The Restoration Church Podcast

Disciples of Jesus live by faith

Ever struggled to live by faith? You’re not alone. Today, let’s learn how to kick-start, continue, and build our faith. Big Idea: Disciples of Jesus live by faith—it’s just what we do! 🙌 Faith in Action 🗣️ This week, Pastor Samuel was sick 🤒—he barely ate for days. By Friday, He still wasn’t well. But he chose to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Faith isn’t: “If You healed me, I should feel better.” Faith is: “You said it, I believe it, so I act on it.” So, he made pizza 🍕, confessed God’s Word between bites, and believed: “By His stripes, I am healed.” What Is Faith? 🤔 Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith = certainty in what you cannot see.Romans 4:17: God calls things that don’t exist as though they do. Why Live by Faith? 🔍 * The just shall live by faith (Gal 3:11). * Without faith, it’s impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). * Faith requires action—Peter stepped out of the boat (Matt 14:31). Call to Action 🚀 * What has your focus—faith or sight? 👀 * What could change if you truly lived by faith? * Step out of the boat. Agree with God. Speak His Word. We have a mission: to fill the world with the knowledge of Jesus—for our good and His glory. 🌍✨ Our faith is what brings Him the glory 🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to walk by faith, not by sight. In Jesus Name, amen.

Disciples of Jesus gather together

Why Disciples of Jesus Gather Together 🙌 One of the key attributes of Jesus’s disciples is this: they always gather together. Gathering isn’t just a tradition—it’s a vital part of living out our faith. Let’s explore why this matters and what happens when we do. Why Do Christians Gather? 🤝 We gather for many reasons: * To hear sound teaching 📖 * To encourage one another 💬 * To pray together 🙏 * To share life and burdens ❤️ * To remember Jesus through communion 🍞🍷 * To stir up love and good works 🔥 When we take action to gather—and when we engage fully—the result is powerful:✅ The church is built up✅ You are strengthened✅ Your calling and purpose are fulfilled Acts 2:41-42 shows the early church devoted themselves to: * Doctrine (teaching) * Fellowship (deep sharing, not surface-level) * Breaking of bread (communion) * Prayers (corporate prayer) The Greek word for devoted is proskartereó, which means to persist, endure, and devote oneself—even when it’s hard. Gathering is not optional; it’s essential. What Happens When We Gather? 🔍 According to Scripture: * Public reading of the Word (1 Tim 4:13) * Teaching and exhortation (sound doctrine) * Fellowship that bears burdens (Gal 6:2) * Prayer and communion (Acts 2:42) * Singing and thanksgiving together (Eph 5:18-21) * Stirring up gifts and good works (Heb 10:24-25) And don’t forget 1 Cor 14:26: “When you come together, each of you has something—a hymn, a word, a revelation. Let all things be done for building up.” The “Always” Lifestyle 🔄 Disciples of Jesus are marked by these rhythms: * Always praying 🙏 * Always speaking God’s Word 🗣️ * Always making disciples 🌍 * Always ready to give a reason for our hope ✝️ * Always gathering together 🤗 Call to Action 🚀 Ask yourself: * Are you gathering with the church regularly? * Are you fully present when you gather? * Are you bringing what God has given you to share? * Who are you inviting and discipling to come closer to Jesus? When we gather, the body of Christ is built up. Let’s See Him, Be Him, Show Him—so that the glory of God fills the church and the world with the knowledge of Him.

Disciples of Jesus are praying disciples

Another key attribute of a disciple of Jesus is this: we are praying disciples. Prayer isn’t just an occasional act—it’s a lifestyle. Pray Always 🙌“Praying always… being watchful.” (Eph 6:18) Prayer means staying spiritually awake 🕰️. Jesus said: “Watch and pray, lest you enter temptation.” (Matt 26:41) ⚠️ Pray Without Ceasing 🔄“Rejoice always 😊, pray without ceasing 🙏, give thanks in everything.” (1 Thess 5:16–18)Prayer is our spiritual workout 💪—it means being persistent and steadfast in prayer to be fit and ready (Rom 12:12). Why Stay Watchful? 👀 “Be vigilant; your adversary the devil prowls like a lion 🦁.” (1 Pet 5:8) Prayer keeps us alert to God’s purposes and strong against the enemy’s schemes. Our Posture 🧎"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant with thanksgiving.” (Col 4:2) Lifestyle Christianity = prayer-saturated alertness 🌍. Final Thought ✅Disciples of Jesus need a posture of watchfulness—active, vigilant, and persevering in prayer. This strengthens us, builds faith, and leads us to walk in the Spirit. 👉 Let’s commit to being praying disciples—alert, steadfast, and full of faith!

Disciples of Jesus are filled with His love week 2 of 2

One of the greatest marks of a disciple is this: we are filled with His love. Jesus gave us a new commandment to love others the way He has loved us, but this isn’t about copying Jesus or trying harder—it’s about receiving His love first. You can’t give what you haven’t received. But when you encounter the love of Christ, you can love others with His love. Why Is It Hard Sometimes? We know we ought to love, but tiredness, offense, self-interest, and feeling people don’t deserve it can make it hard. Jesus said forgive—even seven times a day (Luke 17:4)! The apostles asked, “Increase our faith!” Why? Because faith makes love possible (Mark 9:23). Three Ways to Build Faith in His Love * 1. Remain in His Love 🌿Meditate on His love daily (John 15:12). Keep the “law of love” in your mouth and heart (Joshua 1:8). 2. Stir Up What’s Inside 🔥Be continually filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18). Worship, give thanks, and pray in the Spirit (Jude 20). 3. Live By Faith 💬 Declare: “I walk in love. God’s love is in me.” (Rom 10:8). Act like the Bible is true—love is already in you (Rom 5:5). * Final Thought * Love is the fulfillment of the law. It’s simple: remain in His love, stir it up, and live by faith. Let’s declare it, live it, and share it ❤️.

Disciples of Jesus are filled with His love week 1 of 2

One of the key attributes of a disciple of Jesus is this: we are filled with His love ❤️🔥. Jesus said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) This isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a commandment 📜. We’ve received new orders from Heaven: love one another as Jesus has loved us. And here’s the good news—His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). The love we need is already inside us! Romans 5:5 says, “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” 🙌 Why Is This So Simple? God made it clear: His word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (Rom 10:8). We live by faith, not by striving. Faith says: ✅ “I walk in love because His love is in me.” ✅ “Christ has already loved my neighbor for me.” How Do We Stay Filled With His Love? 1. Remain in His love 🌿 – “Abide in Me… as I have loved you.” (John 15:4,12) 2. Walk in love 🚶 – “Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us.” (Eph 5:2) 3. Pursue love 🏃 – “Earnestly pursue love.” (1 Cor 14:1) And keep stirring it up! Pray in the Spirit (Jude 20), worship together (Eph 5:19), and speak words of faith: 💬 “I am full of God’s love. I follow the way of love.” Final Thought Love is the fulfillment of the law. It’s not complicated—it’s Christ in us. Let’s remain in His love, walk in it, and pursue it every day ❤️.