Breaking Free: Stepping Out of Our Tents
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of "tents" in our lives, drawing from the story of Abram in Genesis 15. Abram was called by God to step out of his tent and look at the stars, symbolizing a shift from a limited, natural perspective to God's expansive, faith-filled vision. This call to leave the tent is a metaphor for breaking free from the limitations and constraints that we often place on ourselves—whether they be mental, emotional, or spiritual.
We examined various "tents" that people live under, such as the tent of familiarity, the tent of fear, and the tent of misplaced trust. These tents represent the limitations and false securities we cling to, which hinder us from experiencing the fullness of God's promises. For instance, Lot pitched his tent near Sodom, drawn by worldly desires, while Rachel's tent concealed deceit. Achan's tent hid stolen treasures, symbolizing greed and disobedience, and Sisera's tent represented misplaced trust, leading to his downfall.
God's call to Abram to step out of his tent is a call to all of us to break free from our limitations and trust in His promises. This involves a transformation of our minds, moving from a natural, limited perspective to a divine, expansive one. It requires us to confront and overcome our fears, our past, and our ingrained habits and traditions. By doing so, we can begin to see and experience the greatness of God's plans for us, which are far beyond what we can imagine.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Call to Step Out of the Tent: Just as God called Abram to step out of his tent and look at the stars, He calls us to break free from our limited perspectives. Our "tents" can be mental, emotional, or spiritual constraints that keep us from seeing God's expansive vision for our lives. Stepping out requires faith and a willingness to see things from God's perspective. [06:18]
2. The Tent of Familiarity and Tradition: Many of us are bound by the tent of familiarity and tradition, which can nullify the Word of God in our lives. Breaking free from these constraints often requires courage and a willingness to follow God into new, unfamiliar territory. This can lead to significant spiritual growth and blessings. [52:14]
3. The Tent of Fear: Fear is a common tent that many of us live under, whether it's fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or fear of stepping out in faith. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Overcoming fear involves trusting in God's promises and stepping out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain. [48:06]
4. The Tent of Misplaced Trust: Like Sisera, who trusted in the wrong person and met his downfall, we often place our trust in things or people that cannot save us. True security comes from trusting in God alone. Misplaced trust can lead to spiritual and emotional harm, but placing our trust in God leads to peace and safety. [28:18]
5. Transformation Through Renewed Minds: To experience the fullness of God's promises, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This involves breaking free from the limitations of our natural thinking and adopting a divine perspective. It requires us to confront and overcome our ingrained habits, fears, and traditions, allowing God to expand our vision and faith. [30:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:40] - Introduction and Background
[03:08] - God's Vision for Multiplication
[04:39] - Abram's Tent and God's Perspective
[06:18] - Stepping Out of the Tent
[07:39] - Leaving Familiarity and Tradition
[10:02] - The Temporary Nature of Tents
[11:09] - God's Call to Come Further
[12:20] - Lot's Tent Near Sodom
[13:45] - Rachel's Deceitful Tent
[15:13] - Achan's Tent of Greed
[18:19] - God's Infinite Love and Patience
[19:42] - The Tent of Misplaced Trust
[28:18] - Sisera's Misplaced Trust
[30:50] - Renewing Our Minds
[48:06] - Overcoming the Tent of Fear
[52:14] - Breaking Free from Tradition
[53:36] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Genesis 15:1-6 (Amplified Bible)
### Observation Questions
1. What did God ask Abram to do in Genesis 15:5, and what was the significance of this action? [04:39]
2. According to the sermon, what are some examples of "tents" that people live under? [06:18]
3. How did Lot's choice of where to pitch his tent reflect his heart's desires? [12:20]
4. What was hidden in Achan's tent, and what were the consequences of his actions? [24:38]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God asked Abram to step out of his tent to look at the stars? How does this relate to changing one's perspective? [06:18]
2. How can the "tent of fear" limit a person's ability to trust in God's promises? [48:06]
3. What does the story of Rachel's deceitful tent reveal about the hidden sins in our lives? [16:33]
4. How does the concept of "renewing our minds" help us break free from the limitations of our "tents"? [30:50]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a "tent" in your life that represents a limitation or constraint. What steps can you take this week to begin stepping out of that tent? [06:18]
2. The sermon mentioned the "tent of familiarity and tradition." Are there traditions or familiar patterns in your life that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you challenge these this week? [52:14]
3. Fear can be a significant barrier to stepping out in faith. Identify a specific fear you have. How can you confront this fear with God's promises? [48:06]
4. Have you ever placed your trust in something or someone that ultimately let you down, like Sisera did? How can you shift your trust back to God? [28:18]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of renewing our minds. What is one practical way you can start renewing your mind to align more with God's perspective? [30:50]
6. Think about a time when you were deceitful or hid something, like Rachel. How did it affect your relationship with others and with God? What steps can you take to live more transparently? [16:33]
7. The sermon discussed the idea of breaking free from the tent of past experiences. Is there a past experience that you are still allowing to define you? How can you begin to let go of it and move forward? [37:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Stepping Out in Faith
Description: God called Abram to step out of his tent and look at the stars, symbolizing a shift from a limited, natural perspective to God's expansive, faith-filled vision. This call to leave the tent is a metaphor for breaking free from the limitations and constraints that we often place on ourselves—whether they be mental, emotional, or spiritual. Stepping out requires faith and a willingness to see things from God's perspective. When we step out in faith, we open ourselves to the vast possibilities that God has in store for us, far beyond our limited human understanding. [06:18]
Genesis 15:5 (ESV): "And he brought him outside and said, 'Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel limited or constrained? How can you step out in faith today to see things from God's perspective?
