Living Chosen: Embracing Grace and Restoration in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Scripture's Enduring Guidance

The Bible's relevance transcends time and culture, offering a stable foundation amidst the shifting sands of societal norms and moral values. In an era where truth often seems fluid, the eternal truths of scripture serve as a compass, guiding believers through the complexities of modern life. This grounding is not merely theoretical but practical, providing clear direction for living out faith in everyday situations. The scriptures, as explored in the sermon, are not just historical documents but living words that continue to breathe life into the believer's journey. [01:33]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: How can you act on a specific scripture this week to demonstrate its relevance in your current life circumstances?

Day 2: Renewal Through Divine Restoration

Just as a dilapidated house can be restored to beauty, our souls, marred by sin and weariness, find renewal through the transformative power of God's word and the work of Jesus Christ. This ongoing process of restoration is essential for maintaining spiritual health and resilience. It involves turning to the scriptures and allowing the Holy Spirit to rejuvenate areas of our lives that have become worn or broken. This spiritual renovation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of rediscovery and healing, where each scripture read and applied has the potential to refresh and transform us. [04:38]

Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'"

Reflection: Identify a 'broken' area in your life. How can you allow God's word to start restoring it today?

Day 3: The Shepherd's Personal Care

The imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who actively seeks and restores us when we are lost or downtrodden, underscores His ongoing, personal care for each of us. This care is not based on our merits but is a testament to His grace and greatness. As believers, understanding that the shepherd's role is not only to lead but also to restore, can bring immense comfort and assurance. This relationship is characterized by a personal and intimate knowledge of our needs, and a readiness to meet them, which is continually affirmed through our experiences and the biblical narrative. [10:50]

Isaiah 40:11 (ESV): "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."

Reflection: When have you last felt the personal care of the Good Shepherd in your life, and how can you more fully embrace His guidance today?

Day 4: True Rest in Christ

Jesus invites us to lay down our burdens and take up His yoke, promising rest for our souls. This invitation is not about a passive rest but an active engagement in a life aligned with His will. It involves setting aside our own troubles to walk in faith with Jesus, trusting Him to replenish our strength and peace. This exchange of burdens is not merely unloading troubles but partnering with Christ in a transformative journey that aligns our lives with His purposes, leading to true peace and rest. [15:19]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What burdens do you need to lay down today, and how can you actively take up Jesus' yoke instead?

Day 5: Embracing Weakness for Divine Strength

The counterintuitive principle of finding strength in our weaknesses is a profound aspect of Christian faith. By embracing our vulnerabilities, we allow God's strength to be perfected in us. This perspective encourages believers to boast in their weaknesses, knowing that it is in these low points that God's power is most evident and effective. This approach does not glorify suffering but recognizes the opportunity for God's power to manifest in our lives, transforming our weaknesses into testimonies of His strength and grace. [17:14]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: What is one area of weakness where you can invite God's strength to manifest today?

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound theme of "Living Chosen," focusing on the transformative power of Jesus's grace and the timeless truth of His word. We began by acknowledging our mission as a church to support on-the-go families, helping them find rest and forge strong, faith-based friendships. This mission is rooted in the understanding that Jesus's teachings are as relevant today as they were to the original recipients of the scriptures.

We delved into the significance of God's word as a constant in our lives, especially in a world that is ever-changing. By standing firm on this foundation, we find security and guidance amidst life's chaos. This led us into a reflection on Psalm 19, which praises the perfection of God's laws and their role in refreshing the soul, imparting wisdom, and bringing joy and light into our lives.

Drawing parallels with popular home renovation shows like "Hometown," "Fixer Upper," and "Good Bones," I highlighted how these programs transform broken homes into rejuvenated spaces. Similarly, Jesus renews our spirits, restoring our souls especially when we feel weary or burdened. This restoration is not just a past event but an ongoing process, as emphasized in Psalm 23, where David speaks of God as the shepherd who continuously restores his soul.

