Living the Gospel: Faith, Redemption, and Our Mission
Summary
As followers of Jesus, our lives are a continuous expression of the gospel. This truth is vividly illustrated through the ordinances of baptism and communion, which symbolize our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. Communion, in particular, is a sacred time of remembrance and celebration of Jesus' sacrifice, where we reflect on His battered body and the blood of the new covenant that covers our sins. Before partaking, we are called to examine our hearts, repent, and acknowledge the forgiveness already granted to us through Christ.
The story of Abram, later known as Abraham, is a profound example of faith and God's redemptive plan. God called Abram to leave his homeland and journey to Canaan, promising to make him a great nation through which all families of the earth would be blessed. This narrative is not just about Abram's faithfulness but is a crucial part of God's overarching plan of redemption, which culminates in Jesus Christ. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is a cohesive story of creation, fall, redemption, and recreation, with Jesus at its center.
We often approach Scripture with a superficial understanding, missing the depth and interconnectedness of God's plan. Like Abram, we are called to trust in God's promises and timing, even when they seem delayed or unclear. His plan is miraculous, transcending our understanding and capabilities. It is a plan of redemption, not just for individuals but for the entire world, and we are invited to participate in it.
As we reflect on Abram's story, we are reminded that God's promises are fulfilled in Christ. We are called to put our faith in Jesus, trust in His timing, and engage with Scripture deeply to understand the bigger picture. Our mission is to share the gospel with the nations, participating in God's redemptive work. Let us not be content with a surface-level understanding of God's Word but strive to see the full scope of His plan and be active participants in His mission.
Key Takeaways:
- The Gospel in Our Lives: Our lives as followers of Jesus are a continuous expression of the gospel, exemplified through baptism and communion. These ordinances remind us of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, calling us to live in remembrance and celebration of His sacrifice. [30:51]
- The Story of Abram: Abram's journey is a testament to faith and God's redemptive plan. Called to leave his homeland, Abram's story is not just about personal faithfulness but is integral to God's plan to bless the world through Jesus Christ. [54:18]
- Trusting God's Timing: God's plan often unfolds over long periods, requiring us to trust in His timing and promises. Despite apparent delays, His plan is always at work, and we are called to trust in His power and timing. [56:15]
- Scripture's Big Picture: Engaging deeply with Scripture reveals the interconnectedness of God's plan from creation to recreation. We are encouraged to read the Bible with the big picture in mind, understanding how each part fits into God's redemptive narrative. [59:41]
- Participating in Redemption: We are invited to participate in God's plan of redemption by sharing the gospel with the nations. Our mission is to bring the message of Jesus' redemption to those around us, fulfilling the call to make disciples of all nations. [01:02:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Singing the Gospel
- [02:00] - The Ordinances: Baptism and Communion
- [04:00] - Invitation to Communion
- [06:00] - Examining Our Hearts
- [08:00] - Prayer and Repentance
- [10:00] - Reading from 1 Corinthians
- [12:00] - The Call of Abram
- [14:00] - God's Redemptive Plan
- [16:00] - Trusting God's Timing
- [18:00] - The Miracle of God's Plan
- [20:00] - Redemption Through Jesus
- [22:00] - Our Role in God's Plan
- [24:00] - Next Steps in Faith
- [26:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 12:1-3
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the key elements of the covenant God makes with Abram in Genesis 12:1-3? How does this covenant relate to God's larger plan of redemption? [59:41]
2. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, what does Paul emphasize about the purpose of communion? How does this relate to the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice? [30:51]
3. How does the sermon describe the interconnectedness of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation? What role does Abram's story play in this narrative? [54:18]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the importance of trusting in God's timing and plan, even when it seems delayed or unclear? [56:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call of Abram in Genesis 12:1-3 demonstrate the nature of faith and obedience? What might this teach about responding to God's call in one's own life? [59:41]
2. In what ways does the practice of communion serve as a reminder of the new covenant in Christ's blood? How does this shape a believer's understanding of forgiveness and grace? [30:51]
