Embracing the Future: Trusting Christ's Guidance

Devotional

Day 1: Childlike Trust in God's Provision

Embracing the kingdom of God requires a childlike dependency, recognizing our complete need for Him, much like a child depends on their parents for everything. This dependency is the foundation of entering God's kingdom. Jesus' interaction with children in Mark 10 highlights the importance of receiving the kingdom of God with the same openness and trust that a child exhibits. Children naturally rely on their parents for sustenance, guidance, and love, without questioning their parents' ability to provide. In the same way, believers are called to trust in God's provision and care, acknowledging that He knows what is best for us. This childlike faith is not about naivety but about a profound trust in God's character and promises. [09:15]

Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): "And said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God like a child trusts their parent? How can you begin to cultivate a deeper dependency on Him today?

Day 2: Releasing the Grip of Self-Reliance

The story of the rich young man teaches us that self-reliance and attachment to possessions can hinder our relationship with God. Despite his adherence to the law, the young man lacked the willingness to depend solely on Jesus. His possessions and self-reliance were barriers to experiencing the fullness of God's kingdom. Jesus' call to sell everything and follow Him was an invitation to embrace a life of dependency and trust in God, a life that promises eternal treasures far beyond earthly possessions. This narrative challenges believers to examine what they hold onto that might be preventing a deeper relationship with God. [14:44]

Luke 12:15 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'"

Reflection: Identify one possession or aspect of self-reliance that you find difficult to let go of. What steps can you take this week to release it and trust God more fully?

Day 3: God's Loving Guidance in Letting Go

Jesus' command to the rich man to sell everything was an act of love, revealing what was lacking in his life. God lovingly guides us to let go of what holds us back, drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him. This guidance is not about deprivation but about freeing us from the chains of materialism and self-dependence. By letting go, we open ourselves to the abundant life that God promises, filled with spiritual richness and eternal significance. God's guidance is always rooted in love, aiming to bring us closer to Him and to the life He has designed for us. [15:46]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..."

Reflection: What is one thing God might be lovingly guiding you to let go of? How can you begin to trust His guidance and take steps toward releasing it?

Day 4: Experiencing the Promise of Abundance

Jesus promises that whatever we sacrifice for His sake will be returned a hundredfold. Our church community exemplifies this promise through acts of love and support, showing that God's blessings are abundant. This promise is not just about material wealth but about the richness of relationships, spiritual growth, and eternal rewards. When believers choose to sacrifice for the sake of Christ, they often find themselves blessed in unexpected ways, experiencing the joy and fulfillment that comes from living in alignment with God's will. This abundance is a testament to God's faithfulness and generosity. [26:54]

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you sacrificed something for God and experienced His abundant blessings in return. How can this encourage you to continue living generously?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Future

As we enter 2025, we are challenged to trust that Jesus offers a better future than we can create ourselves. Embracing this future means letting go of hindrances and following Him with faith and joy. Trusting in God's future involves believing that His plans for us are good, even when the path is uncertain. It requires a willingness to step into the unknown, confident that God is with us and will guide us every step of the way. This trust is rooted in the assurance of God's love and the promise of His presence, leading us into a future filled with His grace and purpose. [34:20]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are hesitant to trust God's future for you? How can you take a step of faith today to embrace His plans with joy and confidence?

Sermon Summary

Embracing the future with Christ is a journey of faith, trust, and dependency. As we close out 2024 and look forward to 2025, we are reminded of the importance of embracing the gifts of peace, hope, joy, and love that Christ offers. This season has been a time of reflection on how Christ has already embraced us, even before we embraced Him. Today, we focus on what it means to embrace the future, not just with plans and resolutions that often fade, but with a deep, childlike dependency on God.

In Mark 10, we see Jesus welcoming children, emphasizing that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child. This means recognizing our complete dependence on God, much like a child depends on their parents. Just as Henry, my son, depends on us for everything, we too must depend on God for our spiritual sustenance and guidance. Jesus teaches that entering the kingdom of God requires us to let go of our self-reliance and trust in Him completely.

The story of the rich young man further illustrates this point. Despite his adherence to the law, he lacked the willingness to depend solely on Jesus. His possessions and self-reliance were barriers to experiencing the fullness of God's kingdom. Jesus' call to sell everything and follow Him was an invitation to embrace a life of dependency and trust in God, a life that promises eternal treasures far beyond earthly possessions.

As we enter 2025, the challenge is to trust that Jesus offers a better future than we can create for ourselves. This involves letting go of what hinders us and embracing the unknown with faith. Jesus promises that whatever we give up for His sake will be returned a hundredfold, both in this life and in eternity. Our church community exemplifies this through acts of generosity and support, embodying the promise of receiving a hundredfold in relationships and blessings.

May we embrace the future with Christ, recognizing His infinite worth and the joy of following Him. Let us trust that He is for us, guiding us into a future filled with His love and grace.

Key Takeaways

1. Reliance:** The rich young man's story teaches us that self-reliance and attachment to possessions can hinder our relationship with God. Jesus calls us to let go of these barriers and trust Him fully for a life of eternal value. [14:44]
3. God's Loving Guidance: Jesus' command to the rich man to sell everything was an act of love, revealing what was lacking in his life. God lovingly guides us to let go of what holds us back, drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him.

