Embracing God's Love: Readiness and Stewardship in Faith
Summary
In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound truth of God's creation and His unwavering love for us. We began by acknowledging the beauty of the world God has made and the redemption offered through Christ. The Holy Spirit is actively working in our lives, calling us to follow Jesus and reminding us of our identity as God's beloved children. We confessed our sins, recognizing our shortcomings and asking for God's forgiveness and cleansing, much like a refreshing shower after a long day. This cleansing allows us to walk in the right path, filled with the Holy Spirit's guidance and love.
We explored the parable of the servant who was left in charge while his master was away. This story serves as a reminder to keep our hearts and lives in order, ready for Christ's return. It's not about the physical cleanliness of our rooms but the state of our hearts—loving, forgiving, and kind. We are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, living in a way that honors Him and prepares us for His return.
We delved into the grand narrative of God's master plan, from creation to the promise of a Savior. Despite humanity's fall, God pursued us, offering hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. The promises made to Abraham, Moses, and David were fulfilled in Jesus, who came to establish a new covenant and offer eternal life to all who believe. Jesus' resurrection is the assurance of this promise, and we are called to share this good news with the world.
As we wait for Christ's return, we are encouraged to be faithful stewards, wise servants, and to maintain a deep, intimate relationship with God. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, allowing His presence to transform us and guide us in our daily lives. Our actions, no matter how small, are significant in God's eyes and will be rewarded. We are reminded that our ultimate home is with God, where there will be no more darkness, only light and joy.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Confession and Cleansing: Confessing our sins is like taking a refreshing shower after a long day. It cleanses us and allows God's grace to wash over us, preparing us to walk in righteousness. This act of confession is a reminder of God's faithfulness to forgive and renew us. [12:36]
2. Readiness for Christ's Return: The parable of the servant teaches us to keep our hearts and lives in order, ready for Christ's return. It's not about physical cleanliness but the state of our hearts—loving, forgiving, and kind. Our actions today have eternal significance. [15:05]
3. God's Unwavering Pursuit: Despite humanity's fall, God has never given up on us. He has pursued us through history, offering redemption and hope through Jesus Christ. This relentless pursuit is a testament to His love and desire for a restored relationship with us. [22:24]
4. Living in the Spirit: Being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential as we wait for Christ's return. This involves cultivating a deep, intimate relationship with God, allowing His presence to transform us and guide us in our daily lives. [36:40]
5. The Significance of Our Actions: Every action, no matter how small, is significant in God's eyes and will be rewarded. Our faithfulness in stewarding what God has entrusted to us prepares us for the day when we will be with Him in our eternal home. [45:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [09:28] - Opening Prayer and Confession
- [12:36] - The Refreshment of Confession
- [15:05] - Parable of the Servant
- [18:20] - God's Master Plan
- [21:31] - The Fall and God's Pursuit
- [23:03] - Promises to Abraham and Moses
- [25:28] - Fulfillment in Jesus
- [27:07] - Resurrection and New Creation
- [28:41] - The Great Commission
- [30:34] - Waiting for Christ's Return
- [33:29] - Parables of Readiness
- [36:40] - Living in the Spirit
- [39:18] - Stewardship and God's Agenda
- [42:39] - The Promise of Reward
- [45:46] - Encouragement and Final Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 12:35-40 - The Parable of the Faithful Servant
2. Genesis 1:31 - God's Creation and Declaration of Goodness
3. Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the servant, what actions did the servant take while the master was away, and what was the master's reaction upon his return? [15:05]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of confession and cleansing, and what metaphor is used to illustrate this? [12:36]
3. What are some of the promises God made to figures like Abraham, Moses, and David, and how were these fulfilled in Jesus according to the sermon? [23:03]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the lives of believers as they wait for Christ's return, according to the sermon? [36:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parable of the servant challenge believers to examine the state of their hearts and lives in preparation for Christ's return? [15:05]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of small actions in the eyes of God, and how might this influence a believer's daily life? [45:46]
