Choosing Strength: God's Intervention in Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that God is a way-making God who intervenes in our lives, often in miraculous ways. We began by acknowledging God's power to part seas, knock down walls, and defeat enemies even when we are unaware. This led us to a time of prayer, emphasizing the importance of laying our burdens at Jesus' feet and believing in miracles for ourselves and others.
We then shifted our focus to the upcoming Friend Day, encouraging everyone to show the love of Jesus through acts of kindness. We prayed for those who are far from God, believing that our efforts will lead many to choose Jesus.
The sermon then transitioned to a discussion about the importance of transparency and authenticity within our church community. Despite challenges like financial strains and unexpected illnesses, we remain committed to our mission of reaching the lost, both locally and globally. We celebrated our giving, emphasizing that our contributions are not just financial but are acts of faith and partnership with God's mission.
The main teaching centered on the story of Samson from Judges 14. We examined how Samson's choices, despite his Nazarite vow, often led him into places of temptation and danger. Yet, even in his failures, God's Spirit rushed upon him, providing strength and deliverance. This highlighted the tension between human choice and divine intervention, emphasizing that staying strong in the Lord is ultimately our choice.
We also tackled a significant doctrinal issue: the concept of predestination versus free will. We affirmed that God, in His love, gives us the freedom to choose, making our love and worship genuine. This understanding helps us navigate the complexities of life, knowing that God works with us and through us, even when we make mistakes.
In conclusion, we were reminded that in the circus of life, we have the choice to stay strong in the Lord. Whether we find ourselves in places of temptation or facing lions, God is with us, providing redemption and strength. We were encouraged to make the right choices, to seek restoration, and to trust in God's unwavering presence and love.
### Key Takeaways
1. God as the Way-Maker: God intervenes in our lives in miraculous ways, often when we least expect it. He parts seas, knocks down walls, and defeats enemies, demonstrating His power and love. This should encourage us to lay our burdens at His feet and trust in His ability to make a way where there seems to be no way. [24:17]
2. Acts of Kindness as Evangelism: Showing the love of Jesus through acts of kindness can be a powerful tool for evangelism. Whether it's buying lunch, mowing a yard, or simply offering a handshake, these small acts can open hearts to the gospel. We are called to be intentional in our efforts to reach those who are far from God. [50:23]
3. Transparency and Authenticity in Community: Building a culture of transparency and authenticity within the church is crucial. Despite challenges like financial strains and unexpected illnesses, we must remain committed to our mission. Our giving and efforts are acts of faith and partnership with God's mission, reflecting our trust in His provision. [51:56]
4. The Tension Between Choice and Divine Intervention: The story of Samson illustrates the tension between human choice and divine intervention. Despite his failures and poor choices, God's Spirit still rushed upon him, providing strength and deliverance. This teaches us that staying strong in the Lord is our choice, but God is always with us, ready to redeem and strengthen us. [01:06:01]
5. Predestination vs. Free Will: Understanding the balance between predestination and free will is essential. God, in His love, gives us the freedom to choose, making our love and worship genuine. This perspective helps us navigate life's complexities, knowing that God works with us and through us, even when we make mistakes. [01:24:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[24:17] - God as the Way-Maker
[25:00] - Prayer and Miracles
[50:23] - Acts of Kindness as Evangelism
[51:56] - Transparency and Authenticity in Community
[53:34] - Financial Challenges and Faith
[54:59] - Giving as an Act of Faith
[57:16] - Choose Your Own Adventure
[01:00:17] - Theme Verse: Psalm 28:7
[01:01:53] - Samson's Story Begins
[01:03:16] - Samson's Riddle and Consequences
[01:06:01] - The Tension Between Choice and Divine Intervention
[01:14:00] - The Vineyard and Temptation
[01:17:49] - Divine Intervention and Human Choice
[01:24:17] - Predestination vs. Free Will
[01:31:44] - Faith and Understanding
[01:36:23] - Redemption and Strength in the Lord
[01:38:33] - Invitation to Choose Jesus
[01:44:18] - Closing and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Judges 14:1-20 (The story of Samson)
2. Psalm 28:7 (Theme verse)
3. Romans 8:29-30 (Predestination vs. Free Will)
### Observation Questions
1. What miraculous acts of God were highlighted in the sermon as examples of His intervention in our lives? [24:17]
2. How did the sermon describe the importance of acts of kindness in evangelism? [50:23]
3. What were some of the challenges mentioned that the church community faced, and how did they respond to these challenges? [51:56]
4. In the story of Samson, what were some of the poor choices he made, and how did God still intervene? [01:06:01]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Samson illustrate the tension between human choice and divine intervention? [01:06:01]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between transparency, authenticity, and community within the church? [51:56]
3. How does the concept of predestination versus free will impact our understanding of God's love and our personal responsibility? [01:24:17]
4. What does Psalm 28:7 reveal about the source of our strength and joy in the Lord? [01:00:17]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God making a way in your life where there seemed to be no way. How did that impact your faith? [24:17]
2. What are some practical acts of kindness you can perform this week to show the love of Jesus to someone who is far from God? [50:23]
3. In what ways can you contribute to building a culture of transparency and authenticity in our church community? [51:56]
4. Have you ever found yourself in a place of temptation like Samson? What steps can you take to avoid such situations in the future? [01:14:00]
5. How do you reconcile the tension between God's sovereignty and human free will in your own life? [01:24:17]
6. Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God's intervention, and what choices did you make to stay strong in the Lord? [01:06:01]
7. How can you apply the message of Psalm 28:7 in your daily life to trust in God's strength and find joy in Him? [01:00:17]
Devotional
Day 1: God as the Way-Maker
God intervenes in our lives in miraculous ways, often when we least expect it. He parts seas, knocks down walls, and defeats enemies, demonstrating His power and love. This should encourage us to lay our burdens at His feet and trust in His ability to make a way where there seems to be no way. [24:17]
Isaiah 43:16-19 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 'Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.'"
