Come And See Sunday | Pastor Randy Goldenberg

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Reveals What God Is Like

If you want to know what God is truly like, look at Jesus—His life, His words, His actions, and His love. Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God, showing us a God who is humble, gentle, kind, and approachable, even to those who feel far from Him. In Christ, God made Himself understandable and accessible, not just to humanity but to all creation, so that we could know Him personally and trust His heart for us. No matter your past or present, you can always run toward Him, confident that He welcomes you with open arms and desires a relationship with you. [13:24]

Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Reflection: When you picture God, do you see Him as Jesus revealed—gentle, humble, and loving? How might seeing God this way change the way you approach Him today?

Day 2: God Wants the Best Life Possible for Us

God’s heart for you is not to restrict or deprive you, but to lead you into the best life possible—a life of fullness, meaning, and joy, even in a world where trouble and evil still exist. Jesus Himself said He came so that we might have life to the full, and He offers a joy and peace that are not dependent on circumstances but on being in alignment with Him. Even in seasons of grief or difficulty, you can experience His joy and peace when you trust Him to guide and guard your life. [18:31]

John 10:10 (ESV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to trust that God truly wants your best? What would it look like to let Him guide you toward fullness today?

Day 3: Our Deepest Needs Can Only Be Met in Christ

We are complex beings with deep needs for love, belonging, purpose, and peace—needs that no amount of pleasure, possessions, prestige, or power can truly satisfy. God has written His laws and desires into our hearts, and only in union with Christ can we find the fulfillment and wholeness we long for. When we try to fill these needs apart from Him, we end up restless and unsatisfied, but when we allow Him to guide us, He meets us at every level of our being. [30:29]

Romans 2:15 (ESV)
They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.

Reflection: What is one longing or need in your life that you have tried to satisfy apart from God? How can you invite Christ to meet you in that place today?

Day 4: Authentic Relationship with God Requires Trust and Following

God does not want a ritualistic or contractual relationship with us; He desires an authentic, personal relationship built on trust. He invites us to come to Him, learn from Him, and trust Him more than we trust ourselves. Real trust in Jesus is demonstrated by following Him—choosing His way over our own, even when it’s hard or counterintuitive. As we do, we experience His rest, peace, and guidance, even in the midst of life’s burdens. [36:20]

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Reflection: Where are you relying on your own instincts instead of trusting and following Jesus? What is one step you can take today to follow Him more closely?

Day 5: God’s Forgiveness Brings True Peace and Freedom

Unresolved guilt and shame keep us from experiencing the best life possible, but Jesus offers complete forgiveness and restoration when we come to Him honestly and own our failures. He promises to never remember our sins again, freeing us from the burdens of the past and giving us peace and hope for the future. This forgiveness is not about making excuses or blaming others, but about coming clean before God and receiving His grace, which leads to true rest for our souls. [33:58]

Hebrews 8:12 (ESV)
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.

Reflection: Is there any guilt or shame you are carrying that you need to bring honestly before Jesus? What would it look like to receive His forgiveness and walk in freedom today?

Sermon Summary

Every human heart is haunted by two questions: Does God exist, and if so, what is He really like? The way we answer these questions shapes the quality of our lives and the content of our character, whether we realize it or not. Deep down, every person is searching for the best life possible—what I called the TBLP. This longing is not random; it’s a desire planted in us by our Creator, meant to draw us toward Him. The best life possible is not found in chasing pleasure, possessions, prestige, popularity, or power, but in a relationship with the God who made us and loves us.

God’s heart for us is that of a loving Father. Like any good parent, He wants the best for His children, but He knows that sometimes what we want in the moment is not what will truly satisfy or bless us in the long run. He is future-focused and sees our needs on many levels. God is not a distant, critical judge, but the most relationally sophisticated being in the universe—tender, kind, and deeply invested in our well-being. He has revealed Himself fully in Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God. If we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus: humble, gentle, forgiving, and always welcoming us, even at our worst.

God’s desire is not for us to perform rituals or jump through religious hoops, but to experience life to the full—joy, peace, and rest for our souls—even in a world where evil and trouble still exist. This fullness of life comes from living in alignment with our Creator, trusting Him more than we trust ourselves, and allowing Him to guide and guard us. Our deepest needs—meaning, belonging, forgiveness, hope—are met only in Him. The path to the best life possible is not about instant self-improvement or perfection, but about coming to Jesus authentically, learning from Him, and following Him in trust.

