Seeing Others Through Jesus' Eyes: A Call to Action

 

Summary

In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of seeing people as Jesus sees them and praying for them with confidence. He believes that as God's people believe in what God says about them and step forward in boldness, they will witness greater miracles. The pastor connects this idea to the vision of the church transforming from a cruise ship to a battleship, with worship being the heavy artillery. Worship, according to the pastor, involves presenting oneself as a living sacrifice daily and bringing the favor of God into every aspect of life, including work and relationships with neighbors.

The pastor also emphasizes the power of testimony and the transformative nature of encountering Jesus. He encourages the congregation to confidently declare that the Lord is their helper and to embrace the Kingdom commission given by Jesus. The pastor shares his personal experience of being a pioneer and how God's presence sustained him in his various roles. He encourages the congregation to be Kingdom carriers and to bring the light of Jesus into dark places.

The pastor further emphasizes the importance of worship in various aspects of life. He highlights that when husbands love their wives like Christ loved the church, it is an act of worship. Similarly, when wives respect and honor their husbands, it is also considered worship. The pastor emphasizes the role of fathers in raising their children, stating that it is their responsibility to bring them up in the instruction and training of the Lord. He acknowledges that parenting is not perfect, but shares that their own children turned out well.

The pastor emphasizes the importance of having faith in the Son of God who gave himself for us. This faith should not lead to pride or arrogance, but rather to a grateful heart. The pastor encourages the congregation to live out their faith and see the world through Jesus' perspective, asking God for a new set of glasses to see as He sees. The pastor also emphasizes that we are made holy through our relationship with God, not through our own efforts.

Finally, the pastor shares a personal experience of how he became a vessel for God's love and grace. He mentions that customers would open up to him and share their life stories, attributing it to the presence of God within him. As a result, some of his customers and co-workers got born again and added to the kingdom of God. The pastor also talks about a man named Jack McKenna, who he baptized after sharing the Plan of Salvation with him. The pastor emphasizes that every believer has the power to make a difference in the world by simply being who they are in Christ Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

- The pastor emphasizes the importance of seeing people as Jesus sees them and praying for them with confidence. He believes that as God's people believe in what God says about them and step forward in boldness, they will witness greater miracles. This is a reminder that our faith and boldness can lead to miraculous outcomes. [12:45]

- The pastor shares his personal experience of being a pioneer and how God's presence sustained him in his various roles. This is a testament to the power of God's presence in our lives, and how it can sustain us even in challenging times. [24:30]

- The pastor emphasizes the role of fathers in raising their children, stating that it is their responsibility to bring them up in the instruction and training of the Lord. This is a reminder of the crucial role parents play in shaping their children's spiritual lives. [36:15]

- The pastor encourages the congregation to live out their faith and see the world through Jesus' perspective, asking God for a new set of glasses to see as He sees. This is a call to align our perspective with God's, and to view the world through the lens of faith and love. [48:20]

- The pastor shares a personal experience of how he became a vessel for God's love and grace. This is a powerful testimony of how God can use us to touch the lives of others, and a reminder that we all have the potential to be vessels of God's love and grace. [59:30]

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 5:1 [01:35:32]
2. Romans 5:18 [01:10:19]
3. Acts 10:38 [01:36:12]

Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 5:1 tell us about our identity in Christ?
2. How does Romans 5:18 explain the impact of Adam's sin on humanity?
3. In Acts 10:38, what does it mean that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does being "imitators of God" as mentioned in Ephesians 5:1 influence our actions and attitudes?
2. In Romans 5:18, how does the concept of sin and death through Adam's disobedience relate to our need for salvation?
3. What implications does Acts 10:38 have for our own lives, knowing that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power?

Application Questions:
1. How can you imitate God in your daily interactions with others, as suggested in Ephesians 5:1?
2. Considering Romans 5:18, how does understanding the impact of Adam's sin influence your view of grace and redemption?
3. In light of Acts 10:38, what is one way you can demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit in your life this week?
4. How can you show the love and compassion of the Father to someone in your life this week?
5. How can you apply the concept of being a "Difference Maker" in your community or workplace?

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Worship in Daily Life

Worship is not confined to the four walls of a church. It extends to our daily lives, in our workplaces, homes, and communities. When we love our neighbors, respect our spouses, and raise our children with godly principles, we are engaging in acts of worship. This is a reflection of our understanding that we are kingdom carriers, bringing the favor of God wherever we go ([01:39:24]).

Bible Passage: Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

Reflection: How can you incorporate acts of worship into your daily routine?

Day 2: The Impact of Kingdom Identity

Understanding our identity as kingdom carriers can transform our interactions with others. When we see ourselves as God's representatives, we can bring life and positivity into our workplaces and communities. This kingdom identity can also influence how we speak about our employers and colleagues, fostering a culture of respect and honor ([01:33:44]).

Bible Passage: 1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Reflection: How does your understanding of your kingdom identity influence your interactions with others?

Day 3: The Role of Fathers in Raising Children

Fathers have a significant role in raising their children in the ways of the Lord. This responsibility involves teaching them the word of truth and training them until these teachings become their practice. This is a form of worship, as it contributes to raising the next generation of kingdom carriers ([01:41:26]).

Bible Passage: Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Reflection: If you are a father, how can you more intentionally raise your children in the ways of the Lord?

Day 4: The Power of Seeing Others Through Jesus' Lenses

Seeing others through Jesus' lenses allows us to view them with love and compassion. This perspective can transform our interactions, leading us to minister to others out of the heart of the Father. This is a form of worship, as it reflects God's love for humanity ([01:36:59]).

Bible Passage: Matthew 9:36 - "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a perspective that sees others through Jesus' lenses?

Day 5: The Reality of Our New Creation in Christ

As believers, we are new creations in Christ. This new reality means that we are holy, righteous children of God, not because of our performance, but because of what Jesus has done for us. Embracing this truth can transform our lives, leading us to live out our faith with confidence and boldness ([01:29:41]).

Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a new creation in Christ influence your daily life?

Quotes

"You are a Difference Maker... you are a world changer." [01:34:31]

"Go into all the world and proclaim the good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom to all creation." [01:31:26]

"If you have trouble seeing things through God's perspective, ask him to give you a new set of glasses so that you can see as he sees and live life like he does." [01:27:15]

"I do believe that we're going to see greater miracles in the days ahead, but it's going to take God's people believing what God says about you and to step forward in boldness, understanding that you're empowered by the Holy Spirit and God is with you and in you." [01:37:48]

"When husbands love their wives like Christ loved the church, it's worship, and when wives respect and honor their husbands, it's worship." [01:40:46]

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