From Survival to Discovery: Embracing Faith and Purpose
Summary
In life, we often find ourselves oscillating between two mentalities: survival and discovery. The essence of our existence is not merely to survive but to discover the vastness of God's creation and purpose for us. This message is a call to shift from a survival mindset, which is often reactive and fear-driven, to a discovery mindset, which is proactive and faith-filled. The story of a sailing trip around the Greek islands serves as a metaphor for this journey. Initially, the trip was about exploration and discovery, but when a crisis hit, the crew quickly shifted to survival mode. This illustrates how easily we can slip into survival mode when faced with challenges.
Survival mode is characterized by fear, compromise, and a focus on mere existence. It can lead us to view opportunities as burdens and to compromise our values under pressure. In contrast, discovery mode is about embracing challenges with faith, seeing opportunities for growth, and living inspired by God's promises. The Bible reminds us that it is God's privilege to conceal things and our privilege to discover them. This means that we are called to live with a sense of curiosity and wonder, seeking out the hidden treasures that God has placed in our lives.
To move from survival to discovery, we must recognize the signs of survival mode in our lives, such as fear, compromise, and a focus on image over substance. We must then choose to live by faith, embracing the unknown with confidence in God's goodness. This involves opening our hearts to Jesus, not just as a Savior but as Lord, allowing Him to guide us into a life of discovery. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us, moving beyond mere survival to a life of purpose and adventure.
Key Takeaways:
1. Discovery vs. Survival Mentality: We are born for discovery, not just survival. Life's challenges can easily push us into survival mode, where fear and anxiety dominate. However, God calls us to live with a discovery mindset, embracing the unknown with faith and curiosity. This shift requires intentionality and a reliance on God's promises. [07:48]
2. Inspiration vs. Intimidation: Survival mode can turn potential inspiration into intimidation. When faced with challenges, we must ask ourselves if we are in survival mode and seek to transform intimidation into inspiration. This mindset shift allows us to see challenges as opportunities for growth and to live inspired by God's vision for our lives. [12:39]
3. Opportunity vs. Hard Work: Opportunities often come disguised as hard work. In survival mode, we may shy away from these opportunities, focusing on the effort required rather than the potential rewards. Embracing a discovery mindset means recognizing the value in hard work and seizing opportunities with faith and determination. [15:36]
4. Faith vs. Fear: Survival mode replaces faith with fear, causing us to focus on worst-case scenarios. To live in discovery mode, we must cultivate faith, rehearsing the best-case scenarios and trusting in God's goodness. This shift from fear to faith empowers us to attempt the impossible and experience God's miraculous provision. [19:54]
5. Image vs. Substance: In survival mode, we may become consumed with maintaining an image rather than being true to our identity in Christ. Discovery mode calls us to focus on being made in God's image, prioritizing substance over appearance. This involves allowing Jesus to be both Savior and Lord, guiding us into a life of authenticity and purpose. [22:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:48] - Born for Discovery
- [12:39] - Inspiration vs. Intimidation
- [15:36] - Opportunity vs. Hard Work
- [19:54] - Faith vs. Fear
- [22:26] - Image vs. Substance
- [25:21] - Jesus as Savior and Lord
- [28:50] - Conversations at the Table
- [30:35] - Prayer and Response
- [33:08] - Embracing Discovery Mode
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 25:2 - "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."
2. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
3. Revelation 3:20 - "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the two mentalities discussed in the sermon, and how do they differ in terms of mindset and approach to life's challenges? [07:48]
2. How did the story of the sailing trip illustrate the shift from a discovery mindset to a survival mindset? [07:48]
3. What role does fear play in the survival mentality, and how does it contrast with the role of faith in the discovery mentality? [19:54]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between focusing on image versus substance in our lives? [22:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Proverbs 25:2 relate to the idea of living with a discovery mindset, and what does it suggest about our relationship with God? [07:48]
2. In what ways does Hebrews 11:1 challenge us to shift from fear to faith, especially when facing the unknown? [19:54]
3. How does the metaphor of Jesus knocking at the door in Revelation 3:20 illustrate the transition from survival to discovery mode in our spiritual lives? [25:21]
4. What are some practical ways to identify when we are in survival mode, and how can we intentionally shift to a discovery mindset? [12:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. Did you approach it with a survival or discovery mindset? How might a shift in mindset have changed the outcome? [07:48]
2. Identify an area in your life where fear has replaced faith. What steps can you take to cultivate faith and embrace the unknown with confidence in God's goodness? [19:54]
3. Consider a situation where you have been more focused on maintaining an image rather than being true to your identity in Christ. How can you prioritize substance over appearance in this area? [22:26]
4. Think of a time when you viewed an opportunity as a burden due to the hard work involved. How can you reframe your perspective to see the potential rewards and growth? [15:36]
5. How can you open your heart to Jesus not just as a Savior but as Lord, allowing Him to guide you into a life of discovery? What practical steps can you take to invite Him into your daily life? [25:21]
6. Identify a person or situation that currently intimidates you. How can you transform this intimidation into inspiration and see it as an opportunity for growth? [12:39]
7. What is one specific area in your life where you feel stuck in survival mode? What action can you take this week to begin moving towards a discovery mindset? [33:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Adventure of Discovery
In life, we are often caught between the need to survive and the call to discover. While survival mode is driven by fear and a focus on mere existence, discovery mode invites us to explore the vastness of God's creation and purpose for us. This mindset shift requires intentionality and faith, allowing us to embrace the unknown with curiosity and wonder. By choosing discovery over survival, we open ourselves to the hidden treasures God has placed in our lives, moving beyond mere existence to a life of purpose and adventure. [07:48]
"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." (Proverbs 25:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel stuck in survival mode? How can you intentionally shift your mindset to embrace discovery and adventure in that area today?
