Renewal Through Grace: A Journey of Faith

 

Summary

In reflecting on the journey of faith and renewal, I am reminded of the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. As I look back on the past 14 years, and especially the last five years at Westside, I am filled with gratitude for the people who have been instrumental in my spiritual journey. From mentors like Pastor Harvey Pullman and Pastor Han to friends and family who have supported me, each has played a vital role in shaping my ministry. This journey has taught me that God can use anyone, regardless of their background, to fulfill His purposes.

The story of my uncle's restoration of an old Mustang serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives. Just as the car was brought back to its original glory, we too are called to renew our relationship with God. This renewal is not about making superficial resolutions but about a deep spiritual revival. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, in Christ, we are new creations. Yet, like the neglected car, we can sometimes let our spiritual lives rust. This year, I challenge each of us to evaluate our relationship with Jesus and strive for a spiritual renewal.

David's plea in Psalm 51 to restore the joy of salvation resonates with our need for revival. We must return to the excitement and passion we felt when we first encountered Christ. This revival begins in our hearts and extends to our families, communities, and beyond. It requires us to love the lost as God does, to be imitators of Christ, and to focus on the unsaved rather than getting caught up in traditions or criticisms.

As we embark on this journey of renewal, let us remember that it is not about working for God out of obligation but out of love. Our hearts must break for the lost, and we must be willing to put in the effort to start a revival. This year, let us dive deep into knowing Jesus, both in the New and Old Testaments, and allow Him to restore us to our original state of love and devotion.

Key Takeaways:

1. Gratitude and Mentorship: Reflecting on the past years, I am grateful for the mentors and friends who have shaped my spiritual journey. Their influence reminds us that God can use anyone to fulfill His purposes, regardless of their background or qualifications. [32:46]

2. Spiritual Renewal: Like the restoration of an old Mustang, our spiritual lives require renewal. This year, focus on a spiritual revival rather than superficial resolutions. Evaluate your relationship with Jesus and strive to renew your commitment to Him. [43:00]

3. Restoring Joy: David's plea in Psalm 51 to restore the joy of salvation highlights the need for revival. Return to the excitement and passion you felt when you first encountered Christ, and let this revival begin in your heart. [48:58]

4. Love for the Lost: To start a revival, we must love the lost as God does. Be imitators of Christ, focusing on the unsaved rather than getting caught up in traditions or criticisms. Our hearts must break for the lost to initiate a true revival. [55:50]

5. Working Out of Love: Our work for God should stem from love, not obligation. Embrace the perspective that we get to work for God, not that we have to. This mindset fosters a genuine revival in our hearts and communities. [01:00:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [32:46] - Gratitude and Mentorship
- [41:57] - New Year, New You
- [43:00] - Spiritual Renewal Challenge
- [44:20] - Neglecting Our Spiritual Life
- [45:05] - Evaluating Your Relationship with Jesus
- [46:03] - The Worth of Following Jesus
- [46:55] - Restoring the Joy of Salvation
- [48:58] - David's Plea for Revival
- [50:19] - The Need for Revival
- [51:04] - Misconceptions About Revival
- [52:36] - Revival Starts in the Heart
- [53:09] - Loving the Lost
- [55:50] - Being Imitators of God
- [57:35] - Returning to Our First Love
- [01:00:57] - Working Out of Love
- [01:09:02] - Invitation to Renewal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2. Psalm 51:12-13 - "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you."
3. Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Observation Questions:
1. What role did mentors and friends play in the pastor's spiritual journey, and how does this reflect the idea that God can use anyone to fulfill His purposes? [32:46]
2. How does the story of the old Mustang serve as a metaphor for spiritual renewal, and what does it suggest about the state of our spiritual lives? [43:00]
3. According to the sermon, what are some signs that our spiritual lives might be "rusting"? [44:20]
4. How does David's plea in Psalm 51 relate to the concept of restoring the joy of salvation? [48:58]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of being a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) influence a believer's approach to spiritual renewal? [43:00]
2. In what ways does the pastor suggest that a revival should begin in our hearts and extend outward to our communities? [52:36]
3. How does the sermon challenge traditional views of revival, and what practical steps are suggested for initiating a personal revival? [51:04]
4. What does it mean to be an imitator of God, as described in Ephesians 5:1-2, and how can this influence our interactions with the unsaved? [55:50]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Who have been the mentors or friends that have shaped your faith, and how can you express gratitude to them this week? [32:46]
2. Consider the metaphor of the old Mustang. Are there areas in your spiritual life that have been neglected and need renewal? What steps can you take to address them? [43:00]
3. How can you restore the joy of your salvation, as David prayed in Psalm 51? What practical actions can you take to rekindle your passion for Christ? [48:58]
4. The sermon emphasizes loving the lost as God does. Identify one person in your life who is not a believer. How can you show them Christ's love this week? [55:50]
5. The pastor mentioned working for God out of love rather than obligation. How can you shift your perspective to see your service as a privilege rather than a duty? [01:00:57]
6. What are some traditions or criticisms that might be hindering your focus on the unsaved? How can you redirect your attention to what truly matters? [01:03:26]
7. The sermon encourages a deep dive into knowing Jesus. What specific plan can you create to study both the New and Old Testaments more thoroughly this year? [01:08:02]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Gratitude and Mentorship
Reflecting on the journey of faith, one can see the profound impact of mentors and friends who have shaped their spiritual path. These individuals, regardless of their background or qualifications, are used by God to fulfill His purposes. The influence of mentors like Pastor Harvey Pullman and Pastor Han, along with supportive friends and family, highlights the importance of community in spiritual growth. This takeaway encourages believers to recognize and appreciate the people God has placed in their lives to guide and support them. It serves as a reminder that God can use anyone to make a difference in His kingdom. [32:46]

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)

Reflection: Who has been a significant mentor or influence in your spiritual journey? How can you express your gratitude to them this week?


