Living Out Faith: Sowing, Community, and God's Approval

Devotional

Day 1: The Principle of Sowing and Reaping

Our actions today have long-term consequences. Whether we sow seeds of righteousness or sin, we will eventually reap the results. This principle reminds us to make decisions that align with God's will, knowing that both positive and negative actions will yield a harvest. The concept of sowing and reaping, as discussed in Galatians, illustrates that our actions have consequences. Whether positive or negative, the seeds we plant today will yield a harvest in the future. This principle is crucial for understanding how our daily decisions impact our spiritual journey and relationship with God. [07:16]

Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Reflection: Think about a recent decision you made. What kind of seed did you plant with that decision, and what kind of harvest do you expect to reap from it?

Day 2: The Importance of Community and Accountability

Spiritual growth requires a supportive community. Just as athletes need coaches, we need people who can speak into our lives, hold us accountable, and help us stay focused on our spiritual goals. This mutual accountability fosters genuine growth and self-awareness. The importance of community and accountability in maintaining spiritual self-awareness cannot be overstated. Just as athletes need coaches and teammates, we need a community to help us stay on track and grow in our faith. [09:59]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your life can you turn to for spiritual accountability? How can you strengthen that relationship this week?

Day 3: Consistency in Family Values

The values we instill in our families should be consistently lived out. Hypocrisy can cause significant harm, so it's crucial to align our actions with our teachings. This consistency helps our children understand and embrace the values we hold dear. The role of family values and how they shape our children’s future is significant. We emphasized the need for consistency between what we teach and how we live, as hypocrisy can cause significant harm. [18:57]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: Reflect on a value you teach your family. Are your actions consistently reflecting this value? What changes can you make to ensure alignment?

Day 4: Living from God's Approval

Many Christians struggle with the idea that they must earn God's love. However, the gospel teaches us that we are already accepted and loved by God through Jesus Christ. This understanding should liberate us to live out our faith with joy and confidence. Living from God's approval rather than for it is a transformative concept. Many Christians struggle with the notion that they must earn God's love and acceptance. However, the gospel teaches us that we are already accepted and loved by God through Jesus Christ. [29:08]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel you are trying to earn God's approval? How can you shift your mindset to live from His approval instead?

Day 5: Incremental Spiritual Growth

Just as financial stability requires incremental steps, so does spiritual growth. God is faithful to complete the work He started in us, but it takes time and consistent effort. We should extend ourselves grace and trust in God's ongoing work in our lives. Incremental spiritual growth is essential for a sustained and deepening relationship with God. Just as financial stability requires incremental steps, so does spiritual growth. God is faithful to complete the work He started in us, but it takes time and consistent effort. [35:46]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Identify one area of your spiritual life where you desire growth. What small, consistent steps can you take to nurture this growth?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound truths found in Romans 8 and Galatians, focusing on how our beliefs should translate into our daily lives. We began with a light-hearted discussion about the Olympics, emphasizing the extraordinary abilities of athletes and how their dedication sets them apart. This served as a metaphor for the spiritual race we are all running, highlighting the importance of living out our faith authentically.

We delved into the concept of sowing and reaping, as discussed in Galatians, to illustrate that our actions have consequences. Whether positive or negative, the seeds we plant today will yield a harvest in the future. This principle is crucial for understanding how our daily decisions impact our spiritual journey and relationship with God.

We also discussed the importance of community and accountability in maintaining spiritual self-awareness. Just as athletes need coaches and teammates, we need a community to help us stay on track and grow in our faith. This led to a conversation about the role of family values and how they shape our children’s future. We emphasized the need for consistency between what we teach and how we live, as hypocrisy can cause significant harm.

Finally, we touched on the idea of living from God's approval rather than for it. Many Christians struggle with the notion that they must earn God's love and acceptance. However, the gospel teaches us that we are already accepted and loved by God through Jesus Christ. This understanding should liberate us to live out our faith with joy and confidence, knowing that our salvation is secure.

