Embracing Community and Trusting God's Timing
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the vibrant life and community at St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church. Our health and wellness ministry was acknowledged for its vital role in encouraging us to take care of our physical well-being. We also celebrated the growth of our women's Bible study, which has seen such an increase in participation that it had to move to a larger room. This growth is a testament to the hunger for spiritual nourishment among our sisters, and we pray for continued expansion and engagement. Our men's Bible study is also thriving, and we are considering how to best structure these gatherings in the future to maximize their impact.
We reflected on the joy and fellowship experienced at our recent church event, emphasizing the importance of intentional community gatherings beyond Sunday services. These moments of fellowship allow us to connect more deeply with one another and demonstrate the joy of being the church, not just attending church. We are grateful for the hard work of our event planning team and the participation of our deacons and district members.
As we move into a time of giving, we are reminded of the importance of faith in our daily conversations. We are encouraged to speak with faith, trusting that God will provide for our needs, as promised in Philippians 4:19. Our words hold power, and we are called to speak life and trust in God's provision.
In our prayer time, we lifted up various groups within our congregation, including singles, divorced individuals, widows, and married couples. We are reminded that no matter our life stage, we are not alone. God is with us, and we are called to trust in His promises. For singles, the message is clear: be patient and set boundaries, trusting that God has a plan for your life. For all, the reminder is that God is a great Savior, and His timing is perfect.
Key Takeaways:
1. Community and Fellowship: The growth of our women's Bible study and the joy of our recent church event highlight the importance of community. These gatherings are not just about attendance but about building relationships and experiencing the joy of being the church together. [28:40]
2. Faith-Filled Conversations: Our words have power, and we are encouraged to speak with faith, trusting in God's provision. Instead of focusing on complaints, we should declare God's promises, knowing He will supply all our needs. [32:01]
3. God's Presence in Every Life Stage: Whether single, divorced, widowed, or married, we are reminded that we are not alone. God's presence is constant, and His promises are true for every stage of life. [45:37]
4. Setting Boundaries in Relationships: For singles, it's important to set boundaries in dating relationships. This is not about restriction but about honoring God and trusting His timing for your life. [48:23]
5. God's Perfect Timing: Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God's perfect timing in the lives of His people. We are encouraged to trust that God knows our needs and will meet them in His perfect timing. [48:23]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[28:40] - Celebrating Community and Fellowship
[32:01] - Faith-Filled Conversations
[45:37] - God's Presence in Every Life Stage
[48:23] - Setting Boundaries in Relationships
[48:23] - Trusting God's Perfect Timing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 4:19 - "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
2. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 - "Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband."
3. James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Observation Questions:
1. What role does the health and wellness ministry play in the life of St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church, and how is it acknowledged in the sermon? [28:40]
2. How has the women's Bible study at St. Thomas grown, and what does this growth signify about the community's spiritual hunger? [28:40]
3. What is the significance of the church event mentioned in the sermon, and how does it contribute to the sense of community and fellowship? [28:40]
4. How does the sermon describe the power of words in relation to faith and God's provision? [32:01]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Philippians 4:19 relate to the sermon’s emphasis on faith-filled conversations and trusting in God's provision? [32:01]
2. In what ways does 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 provide guidance for singles in the church, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about setting boundaries? [48:23]
3. How does the sermon address the presence of God in every life stage, and what biblical examples are used to illustrate this point? [45:37]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of intentional community gatherings beyond Sunday services, and how does this reflect the biblical call to fellowship? [28:40]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own conversations this week. Do they reflect faith and trust in God's provision, or do they lean towards complaints and doubt? How can you shift your language to be more faith-filled? [32:01]
2. If you are single, what boundaries can you set in your relationships to honor God and trust His timing? How can 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 guide you in this area? [48:23]
3. Think about a recent church event or gathering you attended. How did it help you connect with others and experience the joy of being the church? What can you do to foster more of these connections? [28:40]
4. Consider the different life stages mentioned in the sermon (singles, divorced, widowed, married). How can you support someone in a different life stage than your own, and what specific actions can you take this week? [45:37]
5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's perfect timing in your life. How did it strengthen your faith, and how can you use that experience to encourage others who are waiting on God's timing? [48:23]
6. How can you actively participate in the health and wellness ministry or another ministry at your church to contribute to the community's well-being? [28:40]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust God's provision more fully. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him and speak life into it? [32:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Building Relationships Through Community and Fellowship
The growth of the women's Bible study and the joy experienced at recent church events underscore the importance of community. These gatherings are not merely about attendance but about fostering deep relationships and experiencing the joy of being the church together. The increase in participation in the women's Bible study, necessitating a move to a larger room, is a testament to the hunger for spiritual nourishment. Similarly, the joy and fellowship at church events highlight the significance of intentional community gatherings beyond Sunday services. These moments allow individuals to connect more deeply, demonstrating the joy of being part of a vibrant church community. [28:40]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to build a deeper relationship? How can you encourage them in their faith journey?
