Steadfast Faith: Clinging to God's Promises
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound faithfulness of God and the importance of remaining steadfast in our spiritual journey. Life can be challenging, and as Rocky Balboa famously said, nothing can beat you down like life itself. However, when our lives are built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, we can withstand any storm. God has promised never to leave or forsake us, and it is our responsibility to cling to His promises and remain faithful.
We delved into the series "I Must," which focuses on spiritual non-negotiables. As believers, our lives have been radically transformed by God's grace, and we are called to live with purpose. Jesus came not just for holidays but to save us, offering us a clean heart and a new start. Our focus should be on God's will, as revealed in His Word, which is the best plan for our lives. By seeking first the kingdom of God, we allow Him to take care of everything else.
We also discussed the importance of staying tethered to God's truth to avoid spiritual drift. The love of Christ is what constrains us, holding us together and preventing us from falling apart. This love is not a response to our actions but an initiation from God, who loved us first. Jesus' sacrificial death was a demonstration of this love, and it is through His sacrifice that we are saved.
Finally, we celebrated communion, a reminder of the price Jesus paid for us. Communion is not about receiving Christ but remembering His sacrifice. Jesus presented Himself as a sacrificial lamb, taking on the punishment we deserved. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of His love and the call to live in response to His sacrifice.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Faithfulness: Life's challenges can be overwhelming, but God's faithfulness is unwavering. When we build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, we can withstand any storm. His promise to never leave or forsake us is a source of hope and strength. [00:00]
2. Spiritual Non-Negotiables: As believers, we are called to live with purpose, focusing on God's will as revealed in His Word. By seeking first the kingdom of God, we align ourselves with His best plan for our lives, allowing Him to take care of everything else. [12:46]
3. Avoiding Spiritual Drift: Staying tethered to God's truth is essential to avoid spiritual drift. The love of Christ constrains us, holding us together and preventing us from falling apart. This love is an initiation from God, not a response to our actions. [41:44]
4. The Sacrificial Love of Christ: Jesus' sacrificial death was a demonstration of God's love for us. He presented Himself as a sacrificial lamb, taking on the punishment we deserved. This act of love calls us to live in response to His sacrifice. [56:52]
5. Communion as a Reminder: Communion is a reminder of the price Jesus paid for us. It is not about receiving Christ but remembering His sacrifice. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of His love and the call to live in response to His sacrifice. [59:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - God's Faithfulness
- [02:15] - Prayer and Gratitude
- [04:00] - Series Introduction: "I Must"
- [06:45] - Purpose and Transformation
- [09:30] - God's Will and Our Response
- [12:46] - Spiritual Non-Negotiables
- [15:20] - Avoiding Spiritual Drift
- [18:00] - The Love of Christ
- [21:30] - Sacrificial Love
- [25:00] - Communion Introduction
- [28:15] - The Bread: Body of Christ
- [30:45] - The Cup: Blood of Christ
- [33:00] - Closing Prayer and Celebration
- [35:00] - Church Family Announcement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
3. 2 Corinthians 5:14 - "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Matthew 6:33 suggest about the priorities we should have in our lives? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on seeking God's kingdom first? [12:46]
2. According to Ephesians 2:10, what is the purpose of our creation in Christ Jesus? How does this relate to the idea of living with purpose as discussed in the sermon? [09:30]
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:14, what does it mean that Christ’s love compels us? How was this concept explained in the sermon? [41:44]
4. How did the sermon describe the significance of communion as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice? [59:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise of God’s faithfulness, as mentioned in the sermon, provide hope and strength during life's challenges? [00:30]
2. What are some examples of "spiritual non-negotiables" that believers should adhere to, according to the sermon? How do these non-negotiables help in aligning with God's will? [12:46]
3. The sermon mentioned the danger of spiritual drift. How can staying tethered to God's truth prevent this drift, and what role does the love of Christ play in this? [41:44]
4. How does the sacrificial love of Christ, as discussed in the sermon, call believers to live in response to His sacrifice? [56:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you experience God's faithfulness during that time, and how can you remind yourself of His promises in future challenges? [00:30]
2. Identify one "spiritual non-negotiable" that you feel needs more focus in your life. What steps can you take this week to prioritize it? [12:46]
3. Consider a time when you felt spiritually adrift. What practical steps can you take to stay tethered to God's truth and avoid drifting in the future? [41:44]
4. How can you actively seek God's kingdom first in your daily life? What specific changes can you make to ensure that His will is your priority? [09:30]
5. Reflect on the love of Christ that compels us. How can you let this love guide your actions and decisions this week? [41:44]
6. Communion is a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice. How can you incorporate this remembrance into your daily life, beyond the act of communion itself? [59:58]
7. Think of someone in your life who may not know about the sacrificial love of Christ. How can you share this message with them in a meaningful way? [56:52]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unwavering Faithfulness
Life's challenges can be overwhelming, but God's faithfulness is unwavering. When we build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, we can withstand any storm. His promise to never leave or forsake us is a source of hope and strength. In the midst of life's trials, it is crucial to remember that God is always with us, providing the strength and courage we need to persevere. By trusting in His faithfulness, we can face any obstacle with confidence, knowing that we are never alone. [00:00]
Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV): "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively rely on God's faithfulness to guide you through it today?
Day 2: Living with Purpose
As believers, we are called to live with purpose, focusing on God's will as revealed in His Word. By seeking first the kingdom of God, we align ourselves with His best plan for our lives, allowing Him to take care of everything else. This means prioritizing our spiritual growth and aligning our daily actions with God's desires. When we live with purpose, we experience a deeper sense of fulfillment and joy, knowing that we are part of something greater than ourselves. [12:46]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can seek God's kingdom first in your daily routine this week?