###

Key Takeaways

1. term consequences. Whether we sow seeds of righteousness or sin, we will eventually reap the results. This principle reminds us to make decisions that align with God's will, knowing that both positive and negative actions will yield a harvest. [07:16]
2. Community and Accountability: Spiritual growth requires a supportive community. Just as athletes need coaches, we need people who can speak into our lives, hold us accountable, and help us stay focused on our spiritual goals. This mutual accountability fosters genuine growth and self-awareness.

3. Consistency in Family Values: The values we instill in our families should be consistently lived out. Hypocrisy can cause significant harm, so it's crucial to align our actions with our teachings. This consistency helps our children understand and embrace the values we hold dear.

4. Living from God's Approval: Many Christians struggle with the idea that they must earn God's love. However, the gospel teaches us that we are already accepted and loved by God through Jesus Christ. This understanding should liberate us to live out our faith with joy and confidence.

5. Incremental Spiritual Growth: Just as financial stability requires incremental steps, so does spiritual growth. God is faithful to complete the work He started in us, but it takes time and consistent effort. We should extend ourselves grace and trust in God's ongoing work in our lives.

### [07:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:17] - Olympic Breakdancing and Competence
[02:49] - Appreciating Olympians' Skills
[03:46] - The Need for Normal People in Olympics
[05:17] - The Crown Jewel of the Bible
[06:21] - Living Differently Because of Our Beliefs
[07:16] - Sowing and Reaping: Positive and Negative
[07:59] - Compound Interest in Spiritual Life
[09:31] - The Importance of Self-Awareness
[09:59] - Community and Accountability
[10:50] - Engaging in Life Groups
[11:22] - Evaluating Priorities and Investments
[13:44] - Misinterpreting Scripture
[14:27] - Jesus Knocking at the Door
[15:19] - Recognizing Flesh vs. Spirit
[16:48] - Parenting and Spiritual Leadership
[18:13] - Family Values and Consistency
[19:34] - Establishing Family Values
[22:46] - Being Authentic as Parents
[24:08] - Avoiding Hypocrisy
[26:05] - Boundaries and Idolatry
[28:07] - Countering Legalism in Faith
[29:08] - Living from God's Approval
[30:27] - Misconceptions About Salvation
[31:22] - Romans 8:32 and God's Provision
[32:18] - Compound Interest in Spiritual Choices
[35:46] - Incremental Spiritual Growth
[36:33] - Demystifying Bible Study
[37:47] - Spiritual Diet Beyond Sermons
[42:13] - Menlo Next: Community and Growth
[42:54] - Conclusion

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Romans 8:32 suggest about God's willingness to provide for us? How does this relate to the concept of living from God's approval? [31:22]
According to Galatians 6:7-8, what are the consequences of sowing to please the flesh versus sowing to please the Spirit? [07:16]
How does Philippians 1:6 assure us about the process of spiritual growth? What does it say about God's role in this process? [35:46]
In the sermon, what metaphor was used to describe the importance of community and accountability in our spiritual lives? [09:59]

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding that God has already accepted and loved us through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:32) change the way we live our daily lives? [29:08]
What practical steps can we take to ensure that we are sowing to please the Spirit rather than the flesh, as described in Galatians 6:7-8? [07:16]
How can the assurance in Philippians 1:6 help us to be patient with our own spiritual growth and the growth of others? [35:46]
Why is it important to have a supportive community for spiritual growth, and how can we cultivate such a community in our own lives? [09:59]

Application Questions

Reflect on your daily decisions. Are there areas where you are sowing to please the flesh rather than the Spirit? What changes can you make to align more with God's will? [07:16]
Think about your current community. Do you have people who hold you accountable and help you grow spiritually? If not, what steps can you take to build such relationships? [09:59]
How consistent are your family values with your actions? Identify one area where you can improve to avoid hypocrisy and better model your values to your children. [18:57]
Do you struggle with the idea of earning God's love and approval? How can you remind yourself daily that you are already accepted and loved by God through Jesus Christ? [29:08]
What incremental steps can you take this week to grow spiritually? Consider setting a small, achievable goal that aligns with Philippians 1:6. [35:46]
Identify one specific way you can live out your faith authentically this week, inspired by the metaphor of the spiritual race discussed in the sermon. [06:21]
How can you incorporate the principle of sowing and reaping into your decision-making process at work, home, or in your personal life? [07:16]

