Finding Safety and Peace in Trusting God
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that Jesus invites us to see the world as a perfectly safe place when we place our trust in Him. This might seem counterintuitive given the challenges and storms we face in life, but Jesus assures us that no harm can truly come to us when we are in His hands. This is not to say we won't experience hurt or difficulty, but rather that our ultimate well-being is secure in God's care. Jesus' teachings, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasize that God has arranged the world in such a way that everything works together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
We are reminded that our lives are a training ground for reigning with God, learning to align our desires with His will. Prayer is a vital part of this process, teaching us to reign with God in our lives. God desires to empower us to do what we want, but this requires growth and maturity in our spiritual journey. The story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4 illustrates the peace and faith He had, knowing He was in a God-permeated world. He calls us to have the same faith, trusting that we are safe in His care.
God's desire to be seen and known is evident throughout scripture. He seeks those who diligently pursue Him, promising that they will find Him. This pursuit transforms us, preparing us to stand in His presence. The radiance of those who have found God is a testament to His glory, as seen in the story of Moses and the disciples. Our lives are meant to reflect God's presence, making Him visible to the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
- The Safety of Trusting in God: Jesus teaches that the world is a perfectly safe place for those who trust in Him. While we may face challenges and hurt, our ultimate safety is assured in God's hands. This perspective invites us to live without fear, knowing that God is in control and working all things for our good. [01:02]
- Training for Reigning: Our lives are a preparation for reigning with God. Through prayer and spiritual growth, we learn to align our desires with God's will. This journey requires maturity and trust, as God desires to empower us to do what we want, reflecting His kingdom on earth. [04:11]
- Faith in the Storm: The story of Jesus calming the storm illustrates the peace that comes from knowing we are in a God-permeated world. Jesus calls us to have faith, trusting that we are safe in His care, even when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us. [09:12]
- The Pursuit of God: God desires to be seen and known, but He waits for us to seek Him with all our hearts. This pursuit transforms us, preparing us to stand in His presence and reflect His glory to the world. Our lives become a testament to His love and power. [12:25]
- Living as Visible Testaments: We are called to make God visible through our lives. As we abide in His kingdom, we reflect His presence, love, and strength to those around us. This is not just for others, but for us to live fully in the reality of God's kingdom, regardless of life's challenges. [30:38]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Introduction to the Topic
[01:02] - The World as a Safe Place
[02:08] - God's Provision and Control
[03:12] - Everyone is Invited
[04:11] - Training for Reigning
[06:30] - Faith in the Storm
[09:12] - Jesus' Faith and Our Faith
[12:25] - The Pursuit of God
[17:28] - The Reality of Safety in God
[21:05] - Overcoming the Fear of Death
[30:38] - Making God Visible
[35:10] - Trusting in God's Care
[37:10] - Conclusion and Reflection
[46:01] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:25-34 (Sermon on the Mount)
2. Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus Calms the Storm)
3. Romans 8:28
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6:25-34, what does Jesus say about worry and God's provision? How does this relate to the idea of the world being a "perfectly safe place" for those who trust in Him? [01:02]
2. Describe the situation in Mark 4:35-41. How did the disciples react to the storm, and what was Jesus' response? [09:12]
3. According to Romans 8:28, for whom do all things work together for good? How does this passage support the sermon’s message about God’s control and purpose? [02:40]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between prayer and learning to "reign with God"? [04:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25-34 challenge our modern understanding of safety and security? What does it mean to live without fear, trusting that God is in control? [01:02]
2. In the story of Jesus calming the storm, what does Jesus' ability to sleep during the storm reveal about His understanding of God's presence and power? How can this story encourage believers facing their own "storms"? [09:12]
3. Romans 8:28 speaks of all things working together for good for those who love God. How can this promise shape a believer's perspective on life's challenges and uncertainties? [02:40]
4. The sermon mentions that God desires to empower us to do what we want, but this requires growth and maturity. How does this concept of "training for reigning" align with the biblical call to spiritual maturity? [05:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current challenge or "storm" in your life. How can the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4 inspire you to trust in God's care and presence? [09:12]
2. Jesus teaches that the world is a perfectly safe place for those who trust in Him. What fears or anxieties do you need to surrender to God to embrace this truth more fully? [01:02]
3. Consider your prayer life. How can you use prayer as a tool to align your desires with God's will and grow in spiritual maturity? What specific steps can you take to deepen your prayer practice? [04:24]
4. Romans 8:28 assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God. How can you remind yourself of this promise when facing difficult situations? Is there a specific verse or practice that helps you remember God's faithfulness? [02:40]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God with all our hearts. What practical steps can you take this week to pursue God more diligently and make Him visible in your life? [12:25]
6. How can you reflect God's presence, love, and strength to those around you, especially in challenging circumstances? Identify one person or situation where you can intentionally demonstrate God's love this week. [30:38]
7. The sermon suggests that our lives are a testament to God's love and power. How can you live as a visible testament to God's kingdom in your daily interactions and decisions? [30:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, Jesus invites us to see the world as a perfectly safe place when we place our trust in Him. This assurance does not mean we will be free from pain or difficulty, but it emphasizes that our ultimate well-being is secure in God's care. Jesus' teachings, especially in the Sermon on the Mount, remind us that God orchestrates everything for the good of those who love Him. This perspective encourages us to live without fear, knowing that God is in control and working all things for our good. [01:02]
Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
Reflection: What is one fear or worry you can surrender to God today, trusting in His sovereignty and care?
