Joyful Faith: Authentic Worship and God's Sovereignty
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the joy of the Lord, a joy that transcends our circumstances and trials. This joy is a testament to being in God's presence, where fullness of joy resides. We emphasized the importance of worshiping God with our families, demonstrating authentic faith to our children so they can see the genuine trust and reliance we place in God. This authenticity is crucial for passing on the baton of faith to the next generation.
We also reflected on our recent week of fasting, not as a gimmick, but as a sincere effort to draw closer to God. Fasting is about realigning ourselves with God's will, seeking purity before purpose, and understanding that walking in purity is essential for walking in power. We are called to align with God's will, both generally and specifically, and to focus on making disciples, not just decisions.
As we approach Easter, we are encouraged to engage in gospel conversations, sharing the most important news with others. This season is an opportunity to expand the gospel's reach, and we are called to volunteer and serve in our community, particularly in the fast-growing area of Alliance. We are also starting a new teaching series on biblical justice, distinguishing it from social justice, and equipping ourselves to navigate the complexities of our world.
We prayed for Pastor Joe Walker, who is in need of God's breakthrough, and for all of us to experience God's power, forgiveness, and strength in our lives. We are reminded that trusting in God means He will never fail us, and we are encouraged to demonstrate real-life faith to our children, showing them that we rely on God for guidance and strength.
In our study of Mark chapter 6, we explored the character and capacity of Jesus Christ, who calls us to depend on Him when facing life's pressures. We learned that we can overcome the pain of rejection, step boldly into our assignments, and grow through grief, knowing that God's justice and sovereignty are true, even when evil seems to prevail temporarily.
Key Takeaways:
1. Joy in God's Presence: True joy transcends circumstances and is found in God's presence. If we lack joy, it may indicate a need to draw closer to Him. This joy is not dependent on external situations but is a deep, abiding presence that sustains us through trials. [00:00]
2. Authentic Faith for the Next Generation: Demonstrating genuine faith to our children is crucial for passing on our beliefs. When they see us authentically worship and rely on God, they learn the importance of faith in their own lives. Our actions speak louder than words, and living out our faith authentically can inspire them to do the same. [29:43]
3. Purity Before Purpose: Walking in purity is essential for discovering and fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Purity aligns us with God's will and empowers us to walk in His strength. Without purity, we cannot fully experience the power and purpose God has for us. [31:57]
4. Facing Life's Pressures with Christ: Life is filled with pressures, but trusting in Jesus makes us pressure-proof. He equips us to handle rejection, step boldly into our assignments, and grow through grief, knowing that His justice and sovereignty prevail. [01:23:24]
5. God's Justice and Sovereignty: Even when evil seems to win temporarily, God's justice and sovereignty are true. We may not see every wrong righted in this life, but we trust that God will ultimately bring justice and righteousness in eternity. [01:54:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:05] - Joy of the Lord
- [00:30] - Worship with Family
- [01:00] - Authentic Faith
- [29:43] - Week of Fasting
- [31:57] - Purity and Purpose
- [32:30] - Making Disciples
- [33:00] - Gospel Conversations
- [34:00] - Biblical Justice Series
- [35:02] - Prayer for Pastor Joe Walker
- [01:13:11] - Trust in God
- [01:15:06] - Mark Chapter 6 Overview
- [01:23:24] - Overcoming Rejection
- [01:25:53] - Stepping Boldly
- [01:54:46] - Growing Through Grief
- [01:56:29] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 6:1-6
2. Proverbs 3:5-6
3. Genesis 50:20
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Observation Questions:
1. In Mark 6:1-6, what was the reaction of Jesus' hometown to His teachings and miracles? How did their familiarity with Him affect their belief? [01:23:24]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of demonstrating authentic faith to our children, and how does it impact their spiritual growth? [29:43]
3. What does the pastor suggest is the relationship between purity and purpose in a believer's life? [31:57]
4. How does the sermon describe the pressures of life, and what role does Jesus play in helping us navigate these pressures? [01:23:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the rejection Jesus faced in His hometown (Mark 6:1-6) illustrate the broader theme of rejection in the Christian life? What can believers learn from Jesus' response to rejection? [01:23:24]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of aligning with God's will. How can believers discern between God's general will and His specific will for their lives? [31:57]
3. In what ways does the pastor suggest that believers can engage in gospel conversations during the Easter season, and why is this important? [33:00]
4. How does the story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20 relate to the theme of God's justice and sovereignty, as discussed in the sermon? [01:54:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current level of joy. Is it dependent on your circumstances, or is it rooted in God's presence? What steps can you take to draw closer to God and experience His joy more fully? [00:05]
2. Consider how you demonstrate your faith to your family. What specific actions can you take to show your children or younger family members an authentic and vibrant faith? [29:43]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of purity before purpose. Are there areas in your life where you need to seek purity to better align with God's purpose for you? What changes can you make this week? [31:57]
4. Think about a recent situation where you faced rejection or pressure. How did you respond, and how might you handle it differently in light of Jesus' example in Mark 6? [01:23:24]
5. As Easter approaches, identify one person with whom you can share the gospel. What specific steps will you take to engage them in a meaningful conversation about faith? [33:00]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by injustice or unfairness. How can the assurance of God's ultimate justice and sovereignty provide comfort and guidance in such situations? [01:54:46]
7. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages trust in the Lord. Is there an area in your life where you are relying on your own understanding rather than trusting God? How can you shift your focus to trust Him more fully? [01:13:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy Beyond Circumstances
True joy is not dependent on external situations but is a deep, abiding presence that sustains us through trials. This joy is found in God's presence, where fullness of joy resides. When we experience this joy, it transcends our circumstances and trials, providing us with a sense of peace and contentment that the world cannot offer. If we find ourselves lacking joy, it may be an indication that we need to draw closer to God, seeking His presence and allowing His joy to fill our hearts. [00:00]
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking joy from external sources rather than from God's presence? How can you intentionally draw closer to Him today to experience His joy?