Day 3: Anchored in Truth
Staying tethered to God's truth is essential to avoid spiritual drift. The love of Christ constrains us, holding us together and preventing us from falling apart. This love is an initiation from God, not a response to our actions. By immersing ourselves in God's Word and allowing His truth to guide us, we can remain anchored in our faith, even when the world around us is in turmoil. [41:44]
Hebrews 6:19 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you feel spiritually adrift. How can you anchor yourself in God's truth today?
Day 4: Responding to Sacrificial Love
Jesus' sacrificial death was a demonstration of God's love for us. He presented Himself as a sacrificial lamb, taking on the punishment we deserved. This act of love calls us to live in response to His sacrifice. By embracing the love of Christ, we are compelled to live lives that reflect His grace and mercy, sharing His love with others and living in a way that honors His sacrifice. [56:52]
1 John 4:10-11 (ESV): "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate Christ's sacrificial love to someone in your life today?
Day 5: Communion as a Living Reminder
Communion is a reminder of the price Jesus paid for us. It is not about receiving Christ but remembering His sacrifice. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of His love and the call to live in response to His sacrifice. This sacred practice invites us to reflect on the depth of Christ's love and to renew our commitment to live in a way that honors His sacrifice. [59:58]
1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Reflection: As you prepare for your next communion, how can you intentionally reflect on Christ's sacrifice and let it transform your daily actions?
Quotes
"And you stay faithful to Him. Stay clinging to His promises. Hope has a name and His name is? Jesus. And He has proven Himself over and over and over again. And He made you a promise. He said, I'm not going to leave you. I'm not going to forsake you. But you've got to cling tight. Because, you know, life's going to come at you. And as a great theologian, Rocky Balboa said, nothing's going to beat you down like life. But when your life is on a firm foundation, established on the rock, I promise you, when the storm comes, you're going to come out on the other side. Because God is faithful." [00:29:54] (38 seconds)
"We've been in a series called I must someone say I must it is a study of spiritual non-negotiables because those of us who know Jesus Christ as our Savior you know we have this testimony that our lives have been radically redeemed and restored by the amazing grace of God is of that if that's your story put your hands together come on amen yeah we clap a lot of granite but we realize this you know there was a day when we realized that we were lost outside of God's family and that Jesus Christ didn't just show up here and do what he did so that we can have an Easter and Christmas holiday Jesus came and he did what he did because we needed a Savior and so God became a man right the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we realized that Jesus Christ didn't come here by accident he came here on purpose for a purpose and that's because we needed a clean heart a brand new start we needed our lives restored back into the family of God." [00:32:31] (60 seconds)
"Paul's like, hey, hey, all this stuff that God saved you. Awesome. That, that God separated you. You're, you're now holy. You're a priesthood. That's all great. You're one of a kind, God designed masterpiece. Somebody say, amen. He's like, that's great. But I'm going to tell you the one thing that constraineth us. And I use the King James version because this word constraineth, I'm sure you used it a lot this past week, is really the word, the best English translation of the word in the original language. And here's what the word constraineth meaneth. It means this, it means constraint to hold tightly together. It means to press it in, to keep the pressure on, to keep it from getting loosey goosey, to keep it from falling apart. Paul says, here's what I'm saying. He says, after everything we've studied, here's the thing that keeps it tight for me. Here's the thing that I can't get over. Here's the thing that keeps it from getting loosey goosey for me. Here's the thing that keeps it from breaking apart. I can't get over the love of Jesus Christ." [00:40:03] (83 seconds)
"Nobody cares for me like Jesus. Nobody's done anything for me like Jesus. And that's why I can't drift. That's why I can't slip away. That's why I can't walk away. This is what keeps it together for me. I keep my mind focused on God's love for me. And here's what you've got to understand. He went first. First John chapter four, verse 19 on a count of three, first three words, ready? One, two, three, because he's like, you got to understand something. This is the apostle John. Same thing as Paul said, says, I can't get over this. God wasn't responding to my love. I didn't initiate that love. I didn't ask Jesus to come. I didn't ask the son of God to come become a man. I didn't ask for the word to become flesh. I didn't. I know. I didn't ask for anything. I wasn't even thinking about God." [00:41:22] (56 seconds)
"you're the answer and then we ask Jesus Christ to come into our life and we say Lord I trust you and you alone somebody say you alone for salvation because the Bible says and I've been you know I've been using this slide now for weeks in John 1 12 the word of God says but to all who believed him I grew up in religion I grew up knowing all the facts about Jesus I believed in him I believed he was God I believed in his death burial and resurrection I believed the facts but I never got on the other side of and because nobody ever told me about it it's not what Jesus simply did it is my response to what he has done that changes my life to all who believe and accept him oh there's the key I have to believe he is who he said he is and that he can do what he said he can do so I have to believe in him and I have to accept him into my life and then the Bible somebody say the Bible says this he gave the right next two words the children of God it's not the believing it's the believing and accepting him" [00:53:10] (102 seconds)
"Communion is the reminder of the price that Jesus paid for us. If you do not have a communion cup, we'd love to give you one right now. Would you just raise your hand? You say, preacher, I need one of them. We'll get this to you real quick. All right? They're coming. Right up here, Harold. Boogie on up. Boogie on up. All right? Very cool. Nice. Everybody good? Our children's leaders need some. Anybody else? All right. Now, there's multiple things to this cup. So the first thing is a clear piece of plastic on top of the purple. Peel that back. It'll give you access to the bread. The bread, the bread represents the body of Christ. It's not the body of Christ. It's bread. The Bible says, do this in remembrance of me. This is not how we receive Christ. It is a reminder of what Christ has done on our behalf. That God became a man. That he would come to die a sacrificial death. That he would give his life." [00:58:23] (92 seconds)
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