Reviving Faith: Embracing Love and the Holy Spirit
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor expressing gratitude for the work God is doing within the church and emphasizing the importance of remaining close to Jesus and walking in step with the Holy Spirit. The pastor then discusses the key factors that led to the success of the Thessalonian believers in bringing people to Christ. These factors include their genuine love for others, strong faith and trust in God, boldness in proclaiming the word of God, and their rejection of idolatry. The pastor also highlights the presence of modern-day idols, such as the idol of control and the idol of comfort, which can hinder our relationship with God.
The pastor acknowledges that the church is not doing as well as it could be based on current statistics and trends. However, he also believes that these are incredible days to be living in because the light shines the brightest in the darkness. The Holy Spirit is said to want to ignite a revival and movement where people can find faith in Jesus Christ and be set free from the various challenges of the world such as addictions, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. The pastor highlights the availability of technology and the increasing partnership between churches as positive factors.
The pastor then discusses the initiatives for the year 2023 and the impact they will have on the community. He expresses excitement about the relational connections within the church family, highlighting the care and love shown towards one another. The pastor also commends the church for their efforts in caring for those who cannot attend Sunday services. The sermon emphasizes the importance of bringing worship to the community and announces an upcoming event called One Voice worship in the community of Delta.
The pastor emphasizes the danger of complacency and comfort within the church. He compares stagnant water covered with moss and scum to a stagnant church that loses its effectiveness in influencing the world for Christ. The pastor desires for the church to be on the move, healthy, thriving, and most importantly, effective in making a difference for the kingdom of God. He encourages the congregation to not become comfortable with the status quo but to always seek God's vision and be in step with the Holy Spirit.
Finally, the pastor discusses the attributes that made the church in Thessalonica effective. The first attribute is their strong foundation in faith, hope, and love, which was deeply ingrained in their DNA. The pastor emphasizes that churches today should also prioritize these three qualities. The second attribute is the church's reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. The pastor highlights the importance of not solely relying on human effort and creativity, but instead depending on the Holy Spirit for effective ministry.
Key Takeaways:
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of genuine love for others, strong faith and trust in God, and boldness in proclaiming the word of God as key factors in bringing people to Christ. He also warns against the dangers of modern-day idols, such as the idol of control and the idol of comfort, which can hinder our relationship with God. [12:45]
- Despite the current challenges and declining trends in church attendance, the pastor believes that these are incredible days to be living in. He sees the Holy Spirit wanting to ignite a revival and movement where people can find faith in Jesus Christ and be set free from various challenges. He also highlights the positive impact of technology and increasing partnerships between churches. [22:30]
- The pastor expresses excitement about the relational connections within the church family and commends the church for their efforts in caring for those who cannot attend Sunday services. He emphasizes the importance of bringing worship to the community and announces an upcoming event called One Voice worship in the community of Delta. [32:15]
- The pastor warns against the danger of complacency and comfort within the church. He encourages the congregation to not become comfortable with the status quo but to always seek God's vision and be in step with the Holy Spirit. He desires for the church to be on the move, healthy, thriving, and effective in making a difference for the kingdom of God. [42:00]
- The pastor discusses the attributes that made the church in Thessalonica effective, including their strong foundation in faith, hope, and love, and their reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that churches today should also prioritize these qualities and depend on the Holy Spirit for effective ministry. [52:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:19-20 [01:30:31]
2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 [01:31:16]
3. Romans 1:16 [01:32:11]
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 28:19-20, what is the command given by Jesus and to whom is it given?
2. How does 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 describe the church and its members?
3. What does Romans 1:16 say about the Gospel and its power?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Matthew 28:19-20 instruct us about our role in the church and in the world?
2. What does 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 teach us about the importance of unity and diversity in the church?
3. How does Romans 1:16 challenge our understanding and attitude towards the Gospel?
Application Questions:
1. How can you personally fulfill the command in Matthew 28:19-20 in your daily life?
2. In what ways can you contribute to the unity and diversity of your church community as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27?
3. How can you demonstrate being unashamed of the Gospel as stated in Romans 1:16 in your interactions with others?
4. Can you think of a specific situation where you can share the Gospel with someone who has not heard it before?
5. How can you actively participate in the mission of your church in your local community?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of the Holy Spirit in Our Work
We are called to depend 110 percent on the Holy Spirit, trusting in His power, might, and wisdom, not our own. This reliance on the Holy Spirit is not just for our personal lives, but also for the work we do in our communities and in the world. We are to demonstrate God's love to the world around us, an unconditional love with no strings attached ([01:35:43]).
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Reflection: How can you depend more on the Holy Spirit in your daily work and interactions with others?
Day 2: The Importance of Community and Relationships
God is at work in our relationships and communities. The connections we make with others, the care we show for one another, and the love we share are all part of God's plan for us. These relationships are not just for our benefit, but also for the benefit of those around us and for the glory of God ([01:27:37]).
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How can you strengthen your relationships within your community and use them to glorify God?
Day 3: The Role of the Church in Society
The church has a critical role to play in society. We are called to be a light in the darkness, to bring hope and healing to a broken world. This is not an easy task, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can make a difference. We are called to be unashamed of the Gospel and to speak God's word with clarity and boldness ([01:23:51]).
Matthew 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Reflection: How can you be a light in your community and boldly share the Gospel?
Day 4: The Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given us. It is through prayer that we communicate with God, seek His guidance, and express our gratitude. Prayer is not just for our personal needs, but also for the needs of our community and the world. We are called to pray for God's vision for our church and to seek His will in all that we do ([01:37:29]).
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more prayer into your daily life and use it to seek God's will?
Day 5: The Excitement of God's Work
God is doing exciting things in our world today. Despite the challenges and difficulties we face, we can take heart in the fact that God is at work. He is bringing His plans to fruition and using us to accomplish His purposes. We are called to be excited about what God is doing and to participate in His work with joy and enthusiasm ([01:26:12]).
Psalm 126:3 - "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of excitement about what God is doing in your life and in the world?
Quotes
"They proclaimed the word of God, speaking it in one-on-one conversations. This is how the gospel was spreading."
"The idol of control and the idol of comfort can become idols in our lives."
"I believe with all my heart that the light shines the brightest in the Darkness and yes we're living in dark dark days but I also believe that the Holy Spirit wants to ignite a Revival and a movement where people come and find faith in Jesus Christ and they are set free from so much of the things that are going on in our world today like addictions and loneliness and anxiety and depression and the list goes on and on and on."
"One of the greatest dangers for the church is that we become stagnant due to complacency, due to just wanting to be comfortable."
"An effective Church must rely 110 percent on the power of the Holy Spirit."
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