Until Heaven is Full: A Sense of Urgency (Worship 10/26/25)

Devotional

Day 1: The Universality of Sin

Every person, regardless of background or upbringing, is affected by sin and falls short of God’s glory. This truth is not just a theological concept but a reality that shapes our need for grace and redemption. Recognizing that all have sinned helps us approach God and others with humility, knowing that none of us are exempt from the brokenness that separates us from God. This understanding is foundational to our faith story and compels us to share the hope we have found in Christ. [28:19]

Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you seen the reality of “falling short” in your own life, and how does acknowledging this truth change the way you view yourself and others today?

Day 2: The Consequences of Sin

Sin is not just a word or an idea—it has real and lasting consequences in our lives, both now and for eternity. Sin separates us from God, damages our relationships, and can even lead to spiritual and physical death. Understanding the seriousness of sin helps us grasp the urgency of seeking forgiveness and restoration, and it reminds us that God desires something better for us than the brokenness we often choose. [41:53]

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (ESV)

Reflection: Is there a consequence of sin—either in your relationship with God or with others—that you are experiencing right now? What step can you take today to seek healing or restoration?

Day 3: The Need to Admit and Confess Sin

Admitting our sin is essential for spiritual growth and for maintaining a healthy relationship with God. Confession clears the air between us and God, allowing His grace to work in our hearts and lives. Whether we are new to faith or have followed Jesus for years, regularly acknowledging our shortcomings keeps us humble and open to transformation. It also prepares us to share authentically with others about the difference Christ makes. [47:54]

1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific sin or shortcoming you need to confess to God today, and how might doing so open your heart to deeper transformation?

Day 4: The Urgency of Sharing Our Story

There is an urgency to sharing the story of Jesus, because we never know when someone’s opportunity to hear and respond may come to an end. Each day brings encounters with people who may be spiritually in trouble, and God calls us to be His witnesses, offering hope and rescue to those who are perishing. Our willingness to share—even imperfectly—can have eternal significance in the lives of others. [34:57]

2 Corinthians 6:2
"For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that God may be prompting you to share your faith story with this week, and what is one step you can take to reach out to them today?

Day 5: Remembering and Honoring Those Who Shared Their Faith

We are shaped by those who have gone before us—family, friends, and saints—who shared their faith and helped rescue us from spiritual peril. Remembering their witness inspires us to continue the legacy, sharing our own stories so that others may find life in Christ. Lighting a candle or saying a prayer in their memory can be a powerful reminder of the impact one life can have for eternity. [55:07]

Hebrews 12:1
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone whose faith story helped shape your own journey with Christ, and how can you honor their legacy by sharing your story with someone else this week?

Sermon Summary

Today, we welcomed Tracy Cortez and Jan Tucker into our Asbury Church family, celebrating the gift of Christian community and the journey of faith we share together. Their stories, like all of ours, are woven into the larger story of God’s love and redemption. As we continue our series “Until Heaven is Full,” we reflect on the urgency and importance of sharing our faith, not just as a duty, but as a response to the reality of sin and the hope found in Christ.

The heart of our reflection centers on Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” This truth is foundational—not just for understanding our need for Jesus, but for shaping the way we share our stories with others. Sin is not a comfortable topic, but it is a universal reality. From the earliest moments in the Garden of Eden to the everyday struggles we witness in our own lives and relationships, sin separates us from God and from one another. Its consequences are both immediate and eternal, affecting our souls, our relationships, and our destiny.

Yet, acknowledging sin is not meant to lead us to despair, but to a deeper awareness of our need for a Savior. We are reminded that the consequences of sin are real—spiritual death, brokenness, and separation from God. But this is not the end of the story. There is an urgency to share the hope we have in Christ, because we never know when someone’s opportunity to respond may come to an end. The story of Nicky Gumbel’s friend, who came to faith just before her untimely death, underscores the importance of sharing our faith, even when we feel unprepared or inadequate.

As we remember the saints who have gone before us, we honor those who shared their stories and helped rescue others from spiritual peril. Their legacy challenges us to do the same—to admit our own need, to confess our sins, and to point others to the hope and salvation found in Jesus. We are called to be lights in the world, sharing our stories until heaven is full, trusting that God can use even our imperfect efforts to bring others home.

