Living a Life That Makes God Proud
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of living a life that makes God proud, as inspired by Hebrews 11:13-16. This passage highlights a unique group of people whom God was not ashamed to call His own. We delved into the characteristics that set these individuals apart, emphasizing their unwavering faith and desire for the "greater" that God had for them. This "greater" is not just about the heavenly promise but also about the mission and purpose God has for us here and now.
Reflecting on personal experiences, I shared a childhood memory that illustrated the desire to make our Heavenly Father proud, much like we wish to make our earthly parents proud. This desire is mirrored in the lives of the faithful mentioned in Hebrews 11, who pursued God's promises with relentless faith, even when they did not see the fulfillment in their lifetime.
We discussed four key attributes of these faithful individuals: they desired the greater that God had for them, they never gave up on it, they never looked back, and they embraced it before they had it. These attributes challenge us to live by faith, not by sight, and to pursue God's greater purpose for our lives and our church community.
Our church has witnessed incredible growth and impact, from local community outreach to global missions. Yet, we are reminded that God is not done with us. We are called to continue this journey, to dream bigger, and to take steps toward the greater things God has in store. This journey is not just about projects or numbers; it's about the transformation of lives and the expansion of God's kingdom.
As we move forward, let us embrace the vision of a future filled with God's promises, even if we do not see them fulfilled in our lifetime. Let us be a church that plants seeds of faith, knowing that others will benefit from the shade of trees we may never sit under.
Key Takeaways:
1. Desiring the Greater: The faithful in Hebrews 11 desired the greater that God had for them, refusing to settle for less. This challenges us to seek God's full purpose for our lives, knowing that He has more in store for us than we can imagine. [09:42]
2. Unyielding Faith: These individuals never gave up on God's promises, even when they did not see them fulfilled. This teaches us to live by faith, trusting that God's plans are greater than our understanding and that His timing is perfect. [18:14]
3. No Looking Back: The faithful did not look back to their past but pressed forward to the promises of God. This encourages us to focus on the future God has for us, rather than longing for the past, knowing that His mercies are new every day. [20:39]
4. Embracing the Unseen: They embraced God's promises before they had them, welcoming them from afar. This calls us to have a vision for the future, to believe in what God has promised, and to act in faith even when we cannot see the outcome. [24:03]
5. Impact Beyond Sight: Our actions and faith can have a profound impact on others, even if we do not witness it ourselves. This reminds us that our faithfulness can lead others to Christ, as seen in the story of the paramedic who returned to faith through the witness of a church member. [29:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction and Greetings
- [01:32] - The Story of Our Church
- [02:07] - God's Pride in His People
- [03:47] - Childhood Memory of Faith
- [06:03] - Hebrews 11:13-16 Reading
- [08:02] - Understanding "Greater"
- [09:42] - Desiring God's Greater
- [12:02] - Moses' Choice for Greater
- [13:02] - Celebrating Past Achievements
- [17:20] - Dreams and Memories
- [18:14] - Unyielding Faith
- [20:39] - No Looking Back
- [24:03] - Embracing the Unseen
- [29:18] - Impact Beyond Sight
- [31:35] - Invitation to Take the First Step
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:13-16
Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 11:13-16 say about the people who lived by faith? How are they described in terms of their relationship with God? [02:25]
2. According to the sermon, what are the four key attributes of the faithful individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11? [06:32]
3. How did the pastor illustrate the concept of making God proud through his childhood memory? [02:41]
4. What examples of growth and impact were shared about the church's journey and mission? [13:02]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to desire the "greater" that God has for us, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this relate to the lives of the faithful in Hebrews 11? [09:42]
2. How can the concept of "unyielding faith" be applied to our personal lives, especially when we do not see immediate results? [18:14]
3. Why is it significant that the faithful did not look back to their past, and how can this principle be applied to our spiritual journey? [20:39]
4. What does it mean to embrace God's promises before having them, and how can this shape our vision for the future? [24:03]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you have settled for less than what God has for you? How can you begin to desire the "greater" that God has in store? [09:42]
2. Think of a promise from God that you are holding onto. How can you maintain unyielding faith in this promise, even if you do not see it fulfilled yet? [18:14]
3. Is there something from your past that you find yourself longing for? How can you focus on the future God has for you instead? [20:39]
4. Consider a promise or vision God has given you. How can you embrace it and act in faith, even if you cannot see the outcome yet? [24:03]
5. The sermon mentioned the impact of our faith on others, even if we do not witness it ourselves. Can you think of a way your faith might be influencing someone around you? [29:18]
6. How can you contribute to the church's mission of transformation and expansion of God's kingdom in your local community? [13:02]
7. Identify one step you can take this week to move toward the "greater" that God has for you. How will you commit to taking this step? [10:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Pursuing God's Greater Purpose
Desiring the greater that God has for us means refusing to settle for less than His full purpose. The faithful in Hebrews 11 exemplified this by seeking God's promises with relentless faith, even when they did not see them fulfilled in their lifetime. This challenges us to seek God's full purpose for our lives, knowing that He has more in store for us than we can imagine. We are called to dream bigger and take steps toward the greater things God has in store, not just for ourselves but for our church community as well. [09:42]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to pursue something greater? How can you take a step of faith toward that today?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
Unyielding faith is about trusting in God's promises, even when we do not see them fulfilled. The individuals in Hebrews 11 never gave up on God's promises, teaching us to live by faith and trust that God's plans are greater than our understanding. His timing is perfect, and we are encouraged to hold onto His promises, knowing that they will come to fruition in His time. [18:14]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Is there a promise from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled? How can you practice patience and trust in His timing today?
