Anchoring Hope and Unity in God's Presence
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound hope we have in God and the importance of anchoring that hope in the Holy of Holies. As we mature, we realize that many things we once deemed important pale in comparison to the eternal hope we have in Christ. The Bible instructs us to cast our hope into the Holy of Holies, a place of ultimate safety and divine presence. This hope is not to be placed in worldly institutions but in the sacred and eternal.
We also explored the significance of unity and agreement among believers. Psalm 133 emphasizes the blessings that come when brethren dwell together in unity. When we agree and come together in prayer, God commands a blessing upon us. This unity is crucial, especially in times of trials and tribulations, as exemplified by the story of Sam, who faced severe health challenges but was sustained by the power of collective prayer and God's intervention.
The sermon also delved into the story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, highlighting His reliance on the Word of God to overcome the devil's temptations. Jesus' experience teaches us the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit and the power of the Word in our spiritual battles. Jesus emerged from His trials empowered by the Spirit, ready to fulfill His mission.
We were reminded of the prophetic words in Isaiah 42, which Jesus referenced in Luke 4. These scriptures speak of the suffering servant and the mission to bring justice and deliverance. Jesus' ministry was a fulfillment of these prophecies, emphasizing the importance of judgment, not as condemnation, but as a means to align ourselves with God's will and avoid deception.
Finally, we were encouraged to recognize the glory of God and our inheritance in Him. This glory is incomparable to any earthly achievement and is something God desires to share with those who are united with Him. We are called to consecrate ourselves to God, rejecting false gods and worship, and to seek His presence continually.
### Key Takeaways
1. Hope Anchored in the Holy of Holies: Our hope should be firmly placed in the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place of God's presence. This hope is a secure investment, far surpassing any worldly institution. As we mature, we realize the eternal value of this hope, which sustains us through life's challenges. [07:54]
2. The Power of Unity and Agreement: Unity among believers brings about God's commanded blessings. When we come together in agreement and prayer, we create an environment where God's presence and power can manifest, leading to miraculous outcomes. This unity is essential, especially in times of trials. [30:26]
3. Overcoming Temptation with the Word: Jesus' temptation in the wilderness teaches us the importance of relying on the Word of God and being filled with the Holy Spirit. By standing firm on God's Word, we can overcome the enemy's schemes and emerge stronger in our faith and mission. [01:06:43]
4. The Suffering Servant and Prophetic Fulfillment: Isaiah 42 speaks of the suffering servant, a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. This passage highlights the mission to bring justice and deliverance, emphasizing the importance of judgment as a means to align with God's will and avoid deception. [01:13:18]
5. The Incomparable Glory of God: God's glory is an eternal treasure that He desires to share with those who are united with Him. This glory far surpasses any earthly achievement and calls us to consecrate ourselves to God, rejecting false worship and seeking His presence continually. [01:23:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:54] - Hope Anchored in the Holy of Holies
[08:51] - Significance of the Holy Place
[09:56] - The Long, Hot Summer Days
[13:44] - Prayer and Thanksgiving
[14:23] - Immersed in God's Presence
[27:03] - God as Way Maker
[30:26] - The Power of Unity and Agreement
[31:16] - Testimony of Sam's Healing
[33:32] - Call to Prayer
[36:13] - The Power of Collective Prayer
[47:24] - Jesus' Blood and Righteousness
[51:39] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[01:05:45] - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
[01:13:18] - The Suffering Servant in Isaiah 42
[01:23:06] - The Incomparable Glory of God
[01:30:50] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 6:19 - "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."
2. Psalm 133:1 - "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!"
3. Luke 4:1-13 - The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 6:19 say about where our hope should be anchored?
2. According to Psalm 133:1, what is the result of believers dwelling together in unity?
3. In Luke 4:1-13, how did Jesus respond to the devil's temptations? [01:06:43]
4. What was the significance of Jesus reading from Isaiah 42 in the synagogue as described in Luke 4? [01:08:31]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to anchor our hope in the Holy of Holies rather than in worldly institutions? [07:54]
2. How does unity among believers create an environment for God's blessings, as mentioned in Psalm 133? [30:26]
3. What can we learn from Jesus' reliance on the Word of God during His temptation in the wilderness? [01:06:43]
4. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 42 about the suffering servant relate to Jesus' mission and ministry? [01:13:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current sources of hope. Are there any worldly institutions or things you are placing your hope in that you need to shift towards God? How can you make this shift? [07:54]
2. Think of a time when you experienced unity with other believers. How did it impact your faith and the situation you were facing? How can you foster more unity in your small group or church community? [30:26]
3. Jesus used Scripture to combat temptation. What specific Bible verses can you memorize and use to strengthen your faith during times of temptation? [01:06:43]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of judgment as a means to align with God's will. How can you invite God's judgment into your life to avoid deception and grow spiritually? [01:14:42]
5. The story of Sam's healing highlighted the power of collective prayer. Is there someone in your life who needs prayer right now? How can you organize a prayer group to support them? [31:16]
6. Jesus emerged from His trials empowered by the Spirit. Reflect on a difficult time in your life. How did you see God's power and presence during that time? How can you use that experience to encourage others? [01:07:28]
7. The sermon emphasized the incomparable glory of God. What steps can you take this week to consecrate yourself to God and seek His presence continually? [01:23:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Hope Anchored in the Holy of Holies
Our hope should be firmly placed in the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place of God's presence. This hope is a secure investment, far surpassing any worldly institution. As we mature, we realize the eternal value of this hope, which sustains us through life's challenges. #!!07:54!!
Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
Reflection: What are some worldly institutions or things you have placed your hope in? How can you begin to shift your hope to be anchored in the Holy of Holies today?
