Embracing the Word: Trust, Transformation, and Relationship
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound importance of allowing the Word of God to dwell richly within us. This is not just a call to read or memorize scripture, but to let it permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our thoughts, actions, and interactions. Colossians 3:16 reminds us to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly, which in turn equips us with wisdom, enabling us to teach and admonish one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This rich indwelling of the Word transforms us into better worshipers and counselors, allowing us to minister effectively to others.
Meditation on the Word is key to this transformation. Psalm 119:97 illustrates the psalmist's love for God's law, which stems from constant meditation. This meditation is not about isolating ourselves from daily responsibilities but about keeping the Word at the forefront of our minds, allowing it to guide our conversations and decisions throughout the day. It's about having the Word within us, not just around us, so that it becomes a source of strength and guidance in every situation.
We also discussed the importance of trusting in the Lord with all our hearts, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6. This trust involves surrendering our plans to God, acknowledging Him in all our ways, and allowing Him to direct our paths. The Word of God acts as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, providing both immediate guidance and long-term vision for our lives.
In times of uncertainty and fear, we are reminded of Philippians 4:19, which assures us that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. This promise is not bound by earthly circumstances or political climates but is rooted in the eternal truth of God's provision and faithfulness.
Finally, we extended an invitation to those who wish to start or restart their relationship with God, emphasizing the special benefits of being part of God's family through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship is marked by trust, surrender, and a commitment to living according to His Word.
Key Takeaways:
1. Rich Indwelling of the Word: Allowing the Word of God to dwell richly within us transforms us into better worshipers and counselors, equipping us with wisdom to teach and admonish others through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This transformation is not just about knowledge but about letting the Word permeate every aspect of our lives. [02:20]
2. Meditation as a Lifestyle: Meditation on the Word involves keeping it at the forefront of our minds, allowing it to guide our conversations and decisions throughout the day. It's about having the Word within us, not just around us, so that it becomes a source of strength and guidance in every situation. [07:01]
3. Trusting God's Direction: Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts involves surrendering our plans to Him and acknowledging Him in all our ways. The Word of God acts as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, providing both immediate guidance and long-term vision for our lives. [09:14]
4. God's Provision in Uncertainty: In times of uncertainty and fear, Philippians 4:19 assures us that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. This promise is rooted in the eternal truth of God's provision and faithfulness, transcending earthly circumstances. [21:18]
5. Invitation to Relationship: A personal relationship with Jesus Christ brings special benefits, marked by trust, surrender, and a commitment to living according to His Word. This relationship is the pathway to becoming part of God's family and experiencing His love and provision. [37:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:17] - Introduction to the Word
- [02:20] - Wisdom Through the Word
- [04:01] - Worship and the Word
- [07:01] - Meditation on the Word
- [09:14] - Trusting God's Direction
- [11:12] - Protection Through the Word
- [12:14] - Light and Lamp of the Word
- [15:09] - God's Guidance in Life
- [17:53] - Facing the Worry Canyon
- [20:33] - Responding to Fear
- [21:18] - God's Provision in Uncertainty
- [23:49] - Personal Relationship with God
- [30:21] - God's Abundant Resources
- [37:49] - Invitation to Relationship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 3:16
2. Psalm 119:97
3. Proverbs 3:5-6
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Colossians 3:16, what are the outcomes of letting the Word of Christ dwell in us richly? How does this relate to our ability to teach and admonish one another? [02:20]
2. In Psalm 119:97, what does the psalmist express about their relationship with God's law? How does this reflect the concept of meditation as discussed in the sermon? [07:01]
3. How does Proverbs 3:5-6 describe the process of trusting in the Lord, and what are the promised results of doing so? [09:14]
4. What role does the Word of God play in providing guidance and protection according to the sermon? [12:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the Word dwelling richly within us transform our worship and counseling abilities, as mentioned in the sermon? [04:01]
2. What does it mean to meditate on the Word as a lifestyle, and how can this practice influence our daily decisions and interactions? [07:01]
