Walking in Faith: The Power of Sacrifice and Action

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of offering a "sacrifice of praise" to God, as highlighted in the book of Hebrews. This idea challenges us to praise God not only in times of joy and abundance but also during seasons of grief and unmet expectations. It's in these difficult moments that our praise becomes a true sacrifice, a testament to our faith and trust in God's sovereignty. We were encouraged to find our own words of praise, to express our gratitude and recognition of God's greatness in an unscripted manner, allowing our hearts to connect deeply with Him.

We also delved into the often-overlooked role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. While many churches focus on God the Father and God the Son, the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the Trinity, offering guidance, empowerment, and transformation. We were invited to explore this further in an upcoming Holy Spirit conference, emphasizing the importance of understanding and embracing the Holy Spirit's ministry in our journey of faith.

The story of Nehemiah served as a powerful illustration of how we can make our lives count. Nehemiah, a second-generation Jewish immigrant in Persia, was moved by the plight of Jerusalem and took it upon himself to rebuild its walls. His journey teaches us the importance of walking before we talk—of gaining credibility, clarity, and cooperation through action and understanding before making grand proclamations. Nehemiah's approach of inspecting the walls at night, away from the public eye, underscores the value of preparation and humility in leadership.

Finally, we were reminded of the ultimate example of walking before talking: Jesus. Despite being the Son of God, Jesus spent 30 years living a humble life before beginning His public ministry. His life exemplifies the principle of walking before talking, showing us the power of living out our faith authentically and consistently.

Key Takeaways:

1. Sacrifice of Praise: True praise often requires sacrifice, especially in times of grief and unmet expectations. It's in these moments that our faith is tested, and our praise becomes a powerful testament to our trust in God's plan. [27:13]

2. Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is a vital part of the Trinity, offering guidance and empowerment in our walk with Jesus. Embracing the Holy Spirit's ministry can lead to profound transformation in our lives. [29:50]

3. Walk Before You Talk: Nehemiah's story teaches us the importance of gaining credibility and understanding before making proclamations. By walking before we talk, we build trust and clarity in our relationships and endeavors. [40:30]

4. Jesus' Example: Jesus exemplified the principle of walking before talking by living a humble life before His public ministry. His life challenges us to live out our faith authentically and consistently. [01:08:52]

5. Impact of Authentic Faith: Living out our faith authentically can have a profound impact on those around us. By walking before we talk, we demonstrate the reality of our faith, inspiring others to seek Jesus. [01:14:55]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [27:13] - Sacrifice of Praise
- [28:31] - Unscripted Praise
- [29:50] - Importance of the Holy Spirit
- [35:57] - Nehemiah's Burden
- [38:23] - Nehemiah's Plan
- [40:30] - Walk Before You Talk
- [41:47] - Nehemiah's Inspection
- [44:39] - Credibility Through Action
- [48:07] - Nighttime Observations
- [50:16] - Building Trust
- [52:22] - Gaining Clarity
- [56:46] - Cooperation and Timing
- [01:08:52] - Jesus' Example
- [01:14:55] - Authentic Faith's Impact

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 13:15
- Nehemiah 2:11-18

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the phrase "sacrifice of praise" mean according to the sermon, and how does it relate to our experiences of joy and grief? [27:13]

2. How does Nehemiah's approach to rebuilding Jerusalem's walls illustrate the principle of "walk before you talk"? [41:47]

3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the life of a believer, as discussed in the sermon? [29:50]

4. How did Jesus exemplify the principle of walking before talking during His life before His public ministry? [01:08:52]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might it be challenging to offer a "sacrifice of praise" during difficult times, and what does this reveal about one's faith? [27:13]

2. In what ways does Nehemiah's nighttime inspection of the walls demonstrate humility and preparation in leadership? [41:47]

3. How can understanding the role of the Holy Spirit lead to transformation in a believer's life? [29:50]

4. What can be learned from Jesus' decision to wait until He was 30 to begin His public ministry, and how does this apply to our own lives? [01:08:52]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to praise God. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now to offer a "sacrifice of praise"? [27:13]

2. Consider an area in your life where you need to "walk before you talk." What steps can you take this week to gain credibility and clarity in that area? [41:47]

