Chasing God's Dreams: Honor and Service in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we concluded our series "Dream Junkies," focusing on the concept that God has dreams for us that are greater than our own. We discussed the importance of being "dream junkies" who are addicted to seeing God's dreams come to pass in our lives and the lives of others. Throughout this series, we've learned that to live God's dreams, we need to know God, find freedom, discover our purpose, and make a mark through serving. We've also explored the eight values that should define us as a church and as individuals: Jesus is our message, people are our heart, relationships are our passion, giving is our joy, excellence is our standard, celebration is our culture, honor is our code, and dreams are our fuel.
Today's focus was on the value of honor. We delved into Romans 12:10, which instructs us to honor each other with genuine affection. Honor means to hold in high respect, and it should be extended to everyone, not just those who seem important. We discussed how honor should be our code, guiding how we treat each other, our spouses, our parents, and even our leaders. We also touched on the importance of humility in practicing honor, as humility allows us to put others ahead of ourselves.
We then transitioned to the final value: dreams are our fuel. We looked at Jeremiah 1:4-5, where God tells Jeremiah that He knew him before he was formed in the womb and appointed him as a prophet to the nations. This illustrates that God has big, sometimes seemingly ridiculous dreams for us that require audacious faith. We must be willing to chase these dreams, even if they seem impossible or make us feel inadequate.
Finally, we discussed the dream God has for our church: to give Detroit and beyond a faith experience and to help hundreds of thousands of people experience the future God has for them. This big, ridiculous dream requires all of us to step up, use our gifts, and serve. We are not just consumers; we are contributors in God's army, and it's time for each of us to take our place and do our part.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Dreams vs. Our Dreams: God's dreams for us are greater than our own and have a more significant impact on our lives and those around us. We should strive to be "dream junkies," addicted to seeing God's dreams come to pass. This requires knowing God, finding freedom, discovering our purpose, and making a mark through serving. [01:32]
2. Honor as Our Code: Honor means holding others in high respect and should be extended to everyone, not just those who seem important. Practicing honor requires humility, as it involves putting others ahead of ourselves. This principle applies to our relationships with each other, our spouses, our parents, and our leaders. [03:11]
3. Humility and Honor: True humility has no problem honoring others and putting them on a pedestal. Pride, on the other hand, is threatened by the success and recognition of others. Practicing humility and honor leads to promotion, while dishonor leads to demotion. [07:35]
4. Chasing God's Big Dreams: God's dreams for us are often big and seemingly ridiculous, requiring audacious faith. These dreams are too big for us to accomplish on our own and necessitate God's help. We must be willing to chase these dreams, even if they seem impossible or make us feel inadequate. [26:30]
5. Serving in God's Army: To achieve the big, ridiculous dream God has for our church, we must all step up and use our gifts to serve. We are not just consumers; we are contributors in God's army. It's time for each of us to take our place and do our part to help reach people for Jesus and fulfill God's vision for our church. [46:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - Introduction to Dream Junkies Series
[03:11] - Honor is Our Code
[04:47] - Definition of Honor
[06:07] - Honoring Others Above Ourselves
[07:35] - Humility and Honor
[09:01] - Honoring Spouses
[10:40] - Honoring Parents
[13:36] - Honor Leads to Promotion
[15:01] - Honoring Leaders
[18:54] - Honoring Political Leaders
[21:57] - David's Example of Honoring Leadership
[24:49] - Dreams are Our Fuel
[26:30] - God's Big Dreams for Us
[30:05] - Chasing the Dream
[33:03] - Sacrificing for the Dream
[36:21] - Dream for Our Church
[40:41] - Multiplication of the Church
[42:22] - Using Our Gifts to Serve
[46:34] - Becoming Contributors, Not Consumers
[49:26] - Call to Serve
[50:43] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[52:54] - Prayer of Salvation
[53:49] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:10 - "Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other."
2. Jeremiah 1:4-5 - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'"
3. 1 Peter 3:7 - "In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:10, how are we instructed to treat each other? What does it mean to "take delight in honoring each other"? [03:11]
2. In Jeremiah 1:4-5, what does God reveal about His knowledge and plans for Jeremiah before his birth? How does this relate to the concept of God having big dreams for us? [24:49]
3. How does 1 Peter 3:7 instruct husbands to treat their wives, and what is the reason given for this instruction? [09:01]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how we can honor others in our daily lives? [06:07]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to honor everyone, not just those who seem important or influential? How does this reflect the value of humility? [07:35]
2. How does the concept of being "dream junkies" align with the idea that God's dreams for us are often bigger and more audacious than our own? [26:30]
3. What are the potential consequences of dishonoring others, especially in the context of leadership and family relationships? [13:36]
4. How can the story of Jeremiah's calling encourage us to pursue the seemingly impossible dreams God has for us? [28:18]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt honored by someone. How did it impact your relationship with that person? How can you extend similar honor to others in your life? [06:07]
2. In what ways can you practice humility in your daily interactions, especially with those who may not seem important by worldly standards? [07:35]
3. Think about a big dream or calling you believe God has placed on your heart. What steps can you take this week to pursue that dream, even if it feels impossible? [26:30]
4. How can you honor your spouse or family members more effectively? What specific actions can you take to show them respect and appreciation? [09:01]
5. Consider the dream God has for our church to reach hundreds of thousands of people. What role can you play in contributing to this vision? How can you use your gifts to serve? [46:34]
6. How can you shift from being a consumer to a contributor in your church community? What specific area of service are you passionate about, and how can you get involved? [47:57]
7. Reflect on the importance of honoring political and spiritual leaders, even when you disagree with them. How can you practice this in a way that aligns with your faith and values? [18:54]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Dreams vs. Our Dreams
Description: God's dreams for us are far greater than anything we could imagine for ourselves. These dreams are not just about personal success or happiness but have a significant impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. To align ourselves with God's dreams, we need to know Him intimately, find freedom from our past, discover our unique purpose, and make a mark through serving others. This journey requires us to become "dream junkies," addicted to seeing God's dreams come to pass in our lives and the lives of others. [01:32]
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to better align your personal dreams with God's greater dreams for your life?
