Finding True Refuge: Dependence on God and Community
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of finding our true hiding place in God, rather than in the temporary and often destructive refuges we create for ourselves. We began with a light-hearted reflection on childhood games of hide-and-seek, which transitioned into a deeper discussion about the ways we hide our sins and struggles from God and others. The world often encourages us to seek independence and self-reliance, but true strength is found in dependence on God and in community with others. This is a lesson we see reflected in the lives of biblical figures like King David, who understood that temporary hiding places crumble under pressure, and that true refuge is found in God alone.
We delved into Psalm 32, where David speaks of the blessedness of those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered. This psalm highlights the importance of honest confession and the freedom that comes from being transparent with God. David's life teaches us that God’s steadfast love surrounds those who trust in Him, and that many are the sorrows of the wicked who hide their sins. We are reminded that God’s hand is heavy upon us not as a punishment, but as a gracious act to bring us back to Him.
As we approach Christmas, we are invited to see beyond the manger and recognize Jesus as our ultimate hiding place. He is the perfect prophet, priest, and king, offering us sanctuary, forgiveness, and transformation. Our response should be one of extravagant loyalty and adoration, recognizing that Jesus is worthy of all our devotion. In Him, we find the strength to confess, the courage to be honest, and the joy of being fully known and fully loved.
Key Takeaways:
- Strength in Dependence: True strength is found not in independence, but in dependence on God and community. By linking arms with others and trusting in God, we find a strength that is greater than any we could muster alone. This is a lesson we see in the men's group, The Forge, where dependence on one another leads to greater strength. [02:20]
- The Danger of Hiding Sin: Hiding our sins only leads to festering and destruction. Like David, we must learn to confess our transgressions to God, who is faithful to forgive and cover our iniquities. This honest confession leads to freedom and life. [12:22]
- God as Our True Refuge: Temporary hiding places crumble under pressure, but God offers a hiding place of true rest and refuge. In Him, we find preservation from trouble and are surrounded by shouts of deliverance. [17:47]
- Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King: Jesus fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king, offering us His words, mediation, and sovereign rule. Our response should be one of lavish loyalty and adoration, recognizing His worthiness and the gift of His presence. [25:40]
- The Power of Honest Confession: Honest confession is the path to healing and freedom. By revealing our sins, we allow God’s grace to work in our lives, transforming us and bringing us closer to Him. This is the essence of finding our hiding place in Jesus. [32:53]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:20] - Strength in Dependence
- [04:23] - The Illusion of Rest
- [06:40] - False Hiding Places
- [10:00] - Jesus: Prophet, Priest, King
- [11:34] - Blessedness of Forgiveness
- [12:22] - The Danger of Hiding Sin
- [13:20] - The Weight of Conviction
- [14:00] - Confession and Forgiveness
- [16:09] - The Call to Prayer
- [17:47] - God as Our True Refuge
- [18:40] - The Sorrows of the Wicked
- [20:00] - David's Honest Confession
- [21:14] - The Contrast of Idolatry
- [22:30] - Reveal it to Heal it
- [25:40] - Jesus: Our Adorable King
- [29:45] - The Gift in the Manger
- [32:53] - The Power of Honest Confession
- [36:26] - Jesus as Our Intercessor
- [39:15] - Communion and Covenant
- [41:57] - Awaiting the King’s Return
- [44:39] - The Importance of Community
- [46:10] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 32:1-7
- Proverbs 28:13
- Romans 4:7-8
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Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 32, what does David say about the person whose transgressions are forgiven? How does this relate to the concept of a hiding place in God? [11:34]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between temporary hiding places and God as our true refuge? [06:40]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of false hiding places that people might turn to instead of God? [04:23]
4. According to the sermon, how does Jesus fulfill the roles of prophet, priest, and king? [10:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of dependence on God and community rather than independence? How does this relate to the concept of strength? [02:20]
2. How does the sermon explain the consequences of hiding sin, and what does it suggest is the path to healing and freedom? [12:22]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus is our ultimate hiding place, especially as we approach Christmas? [25:40]
4. How does the sermon interpret the heavy hand of God upon us as a gracious act rather than a punishment? [14:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any temporary hiding places you have been relying on instead of God? How can you begin to shift your trust to God as your true refuge? [06:40]
2. The sermon talks about the power of honest confession. Is there something you need to confess to God or a trusted friend to experience freedom and healing? [32:53]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of dependence on God and community in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to strengthen these relationships? [02:20]
4. As we approach Christmas, how can you intentionally recognize and celebrate Jesus as your prophet, priest, and king in your personal life? [25:40]
5. Think about a time when you felt God's hand was heavy upon you. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you view such moments as acts of grace? [14:00]
6. The sermon encourages extravagant loyalty and adoration for Jesus. What is one specific way you can express this in your life this week? [25:40]
7. Consider the role of community in your spiritual journey. How can you contribute to creating a supportive and honest environment in your small group or church community? [44:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Strength in Dependence
In a world that often glorifies self-reliance and independence, true strength is found in our dependence on God and the community He provides. This concept challenges the cultural norm of individualism, inviting us to embrace a life where we lean on God and others for support and strength. The biblical figure of King David exemplifies this truth, as he found his greatest strength not in his own abilities, but in his reliance on God and the people around him. By linking arms with others and trusting in God, we discover a strength that surpasses anything we could achieve on our own. This is a lesson reflected in the men's group, The Forge, where dependence on one another leads to greater strength. [02:20]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you lean on for support and strength? How can you intentionally build a community of dependence on God and others this week?
