Living from Encounter: Embracing God's Personal Purpose
Summary
In our journey of faith, we are reminded that God is both deeply personal and purposeful. He is actively involved in our lives, crafting and knitting together the circumstances we face to prepare us for our future. This process is akin to returning to the basics, much like athletes honing their skills during the offseason. We are called to encounter, equip, and empower, which encapsulates the essence of the Christian walk. God seeks to encounter our hearts, equipping us with gifts and graces, and empowering us to manifest His kingdom on earth.
Living from encounter, rather than for it, is crucial. We are not to wait for the next spiritual high but to partner with the Holy Spirit in every environment, becoming aware of His presence and purpose. This partnership is like a network of connections, where God deploys us beyond our comfort zones to engage with the world. Worship, though sometimes uncomfortable, invites us to move from spectatorship to active participation, experiencing God’s presence and growing in our desire for Him.
Encounters with God reveal His character, showing us that He is deeply personal. He knows us intimately and meets us where we are, speaking to our hearts in unique ways. Through a simple exercise with words placed under our chairs, we are invited to reflect on what God is saying to us in this season. These words are seeds, spiritual insights that God is planting in our lives.
God’s purpose is to knit together the threads of our lives, much like a beautifully crafted blanket. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good, according to His purpose. This purpose is likened to showbread, found in the Holy of Holies, symbolizing provision and light. As people of His presence, we trust that God is weaving something beautiful in our lives, preparing us for our prophetic end.
Finally, God is powerful and practical. His power is immeasurable, working in us and through us. We are called to step out of our comfort zones, trusting in His strength. Our faith is demonstrated through works, as we partner with God to bring His heart to the world. This morning, we are encouraged to engage with one another, sharing and praying over the words God has given us, recognizing that we are participants in His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- Living from Encounter: We are called to live from encounters with God, not merely for them. This means engaging with the Holy Spirit in our daily environments, being open to His presence and purpose, and allowing these encounters to shape our lives and actions. [03:07]
- God’s Personal Nature: God is deeply personal, knowing us intimately and meeting us where we are. He speaks to us in unique ways, revealing His character and inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. This personal connection is crucial for our spiritual growth and understanding of His will. [07:39]
- Purposeful Crafting: God is purposefully crafting our lives, weaving together the circumstances we face to prepare us for our future. Like a beautifully crafted blanket, He is intentional in His design, working all things together for good according to His purpose. [17:43]
- Power and Practicality: God’s power is immeasurable, working in us and through us. We are called to step out of our comfort zones, trusting in His strength and allowing our faith to be demonstrated through practical works that reflect His heart to the world. [22:58]
- Participating in God’s Kingdom: We are participants in God’s kingdom, called to engage with one another and the world around us. By sharing and praying over the words God has given us, we recognize our role in His grand plan and the importance of living out our faith in community. [29:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:11] - Encounter, Equip, Empower
