Embracing New Beginnings: Faith, Humility, and Hope
Summary
In today's worship, we are reminded of God's promise to make a way in the wilderness and bring forth rivers in the desert. This is a call to embrace the new things God is doing in our lives, leaving behind the past and stepping into a future filled with His presence. Worship acts as a spiritual reset, much like rebooting a sluggish computer, allowing us to reconnect with God and align our hearts with His will. Through prayer, we seek a reset from fear and anxiety, grounding ourselves in the love and wisdom of God, who reigns sovereignly over our lives.
Reflecting on the life of John the Baptist, we see a powerful example of preparation and humility. John prepared the way for Jesus, urging people to clean up their lives and relationships in anticipation of the coming King. His message was one of relational righteousness, encouraging people to treat each other with love and respect. Despite his own significant role, John recognized the superiority of Jesus, acknowledging that all he had was a gift from heaven. This humility is encapsulated in his declaration, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
John's story also teaches us about faith and doubt. Even the greatest of prophets can experience moments of uncertainty, as John did when he questioned Jesus from prison. Yet, Jesus reassures him by pointing to the evidence of His works—the blind seeing, the lame walking, and the good news being preached to the poor. This serves as a reminder that in our moments of doubt, we can turn to Jesus, who is always ready to reveal His truth and restore our faith.
Ultimately, the message is one of hope and assurance. Jesus, the anointed one, offers eternal life—a life of abundance and joy that surpasses our greatest imaginations. This gift is available to all who believe, and it is through persistent seeking and asking that we receive the revelation of His greatness. As we continue our journey of faith, let us be like John, pointing others to Christ and rejoicing in the knowledge that He is the Messiah, the source of eternal life.
Key Takeaways:
1. Worship as a Spiritual Reset: Worship serves as a reset for our souls, helping us reconnect with God and align our lives with His will. It is a time to let go of fear and anxiety, grounding ourselves in the love and wisdom of God, who reigns sovereignly over our lives. [00:00]
2. John the Baptist's Humility: John the Baptist exemplifies humility by recognizing the superiority of Jesus. Despite his significant role, he acknowledges that all he has is a gift from heaven, declaring, "He must increase, but I must decrease." This humility is a powerful reminder of our need to prioritize Christ in our lives. [26:26]
3. Faith and Doubt: Even the greatest of prophets, like John, can experience moments of doubt. In these times, we can turn to Jesus, who reassures us with the evidence of His works and restores our faith. This teaches us that doubt is a natural part of faith, and Jesus is always ready to reveal His truth to us. [42:01]
4. The Gift of Eternal Life: Jesus offers eternal life, a life of abundance and joy that surpasses our greatest imaginations. This gift is available to all who believe, and it is through persistent seeking and asking that we receive the revelation of His greatness. [36:41]
5. Pointing Others to Christ: Like John the Baptist, we are called to point others to Christ, rejoicing in the knowledge that He is the Messiah, the source of eternal life. Our lives should reflect His love and truth, drawing others to the hope and assurance found in Him. [47:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Call to Worship
- [01:15] - Worship as a Reset
- [02:45] - Prayer for Reset
- [04:00] - Prayer of Confession
- [05:30] - Children's Song and Story
- [17:20] - John the Baptist's Message
- [19:32] - Preparing for Jesus
- [26:26] - John's Humility and Recognition of Jesus
- [29:17] - The Superiority of Jesus
- [32:47] - Receiving the Gift from Heaven
- [36:41] - Asking for Revelation
- [42:01] - Faith and Doubt
- [47:17] - Jesus' Assurance and Our Response
- [53:10] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV): "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
2. John 3:27-30 (NIV): "To this John replied, 'A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, "I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him." The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.'"
3. Matthew 11:2-6 (NIV): "When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?' Jesus replied, 'Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.'"
