Finding God in Life's Everyday Tensions
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound question, "Where is God?" and the nature of our relationship with Him. We began by acknowledging the privilege of gathering freely, a freedom not shared by all believers worldwide. This freedom calls us to work diligently for God's kingdom while we can. We delved into the common human experience of feeling distant from God, especially during challenging times, and the tension between the promises of the Bible and the realities of life. This tension often leads us to question God's presence, much like the disciples did when Jesus promised never to leave them, only to ascend shortly after.
We discussed the human tendency to view life in extremes, which can hinder our understanding of God's presence. Wisdom, however, is found in the middle ground, in the tension between extremes. This is where we often find God, not in the extremes but in the subtle, everyday moments. We likened our relationship with God to a game of hide and seek, where God doesn't hide to remain hidden but to be found. This analogy illustrates that God desires a relationship with us that goes beyond intellectual acknowledgment to a heartfelt connection.
The sermon emphasized that God is not distant or disinterested but actively involved in our lives, desiring to be found by us. We are encouraged to seek Him with all our hearts, as promised in Jeremiah 29:13. The pursuit of God is not about finding Him in a specific time or place but in the ongoing journey of seeking Him. Our direction towards God is more important than our current position.
Finally, we were reminded of our responsibility as followers of Jesus to help others find Him. Our lives are filled with "coincidences" that are actually divine invitations to share our faith. We are called to be faithful, not necessarily successful, in these opportunities. By sharing our stories and being open to God's leading, we can help others discover Him in their lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Presence in Tension: Life's challenges often create a tension between the promises of the Bible and our realities. This tension is where we can find God, not in the extremes but in the subtle, everyday moments. Wisdom is found in the middle ground, where God invites us to seek Him. [06:37]
2. Hide and Seek with God: God doesn't hide to remain hidden but to be found. He desires a relationship with us that goes beyond intellectual acknowledgment to a heartfelt connection. Our pursuit of God is about seeking Him with all our hearts, as promised in Jeremiah 29:13. [10:30]
3. Direction Over Position: Our direction towards God is more important than our current position. The moment we desire Him, we find Him. Jesus is found in the pursuit, not in a specific time or place. [18:40]
4. Divine Invitations in Coincidences: What we often see as coincidences are actually divine invitations to share our faith. We are called to be faithful, not necessarily successful, in these opportunities. By sharing our stories, we can help others discover God in their lives. [26:58]
5. God's First Move: God is always the first mover in our relationship. He seeks us out, even when we are hiding in our shame or good deeds. Our role is to respond to His call, to take the final step towards Him. [39:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:56] - Opening Prayer
- [02:19] - Honoring Our Pastors
- [04:27] - The Question: Where is God?
- [05:43] - The Tension Between Promises and Reality
- [06:37] - Wisdom in the Middle Ground
- [07:55] - God's Hiddenness and Our Relationship
- [09:25] - Discovering God Personally
- [10:30] - God Hides to Be Found
- [11:30] - The Game of Hide and Seek
- [13:34] - Seeking God with Expectation
- [15:19] - Finding God in Different Moments
- [16:46] - The Distortion of Distance
- [18:40] - Direction Over Position
- [26:58] - Divine Invitations in Coincidences
- [39:27] - God's First Move and Our Response
- [44:25] - Closing Prayer and Commissioning
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
2. Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
3. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
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Observation Questions:
1. In the sermon, the pastor uses the analogy of a game of hide and seek to describe our relationship with God. How does this analogy help us understand God's desire for us to seek Him? [11:30]
2. The sermon mentions the tension between the promises of the Bible and the realities of life. What are some examples given in the sermon that illustrate this tension? [05:43]
3. According to the sermon, what role do "coincidences" play in our spiritual journey and sharing our faith with others? [26:58]
4. How does the pastor describe the importance of our direction towards God over our current position in life? [18:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. The sermon suggests that God hides to be found, not to remain hidden. How does this perspective change the way we approach our relationship with God? [10:30]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that life's challenges and tensions can actually bring us closer to God? How does this align with the idea of finding wisdom in the middle ground? [06:37]
3. How does the concept of "divine invitations" challenge our understanding of coincidences in our lives? What might this imply about God's involvement in our daily interactions? [26:58]
4. The sermon emphasizes that God is the first mover in our relationship. How does this understanding affect our response to God's call in our lives? [39:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you navigate that tension between the promises of the Bible and your reality? What steps can you take to seek God in those moments? [05:43]
2. The sermon encourages us to see "coincidences" as divine invitations. Can you recall a recent coincidence that might have been an invitation from God? How can you respond to such invitations in the future? [26:58]
3. Consider the analogy of hide and seek. How can you actively seek God in your everyday life, and what practical steps can you take to ensure you are looking for Him in unexpected places? [11:30]
4. The pastor mentioned that our direction towards God is more important than our current position. What changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure you are moving towards God, regardless of where you currently stand? [18:40]
5. How can you be more intentional about sharing your faith with others, especially in moments that seem like mere coincidences? What story from your own life could you share to help someone else find God? [26:58]
6. Reflect on the idea that God is always the first mover in our relationship. How does this influence your understanding of grace and your response to God's presence in your life? [39:27]
7. The sermon suggests that God desires a heartfelt connection with us. What specific actions can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God beyond intellectual acknowledgment? [09:25]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined:
Day 1: Finding God in Life's Tensions
In the midst of life's challenges, we often find ourselves caught between the promises of the Bible and the harsh realities we face. This tension can lead us to question God's presence, much like the disciples did when Jesus ascended after promising never to leave them. However, it is in these very tensions that we can discover God's presence. Instead of seeking Him in the extremes, we are invited to find Him in the subtle, everyday moments. Wisdom is found in the middle ground, where God invites us to seek Him with all our hearts. [06:37]
"For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place." (Jeremiah 29:10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a current challenge in your life. How can you seek God's presence in the subtle, everyday moments rather than waiting for a dramatic sign or solution?