- [03:07] - Living from Encounter
- [04:53] - Beyond Comfort Zones
- [06:05] - From Spectator to Participant
- [07:39] - God’s Personal Nature
- [08:52] - Unique Word Encounter
- [10:09] - Reflecting on Your Word
- [12:41] - God’s Personal Revelation
- [15:46] - Purposeful Crafting
- [17:43] - Romans 8:28 and Showbread
- [19:40] - Trusting God’s Design
- [21:50] - Prophetic End and Trust
- [22:58] - God’s Power and Practicality
- [25:28] - Living Beyond Comfort
- [27:32] - Faith and Works
- [29:46] - Engaging with Others
- [31:08] - Testimonies and Reflections
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
2. Ephesians 1:19-20 - "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."
3. James 2:14-17 - "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warm and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, how does God demonstrate His personal nature in our lives? ([07:39])
2. What analogy is used in the sermon to describe God's purposeful crafting of our lives? ([15:46])
3. How does the sermon describe the role of worship in moving from spectatorship to participation? ([06:05])
4. What is the significance of the "word encounter" exercise mentioned in the sermon? ([10:09])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Romans 8:28 relate to the idea of God weaving the circumstances of our lives together for good? What does this suggest about our trust in His purpose? ([17:43])
2. In what ways does Ephesians 1:19-20 illustrate the power of God working in and through us? How does this power manifest in our daily lives? ([22:58])
3. How does the sermon interpret the practical aspect of faith as described in James 2:14-17? What does this mean for our actions as believers? ([27:32])
4. How does the sermon suggest we should live from encounters with God rather than for them? What impact does this have on our spiritual journey? ([03:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent encounter with God. How did it shape your actions or decisions in your daily life? How can you live from that encounter rather than waiting for the next one? ([03:07])
2. Consider a situation where you felt God was weaving circumstances in your life. How did you respond, and what did you learn about His purpose? How can Romans 8:28 encourage you in future situations? ([17:43])
3. Identify an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone. What practical steps can you take to trust in His strength and power? ([22:58])
4. Think about a time when you were a spectator in worship or spiritual activities. What can you do to become a more active participant in experiencing God's presence? ([06:05])
5. Reflect on the "word encounter" exercise. What word or message do you feel God is speaking to you in this season? How can you act on it in your daily life? ([10:09])
6. How can you demonstrate your faith through works in your community? Identify one specific action you can take this week to reflect God's heart to those around you. ([27:32])
7. How does understanding God's personal nature affect your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to deepen this personal connection? ([07:39])
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
Day 1: Living from Divine Encounters
In our daily walk, we are encouraged to live from encounters with God, rather than merely seeking them. This means being open to the Holy Spirit's presence and purpose in every environment we find ourselves in. By doing so, we allow these divine encounters to shape our lives and actions, transforming us from passive observers to active participants in God's work. This approach requires a shift in mindset, where we no longer wait for the next spiritual high but instead partner with the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. This partnership is like a network of connections, where God deploys us beyond our comfort zones to engage with the world. Worship, though sometimes uncomfortable, invites us to move from spectatorship to active participation, experiencing God’s presence and growing in our desire for Him. [03:07]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you invite the Holy Spirit into your daily routine today, allowing His presence to guide your actions and decisions?
Day 2: God’s Intimate Knowledge of Us
God is deeply personal, knowing us intimately and meeting us where we are. He speaks to us in unique ways, revealing His character and inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. This personal connection is crucial for our spiritual growth and understanding of His will. Through encounters with God, we learn more about His nature and His desires for our lives. These encounters are not just about experiencing His presence but also about understanding His heart and His plans for us. By recognizing God's personal nature, we are invited to trust Him more fully and to seek His guidance in every aspect of our lives. [07:39]
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar." (Psalm 139:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your life today to listen for God's unique voice and guidance, trusting in His intimate knowledge of you?
Day 3: Purposeful Crafting of Our Lives
God is purposefully crafting our lives, weaving together the circumstances we face to prepare us for our future. Like a beautifully crafted blanket, He is intentional in His design, working all things together for good according to His purpose. This process involves returning to the basics, much like athletes honing their skills during the offseason. We are called to encounter, equip, and empower, which encapsulates the essence of the Christian walk. By understanding that God is actively involved in our lives, we can trust that He is preparing us for our prophetic end, even when we cannot see the full picture. [17:43]
"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: What is one area of your life where you can see God weaving together circumstances for a greater purpose? How can you cooperate with His work in this area today?
Day 4: Stepping Out in God’s Power
God’s power is immeasurable, working in us and through us. We are called to step out of our comfort zones, trusting in His strength and allowing our faith to be demonstrated through practical works that reflect His heart to the world. This involves taking bold steps of faith, knowing that God is with us and that His power is at work in our lives. By stepping out in faith, we become vessels of His love and grace, bringing His kingdom to earth. This requires courage and a willingness to trust in God's strength, even when we feel inadequate or uncertain. [22:58]
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific step of faith you can take today to demonstrate God's power and love to those around you?
