Living Fully in Hope Amidst Despair
Summary
### Summary
Today, we reflected on the plight of the Israelites in Babylonian exile, drawing parallels to our own moments of despair and feelings of abandonment. The Israelites felt hopeless, believing they had no future, much like we sometimes do when faced with life's challenges. However, God, through the prophet Jeremiah, urged them to continue living fully—building homes, planting gardens, marrying, and praying for the prosperity of their city. This message is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest times, God has plans for us, plans for good and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope.
We are called to live by faith and grace, trusting that God is with us even when we feel marginalized or defeated. We must reimagine our circumstances through the lens of God's purposes, understanding that our suffering and disappointments can be used for His glory. The story of Abraham, Moses, and Joshua illustrates that faith often requires stepping into the unknown, trusting that God will lead the way.
As the body of Christ, we are His hands and feet in the world. Our actions, whether small or significant, are opportunities to reflect God's love and grace. We must make space for God in our lives, allowing Him to work through our brokenness and joys. This means living fully in the present, engaging in our communities, and being a positive influence.
In conclusion, we are encouraged to take up our instruments of praise once more, to live with courage and boldness, and to trust in God's promises. As we partake in communion, we remember Christ's sacrifice and the hope it brings, committing ourselves to live in the fullness of His presence and goodness.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living Fully in Exile: Even in times of despair, God calls us to live fully. The Israelites in Babylon were instructed to build homes, plant gardens, and pray for their city's prosperity. This teaches us that we should not give up but continue to engage in life and trust in God's plans for our future. [35:10]
2. Reimagining Our Circumstances: We must learn to see our situations through God's perspective. Our suffering and disappointments can be used for His glory. By reimagining our circumstances, we can find purpose and hope, understanding that God is at work even in our darkest moments. [39:08]
3. Faith in the Unknown: Like Abraham, Moses, and Joshua, we are called to step into the unknown with faith. They trusted God without having all the answers or resources, demonstrating that faith is about trusting God's presence and guidance, even when the path is unclear. [49:54]
4. The Body of Christ in Action: As believers, we are the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Our actions reflect God's love and grace. Whether it's helping a neighbor or supporting a community initiative, we are called to be proactive in making a positive impact. [44:23]
5. Making Space for God: We need to make room for God in our lives, especially in our brokenness and joys. This means allowing God to work through our circumstances, giving Him space in our worship, grief, and celebrations. By doing so, we can experience His presence and guidance more fully. [47:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:07] - Feeling Hopeless
[30:14] - Francis Schaeffer's Prediction
[31:29] - Marginalized Church
[32:43] - Jeremiah's Letter
[34:39] - God's Instructions
[35:10] - Living Fully in Exile
[36:18] - God's Promises
[37:50] - Instruments of Praise
[39:08] - Reimagining Circumstances
[40:29] - Using Suffering for God's Glory
[42:09] - The Body of Christ
[44:23] - Actions Reflecting God's Love
[45:46] - Living by Faith
[47:06] - Making Space for God
[49:19] - Faith in the Unknown
[49:54] - Examples of Faith
[50:39] - Living by Grace
[51:55] - God's Better Place
[52:48] - Purpose in Suffering
[53:32] - Worthiness in Christ
[54:19] - Living with Wisdom and Devotion
[56:11] - Committed to Good Deeds
[58:06] - Proactive Faith
[58:38] - Encouragement and Amen
[59:47] - Communion Preparation
[01:00:20] - Communion Scripture
[01:01:27] - Significance of Communion
[01:04:04] - Partaking Together
[01:10:41] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV)
> This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give to the Israelites in Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah? ([34:39])
2. How did the Israelites initially respond to their situation in Babylon, according to the sermon? ([29:07])
3. What promise does God make to the Israelites about their future in Jeremiah 29:11? ([36:18])
