Living Faith Through Action and Sacrifice
Summary
The sermon titled "12.31.23 The Invitational Gospel pt 1" explores the concept of living out one's faith through action and sacrifice, as exemplified by Jesus and John the Baptist. The speaker, whose name is not discernible from the title, begins by discussing the true purpose of faith, which is to lead a life of peace and well-being, and to help others. They reject the notion of faith as a means to a carefree and indulgent lifestyle, instead highlighting John's teachings on sharing with those in need and acting justly, even for those in morally questionable positions like tax collectors.
The speaker then emphasizes the importance of having a plan to achieve one's goals, introducing a practice that can impact the achievement of goals in areas such as marriage and work. They stress the need to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and experience a fulfilling life, focusing on the message of the "Invitational gospel" and the pivotal relationships Jesus entered into.
Reflecting on current behavior, the speaker advises against victimizing others and calls for equality, aligning with John's message of repentance and care for others. They challenge the notion that Christian faith is about feeling good or engaging in religious rituals, instead connecting spiritual acts to everyday life.
The Kingdom of God is contrasted with the old world's emphasis on strength and might. The speaker reminds Christians that sacrifice is a fundamental principle of their faith, setting them apart through history, even during epidemics. They encourage following Jesus' example of sacrifice as the path to true power, rather than seeking authority over others.
Living out one's faith is further emphasized through acts of service, starting with small gestures and potentially leading to significant impacts. The speaker shares a personal story of making dinner for a group of men coming out of incarceration, illustrating how small acts can lead to unexpected outcomes. They quote Romans 12:1, urging the audience to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice and to worship through actions, promising positive changes in their own lives and those of others.
The speaker challenges listeners to actively live out Jesus' teachings, even amidst doubts, and to test living in Jesus' way. They encourage considering who to reach out to and sacrifice for in the coming year, following Jesus' path to power through sacrifice.
The sermon concludes with a reflection on the significance of Jesus' birth and ministry, themes of repentance, forgiveness, and new life. The speaker leads the congregation in prayer, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to gather and trust in God's guidance for the future.
Key Takeaways:
- True faith is not about indulgence but about living a life that brings peace and well-being to oneself and others. It involves sharing with those in need and acting justly, regardless of one's social or professional standing. This understanding of faith challenges us to reevaluate our actions and align them with the principles of justice and generosity. [50:35]
- The "Invitational gospel" teaches us that having a plan is crucial for achieving our goals, and that by following Jesus' example, we can experience a fulfilling life. This approach requires us to be intentional in our actions and relationships, mirroring the transformative relationships Jesus had during his ministry. [45:15]
- John the Baptist's message to soldiers about refraining from extortion and false accusations highlights the importance of integrity and contentment in our professional lives. This teaching is a reminder that our faith should influence our behavior in all areas of life, promoting fairness and satisfaction with what we have. [53:46]
- The Kingdom of God is characterized by a new way of doing things, where sacrifice is central. Christians are called to emulate Jesus' sacrificial attitude, which stands in stark contrast to the world's pursuit of power and authority. This principle challenges us to reconsider our understanding of power and to embrace sacrifice as a means to true influence and change. [56:16]
- Worship is not confined to traditional religious activities but is expressed through our daily actions and service to others. By starting with small acts of kindness, we can be led to greater service and witness God working through us. This perspective on worship encourages us to find practical ways to live out our faith and make a tangible difference in the world. [01:04:56]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:1 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
2. Luke 3:10-14 - "What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:1, what does Paul urge believers to do as an act of worship?
2. In Luke 3:10-14, what specific instructions does John the Baptist give to the crowd, tax collectors, and soldiers?
3. How does the speaker in the sermon describe the true purpose of faith? ([49:33])
4. What personal story does the speaker share to illustrate the impact of small acts of service? ([01:05:32])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to offer your body as a "living sacrifice" according to Romans 12:1, and how does this concept relate to daily life?
2. How do John the Baptist's instructions in Luke 3:10-14 challenge common perceptions of religious practice and faith?
3. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a plan to achieve one's goals. How does this align with the concept of living out one's faith through intentional actions? ([45:15])
4. How does the idea of Christians sacrificing, as discussed in the sermon, contrast with the world's pursuit of power and authority? ([56:16])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Romans 12:1, what is one specific way you can offer your body as a living sacrifice in your daily life this week?
