Come And See Sunday | Pastor Randy Goldenberg | FCF Church

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

1. 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?
2. In John 10:10, what does Jesus say is the reason He came? How does He contrast His purpose with that of “the thief”?
3. In Matthew 11:28-30, what kind of people does Jesus invite to come to Him, and what does He promise to give them?
4. 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]]

1. 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]]
2. 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]]
3. 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]]
4. 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]]

1. 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]]
2. 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]]
3. 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]]
4. 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]]
5. 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]]
6. 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]]
7. 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]]