Embracing God's Love and Trust for the New Year

 

Summary

As we gather on this final Sunday of the year, we reflect on the past and look forward to the future with hope and anticipation. This morning, we introduced our new memory verse from Deuteronomy 6:5-6, which calls us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and might. This passage, known as the Shema, is a cornerstone of faith, reminding us of our identity and purpose as followers of God. As we move into the new year, we are encouraged to memorize these verses and let them guide our lives.

Reflecting on the past year, we have witnessed God's faithfulness and power in our church community. We have seen lives transformed, prayers answered, and the gospel message continue to change hearts. As we enter 2025, we are called to continue advancing the gospel and being a light in our community and the world. Our mission remains to be a church without walls, delivering the gospel, discipling believers, and deploying each other for God's glory.

Looking ahead, we are reminded that our love for God should propel us to trust Him fully. Trusting God involves digging into His Word, allowing it to shape and transform us. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we grow in our knowledge and love for God, which in turn strengthens our trust in Him. This year, we will focus on topics such as spiritual disciplines, family, mental health, and more, all aimed at deepening our love and trust in God.

As we reflect on God's work in our lives and anticipate what He will do in the coming year, let us commit to being active participants in His mission. Let us love God with all our heart, soul, and might, and trust Him with our lives. May we be vessels for His glory, advancing His kingdom and making His name known.

Key Takeaways:

1. Reflecting on God's Faithfulness: Reflecting on God's past work in our lives rekindles our love for Him and reminds us of His faithfulness. By looking back, we can see how God has transformed us and answered prayers, which strengthens our trust in Him. [47:34]

2. Loving God with All Our Being: Loving God with all our heart, soul, and might involves every part of our being. It requires us to reflect on His work in our lives and look forward to His plans for us. This love is not passive but active, driving us to live out our faith. [44:21]

3. Trusting God Through His Word: Trusting God begins with digging into His Word, which reveals His character and promises. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we grow in our knowledge and love for God, which strengthens our trust in Him. [01:03:41]

4. Being a Church Without Walls: Our mission is to be a church without walls, delivering the gospel, discipling believers, and deploying each other for God's glory. This requires us to be active participants in God's mission, using our gifts and resources to advance His kingdom. [56:58]

5. The Power of God's Word: God's Word is powerful and transformative. It shapes us, encourages us, and motivates us to live for His glory. As we place His Word on our hearts, it flows out of us, impacting those around us and advancing His kingdom. [01:12:49]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:20] - Praise and Prayer Updates
[20:40] - Prayers for Jay and Cal
[23:07] - Praying for Chris and Marissa
[35:19] - Reflecting on 2024
[38:55] - Mission and Vision for 2025
[40:30] - Preaching Plan for the Year
[44:21] - Loving God with All Our Being
[47:34] - Reflecting on God's Faithfulness
[53:26] - Church Goals and Achievements
[55:49] - Looking Ahead with Purpose
[58:03] - Being Active Vessels for God
[01:03:41] - Trusting God Through His Word
[01:12:49] - The Power of God's Word
[01:19:56] - Responding to God's Call
[01:24:56] - New Member Introduction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Deuteronomy 6:5-6

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:5-6, and how does it define the identity and purpose of the Israelites? [35:19]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between reflecting on God's past work and rekindling our love for Him? [47:34]

3. What are some specific ways mentioned in the sermon that the church has witnessed God's faithfulness over the past year? [53:26]

4. According to the sermon, what role does God's Word play in shaping and transforming believers? [01:12:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the command to love God with all our heart, soul, and might challenge the way we live our daily lives? [44:21]

2. In what ways does reflecting on God's past work in our lives strengthen our trust in Him? [47:34]

3. What does it mean to be a "church without walls," and how can this concept be applied to individual believers? [56:58]

4. How does the sermon suggest that immersing ourselves in Scripture can lead to a deeper trust in God? [01:03:41]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a specific instance in the past year where you have seen God's faithfulness in your life. How did this experience impact your relationship with Him? [47:34]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our being. What practical steps can you take this week to actively demonstrate your love for God in your daily routine? [44:21]

3. Consider the idea of being a "church without walls." How can you personally contribute to advancing the gospel in your community or workplace? [56:58]

4. The sermon highlights the power of God's Word. What is one specific way you can incorporate more Scripture reading into your daily life to strengthen your trust in God? [01:12:49]

5. Reflect on the upcoming year and identify one spiritual discipline you want to focus on. How can you create a plan to incorporate this discipline into your life consistently? [40:30]

