Living Out Faith: Action, Transformation, and Commitment

 

Summary

In reflecting on the journey of faith and the call to action, it's essential to recognize the profound responsibility we have as believers to live out the commands of God actively. The notion of waiting for a divine sign before taking action is challenged by the understanding that God has already instructed us to care for the widows and orphans. This call to action is not just about fulfilling a duty but embracing a lifestyle that reflects the heart of God. The story of Haggai serves as a poignant reminder of the double standards we often hold—prioritizing our desires over God's work. We must shift from a mindset of negligence to one of proactive obedience, where we seek God's voice only to confirm when we might be overstepping, not when we are called to act.

The mission of the church and our personal mission as followers of Christ should be rooted in a desire for genuine transformation, not just conviction. The story of the Rich Young Ruler and Zacchaeus illustrates the difference between walking away with conviction and taking action that leads to salvation. True victory in the Christian life is not measured by how convicted we feel but by the tangible changes in our lives that reflect the kingdom of God.

Moreover, the essence of our faith is not about accumulating knowledge or experiences but about a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. The challenge is to return to our first love, to the times when our relationship with Christ was the most important aspect of our lives. This involves a willingness to let go of worldly possessions and status, recognizing them as insignificant compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

Finally, the call to follow Jesus is not a call to comfort but to sacrifice. It requires a willingness to give up everything, to take up our cross, and to follow Him wholeheartedly. This is not about adding Jesus to our lives but about surrendering our lives to Him completely. The metaphor of salt losing its flavor serves as a warning against a half-hearted commitment. We are called to be the real thing, to live lives that are unmistakably marked by the presence and power of God.

Key Takeaways:

- Assume Action, Not Negligence: As believers, we should not wait for a divine sign to act on God's commands. The Bible already instructs us to care for the widows and orphans, and we should assume action unless God tells us otherwise. This proactive obedience reflects a heart aligned with God's will. [01:13]

- True Victory is in Transformation: Conviction without action is not victory. The story of Zacchaeus shows that true transformation involves tangible changes in our lives that reflect the kingdom of God. We must strive for a faith that leads to action, not just feelings of conviction. [12:25]

- Return to Your First Love: Our relationship with Jesus should be the most important aspect of our lives. We must be willing to let go of worldly possessions and status, recognizing them as insignificant compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This involves returning to the passion and love we had when we first believed. [24:05]

- Wholehearted Commitment to Christ: Following Jesus requires a willingness to give up everything, to take up our cross, and to follow Him wholeheartedly. This is not about adding Jesus to our lives but about surrendering our lives to Him completely. We must be willing to go all the way with Him, even if it means sacrifice. [39:06]

- Be the Real Thing: The metaphor of salt losing its flavor serves as a warning against a half-hearted commitment. We are called to be the real thing, to live lives that are unmistakably marked by the presence and power of God. Our faith should be evident in our actions and our willingness to follow Jesus no matter the cost. [44:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - The Call to Foster Care
- [00:44] - Cultural Challenges in Adoption
- [01:13] - Assume Action, Not Negligence
- [02:06] - The Story of Haggai
- [03:15] - Double Standards in Faith
- [04:27] - The Mission of the Church
- [05:28] - Seeking Genuine Transformation
- [06:23] - Childhood Faith and Skepticism
- [07:16] - The Shadow Mission
- [08:15] - Experiencing God in Prayer
- [09:38] - The Security of Answered Prayers
- [10:13] - The Mission of Change
- [11:09] - Conviction vs. Action
- [12:25] - Zacchaeus and True Transformation
- [13:17] - The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
- [14:31] - The Treasure of Jesus
- [15:37] - Living with Eternal Perspective
- [17:42] - The Mission of Loving Jesus
- [18:32] - Rediscovering Boldness
- [20:37] - Strengthen What Remains
- [24:05] - Returning to Your First Love
- [27:38] - The Importance of Scripture
- [30:46] - The Danger of False Prophets
- [35:15] - Seeking Truth in Scripture
- [37:08] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [42:43] - The Metaphor of Salt
- [45:18] - Be the Real Thing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Haggai 1:2-4
2. Luke 14:25-33
3. Philippians 3:7-11

