Living Faithfully: Courage, Humility, and Spiritual Unity

Today, we gathered as a church family to reflect on God’s faithfulness, the reality of spiritual battle, and the call to live out our faith with courage and humility. We began by giving thanks for God’s miraculous intervention in Ms. Betty Byers’ life, recognizing the power of prayer and the importance of community in times of crisis. As we remembered the anniversary of September 11th and mourned the recent loss of Charlie Kirk, we were reminded that the struggles we face are not merely political or social, but deeply spiritual—a battle between darkness and light. The legacy of those who have gone before us, especially those who stood boldly for Christ, challenges us to continue the movement Jesus began, a movement that has never ceased and is seeing new life in our generation.

Turning to Acts 20, we looked at Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders, drawing out key principles for living a life that honors Christ. Paul’s example teaches us to serve with humility, making God greater than ourselves and putting aside our own agendas. He calls us to share the gospel boldly and without hesitation, inviting others not just to faith but to true repentance—a turning away from old ways and embracing the new life Christ offers. Paul’s life was marked by a deep sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, a willingness to follow God’s leading even when it meant facing hardship or uncertainty.

We also considered the importance of guarding ourselves and the unity of the church. Paul’s charge to the elders was to watch over themselves first, then the flock, recognizing that unity is both precious and vulnerable. We are called to encourage, support, and sharpen one another, not just in word but in action. A giving heart is essential; it is more blessed to give than to receive, and the Christian life requires hard work, sacrifice, and a willingness to serve others.

Finally, we celebrated the ordination of new deacons, reflecting on the biblical qualifications and the vital role they play as servant leaders. Their example challenges all of us to finish the race well, to make God greater, to guard the unity of the church, and to be ready at all times to share the hope we have in Christ. As we prayed over these men and their families, we were reminded that our faith must be lived out in both word and deed, with consistency, humility, and love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spiritual battles are not fought on political or social grounds, but in the realm of darkness and light. The events we witness—whether national tragedies or personal losses—remind us that our true struggle is spiritual, and our hope is anchored in Christ’s ultimate victory. We are called to discern the real enemy and to stand firm in the light, knowing that God’s movement cannot be silenced. [24:15]
• 2. Humility is the foundation of effective service to God. Paul’s life was marked by a consistent, humble posture—making God greater than himself and serving with tears, not for recognition but out of gratitude for the privilege of lifting up Christ. True humility means setting aside our own agendas daily and allowing God to shape our first thoughts and actions. [32:05]
• 3. Sharing the gospel requires both boldness and honesty. We are not called to offer a watered-down message, but to invite others to repentance and faith, even when it is uncomfortable or costly. The call to follow Christ is a call to transformation, and we must be willing to speak the hard truths in love, trusting that what God offers is far greater than anything we leave behind. [38:27]
• 4. Unity in the church is a treasure that must be guarded vigilantly. Paul’s instruction to “keep watch over yourselves and the flock” reminds us that spiritual health begins with self-examination and extends to mutual accountability. True unity is not uniformity, but a shared commitment to Christ and to one another, requiring intentional relationships, encouragement, and protection against division. [41:46]
• 5. A life of giving and service is the path to true blessing and fulfillment. Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” challenge us to move beyond comfort and self-interest, embracing the hard work of serving others. Whether in our families, workplaces, or church, we are called to pour ourselves out, trusting that God will supply all we need as we invest in the lives of others. [46:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [17:13] - Opening Thanks and Community Update
• [18:38] - Ms. Betty Byers’ Testimony
• [20:20] - Remembering 9/11 and Spiritual Battle
• [22:09] - Honoring First Responders and Charlie Kirk
• [24:15] - The Battle Between Darkness and Light
• [28:18] - Praying for the Movement and the Kirk Family
• [29:18] - God’s Victory and Our Assurance
• [32:05] - Paul’s Farewell: Living with Consistency
• [35:10] - Making God Greater Than Ourselves
• [36:35] - Sharing the Gospel Boldly
• [38:27] - The Call to Repentance and Faith
• [41:46] - Guarding Ourselves and the Unity of the Church
• [44:40] - The Cost of Disunity and the Call to Protect
• [46:36] - The Blessing of Giving and Serving
• [49:28] - Finishing the Race and Sharing Christ
• [53:28] - The Role and Qualifications of Deacons
• [56:40] - Praying Over Deacons and Their Families
• [57:59] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
• [60:47] - Final Thanks and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Acts 20:17-38 (ESV) — > 17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. ... 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. ... 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

1 Timothy 3:8-13 (ESV) — > 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. ... 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 20, what are some specific ways Paul describes his time and ministry among the Ephesian elders? (see especially verses 18-21)
2. What does Paul say is the foundation of his service to God, and how does he describe his attitude while serving? [32:05]
3. In Acts 20:28, what does Paul instruct the elders to do for themselves and for the church? Why is this order important? [41:46]
4. What does Paul quote Jesus as saying in Acts 20:35, and how does he connect this to the Christian life? [46:36]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize humility and consistency in his ministry, and how does this challenge the way believers often approach serving God? [32:05]
2. What does it mean to “not shrink from declaring anything that was profitable” (Acts 20:20)? How might this look in our relationships and conversations today? [36:35]
3. Paul warns the elders to “pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock.” Why is self-examination the starting point for guarding the unity of the church? [41:46]
4. The sermon mentioned that spiritual battles are not just political or social, but battles between darkness and light. How does this perspective change the way we respond to tragedies or conflicts in our world? [24:15]

Application Questions

1. Paul’s life was marked by humility and making God greater than himself. What is one area of your life where you struggle to put God’s agenda above your own? What would it look like to surrender that area this week? [32:05]
2. The sermon challenged us to share the gospel boldly and honestly, not watering down the message. Is there someone in your life you’ve hesitated to talk to about Jesus? What is holding you back, and how can you take a step of faith this week? [38:27]
3. Paul calls the elders to guard themselves first, then the flock. What are some practical ways you can “keep watch” over your own spiritual health? Are there habits or relationships that help or hinder you in this? [41:46]
4. The unity of the church is described as precious and vulnerable. Have you ever witnessed or experienced division in a church? What role did encouragement, accountability, or forgiveness play in that situation? [44:40]
5. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In what area of your life (family, work, church) do you sense God calling you to serve or give more sacrificially? What is one specific action you can take this week? [46:36]
6. The ordination of deacons was highlighted as a model of servant leadership. Who in your life has modeled servant leadership for you? How can you follow their example in your own context? [53:28]
7. The sermon reminded us that our faith must be lived out in both word and deed. Is there a gap between what you say you believe and how you live? What is one step you can take to close that gap this month? [57:59]