Embracing Discovery: From Survival to Abundant Living
Summary
In today's continuation of the Signature Series, we explored the profound truth that each of us was born for discovery, not mere survival. Reflecting on a personal experience from a leadership retreat on a sailboat, I shared how quickly we can shift from a mindset of exploration to one of survival when faced with unexpected challenges. This shift is not what we were created for. We were born to discover all that God has for us, to live with enthusiasm and a heart open to the possibilities that lie beyond the horizon.
The story of David and Goliath illustrates the difference between inspiration and intimidation. David's victory over Goliath was a moment of inspiration, yet King Saul chose to be intimidated by David's success rather than inspired by it. This choice reflects a survival mentality, where fear and insecurity overshadow the potential for growth and discovery. Similarly, the spies sent to explore the Promised Land returned with two different perspectives: one of fear and intimidation, and the other of opportunity and promise. Joshua and Caleb saw the potential for discovery, while the others saw only obstacles.
We also examined how survival mode can lead to compromise, as seen in the story of Peter's denial of Jesus. Despite his initial conviction, Peter succumbed to fear and pressure, illustrating how survival mode can cause us to compromise our values. However, Peter's redemption story in Acts 3 shows the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the importance of life-giving relationships. With the support of the Holy Spirit and his fellow disciples, Peter was able to step into his calling and inspire thousands.
In conclusion, we are called to live with a posture of discovery, embracing the opportunities God places before us, even when they come disguised as hard work. By relying on the Holy Spirit and surrounding ourselves with supportive, holy friends, we can break free from survival mode and step into the abundant life God has planned for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Born for Discovery: We are created to explore and discover the vast possibilities God has for us, not to merely survive. Embracing a mindset of discovery allows us to live with enthusiasm and openness to God's plans. [07:18]
2. Inspiration vs. Intimidation: Like King Saul, we often face a choice between being inspired by others' successes or feeling intimidated. Choosing inspiration opens us to growth and collaboration, while intimidation limits our potential. [14:17]
3. Opportunity in Hard Work: Opportunities often come disguised as hard work. Embracing these challenges with faith and determination can lead to significant growth and fulfillment in God's purpose for our lives. [20:45]
4. Character vs. Compromise: Survival mode can lead us to compromise our values. Maintaining our character requires vigilance and reliance on the Holy Spirit, especially when faced with life's pressures. [24:12]
5. Power of Community: Peter's story highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit and supportive relationships in overcoming survival mode. Together, they empower us to fulfill our God-given potential and inspire others. [33:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to the Signature Series
- [04:30] - Leadership Retreat Story
- [07:18] - Born for Discovery
- [10:00] - Shift from Discovery to Survival
- [12:30] - Enthusiasm and Discovery
- [14:17] - Inspiration vs. Intimidation
- [17:00] - David and Goliath Example
- [20:45] - Opportunity in Hard Work
- [24:12] - Character vs. Compromise
- [27:00] - Old Testament Example of Compromise
- [29:03] - New Testament Example: Peter's Denial
- [33:57] - Redemption and Community
- [36:37] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel 17:45-50 - David and Goliath
2. Numbers 13:30-33 - The Report of the Spies
3. Acts 3:1-10 - Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of David and Goliath, what was David's attitude towards the challenge he faced, and how did it differ from King Saul's reaction? [14:17]
2. How did the perspectives of Joshua and Caleb differ from the other spies when they returned from exploring the Promised Land? [20:45]
3. What was Peter's initial reaction when he was confronted about knowing Jesus, and how did his behavior change in Acts 3? [29:03]
4. During the leadership retreat story, what event caused the group to shift from a mindset of discovery to one of survival? [07:18]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the story of David and Goliath teach us about the choice between inspiration and intimidation in our own lives? [14:17]
2. How can the differing reports of the spies in Numbers 13 help us understand the importance of perspective when facing challenges? [20:45]
3. In what ways does Peter's transformation from denial to bold proclamation in Acts 3 illustrate the power of the Holy Spirit and community? [33:57]
4. How does the leadership retreat story illustrate the concept of being born for discovery rather than survival? [07:18]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt intimidated by someone else's success. How can you choose to be inspired instead, and what steps can you take to foster a mindset of inspiration? [14:17]
2. Think about a challenge you are currently facing. Are you viewing it as an opportunity for discovery or as an obstacle? How can you shift your perspective to see the potential for growth? [20:45]
3. Identify an area in your life where you might be in survival mode. What practical steps can you take to move towards a posture of discovery and enthusiasm? [07:18]
4. Consider a time when you compromised your values due to pressure or fear. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit and supportive relationships to maintain your character in similar situations? [24:12]
5. How can you cultivate life-giving relationships that encourage you to step into your God-given potential, as seen in Peter's story? [33:57]
6. What specific opportunities in your life might be disguised as hard work? How can you embrace these challenges with faith and determination? [20:45]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt alone in your struggles. How can you seek out community and the Holy Spirit to support you in overcoming survival mode? [33:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace a Life of Discovery
We are not merely survivors; we are explorers, created to discover the vast possibilities that God has for us. This mindset of discovery allows us to live with enthusiasm and openness to God's plans. When we face challenges, it's easy to shift into survival mode, focusing only on getting through the day. However, God calls us to look beyond the immediate obstacles and see the opportunities for growth and learning that lie ahead. By embracing a life of discovery, we align ourselves with God's purpose and open our hearts to the wonders He has in store for us. [07:18]
Isaiah 42:16 (ESV): "And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel stuck in survival mode? How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for discovery and growth today?
