Living in Faith: Embracing Humility and Eternal Hope
Summary
The sermon delivered by the speaker was a profound exploration of the Christian faith, focusing on the themes of humility, servanthood, and the anticipation of Jesus' second coming. The speaker began by reflecting on the significance of God's love as demonstrated through the gift of His son, Jesus Christ, who came to restore eternal life to humanity. This gift not only promises a heavenly mansion but also a transformed existence of authority and eternal life. The speaker then shared a personal rule to never use the past as an excuse for present wrongdoings, urging the congregation to take responsibility for their actions and to appreciate the goodness of God.
The sermon also delved into the concept of knowledge, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve, who gained knowledge of good and evil. The speaker emphasized the importance of focusing on the knowledge of good and aligning thoughts with God's word. They encouraged bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and being grateful for God's blessings. The speaker reminded the congregation that as believers, they are just passing through this world, and their true home is with God. They encouraged looking beyond the temporary and focusing on the eternal, trusting in God's power to equip them for their journey.
A significant part of the sermon was dedicated to the importance of faith over feelings, highlighting that God's word is absolute and that believers should walk by faith and not by sight. The speaker recounted the prophecies of Jesus' birth and his ultimate victory over Satan, emphasizing that Jesus is not only the Christ but also the Lord and Savior. They also discussed the concept of God building mansions for believers and the importance of focusing on obeying Jesus' teachings rather than where he used to be.
The speaker shared personal stories, including their history with David and Darlene Row, their experience with a flat tire on a recent trip, and their joy in purchasing a Mustang convertible. They also discussed the church's food outreach ministry and the significance of the serpent in the Bible, emphasizing believers' authority over it through faith.
Key Takeaways:
- The gift of Jesus Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's love, offering believers not just salvation but a place of authority in eternity. This understanding should shape our lives, inspiring us to live with humility and servanthood, as these are prerequisites for ruling with Christ. [01:23:46]
- Personal responsibility is a cornerstone of Christian living. The past should not be used as an excuse for current failures. Instead, believers are called to live in the present with accountability, making choices that reflect the transformative work of Christ in their lives. [55:39]
- Knowledge can be a double-edged sword, and the focus of our knowledge matters greatly. Believers are encouraged to concentrate on the knowledge of good, aligning their thoughts with God's word, and taking every thought captive to obey Christ. This mindset is essential for overcoming life's challenges with a spirit of gratitude. [35:11]
- Faith is the bedrock of the Christian experience, surpassing the transient nature of feelings. Believers are reminded to walk by faith, trusting in the absolute truth of God's word, and to recognize Jesus as the ruler who has conquered all evil, including death and hell. [01:17:41]
- The anticipation of Jesus' second coming should be a focal point for believers, influencing their daily lives and priorities. As Jesus prepares a place for us, we are called to set our minds on heavenly things and seek first the kingdom of God, living in readiness for his return. [01:30:38]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 3:14-15 (NKJV)
> So the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."
2. John 14:2-3 (NKJV)
> In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
3. Colossians 3:2 (NKJV)
> Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the consequence given to the serpent in Genesis 3:14-15?
2. According to John 14:2-3, what is Jesus preparing for believers, and what promise does He make about His return?
3. In Colossians 3:2, what are believers instructed to focus their minds on?
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of faith over feelings. How did the speaker illustrate this point? [01:17:41]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the prophecy in Genesis 3:15 about the seed of the woman relate to the coming of Jesus Christ? [01:09:44]
2. What does Jesus' promise in John 14:2-3 reveal about the nature of our eternal home and His relationship with believers?
3. How can setting our minds on things above, as instructed in Colossians 3:2, influence our daily lives and decisions?
4. The speaker emphasized personal responsibility and not using the past as an excuse for present wrongdoings. How does this principle align with the transformative work of Christ in a believer's life? [55:39]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you used your past as an excuse for present behavior. How can you take responsibility for your actions moving forward? [55:39]
2. The sermon highlighted the importance of focusing on the knowledge of good and aligning thoughts with God's word. What practical steps can you take to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ? [35:11]
3. How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude for God's blessings, even in challenging times? Share a recent experience where you found it difficult to be grateful and how you overcame it.
4. The anticipation of Jesus' second coming should influence our daily lives and priorities. What changes can you make in your daily routine to live in readiness for His return? [01:30:38]
5. The speaker shared personal stories to illustrate the importance of faith over feelings. Can you recall a situation where you had to rely on faith rather than your feelings? How did it impact your relationship with God? [01:17:41]
6. Jesus' teachings emphasize humility and servanthood as prerequisites for ruling with Him. How can you practice humility and servanthood in your current roles and relationships? [01:23:46]
7. The sermon mentioned the church's food outreach ministry. How can you get involved in serving your community, and what impact do you hope to make through such service? [50:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Authority Through Humility
Humility and servanthood are not signs of weakness but the path to eternal authority with Christ. By living humbly, believers mirror Jesus' own life and prepare to rule alongside Him in eternity. This perspective shifts the focus from earthly power to spiritual leadership. [01:23:46]
Luke 22:26-27 - "But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is greater, the one who reclines at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate humility in your daily interactions, and in what ways might this change your approach to leadership and service?