3. In what ways does trusting in God's direction, as described in Proverbs 3:5-6, challenge our natural inclinations to rely on our own understanding? [09:14]
4. How does the assurance of God's provision in Philippians 4:19 offer comfort during times of uncertainty and fear? [21:18]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with the Word of God. How can you allow it to dwell more richly within you, influencing your thoughts and actions? [02:20]
2. Consider your daily routine. What practical steps can you take to incorporate meditation on the Word into your lifestyle, ensuring it guides your conversations and decisions? [07:01]
3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God's direction. How can you surrender your plans to Him and seek His guidance more intentionally? [09:14]
4. In moments of fear or uncertainty, how can you remind yourself of God's promise to supply all your needs? What specific scripture can you meditate on to reinforce this truth? [21:18]
5. Think about a recent situation where you needed wisdom or counsel. How did the Word of God play a role in your response, and how can you prepare yourself to be a source of wisdom for others? [04:01]
6. Reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What steps can you take to deepen this relationship and experience the benefits of being part of God's family? [37:49]
7. How can you actively engage in a community of believers to encourage and admonish one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs? What role can you play in fostering this environment? [02:20]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of the Word
The Word of God is not merely to be read or memorized; it is to dwell richly within us, transforming us into better worshipers and counselors. This indwelling equips us with wisdom, enabling us to teach and admonish one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. When the Word permeates every aspect of our lives, it influences our thoughts, actions, and interactions, allowing us to minister effectively to others. This transformation is not just about acquiring knowledge but about letting the Word become a living and active part of our daily existence. [02:20]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you intentionally allow the Word of God to influence your interactions with others today? Consider one specific way you can incorporate scripture into a conversation or decision.
Day 2: Meditation as a Daily Practice
Meditation on the Word involves more than just reading; it is about keeping it at the forefront of our minds, allowing it to guide our conversations and decisions throughout the day. This practice is not about isolating ourselves from daily responsibilities but about integrating the Word into every aspect of our lives. By having the Word within us, not just around us, it becomes a source of strength and guidance in every situation. This constant meditation transforms our love for God's law, as illustrated by the psalmist in Psalm 119:97. [07:01]
Psalm 119:97-98 (ESV): "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can meditate on God's Word throughout your day? Consider setting a reminder or choosing a specific verse to reflect on during your daily activities.
Day 3: Trusting in God's Guidance
Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts involves surrendering our plans to Him and acknowledging Him in all our ways. The Word of God acts as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, providing both immediate guidance and long-term vision for our lives. This trust is about allowing God to direct our paths, even when we cannot see the full picture. By surrendering our plans, we open ourselves to the divine guidance that leads us through life's uncertainties. [09:14]
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV): "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's direction? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today, allowing His Word to guide your steps?
Day 4: Assurance of God's Provision
In times of uncertainty and fear, Philippians 4:19 assures us that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. This promise is not bound by earthly circumstances or political climates but is rooted in the eternal truth of God's provision and faithfulness. By trusting in this promise, we can find peace and assurance, knowing that our needs are met by a loving and faithful God who transcends our immediate situations. [21:18]
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: In what area of your life do you need to trust God's provision today? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and sufficiency in this area?
Day 5: Invitation to a Deeper Relationship
A personal relationship with Jesus Christ brings special benefits, marked by trust, surrender, and a commitment to living according to His Word. This relationship is the pathway to becoming part of God's family and experiencing His love and provision. By inviting Christ into our lives, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His Word and the abundant life He offers. This invitation is not just a one-time decision but a daily commitment to walk in His ways and grow in intimacy with Him. [37:49]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today? Consider one specific action you can take to abide in Him and experience His love and provision more fully.
