Rooted in Grace: Navigating Our Faith Journey
Summary
### Summary
Today, we celebrated the baptism of John Henry Lowry, a significant moment that reminds us of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the importance of raising children in the faith. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace, marking us as disciples and initiating us into the fellowship of Christ's holy church. We are called to support John Henry and his family as they nurture his faith journey.
Reflecting on my recent vacation, I shared how travel can enrich our lives, but also how it can reveal how far we may have drifted from our intended path. This drift can happen in our spiritual lives as well, often without us realizing it. Just as I found myself far from our beach spot, we can find ourselves far from God. The book of Ephesians will serve as our reference point this month, helping us to realign with our faith and get back to being rooted and grounded in love.
Paul's words in Ephesians remind us that we were once dead in our sins, following the ways of the world. But God, in His immense mercy and love, made us alive in Christ. This transformation is not of our own doing but is a gift from God. We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared for us. This is a call to trust in God's work and to participate in the good He is doing.
I also shared a personal story about being pulled over by a police officer for an expired registration, which highlighted how easy it is to drift from our responsibilities. This experience, coupled with a visit to the Corrie ten Boom house, underscored the importance of having reference points in our lives to guide us back to where we need to be. Corrie ten Boom's life exemplifies the sacrificial love and trust in God that we are called to emulate.
As we move forward, let us remember that our ultimate reference point is the cross. It is through Christ's sacrifice that we are embraced and welcomed back, no matter how far we have drifted. Let us stay focused on this truth and live out our faith with intentionality and love.
### Key Takeaways
1. Baptism as a Community Commitment: Baptism is not just a personal milestone but a communal responsibility. We are called to support and nurture the faith of those baptized, especially children, by setting a good example and being active participants in their spiritual growth. [15:58]
2. The Danger of Drifting: Just as we can physically drift away from our spot on the beach, we can spiritually drift away from God without realizing it. Regularly checking our spiritual bearings through scripture, like the book of Ephesians, helps us stay rooted and grounded in love. [43:00]
3. God's Transformative Grace: Ephesians teaches us that we were once dead in our sins, but God, in His immense mercy, made us alive in Christ. This transformation is entirely God's work, and our role is to trust and participate in the good works He has prepared for us. [45:10]
4. The Importance of Reference Points: Having spiritual reference points, like the cross or the teachings of faithful Christians such as Corrie ten Boom, helps us navigate back to our intended path when we have drifted. These reference points remind us of God's love and our purpose. [53:43]
5. Living Out Our Faith: Our faith is not just about personal salvation but about participating in God's work in the world. This involves acts of service, like the Timothy bags initiative, and being a source of love and support in our community. [01:09:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Baptism of John Henry Lowry
[15:58] - Community Responsibility in Baptism
[34:04] - Joy's Ministry and Contemporary Worship
[35:41] - The Importance of Travel and New Experiences
[36:58] - Vacation Reflections and Learning New Words
[38:26] - The Shibumi and Working with the Wind
[40:21] - Spiritual Lessons from the Shibumi
[43:00] - The Danger of Drifting
[44:00] - Introduction to Ephesians
[45:10] - God's Transformative Grace
[47:41] - Personal Story: Being Pulled Over
[53:43] - Corrie ten Boom and Spiritual Reference Points
[01:00:05] - The Spirit of Inclusion
[01:09:29] - Living Out Our Faith
[01:10:42] - Closing and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:1-10 (The Message)
> "It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah. Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing."
### Observation Questions
1. What does baptism symbolize according to the sermon? ([15:58])
2. How did the pastor describe the experience of drifting away from their spot on the beach? ([42:12])
3. What was the pastor's reaction when he realized he had drifted far from his Shibumi? ([43:00])
4. What lesson did the pastor learn from his visit to the Corrie ten Boom house? ([57:06])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of drifting away from God relate to the passage in Ephesians 2:1-10? ([44:00])
2. What does it mean to be "made alive in Christ" according to Ephesians 2:1-10? ([45:10])
3. How can the story of Corrie ten Boom serve as a reference point for our spiritual lives? ([53:43])
4. What role does the community play in supporting the faith journey of those baptized, especially children? ([15:58])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you had drifted away from your faith. What steps did you take to realign yourself with God? ([43:00])
2. How can you actively support the faith journey of children in your church community? ([15:58])
3. What are some practical ways you can use the book of Ephesians as a reference point to stay rooted and grounded in love? ([44:00])
4. In what ways can you participate in the good works that God has prepared for you, as mentioned in Ephesians 2:10? ([45:10])
5. How can you incorporate the lessons from Corrie ten Boom's life into your daily walk with Christ? ([57:06])
6. Identify a "reference point" in your life that helps you stay focused on your faith. How can you ensure you regularly check this reference point? ([53:43])
7. What specific actions can you take this week to live out your faith with intentionality and love, as encouraged in the sermon? ([01:09:29])
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism as a Community Commitment
Baptism is a profound moment that signifies an outward expression of an inward grace. It marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith and discipleship. However, baptism is not just a personal milestone; it is a communal responsibility. As a church community, we are called to support and nurture the faith of those baptized, especially children. This means setting a good example, being active participants in their spiritual growth, and providing a loving and supportive environment. By doing so, we help them grow in their relationship with God and become faithful disciples of Christ. [15:58]
Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV): "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Think of a child or a new believer in your church. How can you actively support their faith journey this week? Can you pray for them, offer guidance, or simply be a positive example of Christ's love?
