Embracing Our Divine Potential and Purpose

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that God has endowed each of us with dominion and creative potential. Genesis 1:26 reminds us that we are made in God's image, granting us the ability to think, create, and have dominion over the earth. This divine empowerment is not just a relic of creation but a present reality echoed in Psalms 8, which speaks of humanity's honor and glory. We are called to recognize and utilize the unique gifts and skills God has given us, much like a child proudly displaying their artwork to a parent. God delights in our efforts, no matter how small they may seem.

However, many of us struggle to realize our potential due to fear, lack of purpose, or self-imposed limitations. It's crucial to understand that God can guide and redirect our efforts, but we must first take action. Like a parked car, we cannot be steered unless we start moving. Purpose is a powerful motivator that can transform our lives, as seen in my own journey of returning to education to fulfill God's calling.

Fear often holds us back, but 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. We must take steps of faith, trusting that God will illuminate our path, even if only a few steps at a time. Additionally, we must lay aside the weights that hinder us, such as anger and unforgiveness. These burdens can keep us captive, preventing us from moving forward in our God-given purpose.

Forgiveness is a crucial step in releasing these weights. It is not about feeling like forgiving but choosing to release our right to get even. By doing so, we free ourselves from the chains of past offenses. Our purpose is too significant to be bound by sin or time-wasting activities. We must open our hands to God, allowing Him to remove what hinders us and fill us with what we need to fulfill our purpose.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine Dominion and Creativity: We are created in God's image, endowed with the ability to think and create. This divine empowerment is not just historical but a present reality, urging us to recognize and utilize our unique gifts for God's glory. [00:30]

- The Power of Purpose: A clear purpose can transform our lives, providing motivation and direction. When we align our actions with God's calling, we find the strength to overcome obstacles and pursue our dreams. [05:22]

- Overcoming Fear with Faith: Fear often holds us back, but God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. By taking steps of faith, we trust God to guide us, even if we only see the next step. [12:28]

- The Freedom of Forgiveness: Unforgiveness can keep us captive, but choosing to forgive releases us from the chains of past offenses. It's a daily decision to let go and trust God with our rights and justice. [15:29]

- Living with Open Hands: To fulfill our purpose, we must open our hands to God, allowing Him to remove hindrances and fill us with what we need. This act of surrender enables us to live in the dominion God has promised. [18:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Created for Dominion
- [00:47] - Echoes of Psalms 8
- [01:17] - Human Creativity and Potential
- [02:09] - Breaking World Records
- [03:01] - God's Unique Plan for You
- [04:07] - Taking the First Step
- [05:22] - The Power of Purpose
- [06:43] - Overcoming Fear
- [07:48] - Self-Dominion
- [09:58] - Facing Fear and Failure
- [11:18] - Doing What We Can
- [12:28] - Living by Faith
- [13:16] - Laying Aside Weights
- [14:38] - The Freedom of Forgiveness
- [17:31] - Avoiding Time Wasters
- [18:04] - Living with Open Hands

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:26
2. Psalms 8:3-6
3. 2 Timothy 1:7

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Genesis 1:26, what specific abilities and responsibilities are given to humanity as a result of being made in God's image? How does this relate to the concept of dominion? [00:15]

2. In Psalms 8:3-6, what does it mean for humanity to be crowned with glory and honor? How does this passage reinforce the idea of human dominion over creation? [00:47]

3. The sermon mentioned a story about a cat performing tricks. What was the point of this story in relation to human creativity and potential? [01:17]

4. How does 2 Timothy 1:7 describe the spirit God has given us, and how does this contrast with the spirit of fear? [12:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding that we are made in God's image with dominion over the earth influence our daily decisions and actions? [00:30]

2. The sermon emphasized the importance of purpose. How can a clear sense of purpose transform an individual's life and decisions? [05:22]

3. What are some practical ways to overcome fear with faith, as suggested by the sermon and 2 Timothy 1:7? [12:28]

4. The sermon discussed the concept of forgiveness as a means of releasing burdens. How does this align with biblical teachings on forgiveness, and why is it crucial for fulfilling our purpose? [15:29]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered to create or lead. How did recognizing your God-given dominion influence your actions? How can you apply this understanding to a current situation in your life? [00:30]

2. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel a lack of purpose. What steps can you take to seek God's guidance and align your actions with His calling? [05:22]

3. Fear can be a significant barrier to fulfilling our potential. What is one fear you currently face, and how can you apply the principles from 2 Timothy 1:7 to overcome it? [12:28]

4. Consider a situation where unforgiveness is holding you back. What practical steps can you take to choose forgiveness and release the burden of past offenses? [15:29]

5. The sermon mentioned the importance of living with open hands, allowing God to remove hindrances. What is one specific hindrance you need to surrender to God, and how will you do this in the coming week? [18:04]

6. Think about a small step you can take this week towards a larger goal or dream. How can you ensure that this step aligns with God's purpose for your life? [04:38]

7. Reflect on the concept of living by faith, even when the path is not fully visible. How can you practice this in a current decision or challenge you are facing? [12:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Creativity
God has created us in His image, endowing us with the ability to think, create, and have dominion over the earth. This divine empowerment is not just a historical fact but a present reality that calls us to recognize and utilize our unique gifts for God's glory. Just as a child proudly displays their artwork to a parent, God delights in our efforts, no matter how small they may seem. We are encouraged to step into this creative potential, understanding that our contributions, however modest, are significant in the eyes of God. [00:30]

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: What unique gift or talent has God given you that you can use today to reflect His image and bring glory to Him?


