Godly Prepositions: Understanding Our Relationship with God
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the concept of "Godly Prepositions," focusing on the words "for," "in," and "through" to understand how God interacts with us and uses us for His purposes. We began by reflecting on what God does for us, emphasizing that His kindness and patience have been at work in our lives even before we came to faith. Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is His goodness that leads us to repentance, not merely His judgment. Many of us can look back and see how God orchestrated events in our lives to draw us closer to Him, even before we acknowledged His presence. This realization should fill us with gratitude and lead us to ask, as King David did, "What can I offer the Lord for all He has done for me?"
Next, we delved into what God does in us. Psalm 139:24 challenges us to invite God to reveal anything within us that displeases Him. This introspection is crucial because God desires to use us, but sometimes our internal struggles, like selfishness or unforgiveness, can hinder His work. David's plea for a clean heart in Psalm 19 serves as a reminder that God is willing to cleanse us from hidden faults, preparing us to be effective vessels for His work.
Finally, we discussed what God can do through us. Acts 15:4 and Acts 14:27 illustrate how God worked through Paul and Barnabas to open the door of faith to the nations. This partnership between God and His people is essential; God opens doors, but He often does so through our willingness to act. We are called to be vessels through which His power flows, much like the widow's oil in the Old Testament story. The more we allow God to work through us, the more His miracles can manifest in the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Preemptive Kindness: Before we even knew Him, God was actively working in our lives, orchestrating events to draw us closer to Him. His kindness, not judgment, is what leads us to repentance. Reflect on your past and recognize the unseen hand of God guiding you, which should inspire gratitude and a desire to serve Him. [39:30]
2. Introspection and Cleansing: Inviting God to reveal and cleanse anything within us that displeases Him is a courageous act. This process of introspection is vital for spiritual growth and prepares us to be effective instruments in His hands. A clean heart allows God to work through us without hindrance. [48:06]
3. Partnership in God's Work: God desires to work through us to accomplish His purposes. This partnership requires our willingness to act and be vessels of His power. Just as Paul and Barnabas opened doors of faith, we too can be conduits of God's grace and love to the world. [51:01]
4. Gratitude and Acknowledgment: Like the healed leper who returned to thank Jesus, we must cultivate a heart of gratitude for what God has done in our lives. Acknowledging His work not only honors Him but also strengthens our faith and witness to others. [46:28]
5. Mission and Outreach: Engaging in missions and outreach is a powerful way to allow God to work through us. Whether locally or globally, these efforts can transform lives, including our own, as we witness God's power and love in action. Consider how you can participate in these opportunities to make a difference. [54:11]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[35:27] - Introduction to Godly Prepositions
[38:26] - What God Does For Us
[39:30] - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance
[41:43] - Testimonies of God's Work
[44:28] - Gratitude for God's Blessings
[47:52] - What God Does In Us
[48:06] - Introspection and Cleansing
[50:19] - Creating a Clean Heart
[51:01] - What God Does Through Us
[52:06] - Partnership in God's Work
[54:11] - Mission Trips and Outreach
[58:23] - Upcoming Missions and Opportunities
[01:02:48] - Discipleship and Miracles
[01:07:16] - Being Vessels for God's Work
[01:08:14] - Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 2:4
2. Psalm 139:24
3. Acts 14:27
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 2:4, what is the purpose of God's kindness, and how does it relate to repentance? [39:30]
2. In Psalm 139:24, what does David ask God to do, and why might this be considered a courageous prayer? [48:06]
3. How did God work through Paul and Barnabas according to Acts 14:27, and what was the result of their actions? [51:01]
4. What examples were given in the sermon of God's work in people's lives before they came to faith? [40:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding God's kindness as a path to repentance change the way one views their past experiences before coming to faith? [39:30]
2. What might be the significance of asking God to reveal and cleanse anything within us that displeases Him, and how can this impact one's spiritual growth? [48:06]
3. In what ways does the partnership between God and His people, as seen in Acts 14:27, illustrate the importance of human willingness in God's work? [51:01]
4. How does the story of the healed leper who returned to thank Jesus highlight the importance of gratitude in one's faith journey? [46:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your past. Can you identify moments where you now see God's kindness leading you towards Him? How does this realization affect your current faith journey? [39:30]
