Living as Stewards of God's Divine Narrative
Summary
In today's sermon, we delve into the profound truth that God orchestrates encounters between believers and those seeking truth. We are reminded that our lives are not our own, but rather, we are stewards of the divine narrative God has written for us. As we navigate the complexities of life, it is essential to recognize that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God and to serve as vessels of His love and grace.
We are called to live consecrated lives, allowing God to use us as instruments of His will. This means surrendering our desires, our plans, and even our very hearts to the Lord, trusting that He will use us for His glory. As we offer ourselves to God, we become part of a larger story—one that transcends our individual lives and connects us to the eternal kingdom of God.
The sermon also touches on the importance of preparing for the future, both spiritually and practically. Estate planning, for example, is not just a matter of worldly concern but is also a way to ensure that we are good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.
Moreover, we are reminded of the power of prayer and the importance of interceding for one another. Whether it is for healing, comfort in sorrow, guidance for our youth, or strength for our leaders, prayer is the conduit through which God's power is unleashed in our lives and in the lives of others.
Finally, the sermon emphasizes the significance of the communion service as a time of reflection and recommitment to Christ. As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are called to examine our hearts, reconcile with one another, and remember the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation.
Key Takeaways:
1. Our lives are not our own; we are stewards of God's narrative. As believers, we must recognize that every aspect of our lives, from our time to our talents, is entrusted to us by God to be used for His glory and purposes. We are part of a divine story that calls us to live with intentionality and purpose, always seeking to align our actions with God's will. [01:06:13]
2. Consecration is the act of setting ourselves apart for God's use. It involves a daily surrender of our will to the Father, allowing Him to guide our steps and use our lives as a testament to His love and grace. This surrender is not passive but an active and ongoing choice to live in obedience to God's commands and desires for our lives. [01:23:20]
3. Prayer is a powerful tool that allows us to intercede for others and bring their needs before God. When we pray, we join in the work of the Holy Spirit, who intercedes on our behalf. Through prayer, we can bring healing, comfort, and guidance to those in need, trusting that God hears and responds to the cries of His people. [01:52:10]
4. The communion service is a sacred time for believers to come together and remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a time to reflect on His love, to examine our hearts, and to recommit ourselves to living in a manner worthy of the gospel. As we partake of the bread and wine, we are reminded of the new covenant established through Christ's blood, which offers us forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. [03:00:37]
5. Estate planning and preparing for the future are acts of stewardship that reflect our trust in God's provision and care. By planning wisely, we ensure that our earthly possessions are used in a way that honors God and benefits others. This practical aspect of our faith demonstrates our understanding that everything we have is a gift from God and should be managed according to His principles. [01:17:56]
In conclusion, today's sermon calls us to live lives of consecration, stewardship, and intercessory prayer, always mindful of the sacrifice of Jesus and the eternal hope we have in Him. As we partake in communion, let us recommit to living lives that reflect the love and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 100:3 - "Know ye that the Lord is God, it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pastures."
2. Psalm 23:1-4 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."
3. John 10:11-15 - "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees. And the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 100:3, who is responsible for our creation and what is our relationship to God?
2. In Psalm 23, what are the different ways the Lord provides and cares for us as our shepherd?
3. What does Jesus mean when he says, "I am the good shepherd" in John 10:11-15, and how does he contrast himself with a hireling?
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of estate planning as an act of stewardship. How does this concept relate to the idea of being good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us? [01:17:56]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does recognizing that "the Lord is God" and "we are his people" (Psalm 100:3) influence our daily lives and decisions?
2. What does it mean to walk through "the valley of the shadow of death" and still "fear no evil" as described in Psalm 23:4? How can this be applied to our current life challenges?
3. In John 10:11-15, Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. How does this sacrificial love impact our understanding of Jesus' role in our lives?
4. The sermon emphasized the power of prayer and interceding for one another. How does this practice align with the role of the good shepherd who cares deeply for his sheep? [01:52:10]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were walking through "the valley of the shadow of death." How did you experience God's presence and comfort during that time? How can you seek His comfort in current or future challenges?
2. Estate planning was mentioned as an act of stewardship. Have you considered how your resources can be used to honor God and benefit others? What steps can you take to start or improve your estate planning? [01:17:56]
3. The sermon called us to live consecrated lives, surrendering our will to God. What are some specific areas in your life where you struggle to surrender to God's will? How can you actively work on surrendering these areas to Him? [01:23:20]
4. Prayer is a powerful tool for interceding for others. Identify one person in your life who needs prayer. How can you commit to praying for them regularly, and what specific prayers can you offer on their behalf? [01:52:10]
5. During the communion service, we are called to examine our hearts and reconcile with one another. Is there someone you need to reconcile with? What steps can you take this week to seek forgiveness or offer it to someone else? [03:00:37]
6. The sermon reminded us that our lives are part of a larger divine narrative. How can you live with more intentionality and purpose, aligning your actions with God's will? What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to reflect this?
