Embracing God's Greatness: A Journey of Faith

God’s greatness is on display in every corner of creation, from the stars he names to the storms he commands. His power is not distant or abstract, but personal and redemptive—he is the God who enters into our brokenness, who bore our shame on the cross, and who rose again to offer us hope and restoration. Even when we run from him, he does not abandon us; instead, he pursues us, puts death in its place, and promises a day when all sorrow and pain will be wiped away. This is the God we worship: awesome, wise, powerful, and loving.

As we gather on this Labor Day, we’re reminded that life is full of both practical challenges—like water leaks and broken plumbing—and deeper spiritual struggles. In both, we see the need for community, generosity, and reliance on God. The generosity of this church family is a testament to hearts that recognize everything we have is God’s, and we are called to steward it for his purposes and the good of others.

We are journeying through the 12 steps, not just as a program for addiction, but as a spiritual path for all who recognize their need for God. The first step is admitting our powerlessness over our deepest problems, acknowledging that our lives can become unmanageable. This is a hard but necessary confession: “I can’t.” The second step is the realization that God can—coming to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.

This belief is not just intellectual assent. As St. Augustine wrote, it is a longing that engages all our senses—a hunger, a thirst, a burning for God’s peace. Paul’s story in 2 Corinthians reminds us that even the most faithful can be brought to the end of themselves, despairing of life, only to discover that such moments are meant to teach us reliance on God, not ourselves. Faith is not a one-time event but a continual journey, deepening through trials and maturing as we repeatedly lean on God.

We are invited to participate in this faith, not passively, but in relationship with the God who desires to restore us. This journey is not rushed; sometimes we must linger in the pause, the “fermata,” until we are ready to move forward. Ultimately, faith is a gift, and we pray for the grace to receive it, to move from mere belief to wholehearted trust, and to let God’s presence fill every part of our being.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s greatness is both cosmic and personal. He is the Creator who commands the stars and the storms, yet he is also the Redeemer who enters into our pain, bears our shame, and promises restoration. Recognizing both his majesty and his nearness transforms how we see our struggles and our worship. [22:24]
• 2. True generosity flows from the realization that everything we have belongs to God. Moving from reluctant giving to joyful stewardship is a spiritual journey, one that reflects our trust in God’s provision and our desire to bless others as we have been blessed. [32:39]
• 3. Admitting our powerlessness is a profound act of humility. It is not weakness, but the necessary first step toward healing and transformation. Only when we confess “I can’t” do we become open to the possibility that God can, and that he desires to restore us. [36:29]
• 4. Faith is more than mental agreement; it is a deep, embodied trust that grows through experience. Like Paul, we may be brought to the end of ourselves, but these moments of despair are invitations to rely on God, who raises the dead and delivers us again and again. [48:35]
• 5. The journey of faith is not linear or rushed. Sometimes we must linger in the pause, allowing God to work in us before moving forward. Faith matures as we participate in relationship with God, letting his presence fill our senses and our lives, and trusting that he will restore us in his time. [41:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [22:24] - Proclaiming God’s Greatness
• [23:46] - The Hope of Christ’s Return
• [25:06] - Labor Day Reflections and Announcements
• [26:40] - Water Leak Story and Church Updates
• [29:17] - Prayer Requests and Community Life
• [30:47] - The Joy and Challenge of Generosity
• [33:51] - Opening Our Hearts to God’s Word
• [35:14] - The 12 Steps: Beyond Addiction
• [36:29] - Step One: Admitting Powerlessness
• [37:11] - St. Augustine’s Longing for God
• [39:19] - The Spiritual “Fermata”: Pausing in the Journey
• [41:18] - Honest Despair and the Need for God
• [45:49] - Paul’s Story: From Belief to Faith
• [47:09] - 2 Corinthians: Burdened Beyond Strength
• [48:35] - Relying on God Who Raises the Dead
• [51:33] - Faith as Ongoing Participation
• [53:38] - Created for Relationship with God
• [55:04] - The Serenity Prayer and Closing
• [59:27] - Communion and Response

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (ESV) — > For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, what was the purpose of the overwhelming hardship he and his companions faced?
2. In the sermon, what are the two steps from the 12 steps that were discussed, and how are they described? [[35:50]]
3. What does the pastor say is the difference between simply believing in God and having faith in God? [[44:28]]
4. What metaphor from music does the pastor use to describe the process of spiritual growth, and what does it mean? [[39:19]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul say that despairing of life itself was actually meant to teach him and his companions to rely on God rather than themselves? How does this relate to the idea of admitting powerlessness? [[48:35]]
2. The pastor mentions that faith is not just a one-time event but a continual journey. What does this mean for someone who feels stuck or like they’re not making progress? [[50:54]]
3. The sermon talks about generosity as moving from reluctant giving to joyful stewardship. What does it look like for someone to make that shift in their own life? [[32:39]]
4. How does the idea of “lingering in the pause” (the fermata) challenge our usual approach to spiritual growth or recovery? [[39:19]]

Application Questions

1. The first step in the 12 steps is admitting “I can’t.” Is there an area of your life right now where you feel powerless or out of control? What would it look like to honestly admit that to God or to someone you trust? [[36:29]]
2. The second step is coming to believe that God can restore us. Is there a specific situation where you need to move from just believing in God to actually trusting him with your struggle? What would that next step look like for you? [[44:28]]
3. The pastor described faith as something that should engage all our senses—a hunger, a thirst, a burning for God’s peace. When was the last time you felt that kind of longing for God? What might help you experience that again? [[37:54]]
4. The sermon encourages us not to rush through our spiritual journey but to “linger in the pause.” Are you in a season where you need to slow down and let God work, rather than pushing forward? How can you practice waiting on God this week? [[39:19]]
5. Generosity was described as a journey from reluctant giving to joyful stewardship. What is one practical way you can practice generosity this week, either with your time, resources, or encouragement? [[32:39]]
6. Paul says that God “raises the dead” and delivers us again and again. How does remembering God’s past faithfulness help you trust him with your current challenges? [[48:35]]
7. The pastor mentioned that faith is a gift and that we can pray for the grace to receive it. Is there an area where you need to ask God for more faith or trust? How can your group pray for you in this? [[54:26]]