Transforming Lives Through Unity and Godly Relationships
Summary
### Summary
Today, we celebrate the incredible work God is doing through High Ridge Church. From launching a new campus in Parker County to witnessing 270 teenagers at our youth launch party, it's clear that God is moving powerfully among us. This growth isn't about numbers; it's about lives being transformed—salvations, restored marriages, and children hearing about God's love for the first time. Our church is committed to investing in the next generation, ensuring that they know God, find freedom, discover their purpose, and make a difference.
We delved into Acts chapter 2, exploring the early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. This passage highlights the importance of godly relationships in finding freedom. Many of us have experienced seasons where our faith felt unshakeable, only to later find ourselves struggling. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that "as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Godly relationships are essential for maintaining our spiritual edge and experiencing true freedom.
Freedom leads to unity, and unity facilitates a move of God. When we are free, we focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and each other. This unity is crucial for experiencing God's anointing and favor. The early church's unity led to daily additions of those being saved, demonstrating the power of collective faith and purpose.
Our vision at High Ridge is to strengthen people for life by helping them know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference. This isn't just a church strategy; it's a biblical mandate. God has a macro plan for our lives, and while we may seek answers to specific questions, we must remember the bigger picture. By engaging in godly relationships, we align ourselves with God's plan, experiencing freedom and unity that lead to a move of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Work in Our Church: The growth and activities at High Ridge Church are not about numbers but about lives being transformed. From salvations to restored marriages, God is moving powerfully among us. This is a testament to our commitment to investing in the next generation and creating space for new people to encounter God. [35:32]
2. The Importance of Godly Relationships: Proverbs 27:17 teaches us that "as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Godly relationships are essential for maintaining our spiritual edge and experiencing true freedom. Without these relationships, we risk losing our sense of freedom and spiritual vitality. [56:17]
3. Freedom Leads to Unity: When we experience true freedom in Christ, it naturally leads to unity within the church. This unity is crucial for experiencing God's anointing and favor. The early church's unity, as described in Acts 2, led to daily additions of those being saved, demonstrating the power of collective faith and purpose. [01:02:02]
4. Unity Facilitates a Move of God: Unity among believers is essential for facilitating a move of God. When we are united, we focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and each other. This unity brings God's anointing and favor, leading to transformative experiences in our lives and communities. [01:07:45]
5. God's Macro Plan for Our Lives: While we often seek specific answers from God, it's important to remember His macro plan for our lives. God wants us to know Him, find freedom, discover our purpose, and make a difference. By engaging in godly relationships and aligning ourselves with His plan, we experience the fullness of His purpose for our lives. [51:12]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[34:44] - Exciting Season for Our Church
[35:32] - God's Work and Growth
[36:10] - Youth Ministry Success
[37:25] - Transformative Impact on Teenagers
[38:02] - Investing in the Next Generation
[39:41] - The Cost of Ministry
[40:15] - Introduction to Acts Chapter 2
[40:55] - Understanding God's Plan
[42:20] - Micro vs. Macro Plan
[43:44] - God's Revealed Plan
[44:17] - Exodus 6 and God's Promises
[46:41] - Knowing God and Finding Freedom
[48:31] - Teaching Freedom
[51:12] - God's Macro Plan for Your Life
[56:17] - Godly Relationships Lead to Freedom
[01:02:02] - Freedom Brings Unity
[01:07:45] - Unity Facilitates a Move of God
[01:11:27] - Call to Action and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:42-47: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
2. Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
3. Exodus 6:6-7: "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the four main activities the early church devoted themselves to according to Acts 2:42-47?
2. How does Proverbs 27:17 describe the impact of godly relationships on individuals?
3. In Exodus 6:6-7, what are the four promises God makes to the Israelites?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer was so impactful in their community? [52:24]
2. How can the principle of "iron sharpens iron" from Proverbs 27:17 be applied to modern Christian relationships? [56:17]
3. What does it mean for God to have a "macro plan" for our lives, and how does this understanding affect our daily decisions? [51:12]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Do you have godly friends who help sharpen your faith? If not, what steps can you take to build such relationships? [56:53]
2. The early church experienced unity and growth through their shared activities. How can you contribute to unity and growth in your own church community? [52:24]
3. Think about a time when you felt spiritually "sharp" and a time when you felt "dull." What were the differences in your relationships and activities during those times? [53:41]
4. How can you actively seek freedom in Christ in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you feel enslaved or burdened that you need to bring to God? [48:31]
5. Discuss a practical way you can invest in the next generation, as emphasized in the sermon. How can you make a difference in the lives of younger believers? [38:02]
6. How can you ensure that your focus remains on God's macro plan for your life, even when you are seeking answers to specific questions? [42:20]
7. What steps can you take this week to foster unity within your small group or church, and how can this unity facilitate a move of God in your community? [01:07:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformative Power of God's Work
God's work in our church is not about numbers but about lives being transformed. From salvations to restored marriages, the evidence of God's powerful movement is clear. High Ridge Church is committed to investing in the next generation, ensuring that they know God, find freedom, discover their purpose, and make a difference. This commitment is seen in the launch of a new campus in Parker County and the impactful youth launch party attended by 270 teenagers. These events are not just milestones but testimonies of lives being changed and hearts being touched by God's love. [35:32]
Acts 2:46-47 (ESV): "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Reflection: Think of a recent event or activity at your church that impacted you. How did it transform your life or the lives of others around you?
