Embracing Divine Discomfort: A Journey of Faith
Summary
In this heartfelt message, I shared a personal journey of transition and the profound spiritual awakening that accompanied it. After 16 years of leading a church, my family and I felt a divine calling to step into a new chapter, leaving behind a community we deeply love. This decision, while challenging, has reignited a sense of spiritual vitality reminiscent of my early days of faith. Reflecting on the teachings of Amos and the call to avoid complacency, I was reminded of the urgency to live out a faith that is active and transformative.
The message emphasized the importance of stepping out of comfort zones to experience the fullness of God's presence. I recounted a pivotal moment from my college years when a passage from Amos challenged me to leave my comfort and engage with the world in a meaningful way. This led to a transformative experience in downtown Los Angeles, where I felt God's presence in a profound way. Similarly, my wife shared how the scriptures, particularly from the book of Luke, have been challenging her to live a life of self-denial and complete surrender to God's will.
The essence of the message is a call to live a life that is fully surrendered to God, willing to embrace discomfort and suffering for the sake of the gospel. It is about seeking the approval of God above all else and longing to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." This journey is not about achieving worldly success or recognition but about being faithful to God's calling, even when it leads to unexpected and challenging paths.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace Divine Discomfort: True spiritual growth often requires stepping out of our comfort zones. Just as Amos challenged complacency, we are called to engage with the world in ways that stretch our faith and reliance on God. This discomfort is where we often find the most profound experiences of God's presence. [03:30]
- The Power of Surrender: Surrendering to God's will involves a daily commitment to deny ourselves and take up our cross. This means prioritizing God's call over personal comfort and security, trusting that in losing our lives for His sake, we truly find them. [10:04]
- Seek Intimacy Through Suffering: There is a unique closeness to Christ that is found in suffering and trials. Like the early Christians, embracing suffering for the sake of the gospel can lead to a deeper fellowship with Jesus, as we share in His sufferings and glory. [26:55]
- Live for Eternal Approval: Our ultimate goal should be to hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." This requires living a life that is not focused on earthly achievements or recognition but on faithful obedience to God's calling. [18:04]
- Return to Childlike Faith: In the busyness of ministry, it's easy to lose the simplicity and purity of our initial love for God. We are called to return to that childlike faith, where our primary desire is to know and love God deeply, free from the distractions of success and recognition. [52:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Introduction and Personal Reflection
[01:31] - Announcing a New Chapter
[02:26] - The Challenge of Transition
[03:30] - The Call to Avoid Complacency
[05:03] - Stepping Out in Faith
[06:17] - Feeling Alive Again
[07:23] - A Wife's Powerful Testimony
[10:04] - The Cost of Discipleship
[12:46] - A Desire to Be a True Disciple
[17:53] - The Ultimate Goal: Well Done
[21:20] - Facing God with Confidence
[26:55] - Fellowship in Suffering
[33:12] - Real Stories of Faith and Sacrifice
[40:44] - A Call to Take a Step of Faith
[52:28] - Returning to Childlike Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Amos 6:1 - "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria."
2. Luke 9:23-24 - "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
3. Matthew 25:21 - "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'"
Observation Questions:
1. What was the personal journey of transition that the pastor shared, and how did it relate to his spiritual awakening? [01:31]
2. How did the passage from Amos challenge the pastor during his college years, and what actions did it inspire him to take? [03:30]
3. What specific scriptures from the book of Luke were impactful for the pastor's wife, and how did they challenge her? [10:04]
4. What is the ultimate goal that the pastor emphasized, and how does it relate to the concept of eternal approval? [18:04]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call to "deny oneself and take up the cross daily" in Luke 9:23-24 challenge the modern understanding of comfort and security? [10:04]
2. In what ways does the pastor's story of stepping out in faith in downtown Los Angeles illustrate the concept of "embracing divine discomfort"? [05:03]
3. How does the pastor's wife's testimony about surrendering to God's will reflect the theme of seeking intimacy through suffering? [12:46]
4. What does the phrase "Well done, good and faithful servant" signify in the context of living a life of faithful obedience to God's calling? [18:04]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a divine calling to step out of your comfort zone. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith journey? [05:03]
2. How can you incorporate the practice of daily self-denial and taking up your cross in your current life situation? What specific steps can you take this week? [10:04]
3. Consider the areas in your life where you might be seeking worldly success or recognition. How can you shift your focus to seek God's approval instead? [18:04]
4. In what ways can you return to a childlike faith, free from the distractions of success and recognition? Identify one action you can take to cultivate this simplicity. [52:28]
5. How can you embrace discomfort and suffering for the sake of the gospel in your community? What practical steps can you take to engage with the world in a transformative way? [03:30]
6. Reflect on the pastor's wife's struggle with comfort and safety. How can you push against the gravitational pull of comfort in your own life? [10:31]
7. What does it mean for you personally to hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant"? How can you align your life to pursue this ultimate goal? [18:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Divine Discomfort
Stepping out of comfort zones is essential for spiritual growth. Just as Amos challenged complacency, believers are called to engage with the world in ways that stretch their faith and reliance on God. This discomfort is where the most profound experiences of God's presence are often found. By embracing divine discomfort, individuals can experience a renewed sense of spiritual vitality and a deeper connection with God. [03:30]
Amos 6:1 (ESV): "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes!"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel too comfortable? How can you step out in faith today to experience God's presence more deeply?
