Transformative Faith: Embracing Community and New Life
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude for God's Past Interventions
Reflecting on the journey of faith, it is essential to remember the past, not to dwell in condemnation, but to appreciate the good that God and others have done for us. This gratitude shapes our perspective and helps us recognize God's hand in our lives. By acknowledging where we could have been without God's intervention, we cultivate a heart of thankfulness and humility. This remembrance is not about living in the past but about using it as a foundation to build a future filled with hope and trust in God's continued guidance. [00:55]
"Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you." (Deuteronomy 32:7, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific moment in your past where you clearly saw God's intervention. How can you express gratitude for that moment today, perhaps through prayer or sharing your testimony with someone?
Day 2: The Power of Community in Faith
The New Covenant emphasizes community and partnership in ministry. Unlike the lone prophets of the Old Testament, the New Testament calls for a body of believers working together, each bringing unique strengths to glorify God. This collective approach to faith highlights the importance of unity and collaboration in fulfilling God's mission. By working together, believers can support one another, share burdens, and celebrate victories, creating a vibrant and dynamic community that reflects the love of Christ. [02:08]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one person in your faith community who you can encourage or support this week. What specific action can you take to strengthen your partnership in ministry with them?
Day 3: Deepening Your Relationship with God
The journey of faith involves moving beyond the outer courts into the most holy place, symbolizing a deeper relationship with God. This requires a personal devotion to Jesus, surpassing all other relationships and desires. It is a call to prioritize one's relationship with God above all else, seeking intimacy and closeness with Him. This deeper connection is not achieved through mere rituals or routines but through a genuine and heartfelt pursuit of God's presence in every aspect of life. [05:12]
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to deepen your relationship with God? Consider setting aside dedicated time for prayer, worship, or reading Scripture.
Day 4: Embracing Transformation Over Forgiveness
The gospel calls for transformation, not just forgiveness. Believers are expected to grow and mature, moving towards a life of victory over sin, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This transformation is a continuous process of becoming more like Christ, characterized by a change in thoughts, actions, and desires. It is not enough to rely on grace as a safety net; instead, believers are called to actively pursue holiness and righteousness, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through them. [10:05]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need transformation. What steps can you take to allow the Holy Spirit to bring about change in this area?
Day 5: Baptism as a Declaration of New Life
Baptism symbolizes a burial of the old self and a resurrection into new life. It's a declaration of intent to no longer be a slave to sin, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in freedom. This act of obedience signifies a commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly, embracing the new identity and purpose found in Him. Baptism is not just a ritual but a powerful testimony of God's transformative work in a believer's life, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith and discipleship. [29:15]
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4, ESV)
Reflection: If you have been baptized, reflect on the significance of that moment in your life. How can you continue to live out the new life you declared through baptism? If you haven't been baptized, consider what this step might mean for your faith journey.
Sermon Summary
In reflecting on the journey of faith, it's crucial to remember the past, not in condemnation, but in gratitude for the good that God and others have done for us. This remembrance helps us appreciate where we could have been without God's intervention. In the New Testament, the concept of community is emphasized, as Jesus sent his disciples two by two, highlighting the importance of partnership in ministry. Unlike the lone prophets of the Old Testament, the New Covenant calls for a body of believers working together, each bringing unique strengths to glorify God. This church was founded on these principles, focusing on building a core group of believers who are deeply committed to Christ, rather than merely attracting a large crowd.
The journey of faith is likened to the Old Testament tabernacle, where few move beyond the outer courts into the most holy place, symbolizing a deeper relationship with God. This inner core of believers is characterized by a personal devotion to Jesus, surpassing all other relationships and desires. The call is to die to self daily, embracing the truth that sets us free. The gift of speaking and preaching is acknowledged as a divine anointing, but the focus remains on building the church, not just gathering admirers.
The message of the gospel is one of transformation, not just forgiveness. It's not enough to continue in sin, relying on grace as a safety net. The expectation is for believers to grow and mature, moving towards a life of victory over sin. Baptism is a significant step in this journey, symbolizing a burial of the old self and a resurrection into new life. It's a declaration of intent to no longer be a slave to sin, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in freedom.
