Faithful Investments: Trusting God's Promises for the Future

Summary

### Summary

Today, we conclude our series "Bird's Eye View" by examining Jeremiah 32. This chapter encapsulates the essence of God's message through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah, who were under severe discipline. Despite their dire circumstances, God reassures them that He has not abandoned them and that redemption remains at the core of His activity. This message is timeless and applies to us today, reminding us that God’s overarching plan is always for our good, even when we face trials and tribulations.

Jeremiah 32 is a powerful illustration of faith. God calls Jeremiah to make a seemingly irrational investment by purchasing a field in a land under siege. This act of faith, though it appears foolish in the eyes of the world, is a profound demonstration of trust in God's promises. Jeremiah's purchase of the field symbolizes hope and future restoration, even though he might not live to see its fulfillment. This teaches us that faith often requires us to invest in the present for a future we may not personally witness.

Faith is not just about immediate results; it’s about trusting God’s long-term plan. Jeremiah’s act of buying the field is a testament to the kind of faith that looks beyond present circumstances and believes in God’s promises. This kind of faith is costly and requires us to place ourselves under God's authority, trusting that He will bring about His purposes in due time.

Moreover, faith is not just for our benefit but for the benefit of future generations. Just as Jeremiah’s faith was meant to encourage and build up the people of Judah, our faith can have a lasting impact on those who come after us. This calls us to a higher level of responsibility and vision, urging us to think beyond our immediate needs and consider how our faith can shape the future.

In conclusion, Jeremiah 32 challenges us to exercise a far-out faith that trusts in God’s bird’s eye view. It calls us to make investments in the present that may not yield immediate results but are crucial for future generations. This kind of faith is deeply rooted in the character of God, who is faithful and powerful, and it invites us to participate in His redemptive work in the world.

### Key Takeaways

1. God’s Discipline and Redemption: Even in the midst of discipline, God’s purpose is redemptive. He has not abandoned us but is working out His plan for our good. This is a powerful reminder that God’s discipline is not punitive but corrective, aimed at bringing us back to Him. [34:17]

2. Faith as an Investment: Genuine faith often requires us to make significant investments today for a future we may not see. Jeremiah’s purchase of the field under siege is a profound example of this. It teaches us that faith is about trusting God’s promises, even when they seem far off. [40:15]

3. The Cost of Faith: Faith will always cost us something in the moment. It requires us to place ourselves under God’s authority and trust His timing. This is challenging in a world that values instant gratification, but it is essential for experiencing God’s power and presence in our lives. [41:51]

4. Faith for Future Generations: Our faith is not just for our benefit but for the benefit of future generations. God may call us to acts of faith that will encourage and build up those who come after us. This perspective shifts our focus from immediate results to long-term impact. [46:37]

5. Prayer and Faith: Prayer and faith are inseparable. Prayer is not just about petitioning God for our needs but also about praising Him and acknowledging His power and goodness. This kind of prayer fuels our faith and encourages us to trust God in the present moment. [16:15]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[32:39] - Introduction and Announcements
[33:22] - Overview of Jeremiah Series
[34:17] - God’s Discipline and Redemption
[35:02] - Revelation 5: A Glimpse of the Future
[36:37] - Redemption at the Center of God’s Activity
[38:31] - The Power and Cost of Faith
[40:15] - Faith as an Investment
[41:51] - The Challenge of Instant Gratification
[43:11] - Jeremiah’s Far-Out Faith
[45:25] - Faith for Future Generations
[46:37] - Encouragement for the Future
[47:03] - Historical Examples of Faith
[49:04] - Jeremiah’s Imprisonment and Faith
[50:35] - The Purchase of the Field
[52:33] - God’s Detailed Instructions
[54:17] - The Significance of the Land Deed
[56:15] - Jeremiah’s Obedience
[57:35] - God’s Promises and Time Capsule
[01:00:00] - The Lord of Armies
[01:02:28] - Faith Beyond Ourselves
[01:03:28] - The Gap of Faith
[01:05:11] - Experiencing God Through Faith
[01:07:00] - Historical Acts of Faith
[01:10:36] - Modern Examples of Faith
[01:12:27] - Faith as a Community
[01:14:26] - The Role of Prayer in Faith
[01:16:15] - Jeremiah’s Prayer of Praise
[01:18:12] - Recap and Conclusion
[01:20:07] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 32:6-15 - Jeremiah's purchase of the field
2. Revelation 5:9-10 - A glimpse of the future and God's redemptive plan

