Living Truthfully: Embracing God's Heart and Commandments
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the role of church leaders in continually revealing the heart of God to humanity in their sinful state. He underscores the importance of living a consistent and morally upright life, akin to how Jesus lived. The pastor expresses concern about churches that are not effectively teaching the Word of God and are stuck in a cycle of heretical teachings. He addresses the issue of biblical truths being diluted within communities, emphasizing that God desires for believers to submit to His love and be nourished by His word. He concludes this section by stating that genuine Christian fellowship is characterized by a combination of sound doctrine and living out the truth.
The pastor then addresses the struggle with past sins and the misconception that it reflects a lack of salvation. He emphasizes that in Christ, believers are new creations and the old has passed away. He encourages the congregation not to dwell on their past mistakes or search for a negative lineage, but rather to turn away from sinful behaviors. The pastor then delves into the topic of understanding the commandments, highlighting the importance of grasping the simplicity of the commandments and embracing the simplicity of God's commandments.
The pastor then focuses on the theme of lying and its consequences, emphasizing that Christ is the one who can lift us above these shortcomings of humanity. He encourages the congregation to learn from their mistakes and move forward, understanding that God wants to work in their lives. The pastor then shifts the focus to relational standards, highlighting the importance of being truthful in these relationships and following relational standards that please the Lord.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, highlighting the connection between the love of God and the love for neighbor. He warns that when a Christian departs from practicing love, it is an indication that they may be stepping away from their faith or that they have no faith at all. The pastor concludes by emphasizing the role of God's word in growing in love, explaining that allowing God's word to wash over our feelings, thinking, and actions is crucial.
In the final portion of the sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of fellowship with God and fellow believers. He encourages the congregation to take a step of faith and engage in dialogue with others to experience the fullness of joy that comes from fellowship. The pastor concludes by emphasizing that the letter of 1 John is given to deepen the spiritual life of the church and guard against the watering down of biblical truths.
Key Takeaways:
- Church leaders play a crucial role in revealing the heart of God to humanity in their sinful state. They guide believers in living a consistent and morally upright life, walking just as Jesus walked. This is essential for growing in faith and following Jesus ([12:45]).
- In Christ, believers are new creations and the old has passed away. Believers are encouraged not to dwell on their past mistakes or search for a negative lineage, but rather to turn away from sinful behaviors. This understanding is key in growing in faith and understanding what God says ([24:30]).
- Lying has severe consequences and can hinder our relationship with God. However, Christ is the one who can lift us above these shortcomings of humanity. It is important to learn from our mistakes and move forward, understanding that God wants to work in our lives ([36:15]).
- Growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus is crucial in our Christian walk. The love of God and the love for neighbor are intertwined, and when a Christian departs from practicing love, it is an indication that they may be stepping away from their faith or that they have no faith at all ([48:20]).
- Fellowship with God and fellow believers is important in experiencing the fullness of joy that comes from fellowship. This fellowship is maintained through the advocacy and propitiation of Christ, not by our own perfection. The letter of 1 John is given to deepen the spiritual life of the church and guard against the watering down of biblical truths ([59:30]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 2:3-11
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."
2. Jeremiah 3:15
"And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding."
3. John 21:15-17
"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Feed My lambs.' He said to him again a second time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Tend My sheep.' He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'"
Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 John 2:3-11 say about the relationship between knowing God and keeping His commandments?
2. In Jeremiah 3:15, what qualities does God promise to give to the shepherds He appoints?
3. What does Jesus ask of Simon Peter in John 21:15-17, and how does Simon Peter respond?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does keeping God's commandments reflect our relationship with Him, according to 1 John 2:3-11?
2. What might be the significance of God promising shepherds who will feed His people with knowledge and understanding in Jeremiah 3:15?
3. What can we infer from Jesus' repeated question to Simon Peter in John 21:15-17 about the nature of love and service in the Christian faith?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your life. Are there any commandments of God that you find challenging to keep? How can you seek God's help in this area?
2. How can you, in your own capacity, feed others with knowledge and understanding, as mentioned in Jeremiah 3:15?
3. In light of John 21:15-17, who are the 'lambs' and 'sheep' in your life that you can show love to and care for? What specific actions can you take this week to do so?
