Finding Divine Rest and Settlement in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the theme of "Supernatural Settlement," as declared by our Bishop for the month of August. We began by acknowledging the importance of rest in the life of a believer, as highlighted in Hebrews 4:9-11 and Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, emphasizing that our rest is not in our own works but in the finished work of Christ. This rest is a divine settlement that transcends human efforts and wisdom.
We explored the concept of laboring not for riches but for the righteousness that brings true rest, as stated in Proverbs 23:4-5. The labor that God calls us to is one that brings fulfillment and joy, not weariness. This divine labor aligns with God's wisdom and purpose for our lives. Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts, as Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, is crucial for experiencing this supernatural settlement. It is about acknowledging God in all our ways and allowing Him to direct our paths.
We also delved into the story of Isaac in Genesis, who obeyed God's instruction to stay in a land of famine. Despite the challenging circumstances, Isaac's obedience led to divine provision and settlement. This story illustrates that God's settlement often comes through perseverance and trust in His guidance, even when the path seems difficult.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of living by principles rather than constantly seeking miracles. While miracles are divine interventions, God intends for us to live by the principles of life, such as diligence, honor, and giving. These principles, when applied, lead to a settled and prosperous life.
In conclusion, we were reminded that God's favor and guidance are essential for our settlement. As we trust in Him and apply ourselves to His principles, we will experience His supernatural settlement in every area of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Rest in Christ: True rest comes from ceasing our own works and entering into the rest provided by Christ. This rest is a divine settlement that allows us to live in peace and fulfillment, knowing that Jesus has completed the work for us. [50:14]
2. Labor in God's Wisdom: Laboring in our own wisdom leads to weariness and frustration. Instead, we should labor in God's wisdom, which brings joy and fulfillment. This involves trusting in God's guidance and aligning our efforts with His purpose. [52:20]
3. Trust in the Lord: Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and acknowledging Him in all our ways is crucial for experiencing divine settlement. God's guidance and favor are essential for navigating life's challenges and achieving true success. [55:16]
4. Living by Principles: God intends for us to live by principles rather than constantly seeking miracles. Principles such as diligence, honor, and giving lead to a settled and prosperous life. Miracles are divine interventions, but principles are the foundation of a stable life. [01:08:12]
5. Perseverance in Obedience: Isaac's story teaches us the importance of perseverance and obedience to God's instructions, even in challenging circumstances. Divine settlement often comes through trusting God's guidance and continuing to work diligently despite obstacles. [01:03:45]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[45:37] - Acknowledgements and Birthdays
[47:04] - Rock Nations Event Recap
[48:31] - Introduction to Supernatural Settlement
[50:14] - Rest in Christ
[51:49] - Labor in God's Wisdom
[52:48] - Joy in God's Labor
[54:17] - Cease from Your Own Wisdom
[55:16] - Trust in the Lord
[56:47] - The Holy Spirit's Guidance
[57:47] - The Path of Life
[58:46] - Perseverance in Obedience
[01:03:45] - Isaac's Example
[01:08:12] - Living by Principles
[01:14:12] - Miracles vs. Principles
[01:26:12] - Prayer for Settlement
[01:43:18] - Closing Prayers and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 4:9-11
2. Matthew 11:28-30
3. Proverbs 3:5-6
### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 4:9-11, what does it mean to enter into God's rest? How is this rest described? [50:14]
2. In Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus promise to those who come to Him? What does He say about His yoke and burden? [50:14]
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. What are we specifically told not to do, and what are we encouraged to do instead? [55:16]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of rest in Christ, as described in Hebrews 4:9-11, differ from the rest we might seek through our own efforts? [50:14]
2. What does it mean to labor in God's wisdom rather than our own, as discussed in the sermon? How can this change our approach to work and life? [52:20]
3. The story of Isaac in Genesis was mentioned as an example of perseverance and obedience. How does Isaac's experience illustrate the importance of trusting God's guidance even in difficult circumstances? [01:03:45]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life situation. Are there areas where you are struggling to find rest? How can you shift your focus to rest in Christ's finished work? [50:14]
2. Think about your daily labor and efforts. Are there aspects of your work that bring weariness rather than joy? How can you align your labor more closely with God's wisdom and purpose? [52:20]
3. Trusting in the Lord with all your heart can be challenging. Identify one area in your life where you find it difficult to trust God fully. What steps can you take to acknowledge Him more in that area? [55:16]
4. The sermon emphasized living by principles rather than constantly seeking miracles. What principles (e.g., diligence, honor, giving) can you focus on applying more consistently in your life? [01:08:12]
5. Isaac's story teaches us about perseverance in obedience. Is there a situation in your life where you feel God is asking you to stay and trust Him despite the challenges? How can you find encouragement to persevere? [01:03:45]
6. How can you incorporate the principle of honoring others into your daily interactions, especially with those in positions of authority or leadership? [01:09:42]
7. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's supernatural settlement in your life. How did trusting in His guidance and applying His principles lead to that outcome? How can this testimony encourage you in your current circumstances? [01:26:12]
Devotional
Day 1: Entering Divine Rest
Description: True rest is not found in our own efforts but in the finished work of Christ. Hebrews 4:9-11 and Matthew 11:28-30 remind us that Jesus invites us to find rest in Him. This rest is a divine settlement that transcends human efforts and wisdom. When we cease from our own works and enter into the rest provided by Christ, we experience peace and fulfillment, knowing that Jesus has completed the work for us. This divine rest allows us to live in a state of spiritual tranquility, free from the burdens of self-reliance and anxiety. [50:14]
Hebrews 4:9-11 (ESV): "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience."
Reflection: What are the areas in your life where you are striving in your own strength? How can you intentionally cease from your own works and enter into the rest that Christ offers today?
