Creating Atmospheres of Faith and Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: The Tangible Power of Atmosphere

Atmosphere is a powerful and tangible force that influences every aspect of our lives. Just as God created the perfect environment before bringing life into existence, we too must be intentional about the environments we cultivate. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, the atmosphere we create can either foster growth and positivity or stifle potential and lead to decay. By being aware of the atmosphere around us, we can make conscious choices to nurture healthier relationships and communities. This awareness is crucial for personal growth and the flourishing of those around us. [07:23]

Genesis 2:7-8 (ESV): "Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to create a more positive and nurturing atmosphere in your home or workplace?

Day 2: Leadership as Atmosphere Architects

True leadership is about more than just holding a position; it involves actively shaping the environment around us. Whether in a family, workplace, or church, leaders are those who set the tone and create a positive atmosphere that fosters growth and positivity. This requires being proactive and intentional, much like a thermostat that changes the temperature rather than a thermometer that merely reflects it. By stepping up to shape the atmosphere, leaders can inspire others and create environments where everyone can thrive. [11:41]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively set a positive tone in your interactions with others today, whether at home, work, or in your community?

Day 3: Choosing to be a Thermostat

We have the choice to be either a thermostat, which changes the atmosphere, or a thermometer, which merely reflects it. By choosing to be thermostats, we can transform negative environments into spaces of hope and faith. This involves being intentional about our actions and attitudes, even in challenging situations. By focusing on creating an atmosphere of positivity and faith, we can influence those around us and bring about meaningful change in our environments. [15:24]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Identify a situation in your life where you tend to be a thermometer. How can you begin to act as a thermostat in that situation today?

Day 4: Worship as a Transformative Force

Worship is a powerful tool for changing the atmosphere. It shifts our focus from problems to God's presence, creating an environment where faith can flourish and miracles can occur. Worship is not just a personal act but a communal one that can shift the spiritual climate. As a church, we are called to be active participants in creating an atmosphere of faith, where lives can be transformed. By engaging in worship, we invite God's presence into our midst and open ourselves to His transformative power. [21:20]

Psalm 95:1-2 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"

Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine to help shift your focus from challenges to God's presence?

Day 5: The Strength of Community Support

Surrounding ourselves with a supportive community is crucial for maintaining a positive atmosphere. Just as the paralyzed man in the Bible had friends who carried him to Jesus, having people who uplift and encourage us can make all the difference in our spiritual journey. A strong community provides the support and encouragement needed to navigate life's challenges and grow in faith. By investing in relationships and building a network of support, we can create an environment where everyone can thrive. [41:15]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: Who are the people in your life that form your support network? How can you strengthen these relationships and offer support to others in your community today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound impact of atmosphere on our lives, drawing from both personal experiences and biblical narratives. We began by celebrating the remarkable spiritual awakening among Gen Z, noting their increasing church attendance and commitment to values like marriage. This generation's shift is a testament to the power of atmosphere in shaping beliefs and behaviors. We then delved into the story of Jairus from Luke 8, where Jesus' ability to perform miracles was closely tied to the atmosphere of faith surrounding Him. This narrative underscores the importance of creating an environment conducive to growth and healing.

Reflecting on Genesis 1, we observed how God meticulously crafted the perfect atmosphere before creating life, emphasizing that atmosphere is foundational to growth. This principle applies to our personal lives, workplaces, and church communities. Atmosphere is tangible and created by someone, often the real leader who steps up to set the tone. Whether in a greenhouse or a church, the right atmosphere can lead to flourishing, while a negative one can stifle potential.

We also discussed the role of leadership in atmosphere creation. True leaders, whether in families, workplaces, or churches, are those who actively shape the environment. This involves being a thermostat rather than a thermometer—actively changing the atmosphere rather than merely reflecting it. In our personal lives, this means choosing to create spaces of faith, hope, and positivity, even amidst challenges.

Finally, we were reminded of the power of worship in transforming atmosphere. Worship is not just a personal act but a communal one that can shift the spiritual climate. As a church, we are called to be active participants in creating an atmosphere of faith, where miracles can happen, and lives can be transformed.

