Living Passionately for Christ: A Call to Action

 

Summary

In a heartfelt sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a personal conviction about the treatment of his wife, which he realized was a reflection of how he would treat the Church, God's bride. This moment of introspection led to a broader message about the necessity of allowing God to continually work on our hearts and the importance of prioritizing God's family over all else, including governmental structures. The speaker then recounts the story of Jesus delivering a man from demons, showcasing the Gospel's power for healing and restoration.

The sermon takes a nostalgic turn as the speaker reminisces about their early church experiences, where despite the absence of modern amenities, the presence and power of God were palpably felt. They recall a preacher with a powerful anointing who could discern sins, which initially caused the speaker to hide in fear of being exposed. This memory serves as a backdrop to emphasize the critical role of the Holy Ghost in bringing conviction, not condemnation, and the need for the church to be unaffected by the surrounding culture, instead rising to new levels of living for God's glory.

The speaker warns against becoming religious and complacent, sharing a transformative personal encounter with the Holy Ghost that ignited a lifelong passion for God's presence. They stress the importance of maintaining this fervor until the end, referencing Jesus' question about finding faith upon His return. The unshakable power of the Gospel is highlighted, with the speaker attributing their steadfast faith to the awe-inspiring nature of God, rather than personal merit.

As the sermon progresses, the speaker calls for a passionate response to the Gospel, drawing from Isaiah 60 to encourage the congregation to rise and shine in the light of Christ. They pray for an outpouring of God's anointing and power, inviting those who feel convicted or lost to respond to Jesus' call. The response is overwhelming, with many indicating their desire to commit or recommit their lives to Christ.

The speaker concludes with a powerful message about the necessity of fighting against the kingdom of darkness, being filled with the Holy Ghost, and living unashamedly for the Gospel. They share a quote from CT Stud, inspiring believers to live on fire with the Holy Spirit and actively rescue others from darkness. The sermon is a call to action, urging believers to trust in God, unite in faith, and stand firm against spiritual forces, all while maintaining a passionate love for Jesus and the mission of the church.

Key Takeaways:

- The way we treat those closest to us, especially within the context of marriage, is indicative of our relationship with the Church and ultimately with God. This reflection calls for a continuous openness to God's transformative work in our hearts, ensuring that our actions align with the love and respect we owe to God's family. [01:17:16]

- The true power of a church does not lie in its modern amenities but in the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit. A church that embraces the convicting power of the Holy Ghost can transcend cultural influences and lead its members to a life that glorifies God, demonstrating that spiritual depth outweighs technological advancements. [01:03:30]

- Complacency in faith is a dangerous state that believers must actively resist. The speaker's personal encounter with the Holy Ghost serves as a testament to the life-changing power of God's presence, which fuels a passion that should persist until the end of our days. This passion is essential for withstanding life's storms and maintaining unshakable faith. [01:14:47]

- An authentic response to the Gospel is characterized by a fervent desire to engage with God's calling. The speaker's invitation to the congregation to rise and shine in the light of Christ, and the subsequent response, illustrates the transformative impact of acknowledging one's need for Jesus and the readiness to embrace His lordship. [01:31:32]

- The Christian life is a battle against the kingdom of darkness, and it is imperative to be equipped with the Holy Ghost's power. The speaker's reference to CT Stud's words serves as a rallying cry for believers to live with a Holy Spirit-infused zeal, unashamed of the Gospel, and committed to rescuing souls from darkness. [01:28:17]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 60:1-2 (NIV)
> "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you."