What God wants from us is simple, yet profound: to come to Him, to trust Him, to learn from Him, and to follow Him. Authentic trust is demonstrated in a lifestyle of following Jesus, not just believing facts about Him. As we do this, we experience the peace, joy, and transformation that only He can give. God’s promises are sure—He forgives, He restores, He gives hope beyond the grave, and He leads us into the life we were created for. He is better than we imagine, and He longs for us to know Him as He truly is.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Universal Search for the Best Life Possible Every person is driven by a longing for the best life possible, a desire that God Himself has placed within us. This longing is meant to lead us to seek Him, the only One who can truly satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts. Our attempts to fill this void with pleasure, possessions, or power ultimately leave us empty, because we are designed for relationship with our Creator. [02:02]
2. God’s True Nature Revealed in Jesus God is not a distant, critical judge, but a loving Father who has made Himself fully known in Jesus Christ. In Christ, we see the humility, gentleness, and kindness of God, who welcomes us even at our lowest and never turns us away. Understanding God’s character through Jesus changes how we relate to Him and to ourselves, inviting us to run toward Him with confidence, not fear. [13:24]
3. Joy and Peace Are Found in Alignment with God True joy and peace are not dependent on circumstances, but on living in alignment with the One who made us. Jesus offers us His own joy and peace, even in the midst of trouble, as we trust and follow Him. This alignment brings an inner harmony that cannot be replicated by anything the world offers, and it is available to us in every season of life. [20:54]
4. The Necessity of Resolving Guilt and Shame We cannot experience the best life possible while carrying unresolved guilt and shame. No amount of distraction or self-justification can quiet the discomfort in our souls; only coming clean before Christ and receiving His forgiveness brings true relief. This honest reckoning with our brokenness is the gateway to peace, freedom, and a new beginning. [33:39]
5. Authentic Trust Results in Following Jesus God does not ask for ritual or mere belief in facts, but for authentic trust that leads to following Jesus in real life. Trusting Jesus means putting His will above our own, even when it’s difficult or counterintuitive. This is not about instant perfection, but about a journey of learning, growing, and relying on God’s promises as we walk with Him day by day. [40:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:27] - The Two Foundational Questions
[01:31] - The Universal Search for the Best Life Possible
[02:38] - The Heart of “Come and See”
[04:12] - Life Transformation Through Knowing God
[05:24] - The Parent’s Perspective: Wanting the Best
[07:33] - Three Critical Questions About God
[09:21] - Jesus’ Invitation: “Come and See”
[11:00] - What Does God Look Like?
[13:24] - God’s Nature Revealed in Christ
[16:46] - What Does God Want for Us?
[18:31] - Fullness of Life: Joy and Peace
[25:34] - The Complexity of Human Needs
[29:01] - The Five Ps and the Limits of Self-Fulfillment
[32:29] - The Problem of Guilt and Shame
[35:50] - What Does God Want From Us?
[39:21] - Trust and Following: The Path Forward
[41:29] - Four Steps to the Best Life Possible
[43:43] - God’s Invitation and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV) — > He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

John 10:10 (ESV) — > The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) — > Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Observation Questions

According to Colossians 1:15-17, what does it mean that Jesus is the “image of the invisible God”? How does this passage describe Jesus’ relationship to creation?
In John 10:10, what does Jesus say is the reason He came? How does He contrast His purpose with that of “the thief”?
In Matthew 11:28-30, what kind of people does Jesus invite to come to Him, and what does He promise to give them?
The sermon described God as “the most relationally sophisticated being in the universe—tender, kind, and deeply invested in our well-being.” What examples from Jesus’ life or teaching support this description? [[13:58]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon claims that every person is searching for “the best life possible” and that this longing is placed in us by God. Why might God give us this longing, and how is it meant to lead us to Him? [[02:02]]
The speaker says that God is not a distant, critical judge, but a loving Father who wants the best for His children. How does understanding God’s true character, as revealed in Jesus, change the way someone might approach God? [[16:12]]
The sermon points out that unresolved guilt and shame keep us from experiencing the best life possible. Why is it so important to “come clean” before Christ, and what does true forgiveness look like according to the message? [[33:39]]
The message emphasizes that authentic trust in Jesus is shown by following Him, not just believing facts about Him. What does it look like in real life to “trust and follow” Jesus, even when it’s difficult? [[40:34]]

