Spiritual Growth: Embracing Faith Beyond Materialism
Summary
In this sermon, I emphasized the importance of understanding that our journey with God is not about acquiring more material possessions, but about spiritual growth and maturity. I encouraged the congregation to understand that being blessed by God means being endowed with every spiritual gift in heavenly places through Christ Jesus. I stressed that God wants us to grow deeper in our faith, to mature so that we are not easily swayed or shaken. I also highlighted the importance of understanding the cost of following God, and being firmly rooted and grounded in our faith. I encouraged those going through painful experiences to not define their lives by that pain, but to seek understanding of the purpose behind it. I urged them to ask God what He is doing in their lives, trusting that He is at work even in the midst of their pain.
Key Takeaways:
- God wants us to grow deeper in our faith and mature so that we are not easily swayed or shaken. ([01:01:53])
- Understanding the cost of following God is crucial to being firmly rooted and grounded in our faith. ([01:02:26])
- We should not define our lives by the pain we experience, but seek to understand the purpose behind it. ([01:03:04])
- Trusting that God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain, is important. ([01:03:53])
- Our journey with God is not about acquiring more material possessions, but about spiritual growth and maturity. ([01:04:31])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:1-24 [31:38]
2. Ephesians 2:10 [01:05:03]
3. Matthew 8:23-27 [01:03:04]
Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 3, how does the speaker describe the passivity of men and its origin?
2. What does Ephesians 2:10 say about us being a masterpiece and how does this relate to the idea of enduring pain for a purpose?
3. How does the story in Matthew 8:23-27 illustrate the idea of peace in the midst of a storm?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the passivity of men in Genesis 3 impact the church and society today?
2. What does it mean to be a masterpiece in God's eyes as described in Ephesians 2:10 and how does this shape our understanding of suffering and pain?
3. How can we apply the lesson of peace in the midst of a storm from Matthew 8:23-27 to our personal lives?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a situation in your life where you have been passive like the men in Genesis 3? How can you reject passivity and step up in this situation?
2. How does knowing you are a masterpiece in God's eyes change your perspective on the pain or suffering you are currently experiencing?
3. Can you recall a time when you were in the midst of a storm and found peace? How did you find that peace and how can you apply that to future storms in your life?
4. What is one specific way you can demonstrate your faith in God's purpose for your life, even when you are experiencing pain or suffering?
5. Can you think of someone in your life who is currently in a storm? How can you encourage them and help them find peace?
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Cost of Following Christ
Understanding the cost of following Christ leads to spiritual maturity and stability. It's not about gaining more material blessings, but about growing deeper in our relationship with God. This growth ensures that we are not easily swayed or shaken, even in the midst of life's storms. [01:02:26]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:14-15 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 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: How can you deepen your relationship with God to ensure stability during life's storms?
Day 2: Trust in God's Divine Purpose
Everything that happens in our lives, including the blessings and challenges, is not by chance but for a divine purpose. We must hold on to this truth and trust that God is in charge and will see us through. [01:08:27]
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Reflection: How can you actively trust in God's divine purpose for your life?
Day 3: Receive Wholeness Through Christ
The brokenness of Christ brings us into the presence of God and clothes us in His glory. As we receive the communion, we should also receive the wholeness that He promises us. [22:53]
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 2:24 - "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
Reflection: How can you actively receive and live in the wholeness that Christ offers?
Day 4: See the Purpose in Pain
We can endure a lot of pain if we know there's a purpose. Instead of asking why we are going through pain, we should ask what God is doing through it. [01:05:03]
Bible Passage: Romans 5:3-4 - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective from asking "why" to asking "what" in your current situation?
Day 5: Believe in God's Work in You
God is doing a work in us, and we need to believe what He says about us - that we are a masterpiece. This belief will help us to endure and overcome challenges. [01:05:39]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a belief in God's work in you and His view of you as His masterpiece?
Quotes
1. "We can endure a lot of pain if we just know there's a purpose. So God, I pray that we would see the purpose and that we would allow you to do the work in us so that you could work through us." - 01:05:03
2. "God has already blessed us with every spiritual gift in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus but he wants to grow us deeper. He wants to mature us so that we're not tossed around, that we're not in and out." - 01:02:26
3. "Your story is not done. You might be in the midst of the worst storm of your life, but your story isn't done. Don't define your life in the moment, hold on. Let him do in you so he can work through you because he wants to grow you up in him so that you can do great things for him." - 56:40
4. "If no one's ever talked to you about the cost of following Jesus, there is a cost in following Jesus. It's not about gaining more stuff, getting blessed of God. It's about serving people." - 58:40
5. "Father, we thank you for what you are doing. The blessings we've seen happen here in this building, it's not by chance, it's for Divine Purpose. Lord, may we hold on to what our pastors said, may we be willing to say Lord you are in charge, you're going to get us through it." - 01:08:27
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