Finding God in Everyday Moments of Life
Summary
In our gathering today, we focused on the theme of finding God's presence in the ordinary moments of our daily lives. We began by acknowledging the weariness and burdens we carry, yet we come together to remember God's unwavering love and joy that cannot be extinguished. We are called to be a community that restores the world with love, laughter, and abundant life. As we reflect on our daily routines, we are encouraged to recognize where God is present in the mundane and to open our hearts and minds to His Spirit.
We explored the idea of taking a break during our day, much like the tradition of afternoon tea, to pause and be present with God. This time of leisure is an opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as a favorite drink, and to reflect on God's movement in our day. However, we must be cautious not to let these pleasures become idols that distance us from God. Instead, they should be moments that draw us closer to Him.
Our scripture from Matthew 26:17-30 reminds us of the Last Supper, where Jesus reimagines a familiar meal into a profound act of remembrance and communion. This passage highlights the themes of betrayal and denial, urging us to consider how our actions and indulgences might unconsciously betray our relationship with God. We are invited to partake in the Lord's Supper not as a task, but as a means to deepen our relationship with Christ.
As we approach Holy Week, we are reminded of the significance of the Lord's Supper and the importance of participating in it with a heart open to the Spirit. It is a time to marvel at the presence of Christ and to grow in our relationship with Him. Let us use the ordinary moments of our day to acknowledge God's presence and to ensure that our pleasures remain instruments that bring us closer to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Finding God in the Ordinary: Our daily routines are filled with opportunities to encounter God. By being mindful and present, we can recognize His presence in the mundane moments of our day, transforming them into sacred experiences. [25:43]
- The Danger of Idolatry: While God invites us to enjoy life's pleasures, we must be cautious not to let them become idols. When our focus shifts from God to the object of pleasure, we risk creating a distance between ourselves and Him. [35:01]
- The Significance of Communion: The Lord's Supper is a profound act of remembrance and communion with Christ. It is not merely a ritual, but a means to deepen our relationship with Him, reminding us of His sacrifice and love. [38:45]
- Embracing Leisure as Worship: Taking time for leisure, such as enjoying a favorite drink, can be a form of worship when we use it to reflect on God's presence. These moments should lead us to gratitude and awareness of His blessings. [31:16]
- Living in Relationship with God: Our actions and indulgences should always draw us closer to God. By being intentional in our daily practices, we can ensure that our lives reflect His love and grace, inviting others to experience His presence. [42:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Call to Worship
- [02:00] - Announcements
- [04:00] - Reflection on Daily Life
- [07:30] - Afternoon Tea and Leisure
- [10:00] - Recognizing God's Presence
- [12:30] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:17-30
- [15:00] - Betrayal and Denial
- [18:00] - The Lord's Supper
- [21:00] - Avoiding Idolatry
- [24:00] - Communion as Relationship
- [27:00] - Embracing Leisure as Worship
- [30:00] - Living in Relationship with God
- [33:00] - Closing Prayer and Song
- [35:00] - Final Announcements and Doxology
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 26:17-30
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 26:17-30, what preparations did the disciples make for the Passover meal, and how did Jesus instruct them?
2. How does Jesus use the familiar elements of bread and wine during the Last Supper to convey a deeper meaning to His disciples?
3. What are the two significant themes of betrayal and denial mentioned in the sermon, and how are they represented in the passage? [35:01]
4. How does the sermon describe the act of taking a break, like afternoon tea, as a way to recognize God's presence in our daily lives? [25:43]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the act of preparing the Passover meal have been significant for the disciples, and what does it reveal about their relationship with Jesus?
2. In what ways does the transformation of the Last Supper into a profound act of remembrance challenge the disciples' understanding of their relationship with Jesus? [38:45]
3. How can the themes of betrayal and denial in the passage serve as a warning about the potential pitfalls in our own spiritual lives? [35:01]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the balance between enjoying life's pleasures and avoiding idolatry, and how can this be applied to our daily routines? [31:16]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Can you identify a specific moment where you can pause and recognize God's presence? How can you make this a regular practice? [25:43]
2. Consider a pleasure or hobby you enjoy. How can you ensure it remains a way to connect with God rather than becoming an idol? [35:01]
3. The sermon discusses the significance of the Lord's Supper. How can you approach communion with a heart open to deepening your relationship with Christ? [38:45]
4. Think about a time when you felt distant from God. What actions or indulgences might have contributed to that feeling, and how can you address them?
5. How can you incorporate moments of leisure, like enjoying a favorite drink, as a form of worship and gratitude in your life? [31:16]
6. Identify a specific way you can invite others to experience God's presence in the ordinary moments of life. How can you share this practice with someone this week?
7. As Holy Week approaches, what steps can you take to prepare your heart and mind to fully engage with the significance of the events leading up to Easter?
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Presence in the Mundane
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy to overlook the divine presence that permeates every moment. By intentionally pausing and being mindful, one can transform ordinary experiences into sacred encounters with God. This practice involves opening one's heart and mind to the Spirit, allowing the mundane to become a canvas where God's love and joy are painted. As individuals go about their routines, they are encouraged to seek out these moments of divine presence, acknowledging that God is always near, even in the most unremarkable aspects of life. [25:43]
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a routine task you do daily. How can you invite God into that moment today, transforming it into a sacred experience?
Day 2: Guarding Against Idolatry in Enjoyment
While God delights in our enjoyment of life's pleasures, there is a caution against allowing these pleasures to become idols. When the focus shifts from God to the object of pleasure, it creates a barrier between the individual and the divine. It is essential to enjoy these moments with gratitude, ensuring they draw one closer to God rather than creating distance. By maintaining a heart centered on God, life's pleasures can become a means of worship and connection with the Creator. [35:01]
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a pleasure or hobby in your life. How can you ensure it remains a way to connect with God rather than becoming an idol?
Day 3: Communion as a Deepening Relationship
The Lord's Supper is more than a ritual; it is a profound act of remembrance and communion with Christ. This sacred practice invites believers to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and love, deepening their relationship with Him. It serves as a reminder of the themes of betrayal and denial, urging individuals to examine their actions and indulgences that might unconsciously betray their relationship with God. By approaching the Lord's Supper with an open heart, believers can marvel at Christ's presence and grow in their spiritual journey. [38:45]
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (Luke 22:19, ESV)
Reflection: As you prepare for your next communion, what specific actions or thoughts can you bring before God to deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 4: Leisure as a Form of Worship
Taking time for leisure, such as enjoying a favorite drink, can be a form of worship when used to reflect on God's presence. These moments of rest and enjoyment should lead to gratitude and awareness of His blessings. By embracing leisure as an opportunity to connect with God, individuals can transform simple pleasures into acts of worship, acknowledging the divine in the everyday. This practice encourages a heart of thankfulness and a deeper appreciation for God's gifts. [31:16]
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a leisure activity you enjoy. How can you intentionally use this time to reflect on God's presence and express gratitude for His blessings?
Day 5: Living in Intentional Relationship with God
Our actions and indulgences should always draw us closer to God. By being intentional in daily practices, individuals can ensure their lives reflect His love and grace, inviting others to experience His presence. This involves a conscious effort to align one's life with God's will, allowing His Spirit to guide and transform every aspect of existence. By living in intentional relationship with God, believers can become beacons of His love and grace in the world. [42:28]
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your daily habits. What is one specific change you can make today to ensure your actions draw you closer to God and reflect His love to others?
Quotes
"We come to worship to remember and remind one another that God's love has never left us, and God's joy cannot be extinguished. We come to worship to remember and become the body of Christ, a community called to restore the world around us. May God empower us to be restored people who fill the world with love, laughter, and abundant life." [00:07:20] (29 seconds)
"So we've been through much of our day already from the part of the when we started this in the semester looking through the book liturgy of the ordinary and sacred practices in everyday life there is I think one more copy downstairs if somebody wants to and if you if we need more we'll pick up some more but it's just an easy simple read and I think is just has been helpful maybe this has been helpful to you too hopefully if not I hope that some way you've gotten something and God has spoke to you over the last many many weeks we've been together." [00:24:26] (40 seconds)
"In the movement of my day where has God been a part of that where have I opened my eyes open my heart open my my mind and spirit to be present and in tune with God's spirit in the moments that make up the day whatever that may be and we move into a time where it's it's well let me not get ahead of myself I'm getting ahead of myself keep on track that's why I put bullet points keep on track." [00:25:46] (29 seconds)
"May we acknowledge it as a time to just take a break, check our surroundings, see what's going on around us, be present in the moment and see what we can take into our souls, what can we take into our spirits, where is the beauty of God's presence in that right there moment." [00:28:34] (21 seconds)
"And what we have to come to maybe realize from these two individuals and from this story, and when we connect it to what is the pleasure in life that we love to do and enjoy and can be in the presence of God with, but maybe we do too much that it loses its meaning. And in doing so, we actually cause a distance between us and God. Yes, God invites us to enjoy the pleasures of life. I mean, we get to wake up and look out upon the landscape that surrounds us and see the beauty of life." [00:33:15] (42 seconds)
"God invites us to take the moments of our day, to enjoy our hot tea and take walks, our iced coffee and enjoy drives on the parkway, to have a Diet Coke when resting and scrolling social media between classes. But when do we take these things maybe too far? When do these enjoyable pleasures that are to be in relationship with God actually then turn to idolatry and turns us away from God?" [00:34:00] (35 seconds)
"Will we allow the things we enjoy to do, no matter what it is, become a hindrance when we take them too far and they actually lead us to being a denier or a betrayer. Those are harsh words, I know. But we probably do it unconsciously. Our author puts it like this. Pleasure is a gift, but it can become an idol. We overindulge, we become addicts." [00:35:08] (33 seconds)
"Jesus instructs us in this passage to take to take the reimagined meal that's for all of us, the bread and the wine. And Paul writes about this to the Corinthian church. He quotes Jesus. He says, Jesus says, do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me." [00:37:56] (25 seconds)
"But, again, if the meal that Jesus gives to us becomes more and more of a task and less of a relationship building around the table with Jesus, then it becomes more, the thing itself becomes more of an idol. And the joy and the grace and the pleasures that it's supposed to bring as we grow in relationship with God, we're actually draining that out of it because it's something we're supposed to do." [00:38:45] (36 seconds)
"Use that as a time to take a break, to check your surroundings, to be present in that moment, to see and to take into our spirits, our souls, the beauty of God's presence that's right there. And to remember to not let the things of this life become more than they are, but to be instruments that bring us closer in relationship to God." [00:41:27] (29 seconds)
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