Living in Obedience: The Power of Love and Service
Summary
The sermon delivered by the pastor underscores the importance of obedience to God's word, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the significance of spiritual gifts in a believer's life. The pastor encourages the congregation to distance themselves from those who are disobedient and misleading others. He highlights the significance of the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and established the church for preaching, teaching, and planting churches. The pastor emphasizes the need for believers to be anointed with the Holy Spirit and obedient to the word in their ministry.
The pastor also emphasizes the importance of following Jesus rather than being swayed by the actions of men. He compares the body of Christ to the physical body, emphasizing that despite the diversity within the church, it is a miracle, as it brings together people from various walks of life to form one body. He also reminds the congregation that their physical bodies are also miracles, fearfully and wonderfully made by God with a purpose.
The pastor warns the congregation not to be deceived by counterfeits sent by Satan to knock them out because they are dangerous to the kingdom of Hell. He shares a personal story about a well-known evangelist who was highly regarded for his preaching abilities but struggled with personal demons. The evangelist's life serves as a reminder that true character and integrity are essential, and that the fruit of a person's life should be observed to determine their authenticity.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of serving in order to mature spiritually. He highlights that knowledge of the word alone is not enough if one does not actively serve others. The pastor refers to Romans chapter 1, where the apostle Paul expresses his desire to visit the Church of Rome and impart spiritual gifts to strengthen the believers there. He encourages the congregation to actively serve in order to build community and relationships within the church.
Finally, the pastor focuses on the importance of love in the Christian faith. He references a passage from Paul's letter in chapter 13, where Paul emphasizes that love is essential, even more so than spiritual gifts or acts of sacrifice. The pastor challenges the congregation to examine their own lives and asks if they are truly living out these characteristics of love. He warns that without love, their spiritual gifts and actions are meaningless.
Key Takeaways:
- Obedience to God's word and the need for believers to be anointed with the Holy Spirit in their ministry is crucial. This is a reminder that obedience to God's word is not optional but a requirement for every believer. ([12:45])
- Despite the diversity within the church, it is a miracle, as it brings together people from various walks of life to form one body. This serves as a reminder of the unity that should exist within the church despite our differences. ([22:30])
- True character and integrity are essential, and the fruit of a person's life should be observed to determine their authenticity. This is illustrated through the personal story of a well-known evangelist who was highly regarded for his preaching abilities but struggled with personal demons. ([34:15])
- Spiritual maturity is not just about knowledge but also about service to others. The pastor emphasizes the importance of serving in order to mature spiritually. ([45:50])
- Love is not just a feeling, but a way of living that reflects the example of Jesus. The pastor focuses on the importance of love in the Christian faith and challenges the congregation to examine their own lives and asks if they are truly living out these characteristics of love. ([58:20])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 3:21-22: "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'"
2. Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3. 1 Corinthians 12:1: "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed."
Observation Questions:
1. What significant event is happening in Luke 3:21-22 and what is the response from heaven?
2. In Acts 1:8, what is promised to the disciples and what is expected of them?
3. What is the main concern of Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:1 regarding the gifts of the Spirit?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove during Jesus' baptism signify?
2. How does the promise of power in Acts 1:8 relate to the role of the disciples as witnesses?
3. What might be the implications of being uninformed about the gifts of the Spirit as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:1?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a moment in your life when you felt the Holy Spirit's presence or guidance? How did it impact your actions or decisions?
2. What is one way you can be a witness for Christ in your community this week, empowered by the Holy Spirit?
3. Are there any spiritual gifts you feel you might have but are unsure about? How can you seek more understanding or confirmation about this?
4. How can you use your understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life to encourage or guide others in your circle?
5. Think of a situation where you need the Holy Spirit's power. What is a specific prayer you can pray to invite the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength?
Devotional
Day 1: The Necessity of Obedience and Anointing
Obedience to God's word and the anointing of the Holy Spirit are not optional but crucial requirements for every believer. This obedience is not a mere act of compliance but a heartfelt response to God's love and grace. The anointing of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to carry out their ministry effectively and live a life pleasing to God. ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufADq95vk64&t=750s))
Bible Passage: Acts 5:32 - "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper obedience to God's word in your daily life and seek the anointing of the Holy Spirit?
Day 2: The Miracle of Unity in Diversity
Despite the diversity within the church, it is a miracle that brings together people from various walks of life to form one body. This unity is a testament to the power of God's love that transcends all barriers and differences. ([22:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufADq95vk64&t=1335s))
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 - "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering unity within your church community despite the diversity?
Day 3: The Importance of Character and Integrity
True character and integrity are essential, and the fruit of a person's life should be observed to determine their authenticity. This is a reminder that our actions and behaviors should align with our faith and the teachings of Christ. ([34:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufADq95vk64&t=2040s))
Bible Passage: Proverbs 20:7 - "The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!"
Reflection: How can you ensure that your actions reflect the character and integrity of a true believer?
Day 4: Spiritual Maturity Through Service
Spiritual maturity is not just about knowledge but also about service to others. Serving others is a practical way to live out the teachings of Christ and grow in spiritual maturity. ([45:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufADq95vk64&t=2735s))
Bible Passage: Galatians 5:13 - "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."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can serve others in your community to grow in spiritual maturity?
Day 5: Love as a Way of Living
Love is not just a feeling, but a way of living that reflects the example of Jesus. It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and should be the driving force behind all our actions and decisions. ([58:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufADq95vk64&t=3485s))
Bible Passage: 1 John 3:18 - "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate love in your actions and decisions today?
Quotes
"We need to be more obedient to the word of God and learn to separate ourselves from people who are not being obedient to the word of God and misleading people." [13:27]
"Luke writes about the followers of Christ to show us that God wants to do a work within us, and that following the Holy Spirit should be the characteristic of the church." [15:19]
"The fact that we are all shapes and sizes, that we are different skin colors, we come from different places, we have different thoughts, we are different. But yet in the body of Christ, we come together and become one. The church is a miracle." [38:35]
"Don't be impressed by people who know how to lead worship, don't be impressed with these things, watch their fruit. Jesus said you will know them by their fruit." [34:57]
"There is no maturing outside of serving. You could be so filled with the word, but if you're not serving people, who cares?" [19:02]
"When everyone serves, everyone benefits and everyone wins. In the kingdom of God, we don't just get to always pull up to the table and eat, sometimes we gotta do the dishes, sometimes we gotta clean the tables off, sometimes we gotta serve the kingdom." [21:05]
"The principle of serving is to build community and relationships. The people that I find don't have relationships are the people that show up late, they leave early, and they don't do anything in the church, and they wonder why they have no connection." [21:37]
"Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude, it does not insist on its own way, it's not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrongdoing." (source: [45:05])
"Every gift is just another way for us to express love." (source: [44:24])
"Don't covet other people's gifts, use what God has given you. You don't know what it's going to end up being, it may be a seed right now." [23:56]
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