Engaging God: Prayer, Communion, and Our Mission
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the importance of not just talking about God but talking to God. We often miss the opportunity to engage in direct communication with Him, even though Scripture assures us that He listens to our prayers and understands our sorrows. We live in a world that is increasingly indifferent to God, and it is crucial for us to bring our joys, griefs, and needs before Him. This time of silence and prayer is a moment to connect deeply with God, trusting that He hears and deals with our concerns.
We also celebrated communion, a practice that reminds us of Christ's sacrifice and the foundation of our faith. Communion is not just a ritual but a profound act of remembrance of Jesus' humility, His death on the cross, and the righteousness we receive through Him. This act unites us as believers, regardless of our backgrounds.
Our focus today was on Psalm 117, the shortest chapter in the Bible, yet filled with significant truths. The psalmist calls all nations to praise God, highlighting that God's steadfast love extends to all people, not just the Jewish nation. This inclusivity is rooted in the promises made to Abraham and fulfilled through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul reiterates this in Romans, showing that Christ's servanthood and sacrifice confirm God's promises to the patriarchs and extend His mercy to the Gentiles.
This message is a call to action for us. We are reminded of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all nations. We must not be complacent, waiting for people to come to us, but actively share the good news of Jesus Christ. The world is divided and in desperate need of the hope, peace, and joy that only Christ can provide. As we reflect on this, let us be motivated to share this transformative message with others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Direct Communication with God: We often talk about God but miss the opportunity to talk to Him. Scripture assures us that God listens to our prayers and understands our sorrows. Taking time for silent reflection and prayer allows us to connect deeply with God, bringing our joys, griefs, and needs before Him. [23:16]
2. The Significance of Communion: Communion is more than a ritual; it is a profound act of remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. It unites us as believers, reminding us of Jesus' humility, His death on the cross, and the righteousness we receive through Him. This act calls us to reflect on the foundation of our faith and the unity we share in Christ. [37:33]
3. Inclusivity of God's Love: Psalm 117 highlights that God's steadfast love extends to all people, not just the Jewish nation. This inclusivity is rooted in the promises made to Abraham and fulfilled through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul reiterates this, showing that Christ's servanthood and sacrifice confirm God's promises and extend His mercy to the Gentiles. [48:22]
4. The Great Commission: Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:19 to go and make disciples of all nations. We must not be complacent, waiting for people to come to us, but actively share the good news of Jesus Christ. The world is divided and in desperate need of the hope, peace, and joy that only Christ can provide. [01:05:15]
5. Unity in Christ: The Apostle Paul emphasizes that in Christ, there is no division between Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, or any other societal barriers. We are all part of one body, saved by the same grace. This unity in Christ is a powerful testimony to the world and a call for us to live out this unity in our daily lives. [01:00:55]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:16] - Talking to God
[35:30] - Communion Celebration
[43:16] - Psalm 117: God's Steadfast Love
[48:22] - Inclusivity of God's Love
[52:51] - Fulfillment Through Christ
[57:21] - Unity in Christ
[01:05:15] - The Great Commission
[01:11:07] - Church Announcements and Changes
[01:20:55] - Encouragement and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 117:1-2: "Praise the Lord, all nations. Extol Him, all peoples, for great is His steadfast love towards us and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord."
2. Matthew 28:19-20: "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."
3. Romans 15:8-9: "For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 117 call all nations and peoples to do, and why? ([43:51])
2. According to Matthew 28:19-20, what are the specific actions Jesus commands His followers to take? ([01:05:15])
3. In Romans 15:8-9, what reasons does Paul give for Christ becoming a servant? ([52:51])
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of communion beyond being a ritual? ([37:33])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand that God's steadfast love extends to all people, as highlighted in Psalm 117? How does this shape our view of inclusivity in the church? ([48:22])
2. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 challenge the church's approach to evangelism and discipleship? ([01:05:15])
3. What does Paul mean when he says that Christ's servanthood confirms God's promises to the patriarchs and extends mercy to the Gentiles? How does this impact our understanding of God's faithfulness? ([52:51])
4. Reflecting on the sermon, how does the act of communion help believers remember and connect with the foundation of their faith? ([37:33])
#### Application Questions
1. Direct Communication with God: Reflect on your personal prayer life. Do you find yourself talking about God more than talking to Him? What steps can you take this week to engage in more direct communication with God? ([23:16])
2. The Significance of Communion: How can you prepare your heart and mind to approach communion with a deeper sense of remembrance and gratitude for Christ's sacrifice? ([37:33])
3. Inclusivity of God's Love: Think of someone from a different background or culture. How can you show them God's steadfast love this week, reflecting the inclusivity highlighted in Psalm 117? ([48:22])
4. The Great Commission: Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. What specific action can you take this week to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them? ([01:05:15])
5. Unity in Christ: Reflect on any divisions you see within your community or church. How can you actively work towards unity, remembering that in Christ, there is no division? ([01:00:55])
6. Silent Reflection and Prayer: Set aside a specific time each day this week for silent reflection and prayer. What are some joys, griefs, and needs you want to bring before God during this time? ([25:31])
7. Living Out the Great Commission: How can you incorporate the Great Commission into your daily life? What practical steps can you take to make disciples of all nations, starting within your own community? ([01:05:15])
Devotional
Day 1: Direct Communication with God
We often talk about God but miss the opportunity to talk to Him. Scripture assures us that God listens to our prayers and understands our sorrows. Taking time for silent reflection and prayer allows us to connect deeply with God, bringing our joys, griefs, and needs before Him. This direct communication is essential for a vibrant spiritual life. It is in these moments of silence and prayer that we can truly experience God's presence and guidance.