4. Can you identify a recent situation where you may have been untruthful? How can you rectify this and ensure honesty in future interactions?
5. Reflect on your relationships. Are there any where you may not be meeting God's standards? What steps can you take to improve these relationships?
Devotional
Day 1: Revealing God's Heart Through Leadership
Church leaders are instrumental in unveiling God's heart to humanity, especially in their sinful state. They guide believers to live a consistent and morally upright life, akin to how Jesus lived. This is a crucial aspect of growing in faith and following Jesus ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEMEUqDIYdI&t=750s)).
1 Timothy 4:12 - "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
Reflection: How can you, as a believer, emulate the life of Jesus in your daily interactions? Can you identify one specific area in your life where you can better reflect Christ's teachings?
Day 2: Embracing New Life in Christ
In Christ, believers are new creations, and the old has passed away. It's important not to dwell on past mistakes or search for a negative lineage, but rather to turn away from sinful behaviors. This understanding is key in growing in faith and understanding what God says ([24:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEMEUqDIYdI&t=1455s)).
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Reflection: What past mistakes are you still holding onto? How can you let go of these and fully embrace your new life in Christ?
Day 3: Overcoming the Consequences of Lying
Lying has severe consequences and can hinder our relationship with God. However, Christ is the one who can lift us above these shortcomings of humanity. It is important to learn from our mistakes and move forward, understanding that God wants to work in our lives ([36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEMEUqDIYdI&t=2160s)).
Proverbs 12:22 - "The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where you were not completely truthful? How can you rectify this and ensure honesty in your future interactions?
Day 4: Growing in Grace and Knowledge of Jesus
Growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus is crucial in our Christian walk. The love of God and the love for neighbor are intertwined, and when a Christian departs from practicing love, it is an indication that they may be stepping away from their faith or that they have no faith at all ([48:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEMEUqDIYdI&t=2885s)).
2 Peter 3:18 - "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
Reflection: How can you actively grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus? Can you identify one specific way to show love to your neighbor this week?
Day 5: The Importance of Fellowship
Fellowship with God and fellow believers is important in experiencing the fullness of joy that comes from fellowship. This fellowship is maintained through the advocacy and propitiation of Christ, not by our own perfection. The letter of 1 John is given to deepen the spiritual life of the church and guard against the watering down of biblical truths ([59:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEMEUqDIYdI&t=3555s)).
1 John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
Reflection: How can you deepen your fellowship with God and fellow believers? Can you think of one specific action to take this week to strengthen these relationships?
Quotes
"If I say that I know God, then there's an expectation that I should walk just as He walked. It's not just about claiming to be a Christian, but living out that faith." #!!17:25!!#
"God desires that you and I would submit under his love and be fed from his word. He desires so much greater for us than what we even desire for ourselves." #!!05:38!!#
"When the person that is a Christian departs from [loving God and neighbor], they're lying and it's an indication that either they're stepping away from living a life of Faith or that they have no faith." #!!44:59!!#
"We grow in Love by allowing God's word to wash over our feelings, our thinking, and our actions. The test of knowing God quite frankly is seen in a life of love." #!!45:41!!#
"The pastors and teachers of the church are just bringing out again and again the heart of God to meet man in our sinful condition, that we might turn to a more excellent way and that is to God." #!!20:37!!#
"If you're in Christ, you're a new creation in Christ. The old has passed away. Every week that you struggle with something, you don't have to go back and search for your lineage and think that you're in a bad spot. It's a lie. You're already saved, you just have to grow up in the faith." #!!23:19!!#
"The work of maintaining fellowship is on the back of Christ, not the perfection of us as people. God has given us a manual, a love letter, with instructions on how to live out the Christian life." #!!04:32!!#
"Walking in love is essential. If someone claims to be in the light but hates their brother, they are still in darkness. Love is the real manifestation of God, and it impacts our relationship with Him and others." #!!38:00!!#
"Jesus said that loving God and loving our neighbor is a fulfillment of the law, a fulfillment of The Commandments and God's moral principle."
"The church is not a place where we come to be entertained, it's a place where we come to be trained in righteousness."
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