Finding Rest and Renewal in God's Plan

 

Summary

In the sermon delivered by Pastor Brent at HillSpring at Home, the congregation is guided through a reflection on the importance of finding rest for their souls, especially in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pastor Brent underscores the significance of unity within the church and the need to move forward together as the body of Christ. He draws on the story of Moses to illustrate the detrimental effects of comparison and the power of confidence in God's plan.

The transition from one year to the next is highlighted as an opportunity for a fresh start, with an emphasis on seeking God's will and trusting in His plan. Pastor Brent celebrates the church's impact on the community, noting the baptisms and the generosity that has touched many lives. He also introduces the church's 21 days of prayer and fasting, encouraging participation and suggesting the giving up of social media for mental clarity.

The sermon touches on the human tendency to deceive oneself, particularly with New Year's resolutions that often fail. Pastor Brent calls for a deeper change, urging the congregation to seek the ancient paths and the good way to find rest for their souls, as advised by the prophet Jeremiah.

Pastor Brent discusses the importance of self-reflection and spiritual inventory, listing 11 areas of life to consider for personal growth. He shares the story of Peter's denial and restoration, offering hope to those who have fallen away from their faith, and reassures them that God is calling them back to their intended purpose.

The sermon also addresses the need for prayer and fasting to overcome personal struggles, with Pastor Brent sharing his own practice of conducting a spiritual inventory. He emphasizes that falling does not define one's progress or potential, and that God expects progression, not perfection.

Pastor Brent warns against the destructive nature of comparison and encourages the congregation to embrace their unique calling from God. He expresses his own desperation for God and his commitment to leading others to Jesus, debunking the idea that youth ministry is a stepping stone.

Finally, Pastor Brent reflects on the futility of New Year's resolutions and the need for a fresh start, using the analogy of a checkpoint in a video game. He concludes with a demonstration involving a ninth-grade boy named Kaden, comparing the process of learning to walk with taking steps of faith in life.

Key Takeaways:

- True rest for our souls is found not in material wealth or achievements, but in unity with the church and confidence in God's plan for us. Just as Moses overcame his self-doubt to fulfill his calling, we too must prioritize our faith over comparisons to find peace and purpose. [54:09]

- The new year offers a chance to reset our focus on God, leaving behind past mistakes. The church's role in transforming lives through baptism and generosity is a testament to the power of a community united in Christ's love and mission. [36:29]

- Self-deception can hinder our spiritual growth, and resolutions often fail because they don't address the root issues. Seeking the ancient paths and the good way, as Jeremiah advised, can lead us to a more profound and lasting rest for our souls. [48:45]

- Regular self-assessment in various life areas is crucial for spiritual health. Peter's story of falling and being restored by Jesus serves as a reminder that our mistakes do not disqualify us from God's love and purpose. [01:02:16]

- Prayer and fasting are essential practices for overcoming personal challenges and aligning with God's will. By evaluating our lives and surrendering to God, we can progress in our faith journey, even when we fall. [01:13:03]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 6:16 - "This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’"
2. Acts 7:22 - "Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action."
3. John 21:4-9 - "Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, 'Friends, haven’t you any fish?' 'No,' they answered. He said, 'Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.' When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, 'It is the Lord,' he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jeremiah 6:16 suggest as the way to find rest for our souls?
2. According to Acts 7:22, how is Moses described in terms of his abilities?
3. In John 21:4-9, what was Peter's reaction when he realized it was Jesus on the shore? [01:01:07]
4. What was the significance of the checkpoint analogy used in the sermon? [45:09]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jeremiah 6:16 emphasize asking for the "ancient paths" and the "good way"? How might this apply to our lives today?
2. How does the description of Moses in Acts 7:22 contrast with Moses' own self-assessment in Exodus 4:10? What does this tell us about self-perception and God's view of us?
3. What does Peter's restoration in John 21:4-9 teach us about Jesus' approach to our failures and mistakes? [01:01:37]
4. How does the analogy of the checkpoint in a video game relate to the concept of a fresh start in the new year? [45:09]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Jeremiah 6:16, what are some "ancient paths" or spiritual disciplines you can incorporate into your life to find rest for your soul? [51:04]
2. How can you develop confidence in God's plan for you, similar to how Moses eventually did, rather than comparing yourself to others? [54:09]
3. Peter's story shows that failure is not final. Can you identify a recent failure in your life and consider how you might "fall forward" and learn from it? [01:05:47]
4. Pastor Brent mentioned the importance of self-reflection and spiritual inventory. What are some areas in your life that need a spiritual check-up, and how can you address them? [01:13:36]
5. The sermon highlighted the power of prayer and fasting. What specific personal challenge or "this kind" of issue in your life could benefit from a dedicated period of prayer and fasting? [01:10:56]
6. How can you contribute to the unity and forward movement of the church community, as emphasized by Pastor Brent? [52:28]
7. Considering the analogy of the checkpoint, what is one practical step you can take this week to reset and refocus on your spiritual journey? [45:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Unity Over Comparison
In a world that often encourages competition and comparison, it is vital to remember that true peace and purpose are found in unity with the church and confidence in God's plan. Just as Moses had to overcome his insecurities to step into his divine purpose, individuals are called to trust in God's unique plan for their lives, rather than comparing themselves to others. [54:09]

Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from comparing yourself to others to embracing the unique path God has set for you?

Day 2: Embracing a New Beginning
The transition into a new year is an opportunity to refocus on God's will and leave behind past failures. The church's transformative impact through acts of baptism and generosity is a testament to the collective power of a community rooted in Christ's love and mission. [36:29]

Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Reflection: What past mistakes do you need to leave behind to fully embrace the new thing God is doing in your life?

Day 3: Seeking Ancient Wisdom
The allure of quick fixes and new year's resolutions often leads to self-deception and unfulfilled promises. Instead, seeking the ancient paths and the good way, as advised by Jeremiah, can lead to a deeper and more enduring rest for the soul. [48:45]

Jeremiah 6:16 - "This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate the wisdom of the ancient paths into your daily life to find true rest for your soul?

Day 4: Restoration Through Reflection
Regular self-assessment is crucial for spiritual health. The story of Peter's denial and subsequent restoration by Jesus is a powerful reminder that God's love and purpose for us are not negated by our failures. [01:02:16]

Lamentations 3:40 - "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD."
Reflection: What is one area of your life that needs spiritual assessment, and how can you take steps towards restoration in that area?

Day 5: Progress Over Perfection
Prayer and fasting are disciplines that help believers overcome personal struggles and align with God's will. It is important to remember that God values progression over perfection, and that falling does not define one's journey or potential in Christ. [01:13:03]

Philippians 3:13-14 - "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you embrace the process of progression in your faith journey, even when you experience setbacks?

Quotes

"It's really our hunger for God is what we're going after here and we're going to take some things out of our life so we can put more of God in our life." [39:26] (Download)

"Do you want to walk into 2024 doing the same exact thing you've always done? What's the one thing that if you got this under control, God could really move in your life?" [40:33] (Download)

"Comparison is the enemy of God's Destiny for your life. God has a certain spot and a certain segment for you that I can't do what you do, that you can't do what I do, but if I try to beat you, then I lose everything about me." [54:48] (Download)

"God has a lane for you, every person in this room is called by God to be a minister of reconciliation. God has a Ministry for you and you can't do mine and I can't do yours, but if we do it together, this is how the Kingdom moves forward." [55:57] (Download)

"God called you and if God called you that means he has a purpose, he's the author, the perfector, the finisher of our faith. The quickest way to derail God's plan for your life is to try to live somebody else's." [56:36] (Download)

"We stand together at a Crossroads. Are we going to go together as a church, as a body? Are we going to go forward? We going to go backwards? If you're hurting, I'm hurting; if I'm missing, then something else is missing. We need each other." [52:28] (Download)

"Confidence over comparisons in your life. Maybe Moses had a problem with comparing himself to the other speakers around him. How do we go from Stephen saying that Moses was an incredible speaker to Moses saying no I'm not good at all?" [54:09] (Download)

"Every single person has a name, they have a soul, and in some way your generosity through Jesus touched their life." [36:04] (Download)

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." [51:04] (Download)

"Even in your falling, you can keep progressing further and further, that you weren't who you used to be but now you can be all who God called you to be. He's not calling for perfection out of your life but progression out of your life." [01:05:47] (Download)

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Transcript
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