Embracing God's Favor for Generational Impact and Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: God's Favor and Generational Impact

God's favor is not just for our personal benefit but is meant to extend through us to bless others and fulfill His purposes. We are building a foundation that will impact future generations. This generational perspective helps us understand the long-term significance of our actions and encourages us to invest in the spiritual growth of those who come after us. God's favor, as defined by Tyron Daniel, is the guarantee of His presence and the provision of His power to accomplish His purposes in and through our lives. This favor is not just for our personal comfort but is meant to extend through us to bless others and fulfill God's grander plans. We are reminded that God is a God of generations, and what we build today will serve as a foundation for future generations. [07:30]

Psalm 145:4 (ESV): "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts."

Reflection: How can you intentionally invest in the spiritual growth of the next generation today? What specific actions can you take to ensure that God's favor extends through you to bless others?

Day 2: Saved for a Purpose

We are saved from our sins and brokenness into a relationship with God and for His divine purposes. God's blessings are not meant to terminate on us but to flow through us to others. This understanding shifts our focus from seeking personal comfort to embracing God's mission, even when it requires sacrifice. The enemy often tempts us with comfort and convenience, but true fulfillment comes from walking in God's purposes, even when it requires sacrifice. We are reminded that we are saved from something, into something, and for something. [10:31]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking personal comfort over God's mission? How can you realign your focus to embrace God's purposes today?

Day 3: The Power of God's Presence

The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is with us to guide, teach, and empower us. There is a difference between God's omnipresence and His manifest presence, and we are called to seek and dwell in His manifest presence. This presence is essential for accomplishing God's purposes in our lives and in our church. The church is designed to be a dwelling place for God's Spirit, and we, as living stones, are being built together to house His presence. [18:03]

John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek and dwell in God's manifest presence today? What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to be more aware of the Holy Spirit's guidance?

Day 4: Living Stones and Spiritual Building

We are called to be living stones, being built together to house God's presence. This spiritual building is not about physical structures but about creating a community where God's Spirit can dwell. Each of us has unique gifts and contributions that are essential for this spiritual construction. The church is designed to be a dwelling place for God's Spirit, and we, as living stones, are being built together to house His presence. [26:03]

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What unique gifts and contributions can you bring to your church community to help build a dwelling place for God's Spirit? How can you actively participate in this spiritual construction?

Day 5: Crossing the Jordan: A Metaphor for Spiritual Journey

The story of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. The cross represents the place where our sins are forgiven, and the resurrection signifies our new life in Christ. We are called to live in the power of the resurrection, not just in the shadow of the cross. This journey involves leaving behind our past sins and embracing our new identity in Christ. [50:23]

Joshua 3:17 (ESV): "Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan."

Reflection: What past sins or burdens do you need to leave behind to fully embrace your new identity in Christ? How can you live in the power of the resurrection today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound concept of God's favor and its implications for our lives and our church community. God's favor, as defined by Tyron Daniel, is the guarantee of His presence and the provision of His power to accomplish His purposes in and through our lives. This favor is not just for our personal comfort but is meant to extend through us to bless others and fulfill God's grander plans. We are reminded that God is a God of generations, and what we build today will serve as a foundation for future generations.

We delved into the importance of understanding that we are saved from something, into something, and for something. This means we are saved from our sins and brokenness into a relationship with God and for His divine purposes. God's blessings are not meant to terminate on us but to flow through us to others. The enemy often tempts us with comfort and convenience, but true fulfillment comes from walking in God's purposes, even when it requires sacrifice.

We also discussed the significance of God's presence. The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is with us to guide, teach, and empower us. There is a difference between God's omnipresence and His manifest presence, and we are called to seek and dwell in His manifest presence. The church is designed to be a dwelling place for God's Spirit, and we, as living stones, are being built together to house His presence.

The story of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. Just as the Israelites built memorials to remember God's deliverance, we are to remember the cross and the resurrection. The cross represents the place where our sins are forgiven, and the resurrection signifies our new life in Christ. We are called to live in the power of the resurrection, not just in the shadow of the cross.