Day 2: The Power of Unity and Agreement
Unity among believers brings about God's commanded blessings. When we come together in agreement and prayer, we create an environment where God's presence and power can manifest, leading to miraculous outcomes. This unity is essential, especially in times of trials. #!!30:26!!
Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV): "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."
Reflection: Think of a time when you experienced unity and agreement in prayer with others. How did it impact your faith and the situation you were praying for? How can you foster more unity in your community?
Day 3: Overcoming Temptation with the Word
Jesus' temptation in the wilderness teaches us the importance of relying on the Word of God and being filled with the Holy Spirit. By standing firm on God's Word, we can overcome the enemy's schemes and emerge stronger in our faith and mission. #!!01:06:43!!
Matthew 4:4 (ESV): "But he answered, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Reflection: Identify a specific temptation you are currently facing. What Scripture can you memorize and meditate on to help you overcome this temptation?
Day 4: The Suffering Servant and Prophetic Fulfillment
Isaiah 42 speaks of the suffering servant, a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. This passage highlights the mission to bring justice and deliverance, emphasizing the importance of judgment as a means to align with God's will and avoid deception. #!!01:13:18!!
Isaiah 42:1-3 (ESV): "Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the suffering servant change your perspective on justice and deliverance? In what ways can you align your actions with God's will to bring justice in your community?
Day 5: The Incomparable Glory of God
God's glory is an eternal treasure that He desires to share with those who are united with Him. This glory far surpasses any earthly achievement and calls us to consecrate ourselves to God, rejecting false worship and seeking His presence continually. #!!01:23:06!!
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: What are some earthly achievements or pursuits that you have placed above seeking God's glory? How can you begin to consecrate yourself to God and seek His presence more intentionally?
Quotes
1. "By the way, hope is maybe one of the greatest investments that you have. Take your hope and throw it into the Holy of Holies. Man, I'll tell you what, if there ever was a safe place for you to make a bet, come on, the Bible didn't say put your hope in the stock market. Come on, the Bible didn't say put your hope in the Bank of Montreal. Come on. It said put your hope in the Holy of Holies, in the holiest of all. Wow, that's a good place to be." [07:54] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's not enough just to be a witness or a spectator, but we want to be immersed in it, God. We want to be in the river. Hallelujah. We want to feel your presence. We want to be participators, God. We give you. We give you glory this morning as we come into this place. Anoint and bless each and every aspect of this service today. In Jesus' name, amen." [14:23] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How many know he's way maker? How many know he's miracle worker? How many know he's promise keeper? Hallelujah. How great is our God. How great is our God. How great is our God. Come on, come on. I feel like touching heaven today. I don't know about you, but come on, come on, come on. Hallelujah. The Bible said we're two, we're three. Psalm 133 said, hold how good and how pleasant if we would just agree. Hallelujah. He said if you would just get together and just agree. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." [30:26] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Let me tell you something. There is no power greater than the power of our God. That's why when the man just sings that song and says how great we recognize his majesty and father god today as we join together in our in our fallibleness lord in our limitation father we stand together as a people father know my emotion is not enough for you i know my emotion is not enough for you i know my emotion is not enough for you i know my emotion is not enough for you i i know my emotion is not enough for you" [36:13] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He said, the spirit of the Lord is upon me. Folks, I want to tell you something. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and the recovering of the sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Watch this. He just dropped the mic. I don't need to say anything else. It's done. Come with me now. Back to Isaiah 42. Because I'm setting it up. Isaiah 42." [01:12:17] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I want you to picture that here is Jesus. He comes out of this, I'm going to call it a meat grinder of an experience with the devil. I don't know about you, but I've been through one or two meat grinders before in my life. And I guess what I've come to understand is speaking to other brothers and sisters. Is that it's not an uncommon experience. I call it the meat grinder because I'm here to let you know God is not trying to save your flesh. I'm not trying to hurt anybody's feelings. But as wonderful as you are, and as beautiful as you are when you look in the mirror, God is not trying to save that mud hut that you're walking around in." [01:08:31] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Do you know that you have an inheritance laid up for you in heavenly places? know that's his glory? It's his glory. He wants to share his glory with you. Wow. Now look, I want you to think of the Olympics. I want you to think about championships all over the world. And the glory of sports and the glory. Nothing compares to this glory. This is. This is the eternal weight of glory. The weight, the heaviness of his glory. We have this treasure in earthen vessels. He says, I am the Lord. That is my name and my glory I will not give to another. Neither my praise to graven images." [01:23:06] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus comes forth in Luke chapter 4. Through that difficult meat grinder experience. But it was that meat grinder experience that catapulted him into international recognition. Jesus is now an eternal super star. Because of that experience. There is a super star in you. Waiting to happen. so, Father, I thank you for the glory. For thank you for your glory. Your glory is valuable. Your glory is precious." [01:26:20] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Buddha can't do what you can't do. Muhammad can't touch what you can do. Hare Krishna can't help. Like you can help. For there is no other name. Whereby men can be saved. But by the precious. Righteous. Holy. Glorious. Wonderful name of Jesus. And I know that your desire. Is to share your glory. With those who are one. With you. And we submit to you. We yield to you this morning. And we ask you, Father. To lead us by your spirit. Into that secret place. In the spirit. And out again. By the spirit." [01:27:07] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Jesus wept. He looks over the city. And he weeps. Later on he says, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. O thou that killest the prophets. How oft I would have gathered you. As a mother hen gathers her chicks. Sorry. O what peace we often forfeit. I quote that a lot. O what needless pain. I mean, eye has not seen. Ear has not heard. Neither has it entered into the heart of the man. The things that God has in store for him." [01:25:33] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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