God's Inclusive Redemption: A Journey of Hope

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, TAB Church! It's a joy to be back with you all. For those who don't know us, we're Pete and Emily, and we've been serving in Mexico for the past 13 years after being commissioned by this very church. Our main purpose for returning to the U.S. is to visit colleges with our children, who have grown up in Mexico and are now in their upper high school years. We serve at Rancho El Camino, located 1,000 miles south of the San Diego-Tijuana border, and today we want to share a bird's eye view of our ministry there, as well as dive into Jeremiah 31.

Jeremiah 31 is a chapter filled with God's promises of redemption and restoration for His people. Despite the stern warnings and exile, God’s heart is to bring His people back, including the blind, the lame, expectant mothers, and those in labor. This inclusivity reflects God's heart for everyone, not just the strong or able-bodied. At Rancho El Camino, we see this redemptive work in action, where people we least expect are making their journey to God.

One of the miracles we’ve witnessed is the physical and spiritual provision at the ranch. The land was donated to us, and after an earthquake, streams of water began to flow, making it a fertile ground in the desert. This physical water symbolizes the spiritual water God provides, reminding us that He has not given up on anyone. He is drawing people to Himself, making paths straight, and providing sustenance along the way.

We also see the joy and transformation in our community. People like Carlos, who was nervous about teaching children, have stepped up to serve. Our community is not just receiving but also giving, as they participate in missions, inspired by stories from other parts of the world. This mutual sharing of God’s work is a testament to the broader impact of the gospel.

Jeremiah 31:10 calls us to declare God's word to distant coastlands. This is not just a call for the middle class but for everyone. Our community in Mexico is responding to this call, participating in missions, and experiencing the joy and peace that come from God, even amidst hardships. We celebrate milestones like high school graduations, which are significant achievements in our community.

In closing, Jeremiah 31:31-33 speaks of a new covenant where God will write His law on our hearts. This is a reminder that we are God's people, and He is our God. We are called to share this message of hope and redemption with the world. Whether you feel unworthy or distant from God, know that He is drawing you to Himself. Let’s continue to be active participants in His redemptive plan, both here and in distant coastlands.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Inclusive Call: God's redemptive plan is for everyone, not just the strong or able-bodied. He calls the blind, the lame, expectant mothers, and those in labor, making a level path for all who wish to come to Him. This inclusivity reflects His heart for all people, showing that no one is too far from His grace. [38:43]

2. Physical and Spiritual Provision: At Rancho El Camino, we witnessed a miracle where streams of water began to flow after an earthquake, making the land fertile. This physical provision symbolizes the spiritual water God provides, reminding us that He sustains us both physically and spiritually. [39:43]

3. Mutual Sharing of God's Work: Our community in Mexico is not just receiving but also giving. Inspired by stories from other parts of the world, they participate in missions, showing that the call to share God's word is for everyone, not just the middle class. This mutual sharing enriches both the giver and the receiver. [47:40]

4. Joy Amidst Hardships: Despite facing struggles, our community experiences a joy and peace that surpasses understanding. Celebrating milestones like high school graduations, we see how God turns mourning into joy and sorrow into gladness, providing comfort and abundance. [54:11]

5. The New Covenant: Jeremiah 31:31-33 speaks of a new covenant where God will write His law on our hearts. This reminds us that we are His people, and He is our God. We are called to share this message of hope and redemption with the world, knowing that God is drawing everyone to Himself. [01:03:02]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[32:05] - Introduction and Family Update
[32:48] - Rancho El Camino Overview
[35:23] - Jeremiah 31 Context
[36:17] - God's Inclusive Call
[37:52] - Journey with Disabilities
[38:43] - God's Heart for All
[39:43] - Miracle of Water at the Ranch
[44:17] - Spiritual and Physical Provision
[44:53] - Declaring God's Word
[45:18] - Mutual Sharing of God's Work
[47:40] - Community Participation in Missions
[49:00] - Stories of Transformation
[53:06] - Experiencing Joy Amidst Hardships
[54:11] - Celebrating Milestones
[55:26] - Church Life at the Ranch
[01:03:02] - The New Covenant
[01:07:20] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 31:1-3
- Jeremiah 31:10
- Jeremiah 31:31-33

