Breaking Through Paper Walls: Embracing God's Plan
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the concept of "paper walls"—the self-imposed barriers that prevent us from stepping into the fullness of God's plan for our lives. These paper walls are often built from our fears, insecurities, and excuses, which we mistakenly believe are legitimate reasons for not pursuing what God has called us to do. We began by reflecting on the importance of gathering with other believers, as instructed in Hebrews, and the significance of community in our spiritual growth.
We then delved into the idea that there are two kinds of people in the world: those who make a difference and those who make excuses. This dichotomy was illustrated through personal anecdotes and practical examples, emphasizing that our excuses often become "becauses"—reasons we give for not taking action. These becauses can seem very real to us, but they are often just paper walls that need to be torn down.
The sermon highlighted the importance of identifying, interrogating, and relabeling these excuses. By doing so, we can move past our fears and step into the good works that God has prepared for us. We were reminded that God has a unique plan and purpose for each of us, and that our lives can have a significant impact on others if we are willing to break through our paper walls.
We also discussed the importance of community and mentorship, encouraging us to either seek out or become a David McDaniel in someone else's life—someone who helps others see and move past their paper walls. The sermon concluded with a call to action, inviting us to physically tear a piece of a paper wall as a symbolic gesture of our commitment to breaking through our excuses and stepping into God's plan for our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Community: Gathering with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth. Hebrews instructs us not to neglect meeting together, as it provides encouragement and motivation for acts of love and good works. In-person gatherings create a space for mutual support and accountability, which are essential for overcoming our paper walls. [08:00]
2. Identifying and Interrogating Excuses: Our excuses often become becauses—reasons we give for not taking action. It's important to identify these excuses and interrogate them. Ask yourself why these excuses exist and what fears or insecurities they are masking. This self-awareness is the first step in breaking down these barriers. [49:33]
3. Relabeling Excuses as Paper Walls: Once we identify our excuses, we need to relabel them as paper walls. This involves being honest with ourselves and recognizing that these are not legitimate reasons but self-imposed barriers. By doing so, we can begin to dismantle them and move forward in God's plan for our lives. [53:04]
4. The Role of Mentorship: Just as David McDaniel helped the pastor see past his paper walls, we too can play a significant role in someone else's life. Whether we are the ones needing encouragement or the ones providing it, mentorship is a powerful tool for breaking through excuses and stepping into God's purpose. [35:23]
5. Taking Practical Steps: Breaking through paper walls requires practical action. This includes identifying our excuses, interrogating them, relabeling them, and then taking tangible steps to move past them. Whether it's starting small or taking a big leap of faith, the key is to take action and trust that God will use us in significant ways. [47:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[08:00] - The Importance of Gathering
[25:54] - Two Kinds of People
[27:21] - What Are Paper Walls?
[29:21] - The Impact of Paper Walls
[31:22] - Personal Story: Fear of Failure
[33:22] - The Because Narrative
[34:53] - The Role of Mentorship
[40:58] - Ephesians: Created for Good Works
[44:58] - God's Plan and Purpose
[47:00] - Five Steps to Break Through Paper Walls
[49:33] - Identifying and Interrogating Excuses
[53:04] - Relabeling Excuses
[55:35] - Taking Practical Steps
[01:07:18] - Call to Action: Tear Down Your Paper Wall
[01:15:24] - Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV): "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
2. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV): "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
3. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV): "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 10:24-25, why is it important for believers to gather together? How does this relate to overcoming "paper walls"? [08:00]
2. In Ephesians 2:8-10, what does Paul say about the relationship between grace, faith, and good works? How does this passage encourage us to move past our excuses? [40:58]
3. What does 2 Corinthians 10:5 suggest about how we should handle thoughts and arguments that go against the knowledge of God? How can this be applied to breaking down our "paper walls"? [49:01]
4. The sermon mentioned two kinds of people: those who make a difference and those who make excuses. What are some examples given in the sermon of how excuses can become "becauses"? [28:50]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the instruction in Hebrews 10:24-25 to not give up meeting together help in breaking down "paper walls"? What role does community play in overcoming personal barriers? [08:00]
2. Ephesians 2:8-10 emphasizes that we are created for good works prepared by God. How does recognizing this purpose help in identifying and overcoming our excuses? [40:58]
3. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul talks about taking every thought captive. How can this practice help in interrogating and relabeling our excuses as "paper walls"? [49:01]
4. The sermon highlighted the role of mentorship in overcoming "paper walls." How can being a mentor or seeking mentorship help in breaking through personal barriers? [35:23]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current involvement in a faith community. How can you increase your participation to help break down your "paper walls"? What steps can you take this week to engage more deeply with your church community? [08:00]
2. Identify a specific "because" or excuse that has been holding you back. What practical steps can you take this week to interrogate and relabel this excuse as a "paper wall"? [49:33]
3. Think about a time when you allowed fear or insecurity to prevent you from taking action. How can you apply the message of Ephesians 2:8-10 to move past this fear and step into the good works God has prepared for you? [40:58]
4. Consider someone in your life who might benefit from mentorship. How can you reach out to them this week to offer support and encouragement? Alternatively, if you need mentorship, who can you approach for guidance? [35:23]
5. What is one specific action you can take this week to start breaking down a "paper wall" in your life? How can you hold yourself accountable to this action? [47:00]
6. Reflect on the idea of taking every thought captive as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:5. What are some negative thoughts or excuses you need to take captive and interrogate this week? How will you do this practically? [49:01]
7. The sermon concluded with a call to physically tear a piece of a paper wall as a symbolic gesture. What symbolic or practical action can you take this week to demonstrate your commitment to breaking through your excuses? [01:07:18]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Power of Community
Gathering with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth. Hebrews instructs us not to neglect meeting together, as it provides encouragement and motivation for acts of love and good works. In-person gatherings create a space for mutual support and accountability, which are essential for overcoming our paper walls. When we isolate ourselves, we miss out on the strength and wisdom that comes from being part of a community. The church is not just a building; it is a body of believers who uplift and support one another in their walk with God.
In community, we find people who can help us see past our fears and insecurities. They can offer perspectives and encouragement that we might not see on our own. This collective strength is vital for breaking through the paper walls that hold us back. By committing to regular fellowship, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of community, allowing God to work through others to help us grow and step into His plan for our lives. [08:00]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt supported by your church community. How can you make a commitment to be more involved in your church gatherings to both give and receive encouragement?
### Day 2: Identifying and Interrogating Excuses
Our excuses often become becauses—reasons we give for not taking action. It's important to identify these excuses and interrogate them. Ask yourself why these excuses exist and what fears or insecurities they are masking. This self-awareness is the first step in breaking down these barriers. Many times, our excuses are rooted in fear of failure, fear of rejection, or a lack of self-confidence. By bringing these fears to light, we can begin to address them and move forward.
Interrogating our excuses involves asking tough questions and being honest with ourselves. What are we really afraid of? What is the worst that could happen if we took a step of faith? Often, we find that our fears are not as insurmountable as they seem. By identifying and interrogating our excuses, we can begin to dismantle the paper walls that hold us back and step into the good works that God has prepared for us. [49:33]
Proverbs 20:5 (ESV): "The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out."
Reflection: Identify one excuse you have been using to avoid taking action in a specific area of your life. What fear or insecurity is this excuse masking, and how can you confront it today?
### Day 3: Relabeling Excuses as Paper Walls
Once we identify our excuses, we need to relabel them as paper walls. This involves being honest with ourselves and recognizing that these are not legitimate reasons but self-imposed barriers. By doing so, we can begin to dismantle them and move forward in God's plan for our lives. Paper walls may seem solid and impenetrable, but they are actually fragile and can be torn down with the right mindset and effort.
Relabeling our excuses helps us see them for what they truly are—temporary obstacles that can be overcome. This shift in perspective is crucial for breaking free from the limitations we place on ourselves. By acknowledging that our excuses are just paper walls, we empower ourselves to take action and trust that God will guide us through the process. [53:04]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: Think of an excuse you have been using that you now recognize as a paper wall. How can you begin to relabel and dismantle this excuse today?
