. When believers are driven by this kind of passion, they become powerful instruments in God's hands, capable of bringing about change and drawing others to the hope found in Christ.
"And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14b ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can step out of your comfort zone this week to act on behalf of God's purposes, even if it involves personal risk or sacrifice? [07:16]
Day 3: Steadfastness in Trials
Faithfulness in the face of trials is a hallmark of a life committed to Christ. It's a steadfastness that endures through hardships, persecution, and suffering, much like the Apostle Paul, who faced numerous trials for the sake of the gospel. This unwavering commitment is not based on the absence of difficulties but on the conviction that God is faithful and that any suffering endured for Christ is not in vain. It's a faithfulness that looks beyond the present moment to the eternal reward and the advancement of God's kingdom. When believers remain faithful through trials, they provide a powerful witness to the sustaining grace of God and encourage others to persevere in their own faith journeys.
"But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities..." (2 Corinthians 6:4 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent hardship you've faced. How can you use that experience to demonstrate steadfastness and encourage someone else who might be going through a similar trial? [08:46]
Day 4: Anchored in Hope
Hope in God's promises provides an anchor for the soul, especially when life's circumstances are uncertain or plans are disrupted. It's a confident expectation, like that of Mary, who trusted that God's plans were not only good but far better than her own. This hope is not wishful thinking; it's rooted in the character of God and His faithfulness throughout history. When believers hold onto hope, they can face the future with confidence, not because they know what it holds, but because they know who holds the future. This hope is contagious; it inspires others to look beyond their circumstances and to trust in the goodness of God.
"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." (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to replace fear or uncertainty with hope in God's promises? How can you actively trust in His faithfulness today? [11:18]
Day 5: Strength in Weakness
True strength is found not in personal might but in reliance on God's power. It's an acknowledgment of personal weakness and a trust in God's strength, as seen in the life of Samson. Despite his flaws, Samson's greatest moments came when he depended on God's strength rather than his own. This principle holds true for believers today; God's power is made perfect in weakness. When Christians admit their limitations and lean on God, they can accomplish far more than they ever could on their own. This reliance on divine strength is a testimony to the sufficiency of God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
Reflection: In what situation do you need to acknowledge your weakness and seek God's strength instead? How can you allow His power to work through your life in a tangible way this week? [13:37]
Quotes
1. "Church family, people are watching you. You know that, right? People are watching us. And as Christians, we're being watched by the lost, we're being watched by other Christians, we're being watched by people we go to school with, we go to work with, we're total strangers. We're being watched. People are watching us." [01:12]
2. "But John is known to be a man of love. And we know that in 1 John, I think 4, 16, it says, God is love. What happened to my voice just now? God is love. And in God, in him, there is. So we know that John is a man that we see as a man of love." [04:56]
3. "With all that stuff he was faithful through, okay, all those things of suffering, he was faithful through all that. But more importantly, at the last here, he says, but what's more hurtful for me is my anxiety for you, people of God, for the churches. I want you to know God. I want you to experience it. I want you to be faithful to God, Paul says." [10:00]
4. "Mary was so young. The world was turned upside down. All her plans, all her ambitions, all her desires, all these, you know, girls in here that are married. Raise your hand. Mary, you just got married last Saturday, right? I mean, you're the probably most newlywed, newlywed in here. Can you imagine, you know, right? God coming to you. I got different plans." [11:18]
5. "Samson showed us that God can do whatever God sets his heart to and God will use us no matter what we do with our lives. A lot of times, you know, when you're reading the story of Samson, you know, he just, I mean, come on. He was a womanizer. He was a drunk. Well, not a drunk, but he, he just did dumb, dumb stuff, but God still used him mightily to show us that we can trust the Lord and his might and not our own." [13:37]
6. "Wow, the courage of this young boy, the ability to stand up to say, you know what? I'm going to do what's right. I trust the Lord. I have the courage. God's on my side. You're not going to defy my God. So my question is, let me ask you this. We've studied that story. We've read it. We've heard it preached and taught from the time we were little bitty. But what if just a handful of us had that kind of courage?" [16:13]
7. "Daniel was a man that is bold. Church family, God honored Daniel's boldness by delivering him from the lion's den. Can God not honor your boldness as well? Absolutely. Of course he can. But too often, we live a scared life. We live a life of intrepidity or worry or anxiety and, oh no, what's going to happen instead of being bold for the things of God, for the word of God, right?" [18:46]
8. "Peter was ready to fight. Church family, children of God, we need to be ready to fight for the things of God. Fight for what's right. To party! No, that's wrong, but we need to fight. I had to wake some of y'all up. Y'all were like snoozing on me. We've got to fight for what's right. Fight for the things of God." [20:00]
9. "We too need to be people of obedience. People that obey God's word, that follow God's commandments, that do what God's called us to do. May our communities, our neighborhoods, our, our schools, our workplace, the place we shop, the place we eat, even other churches, may they see that we are obedient to the things of God and his spirit." [22:29]
10. "The man stopped the weather. Well, God did, but through his prayer, God did that kind of stuff. And he wants to do that kind of stuff through, uh, through our prayers. I encourage you to go back and read the first King 17 through 19. This is the life of Elijah. Mind-blowing. This man prayed, may we too be people of prayer." [23:37]
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