Transformative Power of God: From Brokenness to Redemption
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor introducing the congregation to Saul, also known as the Apostle Paul, an unlikely candidate for becoming a Christian. The pastor emphasizes the importance of prayer and bearing one another's burdens within the church community. He then transitions to the topic of giving cheerfully and generously to support the church's mission and needs. The pastor encourages the congregation to let go of their past and focus on the future that God has planned for them. He emphasizes the importance of investigating their current realities and asking God why they are in their current circumstances.
The pastor uses the example of Saul, who was persecuting Christians but had a transformative encounter with the Lord on his way to Damascus. He reminds the congregation that God can take their brokenness and use it for His glory, just as He did with Saul. The pastor emphasizes that the Christian testimony should not focus on personal achievements or moral improvement, but rather on the transformative power of Jesus. Jesus did not come to make good people better, but to bring dead people to life.
The pastor highlights the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for our sins, emphasizing that the gospel is about being lost and then found through God's grace. He also reminds the congregation that despite their outward appearances, they are all broken and in need of God's redemption. Some carry the burden of their own mistakes, while others carry the weight of brokenness caused by others. The pastor encourages the congregation to identify their points of brokenness and to trust in God's ability to heal and restore.
The pastor emphasizes that no matter what has happened in our past, God has the power to redeem it and turn it into something beautiful for His glory and our good. He uses the example of Saul, who later became Paul, to illustrate this point. Saul's past was filled with violence and persecution against Christians, but he didn't want his past to be glossed over or ignored. Instead, he wanted it to be acknowledged and shared as a testimony of God's transformative power. The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of acknowledging our past and recognizing the change that God has brought into our lives.
In the sermon, the pastor encourages the congregation to be willing to say "yes" to God and to live out their faith boldly. He prays for those struggling with decisions and those wanting to commit their lives to Christ. He emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God's plan and giving all glory to Him. The pastor also stresses the importance of leaving the past behind and focusing on the future. He uses the metaphor of a car's windshield and rearview mirror to illustrate this point, warning against dwelling on the past and missing out on God's blessings.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christian testimony should not focus on personal achievements or moral improvement, but rather on the transformative power of Jesus. Jesus did not come to make good people better, but to bring dead people to life. The gospel is about being lost and then found through God's grace. ([49:33])
- Despite outward appearances, everyone is broken and in need of God's redemption. Some carry the burden of their own mistakes, while others carry the weight of brokenness caused by others. It's important to identify points of brokenness and trust in God's ability to heal and restore. ([52:45])
- No matter what has happened in the past, God has the power to redeem it and turn it into something beautiful for His glory and our good. It's crucial to acknowledge the past and recognize the change that God has brought into our lives. ([55:12])
- The story of Saul, who later became Paul, illustrates the transformative power of God. Saul's past was filled with violence and persecution against Christians, but he didn't want his past to be glossed over or ignored. Instead, he wanted it to be acknowledged and shared as a testimony of God's transformative power. ([57:30])
- The importance of prayer and bearing one another's burdens within the church community is emphasized. The congregation is encouraged to fill out prayer request forms, which the pastors and staff will pray over every Tuesday. This practice fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility. ([59:45])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 16:15-18
2. Matthew 28:18-20
3. Acts 1:8
4. Acts 2:42
5. Acts 9:1-2
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 16:15-18, what is the significance of Jesus' question to His disciples and Peter's response?
2. What is the command given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 and how does it relate to the actions of the early church in Acts 2:42?
3. In Acts 9:1-2, what was Saul's mission and how does it contrast with his later life?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Peter's confession in Matthew 16:15-18 relate to our understanding of who Jesus is and our personal testimonies?
2. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 apply to us today, especially in the context of bearing one another's burdens and supporting the church's mission?
3. Considering Saul's transformation in Acts 9:1-2, how does this illustrate the transformative power of Jesus and the concept of redemption?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Peter's confession in Matthew 16:15-18, how can you articulate your personal testimony of who Jesus is to you?
2. In light of Matthew 28:18-20, what is one specific way you can contribute to the mission of your local church this week?