Day 2: The Danger of Drifting
In our spiritual lives, it is easy to drift away from God without realizing it, much like how one can physically drift away from a spot on the beach. This drift can happen subtly and gradually, making it crucial to regularly check our spiritual bearings. The book of Ephesians serves as a valuable reference point, helping us stay rooted and grounded in love. By immersing ourselves in scripture and maintaining a close relationship with God, we can prevent this drift and remain aligned with His will. [43:00]
Hebrews 2:1 (ESV): "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it."
Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you have drifted from God? What steps can you take today to realign yourself with Him and stay grounded in His love?
Day 3: God's Transformative Grace
Ephesians teaches us that we were once dead in our sins, following the ways of the world. However, God's immense mercy and love have made us alive in Christ. This transformation is not of our own doing but is a gift from God. We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared for us. This calls us to trust in God's work and actively participate in the good He is doing in the world. Our role is to embrace this transformative grace and live out our faith through acts of service and love. [45:10]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Consider the ways in which God's grace has transformed your life. How can you participate in the good works He has prepared for you? Identify one specific act of service you can perform this week.
Day 4: The Importance of Reference Points
Having spiritual reference points is essential for navigating our faith journey. These reference points, such as the cross or the teachings of faithful Christians like Corrie ten Boom, help guide us back to our intended path when we have drifted. They remind us of God's love, our purpose, and the sacrificial love we are called to emulate. By keeping these reference points in mind, we can stay focused on our faith and live out our calling with intentionality and love. [53:43]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: Identify a spiritual reference point that has been significant in your faith journey. How can you keep this reference point in mind to guide you back to your intended path when you feel lost or distant from God?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
Our faith is not just about personal salvation but about participating in God's work in the world. This involves acts of service, like the Timothy bags initiative, and being a source of love and support in our community. By living out our faith, we demonstrate the love of Christ to others and contribute to the building of God's kingdom. It is through these acts of service and love that we fulfill our calling as disciples and make a positive impact on the world around us. [01:09:29]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve your community this week. How can you be a source of love and support to those around you? Commit to one act of service that demonstrates your faith in action.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Isn't that a great way to think about things, to work with the wind instead of against it? I wish we as Christians did a better job at that as well. Working with the wind of the spirit instead of against it. Going to where we already see God at work and getting more involved." [40:21] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and the saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does. The good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." [45:48] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives, and made us whole. He made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own with no help from us. Then he picked us up and set us down in the highest heavenly heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah." [45:10] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Corrie Ten Boom is famous for saying, you won't know how much you need Jesus until all you have is Jesus. You don't know how much you need Jesus until Jesus is all that you have. She also says, you shouldn't give God instructions. You should just show up for duty." [01:01:42] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The spirit of this house is to welcome everyone. The spirit of this house is to make sure everyone has a place. And so y'all come on in. And so we made our way onto that tour. And I sat there in tears, friends, because we did nothing to deserve being there." [01:00:05] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Have you ever drifted away from where you thought you were supposed to be? And you didn't even realize it. Now, sometimes people drift intentionally, but too often we drift and we haven't even noticed. And we look back down the beach and we're so far away from where we thought we were going to be." [43:00] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you've drifted even a little bit during this season, whether it be in your personal life or in your diet or in your spiritual life, perhaps you'll consider joining us by reading the six chapters of Ephesians, during the next several weeks, we'll be looking at them in depth during worship, but I hope you'll read those as your reference point to get you back to where you have been called to be." [44:00] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We all did it. All of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with a whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us." [45:10] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We come from God, and then we drift. In our humanness, we drift, and we find ourselves far away from where we intended to be. And in our drifting, there is that great instead. That great instead. Paul says, you were dead. You were dead, caught in a way of life that sought the approval of our culture." [53:43] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I was so glad that she had a reference point in her life to go back to. And I was so glad that on that beach, I had my shibumi to go back to. And although it was named after their apartment complex in North Carolina, in Japanese, shibumi means this, effortless perfection. Effortless perfection. And that is what Paul says God wants for us in Christ." [01:03:31] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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