Embracing Failure: Finding Freedom and Identity in Christ

 

Summary

Welcome, everyone. It's a joy to gather together, whether you're here in person or joining us online. Our community is built on the understanding that we are all on a journey with Jesus, and none of us have it all figured out. We support each other through life's ups and downs, and today, I want to talk about a crucial aspect of our lives: dealing with failure.

Growing up, I believed that adulthood meant constant stress about money and responsibilities. But I've learned that true financial freedom is possible, and it's not about being owned by our possessions. We're offering a program called True Financial Freedom, and I encourage you to explore it if you're feeling overwhelmed by financial worries.

Reflecting on my childhood, I remember a time when I broke a glass cabinet while practicing soccer indoors. It was a moment of failure that left me wondering, "What do I do with me?" This question is central to our series, "No Hard Failings." Failure is often seen as intolerable, yet it's unavoidable. Our culture teaches us to fear failure, but mature individuals learn to face it head-on.

In John 4, we see Jesus encounter a Samaritan woman at a well. Despite societal norms and prejudices, Jesus engages with her, offering her "living water." This story illustrates that Jesus seeks out those on the fringes, those who feel like failures, and offers them a place at His table. He transforms our failures into opportunities for growth and connection.

As we consider our own failures, we must ask not just "What do I do with me?" but "What does Jesus do with me?" He invites us to dine with Him, turning our tables into His. Today, as we prepare to take communion, let's remember that Jesus' love and sacrifice cover our failures. We matter to Him, and He calls us to share this message with others.

Key Takeaways:

1. True Financial Freedom: Financial stress is not an inevitable part of adulthood. By seeking true financial freedom, we can break free from the cycle of being owned by our possessions and find peace in God's provision. [26:37]

2. Facing Failure: Failure is both intolerable and unavoidable, but mature individuals learn to face it. Our fear of failure often stems from a deep-seated fear of loneliness and rejection. By understanding this, we can begin to address our failures with grace and courage. [31:11]

3. Jesus and the Outsider: Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman shows His willingness to break societal norms and reach out to those on the fringes. He offers living water, symbolizing eternal life and acceptance, to those who feel like failures. [35:06]

4. The Role of Invitation: Jesus uses outsiders to spread His message, emphasizing the importance of invitation. By inviting others into our community, we affirm their worth and importance, breaking down barriers of exclusion. [47:57]

5. Redefining Identity: Our identity should not be defined by our failures. Jesus invites us to see ourselves as important and loved, regardless of our past mistakes. This redefinition allows us to live with confidence and purpose. [57:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:00] - Introduction to Community
- [10:00] - True Financial Freedom
- [15:00] - Childhood Anecdote
- [20:00] - Understanding Failure
- [25:00] - Biological Fear of Failure
- [30:00] - Unavoidable Nature of Failure
- [35:00] - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
- [40:00] - Cultural Context and Identity
- [45:00] - Invitation and Inclusion
- [50:00] - The Role of Outsiders
- [55:00] - Ted Lasso Illustration
- [01:00:00] - Communion Preparation
- [01:05:00] - Prayer and Reflection
- [01:10:00] - Closing Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 4:3-42

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Observation Questions:

1. What societal norms did Jesus break when he spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well? [35:06]
2. How does the Samaritan woman's response to Jesus' offer of "living water" reveal her understanding of her own situation? [41:47]
3. What was the significance of the Samaritan woman leaving her water jar behind after her encounter with Jesus? [46:05]
4. How did the townspeople react to the Samaritan woman's testimony about Jesus? [49:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might Jesus have chosen to reveal his identity as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman, an outsider by societal standards? [47:57]
2. How does the concept of "living water" offered by Jesus relate to the spiritual needs of the Samaritan woman and, by extension, to us? [41:47]
3. In what ways does the story of the Samaritan woman challenge our understanding of who is worthy to receive and share the message of Jesus? [50:28]
4. How does Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman redefine the concept of identity and belonging in a community? [38:19]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How can Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman encourage you in those moments? [47:57]
2. Consider your own "water jar"—what burdens or past failures might you need to leave behind to fully embrace the "living water" Jesus offers? [46:05]
3. How can you practice the role of invitation in your community, making others feel valued and included, as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman? [49:24]
4. In what ways can you redefine your identity, not by your past failures, but by the love and acceptance Jesus offers? [57:12]
5. Identify someone in your life who might feel like an outsider. What practical steps can you take this week to invite them into your community or share the message of Jesus with them? [50:28]
6. How can you address your own fear of failure, knowing that Jesus sees you as important and loved, regardless of your past mistakes? [58:04]
7. What specific action can you take this week to break free from financial stress and seek true financial freedom, as discussed in the sermon? [26:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Breaking Free from Financial Bondage
True financial freedom is not about accumulating wealth or possessions but about finding peace in God's provision. Many people grow up believing that adulthood is synonymous with financial stress and responsibility. However, this mindset can lead to a life where possessions own us rather than the other way around. By seeking true financial freedom, individuals can break free from this cycle and experience a life of peace and contentment. This freedom is not about having more but about trusting in God's provision and being wise stewards of what we have. The program "True Financial Freedom" offers guidance for those feeling overwhelmed by financial worries, encouraging them to explore a life where money is a tool, not a master. [26:37]

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one financial worry you can surrender to God today, trusting in His provision and guidance?


