Embracing Significance: God's Purpose in Every Place
Summary
The sermon delivered by Paul on a hill outside of Riverside begins with an appreciation of the natural beauty of the night sky, including airplanes and shooting stars. He shares his practice of praying over the city from this vantage point, acknowledging the city's feelings of isolation and neglect. Paul draws a comparison between the small and seemingly insignificant city of Bethlehem and the city of Riverside, suggesting that God can use any place or community, no matter how small or overlooked, to fulfill His divine purposes. He emphasizes that each individual has significance in the eyes of God and the potential to be instrumental in spreading the message of the Savior to the world. The key message for the congregation is to recognize their own worth and the possibility of being used by God to achieve His good purposes.
Key Takeaways:
- The beauty of creation, as observed from a hill outside Riverside, serves as a reminder of God's presence and the care He has for all places, including those that feel isolated or forgotten. This observation encourages believers to find solace in the natural world and to use it as a space for prayer and reflection on their role in God's plan.
- The comparison between Bethlehem and Riverside illustrates that no place is too small or insignificant for God to use. This serves as an inspiration for individuals to see their own communities as potential grounds for significant spiritual work, regardless of their size or status.
- The idea that every person has value in God's eyes and can be used for His purposes challenges the congregation to reconsider their own self-perceptions. It invites them to embrace their potential to contribute to the spread of the gospel and to have an impact on the world around them.
- The application of the sermon encourages listeners to not underestimate their ability to be used by God. It suggests that everyone has a role to play in the divine narrative and that recognizing this can lead to a more purposeful and fulfilling life.
- The sermon's message serves as a call to action for believers to actively seek ways to be used by God for His good purposes. It emphasizes the importance of being open to God's calling and being willing to serve in whatever capacity He deems fit, trusting in His plan for each individual and community.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Micah 5:2 (NIV): "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
2. 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (NIV): "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are."
#### Observation Questions
1. What natural elements did Paul appreciate while praying over the city of Riverside? ([00:10])
2. How does Paul describe the city of Bethlehem in his sermon? ([01:45])
3. What is the main message Paul wants the congregation to take from the comparison between Bethlehem and Riverside? ([02:23])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the description of Bethlehem in Micah 5:2 relate to Paul's message about Riverside? ([01:45])
2. In what ways does 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 support the idea that God can use anyone, regardless of their perceived significance?
3. Why might Paul emphasize the importance of recognizing one's own worth in God's eyes? ([02:23])
#### Application Questions
1. Paul mentions feeling isolated and forgotten while praying over Riverside. Have you ever felt this way about your own community? How did you cope with those feelings? ([00:45])
2. Reflect on a time when you felt insignificant. How does the message that God can use anyone, even those who feel small or overlooked, change your perspective? ([02:23])
3. Paul encourages believers to see their communities as potential grounds for significant spiritual work. What are some practical ways you can contribute to your community's spiritual growth? ([01:45])
4. How can you use the natural beauty around you as a space for prayer and reflection on your role in God's plan? ([00:10])
5. Think of a specific area in your life where you feel God might be calling you to serve. What steps can you take this week to respond to that calling? ([02:23])
6. How can you encourage others in your community to recognize their own worth and potential in God's eyes? ([02:23])
7. Paul saw a shooting star and found it spectacular. What small wonders in your daily life remind you of God's presence and care? How can you use these moments to strengthen your faith? ([02:23])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Presence in Creation's Beauty
The splendor of the night sky, with its stars and wandering planes, is a canvas painted by the Creator, inviting souls to seek His presence in the quiet moments of awe. It is in these moments, looking out over the city from a hill, that one can feel a profound connection to the divine, understanding that every place on earth is under His watchful eye, even those that feel forgotten. [07:40]
Psalm 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Reflection: When was the last time you experienced a moment of awe in nature, and how did it remind you of God's presence and care for you?
Day 2: Significance in Seemingly Insignificant Places
Just as Bethlehem, a small and unassuming town, played a pivotal role in the divine narrative, so too can any community, no matter how overlooked. This perspective shifts the view of one's own surroundings, recognizing that every place has the potential to be a starting point for something great in God's plan. [07:40]
Micah 5:2 - "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
Reflection: How can you start viewing your community as a place where God can do great things, and what is one step you can take to contribute to this?
Day 3: Individual Worth in God's Eyes
Each person is a unique creation, treasured by God, and endowed with the potential to make a significant impact in the world. This understanding calls for a reevaluation of self-worth, not based on worldly standards, but on the intrinsic value given by the Creator, who has a purpose for every life. [07:40]
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How does recognizing your value in God's eyes change the way you see yourself and your potential to influence others for the gospel?
Day 4: Embracing Our Role in God's Narrative
The realization that one is capable of being used by God for His purposes is both empowering and humbling. It invites a deeper exploration of one's gifts and a willingness to be part of the larger story God is writing, finding purpose and fulfillment in His service. [07:40]
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection: What are your unique gifts, and how can you use them today to serve God's purposes in your community?
Day 5: Answering the Call to Action
The message is a clarion call to believers to actively seek and embrace opportunities to be used by God. It is a reminder to remain open to His leading, trusting that He equips and guides those He calls into His service, regardless of the task's nature or scope. [07:40]
Isaiah 6:8 - "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
Reflection: What is one way you can make yourself more available to God's calling this week, and how can you take the first step towards that today?
Quotes
"We might not think that we're the most popular. We might not think that we're the most educated. But upon God's message to Bethlehem, out of that little small community came the Savior." [02:30] (Download)
"Oh church, if God can use Bethlehem, the small backwoods community, God can use you. God can use me. God can use us to take the message of the Savior into the world." [02:30] (Download)
"I want you to realize that you're not insignificant in God's eyes. You are mighty. You are powerful. And you can be used by God for his good purposes." [02:30] (Download)
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