Embracing Faith: Journeying Toward God's Promises
Summary
In this sermon, we delve into the profound journey of faith, exploring the Israelites' 40-year sojourn in the desert and the significance of the number 40 throughout Scripture. This period represents a time of preparation, a raising up of a generation capable of receiving God's promises. As we embark on our own 40-day spiritual journey, we are reminded of the Israelites standing at the Jordan River's edge, poised to enter the Promised Land. This moment beckons us to reflect on our own lives, to consider the times we've been on the cusp of God's promises, yet felt distant from their fulfillment.
Drawing parallels to the anticipation of a sports team at halftime, we recognize the power of remembering who we are, how far we've come, and what is at stake. It is in the act of remembering that we find the strength to press on, to remain steadfast in our faith, and to embrace the plans God has for us. We are called to be a people full of faith, to grow our capacity to receive God's blessings, and to become individuals who can inhabit His promises.
The sermon also touches on the importance of parental faith and the role of the church in supporting families on their spiritual journey. We are reminded of our collective responsibility to nurture the faith of the next generation, to lead by example, and to allow God's love and guidance to flow through us to our children.
Furthermore, we are encouraged to worship God not only with our voices and commitments but also with our finances, recognizing that every good gift comes from Him. We are invited to test God's faithfulness, not just in our giving but in our worship and faith as well.
As we look to the example of Jarena Lee, an African American woman who overcame societal and religious barriers to preach the gospel, we are inspired to depend wholly on the Holy Spirit and to persevere in our ministries.
In closing, we are called to remember God's faithfulness, to grow our faith, and to move forward into His promises. We are urged to build altars of remembrance, to meditate on God's word, and to recognize the importance of our identity in Him. As we conclude, we stand in worship, acknowledging God's unwavering faithfulness and committing to stretch our faith during this season of Lent.
Key Takeaways:
- The journey through the desert for the Israelites symbolizes a time of preparation and transformation, where God shapes us into people capable of receiving and stewarding His promises. Just as the Israelites were on the brink of entering the Promised Land, we too must prepare our hearts to receive the fullness of what God has for us. [01:01:16]
- Parental faith is a powerful force that shapes the spiritual trajectory of our children. As we acknowledge our imperfections and recognize God as the perfect Father, we allow His love and guidance to flow through us to our children, setting a foundation for their faith to grow. [42:15]
- Worship extends beyond song and commitment; it encompasses our finances as well. By giving back to God what He has entrusted to us, we acknowledge His provision and test His promise to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessings upon us. [44:00]
- Remembering God's past faithfulness is crucial for our present and future faith. Building altars of remembrance, whether literal or figurative, helps us and future generations recall God's goodness and provision, filling us with faith to move forward. [01:23:47]
- Disbelief has consequences, not only in missing out on God's blessings but also in damaging our relationship with Him. By choosing to remember and trust in God's faithfulness, we prevent the seeds of doubt from growing into resentment and maintain a close relationship with our loving Father. [01:15:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
2. Numbers 6:24-26 - "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
3. Exodus 3:7-9 - "The Lord said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What command does God give Joshua in Joshua 1:9, and what assurance does He provide?
2. In Numbers 6:24-26, what blessings are pronounced over the people?
3. According to Exodus 3:7-9, what does God say He has observed about the Israelites' situation in Egypt, and what is His plan for them?
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of the Israelites' 40-year journey in the desert? ([54:41])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might God have emphasized the need for Joshua to be strong and courageous in Joshua 1:9? How does this relate to the Israelites' previous experiences? ([01:21:50])
2. What is the importance of the blessings in Numbers 6:24-26 in the context of the Israelites' journey and their relationship with God?
3. How does the promise in Exodus 3:7-9 reflect God's faithfulness and His plan for the Israelites? How does this promise relate to the concept of preparation and transformation mentioned in the sermon? ([01:01:16])
4. The sermon mentions the role of parental faith and the church in nurturing the next generation. How does this idea connect with the biblical passages and the overall message of the sermon? ([42:15])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt on the cusp of God's promises but distant from their fulfillment. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([54:41])
2. The sermon encourages us to remember God's past faithfulness. What are some practical ways you can build "altars of remembrance" in your life to recall God's goodness? ([01:23:47])
3. How can you grow your capacity to receive God's blessings, as mentioned in the sermon? What specific steps can you take to increase your faith and trust in God's promises? ([01:01:16])
4. In what ways can you support the spiritual journey of the next generation within your family or church community? How can you lead by example and allow God's love and guidance to flow through you to others? ([42:15])
5. The sermon highlights the importance of worshiping God with our finances. How can you test God's faithfulness in this area of your life? What changes might you need to make in your financial stewardship? ([44:00])
6. Consider the example of Jarena Lee, who overcame barriers to preach the gospel. How can you depend more wholly on the Holy Spirit in your own ministry or daily life? What barriers do you need to overcome to fulfill God's calling for you? ([49:43])
7. As we enter the season of Lent, what specific practices can you adopt to stretch your faith and deepen your relationship with God? How can you commit to these practices consistently? ([45:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Preparation for Divine Promise
The journey through the desert was not merely a physical trek but a spiritual preparation, shaping the Israelites to become recipients of God's promises. This time of transformation is mirrored in our lives as we face our own wilderness experiences. These periods of waiting and challenge are designed to develop our character, faith, and readiness to step into the blessings God has in store for us. Just as the Israelites stood on the brink of the Promised Land, we too are often on the edge of breakthroughs, and it is in these moments that our faith is both tested and fortified. The desert experience is an invitation to trust in God's timing and to grow in our capacity to steward the promises He is preparing to bestow upon us. [01:01:16]
"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." - Isaiah 42:16
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a spiritual wilderness. How did that experience prepare you for a blessing or breakthrough that followed?