Key Takeaways

1. Do&t=443s'>[07:23]
2. Leadership and Atmosphere Creation: True leadership involves setting the tone and creating a positive atmosphere. Whether in a family, workplace, or church, the real leader is the one who actively shapes the environment, fostering growth and positivity.

3. Thermostat vs. Thermometer: We have a choice to be either a thermostat, which changes the atmosphere, or a thermometer, which merely reflects it. By choosing to be thermostats, we can transform negative environments into spaces of hope and faith.

4. The Role of Worship in Atmosphere: Worship is a powerful tool for changing the atmosphere. It shifts our focus from problems to God's presence, creating an environment where faith can flourish and miracles can occur.

5. Community and Support: Surrounding ourselves with a supportive community is crucial for maintaining a positive atmosphere. Like the paralysed man with his four friends, having people who uplift and encourage us can make all the difference in our spiritual journey.

** [07:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Celebrating Gen Z's Spiritual Awakening
[03:45] - The Power of Atmosphere
[07:23] - Genesis and the Creation of Atmosphere
[09:50] - Jairus and the Atmosphere of Faith
[11:41] - Leadership in Atmosphere Creation
[15:24] - Thermostat vs. Thermometer
[17:48] - Personal Story: Youth Ministry Challenges
[21:20] - Worship and Atmosphere Transformation
[24:37] - The Role of Music in Setting Atmosphere
[27:10] - Community's Role in Atmosphere
[30:04] - The Importance of Participation
[33:26] - Personal Testimony: Overcoming Fear
[35:41] - Worship as a Response to Anxiety
[41:15] - Inner Circle and Atmosphere
[43:43] - Final Reflections on Leadership and Atmosphere

Sermon Clips

The fact that Gen Z actually believe in the sanctity of marriage, holding it up higher than previous generations, incredible. And not only that, but Gen Z, the stats are coming in. Gen Z are staying virgins until married as well. That's amazing. There's a few awkward people clapping in this place right now as well. Let's move on really quickly. [00:02:05] (27 seconds)

But more Gen Z going to church than ever before. It's almost like a rebellion against the free love of the 60s and the impact that had on the next generations. Gen Z is going, hang on a minute, maybe there is a God out there after all. And that's really, we're living in great days, everybody. We're seeing a new church planted every two minutes and 58 seconds, just in our movement of churches around the world. [00:02:32] (24 seconds)

And of course, I've told you before, haven't I, that in Assemblies of God, our group of churches, we have 10 times more churches than McDonald's restaurants, a church planted every two minutes and 58 seconds. And amazing what God is up to. God is busy. So when you don't think God is working in your life, just take a pause, have a look around, and you'll realise that God is up to something good. And it's not like when my son was small, when he was quiet, we knew he was up to mischief. When God is quiet, He's not up to mischief, He's up to good. And you can just know that God has gone before, God's making all things possible in Jesus' name. Come on, let's just give God a shout of praise at the moment for everything that He's doing in all of our lives, in our nation, in all of our locations, in Jesus' Name. Amen, amen, amen. I love the fact that some of you stood and some of you didn't. We're gonna get to that in this message. [00:02:56] (50 seconds)

And on my first day in the job, the boss was concerned about the growth of the staghorns. So I happened to know somebody, my old next door neighbour from the city that I grew up in, was actually a champion orchid grower, wild plant grower, native plant grower for Australia. So I talked to the boss. I said, let me see if I can get my old neighbour to come. And my old neighbour came around the next day. He walked into the greenhouse and when he opened the door of the greenhouse, even before he went and investigated any of the staghorns, he said this, he said, you will never grow anything healthy in here. [00:04:40] (37 seconds)

Now I know that a lot of preachers will say that, but I really believe this can change your family. This can change your business. And I believe that this message will help us to better better understand why we do church the way we do church, the style that we're going after. The man said, you will never grow anything healthy in here. He said this, he said, I can tell by the atmosphere that these staghorns are rotting from the roots up. He then went to the first staghorn on this row and he bent down, he lifted up the bottom leaf and underneath it was black, it was decaying, it was moist. He said, the atmosphere is wrong. And then he said these words, he said, if you change the atmosphere, then you will get health and you will get growth. Genesis 1, verse 1. [00:05:23] (56 seconds)

