Finding Strength, Hope, and Focus in God
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Harvest Church! Today, we celebrated Father's Day and took a moment to honor the incredible impact that fathers and father figures have in our lives. We also prayed for Ms. Darlene Lundy, who oversees our care team, asking for her speedy recovery and God's peace for her family. We then discussed the importance of giving and how our contributions support both local and global missions. We highlighted our partnerships with local organizations like Sand Springs Community Services and The Spring, a women's shelter, emphasizing the importance of community outreach.
The core of today's message focused on encouraging men, especially fathers, to find their strength, hope, and focus in God. We acknowledged that men often feel the pressure to be the steady rock in their families, which can be overwhelming. We discussed three key questions to help men navigate these challenges: Where does your strength come from? Where is your hope set on? And what are your eyes fixed on?
We explored various scriptures that remind us that our strength comes from the Lord, not from ourselves. We emphasized that in our weakest moments, God's power is made perfect. We also discussed the importance of setting our hope on God, who is our rock and salvation. Lastly, we talked about fixing our eyes on things that are pure and holy, avoiding distractions that can lead us astray.
We concluded with a call to action for men to humble themselves and seek God's strength, hope, and guidance. We also had a moment of prayer for those who wanted to accept Jesus as their Savior, emphasizing that through Him, we have access to God's strength and hope.
### Key Takeaways
1. Strength in Weakness: Our strength should come from the Lord, not from ourselves. In our weakest moments, God's power is made perfect. This means that when we step aside and let God take control, we can experience His strength in ways we never imagined. Remember, "My grace is all you need. My power is greatest when you are weak" (2 Corinthians 12:9). [48:42]
2. Hope Anchored in God: Our hope should be set on God, not on our circumstances or abilities. When we place our hope in God, we can remain confident even in the face of challenges. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31). This hope allows us to soar above our difficulties and find peace. [52:52]
3. Eyes Fixed on the Divine: What we focus on shapes our lives. Fixing our eyes on God and His Word helps us avoid distractions and stay grounded in our faith. "The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light" (Matthew 6:22). Keeping our gaze on God ensures that our lives are filled with His light and guidance. [59:47]
4. The Importance of Community and Giving: Our contributions to the church and community are vital. They enable us to support local and global missions, making a tangible difference in people's lives. By giving, we fulfill God's purpose for us in our community, as seen in our partnerships with local organizations. [29:21]
5. Humility and Seeking Help: It's okay to admit that we need help. Humbling ourselves before God and seeking His guidance is crucial for overcoming life's challenges. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). This humility allows us to tap into God's limitless resources and find the strength we need. [51:38]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:04] - Harvest Track Information
[25:52] - Prayer for Ms. Darlene Lundy
[28:21] - Tithes and Offerings
[39:25] - Upcoming Series: Our Stories
[41:27] - Father's Day Message
[47:37] - Where Does Your Strength Come From?
[52:52] - Where Is Your Hope Set On?
[58:25] - What Are Your Eyes Fixed On?
[01:14:28] - Prayer of Salvation
[01:17:29] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "My grace is all you need. My power is greatest when you are weak."
2. Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
3. Matthew 6:22 - "The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Corinthians 12:9, when is God's power made perfect? How does this relate to the idea of strength in weakness discussed in the sermon? [48:42]
2. What promise does Isaiah 40:31 give to those who hope in the Lord? How does this promise help us understand where our hope should be set? [52:52]
3. In Matthew 6:22, what is the significance of the eye being the lamp of the body? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on fixing our eyes on the divine? [59:47]
4. How did the sermon describe the importance of community and giving in supporting local and global missions? [29:21]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that God's power is greatest when we are weak in 2 Corinthians 12:9? How does this challenge our usual understanding of strength? [48:42]
2. Isaiah 40:31 speaks about renewing strength and soaring like eagles. What does this imagery suggest about the nature of hope in God? How can this be applied in times of personal struggle? [52:52]
3. How can the principle of the eye being the lamp of the body in Matthew 6:22 be applied to our daily lives? What are some practical ways to ensure our eyes are fixed on healthy and holy things? [59:47]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of community outreach and giving. How does this align with the biblical call to love and serve others? [29:21]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt weak and overwhelmed. How did you experience God's strength in that situation? If you haven't, what steps can you take to seek His strength in your current challenges? [48:42]
2. What are some practical ways you can set your hope on God rather than on your circumstances or abilities? How can you remind yourself of Isaiah 40:31 during difficult times? [52:52]
3. Identify one distraction that often takes your focus away from God. What specific action can you take this week to minimize that distraction and fix your eyes on the divine? [59:47]
4. How can you contribute to your community or church in a way that supports local and global missions? What specific steps can you take to get involved in community outreach? [29:21]
5. Think about a recent situation where you felt the need to be in control. How can you practice humility and seek God's guidance instead of relying solely on your own strength? [50:17]
6. How can you create a balance between your personal interests (like hobbies) and your responsibilities to your family and God? What changes can you make to ensure your priorities are aligned with your faith? [01:02:17]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to action for men to humble themselves and seek God's strength, hope, and guidance. What is one specific area in your life where you need to apply this call to action? [01:09:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Strength in Weakness
Our strength should come from the Lord, not from ourselves. In our weakest moments, God's power is made perfect. This means that when we step aside and let God take control, we can experience His strength in ways we never imagined. Remember, "My grace is all you need. My power is greatest when you are weak" (2 Corinthians 12:9). [48:42]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt weak or overwhelmed. How can you invite God into that situation to experience His strength?
