Anchored in God's Unchanging Nature Amidst Chaos

 

Summary

In the midst of a world that is constantly changing, often bringing with it pain, tragedy, and instability, we are reminded of the unchanging nature of God. The world around us may be in a state of flux, but God remains steadfast, offering us strength and hope. This morning, as we reflect on the healing of Simon's mother-in-law, we see a powerful demonstration of Christ's desire to bring resurrection power into our lives, not just physically but spiritually.

The Greek word used to describe Jesus lifting Simon's mother-in-law is the same word used for the resurrection of Lazarus. This is no coincidence. It signifies that Christ's intention is to raise us from spiritual death, which stems from relying on the ever-changing world. The fever that afflicted Simon's mother-in-law can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual malaise that affects us when we place our trust in the temporal rather than the eternal.

Upon being healed, Simon's mother-in-law immediately begins to serve, embodying the transformation that Christ brings into our lives. The Greek word used here, 'diakoneo', from which we derive 'deacon', signifies a life dedicated to service. This transformation is available to all, regardless of how distant one might feel from the church or from God. Through baptism, we have all received the grace of God and with it, the resurrection power that enables us to live out our calling.

The question then becomes, how do we harness this resurrection power in our lives? How do we live out the calling that God has placed within us? The answer lies in the church, which Christ has chosen as the instrument of His grace. When we come together, particularly in the Eucharist, we are connected to Christ and to each other, forming a community that transcends the chaos of the world.

In the face of the world's instability, we are called to anchor ourselves in God's unchanging nature. Isaiah reminds us that God does not grow tired or weary and that His wisdom is unfathomable. He gives strength to the weary and power to the weak. We have a choice to make: to choose the world or to choose the Creator of the world. By choosing God, we can live out a liturgy that extends beyond Sunday worship, a pattern of life that brings harmony even when the world around us is in disarray.

Key Takeaways:

- The resurrection power of Christ is not limited to the pages of Scripture but is a present reality in the lives of believers. Through baptism, we are endowed with this power, which enables us to rise above the spiritual death that comes from relying on the changing world. It is our inheritance and strength, a force that we must actively engage with in our daily lives. [08:18]

- Service is the natural response to the transformative work of Christ in our lives. Just as Simon's mother-in-law began to serve after being healed, we too are called to a life of service. This service is not a burden but a privilege, a manifestation of the grace that has been poured into our hearts, and a reflection of the servant nature of Christ Himself. [07:38]

- The church is the conduit of Christ's grace and the community where we can experience the fullness of our faith. In the Eucharist, we find a profound connection to Christ and to one another, a unity that stands in stark contrast to the division and chaos of the world. This communion is essential for living out our faith in a tangible and impactful way. [09:43]

- In a world that is constantly changing, God's unchanging nature is our anchor. The assurance of His steadfastness provides us with a foundation upon which we can build our lives, regardless of external circumstances. This truth must not only be heard but deeply ingrained in our minds and hearts, guiding us through life's tumultuous journey. [05:37]

- We are faced with a choice between the world and its creator. Choosing God means embracing a liturgy that extends beyond Sunday worship, a pattern of life that brings harmony and stability. This choice is an exercise of our free will, a deliberate decision to align ourselves with the divine order rather than the chaos of the world. [06:21]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 40:28-29 (NIV)
> "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

2. Mark 1:29-31 (NIV)
> "As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 40:28-29 tell us about the nature of God? How does this contrast with the changing world around us?
2. In Mark 1:29-31, what immediate action does Simon's mother-in-law take after being healed by Jesus? What does this signify? [07:38]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Greek word used to describe Jesus lifting Simon's mother-in-law? [06:57]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the church in helping believers harness resurrection power? [09:43]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the unchanging nature of God provide strength and hope in times of instability and chaos? Reflect on Isaiah 40:28-29 and the sermon. [05:37]
2. What does the healing of Simon's mother-in-law teach us about Christ's intention to bring resurrection power into our lives, both physically and spiritually? [06:57]
3. How does the concept of 'diakoneo' (service) reflect the transformation that Christ brings into our lives? Why is service considered a natural response to Christ's work in us? [07:38]
4. In what ways does the Eucharist connect believers to Christ and to each other, forming a community that transcends the chaos of the world? [09:43]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent time of instability or chaos in your life. How did you respond, and how might anchoring yourself in God's unchanging nature have provided a different perspective? [05:37]
2. Simon's mother-in-law immediately began to serve after being healed. What are some practical ways you can serve others in your community as a response to Christ's transformative work in your life? [07:38]
3. The sermon mentions that through baptism, we have received resurrection power. How can you actively engage with this power in your daily life? What specific steps can you take this week? [08:18]
4. The church is described as the conduit of Christ's grace. How can you participate more fully in the life of the church to experience this grace? Are there specific church activities or sacraments you feel called to engage with more deeply? [09:43]
5. In a world that is constantly changing, what are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God's unchanging nature daily? Consider creating a routine or practice that helps you stay anchored.
6. The sermon challenges us to choose between the world and its creator. What are some areas in your life where you need to make this choice more deliberately? How can you align your actions with choosing God over the world? [06:21]
7. Reflect on the idea of living out a liturgy that extends beyond Sunday worship. What are some specific patterns or habits you can incorporate into your daily life to maintain a sense of spiritual equilibrium? [01:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Resurrection Power Daily
The resurrection power of Christ is a transformative force that believers are endowed with at baptism, enabling them to rise above the spiritual death that comes from relying on the changing world. This power is not confined to the past but is an active and present reality that must be engaged with every day. It is a divine inheritance that offers strength and hope, allowing individuals to navigate life's challenges with a sense of purpose and vitality. By recognizing and tapping into this resurrection power, believers can live out their faith with confidence, knowing that they are supported by a force greater than any earthly circumstance. [08:18]