Day 2: Embracing Failure with Courage
Failure is an inevitable part of life, yet it is often seen as intolerable. Many people fear failure because it is associated with loneliness and rejection. However, mature individuals learn to face failure head-on, understanding that it is a natural part of growth and development. By addressing our failures with grace and courage, we can overcome the fear that holds us back. This perspective allows us to see failure not as a defining moment but as an opportunity for learning and improvement. Embracing failure with courage means acknowledging our mistakes and using them as stepping stones toward a more resilient and fulfilled life. [31:11]

"For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity." (Proverbs 24:16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent failure. How can you reframe it as an opportunity for growth and learning today?


Day 3: Jesus' Radical Inclusion
Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well is a powerful example of His willingness to break societal norms and reach out to those on the fringes. Despite the cultural prejudices of the time, Jesus offers her "living water," symbolizing eternal life and acceptance. This story illustrates that Jesus seeks out those who feel like failures and offers them a place at His table. His actions challenge us to look beyond societal barriers and extend love and acceptance to those who may feel marginalized or excluded. By following Jesus' example, we can create a community that reflects His radical inclusion and love for all people. [35:06]

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider? How can you extend Jesus' love and acceptance to them today?


Day 4: The Power of Invitation
Jesus uses outsiders to spread His message, emphasizing the importance of invitation and inclusion. By inviting others into our community, we affirm their worth and importance, breaking down barriers of exclusion. This act of invitation is a powerful tool for spreading the message of Jesus and building a community that reflects His love and acceptance. It challenges us to look beyond our comfort zones and reach out to those who may feel left out or overlooked. By doing so, we not only share the love of Jesus but also enrich our own lives with diverse perspectives and experiences. [47:57]

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone you can invite into your community or circle today, affirming their worth and importance?


Day 5: Redefining Our Identity in Christ
Our identity should not be defined by our failures or past mistakes. Jesus invites us to see ourselves as important and loved, regardless of our shortcomings. This redefinition of identity allows us to live with confidence and purpose, knowing that we are valued and cherished by God. By embracing this new identity, we can let go of the shame and guilt that often accompany failure and instead focus on the love and acceptance that Jesus offers. This perspective empowers us to live boldly and authentically, secure in the knowledge that our worth is not determined by our past but by our relationship with Christ. [57:12]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you begin to see yourself through the lens of Jesus' love and acceptance today, rather than through the lens of past failures?

Quotes



Because my guess is that in this room or whoever might be watching, however you might be kind of tuning in, there's a whole kind of, there's a whole group of people who walked in here going, I have blown it and I screwed up. This might be the reason why you came back to church. You were like, I don't wanna go to church. It's lame. The people, I like Jesus, but it's fan club. Not so sure, right? [00:34:07] (17 seconds)


So already this has the setup and the air of a particular kind of scandal. Here's a guy in the first century world talking to a Samaritan woman by himself. He's all alone. He is breaking all kinds of rules. And he asks for a drink. It's already beginning to get very strange. In the first century world, what would happen is women would have gone to the well in the morning in groups. [00:37:06] (23 seconds)


People's own identity is sort of goes like this. It goes, who's your father? That's the first thing that starts. Who's your father? That's your first marker of your identity, the identity of your father, then your family, then kind of your region or tribe or clan, and then your nation, a people, all of that stuff. That's how it goes. And if you, anywhere breaks the chain, we don't know who you are and we can't trust you and you don't know who you are. [00:38:31] (19 seconds)


So she runs back to the town. Here's what she says. Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah? And they came out of the town and made their way toward him. Now there's so much going on here. wait, I mean, for sure, this is something worth talking about in your life group, but let's at least get a couple of things kind of brought into view here. [00:47:26] (20 seconds)


It seems to be a feature of Jesus' ministry over and over again that he keeps utilizing the people who are on the outside, the fringe people, the unwanted, those people who are not supposed to be, I don't have it all together, those kinds of people. Sound familiar? He has those kinds of people somehow armed with the message of what he's all about. The messengers of this person, Jesus, seem to be more often than not as a feature, the outsiders or the least kinds of people over and over again. [00:50:42] (25 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?