Embracing God's Unexpected and Expansive Plan
Summary
Today, I shared a message on the profound and often unexpected nature of God's plan for our lives. I began by reflecting on my own journey, initially aspiring to be a surgeon, then transitioning into a music minister, and ultimately embracing the call to pastoral ministry. This path was not one I had planned, but one that unfolded through God's guidance and my obedience.
I recounted the early days of my ministry, where my wife and I faced significant challenges, including the seizure of our musical equipment by customs in Brazil. This setback, though frustrating, was pivotal. It forced us to stay in one place, allowing God to work deeply in our hearts and redirect our focus from transient ministry engagements to investing in the local church and its community.
This theme of divine redirection continued as I shared how, after returning to the States, we found ourselves in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Here, we witnessed the growth of our church from a small storefront to a large community of faith, impacting not just individuals but generations. This growth was not a result of my strategic planning but a testament to following God's plan, which always proves to be better and more fulfilling than our own.
I emphasized the importance of not just knowing about God's plan but actively engaging with it. It's not enough to passively sit back; involvement and commitment are required. I challenged the congregation to not only accept but also to rejoice in the plans God has for them, even if these plans initially seem daunting or undesirable.
Throughout the sermon, I used personal anecdotes and biblical references to illustrate that God's plans are not just for our individual growth but also for the benefit of the wider community. Our church's involvement in the community, through hosting various events and being a beacon of hope, stands as a practical example of this.
In conclusion, I invited the congregation to recommit to seeking and following God's plan for their lives. I stressed that this commitment should not be out of a sense of obligation but out of a desire to experience the fullness of life that comes from walking in God's will.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Plan Requires Our Participation
God's plan for our lives is not just about the end result but also about our participation in the process. It's about being present and active in the roles He has assigned to us. This participation often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and into roles we might feel unqualified for, but it is in these roles that we grow and see God's plan unfold. [01:29]
2. Immediate Obedience to God's Call
Delaying obedience to God's directives can cause His voice to fade in our lives, leading to confusion and missed opportunities. When God speaks, it is crucial to respond promptly. This immediate obedience keeps His voice clear and His guidance precise in our lives. [25:22]
3. God's Plans are Inclusive of Community
The plans God has for us are not meant to be fulfilled in isolation. They are intricately linked with the community and the church. By investing in our local church and community, we align ourselves with God's broader purposes, not just for our lives but for those around us. [47:53]
4. The Unchanging Nature of God's Plan
Regardless of our detours or delays, God's plan remains steadfast. It does not change with our circumstances or choices. This unchanging nature should give us confidence and encourage us to realign with His will, knowing that His intentions for us are always for our ultimate good. [31:54]
5. God's Plan Surpasses Our Expectations
Often, we limit God's plan to our understanding and expectations. However, God's plan is always greater and more impactful than we can imagine. Embracing this can lead us to live lives of significant influence and fulfillment, far beyond what we could have planned for ourselves. [58:36]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
00:49 - Introduction to God's Plan
01:29 - The Importance of Knowing God's Plan
13:33 - Personal Testimony: From Medicine to Ministry
25:22 - The Impact of Immediate Obedience
31:54 - The Steadfast Nature of God's Plan
47:53 - Community Involvement and God's Plan
58:36 - The Expansive Nature of God's Plan
01:04:04 - Invitation and Prayer for Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
2. Genesis 12:1 - "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.'"
3. Psalm 33:11 - "But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jeremiah 29:11 reveal about God's intentions for His people?
2. How did God guide Abram in Genesis 12:1, and what was Abram's response?
3. According to Psalm 33:11, how are God's plans described in terms of their duration and stability?
4. In the sermon, what personal experience did the pastor share about his initial career aspirations and how they changed? [13:33]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise in Jeremiah 29:11 provide comfort and assurance to believers, especially in times of uncertainty?
2. What can we learn from Abram's obedience in Genesis 12:1 about trusting God's plan without knowing all the details?
3. How does the steadfast nature of God's plans in Psalm 33:11 encourage believers to realign with His will, even after detours or delays?
4. Reflecting on the pastor's story, how can immediate obedience to God's call impact our lives and the lives of those around us? [25:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you felt uncertain about God's plan for your life. How did you seek His guidance, and what was the outcome? [01:29]
2. Are there areas in your life where you have been delaying obedience to God's call? What steps can you take this week to respond promptly? [25:22]
3. How can you actively participate in God's plan for your life, even if it requires stepping out of your comfort zone? [01:29]
4. In what ways can you invest more in your local church and community to align with God's broader purposes? [47:53]
5. Reflect on a time when God's plan for your life surpassed your expectations. How did this experience strengthen your faith? [58:36]
6. How can you encourage others in your small group to seek and follow God's plan for their lives, especially when it seems daunting or undesirable? [01:04:04]
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to trust God's unchanging plan. What practical steps can you take to realign with His will this week? [31:54]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into understanding and applying the profound and often unexpected nature of God's plan for our lives, as discussed in the sermon.
