Embracing Growth Through Patience and Rest
Summary
In this season of Lent, we are reminded of the importance of waiting, resting, and growing in our spiritual journey. As we reflect on the parable of the fig tree, we see a powerful illustration of God's patience and nurturing love. The vineyard owner was ready to cut down the fig tree for not bearing fruit, but the gardener pleaded for more time to tend to it. This story teaches us that growth often requires time, patience, and care. Just as the fig tree needed time to mature, we too need to allow ourselves the grace to grow at our own pace.
In our fast-paced lives, we often feel overwhelmed by the constant demands and responsibilities. We may think that rest is a luxury we cannot afford, but in reality, rest is a necessity. True growth often happens in the pause, in the moments of rest and renewal. The concept of work-life balance can sometimes add pressure, making us feel like we are failing if we cannot achieve it. Instead of chasing an ideal, we should seek to find rhythms of grace, moments of rest amid the chaos.
The parable also highlights the importance of faithful waiting. Waiting on God does not mean doing nothing; it involves actively nurturing our spiritual lives, just as the gardener tended to the fig tree. We must recognize that growth requires time and nourishment, and sometimes transformation is happening beneath the surface, even if we cannot see the results yet.
As we navigate the in-between seasons of life, we are called to trust in God's timing. Whether we are in a season of rest, growth, or waiting, we must remain faithful and patient with ourselves. This applies not only to our individual lives but also to our church community. We must understand that God is with us in the in-betweens, and it is in these moments that we find faith and faithfulness.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may we discover God's goodness, faithfulness, and patience in our lives. Amen.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Necessity of Rest: Rest is not a luxury but a necessity for true growth. In our fast-paced lives, we often overlook the importance of pausing and renewing ourselves. True growth often happens in the pause, where we find moments of rest and renewal amid the chaos. [46:17]
2. Faithful Waiting: Waiting on God involves active participation in nurturing our spiritual lives. Just as the gardener tended to the fig tree, we must do our part in our spiritual growth, recognizing that transformation often happens beneath the surface. [58:59]
3. Trusting God's Timing: Whether in a season of rest, growth, or waiting, we are called to trust in God's timing. We must remain faithful and patient with ourselves, understanding that God is with us in the in-betweens. [01:07:52]
4. The Challenge of Growth: Growth requires change and stepping into the unknown. It involves leaving behind old habits and embracing new challenges. We must be willing to grow and trust in God's guidance. [58:59]
5. Finding Rhythms of Grace: Instead of chasing an ideal work-life balance, we should seek to find rhythms of grace. These are moments of rest and renewal that allow us to navigate life's demands with faith and patience. [46:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Update on Kenya House
- [02:00] - Special Guests Acknowledgment
- [03:15] - Spring Activities and Community Engagement
- [05:00] - Call to Worship and Parable Introduction
- [07:30] - The Parable of the Fig Tree
- [10:00] - The Importance of Rest and Growth
- [15:00] - Work-Life Balance and Rhythms of Grace
- [20:00] - Faithful Waiting and Spiritual Growth
- [25:00] - Trusting God's Timing
- [30:00] - The Challenge of Growth
- [35:00] - Community and Church Growth
- [40:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
- [45:00] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
- [50:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 13:6-9: The Parable of the Fig Tree
- Matthew 11:28-30: Jesus' Invitation to Rest
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: A Time for Everything
#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the fig tree, what actions does the gardener propose to take to help the tree bear fruit? [58:59]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "faithful waiting" in relation to the parable? [58:59]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of how rest is necessary for growth? [46:17]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the challenge of growth using the story of Stephen Curry? [58:59]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the gardener's patience in the parable suggest about God's nature and His expectations for our spiritual growth? [58:59]
