Living in Gratitude: Embracing Christ's Sufficiency and Leadership

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth of Jesus paying our debt, a debt so immense that it would be impossible for us to settle on our own. This realization should fill us with gratitude and propel us to live lives that reflect the grace we've received. As a church, we are in a season of sending out members to plant new churches, which is both exciting and challenging. This movement keeps us reliant on God and prevents stagnation, urging every believer to step up and embrace their role as leaders in the faith.

We also discussed the importance of not just hearing the Word but actively applying it in our lives. A couple in our church took the initiative to gather friends and figure out how to live out the teachings from the book of Haggai, emphasizing the need to put God first. This grassroots movement is a powerful reminder that true transformation comes when we take the Word seriously and act on it.

Furthermore, we delved into the richness of our inheritance in Christ, highlighting that many of us fail to grasp the fullness of what we have in Jesus. We often seek to add to Him, not realizing that He is sufficient. The book of Colossians reminds us of the sufficiency of Christ and challenges us to live lives worthy of Him, filled with faith and love that spring from the hope of heaven.

Finally, we were challenged to seek God's will for our lives genuinely. This requires a willingness to set aside our desires and the expectations of others to pursue what God desires for us. It's a call to trust that His plans are better than anything we could imagine for ourselves.

Key Takeaways:

- The Immensity of Our Debt and Christ's Payment: Understanding the magnitude of our sin debt and Christ's payment should lead us to a life of gratitude and transformation. This awareness compels us to live differently, knowing we are forgiven and free. [00:51]

- The Call to Leadership and Action: As believers, we are called to step up and lead, especially as we send out members to plant new churches. This is a reminder that every Christian has a role to play in the body of Christ, and we must not remain stagnant. [02:25]

- The Sufficiency of Christ: Many of us fail to realize the fullness of what we have in Jesus, often seeking to add to Him. The book of Colossians reminds us that Christ is sufficient, and we need nothing else. This understanding should transform our lives and priorities. [07:32]

- Living Out the Word: It's not enough to hear the Word; we must actively apply it in our lives. This requires intentionality and community, as seen in the example of the couple who gathered friends to live out the teachings of Haggai. [05:24]

- Seeking God's Will: Truly desiring to know and follow God's will requires us to set aside our own desires and the expectations of others. It's a call to trust that His plans are better than anything we could imagine for ourselves. [28:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - The Weight of Our Sin
- [01:08] - Jesus Paid It All
- [01:42] - Sending Out Church Planters
- [02:25] - Call to Leadership
- [03:21] - Applying the Word
- [05:24] - Grassroots Movement
- [06:39] - The Sufficiency of Christ
- [08:42] - Exploring Colossians
- [11:14] - Holy and Faithful
- [13:17] - Reputation of Love
- [18:59] - Hope of Heaven
- [24:15] - Praying for God's Will
- [28:20] - Do You Want to Know God's Will?
- [31:18] - Living a Life Worthy of the Lord
- [36:49] - God's Desire for Relationship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Colossians 1:1-13
- Ephesians 1:18-19
- Psalm 23:1

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul emphasize about the identity of the believers in Colossians 1:2, and how does he address them? [11:14]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the couple's initiative to apply the teachings from the book of Haggai? [03:21]

3. How does the sermon describe the impact of sending out church members to plant new churches? [02:11]

4. What does the pastor say about the sufficiency of Christ and how it relates to our desires for other things? [07:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In Colossians 1:5, Paul mentions that faith and love spring from the hope stored up in heaven. How does this heavenly hope influence the behavior and priorities of believers? [18:59]

2. The sermon discusses the importance of stepping up as leaders in the church. What might this look like in practical terms for someone who is new to the faith? [02:25]

3. Reflecting on the couple's grassroots movement to apply the Word, what does this suggest about the role of personal initiative in spiritual growth? [05:24]

4. How does the pastor's explanation of our inheritance in Christ challenge common misconceptions about what we need to be fulfilled? [07:32]

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Application Questions:

1. The sermon emphasizes living a life of gratitude because of Christ's payment for our sins. What are some practical ways you can express gratitude in your daily life? [00:51]

2. As the church sends out members to plant new churches, how can you personally contribute to this mission, whether by going, supporting, or praying? [02:25]

3. The couple in the sermon took initiative to apply the teachings of Haggai. What is one teaching from a recent sermon or Bible study that you feel called to actively apply in your life? [05:24]

4. The pastor challenges us to seek God's will genuinely. What steps can you take this week to discern and follow God's will for your life, even if it means setting aside personal desires? [28:20]

5. Reflect on the idea of Christ's sufficiency. Is there something in your life that you are tempted to add to Jesus for fulfillment? How can you shift your focus to find contentment in Him alone? [07:32]

6. The sermon mentions the importance of not just hearing the Word but living it out. What is one specific action you can take this week to live out a biblical principle you've learned? [05:24]

7. Considering the pastor's question about truly wanting to know God's will, how can you cultivate a heart that is open and willing to follow God's direction, even when it's challenging? [28:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Gratitude for Christ's Sacrifice
Understanding the immensity of our sin debt and Christ's payment should lead us to a life of gratitude and transformation. This awareness compels us to live differently, knowing we are forgiven and free. The realization that Jesus paid a debt we could never settle on our own should fill us with profound gratitude. This gratitude is not just a feeling but a catalyst for transformation, urging us to live lives that reflect the grace we've received. As we embrace this truth, we are called to let it permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our actions, decisions, and interactions with others. [00:51]

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you can express gratitude for Christ's sacrifice. How can you let this gratitude transform your actions today?