### Observation Questions
1. What was the context in which Jeremiah was asked to buy the field? Describe the situation in Jerusalem at that time. ([49:36])
2. How did Jeremiah respond to God's instruction to buy the field? What steps did he take to complete the purchase? ([53:19])
3. What does Revelation 5:9-10 reveal about God's ultimate plan for humanity? How does this relate to the message in Jeremiah 32? ([35:02])
4. What was the significance of placing the land deed in an earthen storage jar according to Jeremiah 32:14-15? ([57:35])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God asked Jeremiah to buy a field during a time of siege and uncertainty? What does this teach us about faith and obedience? ([56:15])
2. How does Jeremiah's act of faith in purchasing the field serve as a symbol of hope and future restoration? ([45:25])
3. In what ways does the concept of "faith as an investment" challenge our modern understanding of faith and immediate results? ([40:15])
4. How can the idea that our faith impacts future generations change the way we live out our faith today? ([46:37])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was asking you to step out in faith. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([45:25])
2. Jeremiah's faith required him to make a significant investment without seeing immediate results. Is there an area in your life where you feel called to invest in faith for the future? What steps can you take to act on this calling? ([40:15])
3. How do you handle situations where God's timing does not align with your expectations? What can you learn from Jeremiah's patience and trust in God's plan? ([41:51])
4. Think about the future generations in your family or community. How can your faith today positively impact them? What specific actions can you take to ensure your faith legacy is passed on? ([46:37])
5. Prayer and faith are inseparable. How can you incorporate more praise and acknowledgment of God's power into your prayer life to fuel your faith? ([16:15])
6. Jeremiah's obedience to God's command, even when it seemed irrational, is a powerful example. Is there something God is asking you to do that seems challenging or illogical? How can you trust and obey His guidance? ([56:15])
7. The sermon mentioned historical and modern examples of faith within the church community. How can you draw inspiration from these examples to strengthen your own faith journey? ([01:10:36])

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Discipline and Redemption
Description: Even in the midst of discipline, God’s purpose is redemptive. He has not abandoned us but is working out His plan for our good. This is a powerful reminder that God’s discipline is not punitive but corrective, aimed at bringing us back to Him. When the people of Judah were under severe discipline, God reassured them through Jeremiah that He had not abandoned them. This message is timeless and applies to us today, reminding us that God’s overarching plan is always for our good, even when we face trials and tribulations. [34:17]

Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: Think of a recent trial or hardship you have faced. How can you see God’s redemptive purpose in that situation, and how can you trust Him more deeply through it?

Day 2: Faith as an Investment
Description: Genuine faith often requires us to make significant investments today for a future we may not see. Jeremiah’s purchase of the field under siege is a profound example of this. It teaches us that faith is about trusting God’s promises, even when they seem far off. Jeremiah’s act of buying the field is a testament to the kind of faith that looks beyond present circumstances and believes in God’s promises. This kind of faith is costly and requires us to place ourselves under God’s authority, trusting that He will bring about His purposes in due time. [40:15]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to make an investment of faith today, trusting God for a future outcome you may not see immediately?

Day 3: The Cost of Faith
Description: Faith will always cost us something in the moment. It requires us to place ourselves under God’s authority and trust His timing. This is challenging in a world that values instant gratification, but it is essential for experiencing God’s power and presence in our lives. Jeremiah’s act of faith in purchasing the field was costly, both financially and in terms of his reputation, but it was a powerful demonstration of trust in God’s promises. This teaches us that true faith often involves sacrifice and a willingness to wait on God’s timing. [41:51]

Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God’s timing? How can you surrender this area to Him and trust in His perfect plan?

Day 4: Faith for Future Generations
Description: Our faith is not just for our benefit but for the benefit of future generations. God may call us to acts of faith that will encourage and build up those who come after us. This perspective shifts our focus from immediate results to long-term impact. Just as Jeremiah’s faith was meant to encourage and build up the people of Judah, our faith can have a lasting impact on those who come after us. This calls us to a higher level of responsibility and vision, urging us to think beyond our immediate needs and consider how our faith can shape the future. [46:37]

Psalm 78:4 (ESV): "We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done."

Reflection: How can your faith today impact future generations? What is one specific way you can invest in the spiritual growth of someone younger than you?

Day 5: Prayer and Faith
Description: Prayer and faith are inseparable. Prayer is not just about petitioning God for our needs but also about praising Him and acknowledging His power and goodness. This kind of prayer fuels our faith and encourages us to trust God in the present moment. Jeremiah’s prayer of praise in the midst of difficult circumstances is a powerful example of how prayer can strengthen our faith and help us to see God’s hand at work in our lives. [16:15]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more praise and thanksgiving into your prayer life today? What is one specific thing you can thank God for, even if you are facing challenges?