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Observation Questions:

1. In Haggai 1:2-4, what is the double standard that God points out through the prophet Haggai? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about prioritizing God's work over personal desires? [02:24]

2. According to Luke 14:25-33, what does Jesus say is required to be His disciple? How does this passage challenge the idea of a comfortable faith? [37:08]

3. In Philippians 3:7-11, how does Paul describe his view of worldly possessions and status compared to knowing Christ? How does this align with the sermon’s call to return to our first love? [13:17]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the difference between conviction and action, as seen in the story of Zacchaeus? [12:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of Haggai challenge believers to examine their priorities in life? What might be some modern-day equivalents of "panel houses" that distract us from God's work? [02:24]

2. In what ways does the call to take up our cross and follow Jesus, as described in Luke 14, require a shift in mindset from comfort to sacrifice? How can this be practically lived out in today's world? [37:08]

3. How does Paul’s perspective in Philippians 3:7-11 encourage believers to evaluate their relationship with worldly possessions? What does it mean to consider everything as loss for the sake of Christ? [13:17]

4. The sermon contrasts the Rich Young Ruler with Zacchaeus. What does this contrast teach about the nature of true transformation in the Christian life? [12:25]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there areas where you might be prioritizing personal desires over God's commands, similar to the people in Haggai's time? What steps can you take to realign your priorities? [02:24]

2. Jesus calls His followers to take up their cross. What is one specific area in your life where you feel called to make a sacrifice for your faith? How can you begin to take action in this area? [37:08]

3. Paul speaks of considering everything as loss compared to knowing Christ. Is there a possession or status in your life that you struggle to let go of? How can you begin to view it as insignificant compared to your relationship with Jesus? [13:17]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of action over mere conviction. Can you identify a conviction you have felt recently that you have not yet acted upon? What is one step you can take this week to turn that conviction into action? [12:25]

5. Reflect on your initial passion and love for Jesus when you first believed. Have you noticed a change in that passion over time? What practical steps can you take to rekindle that first love for Christ? [24:05]

6. The metaphor of salt losing its flavor warns against half-hearted commitment. In what ways can you ensure that your faith remains vibrant and impactful? What specific actions can you take to maintain your "saltiness"? [44:14]

7. Consider the call to care for widows and orphans. Is there a specific way you feel led to serve in this area? How can you begin to take action in response to this biblical command? [01:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Proactive Obedience Reflects God's Heart
As believers, we are called to act on God's commands without waiting for a divine sign. The Bible already instructs us to care for the widows and orphans, and this proactive obedience reflects a heart aligned with God's will. The story of Haggai reminds us of the double standards we often hold, prioritizing our desires over God's work. We must shift from negligence to proactive obedience, seeking God's voice only to confirm when we might be overstepping, not when we are called to act. [01:13]

James 1:27 (ESV): "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Reflection: Identify one way you can actively care for someone in need this week. How can you take immediate action to reflect God's heart in this situation?


Day 2: Transformation Through Action, Not Just Conviction
True victory in the Christian life is not measured by how convicted we feel but by the tangible changes in our lives that reflect the kingdom of God. The story of Zacchaeus illustrates the difference between walking away with conviction and taking action that leads to salvation. We must strive for a faith that leads to action, not just feelings of conviction. This involves making tangible changes in our lives that align with God's kingdom. [12:25]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel convicted but have not yet taken action? What specific step can you take today to move from conviction to transformation?