6. The sermon mentions the importance of accountability in spiritual growth. Who can you partner with to hold each other accountable in your walk with God, and what will that accountability look like? [01:07:24]

7. Think about a person in your life who may not know Christ. How can you intentionally engage them in a spiritual conversation or invite them to church this week? [01:00:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting on God's Transformative Faithfulness
Reflecting on God's past work in our lives rekindles our love for Him and reminds us of His faithfulness. By looking back, we can see how God has transformed us and answered prayers, which strengthens our trust in Him. This reflection is not merely an exercise in nostalgia but a powerful reminder of God's active presence in our lives. As we recall the moments when God intervened, provided, and guided us, we are encouraged to trust Him more deeply in the present and future. [47:34]

Deuteronomy 4:9 (ESV): "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children."

Reflection: Think of a specific instance in the past year where you witnessed God's faithfulness. How can you share this testimony with someone in your life this week?


Day 2: Loving God with Our Entire Being
Loving God with all our heart, soul, and might involves every part of our being. It requires us to reflect on His work in our lives and look forward to His plans for us. This love is not passive but active, driving us to live out our faith. It calls us to engage with God in every aspect of our lives, allowing His love to transform our actions, thoughts, and relationships. As we love God fully, we become more aligned with His will and purpose for our lives. [44:21]

Mark 12:30 (ESV): "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel you are not fully loving God. What practical steps can you take this week to change that?


Day 3: Trusting God Through His Word
Trusting God begins with digging into His Word, which reveals His character and promises. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we grow in our knowledge and love for God, which strengthens our trust in Him. The Bible is not just a book of rules or stories; it is a living document that speaks to us, guides us, and transforms us. By spending time in God's Word, we allow it to shape our thoughts, actions, and beliefs, leading us to a deeper trust in God's plan for our lives. [01:03:41]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Reflection: Choose a specific passage of Scripture to meditate on this week. How can this passage guide you in a current decision or challenge you are facing?


Day 4: Being a Church Without Walls
Our mission is to be a church without walls, delivering the gospel, discipling believers, and deploying each other for God's glory. This requires us to be active participants in God's mission, using our gifts and resources to advance His kingdom. Being a church without walls means reaching beyond our comfort zones and traditional boundaries to impact the world around us. It involves being intentional about sharing the gospel and living out our faith in tangible ways that reflect God's love and truth. [56:58]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: What is one way you can be a light in your community this week? Consider a specific action or initiative you can take to share God's love with others.


Day 5: The Power of God's Word
God's Word is powerful and transformative. It shapes us, encourages us, and motivates us to live for His glory. As we place His Word on our hearts, it flows out of us, impacting those around us and advancing His kingdom. The Bible is not just a source of knowledge but a catalyst for change in our lives and the lives of others. By allowing God's Word to dwell richly in us, we become vessels of His truth and love, influencing the world for His glory. [01:12:49]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: Reflect on how God's Word has transformed you in the past. How can you intentionally share this transformative power with someone in your life this week?

Quotes



As we go to the Lord, just praise him for the work that he's doing in and through our church. Also, just some updates. Jay, he's coming home today. At least that's the plan. As long as nothing changes, we were able to get the ramp done. So thank you to all those that gave. And of course, the men that have been out the last couple of weekends to make that possible. [00:20:15] (25 seconds)


And so that's our mission statement, who we want to be. But we also set a vision statement, how we're going to get there. And what we said, we are going to deliver the message of the gospel to those that need to hear it. We said we're going to disciple those that God brings to FBC. And we said we're going to deploy each other out all for the glory of God. Deliver, disciple, deploy. [00:38:36] (23 seconds)


We're called to love God. And listen, we're called to trust God. It's pretty simple. The Bible actually lays out what what it looks like to do that. And over the course of this next year, if you grab the bulletin, you'll see a preaching plan in there. Over the course of the next year, we're going to talk about some things that the Bible calls us to when it comes to loving God and trusting God. [00:39:22] (21 seconds)


God's demonstrating to us from the very beginning, from the very first and second chapters of the Bible, what it looks like. God's demonstrating to us from the very beginning, from the very first and second chapters of the Bible, what it looks like for us to bring him glory. It's to reflect on his work. [00:48:32] (13 seconds)


Because as we dig into his word, as we place his words on our heart, those words, they begin to transform us. We begin to act out in ways that demonstrate God's great love for us. Listen, I might not always feel like reading God's word. I might not always be in the right mood to read it. I may be too busy to read it. But the reasons I push myself to do it, it's because I have witnessed time and time again throughout my walk. I've witnessed the power of God's word. [01:14:19] (30 seconds)


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Transcript
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