Embracing God's Newness Through Community and Praise
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to engage deeply with God's Word in a participatory manner, focusing on transparency and community. We began by reflecting on the obstacles that hinder our relationship with Jesus, such as worry, physical pain, and emotional confusion. We were reminded that Jesus meets us where we are, accepting us fully. We then delved into Isaiah 43:18-21, which speaks of God creating something new and providing for His chosen people. This passage encouraged us to let go of the past and embrace the new things God is doing in our lives.
We also explored Psalm 103, which calls us to praise the Lord with our whole being. This Psalm highlights God's forgiveness, healing, redemption, and compassion. It reminds us that God does not deal harshly with us as we deserve but instead crowns us with love and tender mercies. We discussed what it means to praise the Lord in our daily lives, emphasizing repentance, thankfulness, and remembrance of God's goodness.
Throughout our time together, we shared personal experiences and reflections, encouraging one another to see God's hand in our lives. We were reminded that God is always working on our behalf, even when we don't see the full picture. As we concluded, we were encouraged to share the truths we've learned with others and to trust in God's provision and love.
### Key Takeaways
1. Transparency in Community: Being transparent about our struggles allows us to experience God's work in our lives more profoundly. When we share our real issues, we invite not only God's intervention but also the support and prayers of our community. This collective participation strengthens our faith and fosters a deeper connection with God and each other. [20:55]
2. Embracing the New: Isaiah 43:18-21 encourages us to forget the past and recognize the new things God is doing. This passage reminds us that God is always at work, creating new paths and providing for us in unexpected ways. Embracing this truth helps us to let go of past hurts and failures, allowing us to fully enjoy the present with Jesus. [28:32]
3. The Power of Praise: Psalm 103 calls us to praise the Lord with our whole being, highlighting God's forgiveness, healing, and compassion. Praising God involves repentance, thankfulness, and remembrance of His goodness. This practice not only honors God but also transforms our hearts, aligning us more closely with His will. [34:53]
4. God's Unfailing Love: The Psalm emphasizes that God's love is as vast as the heavens and that He does not punish us as we deserve. This profound truth reassures us of God's unwavering commitment to us, even in our weaknesses. It encourages us to trust in His mercy and to live confidently in His grace. [35:59]
5. Sharing God's Truth: We are called to share the truths we've learned with others, spreading the hope and love of Christ. This act of sharing not only blesses others but also reinforces our own faith. By being conduits of God's Word, we participate in His mission to transform lives and bring people closer to Him. [01:03:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:55] - Transparency in Community
[22:33] - Jesus Meets Us Where We Are
[23:18] - Reflecting on Obstacles
[27:57] - Isaiah 43:18-21
[30:00] - Sharing God's Help
[33:09] - Reflecting and Rejoicing
[34:53] - Psalm 103
[40:43] - What Does It Mean to Praise God?
[45:12] - God's Forgiveness and Healing
[48:08] - Discussing God's Character
[54:30] - What Does This Tell Us About Us?
[57:43] - Trusting in God's Plan
[01:01:13] - Conviction and Encouragement
[01:03:57] - Sharing God's Truth
[01:06:00] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 43:18-21
- Psalm 103
### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the obstacles mentioned in the sermon that can hinder our relationship with Jesus? ([23:18])
2. According to Isaiah 43:18-21, what new things is God creating, and how does He provide for His chosen people?
3. In Psalm 103, what are the specific attributes of God that David praises? ([34:53])
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of being transparent about our struggles within the community? ([20:55])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "forgetting the past" in Isaiah 43:18-21 apply to personal experiences of failure or hurt? ([28:32])
2. What does it mean to praise the Lord with our whole being, as described in Psalm 103? How can this be practically implemented in daily life? ([34:53])
3. The sermon mentions that God meets us where we are and accepts us fully. How does this understanding affect our approach to prayer and community sharing? ([22:33])
4. How does the sermon’s emphasis on God's unfailing love and mercy in Psalm 103 encourage us to trust in His provision and grace? ([35:59])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a specific obstacle that is currently hindering your relationship with Jesus. How can you address this obstacle in the coming week? ([23:18])
2. Isaiah 43:18-21 speaks about God creating something new. What is one area of your life where you need to let go of the past and embrace the new things God is doing? ([28:32])
3. Psalm 103 calls us to praise the Lord with our whole being. Identify one practical way you can incorporate praise into your daily routine this week. ([34:53])
4. The sermon highlights the importance of transparency in community. Is there a struggle you have been keeping to yourself that you could share with a trusted friend or small group for prayer and support? ([20:55])
5. How can you remind yourself of God's forgiveness, healing, and compassion as described in Psalm 103 during moments of doubt or discouragement? ([34:53])
6. Think of a person in your life who needs to hear the truths you’ve learned from this sermon. How can you share these truths with them in a loving and encouraging way? ([01:03:57])
7. The sermon encourages us to trust in God's provision and love. What is one specific area where you need to trust God more, and what steps can you take to grow in that trust this week? ([35:59])
Devotional
### Day 1: Transparency in Community
Description: Transparency in community is essential for spiritual growth and deeper connections with God and others. When we openly share our struggles, we invite God's intervention and the support of our community. This collective participation strengthens our faith and fosters a deeper connection with God and each other. By being transparent, we allow others to see God's work in our lives, which can be a powerful testimony of His grace and love. [20:55]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a struggle you are currently facing. Can you share this with a trusted friend or community member and ask for their prayers and support today?