3. How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to embrace His ministry more fully? [29:50]

4. Think about a situation where you might have spoken too soon. How can you practice patience and discernment in sharing your thoughts or plans in the future? [58:55]

5. Jesus spent years preparing before His public ministry. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to prepare before taking action? [01:08:52]

6. Identify a relationship or situation where you need to build trust. What specific actions can you take to demonstrate your commitment and reliability? [50:16]

7. How can you ensure that your faith is lived out authentically in front of others, especially those who may be skeptical of Christianity? [01:14:55]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Sacrificial Praise
In moments of joy, praising God comes naturally, but it is during times of grief and unmet expectations that praise becomes a true sacrifice. This sacrifice of praise is a profound testament to one's faith and trust in God's sovereignty. It challenges believers to find their own words of gratitude and recognition of God's greatness, even when circumstances are difficult. By doing so, they connect deeply with God, demonstrating a faith that transcends circumstances. This act of sacrificial praise is not just an expression of faith but a powerful declaration of trust in God's plan. [27:13]

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV): "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge in your life. How can you offer a sacrifice of praise to God in this situation today?


Day 2: Embracing the Holy Spirit's Role
The Holy Spirit is often the overlooked member of the Trinity, yet it plays a crucial role in the life of a believer. The Holy Spirit offers guidance, empowerment, and transformation, helping individuals to walk closely with Jesus. Embracing the Holy Spirit's ministry can lead to profound changes in one's life, as it provides the strength and wisdom needed to navigate the complexities of faith. Understanding and welcoming the Holy Spirit's presence is essential for a deeper, more transformative spiritual journey. [29:50]

John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment today? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in that area?


Day 3: The Wisdom of Walking Before Talking
Nehemiah's story illustrates the importance of gaining credibility and understanding before making proclamations. By walking before talking, individuals build trust and clarity in their relationships and endeavors. Nehemiah's approach of inspecting the walls at night, away from the public eye, underscores the value of preparation and humility in leadership. This principle teaches that actions often speak louder than words, and that true leadership is demonstrated through thoughtful, deliberate action. [40:30]

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Reflection: Consider a situation where you need to lead or influence others. How can you demonstrate credibility and understanding through your actions before speaking?


Day 4: Jesus' Example of Humble Preparation
Jesus exemplified the principle of walking before talking by living a humble life before His public ministry. Despite being the Son of God, He spent 30 years preparing for His mission, showing the power of living out faith authentically and consistently. This example challenges believers to embrace humility and patience, understanding that preparation and authenticity are vital components of a meaningful spiritual journey. Jesus' life is a testament to the impact of living one's faith quietly and consistently before stepping into the spotlight. [01:08:52]

Luke 2:52 (ESV): "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."

Reflection: What area of your life requires humble preparation before you can step into a more public role or responsibility? How can you begin that preparation today?


Day 5: The Impact of Authentic Faith
Living out one's faith authentically can have a profound impact on those around them. By walking before talking, believers demonstrate the reality of their faith, inspiring others to seek Jesus. Authentic faith is not about grand proclamations but about consistent, genuine actions that reflect one's beliefs. This approach to faith encourages others to explore their own spiritual journeys, drawn by the example of a life lived in true alignment with God's teachings. [01:14:55]

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: Who in your life might be influenced by your authentic faith? What specific actions can you take today to demonstrate your faith in a way that inspires others?

Quotes

"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. So this word hallelujah literally means praise the Lord or praise Yahweh, praise the Lord. And this idea that the writer of Hebrews, by the way, we don't know who wrote it, that's why I keep referring to him as a writer. He says that we are to offer a sacrifice of praise." [00:26:02]

"There are some seasons where it's just like, man, you're just in awe and it's cupcakes and it's unicorns and it's life is just everything you've always hoped it would be, right? And so it's just a natural hallelujah. Praise you, Jesus, right? But then there are these other seasons. Maybe it's grief. Maybe it's unmet expectations where your expectations are here and reality is like on the floor." [00:26:51]


