Embracing Limits: Finding Peace in God's Design
Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of limits and how they relate to the peace, or shalom, that Jesus promises us. We began by acknowledging that everything in creation, including ourselves, has limits. Just as materials have yield and ultimate strength, we too have boundaries that, when exceeded, can lead to deformation or rupture. This is not just a physical truth but a spiritual one as well. Our struggle with limits often disrupts the peace that Jesus offers, leading to a state of "un-shalom."
We live in a culture that often denies or despises limits, promoting the idea that we can be anything we want if we just push hard enough. While inspirational stories of overcoming odds are valuable, they can mislead us into living as though we have no limits, extracting a toll on our lives and robbing us of peace. The truth is, we are created with limits, and acknowledging these is crucial for experiencing true peace.
The Sabbath is a divine gift that acknowledges our need for rest and rhythm. It is a reminder of our human limits and an invitation to rest in God's provision. Jesus himself respected these limits, as seen in his need for sleep and his observance of the Sabbath. By embracing the Sabbath, we honor our need for a balanced rhythm of work and rest, allowing our bodies, minds, and spirits to be replenished.
Moreover, recognizing our limits does not limit God. Our Creator can work through and beyond our limitations, as demonstrated in the stories of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary. Their lives remind us that while we have limits, God's power is not constrained by them. We are encouraged to name and accept our limits, understanding that they are part of our design and that God can do exceedingly more than we can imagine through them.
As we navigate a world that often pushes us to ignore our limits, let us embrace the peace that comes from acknowledging them. By observing the Sabbath and accepting our boundaries, we open ourselves to the shalom that Jesus offers, becoming ambassadors of peace in a world that desperately needs it.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Limits: Recognizing that we are created with limits is essential for experiencing peace. Our culture often encourages us to push beyond these limits, but doing so can lead to a lack of shalom in our lives. Embracing our limits allows us to live in harmony with how God designed us. [39:18]
- The Gift of Sabbath: The Sabbath is a divine gift that acknowledges our need for rest and rhythm. It is a time to cease work, replenish our spirits, and delight in God. Observing the Sabbath helps us honor our human limits and experience the peace that God offers. [46:30]
- Limits and God's Power: Our limits do not limit God. Stories from Scripture, like those of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary, show that God can work through and beyond our limitations. By accepting our limits, we allow God to do exceedingly more than we can imagine. [01:02:31]
- Naming and Accepting Limits: Identifying and accepting our limits is crucial for spiritual growth. By understanding what we covet or resent in others, we can better recognize our boundaries and learn to live within them, allowing God's power to be made perfect in our weakness. [57:29]
- Living with Shalom: To live with the peace that Jesus offers, we must make peace with our limits. This involves observing the Sabbath, acknowledging our boundaries, and trusting that God can work through us despite our limitations. By doing so, we become ambassadors of peace in a world that needs it. [01:04:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:01:00] - Introduction to Limits
- [00:05:00] - Understanding Yield and Ultimate Strength
- [00:10:00] - The Concept of Shalom
- [00:15:00] - The Supply Chain Problem of Peace
- [00:20:00] - Created with Limits
- [00:25:00] - Cultural Messages vs. Reality
- [00:30:00] - The Role of the Sabbath
- [00:35:00] - Jesus and Human Limits
- [00:40:00] - Embracing the Gift of Sabbath
- [00:45:00] - Recognizing and Naming Limits
- [00:50:00] - Biblical Examples of Limits
- [00:55:00] - God's Power Beyond Our Limits
- [01:00:00] - Living with Shalom
- [01:05:00] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
2. Mark 2:27 - "Then he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'"
3. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the term "shalom" encompass according to the sermon, and how does it differ from the common understanding of peace? [39:18]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of acknowledging human limits during his time on earth? [45:06]
3. What examples from the Bible were given in the sermon to illustrate that our limits do not limit God? [01:02:31]
4. How does the concept of the Sabbath serve as a reminder of our human limits? [46:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the cultural messages that encourage us to push beyond our limits conflict with the biblical understanding of peace and limits? [41:56]
2. In what ways does the Sabbath act as a gift and necessity for acknowledging our human limits, according to the sermon? [46:30]
3. How does Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 illustrate the relationship between human weakness and divine strength? [59:41]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of acknowledging our limits in experiencing the peace that Jesus offers? [01:04:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you ignored your limits. What were the consequences, and how might acknowledging your limits have changed the outcome? [49:26]
2. How can you incorporate the practice of Sabbath into your weekly routine to honor your need for rest and rhythm? What challenges might you face in doing so? [46:30]
3. Identify an area in your life where you feel pressured to exceed your limits. How can you begin to set boundaries in this area to experience more peace? [48:47]
4. Consider the biblical examples of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary. How can their stories inspire you to trust in God's power despite your own limitations? [01:02:31]
5. What are some practical steps you can take to become an ambassador of peace in your community, acknowledging your limits while allowing God to work through you? [01:04:31]
6. How can you use the concept of "naming and accepting limits" to address feelings of jealousy or resentment towards others? [57:29]
7. In what ways can you remind yourself that your limits do not limit God, especially when facing challenges or uncertainties? [59:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our God-Given Limits
Understanding that we are created with limits is essential for experiencing peace. In a world that often encourages us to push beyond these limits, we can find ourselves in a state of "un-shalom," where peace is elusive. Recognizing and accepting our boundaries allows us to live in harmony with how God designed us. This acceptance is not about giving up but about aligning ourselves with the divine order and finding contentment in our God-given capacities. By acknowledging our limits, we open ourselves to the peace that Jesus offers, a peace that surpasses all understanding. [39:18]
"For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel stretched beyond your limits? How can you begin to embrace these limits as part of God's design for you today?
