Steadfast Faith: Embracing Baptism and Community
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound act of baptism, witnessing a young man, Landon, publicly profess his faith. This moment serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being sure in our faith and the joy that comes from such a declaration. Baptism is not just a ritual; it is a miracle that signifies a deep, personal commitment to Christ. It challenges us to reflect on our own faith journey and encourages us to remain steadfast in our beliefs.
As we navigate through life, we often allow external circumstances to dictate our internal peace. Whether it's the chaos of an election, personal doubts, or life's unpredictable challenges, these external factors can shake our faith. However, we are reminded that our faith is real and grounded in the truth of God's word. No external situation has the right to take away the peace that God has given us. Our faith should be rooted in the unchanging nature of God, who is the author and perfecter of our faith.
The church in Thessalonica faced persecution and uncertainty, yet they remained steadfast in their faith. They understood that their peace and unity were founded on God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This serves as a powerful example for us today. We are called to be united as the body of Christ, standing firm in our faith despite the changing tides of the world around us. Our faith is not just a personal belief but a communal experience that should be shared and lived out in our actions.
Paul's letter to the Thessalonians emphasizes the importance of faith, love, and hope. These virtues are not just abstract concepts but are demonstrated through our actions and endurance. Our faith should inspire us to work diligently, motivated by love and sustained by hope. This is not about avoiding burnout but about understanding the source of our strength and the purpose behind our actions.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus and the peace that comes from being in right standing with God. This sacred act reconnects us with our faith and the community of believers. It is a moment to reflect on who we are in Christ and the mission we are called to fulfill. Let us hold onto the joy given by the Holy Spirit, a joy that transcends circumstances and empowers us to be a model of faith to the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Baptism is a profound declaration of faith, symbolizing a personal commitment to Christ. It challenges us to reflect on our own faith journey and encourages us to remain steadfast in our beliefs. [10:12]
- External circumstances often dictate our internal peace, but our faith should be rooted in the unchanging nature of God. No situation has the right to take away the peace that God has given us. [32:45]
- The church in Thessalonica serves as an example of unity and steadfast faith amidst persecution. We are called to be united as the body of Christ, standing firm in our faith despite the changing tides of the world. [37:25]
- Faith, love, and hope are demonstrated through our actions and endurance. Our faith should inspire us to work diligently, motivated by love and sustained by hope, understanding the source of our strength. [48:23]
- Communion is a sacred act that reconnects us with our faith and the community of believers. It reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus and the peace that comes from being in right standing with God. [01:13:48]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[10:12] - Baptism Celebration
[32:45] - External Circumstances and Internal Peace
[35:08] - The Reality of Faith
[36:38] - Faith Amidst Challenges
[37:25] - Lessons from Thessalonica
[39:28] - Unshakeable Faith
[40:39] - Living with Purpose
[42:37] - The Role of the Church
[44:24] - Foundation in Christ
[45:44] - Grace and Peace
[47:09] - The Power of Confession
[48:23] - Faith in Action
[49:24] - Endurance and Conviction
[50:12] - Sacrificial Love
[51:01] - Hope in Christ
[52:36] - Walking the Walk
[53:15] - Joy in Suffering
[54:20] - The Call to Action
[55:28] - Chosen by God
[56:28] - Power of the Holy Spirit
[57:38] - Deep Conviction
[58:32] - Faith in the Storm
[59:13] - Trust in God
[59:55] - Imitating Christ
[01:01:33] - Joy vs. Happiness
[01:03:14] - Model of Faith
[01:04:55] - Impact of Faith
[01:05:52] - Radiating Faith
[01:06:37] - Ambassadors for Christ
[01:07:21] - Gospel Impact
[01:08:43] - Faith Transforms
[01:09:17] - Turning to God
[01:09:59] - Eternal Perspective
[01:10:48] - Unshakeable Faith
[01:11:48] - Preparing for Heaven
[01:12:47] - Communion
[01:13:48] - Remembering Christ's Sacrifice
[01:15:44] - Communion Instructions
[01:22:43] - Closing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
2. Romans 10:9
3. James 2:17
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Landon's baptism, and how did it serve as a reminder for the congregation? [10:12]
2. How did the external circumstances faced by the Thessalonian church challenge their faith, and what was Paul's response to these challenges? [37:25]
3. According to the sermon, what are the three virtues that Paul emphasizes in his letter to the Thessalonians, and how are they demonstrated? [48:23]
4. What role does communion play in reconnecting believers with their faith and community, as discussed in the sermon? [01:13:48]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the act of baptism challenge individuals to reflect on their personal faith journey and commitment to Christ? [10:12]
2. In what ways can external circumstances impact a believer's internal peace, and how can faith in God's unchanging nature provide stability? [32:45]
3. How does the example of the Thessalonian church encourage modern believers to remain united and steadfast in their faith despite external pressures? [37:25]
4. What does it mean for faith, love, and hope to be demonstrated through actions and endurance, and how can this understanding prevent burnout? [49:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. How has your understanding of baptism as a declaration of faith influenced your commitment to Christ? [10:12]
2. Identify a current external circumstance that is affecting your internal peace. How can you root your faith in the unchanging nature of God to find stability? [32:45]
3. In what ways can you contribute to the unity and steadfastness of your church community, following the example of the Thessalonian church? [37:25]
4. Consider the actions and endurance required to demonstrate faith, love, and hope in your life. What specific steps can you take to ensure your efforts are motivated by love and sustained by hope? [48:23]
5. How can participating in communion deepen your connection with God and the community of believers? What does this sacred act remind you of in your faith journey? [01:13:48]
6. Think about a situation where you allowed external circumstances to dictate your internal peace. How can you apply the sermon’s teachings to prevent this from happening in the future? [32:45]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can be a model of faith to others. What practical steps can you take to live out your faith in a way that inspires those around you? [01:04:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism as a Personal Commitment to Christ
Baptism is a profound declaration of faith, symbolizing a personal commitment to Christ. It is not merely a ritual but a miracle that signifies a deep, personal commitment to Jesus. This act challenges individuals to reflect on their own faith journey and encourages them to remain steadfast in their beliefs. Witnessing a baptism, like that of the young man Landon, serves as a powerful reminder of the joy and assurance that comes from publicly professing one's faith. It is a call to examine the depth of our own commitment to Christ and to celebrate the transformative power of faith in our lives. [10:12]
Colossians 2:12 (ESV): "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Reflection: Think about your own faith journey. What steps can you take today to deepen your commitment to Christ and publicly live out your faith?