Day 2: The Danger of Hiding Sin
Hiding our sins can lead to internal turmoil and destruction, as unconfessed transgressions fester within us. The story of King David serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honest confession. When we bring our sins before God, He is faithful to forgive and cover our iniquities, leading us to freedom and life. The world may encourage us to hide our struggles, but God invites us to be transparent with Him, allowing His grace to transform us. This honest confession is the path to healing and freedom, as it opens the door for God's redemptive work in our lives. [12:22]
"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." (Proverbs 28:13, ESV)
Reflection: What sin or struggle have you been hiding from God? How can you take a step towards honest confession and experience the freedom that comes from being transparent with Him today?
Day 3: God as Our True Refuge
Temporary hiding places may offer momentary relief, but they crumble under pressure. In contrast, God provides a refuge of true rest and preservation from trouble. King David understood this well, as he found his ultimate hiding place in God, who surrounded him with shouts of deliverance. In a world filled with uncertainty and chaos, God offers us a sanctuary where we can find peace and security. By seeking refuge in Him, we are preserved from the storms of life and surrounded by His steadfast love. [17:47]
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10, ESV)
Reflection: What temporary hiding places have you been relying on for refuge? How can you intentionally seek God as your true refuge and experience His peace and security today?
Day 4: Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King
Jesus fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king, offering us His words, mediation, and sovereign rule. As our perfect prophet, He speaks truth into our lives; as our priest, He mediates on our behalf; and as our king, He reigns with authority and love. Our response to His multifaceted role should be one of lavish loyalty and adoration, recognizing His worthiness and the gift of His presence. By embracing Jesus as our ultimate hiding place, we find sanctuary, forgiveness, and transformation. [25:40]
"For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering." (Hebrews 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you express your loyalty and adoration to Jesus as your prophet, priest, and king today? What specific actions can you take to honor His presence in your life?
Day 5: The Power of Honest Confession
Honest confession is a powerful tool for healing and freedom. By revealing our sins to God, we allow His grace to work in our lives, transforming us and bringing us closer to Him. This act of transparency is the essence of finding our hiding place in Jesus, as it opens the door for His redemptive work. The story of King David illustrates the blessedness of those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered. In a world that often encourages us to hide our struggles, God invites us to be honest with Him, experiencing the joy of being fully known and fully loved. [32:53]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice honest confession? How can you invite God's grace to transform you and bring you closer to Him through this act of transparency today?
Quotes
"That's my thing. I'm just going to, you know, I got a taste of it during the pandemic response and I'm like, yeah, let's just stick with that. I'm just going to run with nobody. Nobody. But as we're learning to trust in Jesus, I've been thinking of this idea of strength in dependence." [00:02:20] (20 seconds)
"We like to think independence is strength, but it's actually strength in dependence on obviously trustworthy people and trustworthy God, obviously. But dependence is not bad. It's actually how you get strength. It's what we're noticing in our men's group, the Forge. They're like, well, let's link arms and I'll be there for you, brother." [00:02:40] (25 seconds)
"And you're like, wow, okay, this is amazing. It's dependence, but it's not weak. It's stronger because you're together. And the women already knew how to do this and so we're just, you know, but we're trying to be excited also about, wow, what is God? What is God doing? But when it comes to hiding, how many of you prefer to hide your sin?" [00:02:55] (22 seconds)
"It'd be just better if it just be better this way, right? We just hide it because, you know, I mean, nobody wants to see that. And then we prefer that and then it festers and then it rots and then it becomes like a cancer that just starts to destroy us." [00:03:05] (24 seconds)
"Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Blessed is the man or woman in whom is no deceit. Now what kind of deceit are we talking about here? This is hiding our sin." [00:11:34] (18 seconds)
"How do you experience just life pour out through confession? Like the sting is gone because you've already exposed the worst thing about you and then you find out that people filled with the Spirit still love you and you're like, well, this is crazy. This is crazy town. This goes against all the lies I've ever believed about what they're going to know. If they know this about me, then they're just going to completely reject it. Oh man, that kept me hiding for a long time." [00:12:22] (24 seconds)
"There's no one out there that's as bad as you, Aaron. There's no one out there that's as messed up as you. So you just don't ever let it on. Don't ever let on. Don't ever let on. Man, that kept me trapped until about age 18." [00:13:20] (14 seconds)
"Day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. What do you think that's about? God's hand is heavy upon me. We've discussed this, that it's a gracious and wonderful thing when God convicts us of sin. It's a gracious and wonderful thing. What's the alternative? Eh, like I care. Destroy your life. I don't care. Really? Do you want that? No, no, no. I want your hand heavy upon me so that I will just be honest. So day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. My strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah." [00:14:00] (40 seconds)
"Surely in the rush of the mighty waters they shall not reach him. You Yahweh are a hiding place for me. You preserve me from trouble. You surround me with shouts of deliverance. That's kind of our verse seven the one that we were looking at." [00:17:47] (17 seconds)
"Many are the sorrows of the wicked. That is his chesed, his steadfast unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Yahweh. Many are the sorrows of the wicked. I know David and other psalmists would write like why are they getting away with it? And he's like they're not really getting away with it. We were teasing." [00:18:40] (27 seconds)
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