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Jeremiah 31:1-3, who does God promise to bring back to Israel, and what does this signify about His character? [37:52]
2. What miracle occurred at Rancho El Camino after the land was donated, and how did the locals interpret this event? [39:43]
3. How does the community at Rancho El Camino participate in missions, and what impact does this have on them? [47:40]
4. What does Jeremiah 31:31-33 say about the new covenant, and how does it differ from the old covenant? [01:03:02]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the inclusivity of God's call in Jeremiah 31:1-3 teach us about His nature and His plans for humanity? [37:52]
2. How does the physical provision of water at Rancho El Camino symbolize God's spiritual provision for His people? [39:43]
3. In what ways does the mutual sharing of God's work between the Rancho El Camino community and other parts of the world reflect the broader impact of the gospel? [47:40]
4. How does the promise of a new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-33 provide hope and assurance to believers today? [01:03:02]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or distant from God. How can the message of God's inclusive call in Jeremiah 31:1-3 encourage you to draw closer to Him? [37:52]
2. Have you ever experienced a "miracle" in your life that reminded you of God's provision? How did it impact your faith and trust in Him? [39:43]
3. How can you actively participate in sharing God's work within your community, similar to how the Rancho El Camino community engages in missions? [47:40]
4. Despite facing hardships, how can you find joy and peace in your current circumstances, as seen in the Rancho El Camino community? [54:11]
5. What steps can you take to internalize God's law in your heart, as described in the new covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-33? [01:03:02]
6. Identify one person in your life who might feel unworthy or distant from God. How can you share the message of hope and redemption with them this week? [01:03:41]
7. How can you support and encourage others in your church or community to be active participants in God's redemptive plan, both locally and globally? [01:04:17]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Inclusive Call
God's redemptive plan is for everyone, not just the strong or able-bodied. He calls the blind, the lame, expectant mothers, and those in labor, making a level path for all who wish to come to Him. This inclusivity reflects His heart for all people, showing that no one is too far from His grace. At Rancho El Camino, this inclusivity is evident as people from all walks of life, including those we least expect, are making their journey to God. This mirrors the message in Jeremiah 31, where God promises to bring back His people, regardless of their physical or social status. It is a powerful reminder that God's love and redemption are available to everyone, and we are called to embrace this inclusivity in our own lives and communities.

Jeremiah 31:8-9 (ESV): "Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who might feel excluded or overlooked. How can you extend God's inclusive love to them today?

Day 2: Physical and Spiritual Provision
At Rancho El Camino, a miracle occurred when streams of water began to flow after an earthquake, making the land fertile. This physical provision symbolizes the spiritual water God provides, reminding us that He sustains us both physically and spiritually. Just as the land was transformed into a fertile ground, our lives can be transformed by God's provision. This miracle serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and His ability to provide for our needs in unexpected ways. It encourages us to trust in His provision and to recognize the spiritual sustenance He offers us daily.

Isaiah 41:17-18 (ESV): "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in your life. How can you trust Him more in areas where you currently feel a lack?

Day 3: Mutual Sharing of God's Work
The community at Rancho El Camino is not just receiving but also giving. Inspired by stories from other parts of the world, they participate in missions, showing that the call to share God's word is for everyone, not just the middle class. This mutual sharing enriches both the giver and the receiver, creating a cycle of blessing and growth. It highlights the importance of being active participants in God's work, regardless of our circumstances. By sharing our experiences and resources, we contribute to the global mission of spreading the gospel and witnessing the transformative power of God's love.

2 Corinthians 8:13-14 (ESV): "For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness."

Reflection: Consider how you can share your resources or experiences with others in your community or beyond. What steps can you take this week to actively participate in God's work?

Day 4: Joy Amidst Hardships
Despite facing struggles, the community at Rancho El Camino experiences a joy and peace that surpasses understanding. Celebrating milestones like high school graduations, they see how God turns mourning into joy and sorrow into gladness, providing comfort and abundance. This joy amidst hardships is a testament to God's presence and His ability to bring hope and transformation even in difficult times. It encourages us to find joy in our own challenges, trusting that God is at work and will bring about His purposes in our lives.

Psalm 30:11-12 (ESV): "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!"

Reflection: Think about a current hardship you are facing. How can you find joy and hope in God's promises during this time?