Day 2: Embracing Spiritual Renewal
The metaphor of restoring an old Mustang to its original glory serves as a powerful illustration of the need for spiritual renewal. Just as the car was renewed, believers are called to renew their relationship with God, focusing on deep spiritual revival rather than superficial resolutions. This involves evaluating one's relationship with Jesus and striving to renew their commitment to Him. The challenge is to avoid letting one's spiritual life rust and instead pursue a vibrant and renewed faith. [43:00]

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your spiritual life feel neglected or "rusty"? What steps can you take today to begin renewing your relationship with Jesus?


Day 3: Restoring the Joy of Salvation
David's plea in Psalm 51 to restore the joy of salvation underscores the need for revival. Believers are encouraged to return to the excitement and passion they felt when they first encountered Christ. This revival begins in the heart and extends to families, communities, and beyond. It requires a heartfelt return to the joy and enthusiasm of one's initial faith experience, fostering a renewed sense of purpose and passion in their walk with God. [48:58]

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:12, ESV)

Reflection: Recall a time when you felt the joy of your salvation most vividly. What can you do to rekindle that joy in your life today?


Day 4: Loving the Lost
To initiate a true revival, believers must love the lost as God does. This involves being imitators of Christ and focusing on the unsaved rather than getting caught up in traditions or criticisms. The call is to have hearts that break for the lost, prioritizing their salvation and spiritual well-being. This love for the lost is essential for starting a revival that extends beyond oneself to impact the broader community. [55:50]

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is spiritually lost or seeking? How can you intentionally show them Christ's love this week?


Day 5: Working Out of Love
The work for God should stem from love, not obligation. Believers are encouraged to embrace the perspective that they get to work for God, not that they have to. This mindset fosters a genuine revival in their hearts and communities, as it shifts the focus from duty to devotion. By working out of love, believers can experience a deeper connection with God and a more impactful ministry to others. [01:00:57]

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel you're working out of obligation rather than love? How can you shift your perspective to see these tasks as opportunities to serve God with joy?

Quotes


I've just never had that feeling I just I right now I just it's been the best 14 years of my life and it's really been the best five years of my life the last five years here at Westside and I want to thank a few people along the way the first person that I want to thank isn't with us any longer and he has passed away but his name was a pastor Harvey Pullman it was the first the first person I ever approached to say hey I think the Lord's calling me to ministry and he was I think he was a doctor I think he had a doctorate in biblical degree or something and so I'm just I'm thinking he's just gonna laugh at me like this is gonna actually be the best part because I'm gonna go tell him and he's just gonna laugh it off and then I don't have to do it no more he was actually excited when I approached him like like he'd been waiting for me to come talk to him for for years and so his beginning that he'd shared with me some some knowledge about the Bible I appreciate him I also want to thank Pastor Han who's with us this morning and I invited him and his wife beautiful wife they came in to mentor us just at the right time and so your your name is actually on the notes so I'm not making that up so thank you for being here this morning [00:34:44] (79 seconds)


Here's the thing. I encourage, each and every one of us is in this room to make a new year's resolution this year. Not a physical resolution. Not a, let's lose 50 pounds or let's run on the treadmill every day for the next 365 days. But I challenge everyone in this room to have a spiritual resolution this year. [00:42:31] (22 seconds)


And we have to restore a relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ. And here's the truth. And here's what I want to tell you. If you're saved today, if you're a Christian today, the Bible actually says in 2 Corinthians 5, 17, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, new has come. [00:43:17] (20 seconds)


And when we become new, when we become a new creation in Christ, sometimes we start to neglect that. And we start to fall apart. We start to get rust into areas of our spiritual life. And we start to get rust into our spiritual life. It's usually we stop reading our Bibles, and then it starts to, well, I'll pray later. [00:44:32] (25 seconds)


The Bible says that David was a man that chased after God's own heart. And David in 51, 12 through 19, he says, restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a calling spirit. What David is saying is, take me back to that first salvation, that first time, Lord, that I knew that you were real. [00:48:58] (19 seconds)


And the willing spirit was in verse 13. And he says, if you give me that willing spirit, then I will go teach transgressors your way and sinners will return to you. David's saying, get me back to that point and give me that excitement again. Restore me back to the excitement that I had when I first come to know you. [00:49:28] (19 seconds)


A revival starts right here in our heart. A revival starts in us, goes to our family, and then goes to our neighborhood. Then from the neighborhood, it goes to the community. And then it's like, it's like fire, and it just keeps going and going and going. But it starts right here. What that means is that you and I have to put the work in to start a revival. [00:52:56] (31 seconds)


And so I had to start, I had to start thinking about the broken. And I had to think about that God so loved the world that he sent his son to die. That God so loved everybody. And they weren't living perfectly, by the way, when Jesus came to earth. They were doing some things that were just as bad as we're doing today. But God loved them so much that he sent his son to die. [00:54:37] (26 seconds)


But the only way that we can become imitators of God is if we go back and restore ourselves back to when we were made new again. To go back and remember that first feeling that David was crying for. Let me go back. And in Revelations, talking to the church here, Revelations 2, 2 through 4. [00:57:14] (28 seconds)


I think that working and doing the works that we do is for me, for me anyways, I love doing it. Is it a salvation thing? No. Works isn't a salvation thing. But you have to change your perspective to this. I don't have to work for God. I get to work for God. [01:00:33] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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