Returning to God: Dedication, Repentance, and Holiness

Devotional

Day 1: Community Commitment in Child Dedication

Child dedication is a profound commitment by parents and the church community to raise children in the ways of the Lord. It is not merely a ceremonial act but a declaration that children are ultimately God's. This practice calls for the church community to support these families in their spiritual journey, emphasizing the collective responsibility of nurturing faith. By doing so, the community ensures that children grow up with a strong spiritual foundation, surrounded by a network of believers who model and encourage a life of faith. This commitment is a reminder that raising children in faith is a shared journey, requiring the involvement and support of the entire church body. [00:00]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: How can you actively support a family in your church community in their spiritual journey this week?

Day 2: Confronting Idols in Our Lives

The story of Elijah and the showdown on Mount Carmel serves as a powerful reminder of God's supremacy and the futility of worshipping false gods. Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal challenges us to examine the idols in our lives—anything that takes precedence over God. These idols, whether they be money, relationships, or personal ambitions, can lead us away from true worship. The narrative illustrates the spiritual drought that occurs when we turn away from God and the transformative power of returning to Him. It calls us to lay our lives on the altar, allowing God's purifying fire to cleanse us from within and rekindle our passion for Him. [09:23]

1 Kings 18:21 (ESV): "And Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.' And the people did not answer him a word."

Reflection: Identify one idol in your life that you need to confront. What steps can you take today to begin removing its influence?

Day 3: The Call to Genuine Repentance

Elijah's prayer for God to turn the hearts of the people back to Him highlights the importance of genuine repentance. This call to repentance is not just about feeling sorry for past actions but involves a complete turning of the heart towards God. Genuine repentance requires us to acknowledge our shortcomings and seek God's transformative power to work in our lives. It is a call for our hearts to be fully devoted to God, allowing His grace to renew and restore us. This process of repentance is essential for spiritual growth and intimacy with God, as it aligns our hearts with His will and purposes. [19:55]

Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "'Yet even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.' Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek genuine repentance? How can you begin this process today?

Day 4: Living a Life of Holiness

Holiness is about being fully devoted to God's purposes and letting go of anything that hinders our spiritual growth. It is not about legalistic practices but about living lives that reflect God's character and bear witness to His transformative power. This call to holiness requires us to examine our lives and remove anything that distracts us from our relationship with God. By living a life set apart for God, we demonstrate our commitment to His will and purposes, allowing His light to shine through us to the world. Holiness is a journey of deeper intimacy with God, where we continually seek to align our lives with His character and desires. [31:41]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What is one habit or behavior that is hindering your spiritual growth? How can you begin to change it today to pursue a life of holiness?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of God's Purifying Fire

The story of Elijah challenges us to lay our lives on the altar, allowing God's purifying fire to cleanse us from within and rekindle our passion for Him. True worship is demonstrated in how we live our lives, fully devoted to God. This transformative power of God's purifying fire is not just about external changes but involves a deep internal renewal. It calls us to surrender our lives completely to God, trusting Him to refine and shape us according to His will. By allowing God's purifying fire to work in us, we experience a renewed passion for Him and a deeper commitment to living out our faith in every aspect of our lives. [35:27]

Malachi 3:2-3 (ESV): "But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord."

Reflection: What area of your life do you need to surrender to God's purifying fire? How can you begin to trust Him with this area today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of child dedication and the biblical roots that underscore this practice. Child dedication is not merely a ceremonial act but a commitment by parents to raise their children in the ways of the Lord, acknowledging that their children are ultimately God's. It is also a call for the church community to support these families in their spiritual journey. This collective responsibility emphasizes the importance of nurturing faith within the community, ensuring that children grow up with a strong spiritual foundation.

We then delved into the story of Elijah and the showdown on Mount Carmel, a narrative that challenges us to examine the idols in our lives. Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal serves as a powerful reminder of God's supremacy and the futility of worshipping false gods. The story illustrates the spiritual drought that occurs when we turn away from God and the transformative power of returning to Him. Elijah's prayer for God to turn the hearts of the people back to Him highlights the importance of genuine repentance and the need for our hearts to be fully devoted to God.

