Finding Divine Perspective Amidst Worldly Chaos

 

Summary

In a world filled with chaos and confusion, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the events unfolding around us. From natural disasters to social unrest, the world seems to be in a constant state of turmoil. However, as believers, we are called to look beyond the visible chaos and seek understanding from a divine perspective. The key premise is found in 2 Corinthians 4:18, which reminds us not to focus solely on what is seen but to start with the unseen, the spiritual truths that guide our understanding of the physical world.

Hebrews 12 provides a foundation for understanding how God communicates with us. It emphasizes that God speaks not only through His Word but also through the shaking of our world. When His Word is ignored, God may disturb the natural order to capture our attention. This shaking is not random; it is a divine act meant to correct and realign our priorities, ensuring that the spiritual takes precedence over the physical.

The recent events, such as Hurricane Harvey and the racial tensions in Charlottesville, serve as examples of God shaking our world. These disruptions are not merely natural occurrences but are orchestrated by God to address deeper issues within society. They remind us that God is sovereign, and nothing happens without His permission. These events are opportunities for us to reflect on our spiritual state and seek alignment with God's will.

When God shakes our world, it is a call to action. It is a reminder that we must prioritize the eternal over the temporal and seek God's guidance in all things. As believers, we must not be swayed by political or social divisions but instead focus on what God is saying through these events. By doing so, we can become agents of change, bringing about the correction and healing that our world desperately needs.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine Perspective Over Human Opinion: In times of chaos, it's crucial to prioritize God's perspective over human opinions. Starting with the unseen, as instructed in 2 Corinthians 4:18, allows us to understand the deeper spiritual truths behind the visible chaos. This approach helps us navigate the complexities of life with divine wisdom. [03:49]

- God Speaks Through Shaking: When God's Word is ignored, He may shake the world to capture our attention. This divine disturbance is a call to realign our priorities, ensuring that the spiritual takes precedence over the physical. It's a reminder that God is sovereign and actively involved in our world. [10:36]

- Understanding God's Sovereignty: Nothing happens without God's permission. Every event, whether caused or allowed by God, serves a purpose in His divine plan. Recognizing this sovereignty helps us trust in God's control and seek His guidance in all circumstances. [12:03]

- Correction Through Disruption: God uses disruptions to correct and realign our priorities. These events are opportunities for reflection and spiritual growth, urging us to prioritize the eternal over the temporal. By responding to God's correction, we can become agents of change in a chaotic world. [20:52]

- Unity in Crisis: In times of crisis, God can use disruptions to bring people together, transcending divisions of race, class, and culture. These moments remind us of our shared humanity and the importance of unity in addressing the challenges we face. [22:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:20] - A World in Chaos
- [01:28] - Human Opinion vs. Divine Perspective
- [03:49] - Starting with the Unseen
- [05:02] - God's Word as the Foundation
- [06:24] - Hebrews 12: God's Voice in Shaking
- [08:58] - The Importance of Listening to God
- [10:36] - Shaking as Divine Communication
- [12:03] - Understanding God's Sovereignty
- [14:48] - Recognizing God's Voice in Disruption
- [18:22] - Starting in the Right Place
- [20:52] - Correction Through Shaking
- [22:40] - Unity in Crisis
- [24:59] - Responding to God's Correction
- [28:44] - The Role of the Church in Chaos

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 4:18
- Hebrews 12:25-27

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to 2 Corinthians 4:18, what are believers encouraged to focus on, and why is this significant in understanding the chaos around us? [03:49]

2. In Hebrews 12:25-27, what does the passage say about how God communicates through the shaking of the world? [06:24]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey in God's communication with us? [22:21]

4. What examples from recent events were given in the sermon to illustrate God's sovereignty and the concept of divine shaking? [22:00]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does starting with the unseen, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:18, change a believer's perspective on current world events? [03:49]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between ignoring God's Word and the occurrence of divine disturbances? [10:36]

3. How can understanding God's sovereignty, as discussed in the sermon, impact a believer's response to crises and disruptions? [12:03]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God uses disruptions to correct and realign our priorities? [20:52]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent event in your life that felt chaotic. How might viewing it from a divine perspective change your understanding of that event? [03:49]

2. When faced with a crisis, how can you ensure that you are listening to what God might be saying through the situation rather than just reacting to the visible chaos? [18:22]

3. Think of a time when you felt God was trying to get your attention through a disruption. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [10:36]

4. How can you prioritize the eternal over the temporal in your daily life, especially when faced with societal or personal challenges? [20:52]

5. In what ways can you become an agent of change in your community by focusing on God's guidance rather than political or social divisions? [22:40]

6. Identify a situation where you might have relied more on human opinion than on God's perspective. How can you shift your focus to align more with divine wisdom? [01:28]

7. How can you foster unity in your community during times of crisis, transcending divisions of race, class, and culture? [22:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Perspective Over Human Opinion
In times of chaos, it is essential to prioritize God's perspective over human opinions. This approach, as highlighted in 2 Corinthians 4:18, encourages believers to focus on the unseen spiritual truths that guide our understanding of the visible world. By doing so, we can navigate life's complexities with divine wisdom, allowing us to see beyond the immediate chaos and understand the deeper spiritual realities at play. This perspective helps us remain grounded in faith, trusting that God's wisdom surpasses human understanding and provides clarity amidst confusion. [03:49]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "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: In what current situation are you relying more on human opinion than on God's perspective? How can you shift your focus to the unseen spiritual truths today?