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Key Takeaways

1. term significance of our actions and encourages us to invest in the spiritual growth of those who come after us. [07:30]
2. Saved for a Purpose: We are saved from our sins and brokenness into a relationship with God and for His divine purposes. God's blessings are not meant to terminate on us but to flow through us to others. This understanding shifts our focus from seeking personal comfort to embracing God's mission, even when it requires sacrifice.

3. The Power of God's Presence: The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is with us to guide, teach, and empower us. There is a difference between God's omnipresence and His manifest presence, and we are called to seek and dwell in His manifest presence. This presence is essential for accomplishing God's purposes in our lives and in our church.

4. Living Stones and Spiritual Building: We are called to be living stones, being built together to house God's presence. This spiritual building is not about physical structures but about creating a community where God's Spirit can dwell. Each of us has unique gifts and contributions that are essential for this spiritual construction.

5. Crossing the Jordan: A Metaphor for Spiritual Journey: The story of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. The cross represents the place where our sins are forgiven, and the resurrection signifies our new life in Christ. We are called to live in the power of the resurrection, not just in the shadow of the cross. This journey involves leaving behind our past sins and embracing our new identity in Christ.

### [07:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:18] - Announcements and App Information
[04:07] - New Babies and Community Needs
[05:40] - Prayer for Children and Teachers
[06:21] - Building on Foundations
[07:30] - God's Favor and Generational Impact
[08:26] - Teaching the Next Generation
[09:35] - Presence, Power, and Purpose
[10:31] - Saved for a Purpose
[12:02] - The Path of Sacrifice vs. Comfort
[13:13] - The Story of Jacob and Esau
[15:07] - The Significance of One Life
[17:19] - The Presence of the Holy Spirit
[18:03] - The Power of God's Presence
[20:07] - Omnipresence vs. Manifest Presence
[21:32] - The Church as a Dwelling Place
[22:09] - Building the Tabernacle
[24:01] - The Privilege of Serving God
[26:03] - Living Stones and Spiritual Building
[27:34] - Worship and the Holy of Holies
[30:28] - Sources of Spiritual Power
[31:09] - The Power of the Cross
[32:28] - The Story of Joshua
[35:02] - God's Promises and Our Battles
[37:47] - Crossing the Jordan River
[39:23] - Building Memorials
[41:10] - The Significance of Gilgal
[44:09] - The Rolling Away of Reproach
[47:01] - New Identity in Christ
[50:23] - Crossing the Jordan: A Metaphor for Spiritual Journey
[52:41] - The Power of the Cross and Resurrection
[55:13] - Living in Resurrection Power
[57:12] - Returning to the Place of Victory

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 14:16-17 (ESV) — > "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

2. 1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)
> "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

3. Joshua 4:19-24 (ESV)
> "The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And he said to the people of Israel, 'When your children ask their fathers in times to come, "What do these stones mean?" then you shall let your children know, "Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground." For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.'"

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Observation Questions

What is the definition of God's favor as mentioned in the sermon? ([06:21])
According to John 14:16-17, what role does the Holy Spirit play in the lives of believers?
In 1 Peter 2:5, what metaphor is used to describe believers, and what is their purpose?
What was the significance of the memorial stones set up by Joshua in Joshua 4:19-24?