Romans 6:4-5 (ESV)
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."

Reflection: How can you actively engage with the resurrection power in your life today, and what specific steps can you take to manifest this power in your daily actions?

Day 2: Service as a Privilege
The natural response to the transformative work of Christ in one's life is service. This service is not a burden but a privilege, reflecting the grace poured into our hearts and the servant nature of Christ Himself. Just as Simon's mother-in-law began to serve immediately after her healing, believers are called to a life of service, using their gifts and talents to benefit others and glorify God. This service is a tangible expression of gratitude and an embodiment of the change that Christ brings into our lives. It is through serving others that believers can truly demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ to the world. [07:38]

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What are the gifts and talents you have been given, and how can you use them to serve others in your community this week?

Day 3: The Church as a Community of Grace
The church is the conduit of Christ's grace, a community where believers can experience the fullness of their faith. In the Eucharist, there is a profound connection to Christ and to one another, creating unity that stands in stark contrast to the division and chaos of the world. This communion is essential for living out faith in a tangible and impactful way. As members of the church, individuals are called to come together, support one another, and grow in their spiritual journey, all while being instruments of God's grace in the world. [09:43]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the life and growth of your church community, and in what ways can you deepen your connection with fellow believers?

Day 4: God's Unchanging Nature as Our Anchor
In a world that is constantly changing, God's unchanging nature provides a steadfast foundation for believers. His eternal attributes offer assurance and a solid base upon which to build lives, regardless of external circumstances. This truth must be deeply ingrained in the minds and hearts of believers, guiding them through life's tumultuous journey. By anchoring oneself in God's unchanging nature, one can find peace and stability amidst the chaos of the world. [05:37]

James 1:17 (ESV)
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to more firmly anchor yourself in God's unchanging nature, and how can this provide stability in your current circumstances?

Day 5: Choosing Divine Order Over Worldly Chaos
Believers are faced with a choice between the world and its creator. Choosing God means embracing a liturgy that extends beyond Sunday worship, a pattern of life that brings harmony and stability. This choice is an exercise of free will, a deliberate decision to align oneself with the divine order rather than the chaos of the world. By choosing God, believers can live out their faith in a way that impacts their daily life and the lives of those around them, creating a ripple effect of divine order in a disordered world. [06:21]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can choose to align yourself with God's divine order this week, and how can this choice impact your daily life and those around you?

Quotes

1) "Despite the chaos around us, despite the world crashing and tumbling and turning, we can anchor ourselves in God's unchanging nature." [05:37] (Download) 2) "Christ wants to resurrect us from a spiritual death which comes from relying on a changing world around you because that's where spiritual death lives." [07:38] (Download) 3) "The same resurrection power that raised her up is the very same power that each of you already have through your baptism." [08:18] (Download) 4) "How do you harness that resurrection power in your life? How do you live it out? Christ chooses his church as an instrument of his grace." [09:43] (Download) 5) "There's a liturgy that goes beyond Sunday morning, a pattern of worship, an order of life that goes beyond Sunday morning and that's the Liturgy of your personal lives." [01:31] (Download) 6) "When we have this daily guidance of Christ in his word and in his sacraments, we're able to receive grace to live faithfully no matter what is around us." [01:31] (Download) 7) "When we come on Sunday morning to the church as believers, we're here because it's when the physical world meets the supernatural world; it's when body and spirit become one." [02:14] (Download) 8) "The more we know about the world, the more we live in the world, the more we're affected by it... but there's a constant change happening in the world, it just constantly faster and faster." [03:33] (Download)

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Transcript
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