Day 2: Living in Present Accountability
The transformative power of Christ enables believers to live responsibly in the present, without being shackled by past mistakes. This calls for a conscious effort to make choices that reflect the new life in Christ, acknowledging God's goodness in every situation. [55:39]
Ephesians 4:22-24 - "Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What past mistake are you allowing to influence your present decisions, and how can you take a step today to live more fully in the new life Christ offers?
Day 3: Aligning Thoughts with Divine Knowledge
The pursuit of knowledge should lead to a greater alignment with God's will, capturing every thought to make it obedient to Christ. This discipline ensures that believers' minds are filled with the knowledge of good, empowering them to overcome life's challenges with gratitude. [35:11]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: What thoughts or areas of knowledge have you been focusing on that may not align with God's will, and how can you redirect your mental energy towards what is good?
Day 4: Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Feelings are transient, but faith in God's word is unshakeable. Believers are called to live by faith, trusting in the victory of Jesus over all evil and the absolute truth of Scripture, which guides them through life's uncertainties. [01:17:41]
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you've been guided more by feelings than by faith, and what steps can you take to walk by faith in this area?
Day 5: Anticipating the Eternal Kingdom
The promise of Jesus' return and the preparation of a place for believers should inspire a heavenly perspective, prioritizing the eternal over the temporary. This anticipation calls for a life lived in readiness, seeking God's kingdom above all else. [01:30:38]
Colossians 3:1-2 - "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: How can you adjust your daily priorities to reflect a greater anticipation for Jesus' return and a deeper investment in the eternal kingdom?
Quotes
1) "It is of no value to celebrate his birth and the manger unless you're also celebrating his second coming because the first coming it's good because it was the answer but if we are not celebrating the purpose of his first coming we miss the point altogether because there is a second coming and it is a preparation for you and I to be with him forever." [58:47]
2) "Never use your past as an excuse for doing wrong in your present." [54:54]
3) "We don't look at the things that are seen but we look at the things which are not seen and why for the things which are seen are temporary but the things which are not seen are Eternal now that'll get you through your problem." [01:35:34]
4) "Jesus Emmanuel the ruler of Israel he came Luke chapter 2: 11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a savior who is Christ the lord you see he is not Christ to you unless he is Lord to you he is not the saving Savior for you and unless you've made him Lord when you make him Lord he becomes Christ the Messiah the anointed one the one that now gives you Victory he is the one now that is the seed of the woman that has bruised the head of the serpent" [01:15:20]
5) "Seek first the kingdom and seek first his righteousness there's what we have a problem with I think we like the benefits of the Kingdom but we don't like to live a life that's righteous we've got to feel we've got to find out the only righteous life you have is in him that's why he said seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness stop trying to live at yourself try stop trying to make yourself good enough surrender to him and let him fill you with his Spirit fill you with his power fill you with his love and fill you with his grace and then you will live righteously in Christ Jesus" [01:31:57]
6) "The seed of the woman has come to bruise your head now then to bruise the head simply means you conquer he made the word says that he made a show of Satan openly triumphing over him in it he made a show of him that day triumphing over him in it he took the keys of death and hell he took the keys back the Dominion The Authority back and he put his foot on his head he bruised his head the sign of complete victory yeah and then on the third day God said okay come on back and when he came out of the Grave" [01:17:41]
7) "I didn't understand as a human I wouldn't comprehend that we'd have to experience the manger before we could experience the Mansion because there is no Authority in the Kingdom unless there is humility first there is no overcoming Victory unless there is surrender first there is no lifestyle of overcoming in eternity unless we become crucified first" #!!01:19:49!!#
8) "Why do you stand gazing up into heaven in other words this same Jesus that you're looking where he used to be that was taken up from you is going to come back and he's going to come back in the same manner as you have seen him go into heaven but until then do what he told you to do go to Jerusalem receive the power live in the anointing be an overcomer preach the gospel lead the world to him because he is coming back Church there is a mansion prepared but our focus is not the Mansion our focus is the obedience to the last thing he told us to do and if you obey God today when tomorrow gets here you'll be in his will and if you are in his will no" - #!!01:40:17!!#
9) "Set your mind on things above not on Fox News set your mind on things above not on things on the earth well I'm afraid I might become so Heavenly minded I'm no earthly good heard that right no you got to understand the Heavenly mind is a display of the goodness of God in the Earth because there is an answer to every problem thy will in heaven be done on Earth let the will of God be done to you and through you."
( #!!01:30:38!!#)
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