Living Fully in Faith: Overcoming Spiritual Alienation

Summary

Taking a moment to reflect on today's message, we delved into the profound theme of living a life of faith and the dangers of being spiritually alienated. We began by celebrating the birth of a new life in our community, reminding us of God's faithfulness and the joy of shared blessings. As we prepare for the upcoming prayer week, we are encouraged to engage actively, not passively, in our spiritual practices, drawing parallels to the disciples' struggle to stay awake and pray with Jesus.

The core of our discussion centered on the concept of being "aliens in the church," not in the sense of being outsiders, but in the sense of being disconnected from the life God intends for us. Drawing from Ephesians 4, we explored how believers can become alienated from the life of God through ignorance and a lack of spiritual perception. This alienation is not God's will for us; rather, He desires that we live fully in His truth and abundance.

We examined the importance of renewing our minds and aligning our thoughts with God's Word. This transformation allows us to live the "God life," a life characterized by abundance, spiritual perception, and victory over life's challenges. The fight of faith is not against the devil but is about laying hold of eternal life and focusing on Christ, who is our eternal life.

We also touched on the power of our confession, as seen in Psalm 23:1, and the necessity of walking in the Spirit rather than being limited by our senses. This mindset shift empowers us to live beyond our circumstances, trusting in God's provision and promises.

Finally, we were reminded of the importance of not being spiritually passive but actively engaging in the fight of faith, focusing on Christ, and living out the abundant life He offers. As we closed, we celebrated the lives of those in our community, praying for continued blessings and growth in their spiritual journeys.

Key Takeaways:

1. Expectation in Worship: Approach every gathering with the expectation of encountering God. Just as the early church eagerly awaited the teachings of their leaders, we should come prepared to receive and be transformed by God's Word. This expectation sets the stage for divine encounters and spiritual growth. [39:58]

2. The Danger of Spiritual Alienation: It's possible for believers to be alienated from the life of God due to ignorance and a lack of spiritual perception. This alienation results in a life devoid of truth and spiritual vitality. We must actively renew our minds with God's Word to avoid this state and live fully in His truth. [52:45]

3. Living the God Life: The God life is characterized by abundance, spiritual perception, and victory over life's challenges. It requires a mindset shift from focusing on the physical to embracing the spiritual realities of God's promises. This life is available to all believers who choose to walk in the Spirit. [54:05]

4. The Fight of Faith: Our fight is not against the devil but is about laying hold of eternal life and focusing on Christ. This focus empowers us to rise above challenges and live victoriously. The promises of God in Christ are our assurance of victory and abundance. [01:03:04]

5. Power of Confession and Mindset: Our confession, as seen in Psalm 23:1, and our mindset play crucial roles in our spiritual journey. By aligning our thoughts and words with God's truth, we position ourselves to experience His provision and promises, regardless of our current circumstances. [01:00:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [39:58] - Celebrating New Life
- [43:20] - Engaging in Prayer
- [44:24] - Testimony of Healing
- [47:38] - Introduction to Faith Series
- [48:23] - Understanding Spiritual Alienation
- [49:53] - Living Differently in Christ
- [51:14] - The Importance of Truth
- [52:45] - Avoiding Spiritual Alienation
- [54:05] - Embracing the God Life
- [55:46] - Renewing the Mind
- [57:50] - The Power of Confession
- [01:03:04] - Fighting the Good Fight of Faith
- [01:16:12] - Strength in the Lord
- [01:27:12] - Closing Blessings and Reflections

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 4:17-18
- John 10:10
- Psalm 23:1

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Observation Questions:

1. In Ephesians 4:17-18, what does Paul say about the way Gentiles walk, and how does this relate to being "alienated from the life of God"? [48:23]

2. How does the sermon describe the concept of being "aliens in the church," and what does it mean to be spiritually alienated? [52:45]

