Activating God's Newness: Gifts, Praise, and Community
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that God is doing a new thing in our lives, and it is up to us to perceive and participate in it. This newness manifests as revival, healing, peace, joy, and restoration in our families, marriages, and communities. We are called to open our eyes and hearts to see and be part of this divine movement. Our church, Limitless, is committed to removing barriers in how people perceive Jesus, faith, and the church itself. We are excited to welcome new visitors, believing that God has orchestrated their presence here for a purpose.
We delved into Psalm 34, where David, despite being in a dire situation, chose to bless the Lord at all times. This scripture encourages us to praise God regardless of our circumstances, reminding us that God is with us and for us. We are challenged to shift our focus from our problems to God, declaring His praise in the midst of our trials.
We also introduced our Limitless Missionaries, emphasizing the importance of supporting and engaging with them. These missionaries are making a significant impact in our community and beyond, and we are encouraged to partner with them in their mission.
As our church continues to grow, we are preparing to launch a third service to accommodate more people and provide additional opportunities for worship and connection. This expansion is a testament to God's trust in us to steward His people well. We are also committed to maintaining a family atmosphere and preventing burnout among our volunteers by encouraging more people to join our teams.
The core of today's message was about activating the gifts God has placed within us. We are not just called to recognize our gifts but to actively use them for God's kingdom. Our gifts are divine assignments waiting for our yes and movement. We explored how to identify, develop, and exercise our gifts, emphasizing the importance of starting small, seeking mentorship, and serving within the kingdom.
Our gifts are not just for our benefit; they have the potential to unlock the potential in others and impact the world around us. We are encouraged to push the button, activate our gifts, and see how God can use us to bring about transformation in our communities and beyond.
Key Takeaways:
- Perceiving God's New Thing: God is doing a new thing in our lives, and it is essential to open our eyes and hearts to perceive and participate in it. This newness can bring revival, healing, and restoration in various aspects of our lives. We are called to be part of this divine movement, even when we don't see or feel it immediately. [00:00]
- Praising God in All Circumstances: Like David in Psalm 34, we are encouraged to bless the Lord at all times, regardless of our circumstances. Our praise is not dependent on our situation but on the unchanging nature of God, who is always with us and for us. [12:46]
- Activating Our Gifts: Each of us has been given unique gifts by God, and it is our responsibility to activate and use them for His kingdom. Our gifts are divine assignments waiting for our yes and movement. By exercising our gifts, we can impact the world around us and unlock the potential in others. [55:24]
- The Power of Community and Support: As our church grows, we are reminded of the importance of community and support. By joining teams and serving together, we can prevent burnout and create a family atmosphere that nurtures growth and connection. [48:44]
- The Impact of Our Obedience: Our obedience in activating our gifts can have a profound impact on others. Our gifts are not just for our benefit; they can be the key to someone else's breakthrough and transformation. We are encouraged to push the button and see how God can use us to bring about change. [01:37:38]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Perceiving God's New Thing
- [03:30] - Vision of Limitless Church
- [05:15] - Welcoming Visitors
- [07:00] - Psalm 34: Praising God in Trials
- [12:46] - Encouragement to Praise
- [15:30] - Introduction to Limitless Missionaries
- [18:00] - Supporting Our Missionaries
- [20:45] - Church Growth and New Service
- [25:00] - Importance of Community and Support
- [30:00] - Activating Our Gifts
- [35:00] - Steps to Activate Your Gift
- [40:00] - The Impact of Our Obedience
- [45:00] - Invitation to Serve
- [50:00] - Call to Salvation and Recommitment
- [55:24] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 34:1-4
2. Romans 12:6-8
3. 1 Peter 4:10
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 34, what does David choose to do despite his dire circumstances? How does this choice reflect his faith? [12:46]
2. According to Romans 12, what are some of the gifts mentioned, and how are they meant to be used within the community of believers?
3. How does the sermon describe the role of Limitless Missionaries, and what impact are they having in the community? [18:00]
4. What steps did the pastor suggest for activating one's gifts, and why is starting small emphasized? [01:11:51]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might David's decision to bless the Lord at all times, as seen in Psalm 34, serve as a model for believers facing their own trials? [12:46]
2. Romans 12 speaks of activating gifts through faith. How does the sermon suggest believers can identify and develop their gifts? [01:07:39]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community and support. How does this align with the biblical concept of the church as a body with many parts? [48:44]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between obedience and the impact of our gifts on others? [01:37:38]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was doing a new thing in your life. How did you perceive and participate in it, and what was the outcome? [00:45]
2. Like David, how can you practice praising God in all circumstances this week, especially when facing challenges? What specific situation can you apply this to? [12:46]
3. Identify a gift you believe God has given you. What is one small step you can take this week to activate and use this gift within your community or church? [01:11:51]
4. The sermon encourages supporting Limitless Missionaries. How can you personally engage with or support a missionary or mission project in your community? [18:00]
5. Consider the idea of starting small when activating your gifts. What is a small, practical way you can begin serving in your church or community this month? [01:11:51]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of rest to prevent burnout. How can you ensure you are balancing service with rest in your life? What changes might you need to make? [48:44]
7. Think about someone in your life who might benefit from your obedience in using your gifts. How can you intentionally support or encourage them this week? [01:37:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Perceiving God's New Movement
In our lives, God is constantly doing something new, and it is crucial for us to be attentive and open to recognizing and participating in this divine work. This newness can manifest as revival, healing, peace, joy, and restoration in our families, marriages, and communities. We are called to open our eyes and hearts to see and be part of this divine movement, even when we don't immediately see or feel it. By being receptive to God's new work, we align ourselves with His purpose and allow His transformative power to flow through us. [00:00]
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV): "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God might be doing something new? How can you actively participate in this new movement today?