Day 2: The Power of Surrender
Surrendering to God's will involves a daily commitment to deny oneself and take up one's cross. This means prioritizing God's call over personal comfort and security, trusting that in losing one's life for His sake, true life is found. This surrender is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of faith and obedience. By choosing to surrender, believers align themselves with God's purposes and experience His transformative power in their lives. [10:04]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 3: Seek Intimacy Through Suffering
There is a unique closeness to Christ that is found in suffering and trials. Like the early Christians, embracing suffering for the sake of the gospel can lead to a deeper fellowship with Jesus, as believers share in His sufferings and glory. This intimacy is not about seeking suffering for its own sake but recognizing that through trials, one can experience a profound connection with Christ and His redemptive work. [26:55]
1 Peter 4:13 (ESV): "But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial or challenge you have faced. How can you view this experience as an opportunity to grow closer to Christ and share in His sufferings?
Day 4: Live for Eternal Approval
The ultimate goal should be to hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." This requires living a life that is not focused on earthly achievements or recognition but on faithful obedience to God's calling. By seeking eternal approval, believers align their lives with God's purposes and find true fulfillment in His presence. This perspective shifts the focus from temporary success to lasting impact in God's kingdom. [18:04]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: In what ways are you currently seeking approval from others rather than from God? How can you shift your focus to live for God's eternal approval today?
Day 5: Return to Childlike Faith
In the busyness of life and ministry, it's easy to lose the simplicity and purity of one's initial love for God. Believers are called to return to that childlike faith, where the primary desire is to know and love God deeply, free from the distractions of success and recognition. This return to simplicity allows for a renewed focus on God's presence and a deeper relationship with Him. [52:28]
Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): "And said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with God. How can you simplify your faith and return to a childlike trust and love for Him today?
Quotes
And i remember when he got to amos chapter six verse one and it says woe to those who are at ease in zion those who feel secure on the mount of samaria he says woe to those who are i believe in the niv or nasb whatever he was using woe to those who are comfortable in zion. [00:03:50]
And i remember getting in my car and just driving into downtown l.a scared me to death you know just totally scared me of death i just moved down there i didn't even know my way around just parked my car started walking around the block the things that god did that day in my life when i stepped out in faith. [00:05:01]
And i love the elders and we're going all in the same direction they're my brothers we're family we're going to stay tight you know so all these great things but i got to say in my own life it's like i am so alive i feel so alive right now of going on another adventure just god and i and go okay what's going to happen. [00:07:16]
And over and over in my mind i would be thinking about this deny yourself and i think i i don't know what it looks like to deny myself i am i'm such a creature of comfort and habit and safety i even said to francis recently i feel like there's just like a gravitational pull on my life for for safety and comfort. [00:10:24]
And so stirring in me is just this desire to say lord i want to be a disciple i do want you i do want to lay down my life i do want to give it all up even though in my flesh i don't i want to cling to what i know i want to cling to you because i love you and i know you. [00:12:28]
And what kind of leaders would we be if we heard the voice of the lord leading us and didn't obey we would we wouldn't be anything to you then and so i just hope that you will be able to pray for us and encourage us as we take a step of faith that is not something we saw years ago. [00:13:09]
And i just got to a point in my life and go man where's the suffering where's the where's the christ likeness where i'm emptying myself and i'm and i'm going and caring for someone you know we joke around about those guys moving the keyboard and everything else but it's starting to feel like that you know it's like man. [00:30:07]
And he says all of these people are saying don't you wish we were still there and here's what they say they go when i was there i felt so close to jesus i felt so close to him he goes now that we're back in seoul they go i've tried to fast i've tried to do these different things i try to pray for hours. [00:34:06]
And i just want to experience you again like i did in the early days like i got too professional for a while and just got too stuck in a rut for a while and forget what anyone else does in america i just want to do what you've called me to do and when i look at this word i'm telling you when i come back. [00:41:18]
And i just want to be in love with you and love people again just pray that to the lord. [00:52:57]
And i just want to be a child again you know don't you want to just go back and go i just want to be your kid again i just want to feel like when i first fell in love with you and and just restore that to me and i just believe that's the word the lord has for us. [00:52:40]
And i just want to be a child again you know don't you want to just go back and go i just want to be your kid again i just want to feel like when i first fell in love with you and and just restore that to me and i just believe that's the word the lord has for us. [00:52:40]
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