[23:16]
Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: What specific joys, griefs, or needs can you bring before God in prayer today? Take a moment to talk to Him directly about these things.
Day 2: The Significance of Communion
Communion is more than a ritual; it is a profound act of remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. It unites us as believers, reminding us of Jesus' humility, His death on the cross, and the righteousness we receive through Him. This act calls us to reflect on the foundation of our faith and the unity we share in Christ. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the immense love and grace that Jesus has extended to us, and we are called to extend that same love and grace to others.
[37:33]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: How does remembering Christ's sacrifice during communion impact your daily life and interactions with others?
Day 3: Inclusivity of God's Love
Psalm 117 highlights that God's steadfast love extends to all people, not just the Jewish nation. This inclusivity is rooted in the promises made to Abraham and fulfilled through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul reiterates this, showing that Christ's servanthood and sacrifice confirm God's promises and extend His mercy to the Gentiles. This message is a powerful reminder that God's love knows no boundaries and is available to everyone, regardless of their background or nationality.
[48:22]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate God's inclusive love to those around you today?
Day 4: The Great Commission
Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:19 to go and make disciples of all nations. We must not be complacent, waiting for people to come to us, but actively share the good news of Jesus Christ. The world is divided and in desperate need of the hope, peace, and joy that only Christ can provide. As we reflect on this, let us be motivated to share this transformative message with others, fulfilling the Great Commission with urgency and compassion.
[01:05:15]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ? How can you share His love and message with them today?
Day 5: Unity in Christ
The Apostle Paul emphasizes that in Christ, there is no division between Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, or any other societal barriers. We are all part of one body, saved by the same grace. This unity in Christ is a powerful testimony to the world and a call for us to live out this unity in our daily lives. By embracing this unity, we can demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel and be a light in a divided world.
[01:00:55]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you actively promote and live out the unity we have in Christ within your community and relationships today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We live in a world that we see is desperately in need of God. Like Aaliyah said, you know, yesterday with what happened at that rally, that was something that might have shocked us at one point, but it doesn't shock us anymore. When we see things on the news about how people are just blaspheming God, that would have shocked us at one time, but now it doesn't shock us anymore. And we see the condition our world is in, and we have an opportunity to go to God for those things." [23:16] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There is no shortage of things that we want to talk to God about, right? So in this moment, before we continue in worship, before we do communion, before we dive into the Word, can we just take this time just to go before the Lord? To bring Him our joys, our griefs, and our sorrows, and then to trust that not only He hears, but He deals." [24:27] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are here ultimately because of Christ. You know, as we walk through the Psalms, from Genesis to Revelation, in our families, in our government, in the things going on in our schedules, all of those things are find their answer in the Savior. And so, before we dive into this Psalm, which is ultimately about Christ, think it's good that we take some time just to remember." [36:00] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The God of the universe reconciled us to himself through the death of his son. That is the good news that we're talking about today. And not only did he do that. Jesus came to us directly and bypassed the group of people that didn't want us Gentiles joined in with them in this relationship with God. And man if we park right there we are going to leave this place excited because each of us that is a believer that describes us." [01:03:35] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Understand something. The people outside these doors are under an extreme weight of sorrow and sadness and pain and confusion and hatred and anger and those people outside these doors that they do not know Jesus are going to have those feelings until they die and are going to spend eternity away from a God that loves them and has given them his Son. That alone should give us a desire to leave and to go share Jesus with these people." [01:06:18] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "It would be a shame if we go through services just talking about God, but never talking to God. Also, follow with me. We live in a world that we see is desperately in need of God. Like Aaliyah said, you know, yesterday with what happened at that rally, that was something that might have shocked us at one point, but it doesn't shock us anymore." [23:16] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We see in Hebrews where it says we don't have a high priest that is uninterested in our sorrows or our griefs, but he listens to us. It would be a shame if we go through services just talking about God, but never talking to God." [23:16] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are the Gentiles that the psalmist is talking about that God will show his steadfast love to. We are the recipients of all of this. You know, think about what Paul says or how he reiterates it in Ephesians 4 verse 1. Therefore a prisoner for the Lord. He's talking about himself. A prisoner for the Lord. Urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace." [58:24] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You know what's beautiful about this? Is that from Genesis all the way to Revelation, it's all ultimately about Jesus. Not only about Jesus, but how Jesus' work on the cross reconciled us to God. I love how Paul ends that passage. What is all of that for? Why is he proving all of that point? May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. So by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope." [56:50] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are the Gentiles that the psalmist is talking about that God will show his steadfast love to. We are the recipients of all of this. You know, think about what Paul says or how he reiterates it in Ephesians 4 verse 1. Therefore a prisoner for the Lord. He's talking about himself. A prisoner for the Lord. Urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace." [58:24] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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