Day 5: Engaging in God’s Kingdom
We are participants in God’s kingdom, called to engage with one another and the world around us. By sharing and praying over the words God has given us, we recognize our role in His grand plan and the importance of living out our faith in community. This involves being intentional about building relationships and seeking opportunities to serve others. As we engage with others, we become conduits of God's love and grace, helping to bring His kingdom to earth. This requires a willingness to step out of our comfort zones and to be vulnerable with others, trusting that God is at work in and through us. [29:46]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally engage with someone in your community today, sharing God's love and encouragement with them?
Quotes
"Not only is he deeply personal, but he's also purposeful. We are stepping toward the circumstances of life, recognizing that the creator of all things, he's knitting something together. He's crafting something together in your life, in the now, that is preparing you for your future prophetic end, wherever that may be." [00:00:02] (22 seconds)
"And in some ways, that's what is taking place here. Last week, Pastor Chris was talking about encounter, and we're going to continue with encounter. And I, you know, really believe that these three words, encounter, equip, empower. These are words. These are words that really encompass what I would submit to you as the whole of the Christian walk." [00:01:11] (25 seconds)
"Although we are a people that are made for encounter, we do not live for encounter. We are a people who live from encounter. So we are not a people who live for encounter in the sense, that I'm just waiting for the next guy to rush in from out of town to give a word so that it can sustain me until the next time that they're here in the house to get another word." [00:02:58] (35 seconds)
"Encounters are key because they bring revelation to who God is, bringing the expression of his heart and his desire for relationship. And so it's in these encounters where we see a measure of who he is from a characteristic perspective and what it is that he's inviting us to step toward." [00:07:55] (21 seconds)
"There's something about the spirit of God in these encounters that is so intensely unique as it relates to knowing where you are at any given moment in any given season where he steps toward you with encounter and says, I see you." [00:09:12] (22 seconds)
"To the one who needs to know provision, he is Yahweh Jireh. To the one who needs to know healing, he is Yahweh Rapha. To the one who needs God's assistance in battle, he is Jehovah Nisi. To the one who needs to know that you're set apart, he is Yahweh Mekodishkim. I don't have no idea if I said that right. And to the one who needs to know his peace, he is Yahweh Shalom. To the one who needs to know the strength of his presence, he is Yahweh Sabahoth." [00:13:57] (36 seconds)
"When we understand who we are as a people of his presence, we can trust that him as the creator of all things carries the capacity to knit something together into your life that you can trust that he can make it happen. With all the threads of circumstances, all the things, whether mountain high or valley low, there is something that we can come to the table with in our experience to say, God is moving and he's working and he's knitting something together in my life. In all of its intricacies, in all of its detail, there is not one thing that escapes his attention over you." [00:18:18] (45 seconds)
"Third thing that is revealed in the God of encounter is that he is incredibly powerful. There is nothing too hard. There is nothing too hard for God. And the manifestation of his heart is powerful. We see on the pages of Ephesians 1, and if you have your Bibles and can quickly turn to that, Ephesians 1, 19 and 20, it says this, And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power?" [00:22:49] (38 seconds)
"toward us who believe according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly places there is an exercise of his power over your life we see this in Acts chapter 1 verse 8 and you will be my witnesses when the Holy Spirit comes upon you the dunamis power of God the explosive nature of who he is in you and on you to work through you in this hour and season he's powerful so there's nothing too hard for him" [00:23:25] (39 seconds)
"If someone says he has faith but does not have works, can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, go in peace, be warm and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, you have faith and I have works. Show me your faith. Show me your faith. Show me your faith apart from your works. And I will show you my faith by my works." [00:28:03] (33 seconds)
"The spirit of God is alive, living and active inside every person that is here this morning. And so as you partner together, the word that was underneath your chair, recognizing that he is a personal God. And. A purposeful God, a powerful God, a practical God. I would like from that place to have people encounters with those words. It could look like you releasing the word that was under your chair toward the person." [00:30:33] (36 seconds)
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