Day 2: Breaking Free from Familiarity and Tradition
Description: Many of us are bound by the tent of familiarity and tradition, which can nullify the Word of God in our lives. Breaking free from these constraints often requires courage and a willingness to follow God into new, unfamiliar territory. This can lead to significant spiritual growth and blessings. When we cling to what is familiar, we may miss out on the new things God wants to do in our lives. Embracing change and stepping into the unknown with God can lead to a deeper relationship with Him and a more fulfilling spiritual journey. [52:14]
Mark 7:13 (ESV): "Thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do."
Reflection: Is there a tradition or familiar practice in your life that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you courageously step into new territory with God today?
Day 3: Overcoming the Tent of Fear
Description: Fear is a common tent that many of us live under, whether it's fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or fear of stepping out in faith. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Overcoming fear involves trusting in God's promises and stepping out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain. When we allow fear to control us, we limit what God can do through us. By trusting in God's power and love, we can overcome our fears and experience the fullness of His plans for our lives. [48:06]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: What is one fear that is holding you back from fully trusting God? How can you take a step today to overcome that fear and trust in His promises?
Day 4: Trusting in God Alone
Description: Like Sisera, who trusted in the wrong person and met his downfall, we often place our trust in things or people that cannot save us. True security comes from trusting in God alone. Misplaced trust can lead to spiritual and emotional harm, but placing our trust in God leads to peace and safety. When we rely on worldly things or people for our security, we set ourselves up for disappointment. Trusting in God alone ensures that we are anchored in His unchanging love and faithfulness. [28:18]
Psalm 118:8-9 (ESV): "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes."
Reflection: Is there something or someone you have been placing your trust in instead of God? How can you shift your trust to God alone today?
Day 5: Renewing Our Minds
Description: To experience the fullness of God's promises, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This involves breaking free from the limitations of our natural thinking and adopting a divine perspective. It requires us to confront and overcome our ingrained habits, fears, and traditions, allowing God to expand our vision and faith. Renewing our minds means aligning our thoughts with God's truth and allowing His Word to shape our beliefs and actions. This transformation leads to a deeper understanding of God's will and a more vibrant spiritual life. [30:50]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What is one area of your thinking that needs to be renewed by God's truth? How can you begin to align your thoughts with God's perspective today?
Quotes
1. "This church is going to multiply and multiplication is in every believer's DNA that we would be fruitful and multiply. Every church is to be fruitful and to multiply. So it's not about adding one or two. It's about doubling. It's about tripling. And that requires space. That requires all kinds of things. But God is a multiplier. Amen. Doesn't do anything halfway. He is interested in everybody and everybody." [01:40] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If I can get you out of this tent and get you to look at things from my perspective, your whole world is going to completely change. And you're going to begin to express the kind of faith that is pleasing to me. And you're going to begin to trust me and act on my word in ways that are impossible for you to do if you stay in this tent." [06:18] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God hasn't given us, the spirit of fear, but of love and a power and of a sound mind. And then the tent of familiarity and, and, and the, and the customary, you know, this is the Bible says that because of man's customs and because of man's traditions, we've nullified the word of God. We've made the word of God null and void. It's like, it has no effect on us." [50:54] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God loves you no matter where you pitch your tent. God wants to bring you out of that tent no matter how stubborn you are about staying inside of it. God is not looking to hurt you. God is not looking to hate on you. God loves you. And the love that he has for you is infinite love. And it's not based on anything that you've done or anything that I could ever do to earn his love. It's based on who God is." [19:06] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God wants to bring us out of the limitations of our mind to begin to think God's thoughts that have to do with faith. And faith does not really, it does not, find a place that is very compatible with logic. Amen? So in your logical mind, I would say that there are many people in here that would say, I'm an analytical person. And if I were to ask you to raise your hand, you analyze everything. You're analyzing me right now. You're analyzing what I'm saying." [30:50] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If God brings us out of something, he doesn't just bring us out of something. He brings us out of things. He brings us out to bring us in. And so he's going to bring us into something different. So just looking at tents now, he's, he's pressing in a little bit more. He's come out of his, his country. He's come out of his father's house. He's come away from his kindred. And now God's saying, come a little further, come a little further. That's what God's saying to you today." [11:09] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I want to encourage you to do that. When the worship team is up here, let's worship God together. Don't, don't, don't be self-conscious about shouting to the Lord. I mean, this River of Life Church is a shouting bunch. We're a bunch of shouters. If you're a River of Lifer, you're going to shout. You may, you don't have to shout, but you will shout. Amen. You will shout." [46:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And God wants to do that in our lives so that we're not afraid. You're not afraid of people's opinions of you. As a matter of fact, you're not embarrassed of that at all. You're not embarrassed to be in the United States Marine Corps at all. You're not. You know, it's, it's, it's something that, that, that you love. And so that's how, that's how we, we want to operate when we begin to walk with the Lord, the tent of fear." [48:06] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And God wants to bring us into that place. So fear does not have to be something that we're subject to. God hasn't given us, the spirit of fear, but of love and a power and of a sound mind. And then the tent of familiarity and, and, and the, and the customary, you know, this is the Bible says that because of man's customs and because of man's traditions, we've nullified the word of God. We've made the word of God null and void. It's like, it has no effect on us." [50:54] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And so God begins to speak to us and say, okay, now I've got a further work that I want to do in your life. And I want you to come out of that because I want you to be like me. I want you to think like me. I want you to see things from my perspective. I'm not just interested in you going to heaven. We're going to walk this out together and you're going to partner with me in faith to see great things happen in the earth because there's going to be a multiplication and there are going to be many descendants that are going to come forth from you." [08:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?