2. How might the concept of "rhythms of grace" differ from the traditional idea of work-life balance, according to the sermon? [46:17]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that rest is not merely a physical necessity but a spiritual one as well? [46:17]
4. How does the sermon connect the idea of waiting on God with active participation in our spiritual lives? [58:59]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life pace. Are there areas where you need to intentionally pause and rest? How can you create space for rest this week? [46:17]
2. Think about a time when you were impatient with your own growth. How can you apply the gardener's patience from the parable to your current situation? [58:59]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel pressure to achieve a perfect work-life balance. How can you instead seek a "rhythm of grace"? [46:17]
4. Consider a season of waiting you are currently experiencing. What steps can you take to actively nurture your spiritual life during this time? [58:59]
5. How can you incorporate moments of rest and renewal into your daily routine to support your spiritual growth? [46:17]
6. Reflect on a challenge you are facing that requires growth. What old habits might you need to leave behind, and what new challenges are you willing to embrace? [58:59]
7. In what ways can you trust in God's timing more fully in your personal life and within your church community? [01:07:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Rest as a Pathway to Growth
In our fast-paced world, rest is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. However, true growth often occurs in moments of pause and renewal. When we allow ourselves to rest, we create space for God to work within us, nurturing our spiritual growth. This is not about achieving a perfect work-life balance but about finding rhythms of grace that allow us to navigate life's demands with faith and patience. Embracing rest as a vital part of our spiritual journey can lead to profound transformation. [46:17]
"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can incorporate rest into your daily routine this week to allow space for spiritual growth?
Day 2: Active Participation in Faithful Waiting
Waiting on God is not a passive act; it requires active participation in nurturing our spiritual lives. Just as the gardener tended to the fig tree, we must engage in practices that foster growth, even when we cannot see immediate results. This involves prayer, study, and community involvement, trusting that transformation is happening beneath the surface. By actively participating in our spiritual journey, we align ourselves with God's timing and purpose. [58:59]
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (Psalm 37:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one spiritual practice you can commit to this week to actively nurture your faith while waiting on God's timing?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
Life's seasons of rest, growth, and waiting all require trust in God's perfect timing. It is easy to become impatient or discouraged when things do not happen according to our plans. However, trusting in God's timing means believing that He is working all things for our good, even in the in-betweens. This trust allows us to remain faithful and patient, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [01:07:52]
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God's timing more fully, and how can you practice patience in that area this week?
Day 4: Embracing the Challenge of Growth
Growth requires change and stepping into the unknown. It involves leaving behind old habits and embracing new challenges. This can be daunting, but it is essential for spiritual maturity. By trusting in God's guidance, we can face these challenges with courage and faith, knowing that He is leading us toward greater things. Growth is not always comfortable, but it is necessary for becoming who God has called us to be. [58:59]
"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." (Philippians 3:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one old habit or mindset you need to leave behind to embrace the growth God is calling you to, and what steps can you take to do so this week?
Day 5: Finding Rhythms of Grace
Instead of striving for an ideal work-life balance, we are invited to find rhythms of grace that allow us to live with faith and patience. These rhythms are about integrating moments of rest and renewal into our daily lives, creating a sustainable way to manage life's demands. By seeking these rhythms, we can experience God's peace and presence amid the chaos, allowing us to live more fully in His grace. [46:17]
"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." (Matthew 11:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a rhythm of grace in your life this week that allows you to experience God's peace and presence more fully?
