Living Out the Apostles' Creed: Authentic Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embark on a new series titled "We Believe," focusing on the Apostles' Creed, a historic summary of Christian faith that has united believers for nearly 2,000 years. The Creed is not Scripture but a concise summary of apostolic teaching, connecting us to the core beliefs that have stood the test of time. It serves as a rule of faith, encapsulating the essential truths that define authentic Christianity.
We began by discussing the importance of keeping the main thing the main thing, emphasizing that our faith should not be compartmentalized but should permeate every aspect of our lives. Authentic Christianity is about living out what we believe, not just professing it. Jesus calls us to follow Him intentionally, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about being intentional in our discipleship.
The Apostles' Creed connects us to the historic faith, older than any denomination, and unites all Christians—past, present, and future. It was designed to define, defend, and declare the faith. It provides a doctrinal basis for unity, helps us defend against heresies, and allows us to declare the Gospel concisely.
We explored three critical questions about belief: What do I believe in? What are my beliefs based on? And am I living out my beliefs? Knowing what we believe is foundational for making important life decisions and distinguishing between right and wrong. Our beliefs are based on the eyewitness accounts of the apostles, who walked with Jesus and witnessed His life, death, and resurrection. This historical foundation gives us confidence in the truth of our faith.
Living out our beliefs means allowing Jesus to be the foundation of our lives, influencing our decisions, relationships, and purpose. It involves being transformed into His likeness and letting our faith cost us something, whether it's our pride, comfort, or even our lives, as it did for the early Christians.
As we move forward in this series, let's commit to deepening our understanding of the Apostles' Creed and allowing it to shape our lives. Let's live out what we say we believe, not just in head knowledge but in heart reality, transforming our homes, friendships, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Authentic Christianity: Authentic Christianity is about living out what we believe, not just professing it. Jesus calls us to follow Him intentionally, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about being intentional in our discipleship. [06:27]
2. The Apostles' Creed as a Unifying Force: The Apostles' Creed connects us to the historic faith, older than any denomination, and unites all Christians—past, present, and future. It serves as a rule of faith, encapsulating the essential truths that define authentic Christianity. [05:17]
3. Defining, Defending, and Declaring the Faith: The Creed was designed to define, defend, and declare the faith. It provides a doctrinal basis for unity, helps us defend against heresies, and allows us to declare the Gospel concisely. This helps us stay grounded in the core beliefs of our faith. [23:34]
4. Living Out Our Beliefs: Living out our beliefs means allowing Jesus to be the foundation of our lives, influencing our decisions, relationships, and purpose. It involves being transformed into His likeness and letting our faith cost us something, whether it's our pride, comfort, or even our lives, as it did for the early Christians. [28:13]
5. The Historical Foundation of Our Faith: Our beliefs are based on the eyewitness accounts of the apostles, who walked with Jesus and witnessed His life, death, and resurrection. This historical foundation gives us confidence in the truth of our faith and distinguishes it from myths or legends. [15:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - Opening Prayer
[02:18] - The Main Thing
[03:32] - Authentic Christianity
[04:28] - Introduction to the Apostles' Creed
[05:17] - Historic Faith and Unity
[06:27] - Living Out What We Believe
[07:28] - Personal Story: Golf Course Incident
[10:14] - Compartmentalizing Faith
[10:52] - Romans 1:16 and the Power of Belief
[11:43] - What Do I Believe In?
[12:36] - Testing Our Faith
[13:11] - Who is Jesus?
[14:25] - What Are My Beliefs Based On?
[15:56] - The Historical Foundation of Our Faith
[19:03] - Eyewitness Accounts
[19:38] - The Creed and Its Roots
[21:09] - Primary vs. Secondary Doctrines
[21:58] - Reciting the Apostles' Creed
[22:44] - The Creed's Purpose
[23:34] - Defining the Faith
[24:28] - Defending the Faith
[25:59] - Declaring the Faith
[27:29] - Head Knowledge vs. Heart Reality
[28:13] - Am I Living Out My Beliefs?
