Embracing God's Adventure Beyond Predictability
Summary
In today's message, I shared an analogy about surfing to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth. I recounted my experience of discovering a wave pool in Waco, where the waves are predictable and consistent, unlike the unpredictable nature of ocean waves. This wave pool represents the comfort and safety we often seek in our spiritual lives. We can create predictable, controlled environments in our church gatherings, where everything is planned and expected. This can lead to a sense of satisfaction, as we know what to expect and can rely on our own abilities to create a certain atmosphere.
However, this predictability can also become a limitation. Just as surfing in a wave pool lacks the thrill and unpredictability of the ocean, our spiritual lives can become stagnant if we rely solely on our own efforts and human wisdom. We may miss out on the greater things God wants to do in our lives because we are content with what we can manufacture ourselves. There is a safety in relying on our fleshly confidence, but it can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of what God has to offer.
God desires to give us more, but as long as we are satisfied with our own creations, we may not receive it. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones, to paddle out into the ocean of God's possibilities, even when it feels uncertain and risky. It is in those moments of uncertainty that we truly rely on God and experience His power and presence in our lives. Let us not settle for the safety of the wave pool, but instead, seek the adventure and abundance that comes from trusting in God.
Key Takeaways:
1. Predictability vs. Adventure: Our spiritual lives can become predictable when we rely on our own abilities to create controlled environments. While this may feel safe, it lacks the adventure and growth that comes from trusting God in the unknown. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones to experience the fullness of God's plans. [00:59]
2. The Limitation of Human Effort: Relying solely on human wisdom and eloquence can limit our spiritual growth. When we are content with what we can manufacture ourselves, we may miss out on the greater things God wants to do in our lives. True spiritual growth requires us to depend on God's power and presence. [02:17]
3. The Safety of Fleshly Confidence: There is a safety in relying on our own abilities, but it can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of what God has to offer. We must be willing to let go of our fleshly confidence and trust in God's plans, even when it feels uncertain. [02:38]
4. God's Desire to Give More: God desires to give us more than what we can create on our own. As long as we are satisfied with our own creations, we may not receive the abundance God has in store for us. We must be open to His leading and willing to step into the unknown. [02:17]
5. Trusting God in Uncertainty: It is in moments of uncertainty that we truly rely on God and experience His power and presence. Let us not settle for the safety of the wave pool, but instead, seek the adventure and abundance that comes from trusting in God. [02:03]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Discovering the Wave Pool
[00:33] - Predictability of Man-Made Waves
[00:59] - The Thrill of the Ocean
[01:16] - Manufactured Church Experiences
[01:31] - The Safety of Predictability
[01:47] - Praying for the Unseen
[02:03] - The Risk of Playing It Safe
[02:17] - Limiting God's Work
[02:38] - Seeking God's Abundance
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Proverbs 3:5-6
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Isaiah 55:8-9
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the analogy of the wave pool versus the ocean represent in the sermon? How does this relate to our spiritual lives? [00:59]
2. How does the speaker describe the predictability of man-made waves, and what does this predictability symbolize in the context of church gatherings? [01:16]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of how we might rely on our own abilities to create a controlled environment in our spiritual lives? [02:17]
4. According to the sermon, what is the risk of being satisfied with what we can manufacture ourselves in our spiritual journey? [02:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Proverbs 3:5-6 challenge the idea of relying on our own understanding and abilities in our spiritual lives? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about predictability and adventure?
2. In what ways does 2 Corinthians 5:7 encourage believers to step out of their comfort zones and trust in God’s plans, as discussed in the sermon? [02:03]
3. How might Isaiah 55:8-9 help us understand the limitations of human effort and the importance of seeking God’s greater plans for our lives? [02:17]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between safety in our own abilities and experiencing the fullness of God’s offerings? How does this relate to the concept of fleshly confidence? [02:17]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you chose the safety of predictability over the adventure of trusting God. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? [00:59]
2. Identify an area in your life where you rely heavily on your own abilities. How can you begin to trust God more in this area and step out of your comfort zone? [02:17]
3. Consider a situation where you felt limited by your own efforts. How can you invite God into that situation to experience His power and presence more fully? [02:38]
4. What are some practical steps you can take to let go of fleshly confidence and embrace the uncertainty of God’s plans? How can you encourage others in your small group to do the same? [02:17]
5. Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you apply the principles from Proverbs 3:5-6 to trust in God’s wisdom rather than your own understanding?