Day 2: The Divine Game of Hide and Seek
God's relationship with us is likened to a game of hide and seek, where He doesn't hide to remain hidden but to be found. This analogy illustrates that God desires a relationship with us that goes beyond intellectual acknowledgment to a heartfelt connection. Our pursuit of God is about seeking Him with all our hearts, as promised in Jeremiah 29:13. This pursuit is not about finding Him in a specific time or place but in the ongoing journey of seeking Him. [10:30]
"And you will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can you intentionally seek Him with all your heart today, knowing that He desires to be found by you?
Day 3: The Importance of Direction Over Position
Our direction towards God is more important than our current position. The moment we desire Him, we find Him. Jesus is found in the pursuit, not in a specific time or place. This understanding encourages us to focus on our journey towards God rather than being overly concerned with where we currently stand. It is the desire and effort to move towards Him that truly matters. [18:40]
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current spiritual journey. What steps can you take today to ensure your direction is towards God, even if you feel far from where you want to be?
Day 4: Recognizing Divine Invitations in Coincidences
What we often see as coincidences are actually divine invitations to share our faith. We are called to be faithful, not necessarily successful, in these opportunities. By sharing our stories and being open to God's leading, we can help others discover Him in their lives. These moments are not random but are orchestrated by God to invite us into His work. [26:58]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent "coincidence" in your life. How might this be a divine invitation to share your faith or encourage someone else in their journey with God?
Day 5: Responding to God's First Move
God is always the first mover in our relationship. He seeks us out, even when we are hiding in our shame or good deeds. Our role is to respond to His call, to take the final step towards Him. This understanding reminds us that God is actively involved in our lives, and our response to His initiative is crucial in deepening our relationship with Him. [39:27]
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on how God has sought you out in your life. What is one way you can respond to His call today, taking a step closer to Him?
Quotes
Your house today, Lord God. We thank you, Jesus, just for the privilege, Lord God. And on this day when we remember those who laid down their lives for our freedom, Lord God, we remember the one who laid down his life for all of our freedom, Lord Jesus. And Lord, we just pray that we will never take this for granted, these moments, Lord God. We know we have brothers and sisters around the world who cannot gather like we do. And so, Lord, I pray while we still can, I pray that we will use the daylight to work as hard as we can to reach as many as we can for your kingdom's sake, Lord. [00:00:56] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Wisdom is found somewhere in the tension between the two in that gray area. I think about King Solomon in all his wisdom. You know, he's out walking with his scribe, Proverbs 24, and they obviously find some honey because in Proverbs 24, he goes, hey, write this one down. If you find honey, eat it. It's good for you. And they're like, great, great proverb. Proverb, hit it again. You know, home run. And you can imagine him eating, eating, eating, eating because a chapter later, he goes, hey, write this one down. If you find honey, don't eat too much of it or it's going to make you vomit. [00:07:22] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Well, I think it comes down to what type of relationship do we believe God he desires with us? You know, because if we think that God, he wants to just for us to intellectually know that he exists, then yes, then it's preposterous that God doesn't just reveal himself on the hour, every hour on all our phones. You know, if God just wanted a logical knowledge that we just logically should know, yes, he exists, he should just pop on our screen going, hello, and then disappear again. [00:08:43] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
God doesn't hide to be hidden. He hides. To be found. God doesn't hide to be hidden. He does hide to be found. Have we got any parents here today? Anyone? Anyone in the other locations? Any parents? You can put up your hand. You know, now when you play hide and seek with your kids, we know as parents the aim is not to win. [00:11:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
We have this idea don't we that God is found in a time and a place we use it in our language we go I've walked away from God then you come to a place like this and we're like come back to Jesus and you're like oh man all that time lost all that distance I have to cover but what we forget is that while you were walking away from Jesus Jesus followed you because he will never leave you he will never forsake you he will follow you he's always following you see we got to remember Jesus is not found in a time and a place Jesus is found in the pursuit of him. [00:19:13] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
If you will be open for the idea that God can be found in your relationships, in your finance, in your business. If you will be open for the idea that God wants to be found. If you will be willing to look for Him, there is a very good chance that you're going to find Him. Now why would God go through all of this trouble? Because that is who He is. God has always played hide and seek with us. And God is always the first mover. [00:37:16] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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