The narrative also calls us to examine our own lives for idols—anything that takes precedence over God. Whether it's money, relationships, or personal ambitions, these idols can lead us away from the true worship of God. The story of Elijah challenges us to lay our lives on the altar, allowing God's purifying fire to cleanse us from within and rekindle our passion for Him.

Furthermore, the sermon emphasized the importance of holiness and living a life set apart for God. Holiness is not about legalistic practices but about being fully devoted to God's purposes. It requires us to let go of anything that hinders our spiritual growth and to live lives that reflect God's character. The call to holiness is a call to deeper intimacy with God and a life that bears witness to His transformative power.

In conclusion, the message today is a call to return to God with our whole hearts, to live lives of holiness, and to allow His purifying fire to transform us. It is a reminder that God desires our hearts, our lives, and our holiness, and that true worship is demonstrated in how we live our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Child Dedication as a Community Commitment: Child dedication is a profound commitment by parents and the church community to raise children in the ways of the Lord. It emphasizes the collective responsibility of nurturing faith and ensuring that children grow up with a strong spiritual foundation. [00:00]
2. The Showdown on Mount Carmel: Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal serves as a powerful reminder of God's supremacy and the futility of worshipping false gods. This story challenges us to examine the idols in our lives and the spiritual drought that occurs when we turn away from God. [09:23]
3. The Call to Genuine Repentance: Elijah's prayer for God to turn the hearts of the people back to Him highlights the importance of genuine repentance. It is a call for our hearts to be fully devoted to God, allowing His transformative power to work in our lives. [19:55]
4. Living a Life of Holiness: Holiness is about being fully devoted to God's purposes and letting go of anything that hinders our spiritual growth. It requires us to live lives that reflect God's character and bear witness to His transformative power. [31:41]
5. The Transformative Power of God's Purifying Fire: The story of Elijah challenges us to lay our lives on the altar, allowing God's purifying fire to cleanse us from within and rekindle our passion for Him. True worship is demonstrated in how we live our lives, fully devoted to God. [35:27]
** [35:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction to Child Dedication
[02:30] - The Role of the Church Community
[04:15] - Introduction to the Story of Elijah
[06:00] - The Showdown on Mount Carmel
[09:23] - Elijah's Confrontation with the Prophets of Baal
[12:00] - The Spiritual Drought in Israel
[14:30] - The Call to Genuine Repentance
[17:00] - Examining Idols in Our Lives
[19:55] - The Importance of Holiness
[22:30] - Living a Life Set Apart for God
[25:00] - The Transformative Power of God's Purifying Fire
[28:00] - The Call to Return to God
[31:41] - Conclusion and Prayer
[35:27] - Worship and Response

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the significance of Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel? How did the people respond to Elijah's question about wavering between two opinions? [09:23]
How did Elijah prepare the altar before calling on God, and what was the outcome of his prayer? [19:55]
What does Romans 12:1 suggest about the nature of true worship, and how does it relate to the sermon’s emphasis on living a life of holiness? [31:41]
How does the story of Elijah illustrate the concept of spiritual drought and the need for genuine repentance? [35:27]

Interpretation Questions

In what ways does the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel challenge believers to examine the idols in their lives? How can this story be applied to modern-day distractions or priorities? [19:55]
How does the sermon define holiness, and why is it important for believers to live a life set apart for God? [31:41]
What does it mean to lay our lives on the altar and allow God's purifying fire to cleanse us? How can this concept be practically applied in daily life? [35:27]
How does the sermon connect the idea of child dedication to the broader theme of community responsibility and spiritual growth? [00:00]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there any idols or distractions that have taken precedence over your relationship with God? How can you address these in the coming week? [19:55]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of holiness. What specific steps can you take to live a life that is more fully devoted to God's purposes? [31:41]
Consider the concept of genuine repentance. Is there an area in your life where you need to turn back to God? What practical actions can you take to demonstrate this repentance? [35:27]
How can you actively participate in supporting families within your church community, especially those who have dedicated their children to the Lord? [00:00]
The sermon calls for believers to live lives of true worship. What changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure that your life reflects God's character and transformative power? [31:41]
Think about a time when you experienced a spiritual drought. What steps did you take to reconnect with God, and how can you apply those lessons to your current spiritual journey? [35:27]
How can you ensure that your heart remains fully devoted to God, even amidst the distractions and challenges of everyday life? What role does community play in maintaining this devotion? [19:55]

