Actively Seeking and Receiving God's Blessings
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of actively seeking and receiving blessings from Jesus, emphasizing the importance of initiative and participation in the Christian faith. The speaker begins by discussing the concept of finding favor with the Lord, explaining that "find" implies attaining something through seeking and investigation. They share a personal story of success after failures, highlighting the value of discovery in the process. The speaker references Genesis 33:11, where a man of God acknowledges God's grace and requests a blessing, which is accepted, illustrating the act of receiving blessings from Jesus.
The speaker then stresses the necessity of engaging with God's commandments, pointing out that believers are commanded to lay hold of and act upon God's orders to save their souls. They draw attention to Matthew 26:26-27, where Jesus initiates the Covenant by giving thanks and instructing his disciples to drink from a cup, symbolizing the agreements within the Covenant. The speaker shares a personal testimony about overcoming past hurts to embrace God's covenant for marriage, referencing Proverbs 18:22, which states that finding a true wife is a good thing.
Furthermore, the sermon delves into the significance of the word "take" in scripture, which denotes the action of actively laying hold of something offered. The speaker reflects on their past misunderstanding of communion, realizing its true meaning involves personally seizing the life of Jesus Christ and embracing his death and resurrection for one's sins. They cite Hebrews 4:16, which connects "take" and "receive," underscoring the importance of confidently approaching the throne of grace to actively obtain mercy and grace in times of need.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of finding favor with the Lord is not a passive occurrence but requires active seeking and investigation, as demonstrated by the speaker's personal journey and the biblical example of Genesis 33:11. This process of discovery is integral to the Christian experience, leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's blessings.
- Believers are called to actively participate in God's commandments, as salvation involves both the work of Jesus and the responsibility of the individual to take hold of the Covenant. The speaker's personal story of embracing God's plan for marriage after initial resistance illustrates the transformative power of God's merciful Covenant.
- The word "take" in scripture signifies a personal initiative to lay hold of what Jesus offers, particularly in the sacrament of communion. The speaker's realization that communion is about personally claiming Jesus' life, death, and resurrection for oneself is a profound insight into the nature of this Christian practice.
- The connection between "take" and "receive" in Hebrews 4:16 highlights the believer's role in actively approaching God's throne of grace. This approach is not timid but confident, signifying a trust in God's willingness to provide mercy and grace in times of need.
- The sermon underscores the dynamic relationship between divine provision and human response. While Jesus' sacrifice is the foundation of salvation, the believer's active engagement with the Covenant and its implications is essential for a full and transformative faith experience.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 26:26-27 - "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you.'"
2. Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
3. Proverbs 18:22 - "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the word "take" signify in Matthew 26:26, and how does it relate to the act of communion? ([06:41])
2. According to Hebrews 4:16, what are we encouraged to do, and what can we expect to receive when we do it? ([09:23])
3. How does Proverbs 18:22 describe the act of finding a wife, and what does it say about the favor from the Lord? ([14:33])
4. In the sermon, what personal experience did the pastor share about taking communion without understanding its true meaning? ([07:26])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "actively lay hold of" the body of Christ during communion, and why is this significant for believers? ([08:21])
2. How does the concept of receiving mercy and finding grace in Hebrews 4:16 relate to the idea of taking action in our faith? ([09:23])
3. In what ways does the pastor's personal journey with understanding God's covenant for marriage illustrate the importance of actively participating in God's promises? ([12:46])
4. How does the command to "take" in Matthew 26:26 reflect the initiative required from believers in their relationship with Christ? ([06:41])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own experience with communion. Have you ever taken it without fully understanding its significance? How can you approach it differently in the future? ([07:26])
2. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence. What steps can you take this week to actively seek God's mercy and grace in your life? ([09:23])
3. The pastor shared about his journey in understanding God's covenant for marriage. How can you actively participate in the covenants or promises God has made in your life? ([12:46])
4. Proverbs 18:22 speaks about finding a wife as finding a good thing and obtaining favor from the Lord. If you are married, how can you actively seek to appreciate and honor your spouse this week? If you are single, how can you prepare yourself to be a godly partner? ([14:33])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of taking hold of Christ's life, death, and resurrection as if nothing else matters. What distractions in your life are preventing you from fully embracing this truth, and how can you address them? ([08:21])
6. The pastor mentioned the need for 100% involvement in God's covenant. What areas of your spiritual life require more active participation and commitment from you? ([11:59])
7. How can you apply the principle of "actively laying hold of" God's blessings in your daily life, whether it be in your personal devotions, relationships, or service to others? ([06:41])
Devotional
Day 1: Active Pursuit of Divine Favor
Seeking God's favor is an intentional journey of faith and discovery. It involves a proactive quest to understand and experience the fullness of God's blessings. This pursuit is not merely about waiting for grace to happen but about actively seeking God's presence and favor in one's life. The journey is marked by a continuous effort to grow closer to God and to discern His will. [07:40]
Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to actively seek God's favor in a specific area of your life?
Day 2: Embracing the Covenant with Action
Salvation is a gift, but it also calls for a response. It is not enough to passively accept the work of Jesus; one must also take hold of the Covenant through obedience and action. This means engaging with God's commandments and living out the faith in practical ways. It is through this active participation that one truly enters into the transformative power of God's merciful Covenant. [14:25]
James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your commitment to God's Covenant through your actions this week?
Day 3: Claiming the Offer of Communion
Communion is an invitation to take hold of Jesus' sacrifice personally. It is not a passive ritual but an active affirmation of faith, where one claims the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for oneself. This understanding transforms the practice of communion into a deeply personal experience of grace and redemption. [21:15]
1 Corinthians 11:24-25 - "And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embrace and reflect on the personal significance of communion in your life?
Day 4: Confident Approach to God's Throne
Approaching God's throne of grace is an act of faith that requires confidence in His mercy. Believers are encouraged to come boldly, trusting that they will receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need. This confidence is rooted in the understanding of God's character as loving and willing to provide for His children. [28:50]
Hebrews 10:22 - "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
Reflection: What fears or hesitations do you need to overcome to approach God's throne with confidence today?
Day 5: Dynamic Faith Engagement
The relationship between divine provision and human response is dynamic. While Jesus' sacrifice is the cornerstone of salvation, the believer's active engagement with the implications of the Covenant is crucial for a full and transformative faith experience. This engagement involves a continuous effort to understand and apply the truths of the gospel in every aspect of life. [35:30]
2 Peter 1:5-7 - "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, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."
Reflection: What is one aspect of your faith that you need to actively engage with more deeply, and how will you do that starting today?
Quotes
"Ultimately, a covenant is between two parties that requires 100% participation of those who enter. His salvation, amen, while Jesus does 100% of the work so we don't have to do the work, but Jesus is going to do it for us." [11:59] (Download)
"It was my God who always had a plan to draw me back to himself through his merciful Covenant that I can take hold of as often as I needed it." [13:33] (Download)
"The Covenant believer has their responsibility to give 100% involvement; this will require our initiative to assertively take what is offered." [11:59] (Download)
"Finding something especially in the course of pursuit to happen upon discover along the way is one of the gifts presented from God, one I'm grateful for." [14:33] (Download)
"The scripture emphasizes the initiative of the receiver as personally motivated to take hold of what was offered. We must take it to heart with everything in us; it's like nothing else around you matters, not your family, not your job, not who's looking at you." [08:21] (Download)
"Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy for our failures and find grace to help in good time for every need, appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it." [09:23] (Download)
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