7. Jesus, as the good shepherd, knows his sheep and is known by them. How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus so that you can recognize His voice more clearly in your life? What practices can you incorporate to spend more time with Him? [12:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Stewardship of God's Narrative
Our lives are a tapestry woven by God, each thread representing moments and decisions that align with His greater purpose. As stewards of this divine narrative, we are entrusted with time, talents, and treasures, all of which are to be used to glorify God. This stewardship is not a passive role but an active engagement in the story God is telling through us. It is a profound responsibility to live intentionally, making choices that reflect our role in God's unfolding plan. Every encounter and every opportunity is a chapter in this narrative, and we are the characters shaped by the Author of life. As we embrace this, we find our true purpose and joy in being part of something far greater than ourselves. [07:40]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's narrative today, using your unique gifts and opportunities to serve His purpose?
Day 2: The Call to Consecration
Consecration is the heartfelt response to God's love, a daily decision to set oneself apart for His divine use. It is the surrender of one's will, desires, and plans, allowing God to mold and shape us into vessels fit for His service. This act of consecration is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of obedience and transformation. As we yield to God's will, we become beacons of His love and grace, reflecting His character to the world. The call to consecration is a call to live a life that is not our own but one that is dedicated to the One who gave us life. [01:23:20]
"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 3: The Power of Intercessory Prayer
Prayer is the lifeline that connects us to the divine, a powerful tool that allows us to intercede for others and bring their needs before the throne of grace. Through prayer, we join in the work of the Holy Spirit, advocating for healing, comfort, and guidance. It is in the quiet moments of earnest prayer that we often feel the closest to God and sense His power moving in our lives and the lives of those we pray for. Intercessory prayer is an act of love and a testament to our faith in a God who hears and responds to the cries of His people. [01:52:10]
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." - 1 John 5:14 ESV
Reflection: Who in your community is in need of prayer today, and how can you commit to bringing their situation before God this week?
Day 4: Communion as Covenant Remembrance
The communion service is a profound time of reflection and recommitment, where believers gather to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As we partake of the bread and wine, we are reminded of the new covenant established through His blood. This sacred act is not merely a ritual but a deeply personal encounter with the grace that offers forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. In communion, we examine our hearts, reconcile with one another, and recommit to living lives that honor the sacrifice made for us. [03:00:37]
"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" - 1 Corinthians 10:14-16 ESV
Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what steps can you take to examine your heart and reconcile with others to truly honor the covenant you remember?
Day 5: Wise Stewardship and Future Planning
Estate planning and preparing for the future are not merely practical concerns but are also spiritual acts of stewardship. By managing our resources wisely, we honor God and ensure that our earthly possessions are used to benefit others and advance His kingdom. This aspect of our faith reflects an understanding that all we have is a gift from God, to be used responsibly and in accordance with His principles. Wise stewardship is a testament to our trust in God's provision and care for us and for those we leave behind. [01:17:56]
"Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much." - Luke 16:10 ESV
Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that your resources are managed in a way that honors God and helps others, even after you are no longer here?
Quotes
1) "God orchestrates our steps and encounters, ensuring that we are exactly where we need to be for His purpose. It's not coincidence; it's divine appointment." [17:14] (Download | )
2) "Our lives are a testament to God's narrative, and every encounter we have is an opportunity to display His love and grace to others." [27:15] (Download | )
3) "Prayer is not just a ritual; it's a lifeline that connects us to the Almighty, a channel through which we can bring our deepest concerns and highest hopes." [01:52:10] (Download | )
4) "The communion service is a profound reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus. It's a time to reflect, to reconcile, and to recommit to living a life that honors that sacrifice." [03:11:11] (Download | )
5) "Estate planning is not merely a secular activity; it's a spiritual act of stewardship, ensuring that the resources God has entrusted to us are used wisely beyond our lifetime." [01:17:56] (Download | )
6) "Consecration is about surrendering our will to God, allowing Him to use us as instruments for His glory. It's a daily decision to live out His purpose for our lives." [01:23:20] (Download | )
7) "The Lord is our shepherd, and as such, He provides, protects, and guides us. Even when we face the darkest valleys, His presence is a constant source of comfort." [04:37] (Download | )
8) "In the potter's hands, we are reshaped and restored. No matter how broken we are, God's grace is sufficient to make us whole again." [02:14:44] (Download | )
9) "The blood of Jesus is a powerful symbol of redemption. It's through His blood that we find the strength to face each day and the promise of eternal life." [03:24:39] (Download | )
10) "Stewardship extends beyond our finances; it encompasses every aspect of our lives, including our time, talents, and even the truth we hold. We are called to manage all these gifts responsibly." [02:05:00] (Download | )
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 02, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?