Following Jesus: The Path to True Provision
Summary
### Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of following and how it shapes our lives. We began with a nostalgic look back at the days when asking for directions was a common practice, contrasting it with today's reliance on digital maps. This served as a metaphor for the broader principle that the quality of our destination in life is determined by the quality of who or what we are following. We often think that our efforts, hopes, dreams, and intentions will lead us to our desired outcomes, but in reality, it is the guidance we choose to follow that truly directs our path.
We then delved into the heart of our faith journey, emphasizing that following Jesus is more crucial than merely believing in Him. Belief is important, but it is in the act of following that our faith comes alive and transforms our lives. Jesus Himself emphasized this in His teachings, inviting people to follow Him and illustrating the benefits of doing so through various analogies, such as the Good Shepherd.
We introduced Psalm 23, a well-known passage that beautifully encapsulates why God is worth following. David, the author, describes God as his shepherd, highlighting the personal and caring nature of God's guidance. This imagery of a shepherd leading his sheep to green pastures serves as a powerful reminder that God knows what we need and provides for us, even when it doesn't look like the lush, green fields we might imagine.
David's experience as a shepherd in the arid hills around Jerusalem offers a realistic perspective on what "green pastures" truly mean. It's not always about abundance and ease; sometimes, it's about finding sustenance in small, seemingly insignificant patches of grass. This teaches us that God's provision may not always align with our expectations, but it is precisely what we need for our journey.
We concluded by reflecting on our own lives, asking where God might be leading us to lie down in green pastures, even if they don't look like much to us. The key question is whether we are actively following Jesus, allowing His guidance to shape our lives. When we do, we can trust that He will provide for us in ways that are ultimately for our good.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Quality of Our Destination: The quality of our destination in life is determined by the quality of who or what we are following. Our efforts, hopes, dreams, and intentions are important, but they are not the ultimate determinants of our path. It is the guidance we choose to follow that truly directs our journey. [03:29]
2. Following Over Believing: While belief is important, following Jesus is where our faith truly comes alive. Jesus emphasized the importance of following Him, illustrating that it is through active, intentional decisions to live in His ways that we experience the fullness of life He offers. [06:43]
3. God as Our Shepherd: Psalm 23 beautifully describes God as our shepherd, highlighting His personal and caring nature. This imagery reminds us that God knows what we need and provides for us, even when it doesn't look like the lush, green fields we might imagine. [16:30]
4. Redefining Green Pastures: David's experience as a shepherd in the arid hills around Jerusalem teaches us that "green pastures" are not always about abundance and ease. Sometimes, it's about finding sustenance in small, seemingly insignificant patches of grass. God's provision may not always align with our expectations, but it is precisely what we need for our journey. [25:54]
5. Trusting God's Provision: We are encouraged to reflect on where God might be leading us to lie down in green pastures, even if they don't look like much to us. The key question is whether we are actively following Jesus, allowing His guidance to shape our lives. When we do, we can trust that He will provide for us in ways that are ultimately for our good. [33:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - Nostalgia and Directions
[01:27] - The Toll Booth Incident
[02:44] - The Nature of Following
[03:29] - Quality of Our Destination
[04:22] - Following in Life
[05:01] - Effort vs. Guidance
[06:05] - Worth Following: Jesus
[06:43] - Following Over Believing
[07:53] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[09:08] - Church Scandals and Following
[10:23] - Belief vs. Practice
[11:38] - Wise and Foolish Builders
[12:54] - Benefits of Following Jesus
[13:57] - Introduction to Psalm 23
[15:31] - The Lord is My Shepherd
[16:30] - God as Our Shepherd
[18:23] - Familiarity with Shepherds
[19:15] - Misconceptions About God
[20:13] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[21:07] - I Lack Nothing
[22:28] - Green Pastures Misunderstood
[23:57] - Wrestling with God
[25:54] - Real Green Pastures
[27:14] - Shepherding in Israel
[29:13] - God's Provision
[30:55] - Personal Story of Provision
[33:58] - Trusting God's Provision
[35:47] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 23:1-2: "The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters."