Day 2: Honor as Our Code
Description: Honor is about holding others in high respect and should be extended to everyone, not just those who seem important. Romans 12:10 instructs us to honor each other with genuine affection. Practicing honor requires humility, as it involves putting others ahead of ourselves. This principle applies to our relationships with each other, our spouses, our parents, and our leaders. When we honor others, we reflect God's love and create a culture of respect and dignity. [03:11]
1 Peter 2:17 (ESV): "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who you may have overlooked or taken for granted. How can you show them genuine honor and respect today?
Day 3: Humility and Honor
Description: True humility has no problem honoring others and putting them on a pedestal. Pride, on the other hand, is threatened by the success and recognition of others. Practicing humility and honor leads to promotion, while dishonor leads to demotion. Humility allows us to celebrate others' achievements without feeling diminished. It helps us to see the value in others and to lift them up, creating a community where everyone feels valued and respected. [07:35]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt threatened by someone else's success. How can you practice humility and honor in similar situations moving forward?
Day 4: Chasing God's Big Dreams
Description: God's dreams for us are often big and seemingly ridiculous, requiring audacious faith. These dreams are too big for us to accomplish on our own and necessitate God's help. We must be willing to chase these dreams, even if they seem impossible or make us feel inadequate. Jeremiah 1:4-5 illustrates that God has big plans for us even before we are born. Embracing these dreams requires us to step out in faith and trust that God will provide the means to achieve them. [26:30]
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."
Reflection: What is one big dream that you believe God has placed in your heart? What steps can you take today to start pursuing that dream with audacious faith?
Day 5: Serving in God's Army
Description: To achieve the big, ridiculous dream God has for our church, we must all step up and use our gifts to serve. We are not just consumers; we are contributors in God's army. It's time for each of us to take our place and do our part to help reach people for Jesus and fulfill God's vision for our church. Serving is not just about filling a need; it's about being part of something bigger than ourselves and making a lasting impact. [46:34]
1 Corinthians 12:27 (ESV): "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."
Reflection: What unique gifts and talents do you have that can be used to serve in your church or community? How can you take a step today to become a contributor rather than just a consumer?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God has dreams for us that are even greater than the dreams that we have for us, that will have an even greater impact on our lives and a greater impact on the lives of those around us. And he wants us to spend our lives chasing his dreams for us. In fact, we've said it this way, God wants us to be dream junkies, individuals who are addicted to seeing God's dreams come to pass in our lives and the lives of others." [01:32] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If your dream is small enough for you to be able to do without God's help, that's not God's dream for you. God's dream for you is too big for you. God's dream for you elicits this kind of response: 'Who, me? I can't do that. Don't you know?' Come on, that's what Moses did. 'I can't, can't even talk, God. Stammering, you got the wrong guy.' That's what Gideon said. He said, 'I'm the least in my family. My family is little and nothing, and I'm the least in my family. You want me to lead Israel to deliverance?'" [27:30] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God has a big ridiculous dream for you that will require audacious faith, the kind of faith that'll make people think you crazy, the kind of faith that'll make you think you crazy. But if you'll grab ahold of what God is saying and you'll chase after that, it will change your life and you'll make a mark in this world that will never be erased. But you got to chase the dream." [28:18] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Sometimes what God gives you will seem crazy to the world around you and you've got to believe enough in your God and in what he said to you to chase after that dream no matter if no one else is with you, no one else believes in you, no one else can see it. You can see it and be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to get there." [30:05] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need to choose to accept God's dream and chase God's dream at all cost. Acts chapter 9, let me keep moving because I'll preach all day. I'm feeling my help come on as the old preachers used to say. Let's talk a little bit about the dream God has for this church." [35:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What kind of church would we have if everybody was busy trying to out-honor each other rather than trying to outshine each other? That's the kind of church God wants us to be. That's the kind of people God wants us to be, the kind of people that prefer others ahead of them. He's telling us to honor one another." [06:07] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Honor leads to promotion. Dishonor leads to demotion. Some people don't ever get ahead in life because you don't know how to treat people. And you know how to treat people that God has placed in your life and people are a part of you climbing the ladder of success. You gotta be very careful. I'm not a big believer in burning bridges." [15:01] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are not a store. We are an army and you are a soldier in that army and it's time for you to take your place and do your part so we can help save Detroit. We are not going to live the dream that God has for us if we don't all step up and do our part. Are you ready to be a part of God's army? Are you ready to do your part in reaching people for Jesus?" [47:57] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God cares about how we treat leadership and he expects us to honor the leadership that he has put in our lives even when we don't feel like the leadership is worthy of honor. Now here's something I'm about to meddle with you guys today and this is only a preview where we're going next week. The Bible says honor the king and it's already quiet because we're in a culture now that has made it normal to dishonor our political leadership." [18:54] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You have some passion. You have some fire. You have some giftings. And God is telling you today, it's time for you to do it. It's time for you to use them well. The time has passed for this church to be full of consumers and to start being contributors." [46:34] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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