Living a Picture-Perfect Life Through God's Presence
Summary
Welcome to the beginning of our series, "The Picture Perfect Life." Today, we explored the concept of taking a "selfie" of our lives, not just in the physical sense but in a spiritual and holistic sense. We often strive for perfection in our outward appearances, but what about the state of our inner lives? God desires for us to live a picture-perfect life, one that is marked by peace, prosperity, and well-being in every area. This is not just a superficial peace but a deep, abiding peace that comes from God.
We delved into the scriptures, starting with 1 Corinthians 1 and 2 Peter 1, which emphasize the grace and peace God wants to multiply in our lives. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of perfect well-being, prosperity, and freedom from fear. God’s desire is for us to prosper in all areas: spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, professionally, and financially. This holistic prosperity is akin to a seven-piece puzzle, where each piece represents a different aspect of our lives, and God wants us to have all the pieces.
We looked at the story of Obed-Edom, whose household was blessed simply because the Ark of the Covenant was present. This illustrates how God's presence in our lives can lead to prosperity and well-being in every area. However, the most crucial piece of this puzzle is our spiritual life. Without a thriving spiritual life, the other areas of prosperity lose their significance. Jesus emphasized this in Mark 8:36, highlighting the value of our soul over worldly gains.
The sermon concluded with a call to examine our spiritual lives. Are we truly close to God, or have we drifted away? Jesus invites us to come closer, to find rest and peace in Him. Whether you need to start a relationship with God, rekindle your passion for Him, or deepen your daily walk, the invitation is open. God desires for us to live a life that is not just okay but abundantly blessed and fulfilling.
Key Takeaways:
- Holistic Peace and Prosperity: God desires for us to experience peace that surpasses mere absence of conflict. This peace is about perfect well-being and prosperity in every area of life, including spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, relational, professional, and financial aspects. [05:30]
- The Importance of God's Presence: The story of Obed-Edom shows that God's presence brings blessings and prosperity. When God is at the center of our lives, every area can flourish, much like how the Ark of the Covenant brought blessings to Obed-Edom's household. [13:29]
- The Centrality of Spiritual Prosperity: Our spiritual life is the most crucial piece of the prosperity puzzle. Without a thriving relationship with God, other forms of prosperity lose their meaning. Jesus emphasized the value of our soul over worldly gains, urging us to prioritize our spiritual health. [30:09]
- Rekindling Our First Love: It's possible to be active in Christian duties yet lose the fervor of our initial love for God. Jesus calls us to return to our first love, to reignite our passion and commitment to Him, ensuring our spiritual life is vibrant and central. [35:55]
- Invitation to Come Closer: Jesus invites us to come closer to Him, offering rest and peace for our souls. Whether it's starting a relationship with God, rekindling our passion, or deepening our daily walk, the call is to draw near and experience the fullness of life He offers. [41:32]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - Taking a Selfie of Your Life
[01:16] - Filters and Perceptions
[02:03] - God's Desire for a Perfect Life
[02:38] - The Role of Scripture
[03:13] - Grace and Peace in the Bible
[04:12] - Understanding True Peace
[05:30] - The Absence of Lack
[06:51] - Jesus' Sacrifice for Peace
[08:14] - Prosperity in All Things
[09:17] - Seven Puzzle Pieces of Prosperity
[11:58] - The Blessing of Obed-Edom
[13:29] - God's Blessing in Our Lives
[15:26] - From Bitter to Sweet
[18:42] - The Fear of the Lord
[19:38] - Living in Satisfaction
[21:16] - God's Pleasure in Our Prosperity
[23:24] - Personal Testimony of Joy
[25:33] - The Importance of Spiritual Prosperity
[27:11] - The Missing Puzzle Piece
[29:23] - The Value of the Soul
[30:45] - The Creation Story and Spiritual Separation
[32:32] - The Consequences of Spiritual Separation
[34:27] - The Missing Relationship with God
[35:55] - Rekindling Your First Love
[38:29] - The Call to Take a Better Selfie
[41:32] - Invitation to Come Closer
[43:29] - Closing and Invitation to Join
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Picture Perfect Life"
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 1:3 - "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace."
2. 2 Peter 1:2 - "May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord."