Day 2: The Power of Faith-Filled Conversations
Words hold immense power, and believers are encouraged to speak with faith, trusting in God's provision. Instead of focusing on complaints, the call is to declare God's promises, knowing He will supply all needs. This perspective shift from negativity to faith-filled declarations can transform daily conversations and interactions. By speaking life and trusting in God's provision, individuals can experience a renewed sense of hope and assurance in their daily lives. [32:01]
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Reflection: What is one negative thought or complaint you often express? How can you replace it with a faith-filled declaration today?
Day 3: Embracing God's Presence in Every Life Stage
Regardless of one's life stage—whether single, divorced, widowed, or married—God's presence remains constant. His promises are true for every stage of life, offering assurance and comfort. Singles are encouraged to be patient and set boundaries, trusting that God has a plan for their lives. For all individuals, the reminder is that God is a great Savior, and His timing is perfect. This understanding provides a foundation of trust and hope, knowing that no one is alone in their journey. [45:37]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel alone or uncertain? How can you invite God's presence into that area today?
Day 4: Setting Boundaries in Relationships
For singles, setting boundaries in dating relationships is crucial. This practice is not about restriction but about honoring God and trusting His timing for one's life. By establishing clear boundaries, individuals can protect their hearts and align their relationships with God's will. This approach fosters healthy, God-centered relationships that honor Him and reflect His love and wisdom. [48:23]
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."
Reflection: What boundaries do you need to set in your relationships to honor God? How can you communicate these boundaries with love and clarity?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of God's perfect timing in the lives of His people. Believers are encouraged to trust that God knows their needs and will meet them in His perfect timing. This trust requires patience and faith, knowing that God's plans are always for the best. By surrendering to His timing, individuals can experience peace and assurance, confident that God is in control and working all things for their good. [48:23]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's timing? How can you practice surrendering this area to Him today?
Quotes
"This is what we say. Repeat after me. What we possess, God owns. What we give, God multiplies. What we invest, God rewards. What we need, God supplies. If God's been taking care of you, let us give God a hand clap and praise. I really mean that. If God's been taking care of you, give God a hand clap and praise." [00:30:11] (30 seconds)
"So, you know, before we get ready to stand, before I say the prayer, but church this week, listen to yourself talk. Ask yourself, do I sound like a person with faith or do I sound faithless? All we do, complain about eggs, complain about chicken, complain about steak. But then on Sunday, you say he owns the cattle up on a thousand hills. Things may get high, but we know the God that owns the chicken." [00:30:52] (43 seconds)
"We know the God that owns the cow and we know the God that owns the pigs. And he's going to constantly take care of us because Philippians 419 says, But my God shall supply all of your needs according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. This week, stop talking so faithless. And get your conversations to start talking like you trust that God knows what you need and how to get it to you when you need it. Somebody knows." [00:31:25] (35 seconds)
"Father God, we thank you. Cover us. Guard us. Protect us. You said in your word that life and death is in the power of the tongue. We thank you, Lord God, for our health and wellness ministry. It's one thing to talk about people we don't know. It's another thing to have living testimonies walking among us. We ask, Lord God, that you continue to build our sister and continue her not to just tell her testimony in church, but wherever she goes, she's a reminder to others that what God has done for her, he's more than able to do it for anyone else." [00:32:07] (41 seconds)
"A sermon to encourage singles, divorces, widows, widowers, and married to trust the promises of God. 1 Corinthians chapter 7, Mark chapter 10, widows, James chapter 1, verse 27, and then married couples back to Mark chapter 10. I want to label the message no matter where you are, single, divorced, married, or widow. I just want to label the message this morning, you are not alone. No matter the step, stage, or season of life you may be in, you are not alone." [00:46:42] (41 seconds)
"We are great sinners but God is a great Savior so they write to Paul and they say Paul we're single ready to mingle and we don't want our flesh to not glorify God and they write to Paul and say Paul we're single how should single people live now that they're saved first Corinthians chapter 7 Paul says verses 1 and 2 now concerning the things of which you wrote to me it is not good for a man it is it is good for a man not to touch a woman nevertheless because of sexual immorality let each man have his own wife and let each woman have her own husband notice what he says number one Paul is saying all singles write it down Paul says remember don't touch what's not yours." [00:52:14] (55 seconds)
"But pastor I got a date yes you should date pastor but I got to spend time to get to know him yes you should but Paul is saying here in dating and getting to know him set boundaries because you know you let me say it again though you got a date and get to know him you need to have some boundaries because you know you." [00:53:40] (31 seconds)
"Matthew Mark Luke and John remind us that we are never alone but the letters the epistles teach us how to behave in human relationships now that we know God is with us come with me first as a word to the singles to the city of Corinth 1st Corinthians chapter 7 Corinth is a packed city people are moving there the way people are moving to Jacksonville today they're moving there for jobs they think they're moving there for labor but actually in God's providence they're moving there to meet the Lord that you could be traveling one place to do one thing and God has a greater plan for you going to that place than what you thought." [00:50:26] (57 seconds)
"That's how Corinth was you could find whatever type of party you wanted to have you could find it in Corinth as a matter of fact if you went to Galatia Ephesus or Colossians and called a woman in those three cities a Corinthian girl she would slap you in the face because a Corinthian girl was a party girl but God starts a church in Corinth these people that love to party they get saved but now they're in church struggling with their own ways you know anybody in church struggling with their own ways." [00:51:41] (52 seconds)
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