Living Purposefully: Sharing Faith Amidst Suffering
Summary
Pastor Michael's sermon, part of the series "Choices that Lead to Change," focuses on the importance of living a spiritual life and making a difference in the world. He uses the story of Philip from Acts chapter 8 to illustrate this point. Philip, an often overlooked figure, serves as an inspiration for living a life of purpose and urgency, driven by the mission God has called each individual to. The pastor emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel and bringing salvation to those around us, even in the face of opposition and suffering. He also challenges the congregation to live counter-culturally, following the Holy Spirit even if it means losing everything.
The pastor shares a story about a person who had to flee their hometown due to persecution for their faith in Jesus. Despite the danger they faced, they were not afraid to speak about their faith because they believed in the power of God. This story underscores the pastor's message about the importance of sharing the gospel and living fearlessly. The pastor also addresses the confusion and uncertainty that many believers may feel when it comes to sharing the gospel. He emphasizes that while living a godly life is important, audibly speaking and sharing the gospel is crucial because it is through the message of Jesus that people can be saved.
The pastor also discusses the role of suffering in the lives of believers. He encourages the congregation to expect suffering and respond to it with faith and joy, as it may be an opportunity for God to use them to draw others closer to Him. He uses the examples of Stephen and Philip, two spirit-led servant leaders in the early church, to illustrate this point. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and Philip, who followed God's call to leave his successful ministry and go to a desert road, exemplify the importance of following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, even in the face of danger.
The pastor emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome fear and obstacles in sharing the gospel. He encourages the congregation to understand and be able to articulate the gospel message, using John 3:16 as a reference. He also stresses the importance of sharing the faith and the good news of the gospel with others, comparing staying silent about one's faith to withholding vital information that could save people from eternal death and separation from God. The pastor concludes by stating that God is more concerned with the journey of our lives than the destination, and encourages the congregation to trust the journey that God has them on, even in times of uncertainty and difficulty.
Key Takeaways:
- God has called each individual to a mission and purpose, and it is crucial to live with a sense of urgency, sharing the gospel and bringing salvation to those around us. This mission often requires standing firm in the face of opposition and suffering. [49:33]
- Living a godly life is important, but audibly speaking and sharing the gospel is crucial. It is through the message of Jesus that people can be saved. Therefore, believers should not let confusion or uncertainty prevent them from sharing the gospel. [1:02:45]
- Suffering is inevitable in the lives of believers, but it can be an opportunity for God to use them to draw others closer to Him. The examples of Stephen and Philip in the early church illustrate the importance of responding to suffering with faith and joy. [1:15:23]
- Every believer is equipped to share the gospel, and there are no excuses for not doing so. Understanding and being able to articulate the gospel message is crucial in this mission. [1:28:56]
- God is more concerned with the journey of our lives than the destination. Believers should trust the journey that God has them on, even in times of uncertainty and difficulty, and make a difference in the lives of others by living in obedience to God and sharing their faith. [1:42:12]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 8:1-8
2. John 3:16
3. Acts 8:26-40
Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 8:1-8, what actions does Philip take in response to the persecution of the church?
2. How does John 3:16 describe the purpose and impact of Jesus' mission on earth?
3. What does the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40 reveal about the role of the Holy Spirit in sharing the gospel?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Based on Acts 8:1-8, how does Philip's response to persecution reflect his understanding of his mission and purpose?
2. How does John 3:16 emphasize the importance of sharing the gospel message?
3. In Acts 8:26-40, how does Philip's obedience to the Holy Spirit's guidance impact the Ethiopian eunuch's understanding of the gospel?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Philip's actions in Acts 8:1-8, how can you respond with faith and purpose when facing opposition or suffering because of your faith?
2. Considering John 3:16, who is one person in your life that you can share the gospel with this week? What is a specific way you can articulate the gospel message to them?
3. In light of Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40, what is one step you can take this week to be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life, especially in sharing the gospel?
4. Can you think of a situation in your life where you are hesitant to share your faith due to fear or uncertainty? How can you overcome this fear and share the gospel in that situation?
