Rededication and Embracing the Word of God
Summary
In the sermon titled "Sunday 11AM Service," the pastor invites the congregation to rededicate their lives to God, leading them in a prayer of rededication and emphasizing the importance of church as a place to sustain faith. He offers resources for the newly rededicated, including a devotional book and information on baptism as a sign of salvation. The pastor also discusses the importance of wrestling with the Word of God, sharing his personal journey from disliking reading the Bible to finding a study Bible that transformed his understanding and relationship with the scripture.
The pastor stresses the need for full submission to Jesus as both ruler and savior, acknowledging the natural human inclination to resist God's ways and the importance of seeking God's help. He points out that feeling disturbed by the message of submission is a positive sign, as it was for Mary when she heard the angel's message. The pastor further emphasizes the unique power of the Word of God to reveal one's true self and guide through life's complexities, encouraging the youth to embrace their questions and wrestle with the Word.
Reflecting on Mary's story, the pastor highlights that Jesus' entry into our imperfect lives is a reminder of His willingness to help us work through our imperfections. He also discusses the significance of baptism as a symbol of new life with Jesus and the importance of understanding Jesus as a savior and a gift, urging the congregation to seek salvation rather than temporary relief.
The pastor shares his gratitude for God's transformative love and grace, acknowledging his own flaws and the ongoing work of God in his life. He discusses the delayed joy in Mary's obedience, emphasizing that peace and joy often follow the commitment to obey God. The pastor also advises seeking guidance from credible believers when wrestling with faith and highlights the greatness of Jesus' coming as a baby, an act that demonstrates His love and empathy for humanity.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of rededication to God is not merely a momentary decision but a courageous step towards a sustained walk of faith, supported by the church community and resources that guide the newly committed. The pastor's emphasis on baptism as a public declaration of this inward change serves as a powerful symbol of the transformative journey of faith. [01:32:02]
- Wrestling with the Word of God is not a sign of weak faith but an indication of a deep desire to understand and engage with divine truth. The pastor's personal transformation from disliking the Bible to embracing it as a source of truth and love exemplifies the profound impact that comes from earnestly seeking answers within the scripture. [01:15:30]
- True submission to Jesus requires recognizing our own limitations and the need for divine guidance. The pastor's acknowledgment of his own resistance to God's ways and the subsequent call for help is a testament to the humility and dependence on God that characterizes a genuine relationship with Jesus. [01:10:48]
- The Christmas story, as told by the pastor, is a powerful reminder that Jesus' willingness to enter into our messy realities is an expression of His profound love and empathy. This narrative invites believers to embrace their own imperfections, knowing that Jesus is not deterred by them but rather comes to help us navigate through them. [58:12]
- The pastor's discussion on the importance of credible guidance in our spiritual journey underscores the value of community and mentorship in faith. By seeking wisdom from those who have a genuine relationship with God, believers can navigate their doubts and questions with confidence, following the example of Mary's thoughtful engagement with the angel's message. [01:23:51]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)
> In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
### Observation Questions
1. What was Mary's initial reaction to the angel Gabriel's message? (Luke 1:29)
2. How did the angel Gabriel describe Jesus in his message to Mary? (Luke 1:32-33)
3. What was Mary's final response to the angel's message? (Luke 1:38)
4. According to the sermon, what are the three ways Jesus came into the world? [01:01:22]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Mary was "confused and disturbed" by the angel's message? How does this reflect our own reactions to God's calling? [01:12:04]
2. The pastor mentioned that wrestling with the Word of God is a sign of deep faith. How does Mary's questioning of the angel's message illustrate this point? [01:12:46]
3. The sermon emphasized that Jesus came in greatness, love, and truth. How do these attributes of Jesus' coming impact our understanding of His role in our lives? [01:01:22]
4. How does the pastor's personal journey with the Bible reflect the importance of engaging deeply with Scripture? [01:13:23]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt "confused and disturbed" by something you felt God was calling you to do. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [01:12:04]
2. The pastor shared his transformation from disliking the Bible to finding it a source of truth and love. What steps can you take to deepen your engagement with Scripture? [01:13:23]
3. Jesus came in greatness, love, and truth. How can you embody these attributes in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [01:01:22]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of credible guidance in our spiritual journey. Who are the credible believers in your life that you can turn to for guidance, and how can you seek their wisdom more intentionally? [01:23:51]
5. The pastor discussed the significance of baptism as a public declaration of faith. If you haven't been baptized, what steps can you take to make this important decision? If you have, how can you support others in their journey towards baptism? [01:32:02]
6. Wrestling with the Word of God was emphasized as a positive sign of faith. What are some questions or doubts you currently have about your faith, and how can you actively seek answers within the community of believers? [01:12:46]
7. The pastor mentioned that true submission to Jesus involves recognizing our limitations and seeking divine guidance. What areas of your life do you find hardest to submit to Jesus, and how can you begin to surrender them to His will? [01:10:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Courage in Rededication
Rededication to God marks a pivotal moment of choosing a life of faith, supported by the church community. It is a courageous step that involves public declaration and personal transformation, symbolized through baptism. This journey is not solitary but accompanied by resources and fellowship that nurture the believer's growth. [01:32:02]
Acts 2:38 - "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Reflection: How does your life reflect your commitment to God since your last moment of rededication or baptism?