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Observation Questions:
1. What does God promise to do in the wilderness and desert according to Isaiah 43:18-19? How does this relate to the idea of worship as a spiritual reset? [00:30]
2. How does John the Baptist describe his role in relation to Jesus in John 3:27-30? What does this reveal about his understanding of his mission? [26:26]
3. In Matthew 11:2-6, what evidence does Jesus provide to reassure John the Baptist of His identity? How does this evidence relate to the works of Jesus mentioned in the sermon? [42:01]
4. What are some of the relational issues John the Baptist addresses in his message, and how do they reflect the concept of relational righteousness? [19:32]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the promise of God doing a "new thing" in Isaiah 43:18-19 encourage believers to let go of past fears and anxieties? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about worship as a reset? [00:30]
2. What does John the Baptist's statement "He must become greater; I must become less" suggest about the nature of humility and prioritizing Christ in one's life? How can this perspective influence a believer's daily actions? [26:26]
3. How does Jesus' response to John the Baptist's doubts in Matthew 11:2-6 illustrate the relationship between faith and evidence? What does this teach about handling moments of doubt in one's spiritual journey? [42:01]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can point others to Christ, similar to John the Baptist's role? How can this be practically applied in modern contexts? [47:17]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when worship acted as a reset for your soul. How did it help you reconnect with God and align your life with His will? What steps can you take to make worship a regular reset in your life? [00:30]
2. John the Baptist exemplified humility by acknowledging Jesus' superiority. In what areas of your life do you need to practice humility and prioritize Christ? How can you actively decrease so that He may increase? [26:26]
3. Have you ever experienced a moment of doubt in your faith similar to John the Baptist? How did you seek reassurance, and what role did evidence of Jesus' works play in restoring your faith? [42:01]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of relational righteousness. Identify a relationship in your life that needs healing or improvement. What practical steps can you take to foster love and respect in that relationship? [19:32]
5. Jesus offers eternal life as a gift to those who believe. How does this promise of abundant life influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? What can you do to share this hope with someone in your life? [36:41]
6. Like John the Baptist, we are called to point others to Christ. Who in your life can you intentionally point towards Jesus this week, and how will you do it? [47:17]
7. Consider the areas of your life where you feel stuck or in need of a reset. How can you invite God to make a way in your personal wilderness and bring forth new life? [00:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Spiritual Reset
Worship is a powerful tool that allows us to reset our spiritual lives, much like rebooting a sluggish computer. It provides an opportunity to reconnect with God, aligning our hearts and minds with His will. In worship, we are invited to let go of fear and anxiety, grounding ourselves in the love and wisdom of God, who reigns sovereignly over our lives. This spiritual reset is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with God, as it helps us to focus on His presence and the new things He is doing in our lives. [00:00]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What fears or anxieties are you holding onto that you need to release to God during your time of worship today?
Day 2: John the Baptist's Humility
John the Baptist exemplifies humility by recognizing the superiority of Jesus. Despite his significant role in preparing the way for Jesus, John acknowledges that all he has is a gift from heaven. His declaration, "He must increase, but I must decrease," serves as a powerful reminder of our need to prioritize Christ in our lives. This humility challenges us to examine our own lives and consider how we can make more room for Jesus, allowing His presence to grow within us. [26:26]
John 3:27-30 (ESV): "John answered, 'A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him." He must increase, but I must decrease.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to decrease so that Christ can increase? How can you actively make space for Him today?
Day 3: Faith and Doubt
Even the greatest of prophets, like John the Baptist, can experience moments of doubt. In these times, we are encouraged to turn to Jesus, who reassures us with the evidence of His works and restores our faith. This teaches us that doubt is a natural part of faith, and Jesus is always ready to reveal His truth to us. By focusing on the evidence of His works, such as the blind seeing and the lame walking, we can find reassurance and strength in our faith journey. [42:01]
Matthew 11:2-5 (ESV): "Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?' And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.'"
Reflection: When you experience doubt, what specific evidence of Jesus' works can you focus on to restore your faith today?
