Embracing God's Abundance: Grace for All
Summary
The sermon series "Above and Beyond" explores the theme of God's abundant blessings and grace. The speaker begins by acknowledging God's generosity and hospitality, emphasizing that God's blessings extend even to those considered outsiders. The speaker then reflects on God's promise of an eternal place for believers in a new heaven and new Earth, using the story of the prodigal son to illustrate God's unconditional love and forgiveness.
The speaker shares personal struggles with doubt and cynicism, empathizing with those who feel depleted and struggle to fully receive messages of hope and encouragement. They reassure the congregation that God can fill the empty spaces within us, using the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding as an example of His power to provide in times of scarcity.
The sermon then turns to the promise of an eternal feast of abundance and blessing, as described in the book of Revelation. The speaker emphasizes that the focus is not on what is on the table, but who is at the table - Jesus, the Lamb of God. They also discuss the concept of disordered desires and wants, assuring the congregation that these do not have to control us. They refer to Psalm 23, where David talks about God preparing a table before him in the presence of his enemies, highlighting that God can provide abundance and blessing even in imperfect circumstances.
The speaker then addresses the belief in scarcity, using the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden as an example of how this belief can lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy. They emphasize that God is the God of abundance and blessing, and that His grace is sufficient for us in our weakness. The speaker concludes by inviting the congregation to come home to God, emphasizing that God is a God of abundance and blessing.
Key Takeaways:
- God's abundant blessings and grace extend to all, including those considered outsiders. His love and forgiveness are illustrated in the story of the prodigal son, who was welcomed back by his father despite his past mistakes. [49:33]
- Even in times of doubt and cynicism, God can fill the empty spaces within us. His power to provide in times of scarcity is demonstrated in the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding. [26:33]
- The promise of an eternal feast of abundance and blessing is not about what is on the table, but who is at the table - Jesus, the Lamb of God. This promise is described in the book of Revelation. [36:17]
- The belief in scarcity can lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy, as illustrated in the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. However, God's grace is sufficient for us in our weakness, and He is the God of abundance and blessing. [32:28]
- Despite our disordered desires and wants, we do not have to be controlled by them. God can provide abundance and blessing even in imperfect circumstances, as described in Psalm 23. [49:33]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:8-9 (NIV)
> "Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food."
2. Psalm 23:1, 5 (NIV)
> "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing... You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."
3. Revelation 19:9 (NIV)
> "Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Genesis 2:8-9 reveal about God's initial provision for humanity?
2. In Psalm 23, what does David mean when he says, "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing"?
3. According to Revelation 19:9, who is invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb, and why is this significant?
4. How does the story of the prodigal son illustrate God's unconditional love and forgiveness? [42:18]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of God as a generous host in Genesis 2:8-9 shape our understanding of His character?
2. What does David's declaration in Psalm 23:1, "I lack nothing," suggest about his trust in God's provision, even in difficult circumstances? [15:00]
3. How does the promise of an eternal feast in Revelation 19:9 provide hope and assurance for believers?
4. In what ways does the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in John 2 demonstrate His power to provide in times of scarcity? [27:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a "desolate Wilderness Wasteland" as described in the sermon. How did you see God's provision during that time? [12:20]
2. The sermon mentioned the lie of scarcity that Adam and Eve believed. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with a scarcity mindset? How can you remind yourself of God's abundance? [07:17]
3. How can you apply the lesson from Psalm 23:5 about God preparing a table in the presence of your enemies to your current life situation? [21:01]
4. The speaker shared personal struggles with doubt and cynicism. How do you handle feelings of doubt and cynicism in your faith journey? What steps can you take to allow God to fill the empty spaces within you? [26:33]
5. The story of the prodigal son emphasizes God's readiness to forgive and welcome us back. Is there an area in your life where you need to "come home" to God? What steps can you take this week to move closer to Him? [42:18]
6. How can you shift your focus from what is on the table to who is at the table, as emphasized in the sermon? What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Jesus, the Lamb of God? [37:02]
7. The sermon concluded with an invitation to come home to God. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear this message of abundance and blessing? How can you share this message with them this week? [45:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Abundant Love
God's love and forgiveness are not limited by our past mistakes or our status in society. His grace extends to all, even those who feel like outsiders. His love is beautifully illustrated in the story of the prodigal son, who was welcomed back by his father despite his past mistakes. [49:33]
Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How can you embrace God's abundant love and forgiveness in your life today?