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding God's favor as "the guarantee of His presence and the provision of His power" change our perspective on our daily lives and challenges? ([06:21])
What does it mean to be "living stones" being built into a spiritual house, and how does this concept apply to our church community? ([26:03])
How does the story of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River serve as a metaphor for our spiritual journey, particularly in relation to the cross and resurrection? ([50:23])
What is the difference between God's omnipresence and His manifest presence, and why is it important for believers to seek His manifest presence? ([20:07])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt God's favor in your life. How did it impact not just you but those around you? How can you be more intentional about letting God's blessings flow through you to others? ([10:31])
In what ways can you contribute to building a spiritual house within our church community? What unique gifts or talents do you have that can be used for this purpose? ([26:03])
How can you actively seek and dwell in God's manifest presence in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this awareness and experience? ([20:07])
The sermon mentioned that we are saved from something, into something, and for something. What do you believe God has saved you for, and how are you currently living out that purpose? ([10:31])
The story of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River emphasizes the importance of remembering God's deliverance. What are some "memorials" you can set up in your life to remember God's faithfulness and provision? ([50:23])
How can you ensure that you are not seeking comfort and convenience at the expense of God's purposes in your life? What sacrifices might God be calling you to make? ([12:02])
Think of a specific area in your life where you need to experience the power of the resurrection. How can you apply the truth of living in resurrection power to that situation? ([55:13])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God's favor is the guarantee of his presence. The provision of his power to accomplish his purposes in and through our lives. I think that's such a good definition of God's favor. Let me say that again. God's favor is the guarantee of his presence. The provision of his power to accomplish his purposes in and through our lives." [06:21] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We are saved from something into something for something. We are saved from something into something for something. And that something is the purposes of God. We are saved from ourselves. From our sin. From our past. From our brokenness. Into and for the purposes of God." [10:31] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God's blessing and God's favor is not intended. I want us to hear this this morning. God's favor and blessing is not intended to terminate on us. It's intentions. It's end goal is not our happiness and comfort. We need to understand this and we need to hear this. God's blessing. His favor. That we're to walk in. Is not just for us. It's for his plans and purposes. To be fulfilled through us." [11:17] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The enemy would gladly. He would gladly tempt us. And lead us down this path. Of comfort. And convenience. As opposed to sacrifice. As opposed to growth. As opposed to purpose. The purposes of God. And honestly those two paths. Are heading in different directions. We could choose the path of happiness and comfort. And that path is there. And it's very tempting." [12:02] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are saved from something. Into something. For something. From our brokenness. From our death. From our sin. Into the plans and purposes of God. For the plans and purposes of God. We are part of something bigger and greater. That has eternal consequences. And we get one life. One life. One life. Yesterday is gone. We will never get yesterday back. That day is gone. And we have one less day from yesterday. Each and every one of us. We get one life." [15:07] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "And the incredible significance for us is what we are doing now, what we are building now, is being laid onto the foundations that have been laid before us. And we are now laying foundation that those who come after us will build on. And that is true for our church. That's also true for your families. That's true for your life. Is that we're building something for the future. Where we get lost is we think of what we're doing will just terminate with us. That's not God's way. That's not God's way." [08:26] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We are called to contribute. Every single one of us. Just as we see the people of Israel. Bringing what they have. Each and every one of us have been given gifts. Gifts are in the hands of God. We are called inside of you to bring. To contribute. We are called to create. To build. To craft. Except we're not building a tent. We're not building a building. 1 Peter 2.5 We are living stones. Being built together. Being joined together. To be the dwelling place for his spirit." [25:27] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are a people who carry his presence. God is a God who desires to be with his people. And he is with us. Guys, his presence is with us. God's favor is the guarantee of his presence. The guarantee of his presence. That he will never leave us. He will never forsake us. He will be with us. And it's the provision of his power. We have his presence. And because he's with us, we have his power." [30:28] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We pass through the Jordan. We pass through the cross. And we live in the resurrection power of our king. We pass through the power of the cross into the power of the resurrection. Just as the people of Israel say, Let's go back to Gilgal. Let's go back to the reproach and the shame was rolled away. Let's go back there. They wouldn't say, Let's go back to the wilderness. Sometimes we might say that. Don't say that. Let's go back to Gilgal." [55:13] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When we look back to our past, we go back to the past. We see the cross. Because he takes the punishment on our behalf. His blood washes us clean. Through the cross we're able to put on the righteousness of God onto ourselves. Through the cross. Through the power of the cross. We are able to put on Christ. Through the cross. God gives us a new identity. The people of Israel received a new identity as they crossed through the Jordan." [53:17] (-232 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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