Empowered Voices: Trusting God and Speaking Life
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the power and responsibility of our voices as followers of Christ. We began by sending off Neil and Sierra Pepler, missionaries who have been with us for a season, with prayers and blessings as they continue their journey. This act of sending them off reminded us of the importance of listening to God's voice and obeying His call, even when it challenges us to step out in faith.
We explored the story from Numbers 13, where the Israelites faced the decision of whether to trust God's promise or succumb to fear and doubt. This narrative served as a backdrop to examine the voices we choose to listen to and the voices we choose to be. Are we like the ten spies who focused on obstacles, or like Caleb and Joshua, who trusted in God's promise despite the challenges? Our voices have the power to build up or tear down, to speak life or death, and we must choose wisely.
We delved into the significance of using our voices to encourage and edify one another, as highlighted in Proverbs 18:21 and James 3. Our words can be instruments of God's will or tools of the enemy, and we must be vigilant in ensuring that our speech aligns with God's truth and love. We also discussed the importance of speaking life over our circumstances, relationships, and communities, trusting in God's promises and provision.
Finally, we were reminded of our collective mission to preach the gospel and make disciples, as each of us has unique access and authority in different spheres of influence. Our voices are not just for personal edification but are meant to advance God's kingdom on earth. As we concluded, we committed to allowing our voices to be used by and for God, speaking His truth and love into the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Obedience: Neil and Sierra's journey as missionaries exemplifies the courage to obey God's call, even when it defies conventional expectations. Their story challenges us to listen to God's voice and step out in faith, trusting that He will guide and provide for us as we follow His lead. [30:29]
2. Choosing the Right Voice: The story of the spies in Numbers 13 teaches us the importance of choosing which voices to listen to and which voices to be. We must decide whether to focus on obstacles or trust in God's promises, understanding that our words have the power to influence and shape the faith of those around us. [52:49]
3. The Dual Nature of Our Words: James 3 reminds us that our tongues can be used for both blessing and cursing. We must be intentional in using our voices to build up and encourage others, recognizing that our words carry the power of life and death. [01:00:17]
4. Speaking Life into Our Circumstances: We are called to speak life over our lives, relationships, and communities, trusting in God's promises and provision. By declaring God's truth and love, we align ourselves with His will and invite His transformative power into our situations. [01:18:16]
5. Our Collective Mission: Each of us has a unique role in advancing God's kingdom, with access and authority in different spheres of influence. We are commissioned to preach the gospel and make disciples, using our voices to share God's love and truth with the world. [01:33:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Declaration of Faith
- [02:00] - Sending Off the Peplers
- [05:00] - The Call to Mission
- [10:00] - Prayer for Protection and Provision
- [15:00] - Worship and Declaration
- [20:00] - God's Faithfulness and Promises
- [25:00] - The Importance of Daily Devotion
- [30:00] - Which Voice Will We Be?
- [35:00] - The Power of Our Words
- [40:00] - Speaking Life and Encouragement
- [45:00] - The Role of Faith in Our Speech
- [50:00] - Our Mission to Preach the Gospel
- [55:00] - Commitment to Use Our Voice for God
- [01:00:00] - Closing Worship and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Numbers 13:17-33
- Proverbs 18:21
- James 3:6-10
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Observation Questions:
1. In Numbers 13, what were the differing reports given by the spies about the land of Canaan? How did Caleb and Joshua's perspective differ from the other spies? [52:49]
2. According to Proverbs 18:21, what power does the tongue hold, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about the impact of our words?
3. In James 3:6-10, what does James say about the nature of the tongue, and how does this passage highlight the dual potential of our words?
4. During the sermon, how did the pastor illustrate the importance of choosing which voices to listen to and which voices to be? [57:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the spies in Numbers 13 illustrate the consequences of listening to voices of doubt versus voices of faith? [52:49]
2. What does it mean to "speak life" over our circumstances, and how can this practice influence our faith and relationships? [01:18:16]
3. How can the dual nature of our words, as described in James 3, affect our witness as Christians in our communities and families?
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our voices can be used to advance God's kingdom, and how does this align with the Great Commission? [01:33:48]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you had to choose between speaking words of faith or doubt. How did your choice impact the outcome, and what might you do differently next time? [57:05]
2. Identify a relationship or situation in your life where you need to "speak life." What specific words or actions can you take this week to align your speech with God's promises? [01:18:16]
3. Consider the voices you listen to daily. Are there any that you need to tune out to better hear God's voice? How can you create space in your life to listen more intently to God’s guidance? [57:05]
4. The sermon emphasized the power of our words to build up or tear down. Think of someone in your life who needs encouragement. What specific words can you use to build them up this week? [01:05:30]
5. How can you use your unique sphere of influence to share God's love and truth? Identify one person or group you can reach out to this week with a message of hope or encouragement. [01:33:48]
6. Reflect on a time when your words may have been used by the enemy rather than God. What steps can you take to ensure your speech aligns with God's will in the future? [01:16:06]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of daily devotion. What practical steps can you take to prioritize time with God each day, and how might this impact your ability to hear and speak His truth? [01:28:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Courageous Obedience in Faith
Neil and Sierra's journey as missionaries exemplifies the courage to obey God's call, even when it defies conventional expectations. Their story challenges us to listen to God's voice and step out in faith, trusting that He will guide and provide for us as we follow His lead. Obedience to God often requires stepping into the unknown, leaving behind comfort and security. It is in these moments of uncertainty that our faith is tested and strengthened. By choosing to obey, we align ourselves with God's purpose and open ourselves to His blessings and guidance. [30:29]
"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith and obedience? How can you take a practical step towards that today?