Day 3: Rediscovering Your First Love
Our relationship with Jesus should be the most important aspect of our lives. We must be willing to let go of worldly possessions and status, recognizing them as insignificant compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This involves returning to the passion and love we had when we first believed. By doing so, we can deepen our personal relationship with Jesus and prioritize Him above all else. [24:05]

Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when your relationship with Jesus was the most important aspect of your life. What steps can you take to rekindle that passion and prioritize Him today?


Day 4: Wholehearted Surrender to Christ
Following Jesus requires a willingness to give up everything, to take up our cross, and to follow Him wholeheartedly. This is not about adding Jesus to our lives but about surrendering our lives to Him completely. We must be willing to go all the way with Him, even if it means sacrifice. This wholehearted commitment is essential for a genuine relationship with Christ. [39:06]

Luke 14:33 (ESV): "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 5: Living as the Real Thing
The metaphor of salt losing its flavor serves as a warning against a half-hearted commitment. We are called to be the real thing, to live lives that are unmistakably marked by the presence and power of God. Our faith should be evident in our actions and our willingness to follow Jesus no matter the cost. This involves living authentically and being a true reflection of God's love and power. [44:14]

Matthew 5:13 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your faith is evident in your actions today? How can you live authentically as a true reflection of God's love and power?

Quotes



We assume negligence unless the Lord gives us a direct word from him. You know, in other words, it's like, well, I'm not going to take on a foster kid unless the Lord speaks to me and wakes me up in the middle of the night and says, You must take a foster kid. [00:58:55]

These people are saying, well, I don't think it's the Lord's time for me yet to work on the house. And so Hagi comes along and says, okay, but did the Lord tell you to build your own house with all his nice panels and everything else? [02:38:08]

Victory is for you to go man I could care less you know about my stuff here I'll give half of it to the poor anyways here here I'll do it right now I I I don't care about my stuff for me to live as Christ and to die is gain. [12:36:39]

Whatever gain I had I count it as loss for the sake of Christ indeed I count everything as lost because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord for his sake I have suffered for the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ. [13:09:24]

I remember amazing the birth was but I remember having times with Jesus where I just sat there in his presence or was on my face in his presence going Jesus this is so good being with you man this is what I'm created for I can sense your spirit in me I love being with you. [23:16:40]

Strengthen what remains and is about to die. That's all I heard was strengthen what remains and is about to die, strengthen what remains and is about to die. Man, it was so good for me. It was such a word of encouragement. [25:19:52]

I just want to be with you because I love him so much I just want to be with with him I'm craving him right now just want to be with him everything else is D I don't care but it's crazy how we can lose that and what what I love though was as I'm praying this and concerned. [24:56:55]

I don't trust very many people I don't care if they've got a PhD I don't don't care how long they've been pastors I don't care if Reverend is before their name I just don't trust a lot of people and as I was thinking about this yesterday I thought you know I'd almost rather people just get alone with this book. [28:17:00]

If you got flavorless salt he goes what do you do with salt that has no flavor he goes it's not good for anything he goes you can't put it in the dirt because it'll ruin the dirt dirt's good dirt's good stuff things grow out of it he goes it's not even good to put that flavorless salt on the manure. [43:35:13]

I don't care if you all look like salt if you don't have that saltiness you don't have that flavor like I will die with you man I'm the real thing I'll build this whole Tower I'll go to war I'm going to the cross I don't care I'll put everything behind me I just want to be with you even if it's being nailed on a cross with you. [44:39:40]

I want you completely, completely and again I'm saying read this book for yourself read it it don't let someone just tell you what it means to follow Jesus read it you've got a mind read it for yourself and I think a lot of you would be better off reading it for yourself than just having other people feed you and tell you what's in there. [46:54:14]

I believe with all my heart that at any moment we're going to see God and at that moment nothing else is going to matter it's about did you really know him because God's going to say Well done good and faithful servant or he say depart from me I never knew you I knew some of the Buddies you hung out with I knew that one Uncle of yours I never knew you like you never chose to follow me. [48:15:20]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?