Embracing God's Word: Path to Spiritual Rest
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we delve into the importance of holding fast to the Word of God and understanding the frameworks He has set for our lives. We began by reflecting on the question, "What have you done with the last word God gave you?" ([19:24]). This question is crucial because it challenges us to consider whether we are truly living by the Word or merely seeking new revelations without acting on the ones we've already received.
We explored the story of the Israelites in the wilderness, who turned a 40-day journey into a 40-year ordeal due to their lack of faith and understanding of God's Word ([20:00]). This story serves as a powerful reminder that our spiritual journey can be prolonged if we do not align ourselves with God's instructions. The Israelites saw miracles but still doubted God's ability to provide, asking, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" ([20:36]). This reflects a mindset that challenges God rather than trusting in His provision.
We then examined the life of Joseph, who found his path to the palace through the dungeon ([28:22]). Joseph's story illustrates that understanding God's framework for our lives can help us navigate through trials and adversities. Just as Joseph's hardships were part of God's plan to elevate him, our challenges can also be stepping stones to greater purposes if we remain faithful to God's Word.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of recognizing the frameworks God has set for different seasons of our lives. For instance, Jesus' use of the Scriptures, particularly Psalms and Isaiah, during His temptation in the wilderness, shows us that the Word of God is our primary tool for spiritual warfare ([30:04]). Jesus did not focus on the temptation itself but on the leading of the Spirit, demonstrating that our focus should be on God's guidance rather than the trials we face.
We discussed the significance of the Word in framing our lives and the necessity of having a deep understanding of Scripture. The Holy Spirit operates by scanning our spirits for the Word, and without a requisite depth of the Word, it becomes difficult to interpret what the Spirit is saying ([32:47]). This is why Jesus spent 40 days teaching His disciples the Word before the day of Pentecost, ensuring they were grounded in Scripture to handle the outpouring of the Holy Spirit ([33:41]).
The sermon concluded with a call to enter into God's rest by understanding that our lives are already framed by His Word. Stress and restlessness come from not aligning with God's framework, leading to a cycle of spiritual warfare that is more about religion than faith ([44:37]). By holding fast to the Word and rejoicing in hope, we can navigate our spiritual journey with confidence and enter into the rest that God has promised.
### Key Takeaways
1. Act on the Last Word God Gave You: Before seeking new revelations, reflect on what you have done with the last word God gave you. This is crucial because ignoring previous instructions can lead to spiritual stagnation. The Israelites' 40-day journey turned into 40 years because they did not act on God's Word. Similarly, our spiritual progress can be delayed if we do not hold fast to the Word we have received. [19:24]
2. Understand God's Framework for Your Life: Like Joseph, who found his path to the palace through the dungeon, understanding God's framework for your life can help you navigate through trials. Joseph's hardships were part of God's plan to elevate him. Recognize that your challenges can also be stepping stones to greater purposes if you remain faithful to God's Word. [28:22]
3. Use Scripture for Spiritual Warfare: Jesus' use of Psalms and Isaiah during His temptation in the wilderness shows that the Word of God is our primary tool for spiritual warfare. Focus on God's guidance rather than the trials you face. The temptation is not the story; the leading of the Spirit is. This perspective helps us to see our challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth. [30:04]
4. Deepen Your Understanding of Scripture: The Holy Spirit operates by scanning our spirits for the Word. Without a requisite depth of the Word, it becomes difficult to interpret what the Spirit is saying. Jesus spent 40 days teaching His disciples the Word before the day of Pentecost, ensuring they were grounded in Scripture to handle the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This highlights the importance of being deeply rooted in the Word. [32:47]
5. Enter into God's Rest: Stress and restlessness come from not aligning with God's framework, leading to a cycle of spiritual warfare that is more about religion than faith. By holding fast to the Word and rejoicing in hope, we can navigate our spiritual journey with confidence and enter into the rest that God has promised. Understand that your life is already framed by His Word, and trust in His divine plan. [44:37]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - The House of Faith
[04:54] - Holding Fast to the Word
[19:24] - Acting on God's Last Word
[20:00] - The Israelites' Journey
[28:22] - Joseph's Path to the Palace
[30:04] - Jesus' Use of Scripture
[32:47] - Depth of Understanding
[33:41] - Jesus' 40 Days of Teaching
[44:37] - Entering God's Rest
[47:37] - The Road to Emmaus
[53:13] - Conclusion: Entering His Rest
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 3:6-15 - "But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. So, as the Holy Spirit says: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'"
2. Hebrews 11:3 - "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
3. Deuteronomy 8:3 - "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 3:6-15 say about the importance of holding firmly to our confidence and hope in Christ?
