Transformative Hope: Living Purposefully in Christ

 

Summary

In times of uncertainty and turmoil, God remains our steadfast hope, strength, and healer. He transforms what is broken into something beautiful, breathing new life into what was once dead. This transformative power is not confined to a single place but is at work in communities and churches worldwide. Our focus should always be on exalting Jesus, not on any individual or denomination. Today, we celebrate the act of baptism, a profound outward demonstration of an inward transformation. Baptism symbolizes the death of the old self and the birth of a new creation in Christ. It is a public declaration of faith, a commitment to follow Jesus, and a step in the lifelong journey of discipleship.

Baptism does not make us immune to sin or temptation; rather, it marks the beginning of a journey where we must continually seek God, immerse ourselves in His Word, and grow in our faith. This journey requires daily decisions to follow Jesus, even when we falter. We must resist the lies that tell us we are unworthy of God's love and instead, continually seek His mercy and forgiveness.

As we embark on this journey, we are reminded of the importance of living with purpose. Regardless of our background or circumstances, we all seek meaning in our lives. The story of Nehemiah, a man who lived with purpose, offers valuable lessons. Nehemiah was a Jewish man living in the Persian Empire, far from his ancestral homeland. Despite never having visited Jerusalem, he cared deeply about its condition. When he learned of its desolation, he was moved to tears, fasting and praying for days. His story teaches us to ask caring questions, feel the weight of the issues around us, and prioritize prayer.

Nehemiah's example challenges us to let our hearts be broken by the things that break God's heart. We are called to live intentionally, to make our lives count by aligning our passions with God's purposes. This requires us to ask ourselves what bothers us, what breaks our hearts, and what excites us. By doing so, we can discover our God-given purpose and make a meaningful impact in the world.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Transformative Power: God takes what is broken and breathes new life into it, transforming it into something beautiful. This power is not limited to a single place but is at work in communities worldwide. We are called to exalt Jesus above all else. [25:14]

- Baptism as a Declaration: Baptism is an outward demonstration of an inward transformation. It symbolizes the death of the old self and the birth of a new creation in Christ. It is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to follow Jesus. [28:23]

- Living with Purpose: Regardless of our circumstances, we all seek purpose in our lives. Nehemiah's story teaches us to ask caring questions, feel the weight of the issues around us, and prioritize prayer. By aligning our passions with God's purposes, we can make our lives count. [57:02]

- Feeling the Weight: Nehemiah's reaction to the desolation of Jerusalem teaches us to feel the weight of the issues around us. By allowing ourselves to be moved by the things that break God's heart, we can discover our God-given purpose. [59:24]

- Prioritizing Prayer: Before taking action, Nehemiah prioritized prayer, seeking God's guidance and intervention. We are called to do the same, bringing our burdens to God and trusting in His power to move hearts and change situations. [01:07:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:14] - God's Transformative Power
- [26:09] - The Example of Jesus' Baptism
- [28:23] - Baptism as a Declaration
- [29:45] - The Journey of Faith
- [31:53] - Baptism Ceremony Begins
- [45:44] - Prayer for the Baptized
- [47:24] - Introduction to Nehemiah
- [53:26] - Living with Purpose
- [57:02] - Asking Caring Questions
- [59:24] - Feeling the Weight
- [01:02:08] - Finding Passion and Purpose
- [01:07:50] - Prioritizing Prayer
- [01:12:28] - Living Intentionally
- [01:16:00] - Invitation to Follow Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 28:18-20
- Nehemiah 1:1-4

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Observation Questions:

1. What does baptism symbolize according to the sermon, and how is it described as an outward demonstration of an inward transformation? [28:23]

2. How did Nehemiah react when he heard about the condition of Jerusalem, and what actions did he take in response? [59:24]

3. What specific instructions did Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20, and how does this relate to the practice of baptism?

4. In Nehemiah 1:1-4, what was Nehemiah's initial response to the news about Jerusalem, and what does this reveal about his character?

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the act of baptism serve as a public declaration of faith, and why is it important for believers to make this declaration? [28:23]

2. What can we learn from Nehemiah's example about the importance of feeling the weight of issues that align with God's heart? How might this influence our own sense of purpose? [59:24]

3. In what ways does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 challenge believers to live out their faith actively and intentionally?

4. How does Nehemiah's prioritization of prayer before taking action demonstrate a model for addressing challenges in our own lives? [01:07:50]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own baptism or decision to follow Jesus. How has this commitment impacted your daily life and decisions? Are there areas where you need to renew your commitment? [28:23]

2. Nehemiah allowed himself to be deeply moved by the condition of Jerusalem. What current issues or situations in your community or the world break your heart, and how might God be calling you to respond? [59:24]

3. Jesus instructed His disciples to make disciples of all nations. How can you actively participate in this mission within your own sphere of influence? Identify one specific action you can take this week.

