O Deus Que Vê | Pr. Andrei Brixi 15FEV

Opening Prayer and Acknowledgment

Gratitude for Divine Mercy

• The speaker expresses gratitude for God's mercy and grace, acknowledging their impact on the community's lives.

• Emphasizes that the reason for their existence is God's mercy, leading to a humble request for divine guidance during the message.

Invitation to Worship

• Encourages the congregation to actively participate in worship by glorifying God with shouts of praise. This sets an uplifting tone for the gathering.

• The speaker humorously suggests that if the audience remains quiet, he may shorten his sermon, inviting engagement from them.

Scripture Reading: John 1:43-51

Introduction to Scripture

• The speaker invites attendees to open their Bibles or follow along on a screen as they read from John 1:43-51, indicating a preference for a specific Bible version (AR-A).

Key Events in Jesus' Calling of Disciples

• Jesus calls Philip to follow Him, highlighting His active role in choosing disciples. Philip then finds Nathanael and shares his discovery about Jesus being the prophesied Messiah.

• Nathanael initially doubts Jesus' origins but is invited by Philip to come and see for himself. This reflects themes of skepticism and invitation in faith journeys.

Nathanael's Encounter with Jesus

Recognition of True Israelite

• Upon meeting Nathanael, Jesus acknowledges him as "a true Israelite," which signifies commendation from Christ—a rare occurrence where God testifies positively about someone.

Impact of Divine Testimony

• The speaker notes that such divine acknowledgment can profoundly change one's life perspective, using this moment as an example of how God recognizes integrity in individuals like Job from scripture.

Testimonies of God in the Lives of Men

God's Testimony About Moses

• God testifies that among all men, there is none as meek as Moses, highlighting his unique character and humility.

The Significance of John the Baptist

• God also speaks highly of John the Baptist, stating that among those born of women, there has never been anyone like him, emphasizing John's pivotal role in history.

Nathaniel's Inspirational Story

• Nathaniel, identified traditionally as Bartholomew, hails from Cana in Galilee—significant for being the site of Jesus' first miracle at a wedding.

Cultural Context and Identity

• Nathaniel's full name is Nathaniel Bar Tomei (son of Tomei), reflecting cultural naming conventions where individuals were often identified by their father's name.

• Galilee was viewed with disdain by more religious Jews due to its mixed cultures and perceived inferiority.

Historical Context Under Roman Rule

• During this period, Israel was under Roman domination characterized by severe oppression and violence; over 20,000 people were crucified in one day to demonstrate power.

Expectation of the Messiah

• The Jewish people's hope centered on the arrival of the Messiah amidst turmoil; many false messiahs emerged during this time due to widespread anticipation.

Importance of Scripture

• True believers sought hope through sacred scriptures regarding the Messiah’s return; thus, scripture remains foundational for faith within the church community.

Relationship with God Through Scripture

• A believer disconnected from scripture lacks true knowledge of God and risks relying on others’ revelations rather than personal understanding.

Nathaniel as a Model Believer

• Nathaniel exemplified a devout life fully dedicated to God; being called a "true Israelite" signifies high regard and integrity in faith.

Call for Integral Faith

• The message emphasizes that believers are not merely partaking in social gatherings but are called to manifest Christ on earth through genuine relationship with Him.

The Connection Between Friends and Faith

The Relationship of Felipe and Natanel

• Felipe rushes to inform his friend Natanel, highlighting their close bond, though the transcript does not specify any familial ties.

• Natanel is depicted as a cherished friend of Felipe, with references made to Pastor Vítor's sermon about Felipe's life from the previous Sunday.

Divine Revelations and Friendships

• When God sees a hungry heart, He sends His servants to provide comfort and hope; this reflects God's care for those seeking Him.

• Felipe expresses excitement about finding Jesus, emphasizing that he has discovered the essence of faith and hope.

Presenting Jesus Through Scripture

• Felipe introduces Natanel to Jesus by referencing scriptures that Moses wrote, indicating a deep understanding of their shared religious background.

• He emphasizes familiarity with teachings learned since childhood in the synagogue, connecting their faith journey to Jesus.

True Friendship Defined

• True friends draw you closer to God and enhance your faith; those who undermine your beliefs are not genuine friends.

• A true friend prays for you without jealousy or competition, fostering an environment of support rather than rivalry.

Personal Testimony on Friendship

• The speaker shares a personal experience during a difficult time when a friend's support reminded him he was not alone in his struggles.

• This illustrates how true friendship can uplift spirits and encourage perseverance through challenges.

Skepticism Towards Nazarene Origins

Natanel's Initial Reaction

• Natanel responds skeptically to Felipe’s claim about Jesus being from Nazareth, questioning if anything good could come from there.

