Embracing God's Purpose: Rest, Victory, and Relationship
Summary
### Summary
Today, we concluded our three-part series by delving into the concept of purpose, but from a different angle. Instead of focusing on our individual purposes, we explored God's purpose. Often, we are consumed with questions about our own purpose, leading to anxiety and regret. However, the real question we should be asking is, "What is God's purpose?" God's purpose is to solve the problem of separation between Him and us, a problem He addressed through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is not just about solving our sin problem; it’s about God’s desire to be closer to us.
We discussed how God’s purpose is to bring us into a restful relationship with Him. This rest is not about physical inactivity but about being in His presence, which fills us up and gives us peace. We often complicate our relationship with God by thinking we need to perform or be perfect. However, God’s standard is Jesus, and He has already done the work. Our role is to simply be in His presence and worship Him.
We also examined the story of David and Goliath, highlighting that we are not David in this story; Jesus is. Jesus has already defeated the enemy, and our role is to live in the victory He has won for us. This means living in a state of fullness and rest, not striving for perfection but operating from a place of being filled by God’s presence.
Finally, we touched on the concept of God’s economy, which is centered around us. God’s will is what He wants, and His eternal purpose is to have a relationship with us. When we understand this, we can better share His love and grace with others, fulfilling His purpose by giving away what we have received from Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. God’s Purpose Over Our Purpose: Instead of constantly seeking our own purpose, we should focus on understanding God's purpose. His purpose is to solve the problem of separation between Him and us, which He accomplished through Jesus Christ. This shift in focus can bring clarity and peace to our lives. [04:34]
2. Rest in God’s Presence: True rest comes from being in God's presence, not from physical inactivity or vacations. When we are filled with His presence, we operate from a place of fullness rather than striving for fullness. This rest is available to us at any moment, simply by turning our hearts to Him. [10:20]
3. Jesus Has Defeated the Enemy: In the story of David and Goliath, Jesus is the true David who has already defeated the enemy. Our role is not to strive to be the hero but to live in the victory that Jesus has won for us. This means embracing a life of worship and surrender, knowing that the battle is already won. [25:11]
4. God’s Economy is Centered on Us: God’s eternal purpose and His economy revolve around us. His will is what He desires, and His plan is to have a relationship with us. When we understand this, we can better share His love and grace with others, fulfilling His purpose by giving away what we have received from Him. [29:28]
5. Living in Fullness and Sharing It: We are called to live in a constant state of fullness by being in God’s presence. This fullness allows us to share His love, grace, and wisdom with others. When we give away what we have received from God, He blesses us with even more, creating a cycle of blessing and growth. [31:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Awakening to God's Love
[02:12] - The Importance of Experiences
[03:13] - Understanding Purpose
[04:34] - God's Purpose vs. Our Purpose
[06:02] - The Problem Easter Solves
[07:38] - Rest in God's Presence
[09:31] - The Journey to God
[10:20] - Operating from Fullness
[12:33] - Perfection and God's Standard
[14:44] - Peace with God and Sin
[20:17] - The Story of David and Goliath
[25:11] - Jesus as the True David
[29:28] - God's Economy and Eternal Purpose
[31:54] - Living in Fullness and Sharing It
[36:30] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 3:3 - "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'"
2. Matthew 11:28-30 - "'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'"
3. 1 Samuel 17:4-7, 47 - "A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him... All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say is necessary to see the kingdom of God in John 3:3?
2. According to Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus promise to those who come to Him?
3. Describe the physical attributes and armor of Goliath as mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:4-7.
4. In 1 Samuel 17:47, what does David declare about the battle against Goliath? [22:39]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "born again" in John 3:3 relate to the idea of dethroning past experiences with a new experience in Christ? [02:12]
2. What does it mean to find rest in Jesus according to Matthew 11:28-30, and how does this contrast with the world's idea of rest? [07:38]
3. In the story of David and Goliath, how does David's declaration in 1 Samuel 17:47 reflect the sermon’s message that Jesus has already defeated the enemy for us? [25:11]
4. How does understanding God's purpose, as discussed in the sermon, change the way we view our own purpose and actions? [04:34]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were focused on finding your own purpose. How did it affect your peace and anxiety levels? How might focusing on God's purpose change that? [04:34]
2. What are some practical ways you can turn your heart to God and find rest in His presence during your daily routine? [10:20]
3. How can you live in the victory that Jesus has already won for you, rather than striving to be the hero in your own story? [25:11]
4. Think of a situation where you felt the need to perform or be perfect in your relationship with God. How can you shift your mindset to simply being in His presence and worshiping Him? [12:33]
5. How can you better share God's love and grace with others, understanding that His economy is centered around us? [29:28]
6. Identify one person in your life who needs to experience the fullness of God's presence. What specific action can you take this week to share His love and grace with them? [31:54]
7. Reflect on the idea that God’s will is simply what He wants. How can this understanding help you align your daily decisions and actions with His eternal purpose? [28:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Shifting Focus to God's Purpose
God’s purpose is to solve the problem of separation between Him and us, which He accomplished through Jesus Christ. Often, we are consumed with questions about our own purpose, leading to anxiety and regret. However, the real question we should be asking is, "What is God's purpose?" This shift in focus can bring clarity and peace to our lives. When we understand that God's purpose is to bring us into a restful relationship with Him, we can let go of the pressure to find our own purpose and instead rest in His plan.
