Stepping Out in Faith: Serving with Love and Purpose
Summary
In these challenging times, marked by economic recession and high interest rates, it is natural for fear to take hold. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to step out in faith, recognizing that there is a cost to serving God. This cost may involve taking risks and exposing ourselves to potential embarrassment, but we do so knowing that God has already paid the ultimate price through Jesus on the cross. We serve a God who is intimately involved in our lives, who sees us as precious and worthy of His love. We love because He first loved us, and this love compels us to action.
As ambassadors of Christ, we are authorized representatives of the King of Kings, equipped and empowered to do good works in His name. Our mission, as outlined in Acts 1:8, is to be witnesses of the good news of Jesus Christ, not only within our church and community but to the ends of the earth. This mission is not an obligation but an opportunity to participate in God's plans for His glory.
The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to reverse the questions we ask ourselves. Instead of asking what will happen to us if we help others, we should ask what will happen to them if we do not. Our culture promotes hyper-individualism, but God calls us to seek His kingdom first, promising that all other things will be given to us as well. When we have a heart for God and act with compassion and justice, God promises to bless us abundantly.
Isaiah 58 speaks to the heart of God's desire for His people. It is not merely religious observance that God seeks, but a heart aligned with His—focused on justice, compassion, and integrity. True fasting, as described by God, involves loosing the chains of injustice, feeding the hungry, and caring for the oppressed. When we align our hearts with God's, we become repairers of broken walls, and God fulfills the secret desires of our hearts.
In practical terms, we can start small in our efforts to serve others. Whether it's supporting a local food bank, reaching out to someone in need, or sponsoring a child through Compassion, every act of kindness is significant. We are reminded that it is by God's grace that we are where we are, and we have the privilege of being part of other people's stories, potentially impacting generations to come.
Key Takeaways:
- God's economy operates on the principle of sacrificial love and faith in action. As we step out to serve others, we mirror the heart of God, who gave His Son for us. Our actions, therefore, should not be driven by fear or self-preservation but by a desire to extend God's kingdom through love and service. [49:33]
- The parable of the Good Samaritan is a call to shift our perspective from self-centeredness to other-centeredness. In a world that often encourages us to prioritize our own comfort and success, God invites us to consider the well-being of our neighbors first. This reversal of questions from "What will happen to me?" to "What will happen to them?" is a transformative practice that aligns us with God's heart for humanity. [25:16]
- True worship and devotion to God are not confined to religious rituals but are expressed through acts of justice and compassion. Isaiah 58 challenges us to examine our hearts and align our actions with God's desires for a just and compassionate world. When we do so, we become conduits of His healing and restoration in the world. [26:31]
- The concept of sponsorship, as practiced by Compassion, is a tangible expression of God's love. By investing in the life of a child, we participate in God's redemptive work, impacting not only individual lives but entire communities. This partnership with local churches around the world exemplifies the collaborative nature of the Kingdom of God. [37:26]
- Our identity as ambassadors of Christ comes with the authority to enact change and the responsibility to represent the Kingdom of God faithfully. As we engage with the world, we do so not in our own strength but empowered by the Holy Spirit, bringing the message of hope and reconciliation to all creation. [36:10]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV)
> "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
2. Acts 1:8 (NIV)
> "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3. Luke 10:33-34 (NIV)
> "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 58:6-7 describe as true fasting, and how does it differ from mere religious observance?
