Embracing God's Presence: Renewal Through Suffering and Community
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that God is intimately involved in our lives, especially in times of suffering and need. We began by acknowledging the presence of God in our lives, emphasizing that He is not distant but rather a close companion in our moments of grief and loss. This understanding calls us to be active participants in the lives of others, extending the same compassion and support that God offers us.
We delved into 2 Corinthians 5:17, which reminds us that in Christ, we are new creations. This transformation signifies the passing away of the old and the arrival of the new. It is a call to release the burdens of the past and embrace the newness that God offers. This year, we are invited to experience a divine reset, allowing God to restore our hope, renew our minds, and refresh our hearts.
The story of the shoe cleaner at the mall served as a metaphor for how God approaches us in our scuffed and messy states, offering restoration and renewal. Just as the shoe cleaner restores the appearance of shoes, God desires to restore our spirits, relationships, and mindsets. This year, we are encouraged to cast our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares deeply for us.
We also explored the importance of renewing our minds, as outlined in Philippians 4:8-13. Paul’s words remind us to focus on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy. This intentional focus helps us navigate both suffering and success with contentment and gratitude. We are called to shift our perspectives on suffering, recognizing it as a part of the journey, and to approach success with humility, remembering that all good things come from God.
As we move forward, let us embrace the opportunities for community and connection, recognizing that we are not meant to journey alone. Through life groups and fellowship, we can support one another and grow together in faith. Today is a day of salvation, a day to draw near to Jesus and experience the transformative power of His love and grace.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Intimate Presence: God is not distant from our suffering; He is intimately involved in our lives, offering comfort and support. We are called to extend this same compassion to others, being the hands and feet of Christ in times of need. [01:01:35]
2. Embracing Newness in Christ: In Christ, we are new creations, called to release the burdens of the past and embrace the newness God offers. This divine reset invites us to experience restoration, renewal, and refreshment in our spirits and lives. [01:19:00]
3. Renewing Our Minds: By focusing on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy, we can navigate both suffering and success with contentment and gratitude. This intentional mindset shift helps us see God’s hand in every season of life. [01:21:29]
4. Perspective on Suffering and Success: Suffering is an inevitable part of life, but God is with us through it all. Success should be met with humility, remembering that all good things come from God. Both experiences are opportunities for growth and reliance on Him. [01:23:42]
5. Community and Connection: We are not meant to journey alone. Engaging in community and life groups allows us to support one another and grow in faith together. Today is a day to draw near to Jesus and experience His transformative love. [01:35:54]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:01:35] - God's Intimate Presence
[01:19:00] - Embracing Newness in Christ
[01:21:29] - Renewing Our Minds
[01:23:42] - Perspective on Suffering and Success
[01:26:09] - Remembering God in Success
[01:35:54] - Community and Connection
[01:38:21] - Prayer of Salvation
[01:39:13] - Closing and Invitation to Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Philippians 4:8-13
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does it mean to be a new creation in Christ? How does this concept relate to the idea of a "divine reset" mentioned in the sermon? [01:01:35]
2. In Philippians 4:8-13, Paul lists several qualities to focus on. What are these qualities, and how do they help in renewing our minds? [01:21:29]
3. The sermon uses the metaphor of a shoe cleaner to describe God's work in our lives. How does this metaphor illustrate the process of restoration and renewal? [01:01:35]
4. What are the two dangers associated with success mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the warnings in Deuteronomy 8:11-19? [01:23:42]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being a new creation in Christ challenge individuals to release past burdens and embrace new opportunities? [01:19:00]
2. In what ways does focusing on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy help believers navigate both suffering and success? How might this focus change one's perspective on life's challenges? [01:21:29]
3. The sermon suggests that suffering and success are both opportunities for growth. How can believers practically shift their perspective to see these experiences as part of their spiritual journey? [01:23:42]
4. How does the idea of community and connection play a role in experiencing the transformative power of Jesus' love and grace? What are some practical ways to engage in community as suggested in the sermon? [01:35:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God during a period of suffering. How can you remind yourself of God's intimate presence in future difficult times? [01:01:35]
2. What past burdens are you holding onto that might be preventing you from embracing the newness in Christ? What steps can you take this week to release them? [01:19:00]
3. Identify one area of your life where your mindset needs renewal. What specific actions can you take to focus on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy in that area? [01:21:29]
4. Consider a recent success or achievement. How did you respond to it? What can you do to ensure that you remember God in your moments of success and avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-sufficiency? [01:23:42]
5. How can you actively participate in a life group or community to support others and grow in faith together? What barriers might you need to overcome to engage more fully in community life? [01:35:54]
6. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for growth and reliance on God? [01:23:42]
7. What specific prayer or practice can you incorporate into your daily routine to draw nearer to Jesus and experience His transformative love? [01:38:21]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: God's Intimate Presence in Our Suffering
In times of suffering and need, God is not a distant observer but an intimate companion. He walks with us through our grief and loss, offering comfort and support. This understanding calls us to be active participants in the lives of others, extending the same compassion and support that God offers us. We are encouraged to be the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out to those who are hurting and in need of love and care. [01:01:35]
Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
Reflection: Who in your life is currently experiencing suffering or loss? How can you be a source of God's comfort and support to them today?