4. How does the sermon describe the role of believers as the body of Christ in the world? ([42:09])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God instructed the Israelites to build homes, plant gardens, and seek the prosperity of Babylon despite their exile? ([34:39])
2. How can reimagining our circumstances through God's perspective change our outlook on suffering and disappointment? ([39:08])
3. What does it mean to live by faith and grace, as illustrated by the examples of Abraham, Moses, and Joshua? ([49:54])
4. How can our actions as the body of Christ reflect God's love and grace in practical ways? ([42:09])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hopeless or abandoned. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently now, knowing God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11? ([36:18])
2. In what ways can you "build homes and plant gardens" in your current situation, even if it feels like an exile? What practical steps can you take to live fully where you are? ([34:39])
3. How can you reimagine a current challenge or disappointment in your life through the lens of God's purposes? What might God be trying to teach you or use this situation for His glory? ([39:08])
4. Identify a specific action you can take this week to be the hands and feet of Christ in your community. How can you reflect God's love and grace to someone in need? ([42:09])
5. What does making space for God in your life look like practically? How can you give God more room in your worship, grief, and celebrations? ([47:06])
6. Think of a situation where you need to step out in faith without having all the answers. What steps can you take to trust God's presence and guidance in this unknown area? ([49:54])
7. How can you incorporate the practice of praying for the prosperity of your city or community into your daily routine? What specific prayers can you offer for your local area? ([35:10])
Devotional
Day 1: Living Fully in Exile
Even in times of despair, God calls us to live fully. The Israelites in Babylon were instructed to build homes, plant gardens, and pray for their city's prosperity. This teaches us that we should not give up but continue to engage in life and trust in God's plans for our future. In our own moments of feeling abandoned or hopeless, we can find solace in knowing that God has not forgotten us. He encourages us to continue living, to invest in our communities, and to seek the welfare of the places where we find ourselves. This act of living fully, even in exile, is a testament to our faith and trust in God's promises. [35:10]
Jeremiah 29:5-7 (ESV): "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage in your community and seek its welfare, even when you feel out of place or discouraged?
Day 2: Reimagining Our Circumstances
We must learn to see our situations through God's perspective. Our suffering and disappointments can be used for His glory. By reimagining our circumstances, we can find purpose and hope, understanding that God is at work even in our darkest moments. This shift in perspective allows us to see beyond our immediate pain and recognize the greater narrative that God is weaving. It is a call to trust that our trials are not in vain but are part of a divine plan that ultimately leads to our growth and His glory. [39:08]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 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: How can you reframe a current challenge in your life to see it as an opportunity for growth and a part of God's greater plan?
Day 3: Faith in the Unknown
Like Abraham, Moses, and Joshua, we are called to step into the unknown with faith. They trusted God without having all the answers or resources, demonstrating that faith is about trusting God's presence and guidance, even when the path is unclear. This kind of faith requires courage and a willingness to move forward despite uncertainties. It is a reminder that our journey with God often involves stepping out of our comfort zones and relying on His promises rather than our own understanding. [49:54]
Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a practical step towards that today?
Day 4: The Body of Christ in Action
As believers, we are the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Our actions reflect God's love and grace. Whether it's helping a neighbor or supporting a community initiative, we are called to be proactive in making a positive impact. This means that our faith is not just a private matter but one that is lived out in tangible ways that benefit others. By serving and loving those around us, we embody the love of Christ and become a living testimony of His grace. [44:23]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can your actions reflect God's love and grace to them?