2. John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
3. Matthew 7:24-27: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 23, how does David describe his relationship with God? What imagery does he use? ([16:30])
2. In John 10:11, what does Jesus mean when He calls Himself the "good shepherd"? How does this relate to the role of a shepherd in Psalm 23? ([07:15])
3. What are the two different outcomes Jesus describes in Matthew 7:24-27 for those who hear His words and either follow or do not follow them? ([11:38])
4. Reflecting on the sermon, what was the significance of the "green pastures" in the context of David's experience as a shepherd around Jerusalem? ([25:54])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does David use the metaphor of a shepherd to describe God in Psalm 23? How does this metaphor help us understand God's guidance and provision? ([16:30])
2. How does Jesus' claim to be the "good shepherd" in John 10:11 expand on the understanding of God's role as a shepherd in Psalm 23? ([07:15])
3. In Matthew 7:24-27, what does Jesus imply about the importance of not just hearing His words but also putting them into practice? How does this relate to the concept of following versus merely believing? ([11:38])
4. The sermon mentioned that "green pastures" might not always look like what we expect. How does this redefine our understanding of God's provision in our lives? ([25:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you are relying more on your own efforts, hopes, and dreams rather than following God's guidance? How can you shift your focus to follow Him more closely? ([05:01])
2. Jesus emphasized the importance of following Him over merely believing in Him. What are some practical steps you can take this week to actively follow Jesus in your daily life? ([06:43])
3. Think about a time when you felt God's provision in an unexpected way. How did this experience shape your understanding of "green pastures"? How can you trust God's provision more in your current situation? ([25:54])
4. The sermon highlighted that God's provision might not always align with our expectations. Can you identify a current situation where you need to trust that God is providing exactly what you need, even if it doesn't look like much? ([29:13])
5. Are there any areas in your life where you feel God is making you "lie down in green pastures" but you have been resisting? How can you surrender to His guidance and trust His plan for you? ([33:58])
6. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to follow Jesus more intentionally? Share one specific way you plan to support someone in their faith journey this week. ([07:15])
7. Reflect on the metaphor of building your house on the rock versus sand from Matthew 7:24-27. What are some "rock-solid" practices you can incorporate into your life to ensure you are following Jesus' teachings? ([11:38])
Devotional
Day 1: The Quality of Our Destination
The quality of our destination in life is determined by the quality of who or what we are following. Our efforts, hopes, dreams, and intentions are important, but they are not the ultimate determinants of our path. It is the guidance we choose to follow that truly directs our journey. In today's world, we often rely on our own understanding and digital tools to navigate life, but this can lead us astray if we are not careful about who or what we are following. Just as a faulty GPS can lead us to the wrong place, following the wrong guidance can lead us away from our true purpose and fulfillment.
Reflect on the importance of choosing the right guide in your life. Consider how following Jesus can provide the direction and purpose you need. Jesus offers a path that leads to life, peace, and fulfillment, but it requires us to trust and follow Him rather than relying solely on our own understanding. [03:29]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you have been relying on your own understanding. How can you begin to trust and follow Jesus' guidance in that area today?
Day 2: Following Over Believing
While belief is important, following Jesus is where our faith truly comes alive. Jesus emphasized the importance of following Him, illustrating that it is through active, intentional decisions to live in His ways that we experience the fullness of life He offers. Belief alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by action. Following Jesus means making daily choices that align with His teachings and example.
Consider how you can move beyond mere belief to actively following Jesus in your daily life. This might involve making changes in your habits, relationships, or priorities to better reflect His love and truth. Following Jesus is a journey that requires commitment and intentionality, but it leads to a deeper and more vibrant faith. [06:43]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Identify one specific area in your life where you can take a concrete step to follow Jesus more closely. What action can you take today to live out your faith in a tangible way?
Day 3: God as Our Shepherd
Psalm 23 beautifully describes God as our shepherd, highlighting His personal and caring nature. This imagery reminds us that God knows what we need and provides for us, even when it doesn't look like the lush, green fields we might imagine. As our shepherd, God leads us, protects us, and provides for us in ways that are often beyond our understanding.
Reflect on the ways God has been a shepherd in your life. Consider how He has guided you, provided for you, and protected you, even in difficult times. Trusting God as our shepherd means recognizing His care and provision, even when it doesn't match our expectations. [16:30]
Isaiah 40:11 (ESV): "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."
Reflection: Think about a recent challenge or difficult situation in your life. How can you see God's shepherding care in that situation? How can you trust Him more fully as your shepherd?
Day 4: Redefining Green Pastures
David's experience as a shepherd in the arid hills around Jerusalem teaches us that "green pastures" are not always about abundance and ease. Sometimes, it's about finding sustenance in small, seemingly insignificant patches of grass. God's provision may not always align with our expectations, but it is precisely what we need for our journey. This perspective helps us to appreciate the small blessings and provisions that God provides each day.
Consider how you can redefine your understanding of "green pastures" in your life. Look for the small, daily provisions and blessings that God provides, even in difficult or dry seasons. Trust that God's provision is always enough for your needs, even if it doesn't look like what you expected. [25:54]
Philippians 4:19 (ESV): "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God's provision came in an unexpected way. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for the small, daily blessings in your life?
