Living Urgently: Reflecting Christ in Every Moment

Devotional

Day 1: Urgency in Faithful Living

The urgency of living out one's faith is not merely a personal endeavor but a critical mission that impacts the eternal destiny of those around us. This urgency is rooted in the understanding that every interaction could be a pivotal moment for someone's eternity. Just as the Apostle Paul felt a compelling drive to share the gospel despite the hardships he faced, believers today are called to prioritize the mission over personal comfort or fears. The realization that over 61,000 people in one's community alone may be in need of experiencing the power and love of Jesus adds a profound sense of responsibility to this urgency. It is a call to action that demands a response, not tomorrow, but today, as each moment presents an opportunity to influence someone's life for eternity.

"Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16 ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate the urgency of sharing the gospel in your daily interactions, starting today?

Day 2: Embrace Your Divine Commission

Every believer is a preacher of the good news, uniquely equipped and sent by God to share the gospel within their respective spheres of influence. This divine commission extends beyond the walls of the church and into the realms of family, workplace, and community. It is a calling that comes with the understanding that one's actions and words have the power to lead others to faith. The challenge lies in seeing every interaction as an opportunity to share Jesus, and in doing so, demonstrating love for others by caring enough to share the transformative message of the gospel with them.

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15 ESV)

Reflection: What specific opportunity do you have to share the gospel in your sphere of influence this week?

Day 3: Consistency in Christian Walk

Consistency in one's Christian walk is crucial; living one way on Sunday and another on Monday is not an option. Believers are called to live lives that are a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, reflecting God's word in every aspect of their lives. This consistency is vital not only for personal spiritual growth but also because it bears witness to the authenticity of one's faith to others. Inconsistency and hypocrisy can lead others away from the church, whereas a life lived in alignment with biblical principles can draw others closer to God.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22 ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to practice greater consistency with your faith, and what practical steps can you take to achieve this?

Day 4: Salt and Light in the World

Being the salt and light of the earth means that one's faith should be evident to those around them. Believers are called to live lives so aligned with Christ that others are drawn to Him through their actions and character. This is the essence of letting one's light shine before others, not just within the comfort of the church but out in the world where it's needed most. It is about reflecting Jesus in such a way that others can see Him through us, thereby fulfilling the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 ESV)

Reflection: What is one tangible way you can be salt and light in your community this week?

Day 5: The Immediacy of Following Jesus

The decision to follow Jesus is urgent and cannot be postponed. Believers must seize every opportunity to share the love of Christ, knowing that they are not guaranteed another chance. This sense of immediacy should drive one to live each day with purpose and passion for the gospel. It is a call to respond to the message, to make Jesus Lord of one's life, or to recommit to Him, recognizing that the time to act is now, as tomorrow is not promised.

"Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV)

Reflection: What decision have you been postponing that you need to make today to follow Jesus more closely?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I began by addressing the urgency of living a life that reflects the gospel of Jesus Christ. I emphasized the importance of understanding the "why" behind our actions as believers. I reminded the congregation that our lives are not just about us but about impacting others—our families, spouses, children, and even the city we live in. I stressed that over 61,000 people in our community need to experience the power and love of Jesus, and if we fail to live out our faith, we fail them and the mission God has called us to.

I then spoke about the Apostle Paul's sense of urgency, as he felt compelled to go to Jerusalem despite knowing the hardships that awaited him. His primary concern was to finish the work God started, to let everyone know about God's extravagant generosity. This same urgency should be present in our lives as we carry the light of hope in a world that is becoming increasingly dark and hopeless.

I continued by discussing the role of every believer as a preacher of the good news, sent and uniquely equipped by God to share the gospel in their respective spheres of influence. I challenged the congregation to see every interaction as an opportunity to share Jesus, emphasizing that our love for others is demonstrated when we care enough to share the gospel with them.

I also addressed the issue of living consistently with our faith, not just on Sundays but every day of the week. I called out the hypocrisy that can arise when believers pick and choose which parts of the Bible to follow, warning that this inconsistency can lead others away from the church.

I then highlighted the importance of being the salt and light of the earth, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5. Our lives should shine brightly, reflecting Jesus in such a way that others can see Him through us. I encouraged the congregation to let their light shine before others, not just within the comfort of the church but out in the world where it's needed most.