3. According to the sermon, what role does the renewal of the mind play in living the "God life"? [54:40]

4. How does the pastor illustrate the power of confession using Psalm 23:1, and what mindset does he encourage believers to adopt? [57:50]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to have a mind "devoid of truth," and how can this lead to spiritual alienation according to the sermon? [51:14]

2. How does the sermon explain the difference between living by the Spirit and living by the senses, and why is this distinction important for believers? [59:28]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can actively engage in the "fight of faith," and how does this differ from focusing on the devil? [01:03:04]

4. How does the pastor's story about the woman on the train illustrate the importance of being spiritually perceptive and responsive to others' needs? [01:20:28]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you feel spiritually alienated or disconnected from the life God intends for you? How can you address these areas? [52:45]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of renewing the mind. What specific steps can you take this week to align your thoughts more closely with God's Word? [54:40]

3. Consider the power of confession in your life. How can you incorporate Psalm 23:1 into your daily routine to reinforce a mindset of abundance and trust in God's provision? [57:50]

4. The pastor encourages believers to live beyond their circumstances. Identify a current challenge in your life. How can you shift your focus from the physical to the spiritual realities of God's promises? [59:28]

5. How can you actively engage in the "fight of faith" in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to focus more on Christ and less on the challenges you face? [01:03:04]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually passive. What changes can you make to become more actively engaged in your faith journey? [01:15:25]

7. The sermon highlights the importance of expectation in worship. How can you prepare your heart and mind to encounter God in your next church gathering or personal devotion time? [39:58]

Devotional

Day 1: Expectation in Worship
In every gathering, there is an opportunity to encounter God in a transformative way. This expectation is not just about receiving but also about preparing one's heart to be open to the divine. The early church exemplified this by eagerly awaiting teachings, which set the stage for spiritual growth and divine encounters. As believers, approaching worship with anticipation can lead to profound spiritual experiences and growth. This mindset encourages active participation and a readiness to be changed by God's Word. [39:58]

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV): "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind to expect a divine encounter in your next worship gathering?

Day 2: The Danger of Spiritual Alienation
Spiritual alienation occurs when believers become disconnected from the life God intends due to ignorance and a lack of spiritual perception. This state is not God's will, as He desires for His followers to live fully in His truth and abundance. By renewing the mind with God's Word, believers can avoid this alienation and embrace a life filled with spiritual vitality. This involves actively engaging with Scripture and aligning one's thoughts with divine truths to live a life of spiritual abundance. [52:45]

Ephesians 4:17-18 (ESV): "Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively renew your mind with God's Word to prevent spiritual alienation in your life?

Day 3: Living the God Life
The God life is characterized by abundance, spiritual perception, and victory over life's challenges. It requires a shift from focusing on the physical to embracing the spiritual realities of God's promises. This life is available to all believers who choose to walk in the Spirit, allowing them to experience the fullness of God's provision and promises. By aligning one's mindset with God's truth, believers can live beyond their circumstances and trust in His abundant life. [54:05]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to shift your focus from the physical to the spiritual realities of God's promises?

Day 4: The Fight of Faith
The fight of faith is not against the devil but about laying hold of eternal life and focusing on Christ. This focus empowers believers to rise above challenges and live victoriously. The promises of God in Christ are the assurance of victory and abundance. By keeping one's eyes on Christ, believers can navigate life's difficulties with confidence and strength, knowing that their victory is secured in Him. [01:03:04]

1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV): "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Reflection: How can you focus more on Christ today to empower you in your fight of faith?

Day 5: Power of Confession and Mindset
The power of confession and mindset plays a crucial role in the spiritual journey. By aligning thoughts and words with God's truth, believers position themselves to experience His provision and promises, regardless of their current circumstances. This involves speaking God's Word over one's life and maintaining a mindset that reflects His truth. Such alignment enables believers to live victoriously and experience the fullness of God's blessings. [01:00:44]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Reflection: What specific words or confessions can you speak today to align your mindset with God's truth and promises?

