Empowered to Disciple: Trusting God's Promises
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound implications of God's command to make disciples and baptize them, emphasizing that this mission is for all believers, not just pastors. We witnessed a powerful example of this through the baptism of Denise, a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. This act of faithfulness to Jesus' command serves as a reminder that God's heart is still reaching those far from Him, and our mission as a church remains vital.
We then delved into Genesis 18:9-15, examining how God's word challenges our understanding of what's possible, gives clarity about ourselves and God, and corrects and refines us. We saw how Sarah's laughter at God's promise of a son revealed her unbelief, contrasting with Abraham's awe. This narrative illustrates that God's word exposes our true selves and our faith, revealing our doubts and limitations while highlighting God's limitless power and faithfulness.
God's promise to Sarah, despite her old age and physical impossibility of bearing a child, underscores that nothing is too hard for the Lord. This promise was meant to bring Sarah to the end of her own strength, forcing her to rely entirely on God's power. Similarly, God's word today challenges us to move beyond our human limitations and trust in His divine capabilities.
We also discussed how God's word discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, exposing our true nature and our need for His grace. Just as Sarah's inner thoughts were known to God, our thoughts and intentions are laid bare before Him. This realization should lead us to a deeper trust in God's word and a willingness to let it shape our lives, beliefs, and actions.
Finally, we were reminded that genuine faith in God requires acknowledging our own weaknesses and relying on His strength. God's word is not just a set of rules but a living and active force that transforms us, challenges our understanding, and reveals His glory. As we respond to God's word, it exposes our faith and shapes us into the people He has called us to be.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Command to Make Disciples: The mission to make disciples and baptize them is a call for all believers, not just pastors. This command is a reminder that the gospel's transformative power is still at work, reaching those far from God and bringing them into His fold. Our role is to be faithful to this mission, continually sharing the gospel and witnessing its impact on lives. [39:59]
2. God's Word Challenges Our Understanding: God's promises often challenge our understanding of what is possible. Just as Sarah doubted her ability to bear a child due to her old age, we too may doubt God's promises in our lives. However, God's word is meant to bring us to the end of our own strength, forcing us to rely entirely on His power and capabilities. [50:18]
3. God's Word Reveals Our True Selves: The narrative of Sarah's laughter reveals how God's word exposes our true thoughts and intentions. Just as Sarah's inner disbelief was known to God, our own doubts and limitations are laid bare before Him. This exposure is meant to lead us to a deeper trust in God's word and a willingness to let it shape our lives. [58:31]
4. The Power of God's Word: God's word is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It reveals our sinful nature and our need for God's grace. This realization should lead us to a deeper reliance on God's word, allowing it to correct and refine us, and ultimately transform us into the people He has called us to be. [01:00:28]
5. Faith and Acknowledgment of Weakness: Genuine faith in God requires acknowledging our own weaknesses and relying on His strength. God's word challenges us to move beyond our human limitations and trust in His divine capabilities. This trust is essential for our spiritual growth and for fulfilling the mission God has given us. [01:04:16]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[39:59] - The Mission to Make Disciples
[41:10] - Introduction to Genesis 18
[42:05] - Sarah's Encounter with God
[43:06] - The Laughter of Unbelief
[44:51] - The Seriousness of Doubting God
[45:59] - Reading Genesis 18:9-15
[47:29] - God's Word Challenges Our Understanding
[48:11] - Sarah's Conversion and Trust
[49:04] - The Impossibility of God's Promise
[50:18] - Recognizing Our Weakness
[52:03] - Trusting in God's Strength
[53:16] - The Fear of Death and God's Promise
[54:38] - The Blessing of Baptism
[55:12] - The Misconception of Self-Reliance
[56:43] - God's Word Reveals Our True Selves
[58:31] - The Exposure of Our Thoughts
[01:00:28] - The Power of God's Word
[01:01:35] - God's Sovereignty and Our Faith
[01:04:16] - Faith and Acknowledgment of Weakness
[01:06:11] - God's Word Has the Final Say
[01:07:48] - Letting God's Word Shape Us
[01:10:00] - The Responsibility of Believers
[01:12:16] - Responding to God's Word
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 18:9-15
- Hebrews 4:12-13
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Sarah's initial reaction to God's promise of a son, and how did she try to conceal it? ([43:57])
