Living Out Our Faith: A Call to Action
Summary
Today, I shared a message centered on the urgency and importance of living out our Christian faith authentically and with purpose, especially in these challenging times. We delved into the book of Acts, focusing on the mission and ministry that God has entrusted to us. We explored how the early church navigated opposition, stayed true to their calling, and the impact of their faithfulness on the spread of the Gospel.
We began by understanding that our Christian life is a mission, not confined to the walls of a church but lived out in everyday interactions. Acts 1:8 was highlighted, reminding us that we are to be witnesses of Christ everywhere we go. This mission isn't just about traveling to distant lands but about living out the Gospel in our immediate contexts—our homes, workplaces, and communities.
The discussion moved to the practical aspects of ministry, emphasizing that God equips us with various gifts to fulfill His mission. We looked at Romans 12, which speaks about using our gifts in service to one another, underscoring the diversity within the body of Christ and the unity we should exhibit despite our differences.
A significant part of the sermon addressed the challenges and opposition that come with living out our faith. We examined how the early apostles dealt with persecution and opposition, yet they persevered, driven by the Holy Spirit. This was connected to our current struggles and the encouragement not to lose heart but to remain steadfast and reliant on God's strength.
I shared personal reflections on the brevity of life and the sudden changes that can occur, which brought an urgency to the message. It was a call to evaluate our lives, to ensure we are not just hearers of the Word but doers also. The reality of life's unpredictability was used to stress the importance of living prepared, ready to meet our Maker at any moment, and ensuring our lives reflect our faith genuinely.
The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging everyone to embrace their God-given mission, to utilize their spiritual gifts, and to stand firm against the trials and tribulations that might sway us from our path. It was a reminder that each of us has a role to play in God's grand design, and we must pursue that calling with diligence and faith.
### Key Takeaways:
1. Living Authentically in Faith: Our Christian journey should be marked by genuine living that aligns with the teachings of Jesus. It's not merely about attending church services but about transforming our daily lives to reflect Christ in all we do. This transformation is evident when we love others, serve diligently, and share the Gospel through our actions and words. [27:20]
2. Utilizing Our Spiritual Gifts: Each believer is endowed with unique gifts meant to build up the church and advance God's kingdom. Understanding and deploying these gifts in service to one another fulfills the purpose for which they were given and leads to a more effective and unified church body. [39:19]
3. Expecting and Overcoming Opposition: Just as the early church faced persecution, we too should expect opposition in various forms. However, with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome these challenges and continue to advance the Gospel. This takeaway encourages resilience and dependence on divine strength rather than our own. [53:14]
4. The Urgency of the Gospel: The unpredictability of life underscores the urgency of sharing the Gospel. We are reminded that life is transient, and thus, we should seize every opportunity to preach the word and make disciples, knowing that we do not have the luxury of time. [01:15:26]
5. Commitment to God's Calling: Regardless of the hardships or distractions, we must remain committed to the calling God has placed on our lives. This commitment involves staying faithful in our responsibilities, whether in ministry, family, or our professions, and continually seeking God's direction and strength. [59:12]
### Chapters:
- 0:00 - Welcome
- 0:23:34 - Introduction to Acts Study
- 0:27:20 - The Mission of Every Christian
- 0:39:19 - Utilizing Spiritual Gifts
- 0:53:14 - Facing and Overcoming Opposition
- 0:59:12 - Commitment to Ministry and Calling
- 1:15:26 - Urgency of the Gospel Message
- 1:26:15 - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:8 (NLT): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
2. Romans 12:6-8 (NLT): "In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."
3. 1 Peter 4:12 (NLT): "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Acts 1:8 say about the scope of our mission as Christians?
2. According to Romans 12:6-8, what are some of the spiritual gifts mentioned, and how should they be used?
3. In 1 Peter 4:12, what are believers advised not to be surprised about, and why?
4. How did the early apostles deal with persecution and opposition according to the sermon? ([25:58])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Acts 1:8 expand our understanding of where and how we should live out our Christian mission?
2. What does Romans 12:6-8 suggest about the diversity of gifts within the church and their importance for ministry?
3. Why might Peter advise believers not to be surprised by trials in 1 Peter 4:12, and how does this relate to the experiences of the early church?
4. How can the personal reflections on the brevity of life shared in the sermon ([01:09:39]) influence our sense of urgency in living out our faith?
#### Application Questions
1. Acts 1:8 calls us to be witnesses of Christ everywhere. How can you be a witness in your immediate context—your home, workplace, or community? ([27:20])
2. Reflecting on Romans 12:6-8, what spiritual gift do you believe God has given you, and how can you use it more effectively in your church or community?
3. Considering 1 Peter 4:12, think about a recent trial you have faced. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in the future with the understanding that trials are to be expected?