I concluded by inviting the congregation to respond to the message, to make Jesus Lord of their lives, or to recommit to Him. I emphasized the immediacy of this decision, as we are not promised tomorrow. I prayed for salvation to be present in the house and for the word to take root in our hearts, leading us to live lives that glorify God.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 20:22-24 (NIV) — > "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

2. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
> "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

3. Romans 1:16 (NIV)
> "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

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Observation Questions

What was the Apostle Paul's primary concern as he journeyed to Jerusalem, according to Acts 20:22-24?
In Matthew 5:13-16, what metaphors does Jesus use to describe the role of believers in the world?
According to Romans 1:16, why is Paul not ashamed of the gospel?
What did the pastor emphasize about the urgency of living out our faith in the sermon? ([01:01:44])

Interpretation Questions

How does Paul's sense of urgency in Acts 20:22-24 reflect the urgency we should have in sharing the gospel today? ([01:01:44])
What does it mean to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" in practical terms, as described in Matthew 5:13-16? ([01:21:00])
Why is it important for believers to live consistently with their faith every day, not just on Sundays? ([01:11:27])
How can the understanding that "we are all preachers of the gospel" change the way we interact with our families, workplaces, and communities? ([01:26:53])

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent interaction where you had the opportunity to share your faith. How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to better reflect the urgency of the gospel? ([01:01:44])
Identify one area of your life where you struggle to be the "salt and light" as described in Matthew 5:13-16. What specific steps can you take this week to let your light shine more brightly in that area? ([01:21:00])
Think about your daily routine. How can you incorporate more consistent expressions of your faith throughout the week, not just on Sundays? ([01:11:27])
Who in your immediate circle (family, friends, coworkers) needs to hear the gospel? What is one practical way you can share the love of Christ with them this week? ([01:26:53])
Reflect on a time when you felt hesitant to share your faith. What were your fears or concerns, and how can you overcome them in future opportunities? ([01:09:39])
How can you cultivate a sense of urgency in your spiritual life, similar to the Apostle Paul's, to ensure you are making the most of every opportunity to share the gospel? ([01:01:44])
What specific actions can you take to avoid hypocrisy and live a life that consistently reflects the transformative power of the gospel? ([01:11:27])

Sermon Clips

1) "Because if I can experience heaven on earth, you think I'm going to wait until I get there to experience it? If there are promises that God has given me, you think I'm just going to be like, oh, no, that's okay. I want everything. What I need to do, just believe. I believe. Let's go." [01:17:29]( | | )

2) "I'm going to tell you that he is so in love with you that he sent his son to die before you were even a thought. That he looked down through all eternity, and he saw you, and he said that you are enough, that you are worth it." [01:19:21]( | | )

3) "Matthew 5 verse 13 says, you are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, it's lost its purpose, how can it be made salty? It's no longer a thing, but to be thrown out and walked on by people when the walkways are wet and slippery." [01:21:00]( | | )

4) "This world, every single day, is getting darker and darker, yet we are the ones with the light. People walk around, and you can see that they have no hope, yet we have hope within us. They're walking around with no hope within us." [01:01:44]( | | )

5) "When we live of encounters with Jesus, people see it. When we take the limits off of our faith and dare to walk in what God has for us, people see it. When we, as the church, defy the boundaries, defy the failures of those before us, people see it, they want to know how." [01:06:18]( | | )

6) "Romans 1 says, I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God for salvation from his wrath and punishment to everyone who believes. He says, I know where the power is. And I refuse to be ashamed." [01:08:01]( | | )

7) "We cannot be another statistic. That's not what this is about. This is why it's called living a limitless life. I am going to live a life that when other people see me, they think, well, maybe Jesus, maybe he was the son of God. Maybe he can change my life." [01:11:27]( | | )

8) "Let your light shine in such a way. Not just, just turn your, you know, the brightness. Just keep it as a normal brightness so you don't draw too much attention to yourself. He said, let your light so shine a way. Let your faith be. Live in such a way." [01:21:44]( | | )

9) "There are over 61,000 people in the city of Woodland, California, and they need to know and hear and experience the power and the love of Jesus. If we keep it to ourselves and we just live an average life. We have failed them and we have failed the mission that God has called us to." [01:25:05]( | | )

10) "How are they to hear without you? How are they to hear without you preaching? How are you to preach unless you've been sent? And we were all commissioned. We were all sent. Go, therefore, into the world. Preach to all people, all nations." [01:26:53]( | | )

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