Living Out Resurrection: Authentic Faith in Action
Summary
### Summary
It was a joy to be with my Inspire family and share the Word of God. Our time together was focused on making Jesus bigger, the cross more effective, the resurrection central, and the Scriptures more expansive. We began by discussing the importance of bringing heaven to earth and supporting missions, particularly our work with children with disabilities in China. I shared a moving story about a child whose life was saved through our collective efforts, emphasizing the importance of engaging with resurrection instead of despair.
We then delved into Acts 17, where Paul addresses the people of Athens at the Oropagus. Paul acknowledges their religiosity and uses their altar to an unknown god to introduce them to Jesus. This story illustrates that some people know God but can't name Him, while others name Him but don't truly know Him. We explored the historical context of Athens, including the story of Epimenides and the altar to the unknown god, to understand Paul's approach better.
We also discussed the importance of living out our faith authentically. Jesus warned against being like the Pharisees who were more concerned with outward appearances than genuine love and compassion. We examined how Pilate, despite naming Jesus as King of the Jews, did not live out the implications of that truth. This led us to reflect on our own lives and whether our actions align with our professed beliefs.
The sermon concluded with a call to offer our lives as a sweet-smelling incense to Jesus rather than a dirty Roman sponge. We prayed for the courage to live out our faith in a way that reflects Christ's love and grace, and to be mindful of how we present Jesus to the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Engaging with Resurrection Instead of Despair: The story of the child saved through our mission work in China highlights the power of engaging with resurrection rather than despair. It reminds us that our efforts can bring life and hope where there is none, and that we are called to bring heaven to earth in tangible ways. [03:36]
2. Knowing vs. Naming God: Paul's approach in Athens teaches us that some people know God but can't name Him, while others name Him but don't truly know Him. This distinction challenges us to look beyond mere labels and seek a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. [12:00]
3. Authentic Faith Over Outward Appearances: Jesus warned against the Pharisees who were more concerned with outward appearances than genuine love and compassion. This calls us to examine our own lives and ensure that our actions align with our professed beliefs, focusing on love and service rather than just doctrine. [25:07]
4. Living Out the Teachings of Jesus: The story of Jesus on the cross, forgiving those who mocked Him, exemplifies living out His teachings even in the most challenging circumstances. It challenges us to respond to offense and injustice with love and forgiveness, demonstrating the uniqueness of Christ. [39:04]
5. Offering Our Lives as Sweet-Smelling Incense: We are called to offer our lives as a sweet-smelling incense to Jesus, characterized by compassion, grace, and generosity. This contrasts with offering a dirty Roman sponge, which symbolizes actions driven by anger, lust, and greed. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of Christ. [45:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction and Mission Work
[01:23] - Available Resources
[02:06] - Story of the Child in China
[04:20] - Focus on Tangible Impact
[05:15] - Gratitude and Definition of Love
[06:03] - Q&A Session Experience
[07:55] - Engaging the World Post-Pandemic
[08:56] - Three Types of People
[10:05] - Story of Sean Penn and Cornelius
[11:20] - Paul in Athens
[12:00] - Understanding the Oropagus
[14:07] - Historical Context of Athens
[17:47] - The World is Better Now
[20:14] - The Plague and the Unknown God
[23:06] - Paul’s Message to Athens
[24:40] - Naming vs. Knowing God
[27:10] - Pilate’s Acrostic
[28:49] - Personal Story of Great Grandfather
[31:01] - Offering Back to Jesus
[33:00] - First Century Roman Hygiene
[39:04] - Jesus’ Response to Insult
[41:20] - Self-Reflection and Change
[43:50] - Assumption of Christ’s Work
[45:29] - Sweet-Smelling Incense vs. Dirty Sponge
[46:33] - Prayers and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 17:22-23 (NIV)
> "Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: 'People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.'"
2. Matthew 23:27-28 (NIV)
> "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
3. Romans 12:1 (NIV)
> "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of the altar to the unknown god in Athens, and how did Paul use it to introduce Jesus? ([12:00])
2. How did Jesus describe the Pharisees in Matthew 23:27-28, and what was His main criticism of them?
3. What does Romans 12:1 urge believers to do, and how is this described as true and proper worship?
4. In the sermon, what story was shared to illustrate the power of engaging with resurrection instead of despair? ([03:36])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Paul choose to address the Athenians by referencing their altar to an unknown god? How does this approach help in sharing the gospel with those who may not know Jesus? ([12:00])
2. What does Jesus' criticism of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:27-28 reveal about the importance of inner authenticity versus outward appearances in our faith?
3. How does the concept of offering our bodies as a living sacrifice in Romans 12:1 relate to the idea of living out our faith authentically, as discussed in the sermon? ([45:29])
4. Reflecting on the story of the child saved in China, how does engaging with resurrection instead of despair change our perspective and actions in difficult situations? ([03:36])
### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you encountered someone who seemed to know God but couldn't name Him. How can you help others recognize and name the work of Christ in their lives? ([12:00])
2. Jesus warned against being like the Pharisees who focused on outward appearances. Are there areas in your life where you might be more concerned with how things look rather than genuine love and compassion? ([25:07])
3. Romans 12:1 calls us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. What specific actions can you take this week to live out your faith in a way that is holy and pleasing to God?