3. Mark 8:36 - "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?"
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest is the true meaning of peace according to the Bible? How is it different from the common understanding of peace? [04:12]
2. How does the story of Obed-Edom illustrate the impact of God's presence in one's life? What were the visible effects on his household? [13:29]
3. According to the sermon, what are the seven areas of prosperity that God desires for us? How are these areas interconnected? [10:36]
4. What does the sermon say about the importance of spiritual prosperity compared to other forms of prosperity? [27:11]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of taking a "selfie" of our lives help us reflect on our spiritual and holistic well-being? What might be some "filters" we use in our spiritual lives? [01:16]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's peace is more than just the absence of conflict? How can this understanding change one's perspective on life's challenges? [05:30]
3. The sermon mentions that Jesus invites us to come closer to Him. What might this invitation look like in practical terms for someone who feels distant from God? [41:32]
4. How does the sermon use the example of Adam and Eve to explain the consequences of spiritual separation from God? What lessons can be drawn from this story? [33:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual life. Are there areas where you feel distant from God? What steps can you take this week to draw closer to Him? [41:32]
2. Consider the seven areas of prosperity mentioned in the sermon. Which area do you feel is lacking in your life, and what practical steps can you take to improve it? [10:36]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of rekindling our first love for God. What are some ways you can reignite your passion for God in your daily routine? [35:55]
4. How can you ensure that your spiritual life remains the central piece of your prosperity puzzle? What changes might you need to make to prioritize your spiritual health? [27:11]
5. Think about a time when you experienced God's peace in a challenging situation. How can you seek and maintain that peace in your current circumstances? [05:30]
6. The sermon invites us to take a better "selfie" of our lives. What is one specific area you want to improve, and how will you start working on it this week? [27:11]
7. How can you actively invite God's presence into your daily life, similar to how Obed-Edom experienced blessings from the Ark of the Covenant? [13:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Holistic Peace and Prosperity in Every Aspect of Life
God desires for us to experience a peace that transcends the mere absence of conflict. This peace is about perfect well-being and prosperity in every area of life, including spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, relational, professional, and financial aspects. The sermon emphasized that this holistic prosperity is akin to a seven-piece puzzle, where each piece represents a different aspect of our lives, and God wants us to have all the pieces. This peace is not superficial but a deep, abiding peace that comes from God, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 1 and 2 Peter 1. It is a peace that surpasses understanding and is rooted in the grace and love of God. [05:30]
"May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23, ESV)
Reflection: In which area of your life do you most need God's peace and prosperity today? How can you invite Him into that area to experience His holistic peace?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of God's Presence
The story of Obed-Edom illustrates the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. When the Ark of the Covenant was in his household, it brought blessings and prosperity. This story serves as a reminder that when God is at the center of our lives, every area can flourish. God's presence is not just a passive force but an active source of blessing and transformation. It invites us to consider how we can make space for God's presence in our daily lives, allowing His blessings to permeate every aspect of our existence. [13:29]
"And the Lord blessed the household of Obed-Edom and all that he had, because of the ark of God." (1 Chronicles 13:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to invite God's presence into your life? What changes might you need to make to prioritize His presence?
Day 3: Prioritizing Spiritual Prosperity
Our spiritual life is the most crucial piece of the prosperity puzzle. Without a thriving relationship with God, other forms of prosperity lose their meaning. Jesus emphasized the value of our soul over worldly gains, urging us to prioritize our spiritual health. This takeaway challenges us to examine our spiritual lives and consider whether we are truly close to God or have drifted away. It is a call to prioritize our spiritual well-being and ensure that our relationship with God is vibrant and central to our lives. [30:09]
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to prioritize your spiritual health and ensure that your relationship with God is thriving?
Day 4: Rekindling Our First Love for God
It's possible to be active in Christian duties yet lose the fervor of our initial love for God. Jesus calls us to return to our first love, to reignite our passion and commitment to Him. This takeaway encourages us to reflect on our spiritual journey and consider whether we have lost the fervor of our initial love for God. It is a call to rekindle our passion and commitment to Him, ensuring that our spiritual life is vibrant and central. [35:55]
"But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first." (Revelation 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey. Have you lost the fervor of your initial love for God? What steps can you take to rekindle that passion and commitment?
