God's Ongoing Conversations: Embracing His Mission Today
Summary
In this sermon, I explored the dynamic and ongoing nature of God's communication with us, emphasizing that God's conversations are not relics of the past but vibrant, present realities that guide and shape our lives today. I began by discussing the foundational belief that God speaks to His people today as vividly as He did in the times of the Bible, using the story of Zachariah to illustrate how God reveals the spiritual realm to us, impacting our physical world.
I then moved on to the story of Gideon, highlighting his initial reluctance and fear, which resonates with many of us. Gideon's story teaches us that it's okay to have doubts and to test what we believe God is telling us. This testing can be done through scripture, the community of believers, and looking for God's signs in our lives, ensuring that what we hear aligns with God's character and the teachings of Jesus.
The third part of the sermon focused on the conversation between God and Mary, emphasizing the power and creativity of God's words. Just as Mary was called to carry and give birth to Jesus, we too are called to carry and manifest God's words in the world, nurturing them until they come to fruition, demonstrating God's ongoing creative work in our lives.
I also shared a personal testimony about how God directed me to engage with a homeless woman, illustrating how God's conversations can lead us to unexpected places to fulfill His mission. This part of the sermon underscored the importance of being open to God's leading, even when it takes us out of our comfort zones, to share the gospel and live out the Great Commission.
Finally, I discussed the broader implications of God's conversations for the church community, stressing the need for inclusivity and the rejection of any form of racism within the church. This is based on the understanding that Jesus died for everyone, and thus, every person carries inherent worth and dignity.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Conversations Reveal the Spiritual Realm - The story of Zachariah shows us that one of the primary purposes of God's conversations is to reveal the spiritual dynamics that influence our physical world. This understanding helps us navigate life more effectively, praying and acting with insight into God's will for us and the world around us. [03:11]
2. Testing What We Hear - Like Gideon, we must learn to test the words we believe are from God against scripture, the counsel of trusted believers, and the confirmation of spiritual signs. This process ensures that our actions and beliefs are truly aligned with God's will, helping us to avoid deception and to walk confidently in His directions. [08:33]
3. Carrying God's Words - The interaction between God and Mary reminds us that when God speaks, His words carry creative power and are meant to be nurtured and birthed into reality by us. This requires a faithful and active response, holding onto God's promises until they are fully realized in our lives. [20:36]
4. God's Conversations Call Us to Mission - My encounter with the homeless woman highlights how God's words often call us to participate in His mission in unexpected and challenging ways. These divine appointments are not just about spreading the gospel but also about embodying the love and compassion of Jesus in every interaction. [36:27]
5. Inclusivity in God's Family - The Great Commission and the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch teach us that the gospel transcends cultural, racial, and social barriers. The church must reflect this diversity, welcoming and valuing all people as image-bearers of God and potential disciples of Christ. [25:28]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:59 - Introduction to God Conversations Series
03:11 - Zachariah's Revelation of the Spiritual Realm
04:49 - The Prophetic Role of Every Believer
06:46 - Gideon's Conversation and Our Fears
08:33 - Testing God's Words
10:03 - Authority of Scripture in God's Conversations
12:54 - Understanding God's Will Through His Nature
14:01 - Practical Decisions and God's Involvement
18:02 - Personal Testimony on Job Guidance
20:02 - Mary's Response to God's Words
22:23 - The Mission-Oriented Nature of God's Conversations
23:10 - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
25:28 - Inclusivity and the Great Commission
27:35 - Echo Chambers and Social Media
29:50 - Challenging Racial and Social Barriers
31:44 - Global Love and the Gospel
33:27 - Personal Encounters and Divine Appointments
35:16 - Sharing the Gospel with the Marginalized
36:27 - The Call to Mission in Everyday Life
38:54 - Practical Reminders and Fridge Magnets
40:43 - Closing Prayer and Grace
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:11-20 (Zachariah's Revelation)
> "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zachariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zachariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.' Zachariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.' The angel said to him, 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.'"
2. Judges 6:36-40 (Gideon's Test)
> "Gideon said to God, 'If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.' And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, 'Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.' That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew."
3. Acts 8:26-40 (Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch)
> "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means 'queen of the Ethiopians'). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.' Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked. 'How can I,' he said, 'unless someone explains it to me?' So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: 'He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.' The eunuch asked Philip, 'Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?' Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?' And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the angel's message to Zachariah, and how did Zachariah initially respond? (Luke 1:11-20)
2. How did Gideon test God's message, and what were the results of his tests? (Judges 6:36-40)
3. Describe the interaction between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. What was the outcome of their conversation? (Acts 8:26-40)
4. According to the sermon, what are the three questions we should ask to test if a message is from God? [08:33]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Zachariah doubted the angel's message despite his long-standing prayers for a child? How does this reflect our own struggles with faith? (Luke 1:11-20)
2. What does Gideon's story teach us about the nature of doubt and the importance of seeking confirmation from God? (Judges 6:36-40)
3. How does the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch illustrate the inclusivity of the gospel message? (Acts 8:26-40)
4. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal testimony about engaging with a homeless woman. How does this story illustrate the importance of being open to God's leading in unexpected situations? [35:16]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was speaking to you. How did you test this message, and what was the outcome? [08:33]
2. Gideon was fearful and doubted his ability to fulfill God's mission. Have you ever felt unqualified or fearful about something you believed God was calling you to do? How did you handle it? (Judges 6:36-40)
3. The Ethiopian eunuch was an outsider in many ways, yet Philip was led to share the gospel with him. Are there people in your life who you might consider "outsiders"? How can you reach out to them with the love of Christ? (Acts 8:26-40)
4. The pastor emphasized the importance of inclusivity and rejecting racism within the church. How can you personally contribute to making your church a more inclusive and welcoming place for all people? [29:50]
5. Think about a recent situation where you felt prompted to step out of your comfort zone to help someone. Did you follow through? If not, what held you back? [35:16]
6. How can you actively nurture and carry God's words in your life, similar to how Mary carried and gave birth to Jesus? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are faithful to God's calling? [20:36]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of community in discerning God's voice. How can you involve your community of believers more in your decision-making process to ensure you are aligned with God's will? [08:33]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Conversations Reveal the Spiritual Realm
God's conversations are not just historical anecdotes; they are vibrant, ongoing dialogues that reveal the spiritual dynamics influencing our physical world. The story of Zachariah, for instance, underscores the profound impact of these divine communications. By understanding the spiritual realm through God's words, believers are equipped to navigate life with greater insight and purpose. This revelation helps in discerning God's will and praying effectively, aligning our actions with the divine plan. [03:11]
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." - Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
Reflection: How can you enhance your daily prayer life to seek deeper revelations from God about the spiritual influences in your life?
