Living Out Faith: Worship, Forgiveness, and Revival

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound truths of Scripture and the practical applications of our faith in daily life. We began with a time of worship, singing hymns that remind us of the necessity to trust and obey God, and to recognize Jesus as our everything. Our worship is not just a song or a routine; it is the expression of our hearts, acknowledging God's sovereignty and grace in our lives.

We delved into the Scriptures, specifically Ephesians 4:26-32, which instructs us to be angry without sinning, to not let the sun go down on our wrath, and to avoid giving the devil a foothold in our lives. We were reminded that our speech should be edifying, not corrupt, and that we should not grieve the Holy Spirit. The passage calls us to put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking, and instead, to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving, just as God in Christ forgave us.

Our mission focus this quarter is on the Southern Asia Division, particularly in India, where there is an urgent need for school classrooms. We are called to be compassionate and help those in need, knowing that God blesses us immensely, often in ways beyond financial gain. Our contributions are an investment in spreading the truth of God's love to children in dire need.

We also reflected on the story of Noah and the lesson that we worship God when we obey Him. This obedience is not limited to grand acts but is found in the daily decisions to follow God's will. The story of Moses, hidden as a baby in the river, teaches us that God's protection and plans are beyond our understanding. Even in Moses' later failure, God's love remained steadfast, and He used Moses to lead His people to freedom.

The sermon concluded with a call to revival, a plea for a Pentecostal experience that transforms us into what God desires us to be. We prayed for empowerment and divine authority, that we may leave refreshed and revived, ready to face the world with renewed faith and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

1. Worship is an act of the heart that transcends music and ritual; it is a life lived in obedience and surrender to God. When we sing hymns like "Trust and Obey," we affirm our commitment to live out the truths we vocalize, creating a harmony between our words and actions. [49:33]

2. Anger is a natural emotion, but it must be mastered so that it does not lead to sin. Ephesians 4:26-27 teaches us to deal with our anger promptly and constructively, preventing the enemy from gaining a foothold in our lives through unresolved conflict and bitterness. [24:54]

3. Our speech has the power to build up or tear down. Ephesians 4:29 challenges us to use our words to edify others, ensuring that what we say ministers grace to those who hear us. This requires a daily commitment to speak life into every conversation. [35:49]

4. Forgiveness is not optional for the believer; it is a command that reflects the heart of God. As we have been forgiven through Christ, we too must extend forgiveness to others, demonstrating the same tender-heartedness that God has shown us. [37:15]

5. True revival begins with a personal transformation that leads to a reformation of our actions and lifestyle. As we seek a revival in our church and community, let us first invite the Holy Spirit to revive our own hearts, setting us ablaze with passion for God's will. [40:04]

May these insights deepen your faith and spur you on to live a life that glorifies God in every aspect. Amen.

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 4:26-32 - "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions does Paul give about handling anger in Ephesians 4:26-27?
2. According to Ephesians 4:29, what should be the nature of our speech, and why is it important?
3. What are the behaviors and attitudes that Paul instructs us to put away in Ephesians 4:31?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between worship and obedience, particularly in the story of Noah? [40:53]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize not letting the sun go down on our anger? What might be the consequences of unresolved anger? [24:26]
2. How can our speech either build up or tear down others, according to Ephesians 4:29? What are some practical ways to ensure our words are edifying? [24:45]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that forgiveness is a reflection of God's heart? How does this align with Ephesians 4:32? [25:30]
4. The sermon calls for a personal revival that leads to a reformation of actions and lifestyle. How does this concept of revival connect with the teachings in Ephesians 4:26-32? [40:04]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent time when you were angry. How did you handle it? Did you resolve it promptly, or did it linger? What steps can you take to address anger more constructively in the future? [24:26]
2. Think about your daily conversations. Are there specific instances where your words have either built someone up or torn them down? How can you be more intentional about speaking words that edify and minister grace? [24:45]
3. Is there someone in your life whom you need to forgive? What is holding you back from extending forgiveness, and how can you take a step towards reconciliation this week? [25:30]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of worship as a life lived in obedience and surrender to God. How can you incorporate this understanding of worship into your daily routine? What small acts of obedience can you commit to this week? [40:53]
5. The mission focus this quarter is on helping children in Southern Asia, particularly in India. How can you contribute to this cause, and what other ways can you show compassion to those in need around you? [36:02]
6. Reflect on the story of Moses and how God's protection and plans were evident in his life. How can you trust in God's plans for your life, even when they are not clear? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in God's sovereignty? [42:02]
7. The sermon concluded with a call to revival and a plea for a Pentecostal experience. What specific areas of your life do you feel need revival? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring transformation in those areas? [40:04]

May these questions guide your discussion and help you deepen your faith, encouraging you to live a life that glorifies God in every aspect. Amen.