Day 2: Choose Inspiration Over Intimidation
In life, we often face a choice between being inspired by others' successes or feeling intimidated by them. King Saul's reaction to David's victory over Goliath illustrates this choice. While David's triumph was a moment of inspiration, Saul chose to be intimidated, allowing fear and insecurity to overshadow the potential for growth and collaboration. By choosing inspiration, we open ourselves to new possibilities and the chance to learn from others. This choice can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of God's purpose for our lives. [14:17]
1 Samuel 18:14-15 (ESV): "And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him."
Reflection: Think of someone whose success intimidates you. How can you shift your mindset to be inspired by their achievements and learn from their journey?
Day 3: See Opportunity in Hard Work
Opportunities often come disguised as hard work, and embracing these challenges with faith and determination can lead to significant growth and fulfillment in God's purpose for our lives. The story of the spies sent to explore the Promised Land highlights this truth. While some saw only obstacles, Joshua and Caleb recognized the potential for discovery and promise. By viewing hard work as an opportunity rather than a burden, we align ourselves with God's plans and open the door to His blessings. [20:45]
Numbers 13:30 (ESV): "But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.'"
Reflection: What is one challenging task you are currently facing? How can you approach it with a mindset of opportunity and faith in God's provision?
Day 4: Maintain Character Over Compromise
Survival mode can lead us to compromise our values, as seen in the story of Peter's denial of Jesus. Despite his initial conviction, Peter succumbed to fear and pressure. However, his redemption story in Acts 3 shows the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the importance of maintaining our character. By relying on the Holy Spirit and staying true to our values, we can overcome life's pressures and live in alignment with God's will. [24:12]
Galatians 5:16 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to compromise your values? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you maintain your character today?
Day 5: The Power of Community
Peter's story highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit and supportive relationships in overcoming survival mode. With the support of the Holy Spirit and his fellow disciples, Peter was able to step into his calling and inspire thousands. Community plays a vital role in our spiritual journey, providing encouragement, accountability, and strength. By surrounding ourselves with supportive, holy friends, we empower each other to fulfill our God-given potential and inspire others. [33:57]
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 supportive people in your life that help you grow spiritually? How can you invest in these relationships to strengthen your community and fulfill your God-given potential?
Quotes
And I want to declare to you today that you were born to discover. Last week, Pastor Glynn preached to us and was teaching us about the power of enthusiasm. And it felt to me like it was almost like the real you. When you're being enthusiastic, remember, entheos, in God, then you're actually going back to a deeper default than perhaps what we were living before. [00:07:30] (23 seconds)
And I would say that enthusiasm and discovery are two words for kind of the same posture of the heart. You were born for discovery, but life happens. Something happened on the boat that transformed us looking at the horizon, going, what is out there? What we're going to discover today? Two, hugging the mast and praying that we'd get through it. [00:07:57] (27 seconds)
People say, I'm a born survivor, but that's not true. You've, there you go. You've become a survivor, but you were born for discovering all that God has for you. And this picture reminds me of like the two options. You can stand, you can hug the mast like Becky Weaver and sob over your sunburned feet. [00:09:07] (24 seconds)
I hear you I get the point really but not me I don't feel like I'm in survival mode but the problem is we didn't realize we'd gone into survival mode when it happened something happened that forced the issue it forced us and we didn't even realize and the reason why they did the safety talk at the beginning of the trip is because the captain knew when something goes not according to plan when you get disappointed when you think things are going to go one way and they go another way without even realizing you can slip into survival mode and that is not what you were born for [00:09:49] (37 seconds)
survival versus discovery is the difference between inspiration and intimidation inspiration and intimidation I would put to you this morning that those two things are two sides of the same coin here's an example in the bible in 1 Samuel 17 David kills Goliath even if you're new to coming to church you probably know or have heard a story about a giant killer called David he was a teenager he was a shepherd he wasn't a soldier but he burst onto the pages of the bible in this heroic moment [00:11:45] (34 seconds)
And in that moment, what he could have done is he could have taken David by the hand and he could have paraded him up and down the streets and said, Check out my boy David. David just killed Goliath. You know what? We're so hard. We're so hard. We don't even need to send our soldiers to war. We'll send our shepherds. Our shepherds are harder than their champions. That's what he should have done. [00:14:12] (24 seconds)
Here's another way you may have slipped into survival mode, but you didn't realise it's the difference between opportunity and hard work. One coin, two sides. We know from the spies, right, that went into the, I'm going to put my glasses on then I can get some action from the back section. [00:18:49] (21 seconds)
The 12 spies, they went to check out the promised land. And the Bible says that they came back with two different reports. 10 of them were like, oh, you should see the size of the walls in their cities. They're so big and thick and fortified. We're never going to get through that. And also, while we're at it, then the people are massive. They're like giants, it says in the Bible. [00:19:24] (30 seconds)
The thing about vision, right? And we're a church that has a big vision. And the thing about vision is that when you're in survival mode, you just can't, you can't receive it. You can't cope with it because survival kills vision. Because surviving is the vision. [00:22:21] (22 seconds)
There's nothing like survival mode that will cause you to take a second look at your deepest convictions things that you said and meant with all of your heart you would never do never say never go when life hits you things don't work out how you hope they would and things you know kind of you end up being disappointed and then you start looking at that stuff with your head on a tilt like well i mean you know everybody does that i know i promised i wouldn't but it's only once [00:24:12] (41 seconds)
The reason why I leave this one to last is because there's a redemption moment for Peter. Peter, so washing his feet, I'm your guy. It's like being at a conference. It's like, I'm going to live for you, Jesus. Get back from the conference. Get back from fearless. And all of a sudden in the common room at sixth form, you're looking at a donkey's head going, well, everybody's eating them. [00:31:15] (29 seconds)
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