In a recent sermon at Lakeview Christian Church in Portage Lakes, Jim delved into a profound question that resonates with believers worldwide: How has your faith affected you? With a poignant reminder from Philemon about the transformative power of faith in Jesus, Jim challenged the congregation to reflect on the impact of their beliefs on their daily lives.
Drawing from the words of Paul, Jim emphasized the inseparable connection between faith and love. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate Jesus’ love for others, a love so profound that it transcends boundaries and transforms lives. In John 15, Jesus declares that we are His friends if we abide by His commandments, highlighting the intimate relationship between obedience and friendship with God.
The heart of Jim’s message lies in the assurance that God is ever-present, offering us the strength and support we need to navigate life’s challenges. Through faith, we find the courage to face each moment with confidence, knowing that God is by our side, guiding and sustaining us. Indeed, faith is not merely a passive belief but an active force that shapes our thoughts, actions, and attitudes.
Jim issued a poignant challenge to believers: If our faith fails to produce positive change in our lives, then something is amiss. Perhaps, as he suggested, we have allowed self-interest to overshadow our commitment to faith. In a world consumed by selfish desires, Jim reminded the congregation of the imperative to surrender to the transformative power of faith, allowing it to govern our lives and actions.
Reflecting on Jim’s message prompts us to consider the profound impact of Christ on our lives. How has faith changed our perspective, our priorities, and our interactions with others? Have we allowed the love of Christ to permeate every aspect of our being, or do we still cling to the trappings of self-centeredness?
Jim shared a humorous prayer that encapsulates the tension between human frailty and divine grace.
“Lord so far today I’ve done all right I haven’t gossiped I haven’t lost my temper I haven’t been greedy grumpy nasty selfish or even overindulgent and I’m very thankful for that but God in a few minutes I’m going to get out of bed and then from now on I’m going to need a lot more help”
This is a prayer of humility, acknowledging our constant need for God’s guidance and intervention. As we echo this prayer in our own lives, may we recognize the profound truth it embodies: that apart from God, we are powerless to live out our faith.
As members of Lakeview Christian Church in Portage Lakes, let us heed the call to action embedded within Jim’s sermon. Let us commit to Just 3: Study, Share, and Serve. Let us delve deeper into God’s word, sharing its transformative message with others, and actively serving our community in love.
Scripture Reference: John 15:14-15 (NIV) – “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
As we embark on this journey of faith together, may we be ever mindful of the words of Jesus, who calls us friends and invites us to walk in obedience and love. Let our faith be a beacon of hope in a world longing for transformation, and may our lives be a testimony to the power of God’s love to change hearts and communities.