4. Nehemiah prioritized prayer before taking action. What steps can you take to ensure that prayer is a foundational part of your decision-making process? [01:07:50]

5. Consider the questions posed in the sermon about what bothers you, breaks your heart, or excites you. How can these reflections help you discover your God-given purpose and make a meaningful impact in the world? [01:05:15]

6. The sermon emphasized living with purpose. What practical steps can you take to align your passions with God's purposes and make your life count? [57:02]

7. How can you support others in their journey of faith, especially those who have recently been baptized or are new to following Jesus? What role can you play in their spiritual growth and encouragement? [45:44]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Transformative Power in Brokenness
In times of uncertainty and turmoil, God remains our steadfast hope, strength, and healer. He takes what is broken and breathes new life into it, transforming it into something beautiful. This transformative power is not limited to a single place but is at work in communities and churches worldwide. We are called to exalt Jesus above all else, recognizing that His power is at work in our lives and the world around us. By focusing on Jesus, we can find hope and strength in the midst of our brokenness. [25:14]

Isaiah 61:3 (ESV): "To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

Reflection: What is one area of brokenness in your life where you need to invite God's transformative power? How can you actively seek His healing and strength in this area today?


Day 2: Baptism as a Declaration of New Life
Baptism is a profound outward demonstration of an inward transformation. It symbolizes the death of the old self and the birth of a new creation in Christ. This public declaration of faith is a commitment to follow Jesus and a step in the lifelong journey of discipleship. While baptism does not make us immune to sin or temptation, it marks the beginning of a journey where we must continually seek God, immerse ourselves in His Word, and grow in our faith. This journey requires daily decisions to follow Jesus, even when we falter. [28:23]

Romans 6:4 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does this outward declaration of faith challenge you to live as a new creation in Christ today?


Day 3: Living with Purpose Like Nehemiah
Regardless of our circumstances, we all seek purpose in our lives. The story of Nehemiah, a man who lived with purpose, offers valuable lessons. Nehemiah was a Jewish man living in the Persian Empire, far from his ancestral homeland. Despite never having visited Jerusalem, he cared deeply about its condition. When he learned of its desolation, he was moved to tears, fasting and praying for days. His story teaches us to ask caring questions, feel the weight of the issues around us, and prioritize prayer. By aligning our passions with God's purposes, we can make our lives count. [57:02]

Nehemiah 1:4 (ESV): "As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

Reflection: What is one issue or cause that deeply moves you? How can you begin to align your actions and prayers with God's purposes in this area?


Day 4: Feeling the Weight of What Breaks God's Heart
Nehemiah's reaction to the desolation of Jerusalem teaches us to feel the weight of the issues around us. By allowing ourselves to be moved by the things that break God's heart, we can discover our God-given purpose. This requires us to ask ourselves what bothers us, what breaks our hearts, and what excites us. By doing so, we can make a meaningful impact in the world and live intentionally. [59:24]

Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Reflection: What is one thing that breaks your heart and aligns with God's heart? How can you take a step today to address this issue in a way that reflects God's love and compassion?


Day 5: Prioritizing Prayer in Our Actions
Before taking action, Nehemiah prioritized prayer, seeking God's guidance and intervention. We are called to do the same, bringing our burdens to God and trusting in His power to move hearts and change situations. By prioritizing prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God and invite Him to work in and through us. This practice helps us align our actions with His will and ensures that we are living intentionally and purposefully. [01:07:50]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to prioritize prayer? How can you intentionally make space for prayer today to seek God's guidance and peace?

Quotes



"Baptism is an outward demonstration of what God has already done inside. Baptism is a way of going public, of telling the world, I have decided to follow Jesus. And I want the world to know, right? Right? Now, here's the other thing. I wish I could say that baptism makes you perfect and that you're never gonna struggle with sin or temptation ever again." [00:28:18] (24 seconds)


"And so there's gonna be all the more reason to pursue and chase after God and grab a hold of God and get in the word of God. And if you want to grow in any of those areas, we'd love to come alongside you and coach you and how to do those things. But this is the first step that we see in scripture that people do after they become a follower of Jesus." [00:28:54] (20 seconds)


"This is a journey of every day making the decision to follow Jesus today. And when we have days where we go in the wrong direction, we get back up and we say, Lord, have mercy on me, forgive me. I wanna be your man, I wanna be your woman, and we keep going toward him, right? And we don't let the devil lie to us and tell us that it's over and that God doesn't love us anymore, right?" [00:29:23] (22 seconds)


"Nehemiah found his passion in the middle of a conversation about a place he had never even visited. Something came over him. There was a dissatisfaction. There was a frustration about the situation. And inside of him, he began to feel a sense of urgency. Something's got to be done. This isn't right. We've got to take care of this." [01:01:12] (23 seconds)


"Bob Pierce used to say this. He said, let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God. I can tell you, if there's a generation of people who would stand up and say, man, I want my heart to be broken by the things that break God's heart. That's one of the first steps in getting to a place of making your life count." [01:02:24] (20 seconds)


"Let purpose grab you. Don't try to medicate it away. Here's what happens in our culture. When we begin to feel the weight of something, do you know what we do? We instantly try to distract ourselves by putting a football game on the TV or by, you know, scrolling through you, TikTok on your phone or through binge watching a new episode or a new series on Netflix." [01:06:48] (23 seconds)


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Transcript
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