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of living out the teachings of Jesus, even in challenging circumstances. How can you practice forgiveness and love in a situation where you feel wronged or insulted? ([39:04])
5. Reflect on the idea of offering your life as a sweet-smelling incense to Jesus. What changes can you make in your daily life to ensure your actions reflect Christ's love and grace rather than anger, lust, or greed? ([45:29])
6. How can you support mission work or other efforts that bring tangible hope and life to those in need, similar to the mission work in China mentioned in the sermon? ([03:36])
7. In what ways can you ensure that no one rejects Jesus because of the way you present Him? What steps can you take to improve how you demonstrate Christ's love to others? ([46:33])
Devotional
Day 1: Engaging with Resurrection Instead of Despair
Description: The story of the child saved through mission work in China serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of engaging with resurrection rather than despair. This narrative highlights the transformative power of collective efforts to bring life and hope where there is none. It calls us to be active participants in bringing heaven to earth through tangible acts of love and service. By focusing on resurrection, we can overcome despair and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. [03:36]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel despair. How can you engage with the hope of resurrection to bring life and hope into that situation today?
Day 2: Knowing vs. Naming God
Description: Paul's approach in Athens, as described in Acts 17, teaches us that some people know God but can't name Him, while others name Him but don't truly know Him. This distinction challenges us to look beyond mere labels and seek a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. By understanding the historical context of Athens and the story of Epimenides, we can better appreciate Paul's method of introducing Jesus to the people. This calls us to examine our own relationship with God and strive for a genuine connection rather than just a superficial acknowledgment. [12:00]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with God. Do you truly know Him, or do you just name Him? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and connection with God today?
Day 3: Authentic Faith Over Outward Appearances
Description: Jesus warned against the Pharisees who were more concerned with outward appearances than genuine love and compassion. This calls us to examine our own lives and ensure that our actions align with our professed beliefs. Authentic faith is characterized by love, service, and compassion rather than just adherence to doctrine. By reflecting on the story of Pilate, who named Jesus as King of the Jews but did not live out the implications of that truth, we are challenged to live out our faith authentically and genuinely. [25:07]
Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
Reflection: Examine your actions and attitudes. Are they aligned with your professed beliefs? How can you demonstrate genuine love and compassion in your daily interactions today?
Day 4: Living Out the Teachings of Jesus
Description: The story of Jesus on the cross, forgiving those who mocked Him, exemplifies living out His teachings even in the most challenging circumstances. This powerful example challenges us to respond to offense and injustice with love and forgiveness, demonstrating the uniqueness of Christ. By reflecting on Jesus' response to insult, we are called to embody His teachings in our own lives, showing grace and mercy to others even when it is difficult. This is a true testament to the transformative power of Christ's love. [39:04]
Luke 23:34 (ESV): "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments."
Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you extend forgiveness and love to them today, following the example of Jesus on the cross?
Day 5: Offering Our Lives as Sweet-Smelling Incense
Description: We are called to offer our lives as a sweet-smelling incense to Jesus, characterized by compassion, grace, and generosity. This contrasts with offering a dirty Roman sponge, which symbolizes actions driven by anger, lust, and greed. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of Christ, demonstrating His love and grace to the world. By living out our faith in this way, we can be a positive influence and a testament to the power of Christ's love. [45:29]
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (ESV): "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?"
Reflection: Reflect on your actions and attitudes. Are they a sweet-smelling incense to Jesus, or are they more like a dirty Roman sponge? How can you embody compassion, grace, and generosity in your life today?
Quotes
1. "We live with a conviction that we're not simply called to go to heaven when we die. We're called to bring heaven to every place we see hell here. And so we use the profit for that to fund our mission in the world. Our mission of choice are homes in China that look after children with disabilities." [00:45] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Loving someone is treating someone as they are worth and never as they deserve. And I really, really appreciate you guys. You guys should be honored heavily for what you did tonight to bend over backwards to make me look okay up here. Thank you very, very much." [05:15] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Have we turned Jesus into an argument to win instead of a life of love to demonstrate? And that's what I want to talk to you about tonight. Twenty-five years of doing, of doing this thing and you guys are amazing at it and you're my family. And so I want to talk to you like a family member tonight instead of a guest." [07:55] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Some people know it. They just can't name it. Ten years ago, there's a guy named Sean Penn. Sean Penn is Madonna's ex-husband and he sold everything he owned in Beverly Hills. And moved to Haiti and gave it all to the poor, which is quite inspiring. When the news asked him, what inspired you to do this? His answer was, I can't name it, but there was an internal hum deep in my heart urging me to live my life for other people. And I knew I had to say yes." [10:05] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The world is infinitely better now because of the work of the Spirit of Christ. People say, man, the world these days. Man, nothing's worse today than back then. Nothing's worse today than 100 years ago. You imagine your great-great-grandfather coming back from the dead and you had two days to convince him the world's worse today. Oh, great-granddad, you don't know how hard it is. Everything's better." [17:47] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jesus is not someone to believe in. Demons believe in Jesus. Jesus is somebody to fundamentally shift the way we see everything. Some people know it. They just can't name it. Some people name it too loud. But when you look at their life, they just don't know it. Some people have received God's offering for them. When you look at their life, they haven't really offered anything good back." [31:01] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus has given his life for us. But what's our offering back? How does our anger smell? Jesus said six things endanger someone's life of Gehenna. Hell, anger, lust, calling people idiots. Do you drive in Auckland much? Auckland's a great place. The only problem with Auckland is whoever invented the road stop, no one would show up. Pride, apathy, and greed." [41:58] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "May we be known for our demonstrations of love instead of our announcements of doctrine. May we be people who know that Jesus' way is enough and be brave enough to live it. Until I see you next time, grace and peace everybody." [47:37] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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