Key Takeaways
1. Remembering the past is essential, not to dwell in condemnation, but to appreciate the good that God and others have done for us. This gratitude shapes our perspective and helps us recognize God's hand in our lives. [00:55]
2. The New Covenant emphasizes community and partnership in ministry. Unlike the lone prophets of the Old Testament, the New Testament calls for a body of believers working together, each bringing unique strengths to glorify God. [02:08]
3. The journey of faith involves moving beyond the outer courts into the most holy place, symbolizing a deeper relationship with God. This requires a personal devotion to Jesus, surpassing all other relationships and desires. [05:12]
4. The gospel calls for transformation, not just forgiveness. Believers are expected to grow and mature, moving towards a life of victory over sin, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [10:05]
5. Baptism symbolizes a burial of the old self and a resurrection into new life. It's a declaration of intent to no longer be a slave to sin, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in freedom. [29:15]
According to the sermon, why is it important to remember the past, and how should we approach it? ([00:55])
How does the New Testament's approach to community differ from the Old Testament's lone prophets, as discussed in the sermon? ([02:08])
What does the sermon say about the significance of baptism in the journey of faith? ([29:15])
In the sermon, what is described as the "full gospel" that Jesus preached to the woman caught in adultery? ([19:00])
---
Interpretation Questions:
How does the concept of dying to self daily relate to entering the "most holy place" in one's spiritual journey, as mentioned in the sermon? ([06:31])
What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Holy Spirit in achieving victory over sin? ([10:05])
How does the sermon interpret the story of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land in relation to a believer's spiritual growth? ([11:33])
What does the sermon imply about the difference between being part of a church crowd and being part of the "inner core" of believers? ([08:34])
---
Application Questions:
Reflect on a time when remembering the past helped you appreciate God's work in your life. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude for God's interventions? ([00:55])
In what ways can you actively contribute to building a community of believers that emphasizes partnership and unique strengths? ([02:08])
Consider your current spiritual journey. What steps can you take to move beyond the "outer courts" and deepen your relationship with God? ([05:12])
How can you ensure that your focus remains on building the church rather than just gathering admirers or followers? ([07:47])
Baptism symbolizes a new life. How can you live out this declaration of freedom from sin in your daily life? ([29:15])
The sermon emphasizes transformation over mere forgiveness. What specific areas in your life require transformation, and how can you seek the Holy Spirit's empowerment in these areas? ([10:05])
How can you apply the "full gospel" message of "I do not condemn you; go and sin no more" in your interactions with others who may be struggling with sin? ([19:00])
Sermon Clips
It is very important to remember the past. God forgets our past sins, it's true. We don't remember our past in condemnation, never. We don't remember the evils that other people have done to us, never. We must remember the good that God did for us in the past. [00:27:24]
Once you come to the New Testament, as soon as you open the pages of the New Testament, you see that Jesus sent his people two by two because there is no such thing as a lone prophet in the New Testament. He may be a mighty man like Paul, but he needs a Barnabas to do the ministry. [02:05:12]
There is a core in the midst of this crowd. There is a core of a few people who are one body. That's what keeps this church going. It's not the big crowd. It never is. I never believed it was, and that inner core becomes more and more slowly, and God adds to that core. [03:49:01]
Very few go beyond the veil into the most holy place. Most people don't even know that the veil has been rent. You can go there, and that veil is the flesh of Jesus in which he crucified his self-life and has opened a way for anybody else who wants to crucify their self-light to go in. [05:03:72]
Those who are interested in Jesus himself, not activity, not doctrine, not even singing, but Jesus. There are people who come to a church for the singing. There are people who come to the church because people are very helpful and kind. There are people who come to church for the fellowship with good people. [05:37:96]
I'm interested in building the church. I'm not interested in building a crowd of people who admire good preaching. There are thousands and thousands of people who listen to my messages on the internet. There are about a thousand sermons on YouTube. Many people who outwardly oppose us as a church secretly they are listening. [07:38:84]
It's not right to keep on sinning. No, it's like we tell a child. I mean, we don't tell what we see in our little baby born. It's not right for you to keep on falling. It is accepted when you are 10 months old, 11 months old, 1 year old, 1 and obvious to struggling to find your feet. [09:56:20]
The Full Gospel is what Jesus preached in John chapter eight to a woman caught in adultery. You know, in all the people whom Jesus encountered, one of the most embarrassing and awkward, imagine being caught in adultery, not that somebody heard you commit adultery yesterday. No, no, no, no, caught in the room where you were committing adultery. [16:09:89]
I do not condemn you, number one, don't sin again, number two. That is the full gospel, John 8:11, and that is what we have preached in this church for 41 years. Not only don't sin again, first I don't condemn you. If you don't begin there, you will keep on sinning. [18:55:28]
Baptism is a picture of having being cut off from the old life of slavery to sin and fear of Pharaoh ruling you, devil ruling you, finished. You don't have to be afraid of the devil anymore. Going into the water and coming out and saying, Satan, I finished with you. [34:56:59]
The second picture is in 1 Peter and chapter 3. In 1 Peter chapter 3, it says about people who were once disobedient, verse 20, and speaking about spirits were disobedient and the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah 1 Peter 3:20 during the construction of the ark. [35:31:56]
When Noah came out to the ark, like when you come up out of the waters of baptism, Noah looked around, all his old friends had gone. They're all gone. All the old places of sin which were there were all gone, wiped out in the flood, and Noah started life afresh with those who were inside the ark. [37:33:33]