Understanding Biblical Context

• Initially perceived as mockery, Natanel’s response stems from biblical knowledge; he knew the Messiah was prophesied to come from Bethlehem rather than Nazareth.

• This highlights the expectation surrounding the Messiah's origins based on scripture.

Cultural Perceptions of Nazareth

• There is an implication that Nazareth was viewed unfavorably compared to more prominent locations like Cana or Galilee.

Community Perspectives on Faith

• A conversation among pastors reveals skepticism about local churches' potential impact but ultimately leads to appreciation for community efforts.

Deus e a Coerência nas Escrituras

A Obra de Deus na Terra

• Deus utiliza pessoas inesperadas para realizar Sua obra, transformando lugares antes dedicados à festa em locais de encontro espiritual.

• O orador convida a congregação a reconhecer e celebrar essa transformação com aplausos.

Senso Crítico e Busca pela Coerência

• Natanáel exemplifica um senso crítico que busca coerência entre as escrituras e o mundo ao seu redor, não se deixando levar por promessas vazias.

• O crítico é descrito como alguém que analisa as escrituras com discernimento, evitando seguir falsos profetas ou mensagens enganosas.

Compreensão das Escrituras

• A falta de entendimento das escrituras pode ser atribuída à ausência de orientação adequada; é necessário ter alguém maduro para ensinar.

• É importante considerar o contexto histórico e cultural das passagens bíblicas para uma melhor compreensão do seu significado original.

Convite à Experiência Pessoal

• Felipe convida Natanáel a "vir e ver" Jesus, enfatizando a importância da experiência pessoal em vez de argumentos teológicos complexos.

• O orador critica a tendência atual de apontar falhas nos outros sem olhar para si mesmo, destacando que devemos ser mais proativos em apresentar Cristo aos outros.

Cumprindo o Chamado Cristão

• Todos os cristãos são chamados a pregar o evangelho e fazer discípulos, não apenas pastores ou líderes religiosos. Cada um deve assumir sua responsabilidade nesse chamado.

• A conversão muitas vezes ocorre através do testemunho de amigos ou familiares, ressaltando a importância dos relacionamentos pessoais na fé cristã.

Encontro Pessoal com Deus

• O cristianismo é apresentado como um relacionamento direto entre o homem e Deus, não apenas uma teoria teológica abstrata.

• O orador expressa seu desejo por um relacionamento íntimo com Deus, reconhecendo suas próprias imperfeições enquanto celebra o amor divino que transforma vidas.

Autenticidade nas Relações

• Há uma crítica à hipocrisia nas interações sociais; muitos usam "máscaras" em diferentes contextos (culto, trabalho) ao invés de serem autênticos uns com os outros.

• A sinceridade é valorizada como essencial nas relações humanas; aqueles que são verdadeiros podem ser vistos como "chatinhos", mas são necessários para conexões genuínas com os outros.

Reconhecimento da Visão Divina

• Natanáel questiona Jesus sobre como Ele o conhece, refletindo sobre a onisciência divina; isso destaca que Deus vê cada pessoa individualmente e continua conhecendo-as ao longo do tempo.

Tree of Figs and Spiritual Revelations

The Significance of the Fig Tree

• The speaker begins by engaging the audience, asking who has seen a fig tree, highlighting its lushness and large leaves as a metaphor for spiritual growth.

Encountering the Divine

• Natanel experiences a profound revelation, marking a true encounter with Jesus that fulfills his heart's hopes and expectations.

Personal Revelation Promised

• A prophetic declaration is made that attendees will personally know Jesus in an intimate way during this gathering.

Transformation Through the Gospel

• Emphasizes how the gospel transforms lives, urging believers to focus on eternal matters rather than earthly concerns.

Hope Amidst Struggles

Expectation in Difficult Times

• Despite dire circumstances like slavery and oppression, hope is sustained through prophetic words and scripture.

Desperation for True Revelation

• Urges the church to seek genuine encounters with God rather than merely participating in religious rituals.

Direct Access to God

Elimination of Mediators

• Stresses that individuals can approach God's throne directly through Christ without needing human intermediaries like pastors or leaders.

Dependency on Human Approval

• Critiques reliance on others for spiritual validation, suggesting it leads to disappointment when expectations are unmet.

Overcoming Doubts and Past Mistakes

Addressing Insecurities

• Discusses common feelings of inadequacy stemming from past failures or sins, questioning how one can be used by God despite these issues.

The Power of True Encounters

Declaration of Faith

• Highlights Natanel’s journey from doubt to declaring Jesus as the Son of God, emphasizing God's ability to turn impossibilities into possibilities.