Devotional
Day 1: Active Engagement in God's Design
God's plan for our lives requires our active participation, not just passive observation. This participation often pushes us beyond our comfort zones, into roles that may initially feel unfamiliar or daunting. Yet, it is through these experiences that we grow and truly see the unfolding of God's plan. This active engagement is a dynamic process, involving both our willingness to step forward and our readiness to adapt to the roles God places before us. It's about being present and committed in the roles He has assigned, which often requires stepping out in faith, even when the path isn't fully clear. This is not just about the end result but the journey of faith and obedience that leads there. [01:29]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to actively participate in a role you believe God has called you to, even if it feels uncomfortable?
Day 2: The Urgency of Divine Guidance
Immediate obedience to God's call is crucial; delaying can cause His voice to fade, leading to confusion and missed opportunities. When God speaks, responding promptly keeps His voice clear and His guidance precise in our lives. This immediate obedience is not just about quick actions but also about maintaining a heart and mind attentive to God's directions, ensuring that we do not drift away from the path He has set for us. This prompt response helps us stay aligned with God's will, avoiding the pitfalls of procrastination and the consequences of delayed obedience. [25:22]
Acts 9:6-8 (ESV): "But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent instance where you hesitated to act on something you felt God was calling you to do? What can you do today to realign with that call?
Day 3: Community at the Heart of God's Plan
God's plans are not meant to be fulfilled in isolation but are intricately linked with the community and the church. By investing in our local church and community, we align ourselves with God's broader purposes, not just for our lives but for those around us. This involvement in community life is a practical expression of our faith, demonstrating God's love through actions and not just words. It's about building relationships, serving others, and being a beacon of hope and light in the places we live. [47:53]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What is one way you can contribute more actively to your local community or church this month to better align with God's plan for communal growth and support?
Day 4: Steadfast in the Midst of Change
Despite our detours or delays, God's plan remains steadfast and unchanging. This unchanging nature of God's plan provides us with confidence and encouragement to realign with His will, knowing that His intentions for us are always for our ultimate good. Even when our circumstances shift or when we stray, God's purpose and plan do not waver. This assurance allows us to trust in His guidance and to persevere in faith, even when the path seems uncertain or challenging. [31:54]
Hebrews 6:17-19 (ESV): "So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your plans changed unexpectedly. How did you see God's unchanging purpose work through those changes?
Day 5: Beyond Our Expectations
Often, we limit God's plan to our understanding and expectations. However, God's plan is always greater and more impactful than we can imagine. Embracing this expansive view of God's plan can lead us to live lives of significant influence and fulfillment, far beyond what we could have planned for ourselves. This requires us to trust in His greater vision and to be open to the possibilities that He lays before us, even when they extend beyond our current perspective or comfort zone. [58:36]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What are some ways you might be limiting God's plan based on your own expectations? How can you open yourself up to His greater purpose this week?
Quotes
1) "We just hear it all the time. I've heard it all the time in churches. I've heard church people say it over and over and over again. It's interesting to hear people say something and then watch their life and see how closely they follow the scriptures that they quote." [03:06]
2) "I know the plans and the thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord, this is God speaking now, and these plans are good plans. These plans are for peace, that you might have well-being." [04:32]
3) "You, yourself, will make it happen. And if you don't, it won't happen. You have to do this. You have to do that. And that is tantamount to saying God doesn't involve Himself in this, that God has no plans for me." [50:02]
4) "It's not Pastor Mason's plan, Pastor Nanette's plan. It's God's plan. And so one of the things that I've learned also is the value of experiencing a step in my Christian life beyond the place of being saved and water baptized and baptized in the Holy Spirit." [42:33]
5) "You can't discourage me. You can't stop me. I won't change my plans. I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. And they're good plans. And they were good ten years ago when you walked away from them and turned up your nose and didn't like them." [32:51]
6) "So that's how it's going to be. Because this is a church, and we're not the community center. This is a church, and our primary function is making disciples and preaching the gospel. And that's what it is." [46:02]
7) "You're not going to do this anymore, but you're going to do this. And that was exactly what happened. And God said, I've got a plan for your life." [14:54]
8) "And God said, no, I'm, when, when, when you walk my plan and you walk it out, I will get the glory all the way from the beginning. Because you'll have to admit it wasn't your plan." [56:35]
9) "My wife loves to make plans. She has to make plans. She can't relax unless she's made plans. The words that I, that I absolutely dread the most coming out of her mouth are we need to talk and sit down and make some plans." [07:04]
10) "My subject this morning is the plan of God. That will be our focus today. And the question is, what's God's plan? Many times people feel, especially when they're in church, they think that God's plan is something that the pastors are supposed to know all about." [00:49]
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