Day 2: Embracing Our Role in the Church
As believers, we are called to step up and lead, especially as we send out members to plant new churches. This is a reminder that every Christian has a role to play in the body of Christ, and we must not remain stagnant. The call to leadership and action is not reserved for a select few but is a charge for every believer. As the church enters a season of sending out members to plant new churches, it is both an exciting and challenging time. This movement requires reliance on God and prevents stagnation, urging each believer to embrace their role as leaders in the faith. It is a call to actively participate in the mission of the church, using our unique gifts and talents to further God's kingdom. [02:25]

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way you can actively participate in your church community this week. How can you use your unique gifts to serve others?


Day 3: Finding Sufficiency in Christ
Many of us fail to realize the fullness of what we have in Jesus, often seeking to add to Him. The book of Colossians reminds us that Christ is sufficient, and we need nothing else. This understanding should transform our lives and priorities. In a world that constantly tells us we need more, the sufficiency of Christ is a radical truth. We often seek to add to Him, not realizing that He is enough. The book of Colossians challenges us to grasp the fullness of what we have in Jesus, urging us to live lives worthy of Him, filled with faith and love that spring from the hope of heaven. This realization should transform our priorities, leading us to find contentment and fulfillment in Christ alone. [07:32]

"And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you are seeking fulfillment outside of Christ. How can you begin to find sufficiency in Him alone?


Day 4: Applying the Word in Community
It's not enough to hear the Word; we must actively apply it in our lives. This requires intentionality and community, as seen in the example of the couple who gathered friends to live out the teachings of Haggai. True transformation comes when we take the Word seriously and act on it. The importance of not just hearing the Word but actively applying it in our lives is crucial for spiritual growth. This requires intentionality and community, as demonstrated by a couple in the church who gathered friends to explore how to live out the teachings from the book of Haggai. This grassroots movement is a powerful reminder that true transformation occurs when we take the Word seriously and act on it, putting God first in all things. [05:24]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a specific teaching from the Bible that you have heard recently. How can you actively apply it in your life this week, and who can you invite to join you in this journey?


Day 5: Seeking God's Will Above All
Truly desiring to know and follow God's will requires us to set aside our own desires and the expectations of others. It's a call to trust that His plans are better than anything we could imagine for ourselves. Seeking God's will is a journey of surrender and trust. It requires a willingness to set aside our desires and the expectations of others to pursue what God desires for us. This is a call to trust that His plans are better than anything we could imagine for ourselves. It involves a genuine desire to know and follow His will, even when it challenges our comfort zones or preconceived notions. As we seek His guidance, we are invited to trust in His goodness and faithfulness, knowing that His plans are for our ultimate good. [28:20]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God's will. What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him and seek His guidance?

Quotes


The Bible says that Jesus paid for all, he paid for it all he washed it all away and that's what we're singing It's like gosh praise the one that paid that debt otherwise I'd have to pay it otherwise I'd come to the end of life and I'd have to pay that man what what a what a great message. [00:57:04]

What it does to our church here is that it keeps us on our toes it it keeps us having to rely on God so we don't get stagnant see CU these are are key couples these are some of the most committed Believers that are going to these other churches to start new works all around the states overseas they're all leaving that means the rest of us need to step it up. [02:19:84]

This couple in our church you know they said you know we're just so tired of every time you preach a series or you preach a message we go home and we go that was a good message huh yeah and then that's the end of it and and so they they they said you know would you mind because we're not sure if people really got it. [03:31:00]

I pray to God that that more and more of that stuff just happens where you just get motivated and say you know what I got to do something with this stuff I got do something with the word of God um otherwise we're we're just wasting our time right unless we're doing something with the word of God. [05:22:08]

I think one of the biggest problems in the American church today is we don't understand how much we have in Jesus and we we try to add things to Jesus that's why new religions start it's like Jesus plus something because we don't understand how much we have in Jesus. [07:23:96]

You don't need Jesus to give you anything you just need more of Jesus you just need to understand how much you have in Jesus if you're really stood what you had in Jesus then you could say like the psalmist the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want what else could I want I've got Jesus. [08:12:92]

Paul says in verse one he says Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God okay why why was Paul why was Paul an apostle an apostle was a person who was sent by God an apostle was someone who actually saw Jesus Christ and they actually went around telling people about Jesus they're the ones that started the church. [09:49:56]

What a church should be known for is the people ought to be so filled with this faith in Jesus and a love for each other a love for all the saints and and and then I'll hear people complain and they'll go yeah this place isn't loving no one loves me and it's like great let's just all do that let's just all sit around and go yeah no one loves me. [17:02:28]

People who think about heaven a lot will love a lot it's a Heavenly mindedness that causes us to love that's why that's why we love the poor that's why some of you have sacrificed some of the things you own and you go you know what I'll live off of Less on this Earth why because you're not thinking about this Earth you're thinking about heaven. [19:30:39]

Paul says if he why does he want him to be filled with this knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom understanding verse 10 he says and I pray this we pray this in order that why so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way why does Paul pray that you know his will that you know God's will. [31:09:44]

Do you really want to know what God wants of your life right now I mean do you really honestly do you really want if God could speak to you right now and tell you this is what I'd like you to do this afternoon do you really want to know that because what if God says this afternoon I want you to move do you even want to know that. [28:20:00]

It's God's desire to have a relationship with you that's his will he's been going after you he's been pursuing you that's his will now you may not want a relationship with him but that's when you decide who's going to be the Lord Of My Life am I going to follow his will do I even want his will it's God's will for some of you to be baptized today. [36:49:00]

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Transcript
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