Day 3: Pressing Forward to God's Promises
The faithful did not look back to their past but pressed forward to the promises of God. This encourages us to focus on the future God has for us, rather than longing for the past. We are reminded that His mercies are new every day, and we are called to embrace the new things He is doing in our lives. [20:39]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What is one past experience or regret that you need to let go of to fully embrace God's promises for your future?
Day 4: Embracing God's Promises by Faith
Embracing the unseen involves having a vision for the future and believing in what God has promised, even when we cannot see the outcome. The faithful in Hebrews 11 welcomed God's promises from afar, calling us to act in faith and trust in His plans. We are encouraged to have a vision for the future and to take steps of faith, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises. [24:03]
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you need to embrace by faith today, even if you cannot see the outcome?
Day 5: Impacting Others Through Faith
Our actions and faith can have a profound impact on others, even if we do not witness it ourselves. The story of the paramedic who returned to faith through the witness of a church member reminds us that our faithfulness can lead others to Christ. We are called to plant seeds of faith, knowing that others will benefit from the shade of trees we may never sit under. [29:18]
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can impact through your faith today? How can you plant a seed of faith in their life?
Quotes
"God is calling us to do something that will make him proud now I don't know if you've ever realized but the Bible doesn't say often that God is proud of someone in fact I only know of one place that it says that explicitly and that's where I want you to go it's in Hebrews Hebrews 11 we're going to read 13- 16 there it says very explicitly God was not ashamed to be called their God." [00:01:51]
"These all died in faith not having received the things promised but having seen them and greeted them from afar and having acknowledged that they were strangers and Exiles on the earth for people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a Homeland if they'd been thinking thinking of that land from which they had gone out they would have had an opportunity to return but as it is they desire a better country that is a Heavenly one therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he has prepared for them a city." [00:07:04]
"These people the the way that they're described in this chapter is amazing when you have a chance just read through the whole chapter it's an amazing story of how people of Faith live not by sight they walk not by sight but by faith and they want what God has for them the greater so I think these four things and we'll put them back up they describe these people number one they wanted the greater that God had for them they were not satisfied they were not settling until they knew they had everything that God purposed." [00:09:15]
"They never gave up on it this is one of the most Ping P to me puzzling passages in this text it just simply says in verse 13 these all died in faith not having received things promised in other words they died before they got it but you know what they didn't give up on it they died in faith you know what it means to die in faith it means you died with the Hope believing that God had greater things you were going to experience everything you could with your last breath but you didn't see it it doesn't matter they didn't see it either but they died in faith." [00:18:06]
"They never look back from it they wanted that greater they never look back and there's this verse in verse 15 if they had been thinking of the land from which they had gone out they would have had an opportunity to return I think this is such a a neat moment he says you know what they didn't want to go backward they didn't want to go back where they came from they wanted a better country I I promise you if you want to go back to the way you used to to live if you want to go back to the way it used to be you'll go back but I got to warn you it won't be the same it's never the same." [00:20:30]
"They embraced it before they had it this is a powerful statement of these folks they embraced it before they had it verse 13 these all died in faith not having received the things promised but watch this but having seen them and greeted them from afar that phrase seen them and greeted them is a really cool phrase in the Greek it means you welcomed it you saw it you greeted them like a friend you acknowledged there it is but they never received it I want us to embrace it before we ever see it before we ever have it before it's ever out hours." [00:24:03]
"Blessed are those who have not seen and what yet believe he commends that Paul says we don't walk by faith but we walk I mean we don't walk by sight but we walk by faith so here's what this means to me we're going to be talking about projects we're going to be talking about opportunities and Ministries for the next few weeks some exciting things my goodness you're going to hear plans you're going to hear things we want to do overseas things we want to do here locally and get this you may never get to go and see them you may never experience it but that's okay we can wave from a distance and go that's what I want it's like planting a shade tree you may never sit under but why do you plant it because of faith because somebody will." [00:25:02]
"I want to live that way I want to live so that even in my dying day I haven't given up on what I know God wants to do do ah strong that wrote Strong's Concordance of the Bible he said when God wants an oak tree it takes him 60 years when he wants a squash it takes him six weeks you want to be a squash or an oak tree I want us to be an oak tree that says God we want everything that you want to do through this place and we're not giving up even if we have to die in faith." [00:19:51]
"Every day God is doing a new thing his mercies are new today everything that God wants to do is fresh Isaiah 43 says remember not the former things for behold the Lord does a new work among you I remember standing here and telling you a story about an artist an artist that was asked what's your best painting you know what the artist said the next one you know one our best year is next year the next one because there are greater things to be accomplished." [00:22:30]
"I want to believe for things that haven't happened yet and I want to be the kind of church that says God we want everything you want for us and use us in whatever way and so I commend our dear sister Lucy Pac curl and Bill it's so good to see you today welcome back home and God bless you and God bless your witness it's amazing so I want us to Bow together for just a moment and you ask God what is that step you want me to take what does you want me to do Lord I'm ready I want the greater you have for me." [00:30:09]
"Greater isn't just about projects it isn't just about great things we want to see in the years to come it's about what God wants to do in your life and we want to help you do that so Matthew come tell us what do we need to do today that'll help that thanks Pastor David hey get your book for just a second and go to page 44 with me go to page 44 please because I need you to check to see if one of the people in this room have something on page 44 on page 44 right below day one if your book says Psalm 75 you have won something today." [00:32:06]
"God is calling us to do something that will make him proud now I don't know if you've ever realized but the Bible doesn't say often that God is proud of someone in fact I only know of one place that it says that explicitly and that's where I want you to go it's in Hebrews Hebrews 11 we're going to read 13- 16 there it says very explicitly God was not ashamed to be called their God." [00:01:51]
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