Application Questions

The sermon says that everyone is searching for the best life possible, but we often try to fill that longing with pleasure, possessions, popularity, prestige, or power. Which of these “five Ps” are you most tempted to chase after, and how have you seen them fall short in your own life? [[29:01]]
The speaker described God as a loving Father who sometimes says “no” for our long-term good, not just our short-term happiness. Can you think of a time when God’s “no” or a closed door actually protected or blessed you in the long run? [[06:29]]
Jesus invites those who are “weary and burdened” to come to Him for rest. What burdens or stresses are you carrying right now that you need to bring to Jesus? What would it look like to “take His yoke” and learn from Him this week? [[35:55]]
The sermon says that unresolved guilt and shame can keep us from peace and joy. Is there an area of your life where you need to “come clean” before God and receive His forgiveness? What’s holding you back from doing that? [[33:39]]
The message challenges us to move beyond just believing facts about Jesus to actually following Him. What is one area of your life where you sense God is asking you to trust Him more and take a step of obedience, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? [[40:34]]
The speaker said that God’s promises include forgiveness, restoration, hope beyond the grave, and guidance for life. Which of these promises do you most need to hold onto right now, and how can you remind yourself of it this week? [[42:38]]
The sermon described God as “better than we imagine, and He longs for us to know Him as He truly is.” What is one practical way you can seek to know God more personally this month? [[44:07]]

Sermon Clips

But it does mean he actually wants you and I to have the most fulfilling, the most meaningful life, and with total awareness that we live in a world where evil is still existent, and that makes things complex for sure. But you can still, we can still have the best life possible, even in this world where evil is still existent, if we're willing to unite with Christ our creator, trust him, let him guide, let him guard. And many of you know by experience the truth of this. Even in some of the most difficult seasons in life, you still have the ability to enjoy life to the full. You can grieve and have joy simultaneously as a Christ follower. [00:18:57] (41 seconds) #BestLifeInChrist

So, what I'm trying to get across is that God has been misaligned. He's been misrepresented. He's kind of presented as this hypercritical judge who's always scrutinizing. He's always waiting for us to step out of line. Always ready to criticize us. Always ready to put us down. Maybe send us to eternal conscious torment forever and ever and ever. And that's not the God that has shown up on this planet in Jesus. He really, really wants our best life possible. [00:24:33] (31 seconds) #ComplexHumanNeeds

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Now, some of us, man, we're worn out. We're so tired of the stress. We're so tired of the strain. We're so stinking tired of the conflict. If we never had a conflict with someone again, it would just be paradise. We're burdened. We're weary. And Jesus says, The answer is, I need you to come to me. He's not going to force himself on any of our lives. He says, Take my yoke upon you, meaning submit to him, and let me do what? We have to be teachable. We have to trust him more than we trust ourselves and our instincts. That's not easy, but it's doable. Because I'm humble. This is the creator and the sustainer of the universe. I'm humble. And what else is he? He's gentle. He knows how scary. He knows how scared we are. He knows how confused we are. He knows how broken we are. He says, I'm safe. I'm the safest person in the universe. Humble and gentle. [00:35:56] (59 seconds) #TrustInObedience

To trust Jesus is to follow Jesus. It means when I want to do something and his word says not to do it, I don't do it because I trust him more than I trust me. When his word says do something and I don't want to do it, I still do it because I trust him more than I trust me. Whatever we are calling trust, listen, it's careful. If it is not...If it is not resulting in a lifestyle of obedience to God's word, we're deluding ourselves, we're deceiving ourselves. Real followers of Jesus simply do what he says and they stop doing what he says stop doing because they trust him more than we trust ourselves. We can all understand this. [00:39:31] (43 seconds) #JourneyWithChrist

The living God who you have received a glimpse of today. I promise you that. You have. The same one I caught a glimpse of 52 years ago. And my life has never, ever been the same. That God is here for you. It's intensely personal. He loves you. He wants so much what is best for you. You've got to let that thought into your heart. He doesn't want to restrict you. He doesn't want to spoil your fun. He just wants to give you what you want. But he knows the only way that can be had. He's a good God. He is trustworthy. He is beautiful entirely. Better than we can even imagine. And I hope you'll come, if you haven't already, to put your trust in that God. And if you have, I hope your love for him, your affection for him will be somehow stimulated and deepened as a result of catching a fresh glimpse of him. [00:43:31] (51 seconds) #PersonalGodLove

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Come And See Sunday | Pastor Randy Goldenberg | FCF Church