3. The sermon mentions the danger of approaching Scripture with a superficial understanding. How can believers cultivate a deeper engagement with the Bible to see the full scope of God's redemptive plan? [54:18]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of believers in participating in God's plan of redemption? How can this understanding impact one's daily life and interactions with others? [01:02:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust in God's timing. How did you navigate that period, and what did you learn about God's faithfulness? [56:15]
2. Communion is a time of reflection and repentance. What steps can you take to prepare your heart before participating in communion, ensuring it is a meaningful experience? [30:51]
3. The sermon encourages a deeper engagement with Scripture. What practical steps can you take to move beyond a surface-level reading of the Bible and understand its larger narrative? [54:18]
4. Abram's story is one of faith and obedience. Identify an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith. What is one action you can take this week to respond to that call? [59:41]
5. Consider the people in your life who may not know the gospel. How can you intentionally share the message of Jesus' redemption with them this week? [01:02:52]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of being part of God's redemptive work. What is one way you can actively participate in your church's mission to reach the nations, whether locally or globally? [01:05:27]
7. Reflect on your current understanding of God's plan for your life. How can you align your personal goals with His redemptive mission, ensuring that you are an active participant in His work? [01:02:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Living the Gospel Daily
Our lives as followers of Jesus are a continuous expression of the gospel, exemplified through baptism and communion. These ordinances remind us of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, calling us to live in remembrance and celebration of His sacrifice. Baptism symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ, while communion is a sacred time of remembrance and celebration of Jesus' sacrifice. Before partaking, we are called to examine our hearts, repent, and acknowledge the forgiveness already granted to us through Christ. This daily living out of the gospel is a call to embody the love, grace, and truth of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. [30:51]
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally live out the gospel in your daily interactions and decisions today?
Day 2: Faithful Journey with God
The story of Abram, later known as Abraham, is a profound example of faith and God's redemptive plan. God called Abram to leave his homeland and journey to Canaan, promising to make him a great nation through which all families of the earth would be blessed. This narrative is not just about Abram's faithfulness but is a crucial part of God's overarching plan of redemption, which culminates in Jesus Christ. Abram's journey is a testament to trusting God's promises, even when they seem delayed or unclear. His faithfulness is a model for us as we navigate our own journeys of faith, trusting in God's plan and timing. [54:18]
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to step out in faith, trusting God's promises even when the path is unclear?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
God's plan often unfolds over long periods, requiring us to trust in His timing and promises. Despite apparent delays, His plan is always at work, and we are called to trust in His power and timing. Like Abram, we are called to trust in God's promises and timing, even when they seem delayed or unclear. His plan is miraculous, transcending our understanding and capabilities. It is a plan of redemption, not just for individuals but for the entire world, and we are invited to participate in it. [56:15]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you are waiting on? How can you cultivate patience and trust in His timing today?
Day 4: Seeing the Big Picture in Scripture
Engaging deeply with Scripture reveals the interconnectedness of God's plan from creation to recreation. We are encouraged to read the Bible with the big picture in mind, understanding how each part fits into God's redemptive narrative. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is a cohesive story of creation, fall, redemption, and recreation, with Jesus at its center. By engaging deeply with Scripture, we can see the full scope of God's plan and be active participants in His mission. [59:41]
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your engagement with Scripture to better understand God's overarching plan? What steps can you take to see the big picture in your daily Bible reading?
Day 5: Participating in God's Redemptive Mission
We are invited to participate in God's plan of redemption by sharing the gospel with the nations. Our mission is to bring the message of Jesus' redemption to those around us, fulfilling the call to make disciples of all nations. This involves not only understanding the gospel ourselves but actively sharing it with others, being a light in the world, and participating in God's redemptive work. Let us not be content with a surface-level understanding of God's Word but strive to see the full scope of His plan and be active participants in His mission. [01:02:52]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can share the gospel with this week? How can you be intentional about participating in God's redemptive mission today?