Day 2: Testing What We Hear
In our journey of faith, it is crucial to discern and test the words we believe are from God. Like Gideon, who tested God's instructions to ensure they were divine, we too must use scripture, the counsel of trusted believers, and look for God's signs in our lives. This process of testing helps us avoid deception and ensures that our decisions and beliefs align with God's character and the teachings of Jesus. It fosters a confident walk in faith, knowing our actions are truly guided by God's will. [08:33]
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1 ESV
Reflection: What is one decision you are currently facing where you can apply this process of testing to ensure it aligns with God's will?
Day 3: Carrying God's Words
When God speaks, His words are not merely to be heard but to be carried and manifested into reality. The interaction between God and Mary exemplifies this, as she was called to carry and give birth to Jesus, the Word made flesh. Similarly, we are called to nurture and manifest God's words in our lives, holding onto His promises until they come to fruition. This active and faithful response to God's conversations demonstrates His ongoing creative work in our lives. [20:36]
"And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'" - Luke 1:38 ESV
Reflection: What specific promise or word from God are you currently nurturing, and how are you actively working to bring it to fruition?
Day 4: God's Conversations Call Us to Mission
God's words often propel us into His mission, leading us to unexpected places and people, as illustrated by the personal testimony of engaging with a homeless woman. These divine appointments challenge us to step out of our comfort zones and embody the love and compassion of Jesus in every interaction. By being open to God's leading, we participate in spreading the gospel and living out the Great Commission in practical, impactful ways. [36:27]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15 ESV
Reflection: Who is one person in your life or community to whom you feel called to show the love and compassion of Jesus today?
Day 5: Inclusivity in God's Family
The gospel transcends all cultural, racial, and social barriers, calling the church to be a community of inclusivity and love. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch serves as a powerful reminder that every person carries inherent worth and dignity, deserving of the gospel's reach. As followers of Christ, we are to embrace and value all people as image-bearers of God and potential disciples, reflecting the diverse and inclusive nature of God's kingdom. [25:28]
"And Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'" - Acts 10:34-35 ESV
Reflection: What practical steps can you take this week to break down barriers and foster inclusivity within your community or church?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We choose to be around people that are like us, which creates an echo chamber where you only hear your own opinion. It's a dangerous place to be because you end up going into extremes that you would never have gone to had you had the balance of a voice that doesn't agree with you." [28:20]
2. "Holy Spirit speaks to call us into this mission of the great commission, to be a people that are prepared to put down our own selves and go and rub shoulders with people we wouldn't normally rub shoulders with. To go make disciples of all the nations." [36:27]
3. "I sat down with a homeless lady and just shared Jesus with her. I can't tell you whether or not she went away a Christian, but I can tell you that I told her all about a man that loved her, all because Holy Spirit said to me, sit down and have a chat with her." [35:16]
4. "Holy Spirit tells us quite clearly that no one in here is worth anything more than Jesus says they're worth. And Jesus gave his life and gave worth to everyone in here, and everyone out there." [37:35]
### Quotes for Members
1. "God speaks today to his people to peel back the curtain, to reveal what's going on in the unseen realm. What happens in the spiritual has an effect on the physical, and vice versa. This understanding helps us navigate life more effectively, praying and acting with insight into God's will for us and the world around us." [03:11]
2. "It's okay to be scared. It's okay to test God. God's words, I would say, it's okay to put them through a bit of a criteria and say, is this God speaking to me? Would Jesus have said it? Are other people saying it? And are there signs following it?" [08:33]
3. "God's words are full of power and creativity, and the ability to bring themselves to pass. In the same way that God spoke to Mary, He speaks to us. And in the same way that Mary had to hold on to those words and give birth to those words, we too are expected to do the same thing." [20:36]
4. "The Bible is authoritative. It gives authority, it gives us his character, the principles by which he works, his very nature. Whatever God says now will never contradict what he has said then. The Bible is 100% needed, it's never gone away, and nothing it says is untrue." [11:46]
5. "Holy Spirit continues to speak to us about inclusivity because there's something in us that draws us to people of just our own type. We need to be prepared to put down prejudice and accept that Holy Spirit is asking us to rub shoulders with people we wouldn't normally choose to." [33:27]
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