Embracing God's Sovereignty Through Peace and Submission

 

Summary

The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of bringing God's kingdom into the world through peace rather than violence. He encourages the congregation to adopt Jesus' approach to conflict resolution, which involves understanding and empathy rather than anger and retaliation. The pastor draws parallels between the Garden of Eden and the Garden of Gethsemane, highlighting how Jesus restores humanity and overcomes sin in a way that echoes the past.

The pastor then discusses the power of God's word in creation and in the life of Jesus. He highlights that God did not need to exert physical effort or perform elaborate actions to create the world; rather, He simply spoke it into existence. This demonstrates the immense power of God's word. The pastor encourages the congregation to exercise spiritual discernment, recognizing that God has the power to change any situation just by His word.

The sermon then transitions to the events of Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The pastor emphasizes that everything that is happening is part of God's plan. Jesus, fully aware of what is about to happen, asks the soldiers who they are looking for, to which they respond, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus confidently declares, "I am he," causing the soldiers and officials to fall to the ground.

The pastor then discusses the purpose of fasting and the importance of spiritual discernment in recognizing the power and authority of Jesus in our lives. He emphasizes that the purpose of fasting is not solely to obtain desires, but to submit to God's plan, as Jesus did. The pastor also discusses the idea that God allows problems and challenges in our lives to teach us something.

The sermon concludes with the pastor emphasizing that even when life seems difficult and out of control, God is still in control. He encourages the congregation to trust in God's perfect plan, surrender to His will, and submit to His control, even when they don't understand what is happening. The pastor also discusses the symbolism and significance of Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, encouraging the congregation to embrace God's sovereign plan in their own lives, just as Jesus willingly submitted himself to the Father's plan.

Key Takeaways:

- The pastor emphasizes the importance of bringing God's kingdom into the world through peace rather than violence. He encourages the congregation to adopt Jesus' approach to conflict resolution, which involves understanding and empathy rather than anger and retaliation. This approach allows us to keep our focus on Christ and not let our problems consume us. [12:45]

- The pastor discusses the power of God's word in creation and in the life of Jesus. He highlights that God did not need to exert physical effort or perform elaborate actions to create the world; rather, He simply spoke it into existence. This demonstrates the immense power of God's word and the authority and power that Jesus possesses as the Son of God. [24:30]

- The pastor emphasizes that everything that is happening is part of God's plan. Even in the face of arrest and crucifixion, Jesus confidently declares, "I am he," showcasing His divine authority and causing the soldiers and officials to fall to the ground. This serves as a reminder of the divine authority and presence of Jesus. [36:15]

- The pastor discusses the purpose of fasting and the importance of spiritual discernment in recognizing the power and authority of Jesus in our lives. He emphasizes that the purpose of fasting is not solely to obtain desires, but to submit to God's plan, as Jesus did. This submission to God's plan, even in the face of challenges, is ultimately for our good and His glory. [48:00]

- The pastor emphasizes that even when life seems difficult and out of control, God is still in control. He encourages the congregation to trust in God's perfect plan, surrender to His will, and submit to His control, even when they don't understand what is happening. This trust in God's sovereignty allows us to find peace and purpose in the midst of uncertainty. [59:30]

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 18:1-14: "When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, 'Who is it you want?' 'Jesus of Nazareth,' they replied. 'I am he,' Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, 'Who is it you want?' 'Jesus of Nazareth,' they said. Jesus answered, 'I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.' This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: 'I have not lost one of those you gave me.' Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, 'Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?' Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people."
2. Exodus 3:14: "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
3. Genesis 1:3: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."

Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of Jesus' response, "I am he," in John 18:1-14?
2. How does Exodus 3:14 connect to Jesus' declaration in John 18:1-14?
3. What does Genesis 1:3 reveal about the power of God's word?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' response, "I am he," in John 18:1-14, demonstrate his divine authority?
2. How does the declaration of God in Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM," relate to Jesus' identity and mission?
3. What implications does the creation account in Genesis 1:3 have for understanding the power and authority of God's word in our lives?

Application Questions:
1. How can you apply Jesus' approach to conflict resolution, which involves understanding and empathy, in a current situation in your life?
2. In what specific situation this week can you exercise spiritual discernment, recognizing that God has the power to change any situation just by His word?
3. Can you identify a challenge in your life that you can submit to God's plan, as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane?
4. How can you trust in God's perfect plan, surrender to His will, and submit to His control, even when you don't understand what is happening in a specific situation in your life?
5. What is one way you can embrace God's sovereign plan in your life, just as Jesus willingly submitted himself to the Father's plan?

