Living Faith: Actions, Community, and Transformation in Christ
Summary
Today, I began our gathering with a heartfelt prayer, acknowledging the presence of God in our midst and the challenges we all face. I prayed for the communities of Pincher Creek, Hillspring, Glenwood, and others, expressing gratitude for their existence and the love God has for them. I also lifted up other local churches, like Church on the Rock in Brockett, praying for their effectiveness in reaching out and touching lives.
I then moved into a reflection on the early Christians, highlighting their commitment to living out their faith through actions, not just words. This led to a discussion on the importance of letting our light shine through our deeds, as Jesus instructed. I emphasized that our actions should be visible to others not for our own glory but to glorify God.
I addressed a common misconception in Christian teaching regarding good deeds. I clarified that while our salvation is not earned by our works, as followers of Christ, we are indeed called to perform good deeds. This is not for self-glorification but as a reflection of Christ’s love and sacrifice, which should be the motivation behind our actions.
I also tackled the topic of suffering and challenges, reminding us that these do not signify abandonment by God. Instead, they are opportunities to trust in Him more deeply and to witness His faithfulness in carrying us through difficult times.
Towards the end of our time together, I encouraged everyone to consider how they might actively participate in showing God’s love through practical acts of kindness. I urged the congregation to ask the Holy Spirit to lay on their hearts the name of one person they could bless this week, suggesting that even small, seemingly insignificant acts of kindness can have a profound impact.
I concluded with an invitation for non-believers to consider the message of Jesus Christ and for those feeling called, to make a decision to follow Him. I reassured them of God’s immense love and the transformative power of entering into a relationship with Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Community Prayer: In our prayers today, we not only interceded for our local community but also for other churches and their ministries. This act of praying for others not only unites us but also strengthens our collective mission to spread the gospel. It's crucial that we continue to support each other in prayer, recognizing that we are all part of the larger body of Christ working towards the same goal of kingdom expansion. [22:17]
2. Authenticity in Action: The early Christians set a profound example of living out their faith authentically. They were known for their radical love and generosity, characteristics that drew others to Christ. Today, we are called to emulate this same authenticity, ensuring that our actions align with our professed beliefs, thereby making our faith visible through our love and service to others. [36:49]
3. Salvation and Service: It's vital to understand that while our salvation is a gift and not earned by works, our service and good deeds are a response to the love and sacrifice of Jesus. We engage in good works not to earn salvation but as a natural outflow of our gratitude and commitment to Christ. This perspective prevents us from falling into the trap of legalism or passive Christianity. [49:53]
4. Visibility of Our Faith: We discussed the importance of letting our good deeds shine before others to glorify God, not ourselves. This visibility should not stem from a desire for recognition but should serve as a testament to God's work in our lives. By living openly and generously, we provide a real-life testimony of God's love and grace in action. [51:48]
5. Invitation to Transformation: Today's call to those not yet followers of Christ was an essential reminder of the church's mission to be a beacon of hope and salvation. The invitation to accept Christ is the most significant step one can take towards true freedom and transformation, and it's a privilege to lead others to this life-changing decision. [01:08:01]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
00:20:55 - Opening Prayer and Community Blessings
00:36:49 - Reflecting on Early Christians' Actions
00:49:53 - Understanding Salvation and Good Works
00:51:48 - The Importance of Visible Faith
01:08:01 - Invitation and Closing Prayer
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. Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
#### 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 Ephesians 2:8-10, what is the relationship between grace, faith, and good works?
3. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate how early Christians let their light shine through their actions? ([36:49])
4. How did the pastor describe the common misconception about good deeds and salvation? ([49:53])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for Christians to let their light shine before others, according to Matthew 5:14-16? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on visible faith? ([51:48])
2. How does Ephesians 2:8-10 help us understand the purpose of good works in the life of a believer? How does this relate to the pastor's clarification about salvation and service? ([49:53])
3. The pastor mentioned that suffering and challenges are opportunities to trust God more deeply. How can this perspective change the way we view our own difficulties? ([46:41])
4. What does the pastor mean by saying that our actions should glorify God and not ourselves? How can we ensure our motives are pure? ([56:05])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you might be hiding your light under a basket? What steps can you take to let your light shine more visibly? ([51:48])
2. Think of a recent challenge or period of suffering you have faced. How did you respond to it? How might you approach similar situations in the future with a mindset of trusting God more deeply? ([46:41])
3. Identify one person in your life whom you can bless this week. What specific act of kindness can you perform to show them God’s love? ([01:03:09])
4. The pastor encouraged us to ask the Holy Spirit to lay on our hearts the name of one person we could bless. Have you done this? If not, take a moment now to pray and ask for guidance. ([01:03:09])
5. How can you ensure that your good deeds are done with the right motives, to glorify God rather than seeking personal recognition? ([56:05])
6. The early Christians were known for their radical love and generosity. What practical steps can you take to emulate this in your own community? ([36:49])
7. The pastor invited non-believers to consider the message of Jesus Christ. How can you be a beacon of hope and extend this invitation to those around you? ([01:08:01])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Community Prayer
Prayer is not just a private practice but a communal strengthener. When we intercede for others, including other churches and their ministries, we are not only supporting them spiritually but also reinforcing our own faith and unity. This collective prayer fosters a deeper connection within the body of Christ and amplifies our efforts in spreading the Gospel. It is through these prayers that we acknowledge our interconnectedness and the shared mission to witness the kingdom of God expand. [22:17]
James 5:16, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who in your community can you commit to praying for this week, and how can you encourage others to join you in this prayer effort?