[28:57] - Persecution and Faith
[30:26] - The Cost of Faith
[31:02] - What is Your Faith Costing You?
[32:29] - Transformation into Jesus' Likeness
[33:23] - Resources for Going Deeper
[34:10] - Communion Preparation
[39:42] - Taking Communion
[40:57] - Declaration of Faith
[41:53] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
2. 2 Corinthians 13:5 - "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
3. Ephesians 2:19-20 - "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 1:16 say about the power of the gospel and who it is for?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 13:5, what are believers encouraged to do regarding their faith?
3. In Ephesians 2:19-20, what is the foundation of the household of God built upon?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the power of the gospel, as mentioned in Romans 1:16, influence the way we live out our faith? [10:52]
2. What does it mean to "examine yourselves" in the context of 2 Corinthians 13:5, and why is this important for authentic Christianity? [12:36]
3. How does understanding that our faith is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, provide confidence in the truth of our beliefs? [15:56]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you had to live out your faith. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to better reflect Jesus' teachings? [07:28]
2. The sermon emphasized not compartmentalizing our faith. What are some areas in your life where you might be tempted to compartmentalize your faith, and how can you integrate your beliefs more fully into these areas? [10:14]
3. The Apostles' Creed connects us to the historic faith and unites all Christians. How can you use the Creed to strengthen your daily walk with Christ and your connection to the broader Christian community? [05:17]
4. The early Christians often faced persecution for their beliefs. What is your faith costing you today, and how can you be more intentional about letting your faith influence your decisions and actions? [31:02]
5. Think about the question, "What do I believe in?" How can you deepen your understanding of your beliefs and ensure that they are based on the historical foundation of the apostles' eyewitness accounts? [11:43]
6. How can you be more intentional in your discipleship, allowing Jesus to transform you from the inside out? Identify one specific area of your life where you need to be more intentional. [06:27]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of unity in the body of Christ. How can you contribute to unity within your church and the broader Christian community? [05:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Out Authentic Christianity
Authentic Christianity is about living out what we believe, not just professing it. Jesus calls us to follow Him intentionally, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about being intentional in our discipleship. Authentic faith should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our decisions, relationships, and purpose. It involves being transformed into His likeness and letting our faith cost us something, whether it's our pride, comfort, or even our lives, as it did for the early Christians. [06:27]
Bible Passage: "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." (James 1:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Think of one area in your life where you are merely professing faith but not living it out. What practical steps can you take today to align your actions with your beliefs?
Day 2: The Apostles' Creed as a Unifying Force
The Apostles' Creed connects us to the historic faith, older than any denomination, and unites all Christians—past, present, and future. It serves as a rule of faith, encapsulating the essential truths that define authentic Christianity. The Creed was designed to define, defend, and declare the faith. It provides a doctrinal basis for unity, helps us defend against heresies, and allows us to declare the Gospel concisely. This helps us stay grounded in the core beliefs of our faith. [05:17]
Bible Passage: "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on how the Apostles' Creed has helped you understand the core beliefs of Christianity. How can you use this understanding to foster unity within your community?
Day 3: Defining, Defending, and Declaring the Faith
The Creed was designed to define, defend, and declare the faith. It provides a doctrinal basis for unity, helps us defend against heresies, and allows us to declare the Gospel concisely. This helps us stay grounded in the core beliefs of our faith. Knowing what we believe is foundational for making important life decisions and distinguishing between right and wrong. Our beliefs are based on the eyewitness accounts of the apostles, who walked with Jesus and witnessed His life, death, and resurrection. This historical foundation gives us confidence in the truth of our faith. [23:34]
Bible Passage: "I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice." (Philippians 1:16-18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you better equip yourself to define, defend, and declare your faith in your daily interactions? What resources or practices can you incorporate to strengthen your understanding and articulation of the Gospel?