Day 2: The Essential Role of Godly Relationships
Proverbs 27:17 teaches us that "as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Godly relationships are essential for maintaining our spiritual edge and experiencing true freedom. Without these relationships, we risk losing our sense of freedom and spiritual vitality. The early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer highlights the importance of these relationships. They are not just social connections but spiritual lifelines that help us stay grounded in our faith and grow in our walk with God. [56:17]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Identify a godly relationship in your life that has helped you grow spiritually. How can you invest more in this relationship to ensure mutual growth and support?
Day 3: Freedom Brings Unity
When we experience true freedom in Christ, it naturally leads to unity within the church. This unity is crucial for experiencing God's anointing and favor. The early church's unity, as described in Acts 2, led to daily additions of those being saved, demonstrating the power of collective faith and purpose. Freedom in Christ allows us to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and each other. This focus fosters a sense of community and shared mission that is essential for the church's growth and impact. [01:02:02]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced unity within your church community. How did this unity impact your faith and the faith of those around you?
Day 4: Unity Facilitates a Move of God
Unity among believers is essential for facilitating a move of God. When we are united, we focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and each other. This unity brings God's anointing and favor, leading to transformative experiences in our lives and communities. The early church's unity led to daily additions of those being saved, showing the power of collective faith and purpose. When we come together in unity, we create an environment where God's presence can move powerfully and bring about lasting change. [01:07:45]
Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV): "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can contribute to the unity of your church community this week. How can you help facilitate a move of God through your actions and attitudes?
Day 5: Embracing God's Macro Plan
While we often seek specific answers from God, it's important to remember His macro plan for our lives. God wants us to know Him, find freedom, discover our purpose, and make a difference. By engaging in godly relationships and aligning ourselves with His plan, we experience the fullness of His purpose for our lives. This broader perspective helps us navigate the uncertainties of life with faith and confidence, knowing that God is orchestrating everything for our good and His glory. [51:12]
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been seeking specific answers from God. How can you shift your focus to embrace His macro plan and trust in His overarching purpose for your life?
Quotes
1. "I've been in ministry for 16 years. And I've been to every conference under the sun and read all the books and listened to all the podcasts about how to lead church. And I can tell you one thing that I've learned. Is that if a church wants to build a legacy and be a part of a community for the long term, it better invest in the next generation." [38:02] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God doesn't just want to save you and for you to know him. He doesn't want to just save you from your sin. He then wants to teach you how to find freedom. And see, the reason he had to teach the Egyptians how to be free is because, remember, they've been enslaved for over 400 years. I mean, that generation of Israelites, all they've known is slavery. So he's got to teach them what it means to be free." [47:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "There is a reason that you've been placed here you are not here by accident god has a plan for your life you're going to spend a lifetime uncovering that and discovering what that is but you have a reason for being here there is a purpose for your journey there is a purpose for your pain and god's plan reminds you of that so he wants to redeem us restore us back to his original plan for our life." [48:31] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So what is the point? Godly relationships lead to freedom. And then number two, freedom leads to unity. I don't know how much time you've spent in the New Testament, but when you study the writings of Paul, one of his major themes in the New Testament is unity. Not conformity, but unity. It's a big deal to God. And what we know throughout Scripture is that God blesses unity." [01:02:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And here's the thing, friend. Here's what I want to show you. Why know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference? What's so special about that? Listen, there are hundreds of churches in America that say that. They want to help people know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference. And here's what I want to remind you of today. This isn't some cool church strategy that we have." [50:32] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And here's why I'm here to remind you, my friend. You can isolate all you want in Christianity. I'm just here to tell you it's not going to work. It won't. If you isolate and you don't, if you don't make yourself, if you don't make yourself, and force yourself to be around godly people and in godly relationships, I am just telling you, friend, though you've been set free because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, you're not going to feel free because you're not operating the way that God has designed you to operate." [58:40] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And here's the thing, friend. You're not going to experience freedom until you know Him. That is the source. It is forgiveness of our sin. It's repentance. It's a life-changing relationship with the Son. If that's you, friend, or those of you who are watching online, and you want to do that, you want to meet Him, I'm going to give you an opportunity right now in this moment." [01:13:01] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And I believe that God will move in your life specifically. But there's got to be unity because that facilitates a move of God. In fact, that's what we see in Acts chapter 2, verse 46. And day by day, attending the temple together, sitting in rows like you're doing right now, and breaking bread in their homes, sitting in circles. Again, friend, you're going to come to church and you're going to learn things as you hear a speaker preach on the word of God, and that's great." [01:08:19] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And here's what freedom means. Freedom means you get to choose. That's what the Bible means when the Bible says, whom the Son has set free is now free indeed. Here's essentially what it's saying. Before you knew God, you didn't get to choose whether you sinned or not. But now that you know God, and the death, burial, and resurrection has saved you, now in the face of sin, you get to choose whether you do it or not. That's what freedom is. Freedom's a choice. It means you get to choose." [01:06:10] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And I just wanted to share with you that we're doing the best we can to steward that and use that for a life change and to invest in the next generation because that's what it's all about. Amen. Amen. And so again, thank you guys so much for being a part of our church and believing in the mission here." [40:15] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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