2. What internal struggles, such as selfishness or unforgiveness, might be hindering God's work in your life? How can you begin to address these issues this week? [49:08]
3. Consider a situation where you felt God working through you. How did your willingness to act play a role in the outcome? How can you be more open to such opportunities in the future? [51:01]
4. Like the leper who returned to thank Jesus, what recent blessings have you experienced that you haven't yet expressed gratitude for? How can you make gratitude a regular practice? [46:28]
5. How can you actively participate in missions or outreach, either locally or globally, to allow God to work through you? What steps can you take this month to get involved? [54:11]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to be a vessel of His power. What practical steps can you take to respond to this call? [51:01]
7. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life, and what impact might this have on your relationship with God and others? [46:28]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Preemptive Kindness in Our Lives
God's kindness is a powerful force that works in our lives even before we recognize it. Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is His goodness, not His judgment, that leads us to repentance. Reflecting on our past, we can often see how God orchestrated events to draw us closer to Him, even when we were unaware of His presence. This realization should inspire a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to serve Him. Like King David, we might find ourselves asking, "What can I offer the Lord for all He has done for me?" Recognizing God's unseen hand guiding us should fill us with awe and a commitment to live in response to His love. [39:30]
"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Think back to a specific event in your life where you now see God's hand at work. How can you express gratitude to Him for that moment today?
Day 2: The Courage of Introspection and Cleansing
Inviting God to reveal and cleanse anything within us that displeases Him is a courageous act. Psalm 139:24 challenges us to allow God to search our hearts and reveal any hidden faults. This process of introspection is vital for spiritual growth and prepares us to be effective instruments in His hands. A clean heart allows God to work through us without hindrance, much like David's plea for a clean heart in Psalm 19. By addressing our internal struggles, such as selfishness or unforgiveness, we open ourselves to be used by God in powerful ways. [48:06]
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is prompting you to seek His cleansing? How can you begin this process today?
Day 3: Partnership in God's Work
God desires to work through us to accomplish His purposes. This partnership requires our willingness to act and be vessels of His power. Acts 15:4 and Acts 14:27 illustrate how God worked through Paul and Barnabas to open the door of faith to the nations. Just as they were conduits of God's grace, we too are called to be vessels through which His power flows. The more we allow God to work through us, the more His miracles can manifest in the world. Our willingness to act in faith can open doors for others to experience God's love and grace. [51:01]
"And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles." (Acts 14:27, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a situation where you feel God is calling you to act. What step of faith can you take today to be a vessel of His power?
Day 4: Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude
Like the healed leper who returned to thank Jesus, we must cultivate a heart of gratitude for what God has done in our lives. Acknowledging His work not only honors Him but also strengthens our faith and witness to others. Gratitude is a powerful expression of our faith and recognition of God's ongoing work in our lives. By regularly reflecting on His blessings, we can maintain a posture of thankfulness that impacts our relationship with God and others. [46:28]
"Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan." (Luke 17:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific blessing you can thank God for today? How can you express this gratitude in a tangible way?
Day 5: Engaging in Mission and Outreach
Engaging in missions and outreach is a powerful way to allow God to work through us. Whether locally or globally, these efforts can transform lives, including our own, as we witness God's power and love in action. Acts 15:4 shows how Paul and Barnabas shared the work God had done through them, inspiring others to join in the mission. By participating in these opportunities, we become active participants in God's redemptive work in the world. Consider how you can be involved in mission and outreach to make a difference in the lives of others. [54:11]
"And when they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them." (Acts 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you participate in a mission or outreach opportunity this week? What steps can you take to be involved in sharing God's love with others?
