Living Faith: A Journey of Sacrificial Discipleship
Summary
Living the faith is a journey of discipleship, a call to follow Jesus not just in belief but in action. As we embark on this new sermon series, we are reminded that our faith is not meant to be hidden or stagnant. It is a living, breathing testament to the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The story of "The Gift of the Magi" serves as a poignant illustration of sacrificial love, where each person gives their most treasured possession to show their love for the other. This mirrors the ultimate sacrifice God made by giving His Son for us.
Our faith calls us to be living sacrifices, as Paul writes in Romans 12. This means offering our whole selves to God, not just in worship or prayer, but in every aspect of our lives. It's about aligning our values with God's Word, striving for godly character, and living in community with others. Discipleship is not a checklist of actions but a transformation of our hearts and minds to reflect God's love and mercy.
Sacrifice is a part of our daily lives, whether in relationships, work, or personal pursuits. The question is not if we will sacrifice, but what and for whom. God desires our best, not just what's left over. Our sacrifices should reflect our commitment to Him, prioritizing our faith above all else. This doesn't mean neglecting our responsibilities or passions, but ensuring they don't overshadow our relationship with God.
Living the faith is also a powerful witness to the world. As we live out our faith authentically, we demonstrate God's love and grace to those around us. It's a call to be genuine in our walk with Christ, showing others the transformative power of His love. This is our spiritual worship, offering every part of our lives to glorify God.
As we continue this series, we will explore the values that define us as disciples: valuing God's Word, striving for godly character, discipling others, and living in Christian community. These are the pillars of our faith journey, guiding us to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Living Sacrifices: Our faith calls us to be living sacrifices, offering our whole selves to God in every aspect of our lives. This means prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else and ensuring our sacrifices reflect our commitment to Him. [28:38]
2. Authentic Discipleship: Discipleship is not a checklist but a transformation of our hearts and minds. It's about aligning our values with God's Word and striving for godly character, reflecting His love and mercy in all we do. [24:34]
3. Sacrifice in Daily Life: Sacrifice is a part of our daily lives, whether in relationships, work, or personal pursuits. The question is not if we will sacrifice, but what and for whom. Our sacrifices should reflect our commitment to God. [33:47]
4. Witness to the World: Living our faith authentically is a powerful witness to the world. It demonstrates God's love and grace to those around us, showing the transformative power of His love. [36:28]
5. Spiritual Worship: Our spiritual worship is offering every part of our lives to glorify God. It's about living out our faith in every aspect of our lives, demonstrating our commitment to Him and His mission. [37:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:15] - Lenten Journey and Worship
- [05:37] - Introduction to Living the Faith Series
- [23:17] - The Gift of the Magi: A Story of Sacrifice
- [24:34] - Discipleship Beyond Checklists
- [25:34] - Values of a Disciple
- [26:54] - The Meaning of Sacrifice
- [28:38] - Living Sacrifices in Romans 12
- [29:45] - Jesus: The Ultimate Sacrifice
- [31:13] - Everyday Sacrifices
- [33:47] - Offering Our Best to God
- [35:12] - Aligning Sacrifices with Faith
- [36:28] - Witnessing Through Faith
- [37:45] - Spiritual Worship
- [38:28] - God's Sacrifice for Us
- [39:16] - Living the Life of a Disciple
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living the Faith
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 12:1-2
- John 15:12-13
- Matthew 5:14-16
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 12:1-2 say about being a "living sacrifice"? How does this concept differ from the Old Testament sacrifices? [28:38]
2. In the sermon, how is the story of "The Gift of the Magi" used to illustrate sacrificial love? [23:17]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of everyday sacrifices people make in their lives? [31:13]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of community in living out our faith? [25:34]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the idea of being a "living sacrifice" challenge the way one might typically think about worship and devotion to God? [29:45]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that discipleship is more than just following a checklist of actions? [24:34]
3. How might the concept of sacrifice in daily life influence one's priorities and decision-making? [33:47]
4. What does it mean to be a witness to the world through authentic faith, according to the sermon? [36:28]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current sacrifices. Are there areas in your life where you feel you are giving God only what's left over rather than your best? How can you change this? [33:47]
2. The sermon emphasizes aligning one's values with God's Word. What specific values do you feel need more alignment in your life, and what steps can you take to address this? [24:34]
3. Consider your role in your community. How can you contribute to building a supportive Christian community around you? [25:34]
4. Think about a recent decision you made. How did your faith influence that decision, and how might you ensure your faith plays a more central role in future decisions? [31:13]
5. Identify a person in your life who might benefit from seeing the transformative power of God's love through your actions. What is one specific way you can demonstrate this love to them this week? [36:28]
6. The sermon talks about living out faith as a form of spiritual worship. What is one area of your life where you can more intentionally worship God through your actions? [37:45]
7. Reflect on the story of "The Gift of the Magi." Is there a relationship in your life where you feel called to show sacrificial love? What might that look like in practical terms? [23:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Sacrifices: A Call to Total Commitment
Our faith calls us to be living sacrifices, offering our whole selves to God in every aspect of our lives. This means prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else and ensuring our sacrifices reflect our commitment to Him. Living as a sacrifice is not about grand gestures but about the daily choices we make to honor God. It involves aligning our actions, thoughts, and desires with His will, recognizing that every part of our life is an opportunity to worship Him. This commitment is not a burden but a joyful response to the love and grace we have received. [28:38]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would it look like to offer this area as a living sacrifice today?