Day 2: Embracing Divine Truth
Engaging with the Word of God is a journey from reluctance to deep desire for divine truth. This transformation is a testament to the power of scripture to change hearts and minds, guiding believers to a more profound understanding and relationship with God. [01:15:30]
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Reflection: When was the last time you wrestled with a passage of scripture, and how did it change your perspective on an issue?
Day 3: Humility in Submission
True submission to Jesus involves recognizing our limitations and the need for His guidance. It is a humble admission that we cannot navigate life's complexities alone and a testament to the transformative relationship with Jesus that grows from dependence on God. [01:10:48]
James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's guidance, and how can you begin to submit that area to Him?
Day 4: Jesus in Our Imperfection
The Christmas story is a vivid illustration of Jesus' willingness to enter our imperfect lives, offering help and hope. His birth into our messy realities shows His deep love and empathy, inviting us to accept His presence in the midst of our imperfections. [58:12]
Luke 2:11-12 - "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Reflection: How can you open up more areas of your life for Jesus to enter and work through your imperfections?
Day 5: Guidance in Faith's Journey
Seeking wisdom from credible believers is crucial in navigating faith's journey. It is through community and mentorship that we can confidently explore our doubts and questions, following the example of thoughtful engagement with God's messages. [01:23:51]
Proverbs 11:14 - "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
Reflection: Who in your life embodies a genuine relationship with God, and how can you seek their guidance on a current spiritual struggle?
Quotes
"The Community of Faith is a beautiful thing y'all. We're supposed to build each other up, we're supposed to carry each other's burdens, we're supposed to be a safe space to be like, hey, have you ever felt spiritually dry? You have? Me too. What did you do?" [01:21:55] (Download)
"God wants us to wrestle and he wants us to wonder, and if we do it wisely, I think we'll end up like Mary who in verse 38, it's her final response. Mary responded, 'I am the Lord's servant. May everything you've said about me come true.' And then the angel left." [01:23:51] (Download)
"Sometimes your wrestling is the hand of God on your heart, getting you to seek so that you find, knock so that the door will be opened, ask so that you have questions answered. He's a big God." [01:16:46] (Download)
"One of the worst things that could happen is you think that church is a place where you start your walk of Faith but not where it's sustained. So we want to walk alongside you every step of the way." [01:31:02] (Download)
"What Jesus prescribes is not help for an area; he's a ruler, he's a savior, and what he prescribes is you give me your whole life and I'll show you life, life to the fullest." [01:10:13] (Download)
"I pray that because I know my natural inclination is not to do things God's way, but it's like the second I acknowledge, 'Lord, I'm not wanting to do this your way,' that's when I know I need the gift." [01:10:48] (Download)
"I believe that really wrestling with the word of God is the first step to genuine faith. The more that I wrestled with the word, the more genuine my faith became." [01:15:30] (Download)
"that the old life you were living condemned sinful shamed apart from Jesus that's gone and just as Jesus rose when you rise out of the water it's a sign that you're raising to New Life with him" [01:32:34] (Download)
"Most of the peace and the joy that we experience in our life comes after the commitment to obey. That's how God develops us; He wants you to wrestle, He wants you to wonder, but most of that is developed in saying, 'Alright God, here I am, let's do it,' regardless of how I feel." [01:25:05] (Download)
"Jesus jumped into our imperfection so that we could be close with them right now and everything we're insecure about that keeps us from us, he gets in our mess and he helps us work through it; that's what Christmas is about." [58:48] (Download)
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