2. According to Hebrews 11:3, how was the universe formed, and what does this imply about the power of God's Word?
3. In Deuteronomy 8:3, what lesson was God teaching the Israelites through their experience of hunger and manna?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the Israelites in the wilderness illustrate the consequences of not holding fast to God's Word? ([05:40])
2. What does it mean to "hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end" as mentioned in Hebrews 3:6? ([02:59])
3. How can understanding God's framework for our lives, as seen in Joseph's story, help us navigate through trials and adversities? ([10:09])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the last word God gave you. Have you acted on it, or are you seeking new revelations without following through on the previous ones? How can you ensure you are living by the Word you have received? ([19:24])
2. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can you use Scripture as a tool for spiritual warfare in this situation, similar to how Jesus used Psalms and Isaiah during His temptation? ([22:43])
3. In what ways can you deepen your understanding of Scripture to better interpret what the Holy Spirit is saying to you? Consider setting aside specific times for Bible study and reflection. ([32:47])
4. Are there areas in your life where you feel stressed and restless? How can aligning with God's framework and trusting in His divine plan help you enter into His rest? ([44:37])
5. Identify a specific trial or adversity you are currently experiencing. How can you view this challenge as a stepping stone to a greater purpose, similar to Joseph's journey from the dungeon to the palace? ([10:09])
6. How can you encourage others in your small group to hold fast to their confidence and hope in Christ, especially during difficult times? What practical steps can you take to support one another in this journey? ([05:40])
7. Reflect on a time when you doubted God's provision. How can you shift your mindset to trust in His ability to provide, even in seemingly impossible situations? ([20:36])
Devotional
Day 1: Act on the Last Word God Gave You
Reflect on what you have done with the last word God gave you. This is crucial because ignoring previous instructions can lead to spiritual stagnation. The Israelites' 40-day journey turned into 40 years because they did not act on God's Word. Similarly, our spiritual progress can be delayed if we do not hold fast to the Word we have received. [19:24]
Hebrews 4:2 (ESV): "For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened."
Reflection: Think about the last clear instruction or revelation you received from God. Have you acted on it? If not, what steps can you take today to begin implementing it in your life?
Day 2: Understand God's Framework for Your Life
Like Joseph, who found his path to the palace through the dungeon, understanding God's framework for your life can help you navigate through trials. Joseph's hardships were part of God's plan to elevate him. Recognize that your challenges can also be stepping stones to greater purposes if you remain faithful to God's Word. [28:22]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Identify a current challenge or hardship in your life. How might this situation be part of God's larger plan for you? What can you do to remain faithful and trust in His framework?
Day 3: Use Scripture for Spiritual Warfare
Jesus' use of Psalms and Isaiah during His temptation in the wilderness shows that the Word of God is our primary tool for spiritual warfare. Focus on God's guidance rather than the trials you face. The temptation is not the story; the leading of the Spirit is. This perspective helps us to see our challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth. [30:04]
Ephesians 6:17 (ESV): "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Reflection: What specific Scriptures can you use to combat the spiritual battles you are currently facing? Write them down and meditate on them throughout the day.
Day 4: Deepen Your Understanding of Scripture
The Holy Spirit operates by scanning our spirits for the Word. Without a requisite depth of the Word, it becomes difficult to interpret what the Spirit is saying. Jesus spent 40 days teaching His disciples the Word before the day of Pentecost, ensuring they were grounded in Scripture to handle the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This highlights the importance of being deeply rooted in the Word. [32:47]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of Scripture this week? Consider setting aside a specific time each day for Bible study and prayer.
