Empowered to Impact: Partnering with God for Change

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explore the profound truth that each of us is created to make a significant impact in the world. We are designed to be agents of change, creators of goodness, and to have a drive for significance. Despite the challenges and setbacks we face, our pain and suffering can be transformed into opportunities for growth and contribution when we partner with God. This is not limited by age or circumstance; even young people today face the daunting task of discovering their purpose amidst societal pressures.

Dallas Willard's insights remind us that each of us has a unique realm, a kingdom, where our choices determine outcomes. This concept of dominion is rooted in the biblical narrative from Genesis, emphasizing that we are spiritual beings with an eternal calling to contribute positively to God's universe. Our kingdom is the range of our effective will, and having control over something is what defines our personhood. Without this, we would be mere passive observers, unable to influence or make a difference.

The drive for personhood is evident even in young children, as seen in the story of a four-year-old who decided to take responsibility for his actions upon becoming a big brother. This illustrates the innate desire to extend our influence and take charge of our lives. Having a sense of control is crucial for our mental and physical well-being, as it can even impact our longevity.

God has equipped us to exercise dominion and care for the earth through a conscious, personal relationship of interactive responsibility with Him. We are meant to rule and reign in partnership with God, who acts as our constant companion and co-worker in the creative enterprise of life. Today, we are invited to exercise our agency, bring value to others, and seek God's guidance in our interactions. By recognizing others as image-bearers with their own kingdoms, we can bring life, goodness, and strength to those around us.

Key Takeaways:

- Each of us is created to make a significant impact in the world, regardless of our age or circumstances. Our pain and suffering can be transformed into opportunities for growth when we partner with God. [00:56]

- We all have a unique realm or kingdom where our choices determine outcomes. This concept of dominion is rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing our spiritual calling to contribute positively to God's universe. [02:13]

- The drive for personhood is evident even in young children, illustrating our innate desire to extend our influence and take charge of our lives. Having a sense of control is crucial for our mental and physical well-being. [04:47]

- God has equipped us to exercise dominion and care for the earth through a conscious, personal relationship of interactive responsibility with Him. We are meant to rule and reign in partnership with God. [06:21]

- Today, we are invited to exercise our agency, bring value to others, and seek God's guidance in our interactions. By recognizing others as image-bearers with their own kingdoms, we can bring life, goodness, and strength to those around us. [07:28]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Created to Count
[00:56] - Pain and Partnership with God
[01:31] - Dallas Willard's Insight
[02:13] - Dominion and Personhood
[03:39] - Family Reunion and Personhood
[04:47] - Control and Well-being
[05:41] - Biblical Perspective on Dominion
[06:21] - Partnership with God
[07:14] - Agency and Value
[07:42] - Listening to God's Guidance
[08:29] - Words of Blessing
[09:20] - Making a Difference
[10:03] - Closing and Contact Information

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 1:26-28
- Psalm 8:4-6

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of having a "kingdom" or "realm" where our choices determine outcomes? [01:44]

2. How does the story of the four-year-old deciding to take responsibility for his actions illustrate the concept of personhood and dominion? [04:20]

3. What role does God play in our ability to exercise dominion and care for the earth, according to the sermon? [06:21]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between having control over something and our mental and physical well-being? [05:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of dominion in Genesis 1 relate to our daily lives and the choices we make? [02:13]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our pain and suffering can be transformed into opportunities for growth and contribution? [00:56]

3. How does recognizing others as image-bearers with their own kingdoms change the way we interact with them? [07:28]

4. What does it mean to exercise our rule in union with God, and how might this look in practical terms? [06:39]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent challenge or setback. How might you view it as an opportunity for growth and contribution in partnership with God? [00:56]

2. Identify an area in your life where you feel you lack control. How can you begin to take responsibility and extend your influence in that area? [04:47]

3. Think of someone in your life who you see as an image-bearer with their own kingdom. What specific action can you take this week to bring life and goodness to them? [07:28]

4. How can you cultivate a conscious, personal relationship of interactive responsibility with God in your daily routine? [06:21]

5. Consider a decision you need to make soon. How can you seek God's guidance and act as a co-worker with Him in this decision? [07:14]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt significant and impactful. What steps can you take to recreate that sense of purpose in your current circumstances? [09:33]

7. How can you use your unique gifts and experiences, including past pain or scars, to make a difference in someone else's life this week? [09:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Transforming Pain into Growth
Each of us is created to make a significant impact in the world, regardless of our age or circumstances. Our pain and suffering can be transformed into opportunities for growth when we partner with God. The challenges we face are not meant to defeat us but to refine us and prepare us for the unique purpose God has for our lives. By embracing our struggles and seeking God's presence in them, we can find strength and resilience to overcome and make a difference. This transformation is a testament to the power of divine partnership, where our weaknesses become platforms for God's strength. [00:56]

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge or pain you have faced. How can you invite God into this situation to transform it into an opportunity for growth and impact?


Day 2: Embracing Our Unique Kingdom
We all have a unique realm or kingdom where our choices determine outcomes. This concept of dominion is rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing our spiritual calling to contribute positively to God's universe. Each person's kingdom is the sphere of influence where they can exercise their will and make a difference. Recognizing this personal dominion encourages us to take responsibility for our actions and decisions, knowing that they have the power to shape our lives and the lives of those around us. [02:13]

Genesis 1:26 (ESV): "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have influence. How can you use your choices in this area to contribute positively to those around you today?


