God's Sustaining Power and Joy in Our Lives
Summary
Today, I began by welcoming everyone to our gathering, emphasizing the importance of not only singing the gospel but also reading and understanding the Scriptures together. We delved into the book of Jude, specifically verses 24 through 25, which highlight God's ability to keep us from stumbling and to present us blameless before His glorious presence. This passage set the tone for our discussion on the nature of God's sustaining power and grace.
I shared stories of God's faithfulness, including testimonies from individuals who recently declared their faith through baptism. This celebration of public confession is a testament to the transformative power of acknowledging Christ as Lord and Savior. I also invited our church members to a special meeting where we would discuss our community's goals and share more about God's work among us.
Addressing the recent natural disasters, I encouraged us to pray for those affected, particularly mentioning our global workers and former pastors in areas hit by storms. This led us into a reflection on the fragility of hope and how easily circumstances can seem to overwhelm us. Yet, in these moments, we are reminded of the importance of turning to God, who is our ultimate source of hope and strength.
I recounted a personal story from my youth, which illustrated the sudden loss of hope and the powerful intervention of a stronger presence, my older brother, in a threatening situation. This narrative paralleled our spiritual lives, emphasizing that God, our 'older brother' with ultimate authority, steps into our circumstances, changing them and protecting us.
We explored the concept of sin, not just as wrong actions but as failures to honor God's glory, wisdom, and commands. This deeper understanding of sin shows how it affects our perception of God and our circumstances.
I emphasized the joy of Jesus Christ in His actions, particularly in His sacrifice, which was made not out of obligation but with joy. This joy is something He offers to us, even in the midst of our own trials and tribulations. It's a joy that transcends our immediate happiness and is rooted in His eternal perspective.
We concluded by reflecting on the doxology in Jude, which centers us back on God's capabilities and the assurance that He is able to keep us from falling. This doxology isn't just a liturgical practice but a profound truth that anchors our faith in the reality of God's omnipotence and sovereignty over all things, including our own lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Sustaining Power: God's ability to keep us from stumbling as mentioned in Jude is not just a comforting thought but a profound reality. It's crucial to recognize that our stability and perseverance in faith are not based on our strength but on God's power to sustain us. This understanding should shape our daily walk and reliance on Him. [46:23]
2. The Nature of Sin: Understanding sin as more than just wrong actions, but as failures to honor God in various aspects of His glory, transforms how we live out our faith. It's not merely about avoiding wrongs, but actively pursuing a life that glorifies God in all aspects. [01:07:23]
3. The Joy of Christ: Jesus' joy in His sacrificial work on the cross is a powerful aspect of His character. This joy isn't dependent on circumstances but is a fundamental attribute of His divine nature, which He shares with us, offering a deeper, more stable foundation for our lives. [56:59]
4. Prayer as Relationship: Prayer is not just a ritual or a request line but a means of deepening our relationship with God. It aligns us with His will and power, reminding us of His immediate presence in our lives and His ultimate control over all circumstances. [42:40]
5. God's Ultimate Authority: The story of my youth with my brother illustrates how God's authority intervenes in our lives. Just as my brother's arrival changed the dynamics of the threat I faced, so does recognizing God's authority transform our spiritual battles and challenges. [01:06:38]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
30:27 - Reading of Jude 24-25
31:56 - Community Announcements
33:19 - Prayer for the Afflicted
34:36 - The Fragility of Hope
39:58 - Personal Testimony of Protection
44:11 - The Power of the Doxology
47:40 - God's Ability to Sustain
49:17 - The Fear of Stumbling
53:33 - The Grace of Jesus Christ
56:18 - The Joy of Christ in Us
59:27 - The Exclusivity of God
01:04:42 - Authority and Dominion of Christ
01:08:59 - Closing Doxology and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Jude 24-25 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jude 24-25 say about God's ability to keep us from stumbling and present us blameless?
2. How does the doxology in Jude 24-25 describe God's attributes?
3. What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the concept of God's intervention in our lives? ([39:58])
4. What recent events did the pastor mention that led to a reflection on the fragility of hope? ([33:19])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that God is described as able to keep us from stumbling in Jude 24-25? How does this impact our understanding of His sustaining power? ([47:40])
2. How does the pastor's story about his older brother relate to our understanding of God's authority and intervention in our lives? ([39:58])
3. What does it mean to understand sin as failures to honor God's glory, wisdom, and commands, rather than just wrong actions? ([01:07:23])
4. How does Jesus' joy in His sacrificial work on the cross offer a deeper foundation for our lives, according to the sermon? ([56:18])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were stumbling in your faith. How did you experience God's sustaining power during that period? ([47:40])
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of public confession through baptism. Have you publicly declared your faith? If not, what might be holding you back? ([31:56])
3. Considering the recent natural disasters mentioned, how can you actively support and pray for those affected in your community or globally? ([33:19])
4. The pastor shared a personal story about losing hope and then finding it through his older brother's intervention. Can you recall a moment when God intervened in your life in a similar way? ([39:58])
5. How can you shift your understanding of sin from merely avoiding wrong actions to actively pursuing a life that glorifies God in all aspects? ([01:07:23])
6. Jesus' joy in His sacrificial work is a profound aspect of His character. How can you cultivate this joy in your own life, especially during trials and tribulations? ([56:18])
7. Prayer is described as a means of deepening our relationship with God. How can you improve your prayer life to align more closely with God's will and power? ([42:40])
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of God's sustaining power, the nature of sin, the joy of Christ, and the importance of prayer and God's authority, as discussed in the sermon.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Sustaining Power
God's ability to keep us from stumbling is not merely a comforting thought but a profound reality that should shape our daily walk and reliance on Him. This divine power is a testament to the fact that our perseverance in faith is not based on our strength but on God's ability to sustain us. As we navigate through life's challenges and uncertainties, it is crucial to recognize and lean on this sustaining power, which ensures our stability and spiritual growth. This reliance is not about passive submission but an active trust that engages with God's promises and His faithful character. [46:23]
Bible passage: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (ESV)
"And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."