The Necessity of Genuine Change

Importance of Authentic Encounters

• Asserts that only a true encounter with Jesus can correct false convictions and lead to life transformation.

Renewal Through Christ

Life-Changing Experiences

• Explains how meeting Jesus renews minds and attitudes, instilling a sense of divine purpose beyond mere existence.

Carrying One's Cross

Misconceptions About Christianity

• Challenges distorted beliefs about faith that avoid personal sacrifice; emphasizes that following Christ involves carrying one's own cross.

Transformation Requires Effort

Rejecting Easy Beliefs

• Critiques desires for an easy Christianity devoid of effort or humility; asserts true transformation requires commitment and self-denial.

Divine Recognition Beyond Facades

Understanding True Identity

• Reflecting on how superficial relationships can mask true identities; stresses God's awareness of our intentions regardless of outward appearances.

Heavenly Visions Await Believers

Prophetic Insights

• Proclaims visions where angels ascend and descend upon believers as they deepen their relationship with Christ.

Eternal Perspective Over Temporal Concerns

Lifelong Journey with God

• Encourages persistence in seeking God despite feeling past opportunities have passed; emphasizes ongoing spiritual hunger is vital.

Jesus: The Ultimate Promise

Centrality of Christ

• Affirms that amidst all pursuits, knowing Jesus is paramount; He embodies the greatest promise one could ever receive.

God Sees Our Pain

Acknowledgment Of Suffering

• Reminds listeners that God witnesses their suffering and traumas but challenges them not to remain trapped by those experiences.

Purpose Behind Gathering

Building Community Around Christ

• Concludes by stating gatherings are not about building empires but lifting up Jesus' name above all else.

God's Search for Sincerity

The Essence of True Faith

• God seeks sincerity over performance; He desires honest hearts rather than titles or outward appearances. Integrity impresses God, while religiosity may only impress people.

Faithfulness in Anonymity

• Our faithfulness should manifest quietly and authentically, without the need for public acknowledgment. Being faithful in small things, like marriage vows, is crucial.

The Power of Words

• Every word we speak can be a prayer; thus, we must be mindful of our declarations. If we desire peace and harmony, we should vocalize those aspirations instead of negativity.

Declaring Change Amidst Struggles

• Despite life's challenges and setbacks, one should declare intentions for abundance and peace. Positive affirmations can shape one's reality.

Transformation Through Encounter

• Even those who seem lost or hopeless can change through God's power. Personal stories illustrate that transformation is possible regardless of past actions.

The Call to Authenticity

Breaking Prejudices

• A genuine encounter with God transforms individuals from mere believers to children of God, breaking down societal prejudices and expectations.

Choosing the Unlikely

• God often chooses unlikely candidates for His work—those without social influence—to demonstrate His power through them.

Responding to God's Call

Personal Reflection on Belief

• Individuals are faced with a choice: to accept or reject Jesus based on what they hear during spiritual teachings.

The Importance of Integrity

• The story of Nathanael illustrates that God answers prayers and seeks individuals willing to drop their facades and embrace authenticity in their faith journey.

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit

Strength in Weakness

• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to reveal Christ within themselves despite personal struggles or past mistakes.

Embracing Imperfection

• Acknowledging human imperfection is essential; perfection belongs solely to God. Community support is vital for growth in faith.

Celebrating Genuine Worship

Seeking Truthful Fellowship

• It’s important to find communities where love and truth coexist, allowing authentic worship regardless of location or circumstance.

Divine Encounters Bring Change

Unexpected Messages from God

• Sometimes divine messages come unexpectedly through others as a form of correction or encouragement; these moments reflect God's love and care for us.

Prophetic Declarations and Spiritual Insights

Prophetic Declarations Over Individuals

• The speaker initiates a prophetic declaration, inviting individuals to raise their hands as a sign of receiving blessings. The focus is on ending false worship and relationships in their lives.

• Emphasis is placed on sincerity in prayer; the speaker encourages listeners to ensure their prayers are heartfelt and impactful, moving beyond empty words.

• Acknowledgment of each individual's worth as a gift from God to their families, regardless of personal doubts or self-esteem issues.

Invitation for Deeper Connection with Faith

• An invitation is extended for those interested in learning more about Christ and the church to connect with welcoming staff, indicating a desire for community engagement.

• A communal moment of praise is encouraged, reinforcing unity among attendees through shared affirmations of faith.

Blessings and Future Transformation

• The speaker blesses attendees by invoking God's love and grace over various aspects of their lives—homes, families, work, and businesses—promising transformation from past ways of living.

• A prophetic declaration emphasizes becoming sincere individuals who seek divine assistance; attendees are encouraged to engage in fellowship before leaving the gathering.