### Day 2: Embracing the New
Description: Isaiah 43:18-21 encourages us to forget the past and recognize the new things God is doing. This passage reminds us that God is always at work, creating new paths and providing for us in unexpected ways. Embracing this truth helps us to let go of past hurts and failures, allowing us to fully enjoy the present with Jesus. By focusing on the new things God is doing, we can experience His provision and love in fresh and transformative ways. [28:32]
Bible Passage: "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one past hurt or failure that you need to let go of? How can you embrace the new things God is doing in your life today?
### Day 3: The Power of Praise
Description: Psalm 103 calls us to praise the Lord with our whole being, highlighting God's forgiveness, healing, and compassion. Praising God involves repentance, thankfulness, and remembrance of His goodness. This practice not only honors God but also transforms our hearts, aligning us more closely with His will. By making praise a daily habit, we can cultivate a heart of gratitude and deepen our relationship with God. [34:53]
Bible Passage: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases." (Psalm 103:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine? What are three specific things you can thank God for today?
### Day 4: God's Unfailing Love
Description: The Psalm emphasizes that God's love is as vast as the heavens and that He does not punish us as we deserve. This profound truth reassures us of God's unwavering commitment to us, even in our weaknesses. It encourages us to trust in His mercy and to live confidently in His grace. Understanding God's unfailing love can transform our perspective and help us to live with greater peace and assurance. [35:59]
Bible Passage: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How does knowing His love is unfailing and vast change your perspective on that situation?
### Day 5: Sharing God's Truth
Description: We are called to share the truths we've learned with others, spreading the hope and love of Christ. This act of sharing not only blesses others but also reinforces our own faith. By being conduits of God's Word, we participate in His mission to transform lives and bring people closer to Him. Sharing God's truth can be a powerful way to witness His love and grace to those around us. [01:03:57]
Bible Passage: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that needs to hear about God's love and truth? How can you share a specific truth you've learned this week with them today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "For some reason, beyond our wisdom, He created us to be together. And that's why when we participate in this together, awesome occurs. So, just be prepared. Are you guys ready for something awesome to happen in your faith life? Yeah? Hey, when two or three are gathered, the power of the Lord is here because the Son is here. Jesus is here." [22:01] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagles. The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly." [35:21] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all of our sins. He does not deal harshly with us as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens, above the earth." [35:59] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So if there's someone in your life that could you not say that you got this, because guess what? Just in receiving and self together, because no one knows what you know, you're that that's why we do the biggest gifts you can see is some way. Of course not. So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gifts?" [01:04:57] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So when you praise, what does it mean to praise God? What does it look like? Talk about that at your tables. What does it look like to praise the Lord in your life? What does it look like? Okay, maybe you shared a little bit. If you're comfortable, we're gonna hear it right now. Here we go. This says this about praising the Lord." [40:43] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So, the more transparent you can be, know that the Lord is working in that transparency. So, when you share real things, that's what I mean about transparency. If you share something real, so if there's something that you're struggling with and you go, this is real, I'm really struggling with this, there's something awesome that the Lord does." [20:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So, for one of you, it could be, I'm thinking so much about Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday right now. I can't even be in the present with Jesus right now, even though he's right at your table. Right at your table. Right at your table. Even though you don't have chairs, he's right at your table. So, that could be one thing. Could be, you're in pain physically. So, you're trying to listen to me, but you're, it's kind of monotone. You're listening to something that you're like, wah, wah, wah, wah, because all you're going is, oh, my back hurts." [23:59] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So, what we're doing right now is we're taking a moment, and we're saying this one thing. It's really in the way. Every time I try to enjoy Jesus, I go back to this. All right, let's listen to God's word to you. Isaiah 43, 18 through 21. Listen to these words. Forget what happened long ago. Don't think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is. Do you see it? I have put roads and deserts, streams, streams and thirsty lands. Every wild animal honors me, even jackals and owls. I provide water and deserts, streams and thirsty lands for my chosen people." [27:57] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So when you get personal and go, well, what does it really mean? Well, I think, repeat it. Repentance is part of it. It's remembrance. It's being thankful. It's being thankful about simple things like opening your eyes in the morning and knowing the Lord has given you a new day. Those are all contributors to praising the Lord. So we gotta praise the Lord." [44:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So what is the first thing that this tells us about God? We've talked about a little bit cause I hit a couple of things, but what else in the Psalm does this tell us about God? Go ahead and talk about this at your tables and then we'll round it up all together. You got like two minutes, maybe. So talk fast. It's okay. He does everything he can to show us that he." [48:08] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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