5. Reflecting on the journey of Philip, what is one area in your life where you need to trust God's journey for you, even in times of uncertainty and difficulty?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Mission
God has called each of us to a unique mission and purpose. Living with a sense of urgency, we are to share the gospel and bring salvation to those around us. This mission often requires standing firm in the face of opposition and suffering. [49:33]
Acts 20:24 - "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
Reflection: Reflect on your personal mission from God. How can you share the gospel and bring salvation to those around you today?
Day 2: Speaking the Gospel Boldly
Living a godly life is important, but audibly speaking and sharing the gospel is crucial. It is through the message of Jesus that people can be saved. Therefore, we should not let confusion or uncertainty prevent us from sharing the gospel. [1:02:45]
Romans 10:14 - "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? How can you overcome any confusion or uncertainty to share the message of Jesus with them?
Day 3: Finding Joy in Suffering
Suffering is inevitable in the lives of believers, but it can be an opportunity for God to use us to draw others closer to Him. The examples of Stephen and Philip in the early church illustrate the importance of responding to suffering with faith and joy. [1:15:23]
James 1:2-3 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
Reflection: What trials are you currently facing? How can you respond with faith and joy, allowing God to use your suffering to draw others closer to Him?
Day 4: Equipped to Share the Gospel
Every believer is equipped to share the gospel, and there are no excuses for not doing so. Understanding and being able to articulate the gospel message is crucial in this mission. [1:28:56]
1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: How well can you articulate the gospel message? Practice sharing your faith with a friend or family member today.
Day 5: Trusting God's Journey
God is more concerned with the journey of our lives than the destination. We should trust the journey that God has us on, even in times of uncertainty and difficulty, and make a difference in the lives of others by living in obedience to God and sharing our faith. [1:42:12]
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: What uncertainties or difficulties are you currently facing? How can you trust God's journey and continue to live in obedience to Him and share your faith?
Quotes
1. "Making a difference requires dealing with opposition...the culture is directly in opposition to God and His word...when we take a stance for truth in God's word, the culture is not going to like it and you will face opposition." [06:22]
2. "As Christians we need to Suffer Well...you need to expect it so that when it comes you know how to respond...others look to you and say how is that possible and you say let me tell you about the hope that I have in Christ." [11:37]
3. "What was meant to stop the spread of the Gospel though was actually the vehicle that caused the gospel to spread like wildfire...they ran to other places, other cities, other countries, and while they were going they started to speak about the goodness of God and his faithfulness and the gospel." [12:48]
4. "God gives specific giftings for a purpose... each and every person in this room, each and every person watching online, each and every person ever created was created on purpose for a purpose with a mission divinely inspired by God himself." [29:05]
5. "We've talked about living a spiritual life not a natural life, a life in the natural not a carnal life, a life where you know what the right thing to do is, you know how to live spiritually but you're choosing to live naturally instead. We don't want to live that way, we want to live spiritual lives." [01:05]
6. "God uses suffering to bring Salvation. Jesus suffered so that you and I can be saved and these early church fathers suffered in order to advance the gospel, the good news could spread so that you and I could know how we might live eternally with God in heaven." #!!09:40!!#
7. "How you respond to suffering may be the way, the avenue, the vehicle that God wants to bring Salvation to your coworker. How you respond to suffering might be how God wants to use you to draw people in, draw people closer to him." #!!10:16!!#
8. "God is far more concerned with the Journey of your life than the destination... The destination is heaven once you get that right then this life is just the journey." #!!37:16!!#
9. "When we choose to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance in our lives, it will often take us to places we don't necessarily choose to go... Following the Holy Spirit can be dangerous but it's what each and every one of us are called to do and it's the most fulfilling we will ever be when we're walking in obedience to his life." #!!04:29!!#
10. "Philip doesn't hesitate, he doesn't say hold on God what about all the good things I'm doing here like can we just stay a little longer, no he gets up immediately no questions asked just obedience." #!!33:46!!#
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