Responding to God's Call: Faith in Action

 

Summary

In today's gathering, I shared about the transformative power of God's work in our lives and the world, emphasizing the importance of responding to God's call beyond mere belief. I began by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be with you and for the support you've extended to our brothers and sisters in Tanzania. Your involvement has been instrumental in the growth of the ministry, which celebrated its 40th anniversary with a significant gesture from our prime minister, who recognized the international impact of our evangelism efforts.

I recounted the miraculous provision of new electrical infrastructure for our ministry, a testament to God's faithfulness. Our ministry's radio station continues to spread the Gospel, and the graduates from our Bible school are planting churches across East Africa. However, the work is far from complete. We need assistance in technology and various areas, and I encourage you to consider joining us in this mission.

The core of my message centered on the dual calling of every believer: to be saved and to serve. Belief in God is the first step, but it is not enough to earn us credit in the kingdom of God. Even the devil believes in God but does not act. We are called to be different, to respond to God's call with action, not excuses. The modern world is busy, often preoccupied with the urgent rather than the important, but God calls us to prioritize His work.

I urged you to embrace a vision that extends beyond our local community to the entire world. Like Abraham, we are called to lift our eyes and see the vastness of the field God has given us. Our mission is not confined to Maryland but spans the globe. To fulfill this mission, we must be ignited with the fire of the Holy Spirit, allowing us to be the light of the world.

I shared the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin from Luke 15, illustrating the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. These stories remind us that our highest calling is to bring others into the kingdom of God. The religious leaders of Jesus' time misunderstood His mission, focusing on status rather than service. Jesus, however, came for the sinners, demonstrating love and humility by washing His disciples' feet and seeking the lost.

In conclusion, I called you to take up the assignment God has for you, to bear fruit for the kingdom and to bring joy to heaven. As we closed, I prayed for God to reveal the specific assignments He has for each of us, to empower us to reach those in need of His mercy, and to bring them into the kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways:

- The true measure of our faith is not found in our belief alone but in our response to God's call to action. Just as belief without works is dead, our faith must be alive with the deeds that demonstrate our commitment to God's kingdom. This is the difference between us and the devil, who believes yet does not act. [56:27]

- Our vision must extend beyond our immediate surroundings to encompass the world. Like Abraham, we are called to lift our eyes and see the potential of what God can do through us on a global scale. Our field is not just our local community but the entire world, and we must embrace this vision to fulfill our God-given mission. [38:20]

- The joy of heaven is centered on the repentance of sinners. Our greatest achievement is not in material success but in leading even one person to Christ. This is the work that brings rejoicing among the angels and should be our utmost priority. [43:49]

- Jesus' example of humility and service, exemplified by washing His disciples' feet, challenges us to adopt the same mindset. We are called to serve others, not to seek celebrity or recognition. Our identity is found in being servants of Christ, reaching out to those the world may deem unworthy. [46:12]

- The parable of the great banquet in Luke 14 reminds us that we must not make excuses when God calls us to His service. The kingdom of God requires our prompt and willing participation, and we must be ready to leave behind anything that hinders us from answering that call. [54:10]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:1-10 - The Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin
2. Luke 14:15-24 - The Parable of the Great Banquet

#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the lost sheep, what does the shepherd do when he realizes one sheep is missing? ([42:40])
2. How do the Pharisees and teachers of the law react to Jesus spending time with sinners? ([42:20])
3. What are some of the excuses given by those invited to the great banquet in Luke 14? ([53:04])
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between belief and action in the context of faith? ([56:16])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents? How does this reflect on the priorities of the kingdom of God? ([43:17])
2. What does the parable of the great banquet teach us about the importance of responding to God's call without excuses? ([54:10])
3. How does the example of Jesus washing His disciples' feet challenge our understanding of leadership and service? ([46:12])
4. What does it mean to have a vision that extends beyond our local community to the entire world, as mentioned in the sermon? ([38:20])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to act on your faith but hesitated. What was the reason for your hesitation, and how can you overcome similar obstacles in the future? ([54:10])
2. How can you actively seek out and respond to opportunities to serve others in your daily life, following Jesus' example of humility and service? ([46:12])
3. Think about your current vision for your faith and ministry. How can you expand this vision to include a global perspective, as encouraged in the sermon? ([38:20])
4. Identify one person in your life who is not yet a believer. What steps can you take this week to share the love of Christ with them, keeping in mind the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents? ([43:17])
5. Consider the excuses you might be making that prevent you from fully engaging in God's work. What practical steps can you take to prioritize God's call over these excuses? ([54:10])
6. How can you cultivate the fire of the Holy Spirit in your life to be a light to the world, as mentioned in the sermon? ([39:47])
7. Reflect on the support you can offer to ministries both locally and globally. What specific actions can you take to contribute to the growth and impact of these ministries? ([35:15])

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Embodied in Deeds
Faith is not merely an intellectual assent to beliefs but a dynamic force that propels believers into action. True faith manifests itself through works that reflect a commitment to God's kingdom. It is this active faith that distinguishes believers from those who, like the devil, acknowledge God's existence but fail to align their lives with His will. Believers are called to demonstrate their faith by engaging in acts of service, love, and evangelism, thereby becoming tangible expressions of God's love in the world. This active faith is not just about personal salvation but about participating in God's transformative work on earth. [56:27]

James 2:17-18 (ESV)
"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: How can you demonstrate your faith through a specific action in your community this week?