So when we read Genesis 1, 2, 3, the accounts of creation and how it's broken down, we understand that God created the heavens and the earth over seven days. He spent five days, five days, creating the perfect atmosphere. And then on the sixth day, He created Adam and Eve and said, now go forth, increase and multiply. Think about this, the almighty, all perfect, all powerful God spent five days creating the atmosphere before He spoke increase and growth. And if God Himself had to spend time creating the perfect atmosphere, how much more should we be aware of the atmosphere we create in our lives? Because atmosphere and growth or atmosphere and decay go hand in hand. [00:06:31] (59 seconds)

Let's jump into Luke chapter eight. In Luke chapter eight, it says this, a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with Him. So this was a pastor. A pastor was pleading at Jesus' feet to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about 12, was dying. As Jesus was on His way, the crowds almost crushed Him. And a woman who was there had been subject to bleeding for 12 years, but no one could heal her. In this account, Jesus then heals the woman who had been, been sick for 12 years. We're gonna jump down to verse 49. It says, while Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader, and said, your daughter's dead. The messenger said, don't bother the teacher anymore. Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, don't be afraid, just believe, and she will be healed. When He arrived at the house of Jairus, He did not let anyone go in with Him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child's mum and dad. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing, and mourning for her. Stopped wailing, Jesus said, she's not dead, she's only asleep. They laughed at Him, knowing she was dead, but He took her by the hand and said, my child, get up. Her spirit returned at once, and she stood up. [00:07:30] (73 seconds)

Church, I want you to think about the atmosphere that you create in your life. I want you to think about the atmosphere in your place of employment. And I want you to think actively right now about the atmosphere of our church, and the role that you play in creating atmosphere. A few thoughts straight out of Genesis chapter one and Luke chapter eight. The first thing is this, I want you to lay a hold of, is that atmosphere is a tangible thing. Atmosphere is so real, you can almost taste it, touch it, but you can definitely feel it, atmosphere is tangible. I want you to realize, friends, that atmosphere is a tangible, tangible thing. [00:08:42] (61 seconds)

And you create an atmosphere everywhere you go. Whenever you walk in the room, it's more than just your physical presence. It's your atmosphere that you take with you. And you know what this is like. You know that there are some people when they walk into your world, they bring an atmosphere with them that either makes you sit up and take notice or want to run away. You ever walk late maybe into a board meeting in the workplace and you can cut the tension with a knife. You walk in and you can feel it. Have you ever noticed there are times, sometimes spouse, when you meet your spouse after a day away at work or whatever, and as soon as you see them, you know something is going on. Because atmosphere is real. [00:09:43] (45 seconds)

Imagine you're going to stay with Pastor Paul and Zoe up in their mansion in Bolton for a few moments. And they put you in the guest wing. They take you down to the guest wing and you are unpacking. And while you're unpacking, Pastor Paul and Pastor Zoe, they're having an argument. Now, it's a quiet argument. But make no mistake, it's an argument. You know, Pastor Zoe, she's not throwing pots and pans like usual because you're in the house. And she's a pastor. So she's trying to behave. But she is rightly, rightly so, annoyed with Pastor Paul again. So they're having a quiet argument. But it's a real argument. But it's a quiet argument. And I've got to be honest, after 30 years of marriage nearly, the quiet arguments are the ones that scare me the most. [00:10:29] (43 seconds)

You know, and they're having a little bit of an argument in the kitchen or a big argument. You know, very quiet. And then you leave the guest wing. You walk through their library, past their billiard room, past where the gymnasium is. Just prophesying over you right now. And as you get to the kitchen, they hear you coming. And so they stop arguing. And you walk into the room and you say, hey, guys, it's so good to be here. And Paul and Zoe look at you. You look at them. They look at you. And then you say, I'll come back later, shall I? because atmosphere is tangible. It's a real thing. You can't see it, but it exists. [00:11:40] (38 seconds)

The amount of times that Sophie and I have been walking in town or walking where we live and a kind of spontaneous date night or afternoon and walk up to a coffee shop or something and she'll say, hang on a minute, she'll go like this. And then sometimes we'll go, no, not here. You know what she's sensing? She's after, she's looking for the right atmosphere because atmosphere is a tangible thing. [00:12:01] (26 seconds)

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