God's Might in Our Mess: Hope and Renewal
Summary
In the sermon titled "Full Service | Mighty God | 12.17.2023," Lindsay Peterson, the director of communications and engagement, delivers a powerful message about the mightiness of God in the midst of our messiness and limitations. Peterson begins by drawing a parallel between a man who, during a historic rainfall in New York, stepped into the flooded streets and unknowingly cleared a drain, and Jesus, who stepped into the chaos of human life, faced insults, and ultimately gave his life for humanity. This act demonstrates Jesus' divinity, as he did not stay dead but rose again.
Peterson continues by encouraging the congregation to recognize that God's power is present in overcoming challenges and darkness. Jesus, being fully man, overcame sickness and death, and this same power is available to us. The speaker urges the audience to understand their identity in relation to God's power and to see their limitations as opportunities for God to demonstrate His might.
The sermon also includes a prayer to Jesus for cleansing and renewal, and a reading from Isaiah 9, which speaks of a great light shining in the darkness and the birth of a child who will bring peace and justice. Peterson acknowledges the attendees and invites them to light the third Advent candle.
The significance of the Last Supper is highlighted, where Jesus broke bread and shared wine with his disciples as symbols of his body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins. This act is a reminder that through Jesus' death, we find life.
Peterson shares a personal story from childhood, connecting the importance of size, speed, and strength in sports to the success and power in our lives. The sermon then references Isaiah's prophecy about a mighty son who will bring hope during challenging times for the divided nation of Israel.
The speaker discusses Jesus' ministry beginning in the regions of Nepali and Zebulun, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of a great light shining in the midst of darkness. Jesus' choice to start his ministry in the darkest and most discredited regions is presented as good news for those in darkness.
Peterson addresses those in need of a mighty God, drawing parallels between the "Minneapolis Miracle" in football and the biblical reference to "Midian's defeat" in Isaiah, both signifying miraculous moments of hope.
The sermon also explores how God shows up in unexpected ways through unlikely people, referencing biblical stories like Gideon and David and Goliath, and the prophecy in Micah about a ruler from Bethlehem. Jesus' birth in a manger, rather than a palace, is an example of God doing mighty things with the "mini."
The story of Gideon from the book of Judges is discussed, highlighting the contrast between Gideon's perceived weakness and the mightiness of the enemy. Despite this, God chooses to downsize Gideon's army, demonstrating that mightiness often looks small when God is involved.
Finally, Peterson shares a personal marathon story to illustrate the point that when we reach our limits, we can tap into something far more significant than inspiration from others—the God of the universe who has come in the form of Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- God's mightiness is not diminished by our messiness; rather, it is in our chaos and limitations that His power is most evident. Just as Jesus entered into human suffering and overcame death, we too can experience His transformative power in our lives. [35:18]
- Our identity should not be rooted in our own strength or capabilities, but in the power of God that works within us. When we face insurmountable challenges, it is an opportunity for God to reveal His might and bring hope to our situations. [38:49]
- The prophecies of Isaiah and the actions of Jesus demonstrate that God's light shines brightest in the darkest places. By choosing to begin His ministry in the most discredited regions, Jesus shows that no one is beyond the reach of God's redemptive power. [32:28]
- The biblical stories of Gideon and David, as well as the prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem, illustrate that God often uses the small and insignificant to accomplish mighty works. This challenges our worldly notions of power and success, and invites us to find strength in humility. [29:08]
- When we reach the end of our own strength, it is crucial to remember that we have access to a divine source of power. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, we can find the inspiration and energy to persevere through life's most challenging moments. [26:01]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 9:2-7 (NIV)
> The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
2. Judges 6:12 (NIV)
> When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
3. Micah 5:2 (NIV)
> “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 9:2-7 say about the coming of a child and the titles he will hold?