Day 2: The Sabbath as a Divine Gift
The Sabbath is a divine gift that acknowledges our need for rest and rhythm. It is a time to cease work, replenish our spirits, and delight in God. Observing the Sabbath helps us honor our human limits and experience the peace that God offers. By setting aside time to rest, we align ourselves with the natural rhythms of creation and allow our bodies, minds, and spirits to be replenished. Jesus himself respected these limits, as seen in his need for sleep and his observance of the Sabbath. Embracing the Sabbath is an act of faith, trusting in God's provision and care. [46:30]
"Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord." (Exodus 31:15a, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time this week to observe the Sabbath and rest in God's provision?
Day 3: God's Power Beyond Our Limits
Our limits do not limit God. Stories from Scripture, like those of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary, show that God can work through and beyond our limitations. By accepting our limits, we allow God to do exceedingly more than we can imagine. These biblical examples remind us that while we have boundaries, God's power is not constrained by them. He can accomplish His purposes in and through us, despite our weaknesses. Trusting in God's ability to work beyond our limitations is an act of faith that opens us to His miraculous power. [01:02:31]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" (2 Corinthians 12:9a, ESV)
Reflection: What is one limitation you face that you can surrender to God, trusting Him to work through it in ways you cannot imagine?
Day 4: Naming and Accepting Our Limits
Identifying and accepting our limits is crucial for spiritual growth. By understanding what we covet or resent in others, we can better recognize our boundaries and learn to live within them. This self-awareness allows us to embrace our unique design and rely on God's strength in our weaknesses. Accepting our limits is not about resignation but about finding freedom in living authentically as God created us. It is an invitation to trust in God's sufficiency and to experience His peace in our lives. [57:29]
"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." (Galatians 6:4, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area where you find yourself comparing to others? How can you begin to accept your unique limits and trust in God's sufficiency?
Day 5: Living with Shalom
To live with the peace that Jesus offers, we must make peace with our limits. This involves observing the Sabbath, acknowledging our boundaries, and trusting that God can work through us despite our limitations. By doing so, we become ambassadors of peace in a world that desperately needs it. Living with shalom means embracing the fullness of life that God intends for us, a life marked by balance, rest, and trust in His provision. As we navigate a world that often pushes us to ignore our limits, let us embrace the peace that comes from acknowledging them. [01:04:31]
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively pursue shalom in your life today by acknowledging your limits and trusting in God's provision?
Quotes
"Our struggle with our limits. So let me just start out by stating the obvious. You, each of you, like me, were created with limits. Just like that peace triangle that we talked about last week. We have things in our hearts that we should of ceiling structure and the paint stir sticks and the rubber bands, you and I were all created with limits. Now, our inability or our unwillingness to make peace with our limits can create conditions of, well, maybe we could call it un -shalom, if that's a word." [00:40:59] (37 seconds)
"So we're subjected to stories and images, of those who have defied the odds, done the seemingly impossible, conquered overwhelming challenges. And don't misunderstand me. Those stories and sayings and examples, they are an inspiration for us. And many times we need that kind of inspiration. They're not bad in and of themselves. The problem is when they lead us to live as though we have no limits. When that happens, they begin to extract a toll from our lives. What they extract is shalom." [00:42:33] (40 seconds)
"So to be clear, there is someone who has unlimited strength and power, and it's not you, and it's not me. That someone is our creator, but you and I are created. We are created by God, and we are created with limits." [00:44:08] (20 seconds)
"The Sabbath was made for you and for me as a gift, as a necessity, as an acknowledgment of the fact that as human beings, we were created with limits. As one author pointed out, we were created with limits. The point of the Sabbath is to honor our need for a sane rhythm of work and rest. It's to honor the body's need for rest, the spirit's need for replenishment, and the soul's need to delight itself in God for God's own sake. It begins with a willingness to acknowledge, catch this, the limits of our humanness." [00:46:30] (46 seconds)
"Ruth Haley Barton, in her book, Sacred Rhythms, says, Our unwillingness to practice Sabbath is really an unwillingness to live within the limits of our humanity and to honor our finiteness. We cling to some sense that we're indispensable. The world cannot go on without us for even a day. Or we feel that certain tasks and activities are more significant than the delights that God is wanting to share with us in Sabbath." [00:49:41] (29 seconds)
"Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why for Christ's sake, he says, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardship, in persecution, in difficulties, for when I am weak, then I am strong." [00:59:13] (18 seconds)
"Your limits do not limit God. Like that's the challenge that we have is we think, well, if I can't do X, Y, and Z, then it's not going to happen. But the God who made you with limits is the same God who can do exceeding abundantly more than we could ask or imagine. The reason that Paul says, I can do all things, that verse that I mentioned earlier, is he finishes that by saying, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In other words, he acknowledges God doesn't have the limits. I do." [01:00:45] (33 seconds)
"Without God, our limits will limit us, but God works through our limits. I think it's great. This time of year, we're familiar with the story about Christmas and the characters that show up, and we'll talk about them in the coming weeks. But let me take you to the story in Luke's gospel where he talks about this couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth. Who had limits, and their limits, they had to make peace with them. Their limits were that they were never going to have children of their own." [01:01:20] (32 seconds)
"But if you want to live with the shalom that Jesus offers, then I would urge you, all of us, to make peace with your limits. Do this by observing Sabbath one day a week, a day when you actually rest from work and acknowledge the limits of your body and your mind. It's a gift." [01:04:56] (28 seconds)
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