Nurturing Faith: Community, Gospel, and Eternal Hope

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound significance of child dedication and baptism, two sacred acts that symbolize our commitment to nurturing faith in the next generation and affirming our own faith journeys. We dedicated young Rose, acknowledging that raising a child in the Lord requires a community effort. We presented symbolic gifts to her family: a stone with a cross, representing the foundation of Christ in her life; oil, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's anointing; and Play-Doh, a reminder of her moldable nature in these formative years. We also emphasized the church's role in supporting her spiritual growth, recognizing children as treasures not only to their families but to the entire church community.

As we transitioned into the message, we delved into the book of Revelation, exploring the eternal gospel and the coming of God's kingdom. The eternal gospel is a message of both judgment and mercy, a call to readiness for the return of Christ. It is a reminder that while judgment is inevitable for those who oppose God, mercy is extended to those who embrace Him. The kingdom of God is already here, yet not fully realized, and we witness its presence whenever lives are transformed by Christ.

The message also highlighted the reality of hell, a sobering truth that underscores the urgency of choosing Christ. Hell is not a place of transformation but eternal separation from God. Yet, the good news is that through Jesus, we are offered the cup of mercy instead of wrath. As believers, we are called to endure, knowing that our deeds have eternal significance and that our ultimate rest is in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth: Raising a child in the Lord is a communal effort, requiring the support and encouragement of the church. Each child has a God-given purpose, and it is our responsibility to nurture and guide them in discovering and fulfilling that purpose. [45:34]

2. The Eternal Gospel: The eternal gospel is a message of both judgment and mercy. It calls us to be ready for the coming of God's kingdom, offering hope and salvation to those who embrace Christ while warning of judgment for those who oppose Him. [56:02]

3. The Reality of Hell: Hell is a real and eternal place of separation from God, reserved for those who reject Him. It is a sobering reminder of the consequences of our choices and the urgency of accepting Christ's offer of salvation. [01:15:57]

4. The Kingdom of God is Here and Not Yet: The kingdom of God is present wherever Christ reigns, yet its full realization is still to come. We witness the kingdom's presence in transformed lives and are called to participate in its advancement. [01:06:27]

5. Endurance in Faith: As believers, we are called to endure in our faith, knowing that our deeds have eternal significance. Our ultimate rest and reward are in Christ, and we are encouraged to remain steadfast in the face of challenges. [01:22:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [44:53] - Child Dedication Introduction
- [45:34] - Community's Role in Raising Children
- [46:13] - Symbolic Gifts and Their Meanings
- [47:24] - Parental Responsibility and Anointing
- [48:06] - The Moldable Nature of Children
- [49:08] - Church's Commitment to Support
- [49:42] - Blessing and Prayer for the Family
- [51:24] - Connecting with the Church Community
- [52:10] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
- [54:57] - Introduction to Revelation Study
- [56:02] - The Eternal Gospel Explained
- [57:42] - The Fullness of the Gospel
- [01:03:23] - The Kingdom of God Has Come
- [01:15:57] - The Reality and Consequences of Hell
- [01:22:21] - Endurance and Hope in Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him."
2. Revelation 14:6-7 - "Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.'"
3. Romans 5:6-9 - "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."

Observation Questions:
1. What symbolic gifts were presented during Rose's dedication, and what do they represent? [46:13]
2. How does the sermon describe the eternal gospel mentioned in Revelation 14? [56:02]
3. What is the significance of the kingdom of God being "here and not yet" as discussed in the sermon? [01:06:27]
4. How does the sermon describe the reality and consequences of hell? [01:15:57]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the community play a role in the spiritual growth of children, according to the sermon? [45:34]
2. How does the eternal gospel balance the themes of judgment and mercy, and what implications does this have for believers? [59:16]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the urgency of choosing Christ in light of the reality of hell? [01:15:57]
4. How does the concept of endurance in faith relate to the believer's ultimate rest in Christ? [01:22:21]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your role in the church community. How can you actively support the spiritual growth of children in your congregation? [49:08]
2. The eternal gospel calls for readiness for God's kingdom. What steps can you take this week to prepare your heart and life for Christ's return? [56:02]
3. Considering the sermon’s discussion on hell, how does this influence your perspective on sharing the gospel with others? [01:15:57]
4. The kingdom of God is present in transformed lives. Can you identify a recent transformation in your life or someone else's that reflects God's kingdom? [01:06:27]
5. Endurance in faith is crucial. What challenges are you currently facing that require perseverance, and how can you seek support from your faith community? [01:22:21]
6. The sermon emphasizes the significance of our deeds. What specific actions can you take this week to ensure your deeds have eternal significance? [01:22:21]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of the eternal gospel in your daily life, balancing the awareness of judgment and the embrace of mercy? [59:16]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Community in Spiritual Growth
Raising a child in the faith is not a solitary endeavor but a communal journey. The church community plays a vital role in nurturing and guiding children as they grow in their relationship with God. Each child is seen as a treasure, not only to their family but to the entire church body. This communal responsibility involves offering support, encouragement, and resources to help children discover and fulfill their God-given purpose. The symbolic gifts presented during child dedication, such as a stone with a cross, oil, and Play-Doh, serve as reminders of the foundational role of Christ, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the moldable nature of children in their formative years. The church's commitment to supporting spiritual growth is a testament to the collective effort required to raise children in the Lord. [45:34]

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community can you support in their spiritual journey, and how can you actively participate in nurturing the faith of the next generation?