Sermon Clips

1. "I think it's easy in a series like this to primarily think about how do I think differently or how do I believe differently? But I really wanted to try and land. This weekend and how do we live differently because of this, all that stuff is really important and our worldview is critical and our beliefs are important. You know, but I regularly think to that passage, even the demons believe and tremble, right? Like we can have good theology and bad lives." [06:21] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Some of us, we have decisions that are accruing interest on a bill that will come due that we will have to pay. We think we're getting away with it. It's not a big deal, but like, you're not getting away with it. God sees it. Other people will eventually see it. It will bring about negative results in your life. And honestly, if it hasn't yet, it's the grace of God for you to still turn." [07:16] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I think that really one of the supreme antidotes to that kind of lack of self-awareness is community of people where I can see how they're living their life, they can see how I'm living my life, and we are close enough to one another that we can speak into those things of, like, hey, this is what's going on in my life, and, like, oh, man, that's a lot. Like, how is that area over here still going? Like, how is your marriage doing? Hey, tell me about what's going on at work. Tell me about what your regular spiritual rhythms are, and help you connect the dots in a way that maybe you wouldn't be otherwise." [09:59] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I think sometimes, whether we want to admit it or not, I'll personalize it. I am going so fast with good stuff. I'm not going and doing cult sacrifices. I'm doing things that I think are good things. And I wonder how many times in my life God has been standing at the door knocking and saying, hey, can I come into your decisions? You want to know what I think about this?" [14:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I think the hardest thing as a parent from my perspective is you want your kids to behave a certain way. Yeah. Yeah. That's like the... There's a book called The Smart Step Family that I used to lead kind of blended marriages and families through. And he would use this phrase, quick fix parenting. And it's like kind of selfish. We're like, I just don't... Can you just not be so loud? We rationalize it. You need to not be loud later in life, but you're like, my five-year-old is gonna be loud. He's five. He's a loud five-year-old. So how much of this am I parenting to my convenience versus his character?" [17:30] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "I think a lot of times the challenge that we have is we just have really terrible self-awareness. So, like, nobody can justify bad decisions for me more than I can. Yeah. Like, you know, like... Yeah. It's a funny dynamic. Like, I've heard it described. You walk into a store and there's an item that you want. Most of the time, the salesperson, like, actually shouldn't do anything. Like, you're gonna talk yourself into it." [09:31] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "I think living in light of if I knew everything, everything that God knew, I would be praying for the situation that God has placed me in. He's allowed me in it on purpose. And so I think being able to sit with contentment in the season that I'm in, work from my acceptance, approval, and love of God, I think those are all things that every season of life carries a different center of gravity about how we do that." [32:18] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "I think some of where I was pulling our teaching from this week in Galatians, it's really important to note that the underlying teaching of Judaism that Paul was trying to counter, if we're not careful, it actually sounds a whole lot like what we do in church. We don't tell people they need to go get circumcised, thank God. But we have this idea that we communicate that the gospel, this good news of Jesus dying on your behalf, coming back from the grave, now you can turn from your way, believe he is who he said he is, and choose to follow him to experience a better life today and an eternal life waiting." [28:07] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I think we have this idea of like, yeah, but what if I could, what if I could knock it out this week? You know, like what if I was reading, studying the Bible, praying, never sinned or struggled? Yeah, man, that'd be amazing. Uh, it's going to take more than this week. I mean, I hope that, um, you know, we tried out this like new tool, uh, on stage over the course of the series. Um, and I hope that what the whole series did and that tool is just like demystify, right?" [36:33] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I think a lot of times the challenge that we have is we just have really terrible self-awareness. So, like, nobody can justify bad decisions for me more than I can. Yeah. Like, you know, like... Yeah. It's a funny dynamic. Like, I've heard it described. You walk into a store and there's an item that you want. Most of the time, the salesperson, like, actually shouldn't do anything. Like, you're gonna talk yourself into it." [09:31] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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