Quotes
1) "What God can do for us. And this may be my favorite point for you today. That it doesn't, he didn't wait to start that after we came to faith in Christ. God was doing things for us even B.C., before we knew Christ. You know, I think we sometimes in church, we have a tendency to think that the judgment of God moves people to repentance. You know, when bad things come and crisis strikes, they feel like they've got to turn to Jesus. And there may be some truth to that. But this verse says, it's God's will. It's God's kindness. Some translations say his goodness leads you to repentance. In other words, he was good to you even before you knew him." [39:07] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Since that time. Is there anybody in this room that could, could testify about physical healings? Maybe the doctor's report and, and you didn't know if there was any hope, but God came through for you. Whether he's above the name of God. Whether he's above cancer. Whether he's above a heart attack. Whether he's above any of the things that you could be diagnosed with. He's the healer. Amen. Or how about, I'll, I'll ask for it. If you, if you don't want it, if you're too shy, you don't want to admit it. You don't have to raise your hand on this, but I'm going to ask anyway. Is there anybody in this room that could say, you know, there was a period of time where it, it looked like our marriage was over. We had already talked about divorce papers. I mean, we were, we were just about it. We were at the end and didn't see any hope for the future, but somehow or other God turned it around and we're still together and our marriage is thriving." [41:01] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Sometimes he has to do a work on the inside of us to prepare us to be his instruments in the lives of others. So let's talk... This is the second point. What God can do in us. And I want to share with you Psalm 139 and 24 where David says, Point out anything... What's the next two words? In The preposition is in. Point out anything. Point out anything in me that offends you. Boy, that's a dangerous prayer to pray. That's saying, God, if there's anything I'm doing that you're not pleased with, would you show it to me? How many of you know he'll answer that prayer lickety split? He will answer that prayer. Yes, he will. And lead me along the path to everlasting life." [47:52] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Because every work that God does in you is not for you. It's for somebody else. It's for someone else that you can reach. It's for what God can do through, there's the preposition, through us. Acts 15 and 4 says, When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything that God had done through them. Interesting. Look at Acts 14, 27 in the message. It says, On arrival, they got the church together and reported on their trip, telling in detail how God had used them. Other translations there, by the way, say God had worked through them just like Acts 15 and 4 said." [50:19] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "When it comes to a missions trip, I've had so many people over the years tell me, you know, Pastor, I thought I was going to go and help these people in their poverty or I thought I was going to go help them with spreading the gospel, but it seems like they blessed me more than I blessed them. And there is some truth to that. I'll tell you, I've known people that says God worked in me on that trip to change my life. But even better than that is He will use you so that people of all nations can be changed by the power of God." [53:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "You know, I thought about this. I don't know if you've ever considered it or not. But I thought about this as I was preparing this message. As to where we get it. What our money means and where we get it from in the first place. And I think the vast majority of you, if not all of you, you receive income. In exchange for time that you spent on a job. You used your talent, your skills, maybe your education to work maybe 40 hours a week or whatever it was. And in exchange for that period of your life that you gave to that employer, they gave you a paycheck or a direct deposit into your account. And that's an amazing thing. Because you're not just putting money in an offering box. You're investing time and energy from your job to honor God and enable those 100 pastors to be encouraged and strengthened in their ministry to Muslims who don't yet know Christ." [01:00:12] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "The disciples went everywhere and preached. And the Lord worked. What's the preposition? The Lord worked through them. Confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. You know what jumped out at me on that? It wasn't even the through necessarily. What really jumped out at me is it didn't say the apostles and elders. Because after all. You just kind of expect apostles would be able to do that. Apostles are used to seeing miracles. But these didn't say apostles and elders. It said the disciples. How many disciples we got in the room? Oh we ought to have more hands even than that. Pastor Brent's been teaching us about disciples. That's what we. The world's got too many Christians. It needs more disciples. Right? And the disciples went everywhere. And the Lord worked through them." [01:02:31] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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