Day 2: Hope Anchored in God
Our hope should be set on God, not on our circumstances or abilities. When we place our hope in God, we can remain confident even in the face of challenges. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31). This hope allows us to soar above our difficulties and find peace. [52:52]
Psalm 62:5-6 (ESV): "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been placing your hope in something other than God. How can you shift your focus to place your hope in Him today?
Day 3: Eyes Fixed on the Divine
What we focus on shapes our lives. Fixing our eyes on God and His Word helps us avoid distractions and stay grounded in our faith. "The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light" (Matthew 6:22). Keeping our gaze on God ensures that our lives are filled with His light and guidance. [59:47]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What distractions are currently pulling your focus away from God? What practical steps can you take to fix your eyes back on Him?
Day 4: The Importance of Community and Giving
Our contributions to the church and community are vital. They enable us to support local and global missions, making a tangible difference in people's lives. By giving, we fulfill God's purpose for us in our community, as seen in our partnerships with local organizations. [29:21]
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: How can you contribute to your community or church this week, whether through time, resources, or talents? What specific action will you take?
Day 5: Humility and Seeking Help
It's okay to admit that we need help. Humbling ourselves before God and seeking His guidance is crucial for overcoming life's challenges. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). This humility allows us to tap into God's limitless resources and find the strength we need. [51:38]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to humble yourself and seek God's help? How can you take a step today to ask for His guidance and strength?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We, God has placed us here for a purpose and a reason. And so we want to link arms with different places around the San Springs area so we can be effective. How many of you know, the Bible says like one can put a thousand to flight, two can put 10,000 to flight, right? And so when we begin to link arms with other people, we can begin to really push out what we need to get done in this community." (19 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I really do think that we live in a time where men are struggling and I think we're doing, uh, and they think they're not doing a good enough job. I think that social media has a lot to do with that because a lot of times we see on social media, how, uh, uh, this guy, is getting promotions, and this guy's buying his new boat, and this guy's getting this and that, and so we start looking around at ourselves, and we start saying, well, I got to do more. I got to do better." (21 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Sometimes, as a dad, we have pressure to always have the answers for whatever problem comes up. We have to be the steady rock in the storm, and we can often feel kind of stressed and kind of exhausted. Can we be real, man? And don't get me wrong. I think we should. I think the man should be that steady rock in the home. I think that's the way God has set it up, but sometimes, it could be a little overwhelming." (23 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Men, if you're here today and you're tired, and I'm not talking about a physical tired, like, oh, I worked hard yesterday. You know, my body, I'm tired. No, no, no. When I say you're tired, you know exactly what I mean. You're just tired. You feel like you don't have hope. You feel like maybe you're trying your best, but it's just not enough. Guess what? Can I say first and foremost, your father, your father, God is looking down on you and saying, you are enough." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're here today and you say, man, I'm tired, I need strength. I need hope. I need grace. I need mercy. I need all of that stuff. I'm going to, I'm going to, I'm going to ask you today that you make today the day that you accept Christ as your savior, that you accept God as your savior. You say, man, I need some help." (16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I think a lot of men think that we should be strong and mighty, and we have to put on this appearance that everything is good, and everything is great, and man, I'm doing fantastic, but I think a lot of us, and can I just speak? I think me sometimes, I feel like I'm just kind of stressed, kind of wore out, kind of like, but yet, I have to put on this face, because I can't be weak, because as a man, I got to be a manly man, right? I got to be this mighty strong guy, but sometimes, guys, sometimes, it's okay not to be okay." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to understand, men, that our strength comes from the Lord. So today, I want to read. We're going to do a lot of scripture reading today because I think that's really good. I think the scriptures are there to help us, to breathe life into us, so we're going to read quite a few scriptures today because I want you to hear what the Word of God says about this. So in 2 Corinthians, verse 12, verse 9, it says this, My grace is all you need. My power is the greatest when you are, what does it say? Weak." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Your strength, men should not come from you. Your strength shouldn't come from your wife. Shouldn't come from your kids. Shouldn't come from your best friend, Dr. Phil or Oprah, your strength. strength should come from the Lord. That's point one. Look at that. We're going through these. Point one is over. Number two, what is your hope set on? What is your hope set on? It's easy. Again, men, it's easy to say this. All right, I know it's going to be better. I know it's going to be okay. God, you are my strength. But then we begin to go, well, but I don't know." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What is your eyes fixed on? Can I be real for a second? Uh, what is your physical eyes fixed on? Because men, this right here can get you in trouble. Can I just, can I speak Frank today? Can I, can I, can I just be, be upfront? Uh, what we look at on this when nobody else is looking can get you in trouble. What we have to, to things that are, that, that are going to bring you down and destroy you is, is, is ridiculous in this day and age. And this right here can keep you from a lot of things in your life." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Men, if you're here today and you say, man, I'm tired. I need to tap into some, some, some good strength and I'm hopeless. I need to tap into where, where the hope comes from. And man, my eyes just haven't been fixed on the things of God. I need to begin to fix my eyes on God. If that's you today. And again, this is not so I can call you out. We're not going to do anything weird. I want you to just, it'll be between you and God. But if that's you here today, can you shoot your hand up for just a second and just say, man, I need some help." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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