Day 2: Embracing Newness in Christ
In Christ, we are new creations, called to release the burdens of the past and embrace the newness God offers. This transformation signifies the passing away of the old and the arrival of the new. It is a divine reset, inviting us to experience restoration, renewal, and refreshment in our spirits and lives. This year, we are encouraged to allow God to restore our hope, renew our minds, and refresh our hearts. [01:19:00]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What past burdens are you holding onto that God is inviting you to release? How can you embrace the newness He offers in your life today?
Day 3: Renewing Our Minds with Truth
Renewing our minds involves focusing on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy. This intentional mindset shift helps us navigate both suffering and success with contentment and gratitude. By aligning our thoughts with God's truth, we can see His hand in every season of life and maintain a perspective that honors Him. [01:21:29]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What thoughts or beliefs are currently shaping your mindset? How can you intentionally focus on what is true and praiseworthy today?
Day 4: Perspective on Suffering and Success
Suffering is an inevitable part of life, but God is with us through it all. Success should be met with humility, remembering that all good things come from God. Both experiences are opportunities for growth and reliance on Him. By shifting our perspectives, we can approach suffering with resilience and success with gratitude, recognizing God's presence in every circumstance. [01:23:42]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: How do you typically respond to suffering and success? What changes can you make to ensure that your responses reflect a reliance on God?
Day 5: Community and Connection in Faith
We are not meant to journey alone. Engaging in community and life groups allows us to support one another and grow in faith together. Today is a day to draw near to Jesus and experience His transformative love. Through fellowship, we can encourage each other, share our burdens, and celebrate our victories, knowing that we are stronger together. [01:35:54]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively engage in your faith community this week? What steps can you take to build deeper connections with others in your church or life group?
Quotes
"The old has passed away, and see, the new has come. Why don't you do me a favor, turn to your neighbor and say, neighbor, the old has passed away, the new has come. And the new has come. Amen. Father God, we thank you for your living and active word in this place, Lord, and we pray that this would go forth because your word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Pray fruitfulness in the ears, in the eyes, in the hearts of everybody here and everybody watching online." [00:56:46] (31 seconds)
"Amen, beloved. So the second way that the Lord wants to press reset for 2025 will be through the renewing of our mind this year. The renewing of our mind. Because God cares about what we think about and he also cares about how we think about the stuff we think about. He cares about what we think and how we think about it. Now, I want us to listen to the words of the apostle. Paul for a moment when Paul was in his first imprisonment in Rome he penned the words that we're about to read okay towards the end of the book of Philippians Paul writes this Philippians 4 8 through 13 finally brothers whatever is true whatever is honorable just pure lovely commendable if there is any excellence if there is anything worthy of praise think about these things." [01:09:52] (49 seconds)
"Paul says I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound Paul wasn't like I know how to abound and I know how to abound more he says I know how to be brought low and abound Paul was able to build up that perseverance muscle that endurance muscle how because he experienced different seasons as a follower of Jesus seasons of suffering seasons of success abundance and abasement highs and lows Paul knew what it was like to experience hunger pains but he also knew what it was like to be full whether it was Rice-A-Roni or Ruth's Chris Paul says I am content and let me tell you this year God will also strengthen our perseverance muscles he's going to strengthen our endurance muscles because he's going to lovingly and sovereignly allow us to be brought low and he's also going to allow us to experience abundance in other words this year we'll bring valley and mountaintop moments it's both and it's not either or and our ability to learn contentment will be found right here beloved in our mind and how we think about different seasons right he wants us to renew our mind and how we view suffering and success first let's talk about suffering since that's the uncomfortable one this year there already has been there will be some moments of turbulence all right John 1633 Jesus says I have told you these things so that in me says Jesus in me you may have peace you will have suffering in this world that's why I didn't say you're going to have peace in the world he said you're going to have peace in me you will have suffering in this world but be courageous exclamation point I have conquered the world one