Choosing Faith: Refinement Through Worship and Generosity
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of not living life based on our emotions, but rather making conscious decisions to praise and worship God. I introduced Martha Beitzler, a missionary our church supports, who shared her journey and calling into ministry. I also discussed the cyclical pattern of the Israelites in the Old Testament, who were blessed by God, enjoyed the blessings, forgot about God, and then cried out to Him when they found themselves in trouble. I highlighted the story of Joseph, who, despite being confined in various situations, allowed God to refine him. I concluded by encouraging the congregation to turn their pain and pressure into a place of refinement by listening to and obeying God.
Key Takeaways:
- We should not live life based on our emotions, but make conscious decisions to praise and worship God. ( [31:10])
- We are blessed not to keep things, but to give things. ( [32:23])
- The Israelites in the Old Testament enjoyed God's blessings, forgot about Him, and then cried out to Him when they found themselves in trouble. ( [40:48])
- Joseph, despite being confined in various situations, allowed God to refine him. ( [42:15])
- We should turn our pain and pressure into a place of refinement by listening to and obeying God. ( [01:10:28])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Judges Chapter 6 [[33:40]]
2. Genesis Chapter 37 [[42:15]]
Observation Questions:
1. In Judges Chapter 6, what were the circumstances that led the Israelites to experience pain and pressure?
2. How did the Israelites respond to their situation in Judges Chapter 6?
3. In Genesis Chapter 37, how did Joseph respond to his circumstances of pain and pressure?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What can we learn from the Israelites' response to their circumstances in Judges Chapter 6?
2. How does Joseph's response to his circumstances in Genesis Chapter 37 contrast with the Israelites' response in Judges Chapter 6?
3. What does these passages teach us about responding to pain and pressure?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a time in your life when you experienced pain and pressure similar to the Israelites in Judges Chapter 6? How did you respond?
2. How can you apply Joseph's response to his circumstances in Genesis Chapter 37 to your own life when you face pain and pressure?
3. Are there any "cave creatures" in your life that are keeping you confined in a situation of pain and pressure? How can you distance yourself from them?
4. What is one step you can take this week to turn your pain and pressure into a place of refinement, as Joseph did in Genesis Chapter 37?
5. Can you think of a situation in your life where you've enjoyed God's blessings so much that you began to forget about God, similar to the Israelites in Judges Chapter 6? How can you ensure you keep God at the center even in times of blessing?
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Garment of Praise
In the midst of life's trials, we are called to put on the Garment of Praise. This is not dependent on our feelings, but rather a conscious decision to worship God despite our circumstances. Our emotions will eventually align with our will to praise God, bringing us into a place of peace and joy ([31:10]).
Isaiah 61:3 - "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."
Reflection: How can you consciously choose to put on the Garment of Praise in your current situation?
Day 2: Generosity as Worship
Our offerings are not just financial, but also include our time and talents. This act of giving is a form of worship, acknowledging that all we have is from God and should be used for His glory ([32:23]).
2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How can you express your worship to God through generosity this week?
Day 3: Aligning with God's Will
We often try to fit God into our lives, but the true path to peace and fulfillment is to align our lives with God's will. This requires surrender and obedience to His word ([01:04:30]).
Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to align more closely with God's will?
Day 4: Responding to God's Word
God speaks to us in various ways, but it is our responsibility to respond to His word. This may involve taking a step of faith, forgiving someone, or changing our attitudes ([01:09:54]).
James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Reflection: What is God speaking to you currently and how can you respond in obedience?
Day 5: Turning Pain into Refinement
Pain and pressure can be used by God to refine us. Instead of resisting these experiences, we can choose to see them as opportunities for growth and transformation ([01:10:28]).
1 Peter 1:6-7 - "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Reflection: How can you view your current challenges as opportunities for refinement and growth?
Quotes
1. "It is much easier to stay confined and living in a cave when you surround yourselves with cave creatures. These are people who are always looking back, they're not looking forward. You know the Shoulda Woulda Coulda man. You should have done this, you could have done this, you would have done this. People who would say well you know what my best days are back here." - 51:55
2. "We live in a world that is incredibly entitled and they're just living confined lives and moaning and groaning about it. Oftentimes when pain and pressure comes we're not looking for the refining process, we're looking for the confinement." - 46:12
3. "We live in a time where we fit God into our lives and we wonder why we have pain and pressure. We're fitting God into our life. No, you need to fit into God's will. You need to give all of yourself to him." - 01:04:30
4. "Sir Gideon replied if the Lord is with us why has all this happened to us and where are all the Miracles in the that our ancestors told us about. Didn't they say the Lord brought us up out of Egypt but now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the midianites." - 01:05:42
5. "I believe that most everybody at some point has asked that question why why is this happening why am I going through this. I've also come to realize the probably a lot of our pain comes accompanied with something else. I don't know if you've noticed this but I've often experienced that pain is accompanied with pressure." - 35:04
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