Moving Forward: Embracing Faith and Community Together

Devotional

Day 1: Baptism and Dedication: A Sacred Commitment

Baptism and dedication are profound acts of faith that symbolize a commitment to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism represents a new life in Christ, a public declaration of faith and a step into a community of believers. It is a sacred moment where individuals affirm their belief and trust in God, committing to follow His teachings and live according to His will. Similarly, the dedication of children is a recognition of them as gifts from God. It is a commitment by parents and the community to guide these young lives in the ways of the Lord, directing them towards God's purpose as they grow. This responsibility is both a blessing and a duty, as Psalm 127 reminds us that children are like arrows in a quiver, meant to be directed and released towards God's purpose. [09:15]

"For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: Consider the commitments you have made in your faith journey. How can you actively live out these commitments in your daily life, and how can you support others in their spiritual growth?

Day 2: Moving Forward in Faith

Inspired by Philippians 3:12-14, believers are called to move forward, leaving behind past mistakes and focusing on the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This journey involves deepening one's relationship with God, growing in His word, and living according to His will. As the new year begins, it is an opportunity to renew one's commitment to spiritual growth and transformation. Studying the book of 1 John can be a part of this journey, as it emphasizes living in the light and growing in faith. This forward movement is not just about personal growth but also about aligning one's life with God's purpose and calling. [32:02]

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to let go of the past and move forward in faith? How can you take a step towards this today?

Day 3: Building a Stronger Community

Engaging actively in the church community is essential for personal growth and building a stronger, more connected community of believers. The first quarter challenge encourages attending services, tithing faithfully, and inviting others to worship. This commitment is not just about individual spiritual growth but about fostering a sense of fellowship and unity within the church. By participating actively, believers can strengthen their faith and support one another in their spiritual journeys. This engagement is a reflection of the communal aspect of faith, where believers are called to support and uplift each other. [35:42]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to building a stronger community within your church? What specific actions can you take this week to engage more actively with your church family?

Day 4: The Armor of God: Standing Firm in Faith

Ephesians 6:13 reminds believers to put on the whole armor of God to withstand the challenges of the evil day. This armor is not just for defense but for development, equipping believers to stand firm in their faith. The real test is not in winning battles but in standing firm amidst trials. Believers must be vigilant against both external attacks and internal desires that can lead them astray. By putting on the armor of God, they are equipped to face challenges with resilience and strength, rooted in God's promises. [50:00]

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:13, ESV)

Reflection: What piece of the armor of God do you feel you need to strengthen in your life? How can you begin to do this today?

Day 5: Resilience and Faith: Rooted in God's Promises

Despite the challenges of 2024, believers are called to stand firm, rooted in God's promises. Their strength comes from Him, and as they face the new year, they are equipped to endure and overcome. This resilience is a testament to their faith and trust in God's unwavering support. By remaining steadfast in their faith, believers can navigate the trials and tribulations of life with confidence and hope. The armor of God provides the necessary tools to remain strong and resilient, ensuring that they can face any challenge with courage and faith. [01:03:45]

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your faith help you remain resilient, and how can you continue to rely on God's promises in future trials?

Sermon Summary

In the name of Jesus, we gather today to celebrate the profound blessings and responsibilities bestowed upon us as believers. Today, we witnessed the baptism of new members into the faith, a sacred act symbolizing their commitment to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We also dedicated two precious children, acknowledging them as gifts from God and committing to guide them in His ways. As Psalm 127 reminds us, children are like arrows in a quiver, and it is our duty to direct and release them towards God's purpose.

As we embark on a new year, our theme is "Moving Forward," inspired by Philippians 3:12-14. We are called to forget what lies behind and press on towards the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This year, we aim to deepen our relationship with God, grow in His word, and live according to His will. Our journey includes studying 1 John on Wednesdays, focusing on living in the light and growing in faith.

We are also challenged to engage more actively in our church community. The first quarter challenge encourages us to attend services in person, tithe faithfully, and invite others to join us in worship. This commitment is not just about personal growth but about building a stronger, more connected community of believers.

In Ephesians 6:13, we are reminded to put on the whole armor of God to withstand the challenges of the evil day. The armor is not just for defense but for development, equipping us to stand firm in our faith. The real test is not in winning battles but in standing firm amidst trials. We must be vigilant against both external attacks and internal desires that can lead us astray.

As we reflect on the past year, we celebrate our resilience. Despite the challenges of 2024, we stand firm, rooted in God's promises. Our strength comes from Him, and as we face the new year, we are equipped to endure and overcome. Let us continue to stand, supported by the armor of God, and remain steadfast in our faith.

Key Takeaways

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2. Moving Forward in Faith: Inspired by Philippians 3:12-14, we are called to move forward, forgetting what lies behind and pressing towards God's high calling. This year, we aim to deepen our relationship with God, grow in His word, and live according to His will. Our journey includes studying 1 John, focusing on living in the light and growing in faith.