3. In what ways does the sermon illustrate God's unwavering pursuit of humanity, and how does this reflect His character? [22:24]
4. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, and what impact does this have on their relationship with God? [36:40]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel the need for confession and cleansing? How can you incorporate regular confession into your spiritual practice? [12:36]
2. Consider the parable of the servant: What steps can you take to ensure your heart and life are in order, ready for Christ's return? [15:05]
3. Think about God's promises and their fulfillment in Jesus: How does this assurance of God's faithfulness impact your trust in Him during difficult times? [23:03]
4. As you wait for Christ's return, how can you actively cultivate a deeper relationship with God and be filled with the Holy Spirit? What practices can help you in this journey? [36:40]
5. Identify a small action you can take this week that aligns with God's agenda and reflects His love to others. How can you be intentional about this action? [45:46]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt God's pursuit in your life. How did this experience shape your understanding of His love and commitment to you? [22:24]
7. How can you be a faithful steward of the resources and responsibilities God has entrusted to you? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with His will? [39:18]
Devotional
Day 1: The Refreshing Power of Confession
Confession is a spiritual cleansing that renews our hearts and minds. When we confess our sins, we open ourselves to God's grace, allowing Him to wash over us and prepare us to walk in righteousness. This act of confession is not just about admitting our wrongs but about experiencing the refreshing renewal that comes from God's forgiveness. It is a reminder of His faithfulness to forgive and renew us, much like a refreshing shower after a long day. Embracing this practice helps us to align our lives with God's will and to live in the freedom of His grace. [12:36]
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one sin or burden you need to confess to God today? How can you create a regular practice of confession in your life?
Day 2: Preparing Our Hearts for Christ's Return
The parable of the servant left in charge while his master is away teaches us the importance of readiness for Christ's return. This readiness is not about the physical cleanliness of our surroundings but the state of our hearts. We are called to be loving, forgiving, and kind, keeping our hearts and lives in order. Our actions today have eternal significance, and we are to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. By living in a way that honors Him, we prepare ourselves for His return and the fulfillment of His promises. [15:05]
"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you prepare your heart and life for Christ's return today? What specific actions can you take to be a good steward of what God has entrusted to you?
Day 3: God's Relentless Pursuit of Humanity
Despite humanity's fall, God has never given up on us. Throughout history, He has pursued us, offering redemption and hope through Jesus Christ. This relentless pursuit is a testament to His unwavering love and desire for a restored relationship with us. From the promises made to Abraham, Moses, and David, to their fulfillment in Jesus, God has shown His commitment to humanity. Jesus' resurrection is the assurance of this promise, and we are called to share this good news with the world. [22:24]
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)
Reflection: How have you experienced God's pursuit in your own life? Who in your life needs to hear about God's relentless love and pursuit, and how can you share this with them today?
Day 4: Living in the Spirit's Transformative Presence
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential as we wait for Christ's return. This involves cultivating a deep, intimate relationship with God, allowing His presence to transform us and guide us in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit actively works in us, calling us to follow Jesus and reminding us of our identity as God's beloved children. By living in the Spirit, we are empowered to live out our faith and to be a light in the world. [36:40]
"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." (John 14:26, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit? How can you allow His presence to guide and transform your daily life?
Day 5: The Eternal Significance of Our Actions
Every action, no matter how small, is significant in God's eyes and will be rewarded. Our faithfulness in stewarding what God has entrusted to us prepares us for the day when we will be with Him in our eternal home. As we wait for Christ's return, we are encouraged to be faithful stewards and wise servants, maintaining a deep relationship with God. Our ultimate home is with Him, where there will be no more darkness, only light and joy. [45:46]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What small actions can you take today that have eternal significance? How can you be a faithful steward of what God has entrusted to you in your daily life?