Reflection: How can you actively trust in God's power to sustain you in your current challenges?
Day 2: Understanding the True Nature of Sin
Sin is not just about wrong actions but is fundamentally a failure to honor God in various aspects of His glory. This deeper understanding of sin transforms how we live out our faith. It's not merely about avoiding wrongs but actively pursuing a life that glorifies God in all aspects. Recognizing sin in this light compels us to reflect on our daily actions and thoughts, pushing us to align more closely with God's will and His commandments. This perspective encourages us to not only avoid sin but to actively engage in practices that honor God. [01:07:23]
Bible passage: 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: In what ways can you actively pursue a life that honors God beyond just avoiding sin?
Day 3: The Joy of Christ in Our Trials
Jesus' joy in His sacrificial work on the cross is a powerful aspect of His character that He offers to us, even in the midst of our own trials and tribulations. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is a fundamental attribute of His divine nature. Understanding and embracing this joy provides us with a deeper, more stable foundation for our lives, rooted in His eternal perspective. This divine joy transcends our immediate happiness and equips us to face life's challenges with a hopeful and steadfast heart. [56:59]
Bible passage: Hebrews 12:2-3 (ESV)
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of Christ's joy in your current circumstances?
Day 4: Prayer as a Deepening Relationship
Prayer is not just a ritual or a request line but a means of deepening our relationship with God. It aligns us with His will and power, reminding us of His immediate presence in our lives and His ultimate control over all circumstances. Through prayer, we communicate with God not just to present our needs but to better understand His heart and receive the strength to navigate life. This practice is essential for maintaining a vibrant and responsive relationship with God, where we allow Him to shape our desires and actions. [42:40]
Bible passage: James 5:16 (ESV)
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: What specific part of your life do you need to commit more fully to God through prayer?
Day 5: Recognizing God's Ultimate Authority
The story of divine intervention in our lives illustrates how God's authority can transform our spiritual battles and challenges. Just as a protective presence can change the dynamics of a threatening situation, recognizing God's authority brings about a profound shift in how we face our spiritual struggles. This recognition helps us to not only see the challenges but also the victories and protections that come with submitting to God's sovereign power. [01:06:38]
Bible passage: Psalm 93:1-2 (ESV)
"The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting."
Reflection: How can acknowledging God's authority change the way you approach your spiritual struggles?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "And the grace of Jesus Christ. So not only is he able to keep you from falling, he's able to make you stand despite the pressures of life. That's the difference. And what he does is he's able to make you stand even in the pressures of life." [53:33]
2. "He presents you with joy. Like when he took the cross off for the sins of the world, Hebrews says that he did it with joy. And joy is not the same thing as happiness. Maybe some of you are not experiencing the fullness of the joy of Christ today because of what is surrounding you." [56:18]
3. "Why is Jesus the only one you need? Because in the end, Jesus gets all the glory. That's what it says. It says, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is our Savior, the one who saves us. He's our Lord. He's the one that we obey." [01:00:33]
4. "This is our solid ground. We pray to this God who is able. What is he able to do? That's a great question to do. If I'm sitting here and maybe you don't have a relationship with the Lord. You've heard these stories of people who did not have a relationship with the Lord. But they stepped over the line of faith. And now they do." [47:40]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Who keeps you from stumbling? Not yourself. Not your discipline. Not your pedigree. Not how long that you have been a part of his family. Who keeps you stumbling? The one that it points to. Jesus Christ. He's the one that keeps you stumbling." [51:50]
2. "The doxology centers us and says, this way. And it ascribes all glory and power to God. Not a place. Not a program. Not a person or a personality. But to him. That's the first thing to understand. It centers us on him." [47:01]
3. "What is sin? It's the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. It's the greatness of God not admired. It's the power of God not praised. It's the truth of God but it's not sought. It's the wisdom of God. And it's not esteemed." [01:07:23]
4. "The doxology is a psychology. It's a solid ground that we live out of, we pray out of. It reminds us of who this God is, that he is an able God. It's the heart and soul of the Christian." [44:11]
5. "Our praying needs to be pressed and pursued with an energy that never tires, a persistency that will not be denied, and a courage that never fails. We often lose hope because we've forgotten about the one that we can speak to." [42:40]
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