Day 3: The Innate Drive for Personhood
The drive for personhood is evident even in young children, illustrating our innate desire to extend our influence and take charge of our lives. Having a sense of control is crucial for our mental and physical well-being. This desire to assert our personhood is a reflection of our God-given nature to be active participants in life, not passive observers. By acknowledging this drive, we can better understand our motivations and align them with God's purpose for us, leading to a more fulfilling and impactful life. [04:47]

Psalm 8:4-6 (ESV): "What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did it reflect your desire for control and influence, and how can you align such decisions with God's purpose for your life?


Day 4: Partnership with God in Dominion
God has equipped us to exercise dominion and care for the earth through a conscious, personal relationship of interactive responsibility with Him. We are meant to rule and reign in partnership with God, who acts as our constant companion and co-worker in the creative enterprise of life. This partnership invites us to engage with the world around us, bringing God's love and justice into every sphere of influence we have. By working alongside God, we can fulfill our calling to steward His creation and bring about His kingdom on earth. [06:21]

Psalm 115:16 (ESV): "The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man."

Reflection: Consider how you can partner with God in your daily responsibilities. What is one specific way you can exercise dominion in your life today that reflects God's love and justice?


Day 5: Recognizing Others as Image-Bearers
Today, we are invited to exercise our agency, bring value to others, and seek God's guidance in our interactions. By recognizing others as image-bearers with their own kingdoms, we can bring life, goodness, and strength to those around us. This perspective shifts our focus from self-centeredness to a community-oriented mindset, where we see the potential in others and encourage them in their journey. By valuing others as God does, we contribute to a culture of love and respect that reflects the heart of God. [07:28]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may need encouragement or support. How can you recognize and affirm their value as an image-bearer of God today?

Quotes


you were made to count i might have to shift this because the dogs are out you were made to count you were created to have a drive to be significant to make a difference in this world to be an agent of change and a creator of goodness but it's so easy for us to miss this and the grind of day-to-day or i know for me in this last season there were times when it felt like the difficulties of life or mistakes that i made or may have made or the challenges that i was facing meant that door was closed but it's not and our pain and our suffering can become part of this as well because we're made to do this together with god [00:20:00]

dallas says every last one of us has a kingdom or a queendom or a government a realm that is uniquely our own where our choice determines what happens now this is sometimes talked about under the banner of agency personhood which is terribly important to your life and to mine a realm that is uniquely our own where our choice your choice determine what happens here's a truth that reaches the deepest part of what it means to be a person we are made to have dominion that's a biblical term from genesis 1 within an appropriate domain of reality [00:97:92]

this is the core of the likeness or image of god in us and is the basis of the destiny for which we were formed we are all of us never ceasing spiritual beings with unique eternal calling to count for good in god's great universe you were made to count your destiny dallas goes not our kingdom quote unquote that's the biblical word is simply the range of our effect of will whatever we genuinely have say over is in our kingdom so you've got a kingdom you've got to queen them [00:138:23]

and our having say over something is precisely what places it within our kingdom in creating human beings god made them to rule to reign to have dominion in a limited sphere only so can they be persons any being that has say over nothing at all is no person we only have to imagine what that would be like to see that this is so such persons would not even be able to command their own body or their own thoughts they would be reduced to complete passive observers who count for nothing who make no difference [00:169:68]

the sense of having some degree of control over things is now recognized as a vital factor in both mental and physical life and can make the difference between life and death and those who are seriously ill people in that state who are assigned just the care of a pet or sometimes even a plant live longer than those who have nothing in their kingdom anyone who has raised a child or even supervised the work of others knows how important it is to let them do it whatever it may be and to do so as soon as that is practically feasible [00:296:63]

god equipped us for this task to exercise dominion to care for the earth we'll talk about that more to add value to what we're doing got equipped us for this task by framing our nature to function in a conscious personal relationship of interactive responsibility with him let me say that again god equipped us for this by framing our nature to function in a conscious personal relationship of interactive responsibility with him we are meant to exercise our rule [00:356:72]

we're meant to exercise this only in union with god as he acts with us he intended to be our constant companion or co-worker you've got a co-worker in the creative enterprise of life on earth that is what his love for us means in practical terms so now today exercise agency exercise dominion bring value and worth to at least one other person and ask god to help you to do this [00:399:44]

today the invitation for you and i is to walk through our day and to see other people also as agents as persons as people who have kingdoms as image bearers and then ask god what might i do to bring life and goodness and health and strength to this person and then listen and look for god to give us leadership or guidance [00:436:16]

so he said to his brother ralph you know we were we were raised uh jungkook minnesota scandinavian didn't use words like love or affection a lot like our kids do but i want you to know i care for you i want you to know i really love you and this brother was able to say thank you and john left and 20 minutes later his brother died when john's sister-in-law went into the room she found that uh his life had ended and the last words he ever heard were his brother john saying to him i really care about you i love you [00:512:56]

we never know how it is that god is going to lead us but we were made to act in partnership with god i got another story but i'll save that one for another time today you are made to make a difference no matter how educated or uneducated no matter what age no matter what pain or suffering you have been through god will use that god will use your gifts and god will use your scars [00:554:88]

ask god today would you be my co-worker would you lead me and guide me what good thing could i do who could i care for what person or even dog might i bless you are made to count and you can do that today [00:581:60]

thanks for joining us here at becomenew.me if you'd like to receive the daily emails that go along with each video let us know at becomenew.me gmail.com or if you want prayer you can text us at 855-888-0444 [00:606:32]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?