Day 5: Making Space for God
We need to make room for God in our lives, especially in our brokenness and joys. This means allowing God to work through our circumstances, giving Him space in our worship, grief, and celebrations. By doing so, we can experience His presence and guidance more fully. It is an invitation to let God into every aspect of our lives, trusting that He can bring healing, direction, and purpose even in the midst of our messiness. [47:06]
Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to make more space for God? How can you intentionally invite Him into those areas today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We live in a world of problems and failures and disappointments. And in 1976, a man by the name of Francis Schaeffer wrote a very interesting book entitled, How Should We Then Live? Schaeffer was something of a philosopher and historian, a Presbyterian preacher, I believe, quite a powerful thinker. And in this book, he traced the rise and fall of several civilizations in the past. And he predicted that in the West, particularly looking to the United States, that we would be today where we are today. That the people of God would find themselves almost in exile." [30:14]
2. "So how should we live? How should we navigate hard times? And difficult times? Well, Israel, Judah have been lost. They're in exile. And they have hung up their harps. And they're ready to quit. So God speaks to a prophet by the name of Jeremiah. And in Jeremiah 29, beginning with verse 4, he sends to them this letter. Jeremiah's writing on behalf of God. Wouldn't you love for God to give you a letter to write to people?" [34:02]
3. "So here is what God says. He simply says that wherever you are, whatever you're doing, don't throw your instruments of praise away. Don't get rid of them. As a people here in this country, we're not to give up. We're not to quit. We're not to hang our heads. We're not to feel like we've been defeated. We've been marginalized by the culture, but we have not been marginalized by the God of heaven. And that's what really matters." [37:50]
4. "We live by faith. In this place. I don't know what your place is. I don't know where you are in life. I know where I am in life. And I get ready to retire again. All the uncertainties about the future. Are we going to be okay? Everything going to work out. Those of you who've retired, you know, you went through all that. Well, I went through it once and I get to go through again. I'm going to have to get a job so I can go through it again. Somewhere down the road. We're anxious about some things. But God is going to take care of us. He's going before us. God's going before you. He knows where you are. He knows where you're going. He's leading you." [45:46]
5. "So what's his plan and purpose for you? What does God want to do in your life? What's he trying to do with you? Are you in a wilderness place? Are you in a broken place? Are you in a place where you think you'll never be any better than you are now? I was talking to someone and we were sitting around the table and I was talking to them about someone who died and I said they're in a better place. I said, you know, we all can go to that better place and one of them said, I'll never be worthy of going to a better place. I said, you're right. You'll never be worthy. But Christ is worthy. He's the one that gets us to the better place." [53:32]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Their lament is so typical of human nature, isn't it? I'm sure each one of us has found ourselves in a place at some point in our lives when we said, in essence, I have no song to sing, I have no reason to sing, I have no hope, I have no future. This has not worked out. That's not worked out. I talked a lot about that last week, where the children of Israel found themselves languishing in their own emotional failures and their own emotional weaknesses. It's not a good place to be. I venture to say that everyone in this room has had a moment in your life when you felt deserted, maybe deserted by God, maybe that God failed you, He failed to answer a prayer, He failed to solve a problem." [30:14]
2. "So how should we then live? Do we do like the children of Israel? Do we hang up our instruments of worship and celebration? And say, this is terrible and awful, and we're just going to give up? It may not be the whole scenario that's impacting your life, but a particular issue that's caused you to think about that. Well, I might as well just throw in the towel. There's no hope. God's not answering prayer. God evidently is not paying attention. I have a little saying. Sometimes I say it. I hope you don't think it's sacrilegious. But sometimes I'll look up to God and say, have you not been paying attention? You not aware of what's happening here? Is this not a concern to you? It's certainly a concern to your people. And I don't get an answer. I'm sure there is an answer." [32:43]
3. "We live by faith and secondly, we live by Grace by Grace. And listen to what God said. This is this is Grace. He said to these people, if you if you look for me wholeheartedly, you'll find me. People who say to me, well, I'm looking for God, but I can't find him. Well, you're not looking then. If you look for me, he said, I'll be found. You'll find me. You're not really looking. I'll be found by you says the Lord. I will end your captivity. I will restore your fortunes. I'll gather you out of the nations where I. Sent you. I'll gather you out of this at some point and I will bring you home again to your own land for them. It was a place for us. It is a place of rest in our spirit. I will bring you back to that place of deep joy and comfort." [51:08]
4. "I was thinking about the ancient fathers and thought about Abraham. Abraham had no map. But he had God and Moses had no army. But he had God and Joshua had no bridge. But he had God and they all forged ahead without the very things that we think you have to have to do what they did. They forged ahead not because they had everything. And they're but because they had everything in their heart had God in their lives and God in their heart and God leading the way. Glory. Hallelujah to that. Yeah, I believe in this stuff. I really believe nearly everything I say up here." [49:54]
5. "So how should we then live griping, complaining, shaking our fist at the TV, Patty doesn't like to watch the news with me because I keep telling Lester. Hope he's a communist and he's he's not on our side. He's on somebody else's side. He's not telling the truth. That's going to strike him dead. No, I don't say that, but I think it I just don't say it. You know, that's not that this is that doesn't please God. No, I would rather bow my head and pray. And Mr. Holtz may be a believer. I don't know, but he would rather about my head and pray for Lester. Hold and pray for the city and work for the good of Dayton. Be a positive influence in the city of Dayton." [56:11]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?