Day 2: Authentic Discipleship: Transforming Hearts and Minds
Discipleship is not a checklist but a transformation of our hearts and minds. It's about aligning our values with God's Word and striving for godly character, reflecting His love and mercy in all we do. This transformation is a continuous journey, requiring us to be intentional in our spiritual growth. It involves studying Scripture, engaging in prayer, and seeking community with other believers. As we grow in our understanding of God's character, we are better equipped to live out our faith authentically, demonstrating His love to those around us. [24:34]
Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally seek transformation in your heart and mind this week? How can you align your daily actions with God's Word?
Day 3: Sacrifice in Daily Life: Prioritizing God Above All
Sacrifice is a part of our daily lives, whether in relationships, work, or personal pursuits. The question is not if we will sacrifice, but what and for whom. Our sacrifices should reflect our commitment to God. This means evaluating our priorities and ensuring that our relationship with God is at the forefront. It involves making choices that honor Him, even when they require personal cost or discomfort. By prioritizing God, we demonstrate our trust in His provision and our desire to live according to His purposes. [33:47]
2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Reflection: What is one thing you can sacrifice today to prioritize your relationship with God? How can this act of sacrifice deepen your faith and trust in Him?
Day 4: Witness to the World: Demonstrating God's Love
Living our faith authentically is a powerful witness to the world. It demonstrates God's love and grace to those around us, showing the transformative power of His love. Our actions and attitudes can either draw people to Christ or push them away. By living out our faith with integrity and compassion, we become a reflection of God's character. This witness is not about perfection but about authenticity, allowing others to see the impact of God's love in our lives. [36:28]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: How can you be a witness to God's love in your interactions with others today? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate His grace and compassion?
Day 5: Spiritual Worship: Offering Every Part of Our Lives
Our spiritual worship is offering every part of our lives to glorify God. It's about living out our faith in every aspect of our lives, demonstrating our commitment to Him and His mission. This involves recognizing that worship is not confined to a church service but is a lifestyle. Every decision, conversation, and action can be an act of worship when done with the intention of honoring God. By living with this mindset, we invite God's presence into every moment, allowing His love to shine through us. [37:45]
Hebrews 13:15-16 (ESV): "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate worship into your daily routine? How can you intentionally offer every part of your life to glorify God today?
Quotes
"Living the faith means that we not only believe in Jesus, but we follow him. And part of living the faith means that we are willing to sacrifice. To give ourselves to the Lord because of our great love. To give ourselves to the Lord because of our great love." [00:23:49]
"Now often when we talk about discipleship, it's so easy for us to just reduce what we're supposed to do to a checklist. I'm in church today. Check. did my devotions today, check. I didn't yell at my kids today, check. And we just have this set of rules or laws that we think we have to live by to make ourselves a good disciple." [00:24:34]
"Each of us is a different person with different passions and gifts and abilities. So, as we faithfully follow Jesus, as we are his disciples, as we are living out our faith, that's going to look different for each one of us. More important for us than a little girl or a little boy or a little girl or a little girl or a little girl rules, then, are the values that we share that drive who we are as disciples and then how we are to live." [00:25:32]
"See, as a disciple, as a follower of Jesus, we value God's word. We hold that sacred. We want to hear and learn it. That's why we gather together in worship. But we live that out in different ways, that value of God's word. We also strive for godly character. We want to reflect the heart of God, the actions of God, through our generosity, through mercy for other people, for striving for justice in this world." [00:25:34]
"Sacrifice is completely dedicating one thing for another. It's giving something up time or self or resources for something or someone else. This last week, if you're a baseball fan, you know that the pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. Here are people that have sacrificed much to get to where they are today." [00:27:12]
"Paul says here in Romans 12 that we are to offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices. See, God's just not interested. He's not interested in a part of you or what's left over. Our sacrifices are to be like those of the Old Testament, where they brought their very best to the Lord." [00:34:00]
"As we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, we offer our very best to Him as we live out the faith. That's the first part of us. Not just simply an hour that we spend in worship every week or time praying or doing devotions or our giving. God desires. He desires all of you, your hearts, your attitudes, your morals, and your values." [00:34:25]
"Now, these other things that we may sacrifice our time and energy and resources for our jobs, our families, our friends, they aren't necessarily bad things or wrong. But if they get in the way of our faith, of living out the faith, then we need to reevaluate our sacrifices." [00:34:51]
"As we live fully for the Lord, on fire for Him in every part of our lives, living out our faith, it is a tremendous witness to those around us who are watching us to see if our life is genuine and real, if our faith really does hold true to us." [00:37:12]
"And through our faith, as we live that out, it also shows them and demonstrates to them God's love for them as we live out our faith. Finally, it's how we worship. God, it's our spiritual worship, as Paul says. It's laying our lives down for God, recognizing that He is the Creator." [00:37:31]
"We seek to glorify and honor and praise Him, not only with our songs, but with every breath, with every thought, and with every action. This is our spiritual worship. The gift of the Magi, in that short story, it described sacrifice by the Spirit. This young married couple, where each person gave their treasured possession to show the other love." [00:37:51]
"In response to this act, in response to God's sacrifice for you, he's called you to believe and follow him so that we now live a life of a disciple. And so over the next several weeks, we'll continue to explore what living the faith means and looks like for each one of us." [00:38:39]
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