We then considered the personal nature of Jesus's invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, where He calls us to lay down our burdens and find rest in Him. This rest is not passive; it involves actively setting aside our troubles to walk in faith with Jesus, trusting Him to replenish our strength and peace.

Finally, we reflected on the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12, where he finds delight in weaknesses and hardships because these moments allow Christ's power to shine through. This perspective encourages us to embrace our vulnerabilities, allowing God's strength to manifest in our weaknesses.

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Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 19, what are the effects of God's laws and precepts on the soul and mind? ([01:33])
How does the imagery of the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23 illustrate God's care and restoration for us? ([06:17])
What does Jesus promise to those who come to Him with their burdens in Matthew 11:28-30? ([15:19])
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, what does Paul say about the relationship between weakness and Christ's power? ([17:14])

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of God's word being timeless and unchanging provide stability in a constantly changing world? ([01:33])
What parallels can be drawn between the restoration of a dilapidated house in home renovation shows and the spiritual restoration Jesus offers? ([04:38])
How does the personal nature of Jesus's invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 challenge our understanding of rest and burden-bearing? ([15:19])
Why does Paul find delight in weaknesses and hardships, and how does this perspective shift our view of personal struggles? ([17:14])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's chaos. How did (or could) the timeless truths of scripture provide you with stability and guidance? ([01:33])
Think about an area in your life that feels "dilapidated" or in need of restoration. How can you invite Jesus to renew and restore that part of your life? ([04:38])
Jesus invites us to lay down our burdens and take up His yoke. What specific burdens are you carrying right now that you need to lay down at Jesus's feet? ([15:19])
In what ways can you actively seek to experience the ongoing restoration of your soul, as described in Psalm 23? ([06:17])
How can embracing your vulnerabilities and weaknesses allow God's strength to be perfected in you? Share a personal example where you experienced God's power in your weakness. ([17:14])
Identify a practical step you can take this week to find rest in Jesus amidst your busy schedule. How can you make this a regular practice? ([15:19])
How can you support others in your small group or community who are feeling weary or burdened, helping them to experience the rest and restoration Jesus offers? ([15:19])

Sermon Clips

1. "It's this reality that Jesus is unchanging, that Jesus is the same. Yesterday, today, and forever. That even though we live in a culture that is constantly changing, God's word is just as applicable to our lives today as it was when it was first written to those first recipients of his word." [01:33]( | | )

2. "And as we think about this, they bring that, they restore it. They refresh it. They revive it. And this is exactly what God does through Jesus's grace and greatness in our lives. He restores not souls. I mean, that's what it says, but it's my soul." [04:38]( | | )

3. "David, a king, and before that he was a shepherd, and he knows what it is to have care and watch over sheep, and so as he's writing this psalm, he knows how he as the shepherd has to act with his sheep, and yet he also realizes that as a man who has a lot of trouble in his life, he knows what it is to be distressed and downcast." [06:17]( | | )

4. "Jesus says, come to me, and I will give you rest. It's in my presence that you will be restored, that I will give you, what you need. Take my yoke upon you, and as we think about taking a yoke or picking something up, it often requires us to set whatever it is in our hands down." [15:19]( | | )

5. "My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness. And so we can boast all the more gladly about our weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on us. That is why, for Christ's sake, we delight in weaknesses, and insults, and hardships, and persecutions, and difficulties." [17:14]( | | )

6. "He restores my soul. He's done it many times in the past. He's going to continue to do it all throughout your life. He's going to show up, and he's going to restore my soul. He's going to show up, and he's going to restore my soul." [07:55]( | | )

7. "It's God restoring to us his strength, his vision, ultimately his peace. He actively chases us down and seeks to restore us, and has nothing to do with who we are or what we do. We are undeserving, because God is not going to do anything for us." [12:18]( | | )

8. "The grace that says you are part of my family, that you are covered, that you are forgiven, that you are free. There's that grace, but then there's also the grace in everyday moments that comes in and says, you know what? Hey, it's just that gentle reminder." [13:46]( | | )

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