"Can I just challenge you that if that's the season you're in to make a sacrifice of praise. And so we've had the words up on the screen scripting our worship and our praise already this morning. But can we just take a minute to praise? Praise God in an unscripted way without any words up on the screen. This would be your own hallelujah. This would be your own praise. Maybe it's a word of thankfulness. Maybe it's a word of just God declaring your greatness." [00:27:48]


"And we spend a lot of time talking about God the Son, who is Jesus. Again, rightfully so, right? But we believe in the Trinity. The Trinity is God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. And so many times the Holy Spirit is kind of like the part of the Trinity who didn't yell shotgun in time, so he's always like, ah, I'm in the back seat again, like, come on, right? And so, so many churches, we don't talk about who is the Holy Spirit and what is his ministry and why is he important to my life and to my efforts of following Jesus." [00:33:02]


"And Nehemiah, just to remind you, he was a second-generation Jewish immigrant, living in Persia. And he, however, we don't know how, somehow he ended up in the household servants. He was a servant to the most important man in the world, the emperor of the Persian Empire, a guy named King Artaxerxes. King Artaxerxes is a pagan. He's not Jewish. And yet, somehow, this immigrant Jew is in his household serving him." [00:36:17]


"And Nehemiah arrives in this city, right? And I think the temptation would be, maybe you wouldn't have this temptation, but maybe if it was me, I'd have the temptation of just being like, I'm here. Nehemiah's here. I'm here to fix your city. Like, like, you know, do a social media blitz, you know, get on all the podcasts, like do everything you got to do to be like, hey, I'm here and I'm ready to fix your problems. I'm ready to fix you guys because you guys have a problem, right?" [00:39:46]


"This could make all the difference in the world if you could get this principle. And I'm going to warn you ahead of time. The principle we're going to talk about today is not complex. It is so stinking simple. And most likely you've even heard it before. Maybe not in the words that we're going to use this morning, but you've heard it before. But I'm just going to tell you ahead of time, before we get into it, like if we could get this, and if we, those of us by we, those of us in this room who claim to be followers of Jesus, if we could actually live this, we could change a whole community. We really could." [00:40:39]


"Nehemiah didn't begin by making grand promises and proclamations. He actually sought to understand the situation firsthand. He wanted to see the destruction for himself. He wanted to feel it. He wanted to, I can imagine him with a tape measure, measuring things out and, oh, I wonder how high that originally was. I can see him with a notebook and he's just taking notes. And he's asking the right questions, right? Because this wasn't just some game that he was playing. He really wanted to make a difference here." [00:46:22]


"Nehemiah was touring the destruction of Jerusalem in the dark. And actually, he was observing and understanding more in the moonlight than people who had been living in Jerusalem their whole lives had learned and observed in the daylight. Credibility is never built through words alone. It's established by listening and working. Do you know what you're talking about? Are you all just talk and no walk? Are you taking persistent steps of action? Do you understand? These steps don't have to be huge, by the way, they just have to be consistent." [00:48:07]


"Seek God's wisdom regarding the right time and the right people to share what God has put in your heart. Do you notice earlier that Nehemiah said, I didn't tell anybody what God put in my heart. I didn't tell anybody. He understood there's the right time. There's the right place. See, sharing too soon can lead to a lot of grief. It can lead to resistance. And we see that in Joseph's life. But because Nehemiah walked before he talked, he had the right information and he had the right people present to hear the vision." [01:00:58]


"Words spoken at the right time have much greater influence and impact than those that are shared impulsively. And we all know that, right? There's a time to talk. And listen, church, there's a time to shut it. And too many times, we don't pay attention to the nudgings and promptings of the Holy Spirit, where the Holy Spirit is saying, just zip it right now. Just listen. Just be present. You don't need to wax eloquently. You don't need to give theological truth in this moment. Sometimes you just need to be present and listen." [01:01:41]

"Now, I said this at the beginning of the sermon. How would our world be different if every follower of Jesus in this room, your preacher included, what if we actually live this? Because there's a whole lot of people outside the church, and maybe you even came this morning, and you're not part of this deal of following Jesus. You're kind of one of those outsiders. You don't even know if you like Jesus. You don't even know if you like Jesus. You don't even know if you like this whole deal." [01:14:55]

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Transcript
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