Sunday, September 1st, 2024
In case you missed it… September 1, 2024
It was a great day at the Madison Church of Christ! Today, we gathered to reflect on the essence of faith and its profound impact on our lives. We emphasized the importance of community and encouraged everyone to participate in both Sunday Bible classes and Wednesday deep dives into Scripture, this week specifically focusing on the book of Exodus.
Our central theme revolved around the question, “What do you have faith in?” We explored how faith can sometimes be misplaced in traditions, church heritage, or cultural norms rather than being rooted in God and His Word.
Hebrews 11 served as our foundational text, reminding us that faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. We examined the lives of biblical figures like Abel, Enoch, Abraham, and Noah, who exemplified faith in action. Do we exemplify that faith as a body?
We discussed the dangers of merely going through the motions in our spiritual practices, such as prayer, worship, and Bible study, without genuine conviction. True faith should inspire us to live out the gospel, share it with others, and be transformed by it. We also touched on the importance of not conforming to cultural pressures but instead being distinct and set apart as followers of Christ.
We concluded by reflecting on the compassionate and gracious nature of God, who calls us out of our sins and into a life of faithfulness. We were reminded that while God’s love and forgiveness are boundless, sin has consequences that can affect future generations. Therefore, we are called to live lives that reflect our faith in God, striving to be more like Christ every day.
1. Faith Beyond Tradition: It’s crucial to examine whether our faith is genuinely rooted in God or merely in traditions and teachings passed down to us. True faith requires personal study and conviction, not just adherence to inherited beliefs.
2. Living the Gospel: Faith should not be a passive experience but an active one that transforms our lives and compels us to share the gospel with others. It’s not enough to perform religious rituals; we must live out the message of Christ daily.
3. Swimming Upstream: As Christians, we are called to be counter-cultural, standing firm in our faith even when it goes against societal norms. Our faith should make us distinct and set apart, reflecting the values of the Kingdom of God rather than the world.
4. The Consequences of Sin: While God’s love and forgiveness are immense, sin has real consequences that can affect not only us but also future generations. We must strive to live lives of holiness, continually turning away from sin and towards God.
5. The Call to Authentic Faith: Authentic faith is not about merely attending church or performing religious duties; it’s about a deep, transformative relationship with God. We must be willing to forsake worldly attachments and fully commit to following Christ.
To summarize, where do you place your faith? Do you have the faith of Noah, who was willing to completely disrupt his life, or are you ruled by a faith that doesn’t extend beyond the limitations of closely held traditions?
Enjoy the live stream from this past Sunday here: