Faith, Identity, and God's Provision in Our Lives
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the goodness and compassion of the Lord, highlighting His everlasting kingdom and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. The pastor encourages the congregation to look to the Lord, as He provides for their needs and satisfies the desires of every living thing. The pastor then transitions to the importance of not only what we do, but also how we do it and the attitude we have while doing it. They share a personal experience from their Christian walk, reading Psalm 23 and Psalm 45, highlighting the comforting and guiding role of the Lord in our lives.
The pastor then reflects on the significance of his faith in Jesus Christ, sharing that he was given a necklace with a scripture verse that emphasizes the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and losing everything else for His sake. He expresses his anticipation of meeting Jesus in heaven and seeing the throne in the new Heaven and new earth, where there will be no more pain or suffering. The pastor emphasizes that his identity and eternity are found in God, and he acknowledges the transformative power of God's work in his life through Sherwood.
The pastor shares personal experiences and lessons learned about the strength that comes from holding on to God's promises. He recounts committing his life to Jesus at a young age and later facing a decision to follow Him or not. He shares how God answered a prayer and led him to work at Sherwood, a place he had never considered as an option. Despite initial doubts, the pastor has never doubted that God has him where He wants him, and he has learned the strength that comes from abiding in God's word.
The pastor reflects on the current happenings at Sherwood and the influx of seekers they have been experiencing. Despite people coming and going, there are currently six individuals who seem committed to staying for the long run. The pastor emphasizes the importance of unity among these individuals, despite their differences. The pastor then shares about the devotions they have been conducting at Sherwood, where they sing songs and discuss scriptures. The common theme that has emerged is how God shows up in the mundane and ordinary aspects of life, rather than in flashy events.
The sermon concludes with the pastor sharing a personal testimony about their journey of faith. They explain that they made a decision to change their life and follow God's direction, even though they couldn't see the path ahead. Despite not having any money and owing their landlord, they stepped out in faith and trusted that God would provide. Miraculously, God not only supplied the money needed to travel to K Harbor, but also the admission fee and food for the journey. The pastor emphasizes the importance of knowing one's identity in Christ, stating that God doesn't necessarily make us into a new creation, but rather reveals the new creation that was always within us.
Key Takeaways:
- Our actions and attitudes matter in our Christian walk. It's crucial to remember this, especially when we feel like a burden to others. This is a reminder that our behavior and mindset can impact our relationship with God and others. [12:45]
- Choosing to follow Jesus is a significant decision that can lead to a life of abiding in God's word and experiencing His strength. This decision often involves spiritual battles, but the rewards are immeasurable. [25:30]
- Unity among individuals, despite their differences, is crucial in a community of faith. This unity fosters a conducive environment for spiritual growth and seeking God. [35:20]
- Stepping out in faith and trusting God to provide, even when the path ahead is unclear, can lead to miraculous provision. This act of faith deepens our understanding of our identity in Christ and strengthens our trust in God. [45:10]
- Knowing one's identity in Christ is essential in our spiritual journey. God doesn't necessarily make us into a new creation, but rather reveals the new creation that was always within us. This understanding brings freedom and peace. [55:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 2:1-11
2. Psalm 23:1-6
3. Matthew 14:25-29
Observation Questions:
1. In John 2:1-11, what was the problem at the wedding and how did Jesus respond to it?
2. In Psalm 23:1-6, what are the different ways the psalmist describes God's care and provision?
3. In Matthew 14:25-29, what was the disciples' initial reaction to seeing Jesus walking on the water and how did Peter respond differently?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the miracle at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11) reveal about Jesus' power and his concern for our needs?
2. How does the imagery used in Psalm 23:1-6 help us understand God's character and His relationship with us?
3. What does Peter's response to Jesus walking on the water in Matthew 14:25-29 tell us about faith and doubt?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a situation where you felt like the wine had run out, similar to the wedding at Cana, and you needed a miracle? How did you respond and what was the outcome?
2. Reflecting on Psalm 23:1-6, in what specific ways have you experienced God as your shepherd, guiding and providing for you? How can you share this experience with someone this week?
3. Like Peter in Matthew 14:25-29, have you ever felt called to step out in faith, even when it seemed impossible or scary? What is one step of faith you can take this week in response to what God is calling you to do?
4. Can you think of a person or situation that is currently testing your faith, similar to the disciples seeing Jesus walking on the water? How can you respond in faith instead of fear?