6. How can you cultivate a mindset of seeking God’s abundance rather than being content with what you can create on your own? What changes might this require in your daily life? [02:38]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the thrill of the ocean versus the predictability of the wave pool. How can you incorporate more spiritual adventure into your life this week? [00:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Unknown for Spiritual Growth
Our spiritual lives can become predictable when we rely on our own abilities to create controlled environments. While this may feel safe, it lacks the adventure and growth that comes from trusting God in the unknown. Predictability can lead to a sense of satisfaction, as we know what to expect and can rely on our own abilities to create a certain atmosphere. However, this predictability can also become a limitation. Just as surfing in a wave pool lacks the thrill and unpredictability of the ocean, our spiritual lives can become stagnant if we rely solely on our own efforts and human wisdom. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones to experience the fullness of God's plans. [00:59]
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV): "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel too comfortable? How can you step out in faith and trust God to lead you into new adventures?
Day 2: Beyond Human Effort Lies Divine Possibility
Relying solely on human wisdom and eloquence can limit our spiritual growth. When we are content with what we can manufacture ourselves, we may miss out on the greater things God wants to do in our lives. True spiritual growth requires us to depend on God's power and presence. Our own efforts, while valuable, are not enough to reach the heights of spiritual maturity that God desires for us. We must recognize the limitations of our human capabilities and open ourselves to the divine possibilities that God offers. [02:17]
1 Corinthians 2:5 (ESV): "So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
Reflection: Identify a recent situation where you relied on your own strength. How can you invite God into that area to experience His power and presence?
Day 3: Letting Go of Fleshly Confidence
There is a safety in relying on our own abilities, but it can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of what God has to offer. We must be willing to let go of our fleshly confidence and trust in God's plans, even when it feels uncertain. Our natural inclination is to trust in what we can see and control, but this can limit our spiritual journey. By releasing our grip on self-reliance, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God in our lives. [02:38]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: What is one area where you are relying on your own abilities? How can you practice trusting God more in that area today?
Day 4: Open to God's Abundance
God desires to give us more than what we can create on our own. As long as we are satisfied with our own creations, we may not receive the abundance God has in store for us. We must be open to His leading and willing to step into the unknown. Our satisfaction with our own achievements can blind us to the greater blessings that God wants to pour into our lives. By remaining open to His guidance, we position ourselves to receive His abundant gifts. [02:17]
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you settled for less than God's best. How can you open your heart to receive His abundance today?
Day 5: Trusting God in Uncertainty
It is in moments of uncertainty that we truly rely on God and experience His power and presence. Let us not settle for the safety of the wave pool, but instead, seek the adventure and abundance that comes from trusting in God. Uncertainty can be daunting, but it is also an opportunity to deepen our faith and experience God's faithfulness. By embracing the unknown, we allow God to work in ways that exceed our expectations. [02:03]
Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV): "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"
Reflection: Think of a current situation that feels uncertain. How can you actively choose to trust God and seek His guidance in this situation?
Quotes
"I'm sharing with some guys earlier today just how okay like I heard I love surfing and I heard that there's a place to surf in Waco and so I went on the internet because I had someone told me there was a wave pool in Waco so I looked it up and watched a video this morning I thought that's kind of cool you know because what's cool about it is when you have those man-made waves it always breaks in the same place you know normally you're swimming out in the ocean you don't know where the way it's gonna come when it's gonna come how big it's gonna be what's gonna bite your face off you don't know any of that and I thought it'd be nice to just go in a wave pool and go to the exact spot where the machine makes the wave every single time and you can wave you know just ride the exact shape wave over and over and over again like oh that looks kind of fun but I would get bored of that after a while and but as I was watching that wave I thought you know what that's what we do in our church gathering sometimes we just know how to create a wave we know when it's gonna begin 9:00 a.m. we know just at the height at 9:21 and then we know it's gonna close off at you you know in these different places and then we'll do it again it and and and it's just this we can manufacture so much and be satisfied with it I've done that a lot of my life because there's something about that where if I go to that wave pool in Waco I won't I know it's not gonna be horrible there will always be something words there been times I paddle out in the ocean hearing there's gonna be a swell and you're sitting there lord please please just one god please come on Lord gosh I prayed this more than my devotions I witness to the guy on the way here you know like can I just have a wave you know like it's that's what you do sometimes it's like nothing happened but you never have that problem in Waco it's always gonna show up it's always gonna be the same thing and I just I just feel like there's like this safety in some of our fleshly confidence to create something and for many people that's enough and as long as that's enough for us God's not going to give us more and as long as we play it safe and use our human wisdom and eloquence to create some sort of wave that's manufactured by us and as long as I'm happy with it you're happy with it God's like all right fine that's all you'll get then" [00:01:28]
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