Transforming Lives Through Faith and Community

Devotional

Day 1: Pray Boldly for One Another

As members of God's family, we have been given the privilege to approach our Father with boldness in prayer. This boldness is not just for our personal needs, but extends to interceding for one another. Our relationship with God as His children obligates us to care for our siblings in Christ, and one way we can do this is through fervent prayer ([11:04]).

Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Reflection: How can you incorporate bold intercessory prayer for others into your daily prayer routine?

Day 2: Motivate One Another to Love and Good Works

We are called to think creatively about how we can inspire each other towards acts of love and good works. This requires intentionality and planning, and goes beyond mere motivation to a commitment to actively encourage and uplift one another ([12:20]).

Hebrews 10:24 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

Reflection: What are some creative ways you can motivate someone in your life towards acts of love and good works this week?

Day 3: Prioritize Gathering Together

Our faithfulness to gather as a family of believers is a demonstration of our love for Jesus and His church. It is an opportunity to evangelize, build up believers, and cultivate a heart of gratitude. Our consistent presence in the gathering of believers is a testament to our commitment to the family of God ([17:30]).

Hebrews 10:25 - "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."

Reflection: How can you prioritize gathering with other believers in your weekly schedule?

Day 4: Take Sin Seriously

As members of God's family, we must take sin seriously. The Father and the Son took sin so seriously that Jesus came to take our place on Calvary, paying for our sins. To take sin lightly is to disrespect the family of God ([25:30]).

Galatians 6:9-10 - "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and seriousness towards sin in your life?

Day 5: Be an Encourager

We are called to be encouragers, to motivate and uplift others in love and good works. This requires us to be intentional and proactive, not just recipients of encouragement but givers of it. We are to be the positive influence, the exhorter in the lives of others ([13:32]).

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Reflection: Who in your life needs encouragement today and how can you provide it?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior and living our lives as if Jesus is better. I highlighted the growth of the church and the need to refocus on the basics of being a church family. I stressed that the church is not the building, but the people who gather in it. I encouraged everyone to think of one person they can grow closer to, bear their burdens, and pray for. I also spoke about the joy of leading a church and the importance of taking sin seriously. I urged everyone to pray boldly, motivate and encourage one another, and meet together regularly as a church family. I concluded by reminding everyone that the Word of God is not for information, but for transformation through application.

Key Takeaways

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Sermon Clips

1. "I've been called to give my life to the local church and I have but I have spoken to five people and I've spoken to 500 people actually literally I've spoken to 1500 people and so I want you to know from experience it is a lot easier to speak to 1500 people than to five people." - 19:23

2. "If we're going to gather together as God's family we need to take sin seriously. I struggle with this one because again one of the things that some of us don't even agree on is what sin is and which one we can get away with and how close can I get to sin before it's really sin." - 20:30

3. "Let us not neglect our meeting together as some people do but encourage one another especially now that the day of his return is Drawing Near. I Think Jesus is coming back and I think it's sooner than later." - 14:12

4. "We need to learn as a family of God to learn to pray boldly for not only for yourself but for one another. Belonging to the family of God should mean something, there should be a line there." - 11:39

5. "Every Christian, anybody who knows Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, should be a member an active participating member of a local church family. The church family is to live out the great commandment and further the Great Commission." - 01:05

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