3. Considering Saul's transformation in Acts 9:1-2, can you identify a point of brokenness in your life that you need to surrender to God for healing and restoration?
4. How can you acknowledge and share your past as a testimony of God's transformative power, like Saul did, in a conversation this week?
5. What is one specific action you can take this week to say "yes" to God and live out your faith more boldly?
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Jesus
The Christian testimony is not about personal achievements or moral improvement, but rather about the transformative power of Jesus. Jesus did not come to make good people better, but to bring dead people to life. The gospel is about being lost and then found through God's grace. ([49:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZsFpH2Rex0&t=2958s))
Bible Passage: Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: How has the transformative power of Jesus impacted your life? Can you identify a specific moment when you felt lost and then found through God's grace?
Day 2: Brokenness and Redemption
Despite outward appearances, everyone is broken and in need of God's redemption. Some carry the burden of their own mistakes, while others carry the weight of brokenness caused by others. It's important to identify points of brokenness and trust in God's ability to heal and restore. ([52:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZsFpH2Rex0&t=3150s))
Bible Passage: Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Reflection: What are some areas of brokenness in your life that you need God's healing and restoration? How can you trust God more with these areas?
Day 3: Redeeming the Past
No matter what has happened in the past, God has the power to redeem it and turn it into something beautiful for His glory and our good. It's crucial to acknowledge the past and recognize the change that God has brought into our lives. ([55:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZsFpH2Rex0&t=3297s))
Bible Passage: Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Reflection: What past experiences has God redeemed in your life? How have these experiences changed you and brought glory to God?
Day 4: The Power of Testimony
The story of Saul, who later became Paul, illustrates the transformative power of God. Saul's past was filled with violence and persecution against Christians, but he didn't want his past to be glossed over or ignored. Instead, he wanted it to be acknowledged and shared as a testimony of God's transformative power. ([57:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZsFpH2Rex0&t=3435s))
Bible Passage: 1 Timothy 1:15-16 - "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."
Reflection: How can you use your past experiences as a testimony of God's transformative power? Who can you share your testimony with this week?
Day 5: The Importance of Community Prayer
The importance of prayer and bearing one another's burdens within the church community is emphasized. The congregation is encouraged to fill out prayer request forms, which the pastors and staff will pray over every Tuesday. This practice fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility. ([59:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZsFpH2Rex0&t=3570s))
Bible Passage: James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: How can you be more involved in community prayer? Is there a burden you're carrying that you can share with your church community for prayer and support?
Quotes
"As a church family, one of our jobs is we're supposed to bear one another's burdens. And this helps us to do that, this helps us to know how we can bear each other's burdens." #!!10:45!!#
"Investigate the current realities... Ask the questions. God, why do you have me here? Why do you have me in this church?" #!!01:06:06!!#
"Jesus did not come to make moral people more moral. He didn't come to make good people a little bit good. Jesus came to bring dead people to life." #!!01:02:23!!#
"In order to move past your past, you really have to identify your points of brokenness. And for some of us, your brokenness is something that is your fault... But for some of us, if I'm honest with you, for some of us, your brokenness, it's not even your fault." #!!01:03:41!!#
"God is in the business of taking all these broken pieces and turning it into a masterpiece for his glory. And for your good." #!!01:00:44!!#
"Years after these accounts took place, Saul, who's now called Paul, is sitting there with Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, and he's saying to him, Luke, don't leave this stuff out. When you write your story, when you write your account, don't gloss over my past." #!!01:01:46!!#
"All of a sudden for the first time, maybe ever in your life it clicks and you realize he didn't just die on the cross for the sins of the world. He died on the cross for me. Because I'm a sinner. Because I have a past. Because I'm far from God. And that's for me in this moment." (source: #!!54:39!!#)
"I wonder what God wants to do with you. I mean, if God can do this with a Mr. Impossible, I wonder what he wants to do with you." #!!57:43!!#
"Christianity is not just about religiosity. It's not just about this perfunctory checklist, the boxes that you have to check off. That's not what Christianity is. Christianity is a way. It's a way of life. It's a lifestyle. It's a way of values. It's about aligning your whole life with God's design." #!!46:18!!#
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