Day 4: The Gift of Eternal Life
Jesus offers eternal life, a life of abundance and joy that surpasses our greatest imaginations. This gift is available to all who believe, and it is through persistent seeking and asking that we receive the revelation of His greatness. Embracing this gift requires us to actively pursue a relationship with Jesus, seeking His presence and guidance in our daily lives. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of life that He promises. [36:41]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: How can you actively seek and ask for the revelation of Jesus' greatness in your life today?
Day 5: Pointing Others to Christ
Like John the Baptist, we are called to point others to Christ, rejoicing in the knowledge that He is the Messiah, the source of eternal life. Our lives should reflect His love and truth, drawing others to the hope and assurance found in Him. By living in a way that honors Christ, we can be a beacon of light to those around us, guiding them towards the abundant life that Jesus offers. [47:17]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Who in your life can you point to Christ today, and how can you do so in a way that reflects His love and truth?
Quotes
I often find that worship is like a reboot. It's a reset. It's uh sometimes my computer if I used it too long it gets all kind of slow and I don't know what bug gets in there so I have to reset it and get it going again and I find worship is that reset where we connect back to God and God's able to kind of deal with all the bugs in our system and get us well again. [00:11:07] (23 seconds)
God, I pray that you would in fact do a reset within our souls reset us from any fear and anxiety that creeps in and allow us to be rooted in the ground of our salvation the heartbeat that you have for us full of love and compassion the wisdom in which you rule and reign help us to know that you are sovereign you are king and we are your adopted sons and daughters forever part of your family. [00:11:47] (35 seconds)
We know that because when people came back to him and said, what should we do? He said, well, if you have extra things, give a cloak away to one who doesn't have any. If you've been extorting people, stop it. And the things that John was about were relational things, like the things in which cause friction between people. And he was saying, start being righteous with people. Start treating each other well. [00:23:40] (26 seconds)
John answered, a person cannot receive even one thing unless it's given to him from heaven. And I'm going to stop for a moment. A person can only receive what is given to him from heaven. That somehow, these people who are moving away from John's baptism, and going to Jesus, that somehow, they have recognized there's something different about Jesus. [00:26:42] (32 seconds)
The Father loves the Son and has given him all things into his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him. So there's something remarkable about this Jesus. He's the Christ. He's the one from above. Upon him, the Spirit is without measure, meaning that he has incredible power. [00:29:45] (28 seconds)
And he's saying that the way you get him is from heaven, that somehow a person can only receive what is given to them by heaven. And so as John is watching and he's seeing all these people who are getting Jesus, he's realizing that somehow they're getting a revelation of his greatness and are coming to him and believing in him. It's a gift from heaven. [00:31:06] (26 seconds)
Because the gift of heaven, a person only can receive what is given to them from heaven, but there's another part of Scripture saying that you can ask and it shall be given to you. Like, like, that's what's happening. There's an asking that can happen when you say, I don't get who you are, Lord. Help me to get you. [00:35:19] (28 seconds)
And the thing you're supposed to, and so Jesus is saying, this is my mission statement, my mission statement is so that you who are poor can be rich, you who are, can't see, can see, you who are imprisoned can be set free, you who are oppressed by all these crazy thoughts can have clarity, that you can stand in the land of Jubilee, which means freedom, life. [00:36:12] (26 seconds)
And then through trials of his life lost it and yet sent some disciples to Jesus to get it reclaimed meaning that's going to be our life too that there is by gift of heaven we inquire about who Jesus is there's something that hungers about him and there's a revelation by heaven that we get him and then there's seasons where we lose him and we can follow John the Baptist by asking help me to see again that you are the one and heaven responds by an answer he does not leave John the Baptist wondering and he will not let you linger wondering he wants you to know he is the Christ the Messiah you have eternal life you have better days coming your way. [00:45:24] (65 seconds)
And we pray that in our own lives, Lord, help us to glorify you. To know you and glorify you. So that when you come, that you might be absolutely delighted in the love in which we have for each other. And for you. And Lord, let us pray as you taught. [00:55:11] (21 seconds)
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