Day 5: The New Covenant
Jeremiah 31:31-33 speaks of a new covenant where God will write His law on our hearts. This reminds us that we are His people, and He is our God. We are called to share this message of hope and redemption with the world, knowing that God is drawing everyone to Himself. This new covenant signifies a deep, personal relationship with God, where His laws are not just external commands but internalized truths that guide our lives. It challenges us to live out this covenant daily, reflecting God's love and grace to those around us.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: Reflect on the new covenant God has made with you. How can you live out this covenant in your daily actions and interactions with others?

Quotes

1. "What do we see here in the middle? Is like. Is like when God is calling his people back, this redemptive plan isn't just for the strong, the able body, the people that can make it, right, in a utilitarian format, right? God is calling all his people, his heart for everybody. And not only that, not that he's just calling, he's drawing them back. He is making a level path for them, saying anyone who wants to come, come. The blind, the lame, the expectant mother, the women in labor. That is God's heart for his people. To call all peoples to, all peoples to himself." [38:43] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God has not given up on you as well. If you feel like you are outside God's grace, you are not. He loves you dearly. He's drawing you to himself. He is making that level path for you. He is providing water along the path for you in his love call to you in relationship with him. And what I love, and sometimes we talk to people on the ranches, you know, we have this experience with God. We have sometimes these mountaintop experiences. But God just doesn't want to leave us there. He doesn't want to just leave us there. He wants us to go out and then share that message. With other people." [44:17] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The commandment of God to share in His redemptive work around the world is for everybody. And the Latin American church, the people in our ranch community are responding to that as well. And so I want to, here's a story or here's a picture of a man named Carlos. He's the man in the yellow shirt. And here he is teaching in our Sunday school in the children's ministry. We meet, we have a habit of meeting Saturday nights. And so this is Saturday night for us there and he's teaching. This is a little plug for you all. Craig, we make all of our workers serve in the children's ministry. So that's a requirement. Well, those who teach grownups also have to teach kids." [48:20] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We face struggles in this world. Don't we? We face hardships. But in the midst of those struggles we're still able to experience a joy and a peace that passes all understanding. Here and now as we face those things. And so moving on here to Jeremiah 3112-14. Read these verses for us. They, as these people are coming, right? The nation of Israel. The blind. The lame. Expectant mothers. Those in labor. Will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion. They will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord. The grain. The new wine. And the olive oil. And the young. And the flocks. And the herds. They will be like a well-watered garden. And they will sorrow no more." [53:06] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "In the midst of these hardships, there can be joy. And here's a picture of, for me, an illustration of that that we have. Again, the first picture as you guys saw. This is a picture that expresses why we need that land. That you guys have helped us purchase. Is we were meeting on the other side of that building under the patio. And now we're meeting out here in a horse corral. During the week. Our church prep is we go out there on a Saturday night. And we're mucking the stalls and moving stuff on the side. Setting up chairs. That's our church prep on a Saturday." [55:26] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "In the midst of hardship, there's still tears of joy. Mexicans like to dance, too. So there's a lot of dancing that we do in some of our community. Those that go on the youth trip know that as well. So in the midst of this, right, God drawing us back. Proclaiming it out. There's a joy that we can share. And it's contagious to other people. It's contagious. Again, our goal in sharing these stories of Lupita, Carlos, Kimber, and all of us, is to make sure that we're not disappointed. The goal of early is to share with you how God has been working in their lives and that that is an encouragement to you that he can work in your life too." [57:14] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You are the people of God, Tab Church. You have a message to share with the world and our encouragement to you is that you continue to go out and do that, to share the message in the hope of Jesus Christ. And also for those of you that are here maybe this morning that you don't feel worthy, we're here to tell you you are worthy. You are a child of God and he loves you deeply and no one is too far from God. He is drawing you to him. He is making those paths straight, putting on the little Gatorade stands, streams in the wasteland. He wants to pull you to him." [01:03:41] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Do you need to experience God's love this morning? Some application points? Do you need to go do some real wrestling with God and heart work with him? Or maybe you have and you have that and you need to get off the bench and go out or keep doing what you're doing. Cheerlead other people who are going out and doing that. And already we feel your love and support. We just want to thank you as missionaries. Even coming in, just the hugs that you guys have given us. You guys win the best hugs of places as we've traveled around. We've been at a different church every Sunday. And we just are deeply, deeply thankful for the grace and hospitality, compassion and community that you all show us." [01:04:17] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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