Day 2: Discovering the Power of Purpose
A clear purpose can transform our lives, providing motivation and direction. When we align our actions with God's calling, we find the strength to overcome obstacles and pursue our dreams. Purpose acts as a powerful motivator, much like a compass guiding us through life's challenges. By seeking God's guidance and aligning our lives with His will, we can experience a profound sense of fulfillment and direction. [05:22]

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel a lack of purpose? How can you seek God's guidance to find clarity and direction in this area today?


Day 3: Conquering Fear with Faith
Fear often holds us back, but God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. By taking steps of faith, we trust God to guide us, even if we only see the next step. This journey of faith requires courage and trust, knowing that God will illuminate our path as we move forward. We are encouraged to lay aside the weights that hinder us, such as anger and unforgiveness, and to embrace the spirit of power that God has given us. [12:28]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: What fear is currently holding you back from taking a step of faith? How can you trust God to guide you through this fear today?


Day 4: The Liberating Power of Forgiveness
Unforgiveness can keep us captive, but choosing to forgive releases us from the chains of past offenses. Forgiveness is not about feeling like forgiving but choosing to release our right to get even. By doing so, we free ourselves from the chains of past offenses and open ourselves to God's healing and peace. Our purpose is too significant to be bound by sin or time-wasting activities, and forgiveness is a crucial step in releasing these weights. [15:29]

Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 5: Living with Open Hands
To fulfill our purpose, we must open our hands to God, allowing Him to remove hindrances and fill us with what we need. This act of surrender enables us to live in the dominion God has promised. By living with open hands, we invite God to work in our lives, removing what hinders us and filling us with His strength and purpose. This surrender is a daily decision to trust God with our lives and to allow Him to guide us in fulfilling our divine calling. [18:04]

Psalm 37:5 (ESV): "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes


God declared that you as a human being, being as a man have dominion you have in your power you have in your mind in your spirit and your will the ability to do incredible things in and of yourself and for the Lord some say well that was just the creation but then the creation's Fallen oh no no no Psalms 8 Echoes that same promise. [00:00:30]

God can think original things into existence and so can you he's given you incredible gifts and skills that sometimes we think about and sometimes we don't they're not even tapped in 1999 speaking of the world records of the Guinness Book World of Records there was a man who um got into a plexiglass coffin with 20,000 uh hissing live cockroaches. [00:01:49]

It could be that just as everyone has their own fingerprints and everyone has their own DNA that God has an incredibly special plan for you in fact he's given you Liberty to think of things on your own and put his Blessing on you say well I don't know I don't want to be out of the will of God think of it this way when a 5-year-old comes home and they've done finger painting in school. [00:02:47]

Once we start doing stuff once we start accomplishing stuff he can take what we do and he can turn it this way and turn it that way and he can do incredible things in us and through us it's just very hard for God to steer a parked car so we have to start you have to take the first step have to take the next step. [00:04:30]

For once you get a purpose in life it absolutely changes everything else around you I went to Bible College and I wanted to go back to school but then I um was evangelizing and it's hard to go to school and you're evangelizing and then my wife and I planted a church and it was a wonderful time in Ministry but it's hard to go back to school and you're planting a church. [00:05:32]

The way you start is do the thing that's in front of you to do accomplish little things and then let those little things become bigger things and those bigger things become bigger things faithfulness is an incredible thing and accomplishing one thing gives you self-esteem to do the next thing I asked a class one time I said what helped you in in to to feel like you could accomplish in Ministry. [00:07:02]

The first thing we have to take dominion over is not the fish of the sea or the birds of the air or some external thing so that we can do great wondrous things it's ourself it's saying I'm going to start something I'm going to do something I'm going to be something and again it helps if you have a purpose. [00:07:59]

Fear afraid I'll fail afraid what people think of me afraid of um not being able to finish what I start after I'd finish a a a master's degree I felt God calling me to go on and get a doctor and in our movement back in the 1990s that just it wasn't done but I felt like it I should do it and I was wrest with and I didn't have the money. [00:09:59]

The answer to fear is second Timothy 17 to live in faith for God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind and the your word is a lamp to my feet a light to my path so I am not needing to know so far in the future I need to know the big picture and then I need to know the next step. [00:12:23]

Anger is God's opportunity for us to put an open hand back to God and say, Lord I give you my rights you put in there what you want and you take out what you want because I don't want to be carrying a cement block around I want to live in faith and I want to live in openness not trusting in my own ability not trusting in um what others can will do but trusting in you ultimately. [00:14:37]

The remedy for that is to forgive you say well I don't feel like forgiving well the Bible doesn't ask you whether you feel like forgiving the Bible only tells you to forgive you say well I forgave him but then something happened there was a trigger and I um I got mad at him again all right that's why we pray the Lord's Prayer. [00:15:22]

Your purpose is too great to be bound by something like pornography you're um you don't need that in your life um and you can release it and God has one command when it comes to things sexual flee fornication so you need to cut all that stuff out um your life is too uh important your purpose is too important to have time wasters in your life. [00:17:17]

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Transcript
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