God’s purpose is not just about solving our sin problem; it’s about His desire to be closer to us. Easter is a powerful reminder of this, as it signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which bridges the gap between God and humanity. By focusing on God's purpose, we can find peace and clarity, knowing that He has already done the work to bring us closer to Him. [04:34]
Ephesians 1:9-10 (ESV): "Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking your own purpose to understanding and embracing God's purpose for your life today?
Day 2: Finding True Rest in God's Presence
True rest comes from being in God's presence, not from physical inactivity or vacations. When we are filled with His presence, we operate from a place of fullness rather than striving for fullness. This rest is available to us at any moment, simply by turning our hearts to Him. We often complicate our relationship with God by thinking we need to perform or be perfect. However, God’s standard is Jesus, and He has already done the work. Our role is to simply be in His presence and worship Him.
This rest is not about doing nothing but about being filled with God's peace and presence. It allows us to operate from a place of fullness, knowing that we are already complete in Him. By turning our hearts to God and seeking His presence, we can find true rest and peace, regardless of our circumstances. [10:20]
Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to turn your heart towards God and find true rest in His presence?
Day 3: Embracing Jesus' Victory
In the story of David and Goliath, Jesus is the true David who has already defeated the enemy. Our role is not to strive to be the hero but to live in the victory that Jesus has won for us. This means embracing a life of worship and surrender, knowing that the battle is already won. We often feel the need to fight our own battles and overcome our own giants, but Jesus has already done that for us.
By recognizing that Jesus is the true David, we can live in the victory He has won for us. This allows us to focus on worship and surrender, rather than striving for perfection or trying to be the hero in our own story. Embracing Jesus' victory means living in a state of fullness and rest, knowing that the battle is already won. [25:11]
1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you embrace the victory that Jesus has already won for you and live a life of worship and surrender today?
Day 4: Understanding God's Economy
God’s eternal purpose and His economy revolve around us. His will is what He desires, and His plan is to have a relationship with us. When we understand this, we can better share His love and grace with others, fulfilling His purpose by giving away what we have received from Him. God's economy is centered on us, and His desire is to be in a relationship with us.
By understanding God's economy, we can better share His love and grace with others. This means living in a state of fullness and giving away what we have received from Him. When we do this, we fulfill His purpose and create a cycle of blessing and growth. [29:28]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
Reflection: How can you share God's love and grace with someone in your life today, fulfilling His purpose and creating a cycle of blessing?
Day 5: Living in Fullness and Sharing It
We are called to live in a constant state of fullness by being in God’s presence. This fullness allows us to share His love, grace, and wisdom with others. When we give away what we have received from God, He blesses us with even more, creating a cycle of blessing and growth. Living in fullness means being filled with God's presence and operating from a place of abundance.
By living in fullness, we can share God's love and grace with others, creating a cycle of blessing and growth. This means being in God's presence and allowing His love to overflow into our interactions with others. When we give away what we have received from God, He blesses us with even more, allowing us to continue to grow and bless others. [31:54]
John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you live in a constant state of fullness by being in God's presence and share His love and grace with others today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Any moment spent with God supersedes all other moments. So, if you haven't been following God for 94 years and 11 months, and all of a sudden you get reborn, and you spend one month with him before you die, but worth it. Worth it." [03:40] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He wanted to be closer to you. Jesus made it hard so it would be easy for you. That's why Matthew 11, 28, 30 says, is saying, man, come on, come to me. I'm going to show you this engagement that you get to have because this is what He has longed for. Our Father in Heaven has longed for this." [06:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you can make it to me, I'll do the rest. I'll do everything else. What does this mean? You guys, this is vacation season. Man, I love vacation. Vacation's great. Don't get me wrong. But you shouldn't be, like, in the dire straits of life with thinking, I got to get vacation because you're empty. Wouldn't you like to go on vacation because you're full?" [10:57] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We don't need to complicate it. We don't need to do spiritual exercises. We don't need to, God. We don't have to go light a bunch of candles in a room. Let me get it all prepared, you know. God says, just talk to me. Jesus. Jesus. I have to speak the name above all names. Man, that's like the best." [10:20] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Stop overcomplicating it. It's this. And we can just shout praises. We can worship him and he will give us rest. That's it. That's it. It's not, it's not any more than this right here. Man, do we overcomplicate it?" [35:46] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Purpose solves a problem. Okay? Remember, we taught that all summer long last year. If you were like, I don't remember that. You go back and you rewatch all last summer, all right, every single Sunday, because purpose solves a problem. It's a hidden treasure, and when we seek out that purpose, when we seek out that problem to solve, you find gold. You find what God is doing, and it's so, so beautiful." [05:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do we not have peace with God because we sin? Or do we sin because we don't have peace with God? I know. For you that were sitting here, you're like, what did he say? And you heard the people go, mm. Mm. They didn't get it either. So don't be like, oh, gosh, I'm not spiritual. I'm more spiritual than that for it." [15:14] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What if I told you? That Jesus Christ killed the enemy and all he's asking us to do is just be in his presence and to lift up holy hands and to worship with our voice and the enemy will flee. We so overcomplicate things. That's it. That's it. And then what? Then we just reap a harvest. We reap a harvest from our obedience of being in his presence and just worshiping." [26:23] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God's will, simply stated, is what God wants. Man, do we overcomplicate this. God's will, simply stated, is what God wants, intends, and desires. God's purpose is God's plan according to his will. What is his will? What he wants. God wants something. To attain what he wants, he has a plan. That is according to what he wants." [27:48] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We've got to hold ourselves responsible to feed people from the reservoir of God's wellspring. We have to. We have to hold ourselves accountable to this. That we've got to feed people from that well that we are going to." [34:17] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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