4. The Promise of Abundance: Jesus promises that whatever we sacrifice for His sake will be returned a hundredfold. Our church community exemplifies this promise through acts of love and support, showing that God's blessings are abundant.

5. Trusting in God's Future: As we enter 2025, we are challenged to trust that Jesus offers a better future than we can create ourselves. Embracing this future means letting go of hindrances and following Him with faith and joy.

** [14:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:25] - Reflecting on the Past and Planning for the Future
[03:46] - Jesus Welcomes the Children
[04:54] - Cultural Value of Children
[06:28] - Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child
[07:25] - Dependency Illustrated Through Henry
[09:15] - Our Need for God
[10:26] - Jesus' Unexpected Response
[11:18] - The Rich Young Man's Question
[13:01] - Jesus' Loving Command
[14:44] - The Man's Deficit
[15:46] - The Call to Discomfort
[16:27] - Self-Reliance vs. Faith
[18:24] - The Rich Man's Choice
[20:21] - Daily Choices and Trust
[22:27] - The Challenge of Wealth
[23:38] - God's Power to Save
[25:12] - Peter's Realization
[26:54] - The Promise of Fulfillment
[28:29] - Joy in Sacrifice
[29:32] - The Kingdom's True Value
[31:51] - The Rich Man's Missed Opportunity
[32:28] - Embracing the Future with Christ
[34:20] - Trusting Jesus for a Better Future
[35:35] - Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Mark 10:13-16, how does Jesus respond to the disciples when they try to prevent the children from coming to Him? What does this reveal about His view of children? [03:46]
What does Jesus say is necessary to enter the kingdom of God, according to Mark 10:15? How does this relate to the concept of childlike dependency? [06:28]
Describe the interaction between Jesus and the rich young man in Mark 10:17-22. What does Jesus ask of the young man, and how does he respond? [13:54]
How do the disciples react to Jesus' teaching about wealth and entering the kingdom of God in Mark 10:23-27? What does Jesus say about the possibility of salvation? [22:27]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a child, and why is this significant for entering the kingdom? Consider the example of Henry's dependency on his parents. [09:15]
How does the story of the rich young man illustrate the dangers of self-reliance and attachment to possessions? What does Jesus' command to sell everything reveal about the man's spiritual state? [14:44]
In what ways does Jesus' promise of receiving a hundredfold in this life and eternal life challenge common perceptions of sacrifice and reward? How does this promise relate to the church community's acts of generosity? [26:54]
How does the sermon suggest that trusting in God's future is different from making our own plans and resolutions? What role does faith play in this trust? [34:20]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are relying on your own efforts rather than depending on God? How can you cultivate a childlike dependency on Him this year? [09:15]
Consider the story of the rich young man. Are there possessions or aspects of your life that you find difficult to let go of? How might these be hindering your relationship with God? [14:44]
Jesus promises that sacrifices made for His sake will be returned a hundredfold. How have you experienced this promise in your own life or within your church community? [26:54]
As you enter 2025, what specific steps can you take to embrace the future with Christ, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone? [34:20]
Think about a time when you felt God calling you to let go of something for your spiritual growth. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [20:21]
How can you actively participate in your church community to embody the promise of receiving a hundredfold in relationships and blessings? [28:29]
What practical actions can you take this week to trust in God's plan for your future, rather than relying solely on your own plans and resolutions? [34:20]

Sermon Clips

"I think he says that because you will not enter God's kingdom if you think that you can provide a better future than the one Jesus is offering you. It's not like God is keeping adults out of his kingdom. It's that you will not enter God's kingdom if you think you can provide life for yourself." [00:09:40] (25 seconds)

"This loving command is the offer to receive the kingdom of God like a child. This man has a perfect record of keeping God's commands until now, when the actual word of God gives him a new command. See, he fails at this pinnacle faith-testing moment." [00:17:47] (24 seconds)

"Jesus promises that whatever is given up for him and for his gospel, we're not going to miss it. There will be a hundredfold fulfillment. There will be a hundredfold fulfillment. There will be a hundredfold fulfillment of that in the church in this present age. And you want eternal life, by the way, you get it." [00:27:07] (21 seconds)

"So here, when Jesus talks to Peter, what Jesus helps him realize, what Jesus helps us realize too, along with him, is that when Jesus sweeps the rug out from under us, when he calls us out of our comfort zone, when he calls us to do something that we think is crazy, when Jesus demands that we give up something that we've been clinging to, guess what? He does it for our joy." [00:28:45] (27 seconds)

"If I have Jesus, I have everything I need. Receiving the kingdom of God as a child is this. In the joy of discovering God, in the joy of embracing Christ, you get rid of everything else so that you can follow him and so that you can have eternal life with him." [00:32:53] (21 seconds)

"Will 2025 be the year that you simply depend on God and just follow him where he leads you? Will you embrace the future with Christ, even if you don't know all the details? Will you recognize the value of Jesus and say, you know what? Nothing else matters but him." [00:33:14] (29 seconds)

"God is for you. Jesus is for you. He is calling you to depend on him. He's calling you to leave behind everything that hinders you from following him. But that is not the end. That is such a good and loving thing of him to do." [00:35:50] (16 seconds)

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