Day 2: God Speaks Through Shaking
When God's Word is ignored, He may shake the world to capture our attention. This divine disturbance is a call to realign our priorities, ensuring that the spiritual takes precedence over the physical. It serves as a reminder that God is sovereign and actively involved in our world. By recognizing these moments of divine communication, we can respond with humility and openness, allowing God to guide us back to His path and purpose. This understanding helps us see disruptions not as random events but as opportunities for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. [10:36]

Hebrews 12:26-27 (ESV): "At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.' This phrase, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain."

Reflection: What recent event in your life might be God’s way of capturing your attention? How can you respond to this divine disturbance with a willingness to realign your priorities?


Day 3: Understanding God's Sovereignty
Nothing happens without God's permission, and every event, whether caused or allowed by God, serves a purpose in His divine plan. Recognizing this sovereignty helps us trust in God's control and seek His guidance in all circumstances. By understanding that God is sovereign, we can find peace in knowing that He is actively working for our good, even in the midst of chaos. This trust allows us to surrender our fears and anxieties, knowing that God is in control and His plans are perfect. [12:03]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: How does acknowledging God's sovereignty change your perspective on a current challenge you are facing? What steps can you take to trust His control more fully today?


Day 4: Correction Through Disruption
God uses disruptions to correct and realign our priorities. These events are opportunities for reflection and spiritual growth, urging us to prioritize the eternal over the temporal. By responding to God's correction, we can become agents of change in a chaotic world. This process involves examining our lives, identifying areas where we have strayed from God's path, and making necessary adjustments to align with His will. Embracing these moments of correction allows us to grow spiritually and become more effective in fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. [20:52]

Jeremiah 18:7-8 (ESV): "If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it."

Reflection: What disruption in your life might be an opportunity for spiritual correction? How can you embrace this moment to realign your priorities with God's eternal purposes?


Day 5: Unity in Crisis
In times of crisis, God can use disruptions to bring people together, transcending divisions of race, class, and culture. These moments remind us of our shared humanity and the importance of unity in addressing the challenges we face. By focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us, we can work together to bring about healing and restoration in our communities. This unity is a powerful testimony of God's love and grace, demonstrating that we are all part of His family and called to support one another in times of need. [22:40]

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: How can you actively promote unity in your community during a current crisis? What practical steps can you take to bridge divides and foster a spirit of togetherness today?

Quotes

"We do not look on the things that are seen; we look on the things that are unseen. So if you can see it, touch it, taste it, feel it, and hear it, it's not where you're supposed to start. Not because it's not real, it's just not the starting blocks." [00:03:43]

"God speaks in a number of ways. His foundational way of speaking is His word, His written recorded word. He says in times past I spoke on earth, that is, through the prophets. He gave it to men, but He says now I speak from heaven, referring to Him coming to earth from heaven in the person of Jesus Christ." [00:09:15]

"When God sees that His word is not good enough for the culture or for the community or even for the Saints, it says He shakes things, disturbs things, interrupts things, confuses things. A few weeks ago we dealt with sovereignty, but let me explain this now: nothing happens, absolutely nothing happens, that is not either caused by God or allowed by God." [00:10:52]

"God speaks in shaking, disturbing the words, shaking, shook the earth in verse 26. Yes, He will shake the earth, verse 27. Things which can be shaken, it means there is a major interruption that disturbs the natural order of things. We define shaking again; it means an interruption in how things are supposed to go." [00:12:19]

"When God shakes your world, when He rocks your world with something that interrupts your world or the world, it is because He is in the process of creating a correction. Thus the phrase warning. What is He trying to correct? In His speech, first by His word and then by His shaking, He is trying to correct the fact that the physical has trumped the spiritual." [00:20:19]

"When God creates a disruption in your world, when He rocks your world and it's outside of your control, He is speaking, and He's only saying one overriding thing: something is out of sync, and I want you to get that thing right so that the spiritual trumps the physical." [00:24:56]

"God allows things to happen or causes things to happen, depending upon the scenario, in order to wake us up to His reality. But if you are looking for it, you're gonna refuse Him who's speaking because you don't even know He's talking. You just think, 'Oh, poor me, this is what happened to me.'" [00:26:24]

"When a woman is in labor, she's in pain, she's hurting, but the only reason she's hurting is because the separation is about to occur. It's painful because the separation is in movement, but the only reason the separation is coming is because new life is seeking to emerge." [00:27:03]

"There is no such thing as impersonal forces of a mother called nature. Okay, let's get this straight. I'm glad to give hurricanes names like Harvey or Katrina, you know, a guy and a girl. What they're doing is they're establishing personhood to the storm and giving it a human name." [00:28:55]

"God is using what He allows to bring attention back to Him because He's always seeking to make the spiritual more important than the physical. In one act, He addressed racism. In one act, He addressed separatism. In one act, He made people who were enemies become brothers for a little while." [00:36:39]

"When God wants society to vomit, when He wants culture to throw up, when He wants a separation to occur, He brings about discomfort, not because He's just being mean, but what He is saying is you got me in the wrong place. You got me in the wrong place." [00:39:12]

"It starts with us being the people of God responding to His correction in our own lives so that He can use us to affect a world that is in chaos. Now, if Jesus is getting ready to come back, that's the vomit. If Jesus is getting ready to come back, then all this chaos is supposed to be happening to set the stage." [00:40:06]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Sep 06, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

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