2. How does the text describe the physical impossibility of Sarah bearing a child? ([50:18])
3. What does Hebrews 4:12-13 say about the nature of God's word and its ability to discern our thoughts and intentions?
4. How did God respond to Sarah's laughter and disbelief? ([46:47])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Sarah laughed at God's promise, and what does this reveal about her faith at that moment? ([44:51])
2. How does the narrative of Sarah's laughter and God's response illustrate the concept that "nothing is too hard for the Lord"? ([46:47])
3. In what ways does God's word challenge our understanding of what is possible, as seen in Sarah's story and Hebrews 4:12-13? ([47:29])
4. How does the exposure of Sarah's inner thoughts by God relate to our own experiences with God's word revealing our true selves? ([58:31])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you doubted God's promises in your life. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([44:51])
2. Sarah's story shows that God's promises often challenge our understanding of what is possible. What is one promise from God that you find hard to believe, and how can you trust Him more in that area? ([50:18])
3. God's word exposed Sarah's true thoughts and intentions. How has God's word revealed your own doubts or areas of unbelief? ([58:31])
4. Hebrews 4:12-13 states that God's word is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. How can you allow God's word to shape your life more fully this week?
5. Genuine faith requires acknowledging our weaknesses and relying on God's strength. Identify one area of your life where you need to rely more on God's strength rather than your own. ([52:03])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of making disciples and baptizing them. Who is one person in your life that you can share the gospel with, and what steps will you take to do so? ([39:59])
7. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's word and allow it to transform your beliefs and actions? ([01:00:28])
Devotional
Day 1: The Universal Call to Make Disciples
The mission to make disciples and baptize them is not limited to pastors or church leaders; it is a command for all believers. This mission underscores the transformative power of the gospel, which continues to reach those far from God and bring them into His fold. The baptism of Denise serves as a powerful example of this transformation, reminding us that God's heart is still reaching out to those who are distant from Him. As believers, we are called to be faithful to this mission, continually sharing the gospel and witnessing its impact on lives. This call to make disciples is a vital part of our role as the church, and it requires our active participation and commitment. [39:59]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Think of one person in your life who does not know Christ. How can you take a step today to share the gospel with them or invite them to church?
Day 2: God's Promises Challenge Our Understanding
God's promises often challenge our understanding of what is possible. Just as Sarah doubted her ability to bear a child due to her old age, we too may doubt God's promises in our lives. However, God's word is meant to bring us to the end of our own strength, forcing us to rely entirely on His power and capabilities. This reliance on God's power is crucial for our spiritual growth and for experiencing the fullness of His promises. When we face situations that seem impossible, we are reminded that nothing is too hard for the Lord. Our doubts and limitations are opportunities for God to demonstrate His limitless power and faithfulness. [50:18]
Jeremiah 32:27 (ESV): "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?"
Reflection: Identify a promise of God that you find difficult to believe. What steps can you take today to trust in His power and capabilities rather than your own understanding?
Day 3: God's Word Reveals Our True Selves
The narrative of Sarah's laughter reveals how God's word exposes our true thoughts and intentions. Just as Sarah's inner disbelief was known to God, our own doubts and limitations are laid bare before Him. This exposure is not meant to condemn us but to lead us to a deeper trust in God's word and a willingness to let it shape our lives. When we allow God's word to reveal our true selves, we become more aware of our need for His grace and more open to His transformative work in our lives. This process of revelation and transformation is essential for our spiritual growth and for becoming the people God has called us to be. [58:31]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment when you felt exposed by God's word. How can you respond to this revelation with a deeper trust in God and a willingness to let His word shape your life?
Day 4: The Power of God's Word
God's word is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It reveals our sinful nature and our need for God's grace. This realization should lead us to a deeper reliance on God's word, allowing it to correct and refine us, and ultimately transform us into the people He has called us to be. The power of God's word lies in its ability to penetrate our hearts and minds, bringing about true and lasting change. As we engage with God's word, we are invited to let it challenge our understanding, correct our misconceptions, and guide us in the path of righteousness. [01:00:28]
Isaiah 55:11 (ESV): "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: How has God's word recently challenged or corrected you? What steps can you take today to allow His word to continue transforming you?