Quotes

1. "When we look at God's Bird's Eye View, right, it's helpful for us in our life, that no matter what we might be going through today or whatever the circumstances of our life may be, whether those circumstances are great and fantastic, whether those circumstances are difficult and hard, we can be reminded that God from his Bird's Eye View is guiding our lives, that he has a plan and a purpose for us." [34:17] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Redemption is at the center of God's activity. Redemption is at the center. Redemption is so core to who God is and what God is all about. And so today I just want to again to be reminded that if we are under the discipline of God today and we feel like man I am really suffering from the consequences of my poor decisions or maybe you're here today and you're having a difficult time because of somebody else maybe you didn't even have anything to do with it but you're experiencing the effect of somebody else's poor choices maybe today you're in a in a place where your heart is so full of joy maybe today you are in a spot where you're just in all of the things that God is doing in your life no matter what situation you are in we can take it to the bank that redemption is at the center of God's activity and that's a wonderful thing for us to be reminded of today." [36:37] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Faith will always cost us something in the moment. It's the difficult choice in the moment but we are placing ourselves under the authority of God in that moment. That's what faith is really about. It's about practicing a posture of putting ourselves under the mighty hand of God and saying I am going to trust that in due time that's the hard part in due time God is going to see this thing through." [41:51] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Perhaps your faith. Perhaps my faith. Is intended for somebody else. Maybe God. Maybe God wants to use you. Maybe God wants to use me. And he wants to use our faith. For the benefit of somebody else. And what we're going to see today in this story. Is that. The intentions of God. He was calling Jeremiah to this faith. That he would not. More than likely would not see the benefits of. But the purpose of that faith. Was to provide encouragement. And to build up. The future generation." [45:59] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Faith is so vital to God's working in our life because it's the gap between our trust. It's the gap between the time when we step out of the boat, right? like Peter did and when the word of God actually comes to fruition it's in that gap that we exercise our faith and if I'm reading my Bible right Hebrew says without faith it's impossible to please God because this gap right there that is the arena by which we experience God in our life so here's the reality God does not change he doesn't change so if we're in a spot in our life where we don't feel like we are experiencing God maybe we feel like we are in a dry place in our life I believe in our core God has not changed perhaps it's our willingness to be fueled by faith when's the last time we actually stepped out in faith in a humble position where we had to experience God's blessing and faithfulness on our life." [01:03:28] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Faith is about us opening our lives up as a portal to the power and the presence of God in our life and that is enough that's what faith is all about and so if we are not experiencing God in our life perhaps that is the the arena in the area where we just should evaluate and say well God when's the last time I stepped out and trusted you on something that I didn't see but I know you have a bird's eye view I know you see where all this is headed and so I'm just going to open up my life and trust you to what you want to do in this moment." [01:05:11] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Maybe today God is calling me you us to step out in faith and it's the kind of faith that maybe he's not going to answer tomorrow maybe it's not the kind of faith that he's going to answer in a decade maybe it's the kind of faith like we've seen in the past through tab that God is calling us to step out in faith calling us to a type of faith that will actually shape the future generations to come and want us to be open to it I don't want us to miss it as a church because God is doing something too good in our midst right now God's hand is on us and I want us to be a people that exude that." [01:18:12] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Faith is about us being willing to step out linking arms with one another doing it together because we need encouragement there's going to be days where my faith is struggling and your faith is strong there's going to be days where my faith is strong and yours is struggling and we need one another to remind ourselves that God has a history of calling people to buy the field and they've had the faith to buy the field and look at what God has done." [01:12:27] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "When you look at how Jeremiah responds after he's purchased the field he stepped out in faith and I love the way this section of the scripture ends because Jeremiah is going to erupt in this prayer of adoration and think you know prayer is a lot of things prayer is talking prayers listening to God many times our prayer life kind of gets relegated to just the what we want God to do on our behalf right or what we think God needs to do on our behalf we spend a lot of time focused on those kind of kind of prayers and those prayers are okay right God calls us to bring our petitions before the Lord there's a lot of time to do that but we need to do that we need to pray there's nothing wrong with that but if that is all our prayer life consists of we're missing a big huge chunk of what prayer is actually about and prayer is not just about petition prayer is about praise because it's in our praise of God it's in our awareness of God and the goodness of God and the power of God that we are encouraged to trust God in the present moment of our life that's why prayer is so so vital." [01:14:26] (100 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Lord God you yourself made the heavens and earth by your great power and with your outstretched arm nothing is too difficult for you you show faithful love to thousands but lay the father's iniquity on their son's laps after them great and mighty God whose name is the Lord of armies the one great in counsel and powerful and your eyes are on all the ways of the children of men in order to reward each person according to his ways and as a result of his actions." [01:16:15] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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