Day 2: Vision Beyond Borders
The call to follow Christ is a call to look beyond the familiar and comfortable, to see the potential of God's work through us on a global scale. Just as Abraham was called to lift his eyes and envision the future God had for him, believers today are urged to embrace a vision that extends beyond their immediate surroundings. This global perspective is not just about awareness but about active engagement in God's mission, whether through prayer, giving, or going. The field is vast, and the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Embracing a vision that spans the globe requires a heart ignited by the Holy Spirit, ready to be the light of the world wherever there is darkness. [38:20]

Isaiah 49:6 (ESV)
he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

Reflection: What is one step you can take to engage with God's global mission from where you are right now?


Day 3: The Joy of Heaven in Repentance
The ultimate joy in heaven is not found in the achievements or successes of believers but in the repentance of a single sinner. This joy reflects the heart of God, who desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance. The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin reveal the value God places on each individual. As followers of Christ, the priority is to align with this heavenly joy by actively seeking to lead others to the transformative experience of salvation in Christ. This mission is not a secondary aspect of the Christian life but the very essence of what it means to follow Jesus. [43:49]

Luke 15:7 (ESV)
"Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who needs to know the love of Christ, and how can you reach out to them this week?


Day 4: Humility and Service as Identity
The example of Jesus washing His disciples' feet is a powerful demonstration of the humility and service that should characterize the life of every believer. This act of service was not just a lesson in humility but a call to a life of servanthood. Believers are called to serve others selflessly, not seeking recognition or status, but simply to reflect the love and humility of Christ. This identity as servants is not dependent on the world's standards but on the value system of the kingdom of God, where the last shall be first, and the servant of all is the greatest. [46:12]

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV)
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."

Reflection: In what ways can you embody Christ's humility and service in your daily interactions, even in situations where it may go unnoticed?


Day 5: Prompt Obedience to God's Call
The parable of the great banquet in Luke 14 serves as a reminder that when God calls us to His service, we must not make excuses. The kingdom of God requires our prompt and willing participation. It is a call to leave behind anything that hinders us from answering God's call, whether it be comfort, convenience, or complacency. This obedience is not out of duty but out of a desire to partake in the feast of God's kingdom, to be part of His redemptive work in the world. The call to follow Jesus is an invitation to a life of purpose, adventure, and eternal significance. [54:10]

Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)
"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What excuses have you been making that prevent you from fully embracing God's call, and how can you begin to overcome them today?

Quotes

"The modern world today is much too busy. The modern world of technology, we are so busy too much. I like the saying in America, hurry, hurry, hurry, and then you wait. You hurry, you hurry, and finally, thank you, bro. Take this one, the top. Thank you. So I'm going to read you a little bit of the Bible. So then, you know, sometimes we hurry so much. We are busy." [57:58]( | | )

"Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the 99 in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and say, rejoice with me. I have found my lost sheep." [43:49]( | | )

"Celebrity will not do. Don't expect even. But Jesus washed the disciples' feet. That's number one. Number two, he came for the sinners. Number three, Jesus is savior, savior of the world, who loves people of all nature and all standard of life. That's why he came." [47:08]( | | )

"But when you, when you, when you, when you, OK, call me her brother. When you bring one man to the kingdom, that's what makes the heavens rejoice. That's just for you, just for you. And the bad part, you're going to live it one day. And you never know who is going to use it." [48:36]( | | )

"Now I'm stuck. That's how the world is. It's a confusing world. But when we save the Lord and we respond to him and do his work, then, then God will be pleased. And we will bear fruits. God wants you to bear fruit. He doesn't want you to sit here and wait for the kingdom." [58:54]( | | )

"We love the ministry here and we believe that this ministry will grow as well and touch the state of Maryland and also D.C. and also Virginia and also all of America and all the continents of the world, because that's our field. That's our field. All of us. Our field is not just Maryland. Our field is the world." [37:12]( | | )

"God, when he called Abraham, he asked him this. When God called Abraham, did you hear that? He called him and tell him this. Lift up your eyes, not like this. Lift up your eyes and look far. And as you see far, I have given you. So if you look Maryland, that's your territory." [38:20]( | | )

"The mind of Christ is to bring somebody to the kingdom of God. That's all that God wants us to do. Because that's what makes sense. Because if you work hard, and then you buy a car of $7 million, and then you die today, and the kid said, I can't drive this. This is a little too much for me." [50:48]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?