Day 4: The Historical Foundation of Our Faith
Our beliefs are based on the eyewitness accounts of the apostles, who walked with Jesus and witnessed His life, death, and resurrection. This historical foundation gives us confidence in the truth of our faith and distinguishes it from myths or legends. The Apostles' Creed connects us to this historic faith, older than any denomination, and unites all Christians—past, present, and future. It serves as a rule of faith, encapsulating the essential truths that define authentic Christianity. [15:56]
Bible Passage: "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (2 Peter 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the historical foundation of your faith. How does knowing that your beliefs are based on eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection impact your confidence in sharing your faith with others?
Day 5: Living Out Our Beliefs
Living out our beliefs means allowing Jesus to be the foundation of our lives, influencing our decisions, relationships, and purpose. It involves being transformed into His likeness and letting our faith cost us something, whether it's our pride, comfort, or even our lives, as it did for the early Christians. As we move forward in this series, let's commit to deepening our understanding of the Apostles' Creed and allowing it to shape our lives. Let's live out what we say we believe, not just in head knowledge but in heart reality, transforming our homes, friendships, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. [28:13]
Bible Passage: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one specific area in your life where you can more fully live out your beliefs. What practical steps can you take today to let Jesus influence this area and transform it according to His likeness?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When it comes to Christianity, when it comes to the Christian faith, what are the most important things? What are the main things? What is authentic Christianity? What is authentic Christianity? The word authentic means genuine or true to the original. Genuine and true to the original." [03:32] (21 seconds)
2. "Jesus wants us to live out what we believe. He doesn't want perfection. He doesn't expect perfection, better yet. But he does expect intentionality from his followers. That we are intentional about letting him transform us from the inside out." [06:27] (21 seconds)
3. "The main thing is keep the main thing the main thing. We're gonna drill that home. These are the most important truths that unite all Christianity. Whatever sect of Christianity we come from, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, whatever denomination, whatever you wanna fill in, this is what unites believers." [22:44] (28 seconds)
4. "The word creed means I believe. It comes from a Latin word credo, which means I believe or we believe. This creed that we're looking at, and that is the unifying belief statement of Jesus' church, was written, began being written about 150 years after Jesus. So the early church had the gospel and they were sharing it, and lives were being transformed." [19:03] (28 seconds)
5. "Are our beliefs transforming us into the likeness of Jesus? Are we being transformed from the inside out? Let's live out what we say we believe. Looking forward to the next several weeks as we go into God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. Jesus Christ is only Son, our Lord." [32:29] (22 seconds)
### Quotes for Members
1. "A creed is a rule of faith. A creed is core beliefs. It's uncompromisable truth. Now, here's an important thing. Brian talked a little bit about discipleship in our conversation about that. This morning, what I want to do in kicking off this series is kind of do a 30,000-foot view of the creed. And this morning, more explore living out what we say we believe. Because that's important. You live out what you believe. Or am I living out what I believe?" [05:17] (40 seconds)
2. "What is our beliefs based upon? This is beautiful if you get this. I hope it encourages your faith. Paul told the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul, he said, so then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household, having been built, on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." [15:12] (31 seconds)
3. "The important part about living out what we believe is to not compartmentalize our faith. I've said this before. Compartmentalizing your faith is, I got a job. I'm a student. I have my hobbies. Oh, and I go to church and follow Jesus. Jesus wants to be the whole foundation that everything in my life flows from, from my work, from my school, from my hobbies, to my family, to every situation. It flows from him, not in a compartment." [10:14] (32 seconds)
4. "What are your beliefs? What is your faith costing you? For the early believers, sometimes it cost them their life. It cost them cruel torture. Because they followed God. They followed Jesus. And you know what? The early church, they weren't hostile. They weren't trying to take over Rome or anything like that. They were just following Jesus in community and loving one another. But it cost them dearly. What is your faith costing you?" [31:02] (31 seconds)
5. "The Creed presents the Gospel in a concise form. We can declare what we believe. Here's what I want to make sure does not happen, ever. Is that this series, the Apostles' Creed itself, is not just head knowledge doctrine. Important, because we're to love God with our mind. But, you know, in memorizing it or saying it, it's got to get down into history. And that's why I'm here, so that I'm living out what I say I believe." [27:29] (40 seconds)
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