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of living authentically in faith. What specific actions can you take this week to ensure your daily life reflects your faith in Christ? ([27:20])
5. The early church faced significant opposition but remained steadfast. What are some current challenges you face in living out your faith, and how can you rely on God's strength to overcome them? ([53:14])
6. The sermon highlighted the urgency of the Gospel due to life's unpredictability. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the Gospel. How can you share it with them this week? ([01:15:26])
7. Reflect on the call to remain committed to God's calling despite hardships. What is one area of your life where you feel distracted or discouraged, and what steps can you take to refocus on your God-given mission? ([59:12])
Devotional
Day 1: Embodying Authentic Faith Daily
Living authentically in faith means integrating the teachings of Jesus into every aspect of our lives, not just during church services but in our everyday actions and interactions. This transformation is evident when we love others, serve diligently, and share the Gospel through our actions and words. It's about making our faith visible and tangible in the way we treat others, the decisions we make, and the priorities we set. Authentic faith challenges us to be consistent in our spiritual walk, reflecting Christ in all we do, thereby influencing those around us positively. [27:20]
James 1:22-25 ESV
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your faith more visibly in your daily routines and interactions starting today?
Day 2: Harnessing Our Spiritual Gifts for Unity
Utilizing our spiritual gifts involves recognizing and deploying these gifts in service to one another, which fulfills the purpose for which they were given and leads to a more effective and unified church body. Each believer is endowed with unique gifts meant to build up the church and advance God's kingdom. Understanding these gifts and actively using them in our communities and congregations not only strengthens our collective mission but also brings personal fulfillment and spiritual growth. [39:19]
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Reflection: What spiritual gift have you not fully utilized, and how can you start using it to serve others within your community?
Day 3: Standing Firm Amidst Opposition
Expecting and overcoming opposition is a reality for believers, as demonstrated by the early church's experiences. With the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can face challenges and opposition without losing heart. This takeaway encourages resilience and dependence on divine strength rather than our own, reminding us that perseverance in faith is not only possible but essential in continuing to advance the Gospel. [53:14]
Acts 14:22 ESV
"Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
Reflection: What opposition have you faced recently because of your faith, and how can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to overcome it?
Day 4: The Urgency of Living and Sharing the Gospel
The unpredictability of life underscores the urgency of sharing the Gospel. We are reminded that life is transient, and thus, we should seize every opportunity to preach the word and make disciples, knowing that we do not have the luxury of time. This urgency should propel us to act with conviction and passion, ensuring that our actions align with our mission to spread the Gospel. [1:15:26]
Colossians 4:5-6 ESV
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: What specific action can you take this week to share the Gospel with someone who has not heard it?
Day 5: Faithfulness in Our God-Given Calling
Regardless of the hardships or distractions, we must remain committed to the calling God has placed on our lives. This commitment involves staying faithful in our responsibilities, whether in ministry, family, or our professions, and continually seeking God's direction and strength. It's about pursuing our calling with diligence and faith, trusting that God will guide and sustain us through every challenge. [59:12]
Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: In what ways can you better align your daily efforts with the calling God has placed on your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The Christian life is meant to be lived on mission. I'm not talking about traveling to a foreign country. I'm speaking to you about understanding that our lives are an open book... We have that gospel message. And as we live out our life, be it in our homes, be it amongst our friends and families, that people see that indeed that we are different." [27:20]
2. "God is active in his plan. God is active within our life. And what we're going to see here, even in this chapter, is that God is selecting yet again, that he's calling people. He's empowering them with his spirit. And he is sending them out on mission." [25:58]
3. "The gospel message is spreading. And I want to make sure that we can kind of apprehend the scene so that as we move forward in our Bible study, that there's learning about what God is up to in the applications or what we take away." [29:40]
4. "Maybe there's a number of you here in this room. Maybe there's a number of you that have been halted in your tracks of the life that you've been living apart from Jesus. And that you've been confronted with the reality of the goodness of God as your sin convicts you." [31:43]
### Quotes for Members
1. "As they ministered to the Lord and they fasted, the Holy Spirit said, now separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then having fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them away." [34:12]
2. "We recognize that as we look around this room, even look to the people next to you, you know, the people right here in this room, everybody's coming from a different background... Welcome to the body of Christ, man. Okay. Things are, things are messy." [38:29]
3. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. Let us use them... every gift is needed. I'm not God. I'm just a pastor... But you might be that person. And I wanted to tell you, I just can't emphasize how important you are, especially in the varying seasons." [39:19]
4. "God is waiting on God. He's waiting on God. He's waiting on God. So far in these, you know, what are we? We're at chapter 13. In these a dozen chapters here previously, the primary character and the primary focus has been upon Peter." [41:22]
5. "The gospel message is spreading. And I want to make sure that we can kind of apprehend the scene so that as we move forward in our Bible study, that there's learning about what God is up to in the applications or what we take away." [29:40]
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