5. Reflecting on all three passages, how can you demonstrate trust in Jesus' power and provision in a practical way in your life this week?
Devotional
Day 1: The Impact of Actions and Attitudes
Our actions and attitudes significantly influence our Christian walk. It's essential to remember this, especially when we feel like a burden to others. Our behavior and mindset can impact our relationship with God and others. [12:45]
Ephesians 4:22-24 - "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: Reflect on your actions and attitudes today. Were they reflective of your faith in Christ? How can you improve them tomorrow?
Day 2: The Decision to Follow Jesus
Choosing to follow Jesus is a significant decision that can lead to a life of abiding in God's word and experiencing His strength. This decision often involves spiritual battles, but the rewards are immeasurable. [25:30]
Joshua 24:15 - "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on your decision to follow Jesus. How has this decision impacted your life? What spiritual battles have you faced, and how have you seen God's strength in those situations?
Day 3: The Importance of Unity in Faith
Unity among individuals, despite their differences, is crucial in a community of faith. This unity fosters a conducive environment for spiritual growth and seeking God. [35:20]
1 Corinthians 1:10 - "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."
Reflection: Reflect on your role in fostering unity in your faith community. How can you contribute to unity despite differences?
Day 4: Trusting God in Uncertainty
Stepping out in faith and trusting God to provide, even when the path ahead is unclear, can lead to miraculous provision. This act of faith deepens our understanding of our identity in Christ and strengthens our trust in God. [45:10]
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you need to trust God despite the uncertainty. How can you step out in faith and trust God in this situation?
Day 5: Discovering Our Identity in Christ
Knowing one's identity in Christ is essential in our spiritual journey. God doesn't necessarily make us into a new creation, but rather reveals the new creation that was always within us. This understanding brings freedom and peace. [55:30]
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: Reflect on your identity in Christ. How has understanding your identity in Christ brought freedom and peace in your life?
Quotes
"What is more, I can say that everything is lost because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Jesus." [01:02:31]
"I look forward to the day when I actually see the throne and the new Heaven and new earth, and it says he will wipe away every tear from their eye and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. For the old order of things has passed away." [01:03:21]
"It's really been about how God shows up in the boring stuff, not in the glitz and the glamour... most of the time that's when God speaks to people and you know people really just go oh I really had a moment with God at that time." [25:05]
"The exciting thing that I find is just letting God sort it out... live life just be free and be open and be led and then in hindsight you will see how God has fulfilled those promises because it's not our job to fulfill them it's his job to do that and it's our job just to abide in him." [01:18:21]
"I have learned that there is strength in holding on to what he says, a strength that will sustain you during times when giving up appears again and again, and strength that no person, place, or thing can provide, a strength that is more powerful than the strongest pool." #!!01:11:43!!#
"Coming to Sherwood, I threw out all my entire wardrobe, all my belongings. I gave away so many things, changed my life in a matter of about a week. I needed a change of direction. I chose to do something I had not done in a long time. I walked by faith. I could not see that God was telling me to go, but I could see that God was telling me to go, and I had to listen to what he was saying." #!!58:55!!#
"He knows who you are and he is a good man, father, and I'm loved by him. So anyway, I chase number scripture and it's out of Philippians and it's um chapter 3 three. If you want to go there in your Bible and you could help me out cuz I'm sort of shaking a little bit, but I haven't been up here like before. But um listen, like it's one thing to know who you are, but like it's one thing to so you don't have to be. See, God makes you into a new creation, but it's another thing to... it's not necessarily um that God makes you into that new creation, he brings that new creation. You always had that identity all along and he just brings that identity out." #!!01:01:25!!#
"I've learned that Prayer Changes Things... I wonder how go how I can continue to be so surprised by the way that God continues to make his presence known in my life... I have learned that my life testifies to God's goodness and his faithfulness." #!!01:16:25!!#
"I'm confident in my identity in Christ... I'm the Good Shepherd and I know my sheep and my sheep know me... I lay down my life for the Sheep... they too will listen to my voice and they shall be one flock and one Shepherd." (#!!57:17!!#)
"Imagine That I Have A great miracle story of how God appeared to me and told me to come but I haven't...he was preparing me to trust in him completely when I stopped asking for answers and finally surrendered and sought only his presence the understanding came like a whisper." #!!41:01!!#
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Oct 29, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?