### Day 4: The Role of Mentorship
Just as David McDaniel helped the pastor see past his paper walls, we too can play a significant role in someone else's life. Whether we are the ones needing encouragement or the ones providing it, mentorship is a powerful tool for breaking through excuses and stepping into God's purpose. A mentor can offer guidance, wisdom, and accountability, helping us navigate the challenges we face and encouraging us to pursue God's plan for our lives.
Mentorship is a two-way street. While we may seek out mentors to help us grow, we can also become mentors to others, sharing our experiences and insights to help them overcome their own paper walls. By investing in relationships and being intentional about mentorship, we create a supportive network that fosters spiritual growth and empowers us to live out our God-given purpose. [35:23]
Titus 2:3-4 (ESV): "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who could benefit from your mentorship. How can you reach out to them and offer your support and guidance this week?
### Day 5: Taking Practical Steps
Breaking through paper walls requires practical action. This includes identifying our excuses, interrogating them, relabeling them, and then taking tangible steps to move past them. Whether it's starting small or taking a big leap of faith, the key is to take action and trust that God will use us in significant ways. Practical steps might include setting specific goals, seeking accountability, or taking a risk that we have been avoiding.
Taking action is essential for overcoming the barriers that hold us back. It is not enough to simply recognize our paper walls; we must also be willing to take steps to tear them down. By committing to practical actions, we demonstrate our faith in God's plan and our willingness to be used by Him. Trusting in God's guidance and provision, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that He has prepared good works for us to walk in. [47:00]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to move past a paper wall in your life? How can you trust God to guide you as you take this step?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Ever since Jesus' followers found the tomb empty on a Sunday morning, followers of Jesus have been gathering on Sundays to pray, learn from Scripture, and sing songs that remind us of the most important truths in life. I'm so glad you're joining this online experience today. We hope the content in this presentation grows your faith in God." [08:00] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There's nothing more significant that you can do with your life than to shine the light of God's love into dark places, and many times those dark places are people who need to know that God is for them. And there's a unique way that you can show up in their life and you can communicate that, because you have been uniquely gifted." [38:25] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God has given you a unique set of abilities, experiences, and gifts, and He didn't give those to you for you. He gave those to you so that you could leverage them on His behalf out in the world." [37:25] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Your Heavenly Father knows everything about you and He loves you like you have never been loved. In spite of every single thing that He knows about you. And He doesn't just love you. He has a plan and a purpose because He believes that you are useful. That you have a purpose in this life." [46:00] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God wants to call you back to a path that includes you making an impact on the world for His sake, for His name, for His glory, because there's nothing more significant that you can do with your life than to shine the light of God's love into dark places, and many times those dark places are people who need to know that God is for them." [38:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Is it possible, is it possible that you're missing out because you've walled yourself in? Is it possible? I just want to suggest this as a possibility, that perhaps this paper wall that you've put up as a defense for why you haven't done something or why you're not willing to try something or risk something, it's not only keeping other people out. It's not only keeping other people from poking through and asking hard questions, but it's actually become a barrier that's held you back." [29:21] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reality is that fear of failure is a difficult thing to admit. The reality is, I didn't want to fail. The reason that I wasn't willing to step out and start a new church and do something on my own was because that felt terrifying. And I didn't want to say that it was terrifying, so I came up with other reasons why that just didn't make good sense." [32:23] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You need to interrogate these becauses. You need to interrogate your excuses. You need to walk up to the paper wall and say, is this just because I'm afraid? Is this just because I'm insecure? What is it that's holding me back that's keeping me walled in and maybe keeping me from what God is calling me to do?" [52:33] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you don't identify your excuses, you will excuse your life away. You just make excuses and you'll make excuses and you'll make excuses and then someday your family will gather to remember your life and they'll have to think of nice things to say and they will. They will, I promise. They'll think of nice things to say. But they'll have to think of nice things to say without mentioning the fact that your biggest dream were never fulfilled because you allowed a paper wall to hold you back." [01:02:43] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God has a vision for your life. God has a purpose for your life. And I don't mean, oh, all of us as a group. I mean you individually. God knows you better than you have ever been known. And that's what all of us I really believe, that our deepest desire and our deepest need in our hearts is to have someone who fully and completely knows us. And we all want that. And we are all terrified by that." [45:28] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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