2. John the Baptist instructed people to share with those in need and act justly. Identify one area in your life where you can practice generosity or fairness. How will you implement this change? ([49:33])
3. The speaker mentioned the importance of having a plan to achieve goals. What is one goal you have for the coming year, and what steps will you take to create a plan to achieve it? ([45:15])
4. Consider the speaker's story about making dinner for men coming out of incarceration. What small act of service can you start this week that might lead to greater acts of kindness in the future? ([01:05:32])
5. The sermon challenges the notion that Christian faith is about feeling good or engaging in religious rituals. How can you connect your spiritual acts to your everyday life in a more meaningful way? ([50:35])
6. The speaker talks about the importance of sacrifice in the Christian faith. What is one area in your life where you can practice sacrificial love, and how will you start doing this? ([56:16])
7. Reflect on the idea of following Jesus' example of sacrifice. Who is someone in your life that you can reach out to and support in the coming year, and what specific actions will you take to do this? ([01:11:22])
Devotional
Day 1: Generosity Reflects True Faith
True faith manifests in a life dedicated to peace and the well-being of others. It calls for sharing with those in need and acting with justice, transcending personal and professional boundaries. This approach to faith compels a reevaluation of daily actions, ensuring they are rooted in generosity and fairness. [50:35]
James 2:15-17 - "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: How can you tangibly express your faith through generosity this week?
Day 2: Intentionality in Following Christ
Achieving a fulfilling life requires a plan and intentionality, mirroring the transformative relationships Jesus cultivated. By intentionally following His example, one can foster meaningful connections and live out the Invitational gospel. [45:15]
Luke 14:28-30 - "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'"
Reflection: What is one goal you have for your spiritual life, and what intentional steps can you take to achieve it?
Day 3: Professional Integrity as a Faith Practice
Faith should permeate every aspect of life, including professional conduct. John the Baptist's teachings to soldiers about honesty and contentment remind us that integrity and satisfaction with what we have are essential expressions of our faith. [53:46]
Proverbs 16:8 - "Better is a little with righteousness than vast revenues without justice."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate integrity and contentment in your professional life this week?
Day 4: Sacrifice Leads to True Power
The Kingdom of God redefines power through the lens of sacrifice, contrasting with the world's pursuit of authority. Emulating Jesus' sacrificial nature is a call to a different kind of influence, one that can truly change the world. [56:16]
Philippians 2:3-4 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Reflection: What is one way you can practice sacrificial living in your community today?
Day 5: Worship Through Action
Worship extends beyond religious rituals and is embodied in daily acts of service. Starting with small gestures of kindness can lead to greater service and witnessing God's work in the world. [01:04:56]
Hebrews 13:16 - "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Reflection: What is a simple act of kindness you can commit to doing each day this week to live out your faith?
Quotes
"Everybody has a different way that they think through and process what their faith looks like and the way that we think of it is as life as peace as wellbeing that this is what it's about." [50:35] (Download)
"Don't collect any more than you're required to, he told them, which is interesting like John could have said Rome is illegitimate throw away your job and Join the Revolution let us push back." [53:07] (Download)
"When Jesus tells us or asks us to do something, what we know is that it's meant to be lived. It's not meant to just be understood in theory, rather it's meant to be lived." [01:04:21] (Download)
"We all have things we want to do but unless you create a plan on how to do this, then it doesn't actually work out the way that we think." [45:15] (Download)
"Christians sacrifice, it is what we do. We sacrifice for the people we care about most. Jesus even goes on to show us that we are to sacrifice for people that we care about least because the path to power is not found through coercion, rather it's found through sacrifice." [01:11:22] (Download)
"You don't know where that can go, you don't know what God can do with that, but what you do have to do, no matter what, is start." [01:05:32] (Download)
"All of these things can be acts of worship, from your time to your money to what you do with what God has given you, and then you will have the ability to start to change things just in your life." [01:07:26] (Download)
"The way of Jesus is not meant to be believed like in some sort of like hey you know it's in my head I said yes I believe yay you know let's go no the way of Jesus is meant to be lived." [01:01:19] (Download)
"John's job was to preach repent for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near. Don't take things that aren't yours, don't treat people as if they are less than you. If you have more than what you need, make sure the people next to you and the people next to them have the same." [54:25] (Download)
"Our spiritual acts are not just merely spiritual acts; rather, they're deeply connected, they're rooted in our everyday lives. These things are rooted in exactly who we are when you live and then you die and then you are resurrected again, you now have a new life." [55:38] (Download)
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