Quotes
"I really do appreciate everybody's participation in the 40 days. This is something that we started last year, and the response last year was incredible, and it has been this year as well. I just want to give you an update on the Kenya House. We actually had some money that came in later in the week. We actually have gone over $1,500. We're now at like $1,900, so we have that house, and I'll go ahead and tell you a little secret. We've had two church members who anonymously have given houses, so we are over three houses that we have got for Kenya. So, that is just amazing. Thank you so much for your participation in that. Some of our internal ministries, like the children's ministry with the Easter egg hunt, and like Kits for Kids we do, and then some other ministries that we are spotlighting each week. So, thank you and continue your support as our almsgiving through this season of Lent." [00:17:32] (61 seconds)
"Well, this is the first Sunday in the spring, right? First Sunday we've had back in the spring. And I will tell you, if you were on our campus yesterday, it was in full motion. Our soccer program started back. We have 526 kids in our soccer program. Do you know that? That is quite amazing. We had the Boy Scouts over here with their pine straw that they do every spring, and they were putting out their pine straw. So, that was all going on in the same time the soccer was, and our women's ministry had an event. So, our parking lot was full yesterday as we're into a new season of spring, and we just need to keep that momentum going as we continue in Lent to Easter. And so, let's stand as we start our worship service this morning. We're continuing in our worship service, everything in between. Today, we're looking at a parable about figs and about waiting, about slowing down, about rest, and about growth. And so, let's read responsibly now. This is the season of Lent, a time of waiting, of slowing down, of seeking God in the in-between." [00:19:22] (75 seconds)
"The vineyard owner was ready to cut the tree down, but the gardener pleaded, give it time. God is patient with us, nurturing us, providing what we need to bear the fruit. In the waiting, in the tending, in the unseen work of grace, God is present. It is not just the beginning or the ending that matters, but the faithfulness of the in-between. Come, let us worship the one who tends to us with love and calls us to trust in his timing." [00:20:33] (36 seconds)
"So, how many of you can relate to that? Almost everybody. The constant motion, the never-ending to-do list, the feeling that no matter how much you do, that there's always something else waiting to be done, right? Our lives are sometimes just too full. And so maybe, so maybe when you saw the topic this morning, rest and growth, you thought, oh no, this is just going to make me feel guilty because I don't have time for rest or growth. I'm just trying to get through the day. And I know we're, we got folks here in all sorts of stages. We got people that have got newborn babies and little kids and teenagers. We have people that are retired. And I'm telling you, with retired people, I know their lives are sometimes busier than they were before they retired. If y'all finding that, you know, whether it's, you know, having to, you know, take care of grandkids or take care of maybe parents that you have or some other thing or sitting in, you know, a waiting room for the doctor's office. There just seems to be so much going on in life. And so, what if I told you, though, that rest isn't a luxury? It isn't a luxury. It's a necessity." [00:47:02] (86 seconds)
"And true growth doesn't happen in the hustle and the bustle, but true growth often happens in the pause. Sometimes we think it's just the opposite. We got to work, right, got to work, right, work to grow, but sometimes it's in the pause and in the resting where we see growth happen. But I do get the sense of guilt, particularly there's something that's just, you know, you've heard a lot about, I think in recent years, it's become the thing to talk about, this work-life balance, work-life balance. It's a lot of tension. And let me tell you, work-life balance, it's a really good thing. It's a high ideal to happen, but here's the reality of it. This concept of a work-life balance, while well-intentioned, can sometimes add pressure to us. You know, we're so busy, and it makes us feel like we're failing at life because we don't have time to rest and have this balance because our responsibilities are just too overwhelming. In reality, life's demands are often complex and unrelenting, and we need to understand that there is balance. And it's not a static achievement, but it is this constantly shifting reality. Instead of chasing an ideal that may not fit our present circumstances, we can seek to find those rhythms of life, those rhythms of grace, moments of rest and renewal and presence amid the chaos. And so today, we're going to explore what the Scripture has to say about that. But before we do, before we jump in, let's just take a deep breath. It's okay. It's okay. Because I know a lot of you are like me. I will tell you, I don't know how many nights I go to bed feeling guilty because I haven't gotten it all done. I haven't gotten it all done. You know, and I'll think about a person I need to call or a form I need to fill out or, you know, something else happening in the church or something in my personal life. And I know that that is shared. And so I just want us to rest as we look at this Scripture and hopefully get some encouragement and also some challenge from it. And it's a little parable that Jesus told that goes this way." [00:48:05] (152 seconds)