Day 2: Finding Fulfillment in God
Even in times of doubt and cynicism, God can fill the empty spaces within us. His power to provide in times of scarcity is demonstrated in the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding. [26:33]
John 2:7-8 - "Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water'; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.' They did so."
Reflection: What are the empty spaces in your life that you need God to fill? How can you invite Him into those spaces today?
Day 3: Recognizing the True Feast
The promise of an eternal feast of abundance and blessing is not about what is on the table, but who is at the table - Jesus, the Lamb of God. This promise is described in the book of Revelation. [36:17]
Revelation 19:9 - "Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'"
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from the material blessings to the spiritual blessing of having Jesus in your life?
Day 4: Overcoming the Belief in Scarcity
The belief in scarcity can lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy, as illustrated in the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. However, God's grace is sufficient for us in our weakness, and He is the God of abundance and blessing. [32:28]
2 Corinthians 9:8 - "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you believe in scarcity? How can you replace this belief with the truth of God's abundance?
Day 5: Living in God's Provision
Despite our disordered desires and wants, we do not have to be controlled by them. God can provide abundance and blessing even in imperfect circumstances, as described in Psalm 23. [49:33]
Psalm 23:5 - "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."
Reflection: What are some disordered desires in your life? How can you surrender them to God and trust in His provision?
Quotes
1. "I've got a peace and a joy and a hope and a God who loves me apart from my performance apart from whether or not I do enough or have enough or get enough to prop myself up or keep everybody else up." [17:33]
2. "When the Lord is your Shepherd, it's not as though that your flesh does not want anything. When the Lord is your Shepherd, it is as though that you realize and you're reminded, 'Oh, I know the one who meets my deepest need. I know the one who makes a way for sure for my wants that I want to have to not have me.'" [18:58]
3. "They are experiencing the abundant grace of God, who in our moments of emptiness and depletion and in our lives of shortage and scarcity, causes us to be dominated by this emotion of Shame... Jesus walks into the scene with his power and his authority to remind us of one thing yet again: God is the god of abundance and blessing." ([32:28])
4. "His grace is sufficient for us in our weakness, his grace is sufficient for us when sin has called us to be empty of spiritual vitality, his grace is sufficient for us when we thought we would be further along in our spiritual walk with God... whatever it is that's provoking the shame in you because you feel like you have fallen short and are living in shortage, his grace is sufficient for you." ([33:13])
5. "God can fill the empty...you know how I know this because one of the most extraordinary things to me in all the scriptures is when Jesus is in attendance at a wedding and he's in attendance at a wedding in John Chapter 2...Jesus is at this wedding at this party and they run out of wine and his mom comes to him and his mom says hey they've run out of wine and she was hinting at I want for you to do something about that Jesus says my time has not yet come but then he turns around and he does this in John Chapter 2 he approaches this banquet in John Chapter 2 this wedding festivities and he says to the servants that are surrounding him there he says fill the jars with water it's the first thing fill the empty thing fill the empty thing with water so they filled them to the brim and they told him he told them now draw some out take it to the master of the banquet they did so and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine he did not realize where it had come from though the servants who had drawn the water they knew then he called the the bridegroom aside and said everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink it's a party planning move right um I I'll try to explain to the really good church kids in the room" #!!28:32!!#
6. "He left his home in the Heavenly places and his thr he said I got to get out here with dead people and desolate people and empty and broken people... I'm going to grab them... I'm going to die for them and I'm going to bring them home to Dad's house because there is plenty for them... there is plenty of provision plenty of forgiveness plenty enough of his grace plenty enough of his Mercy to go around... he is enough he's more than enough for you so come home come home come home..." (#!!45:43!!#)
7. "God is the god of abundance and blessing the god of enough more than enough and the god of blessing who pours out an unmar favor Grace and kindness onto even the lowly, the scripture says the least of these those who have been considered as Outsiders." #!!02:18!!#
8. "Blessed are those who are invited to this because we come to a table in all eternity where there is abundance blessing plenty but watch this it matters not what's on the table it matters what's on the table." #!!37:02!!#
9. "What matters is the source of life is seated at the table what matters is the one whose grace is sufficient is seated at the table and you and I as the bride have the opportunity to sit at the table." #!!38:25!!#
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