Embracing Our Mess: God's Purpose in Our Lives
Summary
This morning, I want to start by acknowledging that today is Mother's Day. I know that for some, this day is filled with joy and celebration, while for others, it may bring pain and sorrow. Regardless of where you find yourself, know that God sees you and loves you right where you are. Today, I want to talk about something that applies to all of us, not just mothers. I want to discuss the messiness of life and how God uses it for His purpose.
I have to admit, I was nervous this morning. I had this fear that something might go wrong, like not zipping up my pants before coming on stage. But through all the worship, I kept praying that the Holy Spirit would overshadow any mistakes. This brings me to the point that we all have fears and insecurities, but God is in control, and He has a plan for each of us.
This past week has been incredibly challenging for me. I felt mentally fatigued and struggled to get my thoughts together. I believe the enemy was attacking me because I was bringing a word today. But I want to share that God has called us to something greater, and this calling was in place long before the mess of our lives had a say. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us.
Let's dive into our scripture for today, Acts 9:10-17. This passage talks about Saul's conversion and how Ananias was called by God to go and lay hands on Saul to restore his sight. Ananias had every reason to be afraid and doubt God's command, but he chose to obey. This obedience changed the history of the church. Similarly, our obedience to God's call can change the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us.
We often go to God with our problems, but when He tries to address them, we resist. Psalm 34:4 says, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." However, we often stop at seeking the Lord and don't allow Him to speak into those areas of our lives that need healing. I have personally struggled with this, and it has affected my relationships, my marriage, and my ability to function in society. But God wants to deliver us from our fears and heal our brokenness.
Saul, who later became Paul, had every reason to avoid the people he would preach to because of his past. But he chose to view his mission through God's perspective rather than his own pain. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul says to preach the Word of God, whether the time is favorable or not. Our lives are a living testimony of God's Word, and we must be prepared to share it, regardless of our circumstances.
We often let our mess and pain stall us instead of allowing it to serve our purpose. We wait for the perfect circumstances, but God wants us to move forward in faith. Ananias' obedience to God's command to go to Saul changed the course of history. Similarly, our obedience can change the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us.
We must choose to let God heal our feelings and deal with our mess. Fear often establishes the boundaries of our freedom, but when we pass through our fears, we have unlimited access to freedom. God wants to use our mess to fulfill His purpose in our lives. We must stop being busy and start being productive in our purpose.
Peter was asked to step out of the boat onto the water, not onto solid ground. God is not insensitive to our situations; He knows that when our mess meets His mercy, we are standing on holy ground. There is a pruning process that we must go through, but on the other side of our pain is beauty, healing, and restoration.
We sing songs of surrender, but we must also live them out. God has healed us, but we must walk in that healing. We must allow God to speak to those areas in our lives that we don't want to address. Our marriages, homes, and relationships are worth it. Let's choose today to stop letting the issues within us keep us from where God is trying to take us.
Key Takeaways:
1. God Sees and Loves You Where You Are: Today is Mother's Day, and while it is a day of joy for some, it is a day of pain for others. Regardless of where you find yourself, know that God sees you and loves you right where you are. He understands your pain and wants to meet you in it. [41:59]
2. God's Calling Precedes Our Mess: God has called us to something greater, and this calling was in place long before the mess of our lives had a say. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Our mess does not disqualify us from God's purpose. [43:27]
3. Obedience Can Change the Course of History: Ananias had every reason to be afraid and doubt God's command to go to Saul, but he chose to obey. This obedience changed the history of the church. Similarly, our obedience to God's call can change the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us. [45:17]
4. Allow God to Speak to Your Pain: We often go to God with our problems, but when He tries to address them, we resist. Psalm 34:4 says, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." We must allow God to speak into those areas of our lives that need healing. [01:02:38]
5. Your Mess is Your Purpose: Fear often establishes the boundaries of our freedom, but when we pass through our fears, we have unlimited access to freedom. God wants to use our mess to fulfill His purpose in our lives. We must stop being busy and start being productive in our purpose. [53:04]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[41:59] - Acknowledging Mother's Day
[42:39] - Overcoming Insecurities
[43:27] - God's Calling Precedes Our Mess
[44:29] - Scripture Reading: Acts 9:10-17
[45:17] - Obedience Can Change History
[45:55] - Wrestling with Our Mess
[47:14] - Pain Can Stall or Serve Us
[48:10] - Ananias' Obedience
[49:05] - Excuses and Insecurities
[49:47] - Waiting for Perfect Circumstances
[50:28] - Coupling Faith with Obedience
[51:10] - Israelites in the Desert
[52:21] - God's Trust in Us
[53:04] - Your Mess is Your Purpose
[54:05] - Being Busy vs. Being Productive
[55:20] - Addicted to Pain
[55:56] - God's Call to Productivity
[56:37] - Peter Stepping Out of the Boat
[57:18] - Pruning Process