"Then he told this parable, Jesus, a man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, and he found none. So he said to the gardener, see here, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I can find none. Cut it down. Why, it should be wasting my soil. He replied, sir, the gardener did, sir, let it alone for one more year until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good. But if not, you can cut it down." [00:50:37] (42 seconds)
"But yet, having this experience doesn't make me an expert on fig trees. And so I did do a little research this week, because I'd heard this somewhere. And what I found out was this, that it takes three to five years for a fig tree to mature to the point where it can bear figs. And so I'm guessing in this sort of agrarian society, they may have known this when Jesus was telling it. But it's good for us to know that really, even though there was an expectation from this owner that there'd be figs, the gardener knew better that it takes some time for maturity before those figs can be born. And those figs can. Sometimes it takes time for us to grow and to mature before we ever can bear fruit, just like the fig tree." [00:52:14] (61 seconds)
"Bob McKillop stayed with him and believed in him, and Steph Curry worked really hard. And by the time he graduated, well, he didn't graduate, by his junior year, he led the entire country in scoring. He averaged nearly 30 points a game. And when they got into this tournament, they started upsetting people. And if you remember that, that's one of the greatest Cinderella runs. They beat some, you know, they were ranked, they were like rated like 15th, I think, when they started. So they had to beat some really big teams along the way. And they were one basket away from going to the Final Four. The next year, he turned pro. And, you know, when the pros weren't, you know, I don't know if he's too, maybe too small there, but they still drafted pretty high. And, of course, the rest is history, right? He is almost universally considered the greatest pure shooter of all time in the NBA. He has all the records for three points, record for highest free throw percentage, because he has really worked on this game and improving himself. But I do think that's a pretty good illustration, you know, that sometimes growth is there. And like Bob McKillop, you know, we have a Heavenly Father who is like the gardener who believes in us. Give it more time. You know, sometimes we are so impatient with ourselves, and the parable, you know, teaches us that. In the parable, it tells us about this in-between time. The fig tree is in an in-between season. It is not producing fruit, yet it is still alive. And so the gardener recognizes that growth requires time, nourishment, and patience." [00:55:35] (109 seconds)
"And so we too, we too go through seasons of waiting where transformation is happening beneath the surface, even if the results cannot yet be seen. And so sometimes we get impatient with ourselves. Or maybe you've got some sort of external factor. Maybe you've got some boss at work or some relative who is like, you know, you know, why aren't you doing more? Why, you know, why aren't you, you know, achieving here? But I think most of that pressure goes on ourselves. We think, you know, we ought to be doing more. We ought to be able to be producing more. We ought to be able to managing life more. And the truth is, we are just in one of those seasons of growth and of waiting." [00:57:22] (45 seconds)
"Because this isn't just we're going to stay resting no time. We also need to be moving towards growth. And the challenge of growth is this. Some of us resist growth because it requires change. Growth means leaving behind old habits, embracing new challenges, and stepping in to the unknown. So, this parable is a call to trust in God's timing. Whether we are in a season of rest, whether we are in a season of growth or waiting, we are called to remain faithful." [01:01:58] (36 seconds)
"And I'm speaking to you as Christian individuals as well. Where you're finding that rhythm, whether you're finding that grace to give yourself as individual peoples, in your family, in your own personal lives. But I'm also speaking to us as a church community. Because there's rhythms in church community as well. Sometimes we kind of beat ourselves up that we ought to be doing more. We ought to have more people. We ought to be giving more. We ought to be, you know, be able to, you know, do these projects, to do these goals that we have. And sometimes it just takes time. Sometimes you look back, you know, from one season to the next and see where we were a year ago. And what has happened? What is growth? What has needed to be paired? What has, you know, what has, you know, what has blossomed, what has grown? What fruits are coming out? It's a call. It's a call to action. But it's a call also to faithfulness and trust. And understanding that God is with us in the in-betweens." [01:02:14] (68 seconds)
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