Transforming Faith: From Self-Centered to God-Centered
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound difference between genuine faith and its cheap substitutes. Using a personal anecdote about the difference between British and American Snickers bars, we delved into how easy it is to settle for less in our spiritual lives. Just as Juliet could discern the difference in quality between the two candy bars, we must be vigilant in recognizing when our faith becomes more about us than about God. The essence of true faith is not centered on what God can do for us, but on what we can offer to God. This shift in focus from self to God is crucial for a fulfilling spiritual journey.
We reflected on the importance of seeking God's kingdom first, as emphasized in Matthew 6:33. When our lives are aligned with God's will, we find that our needs are met in ways we couldn't have imagined. This principle was illustrated through the story of our church's journey to finding a new lease space, which came to fruition only after we prioritized God's kingdom over our immediate desires.
Furthermore, we discussed the necessity of both faithfulness and fruitfulness in our walk with Christ. Faith without action is dead, as James reminds us, and we are called to be stewards of what God has entrusted to us. This means producing fruit that reflects our devotion to Jesus, not just in words but in deeds. The parable of the fig tree in Mark 11 serves as a warning against a life that appears vibrant but lacks true spiritual fruit.
Finally, we examined the concept of spiritual pruning. Just as a gardener prunes a tree to encourage growth, God prunes our lives to make us more fruitful. This process can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for spiritual health and growth. As we enter 2025, we are called to focus on what will make our spiritual fruit grow healthier, ensuring that our lives are a true reflection of Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. Genuine Faith vs. Cheap Substitutes: True faith is not about what God can do for us but about what we can offer to God. When our faith becomes self-centered, we settle for a lesser version of the gospel. We must shift our focus from ourselves to God, recognizing His holiness and worthiness. [03:55]
2. Seek First God's Kingdom: Prioritizing God's kingdom leads to unexpected blessings. When we focus on God's will rather than our desires, we find that our needs are met in ways we couldn't have anticipated. This principle is a testament to God's faithfulness when we align our lives with His purposes. [05:37]
3. Faithfulness and Fruitfulness: Faith without action is dead. We are called to be stewards of what God has entrusted to us, producing fruit that reflects our devotion to Jesus. This requires both faithfulness and fruitfulness, as demonstrated in the parable of the wise stewards. [08:24]
4. The Necessity of Spiritual Pruning: God prunes our lives to encourage growth and fruitfulness. This process, though uncomfortable, is essential for spiritual health. By allowing God to prune us, we become more aligned with His will and more capable of producing spiritual fruit. [23:03]
5. Focus on Spiritual Health: As we enter 2025, we are called to focus on what will make our spiritual fruit grow healthier. This involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines and a willingness to let God prune our lives. By doing so, we ensure that our lives are a true reflection of Jesus. [21:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:55] - Discovering the Real Deal
- [02:08] - The Gospel of Me vs. The Gospel of Jesus
- [03:55] - Shifting Focus from Self to God
- [04:43] - Seeking First God's Kingdom
- [05:37] - God's Provision and Our Priorities
- [06:49] - Faithfulness vs. Fruitfulness
- [08:24] - The Joy of Spiritual Fruit
- [09:44] - The Parable of the Fig Tree
- [11:06] - Living a Fruitful Life
- [12:15] - Walking the Narrow Road
- [13:34] - Beware of False Prophets
- [15:51] - Evaluating Our Spiritual Fruit
- [17:52] - God's Timing and Our Patience
- [21:42] - Cultivating Spiritual Health in 2025
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
3. John 15:4-5 - "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Observation Questions:
1. What differences did Juliet notice between the British and American Snickers bars, and how does this relate to the concept of genuine faith versus cheap substitutes? [00:55]
2. How did the church's focus on seeking God's kingdom first lead to unexpected blessings, according to the sermon? [05:37]
3. What does the parable of the fig tree in Mark 11 illustrate about faithfulness and fruitfulness? [09:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the process of spiritual pruning, and why is it necessary for growth? [23:03]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that focusing on God's kingdom rather than personal desires can lead to unexpected blessings? [05:37]
2. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the idea that faith without action is dead, as mentioned in James 2:17? [08:24]
3. How does the concept of spiritual pruning relate to the idea of remaining in Jesus as described in John 15:4-5? [23:03]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between faithfulness and fruitfulness in a believer's life? [08:24]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Are there areas where you might be settling for a "cheap substitute" of genuine faith? How can you shift your focus from self to God? [03:55]
2. Consider a time when you prioritized God's kingdom over your own desires. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith? [05:37]
3. Identify one area in your life where you can take action to demonstrate your faith. What specific steps can you take this week to be more fruitful? [08:24]
4. Think about a situation where you experienced spiritual pruning. How did it feel, and what growth did it lead to in your spiritual life? [23:03]
5. As we enter 2025, what spiritual disciplines can you commit to in order to ensure your life is a true reflection of Jesus? [21:42]
6. How can you remain connected to Jesus in your daily life to ensure you are bearing fruit? What practical steps can you take to abide in Him? [18:49]
7. What distractions or unhealthy habits might God be calling you to prune from your life to become more fruitful? How will you address these challenges? [23:03]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
Day 1: Genuine Faith Requires Selflessness
True faith is not about what God can do for us but about what we can offer to God. When faith becomes self-centered, it loses its essence and becomes a lesser version of the gospel. Genuine faith requires a shift in focus from ourselves to God, recognizing His holiness and worthiness. This shift is crucial for a fulfilling spiritual journey, as it aligns our lives with God's purposes and allows us to experience the depth of His love and grace. [03:55]
"Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." (Romans 12:16 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you made your faith about yourself rather than about God? How can you begin to shift your focus today to offer more of yourself to God?