Day 2: Authentic Faith for the Next Generation
Demonstrating genuine faith to our children is crucial for passing on our beliefs. When they see us authentically worship and rely on God, they learn the importance of faith in their own lives. Our actions speak louder than words, and living out our faith authentically can inspire them to do the same. By worshiping God with our families, we show our children the genuine trust and reliance we place in God, which is essential for passing on the baton of faith to the next generation. [29:43]
"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate authentic faith to your children or younger people in your life this week? What specific actions can you take to show them your reliance on God?
Day 3: Purity Before Purpose
Walking in purity is essential for discovering and fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Purity aligns us with God's will and empowers us to walk in His strength. Without purity, we cannot fully experience the power and purpose God has for us. Fasting and seeking purity before purpose helps us realign ourselves with God's will, ensuring that we are walking in His strength and not our own. This alignment is crucial for experiencing the fullness of God's power and purpose in our lives. [31:57]
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life need purification to align with God's will? How can you seek purity in those areas to better fulfill God's purpose for you?
Day 4: Facing Life's Pressures with Christ
Life is filled with pressures, but trusting in Jesus makes us pressure-proof. He equips us to handle rejection, step boldly into our assignments, and grow through grief, knowing that His justice and sovereignty prevail. By depending on Christ, we can overcome the pain of rejection and boldly step into the assignments He has for us, growing through the challenges we face. His justice and sovereignty are true, even when evil seems to prevail temporarily. [01:23:24]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: What pressures are you currently facing that you need to trust Jesus with? How can you rely on His strength to handle these pressures today?
Day 5: God's Justice and Sovereignty
Even when evil seems to win temporarily, God's justice and sovereignty are true. We may not see every wrong righted in this life, but we trust that God will ultimately bring justice and righteousness in eternity. This assurance allows us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God's justice will prevail. Trusting in His sovereignty gives us peace, even when circumstances seem unjust or overwhelming. [01:54:46]
"For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." (Isaiah 30:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what situations do you struggle to trust in God's justice and sovereignty? How can you remind yourself of His ultimate justice and righteousness in those situations?
Quotes
"The Bible says in His presence is fullness of joy. So if there is no joy, that must mean we're not in His presence. Because if we're in His presence, He transcends our trials. He transcends our troubles. He transcends our happenings. And He gives us joy. Amen." [00:27:57] (18 seconds)
"But when our kids see us live in authentic Christian faith, they say, mama mean that. Daddy means that. Daddy calls upon the Lord. Mama calls upon the Lord. We reach out to Him. We stretch our hands to Him. When there's no other help, we know. Hallelujah. Amen." [00:28:58] (19 seconds)
"So I want to thank you all for fasting with us, for purity and purpose. Purity precedes purpose. So I want to encourage you guys, as we are pursuing our purpose, that we can't get it out of order. God's not going to definitively show you your purpose unless you're walking in purity. Amen." [00:31:03] (20 seconds)
"We are aligned with God's will. So there's a generic will God has for all of our lives. But then there's a specific will God has for us individually. And so are you walking in alignment for God's overall will for every believer's life? And are you walking in alignment to what God wants to do in your life?" [00:31:28] (17 seconds)
"That when you trust in God, he will never fail. Amen. Look at your child and say, when you trust in God, he will never fail. Look at your spouse and say, when we trust in God, he will never fail. Amen. I trust in God. Amen. Amen. What a declaration." [01:13:11] (22 seconds)
"How do you survive and how do you navigate when the pressure is on? Everybody can perform when the lights are not that bright, when the crowd is not that big and there's not that much action. But what can you do when it's March of Madness in your Christian faith?" [01:17:16] (16 seconds)
"How many of you all know society is not fair and the boy when you go into that boardroom crying talking about life ain't fair like it ain't been fair fair for none of us but can you manage can you navigate if all things were equal we all would thrive but what difference does your faith make?" [01:21:52] (17 seconds)
"Just because something happens in time does not mean it's going to have its way in eternity just because the ungodly seem to prosper temporarily does not mean they're going to prosper long term wrestling with injustice of evil systems and the suffering of the innocent it's not a new thing." [01:50:12] (21 seconds)
"At the end of the day, God allowed the righteous to temporarily suffer and the unrighteous to temporarily prevail truly understand that he will eternally meet out justice and righteousness. If you suffer with him, you'll also reign with him, Romans 8 says." [01:53:26] (23 seconds)
"You pressure -proof your life with the person of Jesus Christ. You pressure -proof your life by understanding his capacity, his control, his sovereignty. You pressure -proof your life knowing that you can overcome the pain of rejection. You can step boldly into your assignment, and you can grow through what's not good grief." [01:54:24] (27 seconds)
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