[58:29] - Living Out Songs of Surrender
[59:11] - Allowing God to Speak to Our Pain
[59:41] - Wrestling with God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 9:10-17: "In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, 'Ananias!' 'Yes, Lord,' he answered. The Lord told him, 'Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.' 'Lord,' Ananias answered, 'I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.' But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.' Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Ananias' initial reaction to God's command to go to Saul? Why did he feel this way? ([44:29])
2. How did Ananias' obedience impact Saul and the early church? ([45:17])
3. What does Psalm 34:4 say about seeking the Lord and being delivered from fears? How does this relate to the sermon? ([01:02:38])
4. What does Jeremiah 29:11 say about God's plans for us, and how does this relate to the messiness of our lives? ([43:27])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Ananias chose to obey God despite his fears and doubts about Saul? What does this teach us about obedience? ([45:17])
2. How can our personal mess and pain serve God's purpose in our lives, according to the sermon? ([53:04])
3. What does it mean to allow God to speak into the areas of our lives that need healing? How can this change our relationships and daily functioning? ([01:02:38])
4. How does the story of Peter stepping out of the boat illustrate the concept of faith in chaotic situations? ([56:37])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God calling you to do something despite your fears. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([45:17])
2. In what ways have you allowed your personal mess or pain to stall you instead of serving your purpose? How can you change this perspective? ([47:14])
3. Are there areas in your life where you resist allowing God to speak and bring healing? What steps can you take to open up these areas to Him? ([01:02:38])
4. How can you practice obedience to God's call in your daily life, even when circumstances are not ideal? ([53:04])
5. Identify a specific fear that establishes the boundaries of your freedom. What practical steps can you take to pass through this fear and access the freedom God offers? ([01:07:12])
6. How can you move from being busy to being productive in your purpose? What distractions do you need to eliminate to focus on what God is calling you to do? ([55:56])
7. Think of a relationship or situation in your life that needs healing. How can you allow God to speak into this area and bring restoration? ([01:06:37])
Devotional
Day 1: God Sees and Loves You Where You Are
Regardless of where you find yourself today, whether in joy or sorrow, know that God sees you and loves you right where you are. Mother's Day can be a day of mixed emotions for many, but God's love is constant and unwavering. He understands your pain and wants to meet you in it. This is a reminder that God's love is not conditional on our circumstances or feelings. He is present in our highs and lows, and His love is a comforting presence that we can rely on.
God's love is not just a passive feeling but an active force that seeks to heal and restore. When we are in pain, it can be easy to feel isolated and forgotten, but God assures us that He is with us. He sees our struggles and is ready to provide comfort and support. This truth can be a source of immense strength and encouragement, especially on days when we feel overwhelmed by our emotions. [41:59]
Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt unseen or unloved. How can you invite God into that memory and allow His love to bring healing and comfort?
Day 2: God's Calling Precedes Our Mess
God has called us to something greater, and this calling was in place long before the mess of our lives had a say. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Our mess does not disqualify us from God's purpose. This is a powerful reminder that our past mistakes and current struggles do not negate the plans God has for us. His calling on our lives is steadfast and unchanging.
Often, we may feel that our imperfections and failures make us unworthy of God's calling. However, God's plans for us are not dependent on our ability to be perfect. He uses our mess to shape us and prepare us for the purpose He has set before us. Embracing this truth can free us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and allow us to walk confidently in the path He has laid out for us. [43:27]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel disqualified from God's calling. How can you trust that God's plans for you are greater than your mess?
Day 3: Obedience Can Change the Course of History
Ananias had every reason to be afraid and doubt God's command to go to Saul, but he chose to obey. This obedience changed the history of the church. Similarly, our obedience to God's call can change the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us. Obedience to God often requires stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting Him even when it doesn't make sense.
Ananias' story is a powerful example of how one act of obedience can have a ripple effect that extends far beyond what we can see. When we choose to obey God, we align ourselves with His greater plan and purpose. Our obedience can be a catalyst for transformation, not just in our own lives but in the lives of others as well. This encourages us to listen for God's voice and respond with faith, knowing that our obedience can have a lasting impact. [45:17]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt God prompting you to act. How did you respond, and what might have changed if you had chosen to obey?
Day 4: Allow God to Speak to Your Pain
We often go to God with our problems, but when He tries to address them, we resist. Psalm 34:4 says, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." We must allow God to speak into those areas of our lives that need healing. It is not enough to seek God; we must also be willing to listen and let Him work in our hearts.
