“The Table: Where Faith is Built” – Victorious Living. Daily
Sunday, October 8, 2023
At this table, faith is built! The goal of a growing faith? To Live Victorious. Daily!
I’m speaking about Spirituality… growing and maturing in your walk with Christ!
It’s the difference between conversion and discipleship… a convert makes a confession… a disciple changes his lifestyle.
I John 2:6 (NIV)
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
As you have committed yourself to the things of God with me as well as without me now… Continue to work out (to achieve by labor)… what God is working in.
Working out what God is working in!
This is not about finding your seat… this is about maturing in your spiritual life, as you are sitting around the table. All about LIFE CHANGE!
When you came to know Christ… many things changed for you:
• Your position in life changed… I was out, now I’m in; I was lost, now I’m found…
• Your identity changed… I was a foreigner, now I’m a citizen; I was cut off, now I’m a child…
• Your destiny changed… Heaven is my home, not earth. Eternity in His is presence, not an abyss far from Him…
But, your life, what you will and how you act didn’t change!
So, We Work Out What God Is Working In!
2 Peter 1:1-9 (NIV) – What God is Working In:
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
What We Are Working Out:
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
John Ortberg, “Pursuing Spiritual Transformation” – Ten Core Values of Spiritual Formation
Spiritual transformation is essential, not optional, for Christ-followers.
Spiritual transformation is a process, not an event.
Spiritual transformation is God’s work, but requires my participation.
Spiritual transformation involves those practices, experiences, and relationships that help me live intimately with Christ and walk as if he were in my place.
Spiritual transformation is not a compartmentalized pursuit. God is not interested in my spiritual life; he’s interested in my life – all of it.
Spiritual transformation can happen in every moment. It is not restricted to certain times or practices.
Spiritual transformation is not individualistic, but takes place in community and finds expression in serving others.
Spiritual transformation is not impeded by a person’s background, temperament, life situation, or season of life. It is available right now to all who desire it.
Spiritual transformation and the means of pursuing it, will vary from one individual to another. Fully devoted followers are handcrafted, not mass-produced.
Spiritual transformation is ultimately gauged by an increased capacity to love God and people. Superficial or external checklists cannot measure it.
Conclusion:
Next week we are going to answer a couple of questions that present themselves in this message today… What are some practical steps to spiritual growth? How do I celebrate spiritual growth in others?
But I want to end the message today by having you focus on the primary agent to spiritual growth in your life…
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.