Day 2: Legacy of Faith
Parental faith is not just about personal belief but about the spiritual heritage we pass on to our children. It is about acknowledging our imperfections and leaning on God as the perfect Father to guide and shape the hearts of the next generation. By living out a genuine faith, parents become the first glimpse of God's love and character for their children. This responsibility extends to the church community, which supports families in nurturing a resilient and vibrant faith in young hearts. Together, we lay a foundation that enables children to build their own relationship with God, grounded in the love and teachings they have witnessed at home and in their faith community. [42:15]
"Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?" - Psalm 34:11-12
Reflection: How are you actively modeling faith to the children or younger believers in your life, and what is one step you can take this week to enhance that spiritual influence?
Day 3: Worship in Giving
Worship is a multifaceted expression that extends beyond words and commitments to include the stewardship of our finances. Giving is an act of worship that acknowledges God as the source of all our blessings and demonstrates our trust in His provision. It is a tangible way to participate in God's work and to experience His faithfulness as we align our resources with His purposes. As we give, we are invited to test the promise of God to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessings that we cannot contain, thus deepening our worship and reliance on Him. [44:00]
"Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." - Proverbs 3:9-10
Reflection: What is one step you can take to align your financial giving with your worship of God, and how can you trust Him more in this area?
Day 4: Altars of Remembrance
Remembering God's past faithfulness is a vital practice that strengthens our faith for the present and future. Building altars of remembrance, whether through journaling, creating art, or establishing family traditions, serves as a visual and tangible reminder of God's goodness and provision. These altars help us recall the times when God has been faithful, encouraging us and others to trust Him in new challenges. They are testimonies that bolster our faith and remind us that the same God who was faithful in the past will be faithful in the future. [01:23:47]
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, 'Till now the LORD has helped us.'" - 1 Samuel 7:12
Reflection: What 'altar of remembrance' can you create or visit this week to remind yourself of God's faithfulness in your life?
Day 5: Consequences of Disbelief
Disbelief is not a passive state; it actively shapes our relationship with God and can lead to missed opportunities and blessings. When we allow doubt to take root, it can grow into resentment and distance us from God. Conversely, choosing to remember and trust in God's faithfulness helps to prevent the seeds of doubt from taking hold. It is through active remembrance and trust that we maintain a close and loving relationship with our Father, ensuring that we are positioned to receive all that He has for us. [01:15:11]
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." - Hebrews 3:12-13
Reflection: Can you identify an area of disbelief in your life, and what practical step can you take today to begin addressing it with faith?
Quotes
- "God is building people, creating people, walking us through this process of becoming the people that can inhabit the promise of God." [01:18:05](Download)
- "Faith will move us forward, forgetting fills us with fear and holds us back. Faith moves us forward." [01:19:55](Download)
- "Remembering fills my heart with faith, it grows my bucket. Faith moves you forward into God's promises." [01:27:24](Download)
- "God says, 'I love you too much to allow you to receive blessing that your character, that your heart, that our relationship is not able to hold.'" [01:19:19](Download)
- "Disbelief has consequences, not only in missing out on God's blessings but also in damaging our relationship with Him." [01:15:11](Download)
- "Remember who I am, don't forget. Forgetting brings fear, remembering brings faith, and faith moves us forward." [01:21:50](Download)
- "God is saying, 'I want you to remember what's at stake... meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.'" [01:25:02](Download)
- "We want to receive more, become people that are able to receive more, to see more. Belief is how we become the people that God can bless." [01:05:53](Download)
- "God is faithful and we're going to take the next 40 days to remember to look back on his faithfulness and hopefully what happens is that God gives us faith for more." [59:10](Download)
- "God says, 'I want you to stack some stones up, build altars, so that every single time you walk by these, your kids walk by those, and go hey what's with this pile of rocks over there, you wouldn't just go yeah I don't know it's crazy I've always been there, you would stop and you go let me tell you what that is, let's remember together.'" [01:23:47](Download)
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