Quotes
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of this day just as snow covers and makes everything seem new. We thank you for your Holy Spirit that covers us and fills us. Giving us strength and courage, light and love, wisdom, comfort. Reminding us that we are yours, sons and daughters adopted through faith in Christ. That nothing can separate us from your love, not even the coldness of a world. Your love can penetrate deep, reminding us that we are yours today and forever. Father, we pray that your Holy Spirit would come and work through this service, and fill us afresh. [00:11:06] (48 seconds)
Please join with me as we confess our sins together. Merciful God, you call us to the fullness of life, but we confess our shortcomings. We have wandered from your ways and wasted your gifts. We have ignored your grace at work among us. And focused on loss and complaints. We have been suspicious of the motives of others, too quick to judge, and too slow to forgive. Give us the courage to see clearly who and what we are. forgiveness, cleanse us from all our faults and failings, and inspire us to walk a new way. Amen. [00:11:59] (48 seconds)
I love praying the prayer of confession. It's like for me going into a shower after a long workout, and you can feel the refreshment of God's grace. And that's the promise that if we are faithful, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us and to make us right again. And so may he do that for you. May his Holy Spirit wash over you, cleansing you, and then within your soul, helping you to walk down the right path. Amen. [00:12:48] (33 seconds)
There was no execution. There's none of that happened, but what happened, and he was not happy, but Jesus was saying, listen, he told the story, he said, listen, you want to be like a wise master and make sure that not your room, I don't think he was really talking about your room, but he was talking about like inside our hearts, like that we're to kind of make sure that we love people, that we forgive people, that we're kind to people, because sometimes, because he wants, when he comes back, he wants to be able to give us a good reward, and so he's saying that what we do now matters and that we try and keep things good, so when he comes back, everything's going to be right. [00:17:49] (49 seconds)
And yet, through it all, the scripture says that God did not give up, that God pursued us. God was looking for a way to bring us back into partnership, looking for a way so that things could be made very good again. But it was just God's will helped him. He showed up in a man named John. find ourselves back in the garden. Sin could be dealt with. Our death could be swallowed up. Our hearts could be made good. And yet, how could this ever be? [00:22:30] (33 seconds)
In fact, Jesus would raise from the dead as a mark that the deal had been ratified, that our sin debt had been covered, and Jesus began to display this new body, this body. This body that could walk through walls, this body that could eat fish. He began to show us that he is the new Adam, the new creation, the first Adam, the firstborn, and that all that would put their faith in him could be saved. [00:27:26] (34 seconds)
And the ones that did put their trust in Jesus, this king of kings, the one who would have the forever throne, would be forgiven and be part of their family. And as a sign of that, they're to be baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. They're to get Jesus' jersey upon them and part of Jesus' team. And as they joined the family, then Jesus' team was to teach them to obey all that Jesus commanded, the principles of this new kingdom, forgiveness, love, compassion, overcoming evil with good. [00:28:53] (34 seconds)
And Jesus is trying to say that while we're waiting, that we have to make sure that we're full of his spirit, that the Holy Spirit is our oil. And the way... He gives us a clue on how to be full of the Holy Spirit. He says that when we... When we know him, we will be full of his spirit. And you know that to be true, don't you? That when you know Jesus, when you come to your quiet place, or maybe even your very dark place, the places where you come and you really need Jesus in your life, and you long for him, and there's something that happens. His very presence comes. [00:35:39] (47 seconds)
So he says, while you're waiting, be a good steward. Be wise, put all of the assignments that you have, but also be in relationship with me. Fill your heart up with me, so full of me and my love for you that you're light in a world that's dark and you're salt in a world that's decaying. Third thing he says as we wait for his return is to be about his agenda. He shares a story about some men, three servants, and he's going away, this very wealthy man's going away, and he says, okay, you three guys, I got a little job for you. [00:37:08] (51 seconds)
And he's saying, I have an agenda for you. And if you can just be about my agenda, things will go well for you while you're waiting. So, that's what Jesus is wanting his church to do while we're waiting for his return. He's wanting us to be like the one who's stewarding well. He's wise and he's looking over all the responsibilities he has. So when the Lord comes back, he'll be pleased. He's full of, he knows the Lord, that we know the Lord. That we're having time with him. Real time. Intimate time. Like a good friend. [00:41:00] (54 seconds)
And that there's an agenda. An agenda, his agenda. It may not be our agenda, but it's his. He wants us to be about advancing his kingdom while we're on earth. This church would function and thrive as best as we can. As we proclaim the gospel. As we baptize and as we help people grow. We're waiting. We're waiting for him to come back. And one day he will come back. [00:42:25] (36 seconds)
And so he's warning us, because there's going to be a day when we stand before him, and I want to say, I want your reward to be great. I want you to get the very best condo, so when I visit you, I can say, whoa, I wish I was, Bev knows everyone in the whole of Caledonia. And I know, Bev, your reward is going to be just tremendous. You love people. You care for people. You do it when no one's looking. You're always kind. [00:46:25] (28 seconds)
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