God's Unfinished Work: Trusting His Ongoing Purpose

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that God is not done with us yet. This message is a reminder that despite the challenges and setbacks we face, God continues to work in our lives, guiding us toward His purpose. We began by acknowledging the societal and personal challenges many of us face, such as the reduction of DEI initiatives and the diminishing recognition of Black History Month. Yet, history shows us that even in difficult times, people have achieved remarkable things. This serves as a testament to God's enduring presence and power in our lives.

We delved into the story from 2 Kings 4, where a widow, facing dire circumstances, sought help from the prophet Elisha. Her story illustrates that our problems, while seemingly insurmountable, are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and provision. The widow's journey teaches us about the importance of communication with God, collaboration with others, and coordination in our actions. She had to communicate her needs, collaborate with her neighbors, and coordinate her resources to experience God's miraculous provision.

This narrative encourages us to remain connected to God, much like a water hose remains connected to its source, allowing His blessings to flow continuously. It challenges us to examine our lives, identify areas where we need to collaborate and coordinate, and trust that God will provide as we take steps of faith. As we navigate life's challenges, we are reminded to keep dreaming, keep going, and trust that God is not done with us yet.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Unfinished Work: Despite societal challenges and personal setbacks, God is actively working in our lives. History shows that even in tough times, people have achieved great things, reminding us that God is not done with us yet. We must continue to trust in His plan and purpose for our lives. [53:01]

2. Communication with God: The widow's story in 2 Kings 4 highlights the importance of communicating with God. She cried out to Elisha, demonstrating her faith and reliance on God. We, too, must maintain open communication with God, trusting that He hears our prayers and will provide for our needs. [59:10]

3. Collaboration with Others: The widow's need to borrow vessels from her neighbors teaches us the value of collaboration. God often places people in our lives to help us achieve His purposes. We must be willing to reach out, ask for help, and work together to fulfill God's plans. [01:13:45]

4. Coordination of Resources: The widow's coordination of her resources, with her sons' help, led to God's miraculous provision. We must be intentional in managing our resources, paying off debts, and aligning our actions with God's will. This coordination allows us to experience God's blessings fully. [01:27:01]

5. Staying Connected to God: Like a water hose connected to its source, we must remain connected to God to receive His continuous blessings. This connection ensures that we are not just seeking temporary solutions but are living in a way that allows God's grace and provision to flow through us consistently. [01:29:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [39:13] - Introduction and Worship
- [53:01] - God's Not Done with You Yet
- [59:10] - The Widow's Story
- [01:02:02] - Communicating with God
- [01:06:02] - The Importance of Watching and Learning
- [01:08:43] - Building a Relationship with God
- [01:11:10] - God Speaks in Different Ways
- [01:13:45] - Collaborating with Others
- [01:16:21] - Overcoming Pride for Collaboration
- [01:19:19] - The Value of Simple Inventions
- [01:21:39] - Acknowledging What We Have
- [01:24:02] - Coordinating with Family
- [01:27:01] - The Miracle of the Oil
- [01:29:19] - Staying Connected to God
- [01:32:01] - Paying Off Debts
- [01:34:17] - Practical Steps for Financial Freedom
- [01:36:19] - Trusting God's Plan

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Kings 4:1-7
- Philippians 1:6

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story from 2 Kings 4, what specific actions did the widow take to address her dire situation? How did these actions demonstrate her faith? [59:10]

2. What role did the neighbors play in the widow's story, and how does this illustrate the importance of community support? [01:13:45]

3. According to the sermon, what are some historical examples of people achieving great things during tough times? How do these examples serve as a testament to God's enduring presence? [53:01]

4. How does the analogy of a water hose staying connected to its source relate to our relationship with God? [01:29:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the widow's communication with Elisha reflect the importance of maintaining open communication with God in our own lives? [59:10]

2. In what ways does the widow's story in 2 Kings 4 illustrate the concept of God's unfinished work in our lives, as mentioned in Philippians 1:6? [53:01]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of collaboration with others in fulfilling God's plans for us? How might this apply to our personal lives? [01:13:45]

4. How does the sermon challenge us to examine our own lives for areas where we need to coordinate our resources and actions with God's will? [01:27:01]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a seemingly insurmountable problem. How did you communicate with God during that time, and what was the outcome? [59:10]

2. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to collaborate with others to achieve a goal. What steps can you take this week to reach out and ask for help? [01:13:45]

3. Consider the resources you currently have. How can you better coordinate these resources to align with God's purpose for your life? [01:27:01]

4. Think about your connection to God. Are there any distractions or obstacles preventing you from staying connected like a water hose to its source? What changes can you make to strengthen this connection? [01:29:19]

5. The sermon mentioned historical figures who achieved great things during tough times. Who inspires you in your faith journey, and how can their example motivate you to keep going despite challenges? [53:01]

6. How can you apply the lesson of staying connected to God in your daily routine? What specific practices can you incorporate to ensure His blessings flow continuously in your life? [01:29:19]

7. Reflect on the sermon’s message that God is not done with you yet. What dreams or goals have you put on hold, and how can you take a step of faith towards them this week? [53:01]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unfinished Work in Our Lives
Despite the societal challenges and personal setbacks we face, God is actively working in our lives. History is filled with examples of people who have achieved remarkable things even in the toughest times, serving as a testament to God's enduring presence and power. This truth encourages us to trust in His plan and purpose for our lives, knowing that He is not done with us yet. As we navigate our own challenges, we are reminded to keep dreaming, keep going, and trust that God is guiding us toward His purpose. [53:01]

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel stuck or discouraged? How can you invite God to work in that area today, trusting that He is not done with you yet?