of the realities that's inevitable in in our life and all of our lives is that each of us will experience pain and loss the longer that we live even if we do everything right as followers of Jesus we take all of the Shiloh pathway classes right you're an excellent servant leader you're a Berean studying the scriptures you pursue peace with all people in holiness without which no one will see the Lord you pray for revival you keep Jesus at the center you're great at discipling others you're a great disciple yourself you seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness you could do all of those good things but you're not going to do those things this year but you can do all of that and you will still experience pain and loss because being a faithful follower of Jesus it does not exempt us from trials and tribulations right Jesus doesn't promise us that if we follow him life is going to be sweet he doesn't promise a cake walk he doesn't say you ain't going to go through things you're going to go through some stuff but I'm going to be with you every step of the way every step of the way so listen in those moments in 2025 where it feels like all hell is breaking loose right you feel betrayal if you experience betrayal or gossip or the loss of a loved one or the loss of a job the loss of a home if you feel abandoned alone if the money gets funny how many guys know that the money be getting funny sometimes if you don't okay praise God the money gets funny finances get tight if you experience any sort of dysfunction or drama with your family or you deal with any sort of health challenges or a family member that deals with it just remember Jesus is with you and he's really with you and the word of God describes Jesus as a man of sorrows he wasn't like happy-go-lucky Jesus all the time he was well acquainted with grief he understood" [01:09:52] (0 seconds)
"love what hebrews 4 15 and 16 says says we don't have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness but he was tempted in all points as we are yet he was without sin therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness let me remind you this year when all hell was breaking loose you could have the confidence to approach the lord with all of your heaviness and all of your burdens says let us approach the throne of grace with boldness so that we may receive mercy and grace and grace and grace and grace and grace and find grace to help in our time of need that is good news we serve a god we worship a god we believe in the god we follow a god that can sympathize with our weakness so let us approach him draw near to jesus this year in those times of pressure draw near to jesus in those times of stress beloved because he will provide what we need when we need it and also draw near to the people of god Because the people of God are the extension of who God is. The people of God are indwelt with the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead." [01:19:00] (74 seconds)
"Let's shift the way we think about suffering and adversity this year. I like what Peter says, 1 Peter 4 .12. He says, dear friends, don't be surprised at the trials you're going through. As if something strange were happening. Peter was like, this ain't strange. Strange. Turbulence, trials, adversity, they are part of the journey. Right? But they're not unusual. They are unpleasant. They are uncomfortable. They are unwelcomed. But they are not unusual. Right? They are part of the journey. But we can rest." [01:20:14] (36 seconds)
"Be careful that your heart doesn't become proud and that you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Out of the place of slavery. He led you through the great and terrible wilderness with his poisonous snakes and scorpions. A thirsty land where there was no water. He brought water out of the flint rock for you. He fed you in the wilderness with manna which your ancestors had not known. In order to humble and test you so that in the end he's the source. Right? He might cause you to prosper. Now 17, this is the temptation. This is why he's saying. Be careful when things are good. Be careful when you win, win, win no matter what. Because you may say to yourself, my power and my ability have gained this wealth for me." [01:23:42] (49 seconds)
"Now, in moments of crisis, what do we do? All of us have done this. In moments of crisis, we are quick to cry out to God. Amen. When, when things are going down, we cry out to God in crisis because we're desperate. We need a move of God. We need him to intervene. We need him to move. We need him to be on our behalf. But listen, when the crisis ends, when the weather changes, when the storm ain't a storm anymore and everything is calm, you know what can happen? It's very easy to fall into this spiritual cruise control." [01:24:40] (32 seconds)
"Less needy of God's peace. Less needy of God's provision. So the Lord is saying today, in 2025, when things are good, when things, when you experience wealth and prosperity and success, keep the same energy, Shiloh. When you experience abundance. When you experience abundance and open doors, remember the Lord, your God, that you were crying out to when all hell was breaking loose and the money was funny and things were tight." [01:25:32] (29 seconds)
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