Day 2: Choosing Faith Over Fear
The story of the spies in Numbers 13 teaches us the importance of choosing which voices to listen to and which voices to be. We must decide whether to focus on obstacles or trust in God's promises, understanding that our words have the power to influence and shape the faith of those around us. Caleb and Joshua chose to trust in God's promise despite the challenges, while the other spies succumbed to fear. This narrative encourages us to be mindful of the voices we allow to influence us and to choose faith over fear. [52:49]
"Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.'" (Numbers 13:30, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a situation where you are currently facing fear or doubt. How can you choose to trust in God's promises instead of focusing on the obstacles?
Day 3: The Power of Our Words
James 3 reminds us that our tongues can be used for both blessing and cursing. We must be intentional in using our voices to build up and encourage others, recognizing that our words carry the power of life and death. Our speech can either align with God's truth and love or become a tool of the enemy. By choosing to speak words of encouragement and edification, we can positively impact those around us and reflect God's character. [01:00:17]
"With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." (James 3:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words could have been more uplifting. How can you intentionally use your words to bless and encourage someone today?
Day 4: Speaking Life into Our Circumstances
We are called to speak life over our lives, relationships, and communities, trusting in God's promises and provision. By declaring God's truth and love, we align ourselves with His will and invite His transformative power into our situations. Speaking life involves choosing to focus on God's faithfulness and promises rather than the challenges we face. It is an act of faith that can bring hope and change to our circumstances. [01:18:16]
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." (Proverbs 18:21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to speak life and declare God's promises? How can you begin to do that today?
Day 5: Our Unique Role in God's Mission
Each of us has a unique role in advancing God's kingdom, with access and authority in different spheres of influence. We are commissioned to preach the gospel and make disciples, using our voices to share God's love and truth with the world. Our mission is not just for personal edification but to impact the world around us. By embracing our unique roles, we can contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom on earth. [01:33:48]
"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." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: Consider the unique spheres of influence you have in your life. How can you use your voice to share God's love and truth in those areas today?
Quotes
Father, we pray wisdom upon my brother, Neil. God, even as he and Sierra heed your voice and hear where to stop, where to go, I thank you, God, for your protection. I thank you, God, for your provision. And I thank you, God, for the blessing that they are and will continue to be. [00:30:56] (32 seconds)
God, we thank you for what you've done But in faith, God, right now I thank you for what you will do in this week And God, we thank you for we will go by what you say And not what we see And God, we thank you For you are the one in complete control And you're not done yet In Jesus' name Amen and amen [00:47:55] (32 seconds)
And we talked about which voice. We talked about the fact that there are a clamoring of voices all around. I mean, you can say you're going to do something, and you're going to hear 17 different voices with 22 different opinions, right? Because sometimes one person has four different opinions on what you should do. [00:51:57] (16 seconds)
Are we of the voice of the 10 saying, oh yeah, this is what God has promised, but look at this and look at that? Or are we choosing to be the voice of the two that said, if God said go, we go? Which voice are we? How is our voice being used? [00:57:19] (23 seconds)
There is power of life and death in the tongue. You and I have power in our voice and understanding what we say. Which voice will we be? Will we join the 10 saying everything that could go wrong and my opinion on the matter? Or will we be the voice that stands and says, what God said to do, we will do? [00:58:16] (24 seconds)
That's what faith is. Faith sees something in the natural that is contrary to what God said and faith will call out the life in it. Faith will call out what God has said, not what they see. If you go to James chapter 3 with me, go to James chapter 3. We see him talk about the tongue. [00:59:16] (33 seconds)
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. Listen, underline this. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. These things ought not to be so. Church, our voice can be used for good or for evil. And that's our choice. [01:00:31] (25 seconds)
And what does that do? That's like a classroom model lesson that says, I was a wretch, but Jesus, and now I'm sanctified. Does it make me perfect? Heck no. But God. And so the question again is, which voice will I be? Will I speak good or will I speak evil? Church, our voice can be used to build up or to tear down. [01:05:05] (36 seconds)
What voice are we allowing ourselves to be? Are we allowing ourselves to be a voice for good or for evil that builds up or that tears down church our voice can be used by god or by satan now you know this i believe wholeheartedly that anything that is said from this pulpit must be backed up by scripture [01:10:06] (26 seconds)
Let's allow God to use our voice. Church, let's use our voice to speak life. Let's use our voice to speak life. I read Proverbs 18, 21, power of life and death. What do we need to speak life over? We need to speak life over ourselves. We need to speak life over our marriage. [01:18:13] (18 seconds)
Let's choose to allow God. Let's choose to allow our voice to be used by and for God. Let's choose to allow our voice to be used by and for God. Every single one of you in this place, if you've made Jesus the Lord of your life, you have been commissioned by God to spread the good news, to pray for people, to give a prophetic word, [01:33:48] (40 seconds)
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