Many times, we hold onto our pain and fears because they have become familiar to us. Allowing God to address these areas requires vulnerability and trust. It means opening up the parts of our hearts that we have kept hidden and letting God bring His healing touch. This process can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for true healing and freedom. [01:02:38]
Psalm 147:3 (ESV): "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you have resisted God's healing. What steps can you take today to allow God to speak into that pain and bring healing?
Day 5: Your Mess is Your Purpose
Fear often establishes the boundaries of our freedom, but when we pass through our fears, we have unlimited access to freedom. God wants to use our mess to fulfill His purpose in our lives. We must stop being busy and start being productive in our purpose. Our mess and pain are not obstacles but opportunities for God to work in and through us.
When we view our mess through God's perspective, we can see how He is using it to shape us and prepare us for His purpose. Our struggles and challenges are not wasted; they are integral parts of our journey. Embracing this truth allows us to move forward in faith, trusting that God is using every part of our story for His glory. [53:04]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Consider a current struggle or mess in your life. How can you shift your perspective to see it as part of God's purpose for you? What steps can you take to be productive in your purpose today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Fear establishes the boundaries of our freedom. So whatever you're afraid of becomes your limitation. If you're afraid of heights, you stay low. If you're afraid of people, you stay alone. If you're afraid of failure, you stay safe. Once you realize that, the moment you pass through your fears or your excuses, you have unlimited access to freedom." [01:07:12]
2. "Your purpose is in your job. Your purpose is in your marriage. Your purpose is at the grocery store. It's at the gym. Wherever you are, right there is your purpose. And I think the reason why this is so important this morning is because we wait. We think, when I get over there, I'll deal with it over there. And we miss out. We stay stalled where we are in life." [53:33]
3. "We say yes to things that are good. We say yes to things that are holy. We say yes to things that are helpful. But a lot of times our yes just keeps us busy and not productive. And we stay distracted and we stay focused on the busyness of the task while ignoring the junk that God's really wanting to deal with us." [54:41]
4. "We are addicted to pain. We're addicted to our trauma. It does something in our brain. The chemicals do something when we have suffering in our life. And a lot of us feel like that's the only way you can live. And I've been there. I mean, Chris has had to tell me several times, you're just addicted to your stress. And it's easy to fall in that. And it's very hard to get out of that." [55:20]
5. "God knows that when our mess meets his mercy, we're standing on holy ground. Because it's at that point that we truly can surrender and say, all right, Lord, I give it up. I give it to you. I don't know what you're going to do with it. I don't know really how it's going to work out. I know it's going to be hurtful. I know it's going to sting." [57:18]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Ananias changed the world. And all he did was go lay hands on Saul. And some of us in here today have the ability to change a lot of things in our life and the lives around you by just going and following God's command. But you've got to get over your excuses first. You've got to let that mess of life. You've got to let God have it. You've got to let it meet His mercy for your life." [01:05:47]
2. "We often go to God and we pray. And we're like, God, I just. I need breakthrough. I need healing in this. I just need you to do this in my life. But we just stay here. Like, we don't move. We still got to get our foot in the water. We got to tap that water a little bit to let God do something. Not because he can't without it. But because he wants to use you to edify your faith, number one. But he also wants to use you because he loves you." [54:05]
3. "We preach the Word with our life. We preach the Word with our circumstances. We preach the Word where we are. Whether that's in your home, wherever you are going to be, but that's okay because God's in control. And God has a plan for our life and our every single day." [01:04:59]
4. "We know and we believe that God is almighty and all-powerful. And he can do whatever he wants to do. But the thing about God is he trusts us to do something. He has done his part, but he also has something he wants us to do. Because if God only did what he could do all the time and we never did anything, we would stop recognizing his power. It would stop meaning something to us." [52:21]
5. "We sing all of these songs of surrender. And when we're in the moment, you know, we're feeling the Holy Spirit, and we're just captivated by it. And we're like, yes, God, have what you want. I read something the other day that it says the presence of the Lord can change your motive. And I feel like that is a very powerful statement. But if you know me and I know you, I know you, motivation only gets us so far." [58:29]
6. "We love to just give God our complaints. And we love to tell him all these things and heal her, take care of her, fix her, do this, do that. But that's not necessarily how it works. Like God wants to talk to you too. God wants to talk to me too. And yes, he wants to remind us that he's faithful when we're not faithful. Those are great things. He has encouraging words for us. He has all of the good things that scripture tells us. But he also wants to speak to our junk." [01:01:02]
7. "Ananias' obedience changed the history of the church because he chose to obey what God said go rather than his excuses. And this morning, when we couple our faith, when we match our faith to God's obedience, God has a way of coming in alongside of us. And we have the ability and the opportunity to change the trajectory." [50:28]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?