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Peaceful Conflict Resolution
Jesus' approach to conflict resolution involves understanding and empathy rather than anger and retaliation. This approach allows us to keep our focus on Christ and not let our problems consume us. [12:45]

Romans 12:18 - "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent conflict you've had. How can you apply Jesus' approach of understanding and empathy to resolve this conflict peacefully?

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Day 2: Recognizing the Power of God's Word
God did not need to exert physical effort or perform elaborate actions to create the world; rather, He simply spoke it into existence. This demonstrates the immense power of God's word and the authority and power that Jesus possesses as the Son of God. [24:30]

Psalm 33:6 - "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the power of God's word into your daily life? Can you think of a situation where God's word can bring about change?

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Day 3: Trusting in God's Divine Plan
Even in the face of arrest and crucifixion, Jesus confidently declares, "I am he," showcasing His divine authority and causing the soldiers and officials to fall to the ground. This serves as a reminder of the divine authority and presence of Jesus. [36:15]

Isaiah 46:10 - "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'"
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you're struggling to trust in God's plan? How can you surrender this situation to God and trust in His divine authority?

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Day 4: Understanding the Purpose of Fasting
The purpose of fasting is not solely to obtain desires, but to submit to God's plan, as Jesus did. This submission to God's plan, even in the face of challenges, is ultimately for our good and His glory. [48:00]

Joel 2:12 - "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."
Reflection: Have you ever fasted with the intention of submitting to God's plan? How can you incorporate fasting into your spiritual practice to deepen your relationship with God?

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Day 5: Surrendering to God's Sovereign Control
Even when life seems difficult and out of control, God is still in control. Trusting in God's perfect plan, surrendering to His will, and submitting to His control, even when we don't understand what is happening, allows us to find peace and purpose in the midst of uncertainty. [59:30]

Proverbs 19:21 - "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to surrender control to God? How can you begin to trust in His sovereignty in this area?

Quotes

"When trouble comes your way, what's your go-to mode? Do you go to the internet, complain to everyone on social media, or pick up the phone and complain to everyone? Jesus in this crucial moment did something that he was used to, and that is to go to the Garden to pray, knowing that what was about to happen would end his life here on Earth, but yet he still submitted to God's plan." [14:11]

"Second Point excites spiritual discernment when Jesus Reveals His identity with the words 'I am.' Those who sought to arrest him were overcome with awe and fell to the ground. This serves as a powerful reminder of the Divine Authority and presence of Jesus. We are encouraged to cultivate a Discerning spirit that recognizes the Majesty of Christ in our lives, it prompts us to approach him with reverence, gratitude, and a sense of awe in our worship and daily walk." [15:32]

"Jesus teaches us that true strength lies not in physical Force but in obedience to God's will even in the face of persecution or harm" ([21:24])

"In everything I want to submit to you because I know that you are in control and your will and your plan and your purpose for my life is perfect." [28:52]

"Just imagine that powerful word when Jesus is saying who are you guys looking for Jesus of Nazareth and he says what I am and they all fall down then the second time when he asks like okay who are you guys looking for well we're still looking for Jesus then he says okay I am he so he can see that he backs away from all the power that he has not to brag or anything but all other religious leaders that existed in the world they were just men just humans here we see a small glimpse of the Son of God interacting with man." [17:50]

"When we say we follow Jesus when we say we love Jesus when we say we obey Jesus it's not just another man it's not just another teacher it's not just another Rabbi it is the Son of God and this power that we see in this spiritual discernment that we must have we know that when we are going and facing troubles and problems and persecutions and heartaches and going through so many things when we say God I can't do this but I rely on you he has the power to change everything just by his word." [18:35]

"Embracing God's sovereignty allows us to find peace and purpose in the midst of uncertainty just think about this night if Jesus decided to say you know what God I'm tapping out I'm backing out I know this was the plan from the very beginning that I would die for the sins of mankind but you know what I don't know I got cold feet where would we be today how would the world be today obviously something completely different than what we have but when we Embrace God's plan this means that we will go through valleys we will go through mountaintops but we will know that every step of the way God is with you" [12:09]

"I'm about to bring God's kingdom into this world not through a sword but through peace when we have this example of nonviolence." ([23:43])

"So many of our problems are our problems because we do take our eyes away from God, don't we? I know what God said, I know the instructions, I know what they're all talking about, but no, no, no, let me do it my way." ([25:01])

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Transcript
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