Day 2: Laboring in God's Wisdom
Description: Laboring in our own wisdom often leads to weariness and frustration. Proverbs 23:4-5 warns against laboring for riches, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from laboring in God's wisdom. This involves trusting in God's guidance and aligning our efforts with His purpose. When we labor in God's wisdom, we find joy and fulfillment in our work, knowing that it is aligned with His divine plan for our lives. This divine labor brings a sense of purpose and satisfaction that transcends mere human effort. [52:20]
Proverbs 23:4-5 (ESV): "Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven."
Reflection: In what ways have you been laboring in your own wisdom and strength? How can you begin to seek and apply God's wisdom in your daily work and decisions?
Day 3: Trusting in the Lord
Description: Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and acknowledging Him in all our ways is crucial for experiencing divine settlement. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding. God's guidance and favor are essential for navigating life's challenges and achieving true success. When we trust in the Lord, we allow Him to direct our paths, leading us to a place of divine settlement and peace. This trust involves surrendering our own plans and desires to God's greater wisdom and purpose. [55:16]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to trust God fully? What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him and seek His guidance?
Day 4: Living by Principles
Description: God intends for us to live by principles rather than constantly seeking miracles. While miracles are divine interventions, principles such as diligence, honor, and giving are the foundation of a stable and prosperous life. Living by these principles leads to a settled and prosperous life, as they align with God's design for human flourishing. By applying these principles in our daily lives, we create a stable foundation that allows us to experience God's blessings and favor consistently. [01:08:12]
Proverbs 21:5 (ESV): "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."
Reflection: Reflect on the principles of diligence, honor, and giving. How can you incorporate these principles more intentionally into your daily life to create a stable and prosperous foundation?
Day 5: Perseverance in Obedience
Description: Isaac's story in Genesis teaches us the importance of perseverance and obedience to God's instructions, even in challenging circumstances. Despite the famine, Isaac obeyed God's instruction to stay in the land, leading to divine provision and settlement. This story illustrates that divine settlement often comes through trusting God's guidance and continuing to work diligently despite obstacles. Perseverance in obedience to God's word and instructions is key to experiencing His supernatural settlement in our lives. [01:03:45]
Genesis 26:12-13 (ESV): "And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy."
Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you persevere in obedience to God's instructions and trust His guidance despite the difficulties? What steps can you take today to remain faithful and diligent?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There is a rest for the children of God that is the starting point that Jesus did everything he did so that I will live my life in rest Adam when Adam was when Adam was created by God when he his eyes opened he never saw God working because after that did all done everything planted the garden watered the garden everything was beautiful when his eyes opened his eyes were opened to the rest of God because God made and then God rested." [50:14] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Why should you trust God? Because you know that God has got your back. Because you know that the Holy Ghost is your great advocate. The Spirit of God will speak up for you. The Spirit of God will guide you. The Spirit of God will strengthen you. Hallelujah. The Spirit of God will uphold you. There is no encourager like the Holy Ghost." [56:17] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God will not lead you where his grace will not keep you. When he leads you, his grace will always be there to keep you. Any work that kills a man is not the will of God. If it is the will of God, then the man has not applied wisdom. He says, seize from your own wisdom. Seize from your own wisdom. You need to understand the wisdom of God and embrace it. Embrace it. Embrace it. Embrace it." [54:47] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God will bring the rain again. I beg you to help me preach to somebody. God will bring the rain again. It may be hard right now. It may be tough right now. It may be difficult right now. But trouble will not last always. Hallelujah. I said trouble will not last always. Because God will take the sting out of that trouble. And he will give you the victory in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." [01:02:15] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God is the one that will show you the path. There is a path of life for you. Did you hear that? There is a path of life for you. And it's the Spirit of God that will show you. That will show you that path. Not every path is the path of God. We're talking about the supernatural settlement. You want Him to settle you? Then you've got to understand, Lord, what is the path that you need me to take?" [58:16] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When you're walking in the will of God, no matter how hard you work, it will not kill you. I didn't hear an amen. I said it won't kill you. If it is the labor of God, it does not kill. It does not weary you. No. Instead, it makes you fulfilled. You know that all this hustle is for a purpose. There is a destination. There is a target. There is an objective. And so you just release yourself, release your heart to it. And then you will eat the fruit of your labor." [53:47] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When God wants to settle you, there's got to be something in your hands. You've got the Bible say that he will bless the works of your hands. What are the works of your hands? When he says, whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your heart, whatever. For Isaac, the whatever also begin to dig again the wells of his father. But even when he began to dig that well or dig those wells, the people of the land, they came and opposed him." [01:04:16] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Miracles will happen when they should happen. But God does never intend for us to live by miracles. Are you listening to me? We live by principles. And so you want God to settle you? You got to exercise yourself. Exercise yourself. Exercise yourself. Continue to do the things you're doing. Whether it's your vocation. Whatever you do for work. Be excellent at it. Whether a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, a business person, someone in the arts, in the media, whatever you do. Make sure that you are determined to be excellent." [01:14:12] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God's favor will begin to respond to you. You see God's favor doesn't go to just anybody listen you listen when you apply yourself you see there are certain things you cannot achieve without the favor of God no matter how hard you work so I myself I understand the place of God's favor I understand his place I understand that place of his favor and so I apply myself and then I'm trusting God Lord I need your favor now if you don't help me I've done the best I can and I trust the holy ghost to do the rest." [01:20:43] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God will settle you in the name of Jesus. As you put your mind and your heart to work, he will settle you. When I came to this country and I was working, you know, I started working with the banks. Started from Edinburgh and then moved to London. Listen, I had to apply myself. I had to apply myself. You know, when you realize that nobody owes you anything, then you wake up. It's true. Nobody owes you nothing, guys. Nobody." [01:15:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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