Reflection: Think of a current challenge or obstacle in your life. How can you lay this burden at Jesus' feet today and trust in His miraculous intervention?
Day 2: Acts of Kindness as Evangelism
Showing the love of Jesus through acts of kindness can be a powerful tool for evangelism. Whether it's buying lunch, mowing a yard, or simply offering a handshake, these small acts can open hearts to the gospel. We are called to be intentional in our efforts to reach those who are far from God. [50:23]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who is far from God. What specific act of kindness can you do for them this week to show the love of Jesus?
Day 3: Transparency and Authenticity in Community
Building a culture of transparency and authenticity within the church is crucial. Despite challenges like financial strains and unexpected illnesses, we must remain committed to our mission. Our giving and efforts are acts of faith and partnership with God's mission, reflecting our trust in His provision. [51:56]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent struggle or challenge you have faced. How can you share this with your church community to foster transparency and authenticity?
Day 4: The Tension Between Choice and Divine Intervention
The story of Samson illustrates the tension between human choice and divine intervention. Despite his failures and poor choices, God's Spirit still rushed upon him, providing strength and deliverance. This teaches us that staying strong in the Lord is our choice, but God is always with us, ready to redeem and strengthen us. [01:06:01]
Judges 14:6 (ESV): "Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done."
Reflection: Consider a recent decision you made that did not honor God. How can you seek His strength and redemption to make better choices moving forward?
Day 5: Predestination vs. Free Will
Understanding the balance between predestination and free will is essential. God, in His love, gives us the freedom to choose, making our love and worship genuine. This perspective helps us navigate life's complexities, knowing that God works with us and through us, even when we make mistakes. [01:24:17]
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Reflection: Reflect on a choice you need to make today. How can you ensure that this choice aligns with God's will and demonstrates genuine love and worship?
Quotes
1. "We believe in miracles. Miracles of the heart, miracles of the body, miracles of the soul. Don't leave here carrying a load that you can lay down at the master's feet today. And let him make a way. Let him do that today. So if you need prayer for yourself or anyone you know that's weighing on you, then step out. And if these guys get backed up, you know, some of us will jump up and we'll take care of it. But let's believe God for miracles." [24:17] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Start doing, you know, we can call them in a random act of kindness. We can call it whatever, but what it means is do something not selfishly, but out of the love of Jesus. You know, it may be buying lunch. It may be mowing a yard. It may be just a handshake and a high. For somebody, but it's taking now taking time for them to be a little extra." [50:23] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "But here's the good news. Jesus is still Lord. Jesus is still the provider. He's got all those things going on and we don't have to worry. So today I want us as we as we give to the Lord, I want us to remember that we're not giving for our reasons. We're giving because we're people that reach. This cup says reach Estonia because we're people who are saying, Jesus, what are you reaching for? We're reaching for the same thing. Even if it's a little even if even if the enemy doesn't like it, actually, because he doesn't like it, maybe a little cocky. Can I be a little cocky? Can I be a little, you know, let's be this." [53:34] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Lord could completely control our story, but he allows us to choose. He allows us to figure it out, even allows us to choose which end we want. Now, that wasn't a very circusy intro today. I'll try to do better next week." [58:53] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's interesting that what the author does is they create a framework, they create some boundaries, they actually kind of determine, you know, what the ends, a couple or two or three different ends are going to be, but they don't control the story. They give control of the story over to the reader. And they say, you get to decide how this story goes. You get to make that choice." [57:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When we choose to hang out in the places that that represent the things the Lord has asked us to avoid and leave behind then we're actually we put ourselves in more danger because it was in the vineyard that the lion attacked him. Come on boy you got the let me let me say this a little differently Samson was attacked when he was in the place of temptation and by all accounts he chose to go to the place of temptation and he chose to go to the place of temptation because his parents didn't come and they were all traveling together they didn't hear anything they didn't see anything why would we why why would we choose to put ourselves into the place of temptation." [01:16:00] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The Lord will not leave you he's not going to leave me when I make stupid mistakes I make stupid choices and I end up where I'm not I shouldn't be the Lord says I'm going to go with you I'm going to go with you I mean the circus of life guys has enough temptations and distractions you don't need to add to that by choosing to go to the place the Lord's asked us not to go to what am I saying to you that choosing that that staying strong in the Lord is actually our choice." [01:16:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The Lord provides redemption for us when we fail. Now, some of you may need to hear me say that again. The Lord provides redemption for us when we fail. But, but this is also where the story of Samson gets a little hinky because in chapter 16, he's going to say, he's, he's, he's going to say, a razor's never touched my hair. Now, why would that, why is that a problem? Because the, the Nazirite vow, one of the things he was never supposed to get his hair cut. But when you touched a dead thing and you needed to put things right and restore and do the reset, it required you to shave your head and let the hair start growing again." [01:10:38] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "I mean, eventually in Samson's life, you're going to see that he breaks the hold of the, of the Philistine, that the Philistines have on Israel. But I can't wonder how much more God might, done through him had he gone back and kept that relationship pure and strong and right see guys staying strong in the Lord is our choice." [01:12:20] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I find that encouraging that the Lord creates us with purpose. And he works with us while letting us choose our own adventure. And if we don't get it all right, he still says, I'm going to use you. Oh man. See guys, staying strong in the Lord is our choice." [01:32:24] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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