Trusting God's Guidance in Discipleship and Service
Summary
In this sermon, the pastor continues the series "Life with the Living God," focusing on the nature of God and His interaction with His creation. The pastor emphasizes that God is a speaking God, whose word goes out and accomplishes something. The power of the Holy Spirit works through God's word to form and shape us. The pastor also highlights the faithfulness of God to His promises, encouraging the congregation to hold fast to their hope without wavering. The sermon emphasizes the importance of discipleship and being conformed into the image of Christ for the sake of others.
The pastor underscores that our salvation is not based on our actions, but on the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He warns against stopping at verse 9 and missing verse 10, which reminds us that being saved does not mean we are meant to be passive or idle. Instead, we are called to live out our faith through good works that God has prepared for us. The pastor quotes Martin Luther, who said that God does not need our good works, but our neighbors do.
The pastor reflects on the idea of being conformed into the image of Christ together for the sake of others. He mentions how their congregation has been called into the ministry of a school, providing Christian education to families in their community. They recognize that God raises up new times and opportunities, such as their church plant in a different community, where Pastor Chad is ministering with the hope of the Gospel. Despite the unexpected challenges of a global pandemic, the pastor acknowledges that God was guiding them and leading them down that path.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's guidance and not going through life alone. He highlights the recent opportunity to host the Lutheran Senate in Mexico and partner with God in His work through the church. The pastor also mentions the support given to a missionary in Colombia, who is teaching English and sharing the gospel. The upcoming Bible binge, where the congregation will spend the next 14 months going through the entire counsel of God's word, is mentioned as a source of strength and hope.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing that Jesus continues to call His disciples to follow Him and be guided by Him. He reflects on the changes in his own family as all of his children are now in school full-time. He discusses how this has created more free time for his wife and how they have been seeking God's guidance on how she should use this extra time. However, God made it clear to them that her role in this season is to support her aging parents who are facing health difficulties.
Key Takeaways:
- God is a speaking God, whose word goes out and accomplishes something. The power of the Holy Spirit works through God's word to form and shape us. We are encouraged to hold fast to our hope without wavering, trusting in God's faithfulness to His promises. [12:45]
- Our salvation is not based on our actions, but on the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Being saved does not mean we are meant to be passive or idle. Instead, we are called to live out our faith through good works that God has prepared for us. [22:30]
- God raises up new times and opportunities for His people. Despite the unexpected challenges of a global pandemic, God guides and leads His people down the path He has prepared for them. We are encouraged to trust in God's guidance and not go through life alone. [34:15]
- God calls His disciples to follow Him and be guided by Him. We are encouraged to seek God's guidance in our lives and to pour into the lives of others as part of the discipleship process. [45:50]
- God guides His people throughout history. Despite moments of doubt and unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to his promises and continues to guide his people. We are encouraged to reflect on our current position in life and recognize the people and opportunities that God has placed around us. [57:20]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 10:23 #!!01:13!!#
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 #!!02:33!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 10:23 tell us about the nature of God's promises?
2. How does Ephesians 2:8-9 describe the nature of our salvation?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the faithfulness of God, as described in Hebrews 10:23, impact our daily walk with Him?
2. What does Ephesians 2:8-9 teach us about the role of works in our salvation?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you doubted God's faithfulness? How did you overcome this doubt?
2. How does understanding that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of works, change your perspective on your relationship with God?
3. How can you demonstrate the grace you have received through faith in your interactions with others this week?
4. What is one way you can remind yourself of God's faithfulness when you face challenges or doubts?
5. How can you encourage someone in your life this week with the truth of God's faithfulness and the gift of salvation?
Devotional
Day 1: God Speaks and His Word Accomplishes
God is a God who speaks, and His word is not just empty rhetoric. It goes out and accomplishes something significant. His word has the power to form us, to shape us, and to guide us in our daily lives ([07:40]).
Isaiah 55:11 - "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God's word has accomplished something in your life. How did it shape or guide you?
Day 2: God's Promises Cover Our Steps
God is a God of promises. His promises are not just for the future, but they cover each one of our steps. Even when we can't see what He is up to, we can trust in His faithfulness to His promises ([01:13]).
Numbers 23:19 - "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"
Reflection: What is a promise from God that you are holding onto today? How does it cover your steps?
Day 3: We Are Saved by Grace for Good Works
We are saved by grace through faith, not by our own doing. But this salvation is not just for us. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to walk in. Our good works are not for God, but for our neighbor ([02:33]).
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What good works has God prepared for you to walk in today? How can you serve your neighbor?
Day 4: God Guides Our Steps
God is not just a God who speaks and promises, but He is also a God who guides. He doesn't leave us to figure out our path on our own, but He guides us, directing and leading us in the way we should go ([22:12]).
Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
Reflection: Where is God guiding you today? What is the next small step He is leading you to take?
Day 5: We Are Conformed into Christ's Image for Others
Our discipleship is not just about us. It's about being conformed into the image of Christ together, for the sake of others. God has perfectly positioned us to make an eternal difference in the lives of the people around us ([17:04]).
Romans 8:29 - "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."
Reflection: Who are the "others" that God has placed in your life? How can you serve them as you are conformed into Christ's image?
Quotes
"We have a God who speaks and his word goes out and accomplishes something." This quote highlights the power and effectiveness of God's word in our lives. It reminds us that when God speaks, things happen. [49:33]
"We have a God who promises, a God whose promises can cover each one of our steps." This quote emphasizes the faithfulness of God and his ability to guide and protect us through his promises. It reassures us that we can trust in God's promises for our future. [01:13]
"Understanding that Jesus has called us to be disciples who make disciples, this isn't just for our sake, but for the sake of the people around us." This quote highlights the importance of discipleship and how it impacts not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. It reminds us that our faith journey is meant to be shared and passed on to others. [01:53]
"God does not need your good works but your neighbor does... that neighbor is the people that God has perfectly positioned in your life to make an eternal difference in and you have the opportunity to walk in the things that Jesus has already prepared for you to walk in." #!!04:17!!#
"God is a God who guides and he guides those disciples throughout his Earthly Ministry and eventually that God who Guides Through his Earthly ministry will give them their own Ministry to go and to make disciples of of all Nations baptizing them teaching them everything he had commanded them because he's a God who guides." #!!13:49!!#
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