Day 2: Embracing the Eternal Gospel
The eternal gospel is a profound message that encompasses both judgment and mercy. It calls individuals to be prepared for the coming of God's kingdom, offering hope and salvation to those who embrace Christ while warning of judgment for those who oppose Him. This dual message serves as a reminder of the urgency to align one's life with God's will and to live in readiness for Christ's return. The eternal gospel is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms lives and hearts. It invites believers to experience the fullness of God's grace and to share this transformative message with others. [56:02]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively live out the message of the eternal gospel in your daily life, and who can you share this message with today?

Day 3: Understanding the Reality of Hell
Hell is a sobering reality that underscores the consequences of rejecting God. It is described as a place of eternal separation from God, reserved for those who choose to oppose Him. This truth highlights the urgency of accepting Christ's offer of salvation and the importance of making choices that align with God's will. The good news is that through Jesus, believers are offered the cup of mercy instead of wrath, providing a path to eternal life with God. Understanding the reality of hell serves as a catalyst for believers to share the message of salvation with others, emphasizing the importance of choosing Christ. [01:15:57]

"And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:46, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about the hope and salvation found in Christ? How can you share this message with them in a loving and compassionate way?

Day 4: Living in the Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. It is present wherever Christ reigns, and its full realization is yet to come. Believers are called to participate in the advancement of God's kingdom by living lives that reflect Christ's transformative power. This involves witnessing the kingdom's presence in transformed lives and actively engaging in acts of love, justice, and mercy. The kingdom of God invites believers to be agents of change in the world, embodying the values and principles of God's reign. [01:06:27]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the advancement of God's kingdom in your community, and how can you reflect the values of the kingdom in your daily interactions?

Day 5: Enduring in Faith
Believers are called to endure in their faith, knowing that their deeds have eternal significance. This endurance is rooted in the hope and assurance that ultimate rest and reward are found in Christ. Despite challenges and trials, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast, trusting in God's promises and relying on His strength. Endurance in faith involves a commitment to living out one's beliefs with integrity and perseverance, recognizing that each act of faithfulness contributes to the advancement of God's kingdom. [01:22:21]

"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: What is one area of your life where you need to exercise greater endurance in faith, and how can you seek God's strength to remain steadfast in this area?

Quotes

1) "Every one of us have a purpose. Every one of us has a God-given anointing or purpose in our life. And the role of a parent is to find that in their children and to bring that out. To see what God has placed in them and to bring it out. Hannah, as she prayed for Samuel, she said, And we know that Samuel was a great priest for the King, or for the Lord. And so, Rose has an anointing and a calling on her life. And it's your responsibility to help ask God, what does God want to do in this child? And to raise this kid, this sweet child, to walk in that anointing." [46:43] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "The eternal gospel is about judgment, but it's also about mercy. Judgment to the earth, judgment to those who are against God, but mercy for those who come to him. It's for every people. It's an eternal thing. It's not just something that happens for a moment. When you are saved, you are saved for eternity. When you give your life to Jesus, it's eternal. And what God is doing is always eternal, meaning it is without end. It is without beginning. God is always working. And so here's the good news. Even in judgment, there is mercy. As we got nothing from Revelation, it's this, that every time God pours out judgment, he always leaves the door open for mercy." [59:16] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "The kingdom is really the gospel. All these things. You're saved. All these things happen to you because the kingdom of God has come. The kingdom of God has come. I want to read Mark 1, 14 through 15 to you. Jesus talks a lot about the kingdom. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God and saying, he's proclaiming the good news of God, and this is what he's saying. The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel. Repent and believe in the good news. That the kingdom of God is at hand. Things are going to change. There's a new king in order. There's a new system that's coming." [01:03:23] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "The kingdom is anywhere that the king is. Two words, king and dominion. Kingdom. It's his dominion. Wherever Jesus is, it's his dominion. This is good news. This is awesome news. Because the king has come. His dominion is at hand. He's here, but not all the way yet. This is a theological term, here and not yet. So we know that the kingdom has come, but we know that it's not fully here. This is why we look at Revelation and we have hope. Because we know the kingdom is established, but it's not fully here yet. And so this is the here and not yet. And so this is something that we look forward to, that his kingdom will completely be here, but now we see his kingdom coming even now." [01:05:54] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Here's the truth. And I want to talk about hell for a minute. I don't like talking about hell. But we're getting away from it more and more as we move forward. Hell didn't disappear. We want it to disappear because it's very uncomfortable to talk about. Hell is a real place. It's an eternal dwelling place for the soul. There's only two places that your soul will dwell. With God forever or away from God forever. And hell is, as described in the Bible, it's a place of gnashing of teeth, it's a place of torment, of fire, of burning. Imagine the worst thing you can imagine and then multiply that and that's probably hell." [01:15:57] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Here's a call for the endurance of the saints. Those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. As we approach the day when Jesus comes back, it's going to be harder and harder to follow Christ. The world is getting more and more devious, deceptive, and more evil. The world promises us quick fixes and easy pleasure. It's easy for us to fall away from God. It's easy for us to... It's not easy, but it's possible, right? If you know Jesus and you've tasted His goodness, it's hard to fall away. But the world is always trying to lure us away from God." [01:20:31] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "Blessed are the dead and the Holy Spirit after that says yes indeed. And here's why. They may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them. Believer, what you do on this earth matters. Believer, what you do on this earth accumulates in heaven. Your deeds follow you. What deeds are following you. What are you doing that's eternal? What are you doing that makes a difference? Endure. Be strong in the faith. Don't give up. Because here's the thing. One day you will rest in your labors. There's days, man, I feel like, man, is this serving God thing adding up? Because sometimes it doesn't feel like it. Can I be honest?" [01:22:21] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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