Day 2: Authenticity in Action
Living out our faith authentically means aligning our actions with our beliefs. The early Christians were known for their radical love and generosity, which drew others to Christ. Today, we are called to emulate this authenticity, ensuring that our actions reflect our faith. This is not about performing but about genuinely embodying the love of Christ in every interaction and decision. By doing so, we make our faith visible and impactful in a world that desperately needs to see real examples of godly living. [36:49]
1 John 3:18, "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate Christ's love through your actions this week in a manner that is visible to others?
Day 3: Salvation and Service
Understanding the relationship between salvation and service is crucial for every believer. While salvation is a gift that cannot be earned, our service and good deeds are a response to the love and sacrifice of Jesus. Engaging in good works is a natural outflow of our gratitude and commitment to Christ, not a means to earn His favor. This perspective helps us avoid legalism and inspires a genuine desire to serve others as an expression of our faith. [49:53]
Titus 3:8, "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your good deeds are a response to your salvation, not an attempt to earn it?
Day 4: Visibility of Our Faith
Our faith becomes visible through our deeds, which should glorify God and not ourselves. This visibility is not about seeking personal recognition but about showcasing God's transformative power in our lives. By living openly and generously, we provide a real-life testimony of God's love and grace, encouraging others to seek Him. Let your light shine in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. [51:48]
Matthew 5:16, "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."
Reflection: What specific action can you take this week to make your faith visible to others in a way that glorifies God?
Day 5: Invitation to Transformation
The invitation to accept Christ is the most significant step one can take towards true freedom and transformation. As believers, it is our privilege and responsibility to lead others to this life-changing decision. This call to transformation is not just about converting non-believers but also about encouraging each other to continually grow in our faith and understanding of Jesus' message. [01:08:01]
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Who can you share the transformative message of Jesus with this week, and how can you support them in their journey toward faith?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If when you speak something, you're also willing to show it in work, in action. For anybody that's joining us online or you're here today and you'd say, 'Well that's great Pastor Steven, but I'm not a Christian, I'm not a follower of Jesus, I'm not exactly sure how I ended up here today,' I wanna say if that's you, welcome. Thanks for joining us." [42:03]
2. "Maybe it will shift something in you to understand that the plan that Jesus has for his followers has never been to be the people that are kicking others when they're down, but it's always been to be the people stooping down beside them to show them the love of Christ." [42:22]
3. "You hear about what Jesus did for you and something in your heart is stirring, something in your mind, something in your gut, however you want to describe it, there's something that is stirring inside of you. Maybe you came to a place and you're saying to yourself, this makes sense. I need Jesus." [01:06:31]
4. "Friend, he's been waiting for you because he loves you. He desires you to follow him and to find the freedom that is only found through the name of Jesus Christ." [01:08:01]
### Quotes for Members
1. "So often, many of us in reaction to churches that incorrectly will say that you need to be good and work hard so that God will love you and so that he'll save you, which is wrong. Scripture is very clear that this is not the case. But what has happened is for so many of us is we swing the pendulum the other direction and we think to ourselves, Jesus loves me and I don't need to do anything." [45:22]
2. "Salvation is not a reward for the good things that we have done, so none of us can boast about it for we are God's masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Our works don't bring us righteousness. We cannot boast. However, what does it say here? Why is it that we have been created anew in Christ? So we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." [49:53]
3. "Let your works shine before men so that they may see your good deeds and give glory to you. Now, I grew up, and I remember, you know, we were told when I was growing up, like, okay, so if you're going to give money to the church, what you have to do is you have to kind of hide it. And when the plate comes by, you just kind of sneak it in there because you don't want anyone to see that you are blessing or doing good deeds because then your reward in heaven will be taken away from you." [51:48]
4. "The motive of your heart can override the goodness of your activity, but we need to respond to the work of Jesus, the great gift that he gave us by giving and loving and blessing others. And here's the thing though, all, all that you do should be for God's glory and the love of others. Everything. Motives matter." [59:30]
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