Day 5: Faith and Acknowledgment of Weakness
Genuine faith in God requires acknowledging our own weaknesses and relying on His strength. God's word challenges us to move beyond our human limitations and trust in His divine capabilities. This trust is essential for our spiritual growth and for fulfilling the mission God has given us. When we recognize our weaknesses, we are more likely to depend on God's strength and less likely to rely on our own abilities. This dependence on God is a key aspect of living a life of faith and experiencing the fullness of His promises. As we acknowledge our weaknesses and trust in God's strength, we are empowered to fulfill the mission He has given us and to live out our faith in meaningful ways. [01:04:16]
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: What is one area of your life where you feel weak or inadequate? How can you rely on God's strength in this area today?
Quotes
1. "The blessing that's been already, if you're just now walking in, you missed the first part of our service, you missed out. But for getting to see someone profess their faith, seeing someone profess that Jesus has changed everything, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you, about you. About them, it's encouraging. I hope you're encouraged. I hope you see that the gospel is just as powerful as it was the first day that it was given to us. And God's still at work. God's heart is still reaching those far from him." [39:59] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He uses his word to give Sarah an understanding of what's actually possible. He uses it to show her who she is and who he is. And he uses his word to correct her and reduce her. All for the purposes of... Building her up and blessing her beyond her imagination. And all for the purposes of bringing him glory." [42:05] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God's word is meant in the same way that it was for Sarah here. It's meant to show us what's really possible. It's meant to show us who we are, who he is. It's meant to correct us and abuse us. And listen, how we respond to it. God's word, when it's revealed in that way to us, it exposes ourselves to who we are." [44:51] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God's word challenges our understanding of what's possible. Number two, God's word gives us clarity about, gives clarity about us and God. And then finally, number three, God's word corrects and reduces. It's the third time you've heard that. I'm trying to get that stuck in your head. Again, it challenges what we think is possible. It tells us about who we are and who God is. And it corrects any of these things. That's what God's word does." [47:29] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's promising is humanly impossible. That's the point. Maybe it was made to his audience as he writes. It was humanly impossible for her to bear a son. She had already gone through a menopause. And if you remember in chapter 12, in her own natural strength, she was bearing. God was promising the absolutely impossible. Listen, he knew Sarah was going to have a son. He was there listening. That was his intention." [51:22] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "A lot of people, they think that the reason they struggle in their system walk is because they're too weak, right? But guys, that's not the case. The reason they struggle is because they're telling them to realize their own weaknesses. Which we'll talk more about in the next video. But guys, what that causes, it causes us to trust in ourselves rather than God. When we see our weakness and when we show ourselves and God's strength back in us." [52:03] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Salvation is not a matter of human ability combined with God's ability. Salvation is all of the Lord. You have to come to an end of your sin. Even as Christians, we place our trust and faith in Christ for salvation. We still walk this journey. And sometimes we think we're confident enough to help God out as He saves us. And so the Lord, over and over again, we find ourselves Him bringing us to this place where we have to acknowledge all over again His all-sufficiency." [55:54] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "It's impossible to have faith in God without first acknowledging who you are. That's why Jesus said in Matthew 5, 3, Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the poor in spirit, if you know the rest. For theirs is the kingdom." [01:05:15] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "It doesn't mean you won't fail or experience some kind of hardship, maybe even hardship that you've caused yourself. It doesn't mean you won't fall in a sin. Guys, it does mean that when you hear God's Word, firstly, you believe it, right? Trusting that God's Word is inspired by Him, trusting that it's infallible, inerrant, trusting that it's the source of truth, it's our foundation. And listen, secondly, it means you let God's Word shape you, regardless. How do you feel it?" [01:06:51] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Do you see what God's doing with Abraham and Sarah here? Not only has he set them apart, but now he's building their faith. He's giving them the means to live different. So look at this. He's testing their faith. He's showing the leaders of us. He's showing us what it looks like when one of his own are exposed. They treat people as good men. And while they still might make mistakes, they give God's word ultimate assurance." [01:11:45] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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