Embracing God's Favor and Protection in New Beginnings
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the story of the prodigal son and how God's favor can come upon us unexpectedly, even after years of hardship or estrangement. The speaker emphasized the importance of recognizing God's hand in our lives and giving Him the glory when we see His promises come to pass. The sermon also touched on the significance of the new year and how it doesn't mean that God ceases to do the things He has done in the past. Instead, each new year is an opportunity for God to add to the blessings and favor He has already bestowed upon us.
The speaker also delved into the story of Abraham's servant finding a wife for Isaac in the book of Genesis. This story was used to illustrate the concept of divine timing and chance, and how God can orchestrate events in our lives to bring about His purposes. The speaker emphasized that we don't have to rely on our own strength or wisdom to succeed, but rather on God's timing and providence. The sermon concluded with a reminder that God is actively working in our lives, even when we don't see it, and that we should live our lives as if we are constantly in His presence.
Key Takeaways:
- God's favor can come upon us unexpectedly and swiftly, even after years of hardship or estrangement. This is a reminder of God's unchanging love and mercy towards us. ([06:11])
- Each new year is an opportunity for God to add to the blessings and favor He has already bestowed upon us. It's not a cessation of what He has done in the past, but a continuation and expansion. ([07:09])
- We don't have to rely on our own strength or wisdom to succeed, but rather on God's timing and providence. This is a powerful reminder to trust in God's plan and timing for our lives. ([08:23])
- God is actively working in our lives, even when we don't see it. We should live our lives as if we are constantly in His presence, knowing that He is always with us and working for our good. ([09:27])
- The story of Abraham's servant finding a wife for Isaac illustrates the concept of divine timing and chance, and how God can orchestrate events in our lives to bring about His purposes. ([10:43])
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. The speaker emphasizes that success in life does not depend on our own abilities or strengths, but on God's timing and providence. He uses Ecclesiastes 9:11 to illustrate this point, stating that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but time and chance happen to all. This means that God can cause us to be at the right place at the right time, leading to blessings, favor, and success. #!!00:36!!#
2. The speaker encourages us to walk in the presence of God, living as if we see God smiling on us all the time. This perspective will lead to the manifestation of God's blessings and favor in our lives. #!!02:59!!#
3. The speaker shares a testimony of reconciliation within a family, emphasizing that what didn't happen in six years took place in a year of rest and acceleration. This illustrates that God's timing can bring about unexpected blessings and restoration. #!!05:06!!#
4. The speaker shares a personal experience of missing a flight, which initially seemed like a misfortune but turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This story illustrates that what may initially seem unfavorable can turn out to be a blessing when we trust in God's timing and providence. #!!43:57!!#
5. The speaker concludes by highlighting the concept of serendipity, or fortunate happenstance, as a manifestation of God's providence. He shares examples of serendipitous discoveries and emphasizes that God can bring about good things in our lives even when we're not actively seeking them. #!!01:22:19!!#
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. Ecclesiastes 9
2. Psalms 91
3. Genesis 24 (The story of Abraham's servant finding a wife for Isaac)
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. In Ecclesiastes 9:11, what does the preacher observe about life under the sun?
2. In Psalms 91, what promises does God make about His protection?
3. In Genesis 24, how does Abraham's servant experience God's providence in finding a wife for Isaac?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Ecclesiastes 9:11 challenge the world's understanding of success?
2. What does Psalms 91 teach us about God's protection and provision?
3. How does the story in Genesis 24 illustrate the concept of God's timing and providence?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you experienced God's providence in your life, similar to the speaker's missed flight story?
2. How can you apply the truth of Ecclesiastes 9:11 in your pursuit of success?
3. How can the promises in Psalms 91 encourage you in times of fear or uncertainty?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Right Timing and Place
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being at the right place at the right time, a concept derived from Ecclesiastes 9:11. This is not about our own efforts or abilities, but about God's divine orchestration. It's about trusting that God will guide us to where we need to be when we need to be there. This is a reminder that our success and blessings in life are not solely dependent on our own strength or wisdom, but on God's perfect timing and placement ([07:09]).
Bible Passage: Ecclesiastes 9:11 - "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were at the right place at the right time. How did that moment impact your life and how can you see God's hand in it?
Day 2: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Divine Timing
The sermon highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us to the right time and place. The Holy Spirit is our divine guide, leading us to where we need to be and when we need to be there. This is a reminder that we are not alone in our journey, but have the Holy Spirit to guide us ([09:27]).
Bible Passage: John 14:26 - "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
Reflection: How have you experienced the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life? How can you be more attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life?
Day 3: The Year of Manifestation
The sermon declares this year as the year of manifestation, a time when prayers that have been long-awaited will finally come to fruition. This is a reminder to hold onto faith and patience, knowing that God's timing is perfect and He will fulfill His promises ([11:53]).
Bible Passage: Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Reflection: What are some prayers or dreams that you have been waiting for God to fulfill? How can you continue to trust in God's timing and promises?
Day 4: The Power of God's Presence
The sermon emphasizes the power of God's presence in our lives. When we live as if we are constantly in God's presence, we can experience His blessings and favor. This is a reminder to live each day aware of God's presence and His love for us ([19:45]).
Bible Passage: Psalm 16:11 - "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily life? How has God's presence impacted your life?
Day 5: The Power of Prayer
The sermon highlights the power of prayer, especially when we pray as if we are in Christ. This is a reminder that our prayers carry the same value and power as if Jesus Himself is praying. This encourages us to pray with faith and confidence, knowing that God hears and answers our prayers ([20:44]).
Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:18 - "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
Reflection: How can you pray with more faith and confidence? How has prayer impacted your relationship with God?
Quotes
1. "My friend, to seek good success in 2023, you don't have to depend on yourself to be swift, strong, or wise. Time and chance speak of the Lord being able to cause us to be at the right time and at the right place. This is a place of blessing, favor, protection, and good success throughout 2023." - 00:36
2. "You walk in the light of his shining face on you. And that's from one of the blessings in the benediction, is that the Lord make his face to shine on you, amen. So, we--we--we just came through a year of rest and acceleration, and we have so many testimonies that have come forth." - 02:59
3. "What never happened in six years took place in the year of rest and acceleration, amen. Even though it's right towards the end of the year. Of course, by the time they told me the testimony it was in December, but I--I think they received it a few months earlier, the manifestation." - 06:11
4. "The race is not always to the swift. The World Cup is not always to the better team. It's not a matter of how old Messi is. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, amen. Nor bread to men of--to wise men, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all." - 10:43
5. "Sometimes right time, right place may not look at first like it's favorable. Later on you look back, my goodness, it's right time, right place. I remember many years ago when--when Jessica was two years old. She's a young lady now. And, uh, we travelled for the first time with her, with her along, her first travel overseas." - 43:57
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