Day 5: Accepting Jesus' Invitation to Come Closer
Jesus invites us to come closer to Him, offering rest and peace for our souls. Whether it's starting a relationship with God, rekindling our passion, or deepening our daily walk, the call is to draw near and experience the fullness of life He offers. This takeaway is an invitation to examine our spiritual lives and consider how we can draw closer to Jesus. It is a call to accept His invitation and experience the rest and peace that only He can provide. [41:32]
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to draw closer to Jesus and experience the rest and peace He offers?
Quotes
1. "If you were to take a selfie of your life, would something be out of place? Would something be missing? Have you been using a filter to make your life look better than it really is to other people? And I ask that, and I'm sure some of you are starting to think about it, and you might be a little frustrated, actually. Because the answer is, yeah, some things aren't really where I want them to be. And there's some things I want that I just don't have. You might have even gotten to the place where you're like, you know what, I've kind of given up on having a picture-perfect life. I'm just going to do the best I can." ([00:01:29] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "God actually wants you to live a picture-perfect life. He simply wants to make your life better. Can anybody stand for that? For God to make your life better? Anybody cool with that? Yeah. And so today we're going to help you by teaching you how to let him make it better. And I'm going to start on 1 Corinthians chapter 1. Of course, this church is a church that believes in the Bible. The Bible is the manual for Christians." ([00:02:29] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "May God's, may grace, God's favor and peace, which is perfect well-being, perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts be multiplied to you in the full personal precise and correct knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. So we get a picture here of what he's referring to when he talks about peace. When we think about peace, we typically think of absence of war, right? We're not at war, so we're in a time of peace." ([00:04:34] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "God wants you to have peace so much, that's part of why Jesus went to the cross. Isaiah 53 verse 5 says this, but he was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our, what's that word? Peace was on him, and by his strides, we are healed. So the chastisement, what is that? That's the beating. Jesus was beaten, right? He was slapped. He was punched. They took a reed and hit him on the head." ([00:07:01] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "God wants you to prosper spiritually. God wants you to prosper physically. God wants you to prosper mentally. He wants you to prosper emotionally, relationally. That's your family and your friends professionally and financially. So let's say it this way. God wants you to have the joy of a relationship with him, health in your body, peace in your mind, happiness in your emotions, love in your relationships, success in your career, and plenty of money." ([00:10:33] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "Can you imagine being at a place in your life where you look at everything and you go, God, I'm good. I'm good spiritually. My family life is good. I got great friends. I'm healthy. My pockets are full. I'm able to be a blessing to people. My career has taken off. Mentally, I got peace. Emotionally, I'm happy. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine that? Can you imagine that? Can you imagine that? Can you imagine getting to that place where you just say, I'm good, God. I'm straight. Thank you, God." ([00:15:08] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "God can take what's bitter in your body and make it sweet. God can take what's bitter in your mind and make it sweet. God can take what's bitter in your career and make it sweet. He can take what's bitter in your finances and make it sweet. See, he's already thrown the tree into the waters of your life. His name is Jesus. He died on a cross for your sins. And if you chosen to follow him, he's living on the inside of you. The ark isn't in your house. The ark is in your house. The ark is in your heart. And God can make anything in your life sweet. And he wants to." ([00:18:31] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "The fear of the Lord leads to life. Well, what's the fear of the Lord? It's not being afraid of God harming you. It's referring to having a reverence for God. If you have true reverence or true respect for God, you'll do what's right in his sight, right? And so that's what he's saying. You live your life in a way that is right in his sight. There's results that come from that. And we kind of get that. I mean, if your mama could see you every moment of every day, you might live a little differently." ([00:19:34] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "God has pleasure in your prosperity. What causes God to be happy is when you're living this kind of life. When he sees you enjoying life in all of these seven areas, God has pleasure in that. He enjoys that. To help you with this, I'm going to brag for a few moments. And my daughter, she's been rolling her eyes at me already for like six months because of this. But this last fall, last year, my two daughters won the state championship in volleyball." ([00:22:08] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "If you are not as close to God as you once were, God didn't move. You did. God doesn't move by the turn. It's like a game of checkers. He's already made his move. He sent his son, Jesus, to come and die for you, to rise again. He's been chasing you your whole life. You've had a little knocking going on in your heart your whole life. He's already made his move. Now he's saying, your turn. Come closer to me." ([00:41:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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