2. Matthew 10:1 (NIV)
> "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."

3. Matthew 24:13-14 (NIV)
> "But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 60:1-2, what are believers called to do in response to the coming of God's glory?
2. In Matthew 10:1, what authority did Jesus give to his disciples?
3. What does Matthew 24:13-14 say about the endurance of believers and the spread of the Gospel?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the call to "arise and shine" in Isaiah 60:1-2 relate to the speaker's encouragement for the congregation to rise and shine in the light of Christ? [52:15]
2. What is the significance of Jesus calling his disciples to himself before giving them authority in Matthew 10:1, and how does this relate to the speaker's emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus? [54:09]
3. How does the promise of salvation for those who endure to the end in Matthew 24:13-14 connect with the speaker's message about maintaining faith and passion until the end? [01:14:47]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your treatment of those closest to you, especially within your family. How does this reflect your relationship with the Church and with God? What steps can you take to align your actions with the love and respect owed to God's family? [01:17:16]
2. The speaker mentioned the power of the Holy Spirit in transcending cultural influences. How can you ensure that your faith remains strong and unaffected by the surrounding culture? What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your spiritual life? [01:03:30]
3. The speaker shared a personal encounter with the Holy Ghost that ignited a lifelong passion for God's presence. Have you experienced a similar encounter? If not, what can you do to seek a deeper experience with the Holy Spirit? [01:14:47]
4. The call to "rise and shine" was met with an overwhelming response from the congregation. How can you actively respond to God's calling in your life? What specific actions can you take to rise and shine in your community? [01:31:32]
5. The Christian life is described as a battle against the kingdom of darkness. How can you equip yourself with the Holy Ghost's power to stand firm in this battle? What are some practical ways you can live unashamedly for the Gospel this week? [01:28:17]
6. The speaker emphasized the importance of maintaining passion for God until the end. What are some potential areas of complacency in your faith? How can you reignite your passion for God and ensure it persists throughout your life? [01:14:47]
7. Reflect on the quote from CT Stud about living on fire with the Holy Spirit. How can you actively rescue others from darkness in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to share the Gospel with those around you? [01:28:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting God's Love in Relationships
Reflecting on one's treatment of their spouse is a powerful indicator of their relationship with the Church and with God. It is a call to examine the heart and ensure that actions within personal relationships mirror the love and respect owed to God's family. This introspection is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of allowing God to shape and refine the heart. [01:17:16]

Ephesians 5:25-27 - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."
Reflection: How does your treatment of loved ones reflect your relationship with God, and what steps can you take to better mirror Christ's love in these relationships?

Day 2: The Anointing Beyond Amenities
The true measure of a church's power is not found in its modern conveniences but in the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit. A church that is sensitive to the Holy Ghost's convicting power can lead its members to live lives that glorify God, proving that spiritual depth is more significant than technological progress. [01:03:30]

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 - "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to fostering a church environment that prioritizes the Holy Spirit's presence over material comforts?

Day 3: Combating Spiritual Complacency
Complacency in faith is a perilous state that must be actively combated. A personal encounter with the Holy Ghost can be transformative, igniting a passion for God's presence that endures through life's challenges. This fervor is crucial for maintaining a steadfast faith that is not easily shaken. [01:14:47]

Hebrews 10:39 - "But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved."
Reflection: What are some signs of complacency in your spiritual life, and how can you reignite a passion for God's presence?

Day 4: Embracing the Gospel's Call
An authentic response to the Gospel involves a deep-seated desire to answer God's call. The transformative power of recognizing one's need for Jesus and embracing His lordship is evident in the lives of those who choose to rise and shine in the light of Christ. [01:31:32]

Isaiah 60:1 - "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."
Reflection: What does 'rising and shining' for Christ look like in your daily life, and how can you actively live out this calling?

Day 5: Living Unashamed for the Gospel
The Christian life is a battle against darkness, requiring the power of the Holy Ghost. Inspired by CT Stud's words, believers are called to live with a Holy Spirit-infused zeal, unashamed of the Gospel, and committed to rescuing souls from darkness. [01:28:17]

2 Timothy 1:7-8 - "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate living unashamedly for the Gospel in your community, and what steps will you take to rescue others from darkness?

Quotes

"The way you treat your bride is the way I know you will treat my bride, and you're unfit to lead in the kingdom." [01:17:16] (Download)

"God is consistently working on our hearts. When you think you've made it, you probably are wrong, because God's still working on me." [01:17:47] (Download)

"Every government will let you down but I want to tell you God will never fail you. I don't put my trust in government, I put my trust in the Lord God Almighty, his name is Jesus." [50:19] (Download)

"We got to be on fire to take the gospel to our world like never before; you got to get your faith fired up for the next season because I believe this is our season to rise and shine." [01:31:32] (Download)

"The devil is the great normalizer; he wants to make everything kind of okay. But we need to get fired up, not to fit into our world, but to stand out with the power and passion for God." [50:56] (Download)

"I've lived on fire for God cuz he sets people free, free now you can tell I didn't get religion otherwise right now I'd be who knows what I'd be teaching." [01:14:11] (Download)

"But he who endures to the end, that's the key. It's not going to be easy, but endurance is what we're called to in the midst of storms." [01:21:53] (Download)

"The power of the Gospel is unshakable. You can't shake this out of us, but the more shaking that happens, the more fired up we get. It's going to get shaky out there, but God is the ultimate Overcomer and we need him in our lives today." [01:15:27] (Download)

"The best way to fight is to get the Holy Ghost on the inside of you and get fired up with the power of God that makes you unshakable." [01:28:17] (Download)

"Let's live on fire with the power of the Holy Spirit vibrating through our veins in such a way that we are unashamed of the gospel of Christ, for therein lays the power of the Gospel to see men and women set free, saved, and delivered by the power of our awesome God." [01:30:56] (Download)

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