In It Not Of It Week 3
Sharable notes for the October 9, 2022 message. You can post these notes on your social platform!
Scriptures used: 1 Peter 1:1-9; Daniel 3; Colossians 1:15-16; 1 Peter 4:12; 2 Corinthians 2:15
Passages referenced: Philippians 2:10-11; Romans 14:11; Revelation 5:9-10; Daniel 12:2
We allow our identity and how we are known to become an idol. We spend so much time trying to create it, form it, and mold it when we should just spend time chasing the one who’s already created it. We need to put our image on the altar, rather than making it an altar we bow down to.
We are all worshiping something because we’re all putting something first, something we are showing most importance to. Our worship shows our allegiance. Is that something God?
We have to dethrone anything that sits in the place of God in our life. You cannot serve two masters.
The question for us should not be how long will we live, it should be where will we live in eternity?
We are called to reconcile others to Christ. We are compelled by love. The spirit of Babylon crucifies. The spirit of Christ brings life.
Be careful not to make any voice the voice of salvation other than Jesus Christ himself. Hope is only found in Christ.
When we allow our convictions to conform to culture we need to be careful, because we may be bowing to an image other than God.
If you don’t fear God, then the fear of something or someone else will eventually cause you to bow to it instead of God.
We need a faith that believes God can and believes God will, but not only that we need a faith that trusts God even if.
The question we have to face is if God lets you go into the fire, is knowing him enough?
Your true worth comes from discovering yourself in Christ, and don’t fret when your faith is tested, it’s worth is just increasing.
You don’t need the trial to end for you to experience Jesus. Freedom isn’t found when you get out of the fire, it can be found even in it. Freedom comes from being in the presence of Christ.
When we allow God to transform our life and work through us, we can come out on the other side with our identity fresh in him, not in what we walk through.
Reflect or meet with someone to discuss:
What have been your takeaways when you read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
Do you think you would have the courage they had in this situation? Why do you answer the way you do?
How hard is it to have an even if faith in God, trusting Him even if things don't go the way you hoped? Why is that?
How has God been with you through situations where you've seen your faith grow stronger?
Click the image to start a new 6 day devotion in YouVersion:
The Christian life is not easy. It’s messy. It calls for us to be ‘in the world but not of the world’. This devotional theme is intended to challenge. It is intended to ask you to take stock of how you’re running the race marked out for you. In a world that is increasingly opposed to faith, how can we continue to stand courageously in its midst?