Day 2: Communicating with God
The story of the widow in 2 Kings 4 highlights the importance of communicating with God. In her dire circumstances, she cried out to Elisha, demonstrating her faith and reliance on God. This narrative teaches us that we must maintain open communication with God, trusting that He hears our prayers and will provide for our needs. By staying connected to God through prayer and reflection, we can experience His guidance and provision in our lives. [59:10]

"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 create a daily habit of communicating with God? What specific time and place can you set aside today to pray and listen for His guidance?


Day 3: The Power of Collaboration
The widow's need to borrow vessels from her neighbors teaches us the value of collaboration. God often places people in our lives to help us achieve His purposes. We must be willing to reach out, ask for help, and work together to fulfill God's plans. This story reminds us that collaboration is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of the strength found in community and shared purpose. [01:13:45]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to for support or collaboration? How can you take a step today to build or strengthen a relationship that aligns with God's purpose for you?


Day 4: Coordinating Our Resources
The widow's coordination of her resources, with her sons' help, led to God's miraculous provision. This story teaches us the importance of being intentional in managing our resources, paying off debts, and aligning our actions with God's will. By coordinating our resources wisely, we open ourselves to experiencing God's blessings fully and living in alignment with His purpose. [01:27:01]

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What resources (time, talents, finances) do you have that need better coordination? How can you take a practical step today to align these resources with God's will?


Day 5: Staying Connected to God
Like a water hose connected to its source, we must remain connected to God to receive His continuous blessings. This connection ensures that we are not just seeking temporary solutions but are living in a way that allows God's grace and provision to flow through us consistently. By staying connected to God, we can experience His presence and guidance in every aspect of our lives. [01:29:19]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What practices help you stay connected to God daily? How can you incorporate one of these practices into your routine today to ensure a continuous flow of His blessings?

Quotes

"Dear brothers and sisters, as I share this message today, I just want to start off by encouraging each person that's under the sound of my voice because many of us today have been impacted directly or indirectly by the decisions to decrease or eliminate DEI. Many of us, again, today have been impacted directly or indirectly by the government's decision to decrease or eliminate DEI." [00:54:16] (41 seconds)


"And not only are we being impacted by that, we are also being impacted by the decrease of the government in celebrating black history. But I just want to encourage each person and remind each of you that even though the government is trying to decrease DEI, even though the government is trying to minimize Black History Month, I just want us as a people and individually to be reminded that God's not done with you yet or us as a community." [00:54:44] (38 seconds)


"And these verses, dear brothers and sisters, as I get ready to go to my point, are designed to teach us that our problems? Well, while they may appear to be insurmountable in our eyes, are really just God's opportunities in disguise. It might seem insurmountable in our eyes, and we're trying to figure out how we're gonna pay for $7 eggs." [00:59:39] (24 seconds)


"We're trying to figure out all this stuff, but dear brothers and sisters, even while we're trying to figure it out, God has already worked it out. Come on. And therefore, no matter what you are called on to face in life, we have to learn to turn to the Lord for his help. Because why? He cares for each and every last one of us." [01:00:22] (22 seconds)


"Because here we first learn that he's not done with you communicating. The reason why he's not done with you, because he's not done with you communicating. It says, there's a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elijah saying, your servant, my husband is dead. And you know that your servant feared the Lord and the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves." [01:00:58] (32 seconds)


"Because watch this, dear brothers and sisters. The prophet Elijah has this woman to do something she didn't consider and probably wasn't going, wasn't used to doing. He tells her to go to her neighbors for assistance to achieve her goals. You're cool with talking with God. But can you go next door to ask for some butter?" [01:13:52] (31 seconds)


"But what she was willing to do is to sit there and say, I'm going to put my pride to the side. And I'm going to collaborate. And I'm going to talk to these folks in order to achieve my goal. Dear brothers and sisters, I know some stuff you ain't used to doing. But if you want to be the person that God has called you to do, you got to put your pride to the side and say, I got to get up and meet with these folks in order to achieve my goal." [01:15:26] (26 seconds)


"Because the way this woman's life was going, she had no choice but to involve the kids. And this was not the thing or the time to be prideful about. Some stuff you can't be prideful about. Some stuff you can't sit there and say, well, I'm just going to handle it. No, you can't handle it. Some stuff you have to coordinate." [01:27:38] (28 seconds)


"So, when the day was done, every vessel was filled to the full. There was no limit on the amount of oil. There was no limit on the amount of vessels. Come on, as I wrap this up. So, it made me realize, dear brothers and sisters, that God doesn't stop. We do. It made me realize, as I wrap this up, watch this, that He sat there and said that as long as you have vessels, the oil will keep flowing." [01:28:22] (44 seconds)


"God wants you to be a water hose, meaning He wants you to stay connected to Him because a picture has to keep going back. Baby, when you stay connected to God, you ain't got to keep going back. He's going to just keep flowing, He's just going to keep pouring, and He's going to keep giving you the stuff that you need." [01:30:11] (18 seconds)


"Because the Bible tells us, and hopefully I gave this to you, I'm not sure. The Bible says this in Romans 13 and 18, and 13 and 8, let no debt remain outstanding. Write this down. Except the continuing debt to love one another. For whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13 and 8, let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another." [01:31:28] (31 seconds)


"Because he did bless her. That's the thing about it. He blessed her. He took care of the spiritual stuff. But then he also told her to pay off your debt. Hmm? We love to shout and run and scream. And some debt you do get miraculously get paid off of. But then there are other stuff, God's like, hey, I left that for you." [01:34:23] (20 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?