Day 5: Enter into God's Rest
Stress and restlessness come from not aligning with God's framework, leading to a cycle of spiritual warfare that is more about religion than faith. By holding fast to the Word and rejoicing in hope, we can navigate our spiritual journey with confidence and enter into the rest that God has promised. Understand that your life is already framed by His Word, and trust in His divine plan. [44:37]
Hebrews 4:10 (ESV): "For whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are experiencing stress and restlessness? How can you align these areas with God's framework and enter into His rest? What practical steps can you take today to trust more fully in His plan?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So at times when the Lord is framing certain things that look like you are going through, hold fast your confidence and rejoicing to the end. Because don't forget once you become born again, you are dealing with God as a father. And cares about you more than you care about yourself." [25:05]
2. "Let me tell you something about Jesus. All he has to offer you is rest. He said, come unto me, all you that labor and are heavenly leading. I will give you rest. He said, land of me, for I am meek and lowly. You will find rest. So every time you are stressed, on the account of doubting the integrity of the word of God, just know that you are about to repeat again the wilderness model." [26:42]
3. "Whenever you are going through anything in life, because we are talking about the faith lane, ask yourself, what is the word that is proceeding out of the mouth of God for this situation? There's always a proceeding word. That is how you live. Because look at Joseph." [27:31]
4. "So the Bible is saying, if you are a member of this house, one of the things you do is to hold fast. Somebody say. Hold fast. The confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. That means one of the ways you identify as a member of this house is not to be moved once you hear a word from God. It does not matter what is happening. There's something that is called confidence. There's something that is called rejoicing. You hold it firm." [02:00]
5. "Once you understand the framework of God for your life. One of the things you don't do is to lobby people. Lobby is a sign of stress. It's a sign that you have not entered into his rest. And you know, the Bible says the Lord made the guy to forget about Joseph. Because when people forget about you at times, it's a blessing. Well, you know, we don't like it when people forget about us. You are even angry that he forgot about you. How dare you forget about me? But the Lord is saying that is a blessing." [16:15]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Because when the Spirit is leading you into trouble, it's because there's something in that trouble that is redemptive. How can the Holy Spirit lead you into the wilderness? Which kind of the Holy Spirit is this? He should be leading us to Banana Highland. It should be anywhere better day, carry me there go. And the Holy Spirit is saying no, better day for wilderness too. Since you have said anywhere better day. The problem is that we sell those things anywhere, anything you do, anywhere you take me to. And when it's not doing it, you are complaining. When it's not doing it, you are stressed. When it's not doing it, you can't find rest." [25:52]
2. "So Jesus had to come and fight that model. He said no. Because if Jesus did not go back to that same wilderness, to now correct this anomaly, a generation will arise that will never trust God again. So that became a major issue that the enemy had to show up and Jesus now had to quote from Deuteronomy 8. And he said, man shall not live a very long. Because I now understood the lesson in Israel." [26:42]
3. "You see, once a man doesn't understand the framing of the sequencing of event of God for his life, you'll get into some dangerous prayer point and you might force. The hand of God to give you some blessings, but it's just that why the meat is in your mouth. You now begin to see that God is not pleased. Did you read in that place? God said that generation tempted me. What does it mean to tempt God? When on the account of the fact of your not understanding how God framed things, but you are now bombarding God with dangerous prayer points. God will just look at you and say you are tempting me." [17:27]
4. "So the moment circumstances and situations, they begin to make you to doubt the word of God or you are wavering. What you are saying is that you belong to another house. And let's read for that. It's important. I just want to say that. But it's actually where the message starts from. So you hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. Firm to the end. So that means you begin with the end in mind. You know that there is only one end. There is only one outcome. And it does not matter what is happening. You hold your confidence and rejoicing firm." [03:50]
5. "So what is important, like our Lord, is to understand today. look at what he said. The moment he looked at that scripture, I looked at that scripture. He said, today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Look at your neighbor, say neighbor. Every day, today, one scripture is crying to be fulfilled. Have you found the one? So today now is what day? 14th of April 2024. Which scripture is about to be fulfilled? Which scripture?" [32:47]
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