Day 2: Praising God in All Circumstances
Psalm 34 teaches us the importance of praising God at all times, regardless of our circumstances. David, despite being in a dire situation, chose to bless the Lord continually. This scripture encourages us to shift our focus from our problems to God, declaring His praise in the midst of our trials. Our praise is not dependent on our situation but on the unchanging nature of God, who is always with us and for us. By choosing to praise God, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His presence into our lives, bringing peace and strength. [12:46]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: In what specific situation can you choose to praise God today, despite the challenges you are facing?
Day 3: Activating Our Gifts
Each of us has been given unique gifts by God, and it is our responsibility to activate and use them for His kingdom. These gifts are divine assignments waiting for our yes and movement. By exercising our gifts, we can impact the world around us and unlock the potential in others. It is important to start small, seek mentorship, and serve within the kingdom to develop and exercise our gifts. Our gifts are not just for our benefit; they have the potential to unlock the potential in others and bring about transformation in our communities and beyond. [55:24]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What is one gift you believe God has given you, and how can you begin to use it to serve others this week?
Day 4: The Power of Community and Support
As our church grows, we are reminded of the importance of community and support. By joining teams and serving together, we can prevent burnout and create a family atmosphere that nurtures growth and connection. Community provides a space for encouragement, accountability, and shared purpose. It is through community that we can experience the fullness of God's love and support, and together, we can accomplish more for His kingdom. [48:44]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: How can you contribute to building a supportive community within your church or local area this week?
Day 5: The Impact of Our Obedience
Our obedience in activating our gifts can have a profound impact on others. Our gifts are not just for our benefit; they can be the key to someone else's breakthrough and transformation. By saying yes to God's call and using our gifts, we allow Him to work through us to bring about change in the world. Our obedience can unlock doors for others and create ripples of transformation that extend beyond what we can see. [01:37:38]
2 Corinthians 9:12-13 (ESV): "For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that could benefit from your obedience to God’s call? How can you take a step today to use your gifts to serve them?
Quotes
"God's marvelous grace imparts to each one of us varying gifts. So if God has given you the grace gift of prophecy, activate your gift. By using the proportion of faiths, you have to prophesy. If you have a gift of serving, then thrive in serving others well. If you have the gift of teaching, then actively teach and train others. If you have the gift of encouragement, then use it to encourage others. If you have the gift to meet the needs of others, then may you prosper in your generosity without any fanfare." [01:05:05] (36 seconds)
"Gifts aren't complicated. They aren't. Gifts are a divine assignment waiting for your yes and your movement. That's it. Gifts are a divine assignment that's waiting for your yes and waiting for your movement. We like to say yes and then don't go nowhere. Yes, God, I'll do it. God, I will go wherever you want me to go, Lord. Send me, Lord. And the Lord be like, go. And you're like, send me, Lord. Send me, Jesus." [01:08:59] (34 seconds)
"There is a covering that is available in the kingdom of God. There is wisdom that is available in the kingdom of God. There is discipleship that is available in the kingdom of God. There's all these things that happen when you first use your gift in the kingdom. So when you get out there amongst the wolves and the thieves and the people who have no regard for your soul, there is a foundation that you already have so that you can begin to be the light in the midst of darkness." [01:13:38] (30 seconds)
"Whose destiny is tied to your obedience? Whose empowerment will be activated simply by you choosing to walk in your activation? Who is waiting for you to push the button? The mission that the Lord has given us cannot be done alone. We need each and every specialist walking in their activated specialty so that we can turn this city and this region upside down for Jesus. But you have to make a decision to get activated." [01:33:02] (38 seconds)
"Maybe fear, maybe indecisiveness has paralyzed you from moving forward. But I want to admonish you to remember that your gifts aren't just for your benefit. They have the potential to unlock the potential in everyone around you. When we operate our gift and flourish in our gift, we enable other people to flourish as well. The work that we are called to isn't just a task. It is a divine orchestration of lives interwoven for his glory and for his kingdom." [01:34:22] (43 seconds)
"Each one of you are special. Each one of you are unique. Each one of you have been meticulously crafted by God to do something. Stop letting overthinking, fear, indecisiveness stop you from moving. Do something. Start small. Walk out what God has called you to do. Because it's not just about you. You're looking for revival. It might be inside you. You're looking for this community to change. It might be inside you." [01:35:21] (43 seconds)
"You're looking for this place to turn upside down. You're looking for people to come to know Jesus like never before. Or, yeah, that might be inside of you. But until you choose to activate it, we will never see it. Push the button. And you'll hear the little lady on the inside. Launch mode activated. Three, two, one. And you begin to do things that you never even imagined that you would do." [01:36:23] (36 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?