Day 2: Preparing for God's Kingdom
Our lives are a preparation for reigning with God, and through prayer and spiritual growth, we learn to align our desires with His will. This journey requires maturity and trust, as God desires to empower us to do what we want, reflecting His kingdom on earth. As we grow spiritually, we are trained to reign with God, learning to live in harmony with His purposes. This process involves aligning our hearts with God's desires and allowing Him to shape our lives according to His will. [04:11]
2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV): "If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek to align your desires with God's will today, and how can prayer be a part of this process?
Day 3: Faith Amidst Life's Storms
The story of Jesus calming the storm illustrates the peace that comes from knowing we are in a God-permeated world. Jesus calls us to have faith, trusting that we are safe in His care, even when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us. This faith is not about the absence of storms but about the presence of Jesus with us in the midst of them. By trusting in His power and presence, we can experience peace and assurance, knowing that He is in control. [09:12]
Mark 4:39-40 (ESV): "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'"
Reflection: Think of a current challenge or storm in your life. How can you invite Jesus into this situation and trust Him to bring peace?
Day 4: The Transformative Pursuit of God
God desires to be seen and known, but He waits for us to seek Him with all our hearts. This pursuit transforms us, preparing us to stand in His presence and reflect His glory to the world. As we diligently seek God, we are changed, becoming more like Him and radiating His love and power to those around us. This transformation is a testament to God's glory, as seen in the lives of Moses and the disciples, and it calls us to live as visible reflections of His presence. [12:25]
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God with all your heart today, and what changes might you expect to see in your life as a result?
Day 5: Living as Reflections of God's Presence
We are called to make God visible through our lives. As we abide in His kingdom, we reflect His presence, love, and strength to those around us. This calling is not just for others but for us to live fully in the reality of God's kingdom, regardless of life's challenges. By living as visible testaments to God's love and power, we demonstrate His reality to the world, inviting others to experience His transformative presence. [30:38]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to reflect God's love and presence to those around you, making Him visible in your daily interactions?
Quotes
"Jesus said to us in essence, especially if you come down to the last part of the sixth chapter of Matthew, that this world is a perfectly safe place for us to be. It's a perfectly safe place for us to be, and that we will simply place ourselves in his hand, no harm can come to us. Now harm isn't exactly the same thing as hurt. We're still vulnerable, but no harm can come to us." [00:01:00]
"Everything works together for good, but you see the idea is this: everyone is invited to the party. Everyone can come, everyone can love God, everyone can be called according to his purposes, everyone was made to fit into those purposes. Jesus says in Matthew 25, 'Come you blessed my father, blessed of my father, and received the kingdom which was prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'" [00:02:55]
"Your time here on earth is a time when we're learning to reign with him in our actual lives, and everything that you see in the spiritual life is an opportunity to learn how to do that, how to reign with God in our actual lives. This is training for reigning. That's what your life is all about. It's training for reigning." [00:03:53]
"Jesus knew that he was in a God-permeated world, and he could sleep in the storm, and he could wake and minister because you see to him the world was open. One of the things you'll notice as you read the gospels is that Jesus's baptism, the heavens opened. The heavens open. Now what that means is that what's there all along became manifestly present to him." [00:10:27]
"God desires to be seen and known, but He waits for us to seek Him with all our hearts. This pursuit transforms us, preparing us to stand in His presence and reflect His glory to the world. Our lives become a testament to His love and power." [00:12:15]
"Jesus comes to us and says those who trust me and my word will never die, and you have to think about whether or not you really believe that, and I invite you this afternoon to consider it carefully. Are you planning to die? What do you think is going to happen to you?" [00:19:07]
"God wants to be seen. We see him coming into the garden with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening walking in the gardens searching for Adam. God is a God of love and love wants to be known it wants to be seen, it wants to be experienced. We know that in human life from little children all the way up." [00:22:23]
"The seeking part is about wanting God enough to pursue him long enough for us to change so that when we find him we can stand it. Now you may think well what's there to standing in? Listen, you know God is something incredibly great, incredibly great. This the teaching of the Bible, no one shall see God and live." [00:24:24]
"When you really find God, you are going to be transformed and there's going to be a new equality that will be very outstanding and very unusual. I don't know if you've ever thought about that word glory, but the first three letters spell glow, glow and there is a radiance, there is a radiance to those who have found God." [00:27:12]
"God wants to be seen and when we seek him out he becomes increasingly he becomes present to us with all of the force and vivacity that we have in our awareness of the sense-perceptible world and more so, and we see God in everything because he does want to be visible." [00:32:50]
"God, who wants to be seen, waits on us to seek him and pursue him and desire him to the point to where he alone is what we desire, and then it is safe for him to fill our lives with his tangible presence. You see he does not overwhelm, he does not bully, he waits and he calls." [00:34:10]
"When people see Christ in us they move towards confidence that this is a perfectly safe place for them to be and we can talk ourselves blue in the face about it, but until we bring the reality of it, until we can manifest the confidence and love and strength that comes from abiding in the kingdom of God, very little of it will move over to others." [00:38:41]
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