Quotes

1. "In this walk of faith, oh, I believe in Jesus. i believe in jesus i believe in jesus if at the end of your faith you are not standing did you really believe because the bible says and having done all to stand having done all i said that here you see some families some mothers or fathers you've done so well for your family sacrificed labored so hard and then in their old age you hear one crazy news from the doctor diagnosed with this diagnosed with this terminal illness that is not the will of god are you listening to me we are not ordinary human beings but it's your choice how you want to live whether you want to live as an ordinary human being or you want to live by the spirit that is why we take time to teach faith i will never stop teaching faith you because there's no other way to be a success in life in every area of life without faith in the word of god that's why i keep teaching faith" [44:24] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "It is possible to be born again and yet not participate in the God life. Do you know it's possible? And when I say the God life, what is the God life? Jesus said in John 10 .10. The thief comes not but to steal, to kill and to destroy. But I am come that you may have life and have it abundantly. Some other translations say that you may have life and live it to the full. God wants you to live a full life. Say amen. He wants you to live a complete life. Hallelujah. So we don't want to have aliens. And you should not be an alien. You need to ask yourself. Am I an alien in the house of God? Because you could be. To be born again is not enough. You've got to possess your mind. You've got to release or yield your mind to the word of God." [54:05] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. Not I shall not lack. There's a difference between putting it in the future and making it present right now. The Lord is my shepherd. I say, I. Can you say that when you don't have money in your wallet? I'm asking you. There's a different mindset. A mindset. That's why our bishop declared this month, the month to focus on Christ, for grace to walk in the spirit. What I'm teaching you today is to walk in the spirit, not to walk in the senses. Because the senses will tell you, if you can't hear it, if you can't see it, if you can't touch it, if you can't smell it, then don't believe it. It's not true. But Jesus told Peter, no, told Thomas, is it because you see me, you believe? Blessed are those who have not seen, but yet have believed." [57:50] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6 verse 12, fight the good fight of faith. And when you do so, lay hold on eternal life. Where unto you are also called and you have professed a good profession before many witnesses. Fight the good fight. I'm encouraging you today to be strong. Be strong in the Lord. To fight the good fight of faith. The fight of faith is not against the devil. A lot of people have missed it. The focus is not the devil. I'm so happy that, you know, that Archbishop Idausa was my pastor. And that Papa taught us the word. So when I hear a lot of some teachings today, I say, God, thank you that I heard the word on time before all of these, you know, words came in. Thank you, Jesus. Papa told us, never magnify the devil." [01:03:04] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Listen. No matter how long it takes. Stay in faith. Stay in faith. Because faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Holy Ghost. In Ephesians chapter 6 verse 10. What does Paul say there? Finally. Finally my brethren. Be strong in the Lord. And in the power of his might. He didn't tell you to be strong in your own strength. Now let me help you understand that scripture. And I will use an example. Now you know the war between Russia and Ukraine. Is not a war of equals. Right? If Ukraine was left to itself. And didn't have support from the allies. You know that war would have been over by now. Because Russia would have just run Ukraine down. Are you listening to me? But Ukraine is still in the fight. See two years now. Why? Because of the strength of its allies." [01:16:12] (82 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Don't be an alien in the house of God. Amen. Listen to me. To die of sickness as a believer is alien. To die of sickness as a believer is alien. As controversial as that statement may be. Some people want to shoot me for that. Some people want to shoot me for that. It's alien to the God life. Are you listening to me? Don't die of sickness. Don't die of disease. Refuse to allow the limitations of the world. Don't let poverty mess your life up. You've got enough word. To make things work for you. Hallelujah. Don't live as a weakling. It is alien to the God life. If Paul was not walking in the God life, he would have died when that serpent bit him and injected venom into his blood. He would have died when he was operating the God life. Hallelujah." [01:21:45] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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