Key Takeaways

1. Sin is Universal and Foundational to Our Story Every person, regardless of background or upbringing, is affected by sin. This universal reality is not just a theological concept but a lived experience, seen in the earliest stories of humanity and in the daily struggles of our own hearts. Recognizing this truth is essential for understanding our need for grace and for sharing authentically with others. [36:09]
2. The Consequences of Sin Are Both Immediate and Eternal Sin brings about real consequences—broken relationships, spiritual emptiness, and ultimately, separation from God. These effects are not limited to those outside the faith; even believers experience the fallout of sin in their lives. Understanding the weight of these consequences should deepen our compassion for others and our urgency in sharing the hope of Christ. [41:53]
3. Confession and Humility Open the Door to Healing Admitting our own sin is not a one-time event but a continual practice that keeps our hearts tender before God. Confession clears the air between us and God, allowing His grace to restore and renew us. This humility also makes our witness more credible, as we share not from a place of superiority, but from a shared need for mercy. [47:54]
4. There Is an Urgency to Share the Good News We never know how much time we or those around us have. The story of a life changed just before tragedy reminds us that sharing our faith is not something to be postponed. God can use even our imperfect words and actions to draw others to Himself, and we are called to respond with urgency and love. [34:36]
5. We Stand on the Shoulders of Those Who Shared Their Story Our faith is often shaped by the witness of others—family, friends, and saints who have gone before us. Their willingness to share the reality of sin and the hope of salvation has eternal impact. We honor their legacy by continuing to share our own stories, trusting that God will use them to rescue and redeem.

** [55:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:31] - Welcoming New Members
[25:41] - Prayer of Blessing
[26:16] - Series Introduction: Until Heaven is Full
[27:18] - The Problem: Why Share Our Faith?
[28:19] - Romans 3:23: All Have Sinned
[30:22] - Nicky Gumbel’s Story: Sharing Faith Imperfectly
[34:36] - The Urgency of Sharing
[35:34] - The Problem of Sin
[36:33] - Original Sin and Human Nature
[38:09] - Jesus’ List of Sins
[40:27] - The Consequences of Sin
[42:15] - Separation from God
[47:04] - The Need for Confession
[50:13] - Preview: The Solution in Christ
[53:12] - Urgency Illustrated: A Father’s Love
[54:27] - All Saints Remembrance
[55:07] - Honoring Those Who Shared Their Story
[58:22] - Lighting Candles: Remembering the Saints

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 3:23 (ESV) — > For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 3:23, who is affected by sin? What does it mean to “fall short of the glory of God”?
The sermon described sin as a “universal reality” that started in the Garden of Eden. What examples did the pastor give to show that sin is present in everyone’s life? [[37:45]]
What are some of the consequences of sin mentioned in the sermon, both immediate and eternal? [[41:53]]
The pastor shared a story about Nicky Gumbel’s friend who came to faith just before her death. What did this story illustrate about the urgency of sharing our faith? [[34:36]]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to recognize that sin is universal, not just something that affects “other people”? How does this shape the way we share our faith? [[36:09]]
The sermon said that the consequences of sin are both immediate (broken relationships, emptiness) and eternal (separation from God). How might understanding these consequences change the way someone views their need for Jesus? [[42:15]]
The pastor emphasized confession and humility as a continual practice, not a one-time event. Why might ongoing confession be important for both new believers and long-time Christians? [[47:54]]
The legacy of those who shared their faith before us was highlighted. How does remembering their example encourage us to share our own stories, even if we feel unprepared? [[55:07]]

Application Questions

The sermon said that sin is not a comfortable topic, but it’s foundational to our story. Is there a specific area of your life where you struggle to admit your own need for grace? What would it look like to bring that into the light this week? [[36:09]]
Think about a relationship in your life that has been affected by sin—either your own or someone else’s. What is one step you could take toward healing or reconciliation? [[43:53]]
The pastor talked about the urgency of sharing our faith, since we never know how much time we or others have. Who is one person in your life that you feel prompted to share your story or faith with? What is one practical step you can take this week to start that conversation? [[34:36]]
Confession was described as something that “clears the air” between us and God. Is there a sin or struggle you need to confess to God (or to someone you trust) this week? How might that open the door to healing? [[47:54]]
The sermon mentioned that God can use even our imperfect efforts to bring others home. Have you ever felt unqualified or unprepared to share your faith? What holds you back, and how can you trust God to use your story anyway? [[34:13]]
We stand on the shoulders of those who shared their story with us. Who is someone in your life who helped you come to faith or grow in your relationship with Jesus? How can you honor their legacy by sharing your story with someone else? [[55:07]]
The pastor encouraged us to be “lights in the world.” What is one specific way you can be a light in your workplace, school, or neighborhood this week? [[58:22]]

Sermon Clips

He said that that story rests on his memory because a week later he heard that she died in a car accident. And he said, what if I hadn't wanted to share the good news of Jesus Christ? He said, what if I did not share my story? And he said more than that. He said, I didn't have a clue what I was doing. Obviously, I took those books. And he said, I gave somebody at a dance party eight Christian books to walk away with. And yet she gave her life to Christ. And even though her life was cut short, she's with her heavenly Father. She's with her Savior for all eternity. [00:33:52] (45 seconds) #ShareYourStoryUrgently