Day 2: Prioritizing God's Kingdom Brings Unexpected Blessings
When we prioritize God's kingdom, we open ourselves to unexpected blessings. By focusing on God's will rather than our desires, we find that our needs are met in ways we couldn't have anticipated. This principle is a testament to God's faithfulness when we align our lives with His purposes. It challenges us to trust in God's timing and provision, knowing that He is aware of our needs and will provide in His perfect way. [05:37]
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God's timing and provision? How can you actively prioritize His kingdom in that area today?
Day 3: Faithfulness and Fruitfulness Go Hand in Hand
Faith without action is dead. We are called to be stewards of what God has entrusted to us, producing fruit that reflects our devotion to Jesus. This requires both faithfulness and fruitfulness, as demonstrated in the parable of the wise stewards. Our lives should be a testament to our faith, not just in words but in deeds, showing the world the transformative power of Christ. [08:24]
"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:8 ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your faithfulness and produce spiritual fruit in your life?
Day 4: Embrace Spiritual Pruning for Growth
God prunes our lives to encourage growth and fruitfulness. This process, though uncomfortable, is essential for spiritual health. By allowing God to prune us, we become more aligned with His will and more capable of producing spiritual fruit. Embracing this process requires trust in God's wisdom and a willingness to let go of what hinders our spiritual growth. [23:03]
"Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:2 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life that God might be pruning? How can you embrace this process and trust in His wisdom for your growth?
Day 5: Focus on Spiritual Health for a Fruitful Life
As we enter 2025, we are called to focus on what will make our spiritual fruit grow healthier. This involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines and a willingness to let God prune our lives. By doing so, we ensure that our lives are a true reflection of Jesus, bearing fruit that glorifies God and impacts the world around us. [21:42]
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23 ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual discipline can you commit to this year to enhance your spiritual health and fruitfulness? How will you incorporate it into your daily routine?
Quotes
"Following Jesus is not about you getting more stuff from God. It is about you giving more of yourself to God. And if we will do that, the craziest thing happens. Last year on Vision Sunday, we shared a verse over our whole church for the year, which was Matthew 633, which is seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." [00:04:39] (27 seconds)
"James says that faith, faith without deeds is dead. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the story of the parable of the wise stewards. Two of the stewards, and steward and manage what God's entrusted to them well, they double it and God says, well done, good and faithful servant. But there's that one servant who does nothing with it. He buries it in the ground." [00:08:43] (22 seconds)
"It doesn't say he squandered it. It doesn't say he wasted it. It doesn't even say he lost it. He just didn't multiply what had been entrusted to him. And the master replies in Matthew 25, 26, you wicked, lazy servant. Wow. You and I have a responsibility to multiply what God has entrusted to us. And ultimately, God expects a return on his investment in you. No pressure." [00:08:53] (29 seconds)
"Faithfulness without fruitfulness is like planting seeds and never seeing a harvest. Now I'm not a farmer, but if I were doing that, I would look and go, something is off. Something's broken. I need to make a change. The title of today's message on Vision Sunday 2025 is how to live a fruitful life. I am prophetically declaring over our church as a whole and over every individual in this church that 2025 is going to be a fruitful year." [00:10:44] (33 seconds)
"The goal in your walk with Jesus is not fruit. The goal in your walk with Jesus is Jesus. Now, if you are connected to Jesus, you will be producing fruit. But if you say you love Jesus and there's not fruit coming out of your life, you have to take an inventory and figure out what's off. Because something needs to change." [00:18:49] (22 seconds)
"John 15, Jesus says, remain in me as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing." [00:19:19] (21 seconds)
"God desires both faithfulness and fruitfulness. In the 1990s, the British rowing team was not doing very well. They hadn't won a gold medal in about a hundred years. They finished seventh at the national global rowing competition again, and they started to get frustrated. They could never seem to get above seventh place. And so the team all got together, had a conversation, and said, something needs to change." [00:19:50] (28 seconds)
"At Elan Church this year we are going to get in the healthiest spiritual shape of our lives we are going to be wholly devoted to Jesus we are going to abide in him remain in him and as a result as a byproduct of that I believe we're going to see God do more in terms of producing fruit through us corporately and through you individually than ever before but if that's going to happen it starts with a decision to invite God to prune some of the things that need to be cut out of our life things like people pleasing things like unhealthy habits things like toxic relationships things like unforgiveness spiritual apathy our incessant need to be a control freak and not hand things over to God busyness that distracts us from God there are things in our life that we need to take an inventory of and say God I need you to prune me so that I can be fruitful or so that I can be even more fruitful and instead we need to redirect that and go all in for Jesus all in for Jesus through worship through God's word through prayer through fasting through solitude through generosity serving being a part of God's community the body of Christ through sharing the good news about others the good news about Jesus with others excuse me and through pursuing holiness what will make the fruit grow healthier what will make the fruit grow healthier what will make the fruit grow healthier if we zero in on that one question I promise you we will have a year unlike any other that we've had every tree bears good fruit if you're not bearing fruit it's time to make some changes to start producing some fruit if you are bearing fruit it's time to make some changes so that you can become even more fruitful and if you can come and join me that verse I just quoted from Matthew 717, which I read earlier as well." [00:25:46] (121 seconds)
"Ultimately, fruitful doesn't mean perfect. None of us is perfect. Thank God that we're not right with God because we're perfect, because we fall so short. Jesus is perfect. We're not. Thank God for Jesus. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be faithful and fruitful. Will it make the fruit grow? Will it make the fruit grow healthier?" [00:22:28] (19 seconds)
"If that is the answer, then we need to be very, very careful because the Bible tells us how we produce healthier fruit. In John 15, it says, He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit. While every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. So if you are not producing fruit in your life, you are not producing fruit in your life." [00:22:55] (22 seconds)
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