Quotes
"As followers of Jesus, I love being with the church. And as we sing, we're singing the gospel. Who Jesus is. The fact that we were sinners. And He came, stepped out of heaven, lived a perfect life. Died a sinner's death that was our death. Defeated death three days later in the resurrection. And then ascended to be at the right hand of the Father. We sing it. We just sang it through our songs. We sing it as a church. And everything we do, if you are a follower of Jesus, is an expression of the gospel. And that includes what we see as the two ordinances of the church. Baptism. Buried with Christ." [00:28:08] (44 seconds)
"As we take in remembrance of what Jesus did. As we think about the battered and bruised body of our Savior. As we look at the blood of the new covenant. The blood that covers all of our sins. And church, I'm excited because we're going to take communion here in a second. But before we do that, this is something that we do as the church. You don't have to be a member at Graceland to take communion with us. But we do ask you to be a follower of Jesus." [00:28:57] (31 seconds)
"For the rest of us, this is our time. St. Paul says it in 1 Corinthians that before we take communion, we have a time of repentance. We examine our lives. We look at what's going on. We count the sins that we have. And we confess them and give them to God who's already forgiven us of those sins. And so as we sing this next song, I'm going to encourage you. Examine your heart." [00:29:51] (23 seconds)
"Now, I always like to read this verse at the end. Verse 26 is this: For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim. Now, proclaim is a word that means we celebrate. We yell. We are proudly representing the gospel. You proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. So guys, at the end of communion, let's celebrate. Let's just give a big amen and a hand clap for what Jesus has done for us. Amen. It is good. Communion is one of my favorite times." [00:37:27] (29 seconds)
"So often, we do the same thing with scripture. We take these shortcuts with the word of God. Second Timothy breathed out for us. It's the Holy Spirit inspired word of God. It is true. It points us to salvation. It points us to Christian living. But yet we say, man, five minutes in the morning, that should cover me. Whatever the pastor said on Sunday, that should be enough. And we take this script note approach to the word of God. We take this, it wouldn't say necessarily cheating approach, but it is a lackadaisical approach to intimacy with our creator through his spoken word." [00:44:28] (38 seconds)
"Every promise that God makes in scripture is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. That he comes and he saves us. That he is the plan. He is the plan to bless the world. He is the plan that God promises to Abraham. He is the plan that God promised through the Israelites as they're going back into the promised land. He is the plan. This is God's plan to bless the world. And so as we look at this text a little deeper for a few more minutes, I want to see, remember three things in this text." [00:50:35] (30 seconds)
"And we have to trust that God is still working his plan, even when we don't understand it. Even though it may seem like he's seemingly silent. Here, Noah to Abraham, the two major characters, 400 years. Between the Old Testament and the New Testament, 400 years. Between when Christ was buried, resurrected, and ascends to heaven, we are at 2,000 years. Yet God's plan is still working. And it is still his plan, not ours. Amen, church?" [00:54:22] (31 seconds)
"His plan is a miracle. And we should feel confident in this. Because when we try to control it, I don't have the power of miracles. Unless God is going to do them through me. But it's going to be still his power. I don't have the power to do these supernatural things. He does. And sometimes he uses us. But his plan is a miracle. Man, when we try to do it ourselves, we screw up. Do we not? Babel. They had everything together. And what do they do? They build a tower to their own glory." [00:55:44] (31 seconds)
"He's redeeming the land for Yahweh, the creator God. See, our God works in redemption. His plan is always redemption. When Adam and Eve sin, they try to put leaves over themselves to cover their nakedness. Yet God redeems them. And the first killing is an animal to cover them, cover their shame. God saves them, redeems them. Genesis 3:15 saying, I will send my son for you. God redeems them by giving Seth. God redeems us by not allowing us just to die, but giving us Noah and the boat." [01:00:15] (30 seconds)
"Let's take some next steps. The first one is this. Put your faith in Jesus, church. Man, some of you here, the church this size, don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You are not saved, redeemed. If you were to die today, you would not be with Jesus in heaven. Instead, you'd be in the real literal hell. But God's working on your heart. And that voice that's calling out to you, the voice saying, just give it to me, that's the Holy Spirit working in your life. Today's the day. Don't wait. Put your faith in Jesus." [01:02:52] (35 seconds)
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