2. According to Acts 1:8, what is the mission given to the followers of Christ, and what empowers them to fulfill it?
3. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33-34), what actions did the Samaritan take to help the injured man, and how do these actions contrast with those of the priest and the Levite?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Isaiah 58:6-7 challenge the traditional understanding of fasting and religious practices? What does this passage suggest about God's priorities? [16:02]
2. Acts 1:8 speaks about being witnesses to the ends of the earth. How does this mission relate to the concept of being ambassadors of Christ as mentioned in the sermon? [36:10]
3. The parable of the Good Samaritan reverses the question from "What will happen to me?" to "What will happen to them?" How does this shift in perspective align with the sermon’s message about compassion and justice? [25:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on Isaiah 58:6-7. Are there specific injustices or needs in your community that you feel called to address? How can you start small and make a difference? [16:02]
2. Acts 1:8 calls us to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. What are some practical ways you can share the good news of Jesus in your daily life, whether at home, work, or in your community? [36:10]
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of stepping out in faith despite the risks and potential embarrassment. Can you think of a situation where you felt called to act but hesitated due to fear? How can you overcome that fear and take action? [34:17]
4. The parable of the Good Samaritan encourages us to prioritize the well-being of others. Is there someone in your life right now who needs your help, but you’ve been hesitant to reach out? What steps can you take to offer your support? [25:16]
5. The sermon highlighted the concept of sacrificial love and faith in action. How can you incorporate these principles into your daily routine? Are there specific acts of kindness or service you can commit to this week? [49:33]
6. Sponsoring a child through Compassion was presented as a tangible way to express God's love. Have you considered sponsorship or another form of long-term commitment to help those in need? What might be your next step in this direction? [37:26]
7. Reflect on the idea that our actions should be driven by a desire to extend God's kingdom through love and service. How can you ensure that your motivations align with this principle in your personal and professional life? [49:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Over Fear in Service
In a world where economic downturns and high interest rates can easily breed anxiety, it is essential to remember the call to faith over fear. Serving God comes with its costs, which may include taking risks and facing potential embarrassment. Yet, these are small in comparison to the ultimate price paid by Jesus on the cross. Believers are called to step out in faith, not only as an act of obedience but as a reflection of the sacrificial love that God has shown. This love is not passive; it compels action and service, pushing against the natural inclination to self-preservation and instead, fostering a kingdom-focused mindset.
James 2:14-17 (ESV) says, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your faith through service in a practical way this week, despite any fears or hesitations you may have? [07:40]
Day 2: Embracing Other-Centeredness
The parable of the Good Samaritan calls for a radical shift in perspective from self-centeredness to other-centeredness. It challenges the believer to consider the well-being of others before their own. This shift in questioning from "What will happen to me?" to "What will happen to them?" is not just a mental exercise but a transformative practice that aligns one with God's heart for humanity. It is a call to look beyond personal comfort and success, to see and respond to the needs of those around us with compassion and action.
Luke 10:36-37 (ESV) reads, "Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."
Reflection: Who is your 'neighbor' that God is calling you to show mercy to today, and what specific action can you take to help them? [25:16]
Day 3: Worship Through Justice and Compassion
True worship extends beyond religious rituals and is deeply rooted in acts of justice and compassion. Isaiah 58 calls believers to a higher standard of living that reflects God's heart for justice. This involves actively working to break the chains of injustice, feeding the hungry, and caring for the oppressed. When one's heart is aligned with God's, their life becomes a powerful instrument of His healing and restoration in the world.
Micah 6:8 (ESV) states, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: What is one act of justice or kindness you can perform this week that goes beyond your usual practice of faith? [26:31]
Day 4: The Impact of Compassionate Sponsorship
The act of sponsoring a child through organizations like Compassion is a practical and tangible expression of God's love. It is an opportunity to participate in God's redemptive work, impacting not just an individual child's life but potentially an entire community. This partnership with local churches around the world is a reflection of the collaborative nature of God's kingdom, where every believer can play a part in bringing about change and hope.
Proverbs 19:17 (ESV) says, "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."
Reflection: How can you engage in the ministry of sponsorship or support a similar cause that aligns with your gifts and resources? [37:26]
Day 5: Ambassadors of Reconciliation
As ambassadors of Christ, believers are given both the authority to enact change and the responsibility to represent the Kingdom of God faithfully. This identity is not about acting in one's own strength but being empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring the message of hope and reconciliation to all creation. It is a call to engage with the world in a way that reflects the character and mission of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV) reads, "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
Reflection: In what ways can you better represent Christ as His ambassador in your daily interactions and relationships? [36:10]
Quotes
"We're living in times of high interest rates... There is a cost involved if we are to serve God." [34:52](Download | )
"God has already paid the ultimate price for us with Jesus on the cross... because you are precious and honoured in his sight." [34:52](Download | )
"Acts 1-8 asks us to be his witnesses... Taking the gospel of Jesus to the ends of the earth." [36:10](Download | )
"An ambassador means an authorized representative. You are authorized representatives of the King of Kings." [37:26](Download | )
"The only thing that was stopping me being on the other side of the car was God's grace." [39:57](Download | )
"We get to be a part of other people's stories... because you did this for this person, this person came to know me many years later." [41:12](Download | )
"God is calling his people to action... compassion is when we step in to the problem." [22:45](Download | )
"God is calling us to be people of integrity... when you align your heart with God's heart, he says what happens that you start to think his thoughts." [24:00](Download | Download Cropped Video)
"God says he will bless us... he talks about inheritance, feasting on the inheritance of your father Jacob." [26:31](Download | )
"God wants to give you the secret desires of your heart... I've been waiting for 25 years to give you this moment." [29:01](Download | )
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