2. How does the story of Gideon in Judges 6:12 illustrate the concept of mightiness in the midst of perceived weakness?
3. According to Micah 5:2, what is significant about Bethlehem in the context of Jesus' birth?
4. In the sermon, how did Lindsay Peterson relate the story of a man clearing a drain in New York to Jesus' actions? ([35:18])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for Jesus to be called "Mighty God" in Isaiah 9:6, especially in the context of the challenges faced by Israel at the time? ([13:30])
2. How does the story of Gideon challenge our understanding of strength and capability in God's eyes? ([21:41])
3. Why is the prophecy in Micah 5:2 about Bethlehem significant in understanding God's use of the small and insignificant to accomplish mighty works? ([29:08])
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that God's power is most evident in our limitations and messiness? ([38:49])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by your limitations. How can you invite God to demonstrate His might in that situation? ([38:49])
2. How can you shift your identity from being rooted in your own strength to being rooted in the power of God? What practical steps can you take this week to make this shift? ([38:49])
3. Think of a dark or challenging area in your life. How can you look for God's light and redemptive power in that situation? ([32:28])
4. In what ways can you embrace humility and allow God to use your "mini" moments to accomplish mighty works? ([29:08])
5. When you reach the end of your own strength, what specific actions can you take to tap into God's divine power and persevere? ([26:01])
6. How can you practically apply the lesson from the story of Gideon in your daily life, especially when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges? ([21:41])
7. Reflect on the significance of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and His humble beginnings. How does this perspective change the way you view your own life and the ways God might work through you? ([29:08])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Power in Chaos
In the midst of life's chaos and our own limitations, God's mightiness shines through, offering transformation and hope. It is precisely in our messiness that His power is most evident, as seen in Jesus' victory over death and suffering. This divine strength is not only a historical truth but a present reality available to us. [35:18]
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 - "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's power in a situation where you felt weak or overwhelmed?
Day 2: Identity Rooted in Divine Strength
Our true identity is found not in our own abilities but in the power of God working within us. When faced with challenges that seem insurmountable, it is an opportunity for God to manifest His might and bring hope into our lives, transforming our understanding of success and strength. [38:49]
Ephesians 3:16-17 - "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from your own strength to relying on God's power in a current challenge you are facing?
Day 3: Light Shines Brightest in Darkness
The prophecies of Isaiah and the life of Jesus demonstrate that God's light pierces through the deepest darkness. Jesus' deliberate choice to begin His ministry in the most discredited regions is a testament to the fact that no one is beyond the reach of God's redemptive power. [32:28]
Isaiah 42:16 - "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."
Reflection: Can you identify a 'dark' area in your life or community where you can pray for God's light to shine through?
Day 4: Mighty Works from Humble Beginnings
God's pattern often involves using the small and seemingly insignificant to accomplish great things. This challenges our worldly notions of power and success and invites us to embrace humility and strength in God's might rather than our own. [29:08]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
Reflection: What 'small' thing in your life could God use for a mighty purpose if you offered it to Him in humility?
Day 5: Divine Power Beyond Human Limits
When we reach the end of our own strength, we are not at the end of hope. Instead, we can tap into the divine power of God, who is infinitely greater than any inspiration we can find in the world. In our weakest moments, fixing our eyes on Jesus can provide the strength to persevere. [26:01]
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 - "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."
Reflection: When have you felt at the end of your strength, and how can you seek God's power in that area of your life today?
Quotes
"Our current circumstances do not define our future reality. For Isaiah, they had to wait 700 years for the darkness to meet the light that had been dawned through Jesus. My invitation today is for us to see that God's still doing mighty work." [40:09] (Download)
"Our limitations are simply invitations for a mighty God to show up in His power. It's 2023, and I can only guess that you might step into some scenarios that might be challenging... God's here to say that's okay because your limitation is my invitation to work the mighty in the many." [40:48] (Download)
"The fast track to seeing the mighty in the many is to know which one you are. Maybe you've believed the false narrative that you have to be mighty... but with God in the equation, no matter what scenario or situation you are in, the good news is our God is mightier." [39:27] (Download)
"The mighty often shows up in the mini, and that's where God does his best work." [35:18] (Download)
"It reminds me of somebody, his name is Jesus, who steps into the mess, steps into the chaos, as people yell and hurl insults at him, continues to do his work with joy in his eyes." [37:21] (Download)
"The significance of that yes was this innocent man died, but the reason why we're still talking about him 2,000 years later is because he didn't stay dead." [38:05] (Download)
"Maybe you step into this scenario in this place today in this season and you need a mighty God because you're looking at different scenarios relationally, financially, emotionally, physically that you need some sort of Mighty God to come through for you." [17:16] (Download)
"This message is for those who have experienced some things, who've experienced what it means to live in a dark place that God wants to find hope in that space." [17:52] (Download)
"When God's involved, Mighty often looks many; it often looks small, it often looks impossible because what we know about life in general without God In the Mix is that our Min is rarely enough and our Mighty is always limited." [23:13] (Download)
"When we are at our limit, there is a God of the universe who has come in the form of Jesus in Hebrews chap 12 it says to fix our eyes on him, the author and the finisher of our Faith; he will not only inspire us but he'll also fuel us to keep moving forward." [28:33] (Download)
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