Day 2: Unchanging Peace in a Changing World
External circumstances often dictate our internal peace, but our faith should be rooted in the unchanging nature of God. Life is filled with chaos, whether from political events, personal doubts, or unpredictable challenges. These external factors can easily shake our faith if we allow them to. However, the peace that God gives us is not dependent on our circumstances. It is grounded in the truth of God's word and His unchanging nature. No situation has the right to take away the peace that God has given us. Our faith should be a source of stability and assurance, reminding us that God is the author and perfecter of our faith. [32:45]
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Reflection: Identify a current external circumstance that is affecting your peace. How can you shift your focus to the unchanging nature of God to find peace today?
Day 3: Unity and Steadfast Faith in Community
The church in Thessalonica serves as an example of unity and steadfast faith amidst persecution. Despite facing persecution and uncertainty, they remained steadfast in their faith, understanding that their peace and unity were founded on God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This example calls us to be united as the body of Christ, standing firm in our faith despite the changing tides of the world around us. Our faith is not just a personal belief but a communal experience that should be shared and lived out in our actions. We are called to support one another and to be a model of faith to the world. [37:25]
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (ESV): "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and steadfastness of your faith community this week? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others in their faith journey?
Day 4: Faith, Love, and Hope in Action
Faith, love, and hope are demonstrated through our actions and endurance. These virtues are not just abstract concepts but are meant to be lived out in our daily lives. Our faith should inspire us to work diligently, motivated by love and sustained by hope. This is not about avoiding burnout but about understanding the source of our strength and the purpose behind our actions. By focusing on these virtues, we can find the motivation to persevere and to make a meaningful impact in the world around us. [48:23]
Hebrews 10:24 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily actions. How can you intentionally demonstrate faith, love, and hope in your interactions with others today?
Day 5: Communion as a Reconnection with Faith
Communion is a sacred act that reconnects us with our faith and the community of believers. It is a moment to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and the peace that comes from being in right standing with God. This sacred act serves as a reminder of who we are in Christ and the mission we are called to fulfill. As we partake in communion, we are invited to hold onto the joy given by the Holy Spirit, a joy that transcends circumstances and empowers us to be a model of faith to the world. [01:13:48]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: As you prepare for the next communion, how can you use this time to reconnect with your faith and the community of believers? What specific steps can you take to live out the mission you are called to fulfill?
Quotes
1. "You know, the crazy thing about circumstances is so many moments and so many times in our life, we allow them to have a whole lot more power than they were ever supposed to or allocated to have, right? We allow situations to decide the peace that we hold internally. And I know I feel that way in my life as well. There's been so many moments in my life where I've allowed what is going on around me to decide how I feel on the inside." ([00:32:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "This much I know is that my God saw me in my shame and my sin and picked me out of it. This much I know is that my relationship, with my heavenly Father, is as real as it's ever been. This much I know, no external circumstance has the right to take away the peace that it never granted me in the first place. This much I know." ([00:35:08] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "And so am I allowing what's going on around me to affect what God has done inside me? Because this much I know, it ain't got the right to take away my faith. No president, no government, nobody has a right to take away my faith. They really don't have a right to say anything about it either." ([00:36:54] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Because even though situations will happen, even in the world when reality changes, don't doubt what you believe and experience is real. Your faith is real. What you believe is real. Your God is real. He is the only way. Jesus is the only way to the Father. There's no other option. No other plan works." ([00:39:38] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "Because God has something for you. He's made you for something great, right? We talk about that all the time around this place. He's made you for something bigger than yourself. The only way you get there is you believe what you experience with him is real. And that's what we have to do. Real and powerful." ([00:40:46] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "And the evidence of that yes is a whole bunch of baptism salvations. Because we're willing to give sacrificially, honestly and transparently. I mean, I got a Netflix show I haven't finished yet. So I'd love to sit my butt on the couch and watch TV. But the Lord's called me to get to work." ([00:50:12] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "And when that happens, what matters to us starts to change a little bit. Like man, to be honest with you, Tuesday matters, I get it. But man, I care so much more about the peace that the Lord gives me on Wednesday morning than I do Tuesday night." ([00:54:32] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "And no matter who wins, no matter any of that stuff, man, Wednesday's still coming. There's still work to do. The harvest is plenty. You know what's few? The workers. So come on. It's time to get after it." ([00:54:24] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "And how we respond as believers, it matters, y 'all. It matters. We got to step up to the plate. And we can. And again, you all do that so well here. Man, I want the reality of the gospel to be heard and seen everywhere in the world." ([01:09:40] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "And until he decides to call you and I home, I'm gonna do everything I can on this side of heaven to get as many people with me on that side of heaven as possible. And I think the church of Thessalonica kind of set the stage pretty well too." ([01:12:02] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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