Devotional

Day 1: Heartfelt Worship Beyond Song
True worship extends far beyond the melodies and lyrics of hymns; it is the daily expression of a heart fully surrendered to God. Worship is not confined to a moment of singing but is reflected in every act of obedience and trust in the divine. It is in the mundane moments of life that the truest form of worship is often found, as one lives out the commitment to God's will and ways. This obedience is an act of worship that acknowledges God's sovereignty and aligns one's life with His purposes. When hymns like "Trust and Obey" are sung, they are not just words but a declaration of a life dedicated to living out those truths. This harmony between words and actions is the essence of worship that pleases God. [49:33]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24 ESV

Reflection: How can your daily activities reflect a heart of worship, and what is one step you can take today to make your life a more consistent act of worship to God?

Day 2: Mastering Anger with Righteousness
Anger is a natural human emotion, but it becomes destructive when it leads to sin. The Scripture teaches that anger must be dealt with promptly and in a manner that does not give the devil a foothold. This involves resolving conflicts before they fester and maintaining a spirit of peace. It is essential to recognize that anger can be a valid response to injustice, but it must be channeled constructively, leading to positive change rather than bitterness or malice. By mastering anger, one prevents it from becoming a barrier to spiritual growth and a tool in the enemy's hands. [24:54]

"Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools." - Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV

Reflection: Recall a recent situation where you felt angry. How did you handle it, and how could you have responded in a way that would have been constructive and honoring to God?

Day 3: The Power of Edifying Speech
Words have the incredible power to either build up or tear down. As believers, the call is to use speech that edifies and imparts grace to those who hear. This requires a daily commitment to be mindful of the words spoken, ensuring they are life-giving and reflective of God's love. It is not merely about avoiding negative speech but actively seeking to encourage, comfort, and strengthen others through conversation. This practice of speaking life is a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit at work within. [35:49]

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." - Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Reflection: Think about the conversations you've had this week. Identify one instance where you could have used your words to build up someone else and commit to doing so the next time you speak with them.

Day 4: The Command to Forgive
Forgiveness is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, mirroring the forgiveness that God has extended through Christ. It is not merely a suggestion but a command that reflects God's heart. Forgiving others is a demonstration of the tender-heartedness that God shows to each person. This act of forgiveness is often challenging, especially when the hurt is deep, but it is a crucial step in the journey of faith, leading to healing and restoration. As one forgives, they embody the grace and mercy that they have received from the Lord. [37:15]

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13 ESV

Reflection: Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? Consider what steps you can take to begin the process of forgiveness, seeking God's strength to help you.

Day 5: Personal Transformation for Revival
Revival begins within the individual's heart before it can sweep through a church or community. It is a personal transformation that leads to a reformation of actions and lifestyle. Seeking revival means inviting the Holy Spirit to renew one's heart, igniting a passion for God's will and purposes. This Pentecostal experience is not just a one-time event but a continuous desire for divine empowerment and authority to live out a faith that is vibrant and effective in the world. [40:04]

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 ESV

Reflection: What area of your life needs revival, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to begin transforming you in that area starting today?

Quotes

1) "Worship is not just a song or a routine; it is the expression of our hearts, acknowledging God's sovereignty and grace in our lives." [23:30] (Download)

2) "When we help others, especially those in need, we can be sure God's will is accomplished, and He blesses us immensely, often in ways beyond financial gain." [37:15] (Download)

3) "We worship God when we obey Him, and this obedience is found in the daily decisions to follow God's will, not just in grand acts." [40:04] (Download)

4) "God's protection and plans are beyond our understanding, as shown in the story of Moses, who was hidden as a baby in the river yet grew to lead His people to freedom." [43:44] (Download)

5) "True revival begins with a personal transformation that leads to a reformation of our actions and lifestyle, setting us ablaze with passion for God's will." [03:31:04] (Download)

6) "Ministry is not just preaching a sermon in church; sometimes you have to preach a sermon on the football field, where scoring a goal isn't for the win but for the glory of God." [01:38:38] (Download)

7) "The story of Wilma, overcoming polio to become an Olympic champion, teaches us that with determination and God's help, we can surpass any obstacle." [46:17] (Download)

8) "Even when we fail, as Moses did, God's love remains steadfast, and He can still use us for His purposes, just as He did with Moses." [43:44] (Download)

9) "Our mission focus on the Southern Asia Division, particularly in India, is an investment in spreading the truth of God's love to children in dire need." [35:49] (Download)

10) "The act of giving, whether through contributions or personal involvement, is a reflection of our compassion and God's command to help those in need." [37:15] (Download)

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