Sermon Clips

1) "God wants to be first. Anything in your life that is not putting God first or anything in your life that you have put first is actually considered an idol. See, some of you think, and I think a lot of us, a massive margin of the church think that they have God in their heart first, that they are seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, thinking that all things are going to be added to them. I think that the church in America has put God first if it's convenient for my schedule. We've put God first if I like it. We've put God first if I like the worship team. We've put God first if I like the preacher. We've put God first if we like kids ministry. We've put God, no, God says, seek me first, my kingdom, my righteousness." [19:55] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "Some of you, without realizing, maybe money is your idol. Maybe money is the driving force in your life. And then God's second. Maybe for some of you, it's your children. Current generation, we've placed our children on this altar, this pedestal, oftentimes because we were neglected as children, so we go the complete opposite. With our children, and we've put our children first before God. Some of us even put our marriages or our relationship with our spouses or our relationship with someone else. Or we put work before God. My friend, if you do not have God first in your life, he says this, anyone who does not hate mother, brother, sister, Tio, Pepe, and Chewy, and all of these people, and follow me, or you cannot be my disciples." [19:55] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "God is going to display his works. God is going to display his miracles. God is going to display his power like never before that this community has seen and has only heard the stories of Moses parting the Red Sea. Has only heard of the stories of Joshua and Caleb. Has only heard of the stories. But right now, they are in the story that is being written. moment and where they are going to see God put his miraculous love on display that's how much God loves you he will hold back nothing to pursue you he will hold back nothing to turn your heart to him as a matter of fact he didn't hold anything back he gave us his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life that's how much he loves you my friend he loves you to that extent that he stopped heaven and he poured the best of it out he stops heaven and he gets ready to rain down fire in this place to demonstrate his love to his people." [19:55] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "You know sometimes I question if our hearts in the church for those of you that consider yourself a Christian and for those of us that consider ourselves Christians I really wonder if our heart is fully God's you know we come to church man this city the culture is interesting to me man I've been in this city for a while now you know the armpit of California I call it the the mega church capital, right? The Bible Belt of California. Man, we have a lot of people going to church, but we don't have a lot of people being the church. And my question is, how many of us, like the scripture, come to church every stinking week and we hear a message and we agree with the message and that is good, but in our hearts we have lust, the desires, other things, so we leave and we don't do what we've heard and don't put it into practice. See, at the end of the day, man looks at the outward, but... God looks at the heart." [31:41] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Holiness, I think that churches have gotten so far from this that because we think it's not cool and it's not popular, then we don't really factor it into the equation of our preaching, that we don't factor it into the equation of our ministries. And I think that we're missing something big because holiness simply means is that you are being set apart for the work of God. You are being set apart for the things of God. Listen, the more of God you want and the more you want God to use you, the more purging will take place and the more you will have to let go of certain things, certain practices, and certain ideologies that you carry. Because the Bible says that without holiness, we will not see God." [31:41] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "God was showing who the real God was because many of you, you've laid your life on altars. Just not to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. You've laid your life on the altar of your career, on the altar of your finances, on the altar of your relationships, on the altar of addiction, on the altar of lust, on the altar of fornication, on the altar of all these things that have left you empty. And if you're not fully empty, you will find yourself empty time after time. Like Cyndi Lauper said, time after time. Good thing I don't sing, y 'all. He's called me to holiness. I can't sing. I'm trying to keep it up. We place our lives on the altar of faulty things expecting some form of result." [35:27] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "God is saying to you, you need to kill that sin in your life, because even if it sits dormant at the right time, it's going to come out and bite you in the butt. And so we got to part ways with sin. We got to part ways with the things that are taking our eyes off the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We got to take our eyes off the faulty altars and the faulty idols. And we need to put our eyes back on Jesus. The church needs to put our eyes back on Jesus. Not on our LED screens, not on our buildings, not on our campuses, but we need to put him back on Jesus." [38:15] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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