Quotes
Let the word of God, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Let it. God is trying to plant it in you. He's trying to, he's trying to, sow it into your life. Let it, but let it dwell in you richly, richly. And when it dwells in you richly, it has some impact. It does a couple of things. One is it gives you more wisdom. [00:01:39] (24 seconds)
And if the word of Christ dwells in you richly, he will give you the wisdom to counsel that person and to teach that person. That's what admonishing means. It means earnestly counseling somebody, earnestly advising somebody. So the word dwelling in you richly will allow you to do that. Another thing that the word will do is, watch this, it also makes you a better worshiper because it says, watch this, admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. [00:02:59] (28 seconds)
So teaching is not just counseling, but sometimes you can actually teach people through psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Worshiping. You're a better worshiper when the word is dwelling richly in you because you're not just singing a melody, you've also got the message that goes with it. And I said this to worship leaders, I want to say it to our worship leaders in our church, you'll be a better worship leader when the word dwells in you richly. [00:03:27] (30 seconds)
See, the goal of God and his word is to get it in us so that it impacts our lives, so that it governs our day, so that it, see, because you're going to need that word, not just to read it in the morning and meditate on it in the morning, you're going to need it to face it and navigate through the whole day because the word will fortify your life in such a way that it will help you avoid the tricks and the traps and the temptation of the enemy. And if you let God lead you through his word, he'll help you to avoid some of those traps. [00:07:11] (31 seconds)
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. Lean not to thine own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him. And he will direct your paths. Now, that's where I want to land. He shall direct your paths. What does it mean when it says God will direct your paths? How does he do it? How does he do it? Well, let's go back to the beginning of the verse. Who's directing my paths? We go back to verse 5. It says, trust in the Lord. That means I am surrendering my plans over to him. [00:09:07] (26 seconds)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Your word is doing it. How does he direct your paths? His word. And he gives two luminous terms for his word. He calls it a light and a lamp. The word is a light and a lamp, a lamp and a light. And you get a feel for the dimensions of each adjective based on what is lighting up. So the lamp is smaller because it's just lighting up my, stay with me. The light must be bigger. Cause it's not just on my feet. It's on my. So watch this. God can, God can not only show me my next step. God can show me my next season in his word. [00:12:09] (45 seconds)
But God can speak to you through your spirit and make specific in your life what I'm teaching in general because I don't know your specific. And you think I've been reading your mail, but that's the Holy Spirit using his word to make it perfect for you. You, that's why you got to be tuned in. You can't be checked out when the word is being taught because God's giving you answers and he's giving you direction and he's giving you guidance and he's talking you through things and he's ordering your steps. He's giving you, he said, I'm going to tell you how you should head on that meeting tomorrow. I know you stress out about it, but I just gave you a word that you're supposed to take into that meeting tomorrow. You walk in that meeting and you follow this tomorrow. I don't even know about the meeting. How could I be telling you that? I don't know about your little meeting. But God knows. God knows about everything in your life. Not your little meeting. [00:14:10] (50 seconds)
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Can I meditate on that in front of y 'all? The first thing I'm going to throw at the valley is but. Ooh, y 'all missed that right there. I know it's hard, but. I know times are bad, but. I know there's something changed on Capitol Hill, but. I know we got a new president, but. I know there's bad news all around me, but I got a but. You can send out warning texts all you want. You can send out bad posts and sad posts all. You want. But I got a but for this situation. Ooh, that's good right there. As soon as you say it don't look good, but. That means I got hope in spite of this situation. But my God. [00:21:18] (60 seconds)
Let me tell you something. And whoever God has used in your life to help you and provide for you, don't mix it up. They're resources. He is the source. You are. You are. The source of my strength. What's that mean? Y 'all sit down. You're making me nervous. In Psalm 50 and verse 10, if you want to, I don't care if you're staying. In Psalm 50 and 10, the Bible says, let me talk about his resource. The Bible says God owns a cattle. [00:29:40] (40 seconds)
But people who accept his death and are his children get special benefits in this life and in eternity because it's a blood relationship. He shed his blood and that blood is the pathway to the family. So I want to say to you today that if you're not a part of his family and you've never accepted Christ as your savior, wherever you're watching this service from wherever you're joining us from right now and you say, I've never accepted Christ as my savior, but I want to do that now. I want him in my life now. That means you're not his child. I didn't say, are you his? Are you his creation? We're all God's creation. [00:37:15] (42 seconds)
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