Day 2: Transform Intimidation into Inspiration
When challenges arise, survival mode can turn potential inspiration into intimidation. This mindset focuses on fear and worst-case scenarios, causing us to shy away from opportunities for growth. However, by shifting to a discovery mindset, we can transform intimidation into inspiration, seeing challenges as opportunities to grow and live inspired by God's vision for our lives. This requires a conscious effort to recognize when we are in survival mode and to choose faith over fear, allowing God's promises to guide us. [12:39]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge that intimidated you. How can you reframe it as an opportunity for growth and inspiration, trusting in God's power and love?
Day 3: Recognize the Value in Hard Work
Opportunities often come disguised as hard work, and in survival mode, we may shy away from them, focusing on the effort required rather than the potential rewards. Embracing a discovery mindset means recognizing the value in hard work and seizing opportunities with faith and determination. This shift allows us to see the potential for growth and transformation in every challenge, trusting that God is working for our good even in the midst of difficulty. [15:36]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a task or opportunity that feels daunting due to the hard work involved. How can you approach it with a mindset of discovery, seeing it as a chance to serve the Lord and grow in faith?
Day 4: Cultivate Faith Over Fear
Survival mode often replaces faith with fear, causing us to focus on worst-case scenarios and limiting our potential. To live in discovery mode, we must cultivate faith, rehearsing the best-case scenarios and trusting in God's goodness. This shift from fear to faith empowers us to attempt the impossible and experience God's miraculous provision, allowing us to live with confidence and hope in His promises. [19:54]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one fear that is holding you back from living fully in faith? How can you actively choose to trust in God's strength and provision in that area today?
Day 5: Prioritize Substance Over Image
In survival mode, we may become consumed with maintaining an image rather than being true to our identity in Christ. Discovery mode calls us to focus on being made in God's image, prioritizing substance over appearance. This involves allowing Jesus to be both Savior and Lord, guiding us into a life of authenticity and purpose. By embracing our true identity in Christ, we can live with integrity and confidence, reflecting His love and grace to the world. [22:26]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to prioritize image over substance in your life? How can you focus on your true identity in Christ and live authentically today?
Quotes
Discovery mode is what you were born for. Survival mode is what you become because of life. And I want to remind you that there's a deeper default setting in your heart that was put there by God, which is the mode of discovery. That's why that verse is so important to this message. It is God's privilege to conceal things and the King's privilege to discover them. [00:06:58] (31 seconds)
You may have said this mantra enough times for you to think that that's the only way it is. Just got to get through. Just got to get through. Just got to get through. But you need to know that you were born for more than that. You're not supposed to just survive your marriage. You're not supposed to just survive your job. You're not supposed to just survive in the church. You're not supposed to just survive the next seven days until you can get back to church and fall over the finish line. No, you were born to discover. [00:08:08] (29 seconds)
Survival mode will take that which could inspire you and switch it and it will start to intimidate you. And I don't know what situation or person or project or particular situation in your life is intimidating you right now, but rather than think that it's because it's bigger than you and you don't belong and you're never going to get through it, why don't you just ask the question, am I in survival mode? [00:09:12] (26 seconds)
Am I in survival mode in this situation? Is there anything in what is intimidating me that I could take and turn and use as inspiration to move forward? We talked about Saul when David killed Goliath. Instead of celebrating David and recognizing that if David wins, we all win, Saul was troubled and stepped away and looked for an opportunity to kill him. And that was the end of Saul's future right there in that moment of decision. Listen, God wants you to live inspired. [00:09:38] (38 seconds)
survival or discovery what are you living and and what were you born for the third one i talked about was character and compromise there's nothing like survival mode to make you take a second look at your deepest convictions some of the things that you say and you mean but yet somehow you're under pressure life happens you get disappointed somebody hurts you whatever it is that makes you take a second look at something that you said you would never do someone you said you would never go back to some [00:11:40] (34 seconds)
Your life has been on pause since something happened. And so what's taken place since that moment, some people it's in the recent past, some people it's in the distant past, but since that thing happened, you've started to replace faith with fear and worry and anxiety. And at the risk of repeating myself, because I feel like I've said this a lot in the last few weeks, if worry and fear rehearse the worst case scenario, then faith rehearses the best case scenario. [00:14:14] (36 seconds)
You want to get out of survival mode and you're caught in fear? Attempt the impossible. Put one hand in God and one hand in a good friend or a leader or someone and say, together, we will attempt the impossible. [00:21:32] (17 seconds)
There's something about survival mode in life that means you drift towards what it looks like. You drift towards what it looks like instead of being concerned about what it's like. [00:22:38] (19 seconds)
How do you get out of being consumed by image management? You become more consumed by being made in his image. You understand the power of Jesus as saviour and Lord. [00:24:30] (19 seconds)
Why do we do this every week in church? Why do we cultivate these moments where there's like an opportunity to respond? It's basically like going like this, pulling out a seat at the table and going, this is for you, Jesus. Because he wants to talk to you about your marriage. He wants to talk to you about your attitude. He wants to talk to you about your life. Why? Because you were born to discover all that he has for you. And if you've become so consumed with surviving, you are missing the point. [00:31:49] (32 seconds)
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