He said, it taught me two things. One, share your story. Even if you don't know all the Scripture. If you don't have all the answers. But he said, two, it gave me a sense of urgency. That, hey, you never know when that family member is going to die. You never know if you're not there when you're going to breathe your last breath. You never know when that relative that you've been praying for is going to breathe their last. Or when the co-worker or a classmate at school or your favorite waiter or waitress. You never know what is going to happen today or tomorrow or the next week or the next month. And so it adds our urgency. A sense of urgency to our story. For us to our call from God to share and be witnesses to the world. And may we never take that for granted. [00:34:36] (70 seconds) #UrgencyInWitnessing

Today I told you we're going to talk about the problem. We've got to know the problem in the story so we can share it with others. And the problem is sin. Everybody say that. Sin. Everybody say it louder. Sin. Why did I have you say it? Because we don't like to say it. We don't talk about it a lot in churches. We should. Because it's a foundation for the gospel. It's a foundation for our story of life and faith. [00:35:46] (33 seconds) #SinIsTheProblem

But there's consequences for sin. And that's the second thing we need to understand. If we're not in a relationship with Jesus Christ. We need to understand consequences. If we're sharing our story. We need to acknowledge that hey we were once lost. Because of this and this and this. And we need to explain the consequences. [00:40:27] (28 seconds) #ConsequencesOfSin

``If there is anyone here today that hasn't given your life to Jesus. Sin has consequences. You are missing out on the best life God has for you. Not only now. But we are told for all eternity. [00:44:45] (16 seconds) #AdmitAndPray

If you're already a believer. We still have to admit our sin. Because it helps clear the air. Remember those consequences. Affects our soul. And so as we fall short. Day in and day out. We need to be able to say Lord. Here are the sins I'm aware of. And what this pastor says is. I will often pray. Lord forgive me of the sins I'm not aware of. Right? Forgive me of the sins I'm not aware of. Maybe I passed by someone. Who needed me to stop and talk to them. Or and say a kind word. Maybe I passed by someone. Who was holding up a cardboard sign. And it was for real. And I thought to myself. I don't have a dollar. And I looked down. And I actually have about thirty dollars. Right? But I kept on driving. Maybe there was opportunity. To share my story with someone. No matter what it might be. Maybe there was that time. Where I said something wrong at home. To my spouse or my kids. Or I said something to a relative. Or I said something to a friend. Or I said something out in the world. That wasn't kind. And that affects my soul. And I have to work on those things. [00:47:52] (83 seconds) #SinIsRealAndUrgent

And so it's so important. As we seek to share our story. For us to understand. Sin is real. It's universal. There are consequences for sin. And we need to admit our sin. And as we share our story. We need to share how we've done that. Right? How we've done that. And it's. An urgent thing. That we make sure. That we're not passing the opportunity on. [00:49:41] (29 seconds) #JesusSaviorNotJustLord

Friends there is good news. Romans 5 verse 8. I'll give you a window into next week. When we talk about the solution. And the good news is. God demonstrated his love. While we were yet sinners. Christ died for us. Right? That's the good news of the kingdom. And we're going to talk more on that next week. But before you can share the good news. You've got to share why people need the good news. Right? And you need to share. In your story. How Jesus is your savior. Not just how he's Lord. Not just that you follow him. You're seeking to live out his commandments. You're seeking to share your story. You're seeking to help the least of these. You're trying to forgive 70 times 7. And that's hard. And you're a work in progress. But. You also have to share. How Jesus is not only Lord. But how he's your savior. And what he's done for you. [00:50:10] (60 seconds) #RescueThePerishing

Friends in your life. There are people all around you every day. Who are in trouble. Spiritually. They are in trouble. For the wages of sin. Or death. You are going to have Thanksgiving dinner soon. And if you have a large family. There is someone sitting around the table. Almost assuredly. Who is in trouble. If you are going to school tomorrow. There is going to be a classmate. That is in trouble. Because they don't know. About Jesus. About him being Lord. And Savior. Right. There are people. Maybe it is your waiter. Maybe it is your waitress. Or maybe it is co-workers. And they are in trouble. They are perishing. As many authors have written. As many song writers have written. And you and I. Are called to help Jesus. Rescue the perishing. We are called to help those in trouble. And may we never. Take it for granted. So important that we tell our story. Until heaven is full. [00:53:12] (75 seconds) #LegacyOfFaithSharing

If you have not claimed that. Know that the wages of sin is death. You can do that today. Claim him as your Lord. To follow him. To read scripture. And try to live a better life. But also to know he is your Savior. To bring you out of the miry clay. To keep you from falling into the pit. For all eternity. Of eternal punishment. And to give you eternal life with him. And with all the faithful. Who have gone before. May we not take that for granted. And share the story. Until heaven is full. [00:56:38] (38 seconds)

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