Seize Your Moment: Steps in Your Christian Journey
Summary
In this sermon, I discussed the importance of not waiting too long to take the necessary steps in our Christian journey. Using the movie "Jack Frost" as an analogy, I highlighted the protagonist's neglect of his family due to his career ambitions, which led to regret and a longing for second chances. I emphasized that, like Jack Frost, we should not wait too long to belong, grow, and fulfill our mission as Christians. I also stressed the importance of taking the next step in our relationship with Jesus, whether it's starting or restarting that relationship. I encouraged the congregation to engage more with their church family, grow in their relationship with Jesus, and not wait too long to believe and be baptized.
Key Takeaways:
- Don't wait too long to belong to your church family and engage in church activities. ( #!!40:18!!#)
- Make the best use of your time as a Christian and walk out your Christian life. ( #!!38:39!!#)
- Take the next step in your relationship with Jesus, whether it's starting or restarting that relationship. ( #!!01:12:54!!#)
- Don't wait too long to believe and be baptized. ( #!!01:14:35!!#)
- Use the tools provided by the church, such as the website, growth track, life groups, and brotherhood/sisterhood groups, to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus. ( #!!43:46!!#)
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 8:6-7 [56:19]
2. Colossians 4:5 [38:39]
Observation Questions:
1. What does 2 Corinthians 8:6-7 tell us about the importance of giving in the Christian life?
2. How does Colossians 4:5 relate to the concept of making the best use of our time?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of giving as described in 2 Corinthians 8:6-7 relate to our responsibilities as Christians?
2. What does Colossians 4:5 suggest about the importance of wisdom and time management in our spiritual lives?
Application Questions:
1. How can you practically excel in the gracious act of giving as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8:6-7 in your life this week?
2. What is one specific way you can make better use of your time to grow in your relationship with God, as suggested by Colossians 4:5?
3. Can you think of a situation where you waited too late to fulfill a responsibility or promise, like Jack in the movie? How can you prevent this from happening in the future?
4. How can you actively engage in your spiritual family, the church, to avoid being like Jack who was not an integral part of his family?
5. What is one specific step you can take this week to start or restart your relationship with Jesus, as mentioned in the last part of the sermon?
Devotional
Day 1: Don't Wait Too Late to Belong
Belonging to a family, a community, or a church requires active engagement and participation. It's not enough to simply attend or be present; we must be an integral part of the group, contributing our unique gifts and talents. This sense of belonging is crucial in our spiritual journey, as it fosters growth and deepens our relationship with Jesus Christ. [44:18]
Bible Passage: Romans 12:5 - "So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Reflection: Reflect on your current level of engagement in your spiritual community. What steps can you take to deepen your sense of belonging?
Day 2: Don't Wait Too Late to Grow
Spiritual growth is a continuous journey that requires active participation and commitment. It's not a passive process that happens over time, but an intentional pursuit of a deeper relationship with Jesus. This year, consider taking the next step in your spiritual growth journey, whether that's reading the Bible in a year, joining a life group, or serving in a ministry. [50:02]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:15 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this year to grow in your relationship with Jesus?
Day 3: Don't Wait Too Late to Serve
God has given each of us unique gifts and talents, not for our own benefit, but to serve others and build up the body of Christ. Serving is not just about doing good deeds, but about using our gifts in a way that glorifies God and benefits others. Consider how you can use your gifts to serve in your church or community this year. [51:10]
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts and talents to serve others in your church or community?
Day 4: Don't Wait Too Late to Pray
Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with God and allows us to involve Him in our situations. While prayer may not always change our circumstances, it changes us by aligning our hearts with God's will. This year, consider making prayer a priority in your daily routine. [49:08]
Bible Passage: Psalm 18:6 - "In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears."
Reflection: How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine?
Day 5: Don't Wait Too Late to Love Your Church
The church is not just a building or a place to attend services; it's a family that we belong to and a community where lives are transformed. Loving our church means actively participating in its mission and contributing to its growth. This year, consider how you can show love to your church through your time, talents, and resources. [54:39]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 5:25 - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
Reflection: In what ways can you show love to your church this year?
Quotes
1. "Don't wait too late to belong. See, Jack waited too late to really belong to his family. He attended, but he was not an integral part of his family. We believe the church is not a building you walk into. It's a family that you belong to." - 40:18
2. "Don't wait too late to grow. That might be counterproductive to what some of you were thinking because it's the new year. Some of you might be saying, I need to shrink just a little bit in 2023, but we're talking about growing in your relationship with Jesus." - 44:15
3. "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed for His compassion's never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. Now, whatever your 2022 was, Pastor Andrew already told us that we are going to overcome in 2023 no matter what we brought in from 2022." - 47:14
4. "Don't wait too late to fulfill the TFH mission. See, this is something we're all in this together. You and I, we are here to fulfill this mission. We said it earlier, but I'd love for it just to say it again. It's getting ready to be up there on the screen. Let's say this together. We are bringing hope and impacting our community by leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus." - 38:39
5. "The last fill in for us today is this don't wait too late to believe and be baptized. See, today we've talked about starting in next step. What about the word start that some of you need to start a relationship with Jesus or restart that relationship? God wants to have a relationship with you." - 01:11:06
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