3. Community Engagement: The first quarter challenge encourages us to attend services, tithe faithfully, and invite others to worship. This commitment is about personal growth and building a stronger, more connected community of believers. Engaging actively in our church community strengthens our faith and fellowship.

4. The Armor of God: Ephesians 6:13 reminds us to put on the whole armor of God to withstand the evil day. The armor is not just for defense but for development, equipping us to stand firm in our faith. The real test is not in winning battles but in standing firm amidst trials.

5. Resilience and Faith: Despite the challenges of 2024, we stand firm, rooted in God's promises. Our strength comes from Him, and as we face the new year, we are equipped to endure and overcome. Let us continue to stand, supported by the armor of God, and remain steadfast in our faith.

** [09:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[09:15] - Baptism and Dedication
[30:30] - Children as a Heritage
[32:02] - New Year Blessings
[35:42] - First Quarter Challenge
[38:26] - Offering and Tithing
[47:29] - Ephesians 6: The Armor of God
[50:00] - Standing Firm in Faith
[51:58] - The Plan to Stand
[54:45] - Keeping the Armor On
[56:17] - The Problem with Standing
[57:20] - Recognizing the Evil Day
[59:41] - Internal and External Battles
[63:45] - Rejoicing in Resilience
[72:13] - Invitation to Faith and Fellowship

Sermon Clips

"In obedience to the great Godhead of the church and on the profession of your faith, you are now baptized in the name of the Father, the name of the Son, and the name of the Holy Spirit, into Jesus Christ." [00:08:20]

"Psalm 127 says that children are a heritage of the Lord, which means that they are a blessing. They are a gift from God. It also says that blessed is the man who, they are like arrows in a man's quiver. And with an arrow, it's the idea of archery, a man who takes a bow, an arrow, and he restricts it, which means you take it and you restrict." [00:30:36]

"Counting on myself to have apprehended, but there's one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, reaching forth unto those things which are ahead, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, which is in Christ Jesus. And y 'all, this year in our lives, we want to move forward in God, move forward in his will, his word, and his way." [00:33:38]

"First quarter challenge. I'm challenging everyone to, on this first three months of the year, first of all, for you, if you're in the Capital District, for you to come on Sunday morning in person, all right, for you to be here in person every Sunday these first three months. Second of all, for you to tithe 10 % of your income. First of all, for you to tithe 10 % of your income. And then thirdly, one Sunday out of the month, if you would invite someone to church, to join you in church, all right, if you would do that, that is the first quarter challenge." [00:34:22]

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand. Look at your neighbor and say, keep standing." [00:48:08]

"See, see, Molly, he tells us he wants us to put on the whole armor because the problem with some of us is we want the pieces we like. We don't want to take the whole armor because we want the pieces that that that that will defend us but not develop us. You want the piece that will benefit you but not build you." [00:52:29]

"Now, what I like about this, Brother Young, is that when he says put on the whole armor, it's in what's called the aorist imperative tense. What's that mean? It means it's a simple command that you do, which means you don't repeat it over and over. You just do it. See, Daphne, if it was in the aorist imperative, indicative case, it would be something you do over and over again." [00:54:24]

"Anytime you get up and Satan is trying to take from you what God has given to you, that's an evil day. Anytime you get up and go to your job and that demon on your job is sitting at their desk ready to do something to you, it's a good possibility that that's an evil day. Anytime you come to church and you want to get your praise on but there's somebody cold, callous, mean, member standing, sitting on the pew looking at you all cross -eyed and trying to steal your praise." [00:57:20]

"See, because while my attention may be on Satan and the enemy out there, I've also got to be cognizant of the enemy in a me. Okay, you missed that. Let me see if I can say it a different way. You missed that part. See, you've got to look out for two attacks. You've got to look out for the attacking and the attracting. Because sometimes the problem ain't the devil, it's your desire." [01:00:21]

"with doubt the devil can hit you with depression the devil can hit you with divorce the devil can hit you with divorce the devil can hit you with sickness the devil can hit you with all kinds of things and so the challenge is not just can you can you throw a punch but can you take one and see some of us need to rejoice even on this first Sunday of the year because out of all the stuff you've been through in 2024" [01:03:45]

"you're still standing oh you're still standing y 'all you missed me there don't miss this don't miss this see it ain't like you ain't been through nothing but rejoicing is that in spite of what you've been through Satan thought that you would be down Satan thought that you would give up Satan thought that you'd be down for the count but you need to rejoice because out of everything that you've been through you can say I'm still standing is there anybody here that can say I'm still standing in spite of the fact that Satan threw his best punch at you but you're still standing in spite of the fact that you almost were down for the count but you're still standing in fact touch three people and say I'm still standing I'm still standing I'm still standing I still got a praise I still got a reason to rejoice I still got a smile on my face some of you have been through heartache some of you have been through illness some of you have been through trouble some of you have been through death some of you have been through divorce but in spite of everything you've been through I'm still" [01:05:35]

"thank you for standing strength thank you for the ability to endure hard times as a good soldier now Lord just help us to keep on standing in Jesus name we say hallelujah and amen hug three people tell them keep standing" [01:08:21]

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