Day 5: Trusting God's Provision
We are encouraged to reflect on where God might be leading us to lie down in green pastures, even if they don't look like much to us. The key question is whether we are actively following Jesus, allowing His guidance to shape our lives. When we do, we can trust that He will provide for us in ways that are ultimately for our good. Trusting God's provision means believing that He knows what we need and will provide it in His perfect timing and way.
Reflect on the areas of your life where you need to trust God's provision more fully. Consider how you can actively follow Jesus and allow His guidance to shape your decisions and actions. Trust that God is leading you to the green pastures you need, even if they don't look like what you expected. [33:58]
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are struggling to trust God's provision. How can you take a step of faith today to trust that He will provide for your needs in His perfect way?
Quotes
1. "The quality of our destination will be determined by the quality of who we are following. Our destination, our arrival, where we show up, how we show up, how quickly, when we show up, will only be as good as the directions that we're receiving. And this is one thing when it comes to physical directions, and we're trying to find a location and show up to the place at one time. But it's one thing we're talking about physical locations. It's another thing when it comes to life." [03:29] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When it comes to life, we are all following someone. something. Our finances. Our health. Our industry. Our line of work. Our business. We're following something in those areas. Following something or someone in those areas. We're following someone in our relationships. How we treat and interact with the people in our lives. We're all following someone or something. And where we end up in life. The situations that we will arrive into. The results that we get." [04:22] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It's not our effort. It's not our hopes. It's not our dreams. It's not of our intentions. It's who or what we are following in life. That will ultimately determine where we end up in life. And so that begs the question. If we're all following someone or something. Are they worth following? And in this series, we're going to talk about this idea. Because here at Brownsbridge, we believe that there is something worth following. Someone. Someone more specifically. And spoiler alert, it's Jesus." [05:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Following. Meaning an active, intentional decision to live in the ways of Jesus. And to have our lives and our relationships and our decisions shaped by his teachings and his life. If you've been here for a long time. You've probably heard us say this. You don't have to be here for very long to notice this about us. But we believe that following is actually greater than believing." [06:05] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Following is where the rubber meets the road. Following is where our faith comes alive. And so our mission. You've heard us say this. If you've been here for any amount of time. Our mission is to inspire people to follow Jesus. The whole reason we exist as a church. Is to help people not just believe things about God and about Jesus. But to take steps in their faith journey. To have an active faith. Again, an active, intentional decision to live in the ways of Jesus." [06:43] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The church that I grew up in was not necessarily this way. And so I was tempted for. For various seasons of my life to kind of drift into thinking. No, it's all about believing correctly. I've got to make sure I think right. And you know, is it this or this? And as long as I'm believing correctly. Then that's what matters most. It may not have been the church that you grew up in either. And I'll tell you the person who claimed to be a Christian. That treated you like a jerk. It was probably not their church either. They were probably valuing believing over following." [08:26] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Believing wasn't the problem. It was following. That was the problem in those moments. They weren't following Jesus. They were following someone else. They were following something else, something not worth following. And here's the sad part about that is that oftentimes. The church and Jesus take the blame for situations like that when the truth is what was happening in those moments was a departure from what Jesus is all about. It was a departure from his teaching, a departure from his life. It certainly was not what he was leading them to do." [10:23] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus was saying, no follow, no good. You could have all the belief in the world. But again, following is greater than believing. So this is our hope for you as a church and a hope for our community. And we truly believe that the world would change if Jesus followers would truly follow. And we champion it, not because we think it's the right thing to do, or it's what you should do, even though all those things are probably true. We think you should do it because there's benefits to following. Your life changes in a greater way." [11:38] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "David is saying he's leading me. You know, who's leading me, the God of the entire universe, the God who created the heavens and the earth created all the beautiful mountains and the oceans. Everything you see, the God that created all that, that is my shepherd. That's who's leading me. That's who's guiding me. And in this culture, they saw shepherds all the time. In fact, uh, when they would recite this in ancient times, they could probably just about any time of the day, look up on the hillsides outside of their towns and villages and see shepherd with their flock of sheep up on the mountainside." [16:30] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We can see him as our backup plan that, you know what, I'm going to go over here and I'm going to try to get life worked out on my own. And if it doesn't work out, then I will fall back on God. I'll start going to church again. I'll start doing the things again. And. And we treat him as a backup plan. And David would say, not so, not so the Lord is my shepherd. That's what God is like. And David saying this about a thousand years before the time of Jesus is what makes what Jesus said so powerful. When he said, I am the good shepherd." [19:15] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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