Making Room for God: Embracing His Guidance and Rest
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we reflected on the importance of making room for God in our lives, inspired by the song "I Will Make Room for You." We delved into Psalm 23 and Mark 6 to understand what it means to have the Lord as our shepherd and how Jesus exemplified being a good shepherd. Psalm 23 is a comforting scripture often recited in times of grief and hardship, reminding us that with God as our shepherd, we lack nothing. This psalm speaks to God's provision, guidance, and protection, even in the darkest valleys of our lives.
We also explored the practical aspects of Jesus' ministry in Mark 6, where He recognized the weariness of His disciples and led them to rest. This act of compassion underscores the importance of taking breaks to restore our souls so that we can continue our work effectively. Jesus' example teaches us that while rest is necessary, it is not an end in itself but a means to rejuvenate us for further service.
The sermon also touched on personal anecdotes, including the emotional experience of reciting Psalm 23 at my grandfather's funeral. This moment highlighted the profound comfort and strength that scripture can provide in our most challenging times. It also emphasized the importance of community and mutual support within the church, as we are called to bear each other's burdens and walk together through life's valleys.
In conclusion, we are reminded that God is always with us, providing for us and guiding us through every trial. By keeping our focus on the Good Shepherd, we can face the adversities of this world with faith and hope.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Provision and Guidance: Psalm 23 assures us that with the Lord as our shepherd, we lack nothing. This doesn't mean we will have everything we want, but we will have everything we need to be faithful followers of Christ. God's provision is about sustaining us spiritually and emotionally, even when life is challenging. [24:35]
2. The Importance of Rest: Jesus recognized the weariness of His disciples and led them to rest, showing us that taking breaks is essential for spiritual and physical rejuvenation. Rest is not just about ceasing work but about restoring our souls so we can continue our mission effectively. [42:15]
3. Community and Mutual Support: The church is a place where we combat loneliness and division by supporting one another. In times of personal struggle, the community of believers can provide the strength and encouragement we need to keep going. [34:07]
4. Facing Fear with Faith: Even in the darkest valleys, we do not have to fear because God is with us. This assurance allows us to face the uncertainties and dangers of life with courage, knowing that God's presence and protection are always with us. [36:11]
5. Living and Dying as Christians: We are called to show others how to bear burdens and face life's challenges with faith. This includes demonstrating how to live and die as Christians, trusting in God's providence and eternal care. [52:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[18:07] - Announcements
[19:21] - Opening Prayer
[20:17] - The Lord's Prayer
[20:54] - Introduction to Psalm 23
[21:32] - Reading Psalm 23
[22:53] - The Significance of Psalm 23
[24:35] - Understanding "I Shall Not Want"
[26:08] - The Temptation to Wander
[28:34] - Green Pastures and Still Waters
[31:42] - Personal Reflection on Psalm 23
[34:07] - The Good Shepherd and Community
[36:11] - Facing Fear with Faith
[38:09] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[41:11] - Mark 6: The Importance of Rest
[46:56] - Rest and Return to Work
[49:50] - Faithfulness in Hard Times
[52:58] - Living and Dying as Christians
[55:21] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
2. Mark 6:30-34: "The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 23 say about God's provision and guidance for us? How does it describe the ways God cares for us?
2. In Mark 6:30-34, what did Jesus notice about his disciples, and what did he instruct them to do? [41:11]
3. How did Jesus respond when he saw the large crowd in Mark 6:34, and what does this reveal about his character? [41:41]
4. What personal anecdote did the pastor share about Psalm 23, and how did it impact him during a difficult time? [32:21]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of God as a shepherd in Psalm 23 help us understand His role in our lives, especially during challenging times?
2. What does Jesus' instruction to his disciples to rest in Mark 6:31 teach us about the importance of rest in our spiritual lives? [41:11]
3. How can the church community provide support and strength to its members, as illustrated by the pastor's experience at his grandfather's funeral? [34:07]
4. What does it mean to face fear with faith, as discussed in the sermon, and how can this perspective change our approach to life's challenges? [36:11]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's provision and guidance in your life. How did it help you through that situation? How can you remind yourself of God's provision during future challenges?
2. Jesus recognized the need for rest in his disciples. How can you incorporate regular periods of rest and rejuvenation into your own life to maintain your spiritual and physical well-being? [41:11]
3. The pastor shared a personal story about the comfort of Psalm 23 during his grandfather's funeral. How can you use scripture to find comfort and strength in your own difficult times? [32:21]
4. In what ways can you contribute to building a supportive and encouraging community within your church? How can you help bear the burdens of others as described in the sermon? [34:07]
5. The sermon emphasized facing fear with faith. Identify a current fear or challenge in your life. How can you apply the principles of Psalm 23 and the example of Jesus to face this fear with faith? [36:11]
6. Jesus' compassion for the crowd in Mark 6:34 shows his deep care for others. How can you show compassion to those around you, especially those who may feel like "sheep without a shepherd"? [41:41]
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of living and dying as Christians, demonstrating faith in all circumstances. How can you live out your faith more authentically in your daily life, and what steps can you take to trust in God's providence more fully? [52:58]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Provision and Guidance
Description: Psalm 23 assures us that with the Lord as our shepherd, we lack nothing. This doesn't mean we will have everything we want, but we will have everything we need to be faithful followers of Christ. God's provision is about sustaining us spiritually and emotionally, even when life is challenging. The imagery of green pastures and still waters in Psalm 23 symbolizes the peace and sustenance that God provides. When we trust in God's guidance, we can navigate life's difficulties with a sense of security and peace, knowing that He is always with us. [24:35]
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: Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God's provision and guidance during that time? How can you trust Him more in your current circumstances?
Day 2: The Importance of Rest
Description: Jesus recognized the weariness of His disciples and led them to rest, showing us that taking breaks is essential for spiritual and physical rejuvenation. Rest is not just about ceasing work but about restoring our souls so we can continue our mission effectively. In Mark 6, Jesus' compassion for His disciples' need for rest underscores the importance of self-care in our spiritual journey. By taking time to rest, we allow ourselves to be replenished by God's presence, enabling us to serve others more effectively. [42:15]
Exodus 33:14 (ESV): "And he said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel particularly weary. What practical steps can you take this week to incorporate rest and rejuvenation into your routine?
Day 3: Community and Mutual Support
Description: The church is a place where we combat loneliness and division by supporting one another. In times of personal struggle, the community of believers can provide the strength and encouragement we need to keep going. The shared experience of faith and mutual support within the church helps us bear each other's burdens and walk together through life's valleys. This sense of community is vital for spiritual growth and resilience, as it reflects the love and care that God has for each of us. [34:07]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who may be struggling. How can you reach out to them this week to offer support and encouragement?
Day 4: Facing Fear with Faith
Description: Even in the darkest valleys, we do not have to fear because God is with us. This assurance allows us to face the uncertainties and dangers of life with courage, knowing that God's presence and protection are always with us. Psalm 23 reminds us that God's rod and staff comfort us, symbolizing His guidance and protection. By keeping our focus on the Good Shepherd, we can navigate life's challenges with faith and hope, trusting that He will lead us through. [36:11]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What is one fear or anxiety that you are currently facing? How can you invite God into that situation and trust in His presence and protection?
Day 5: Living and Dying as Christians
Description: We are called to show others how to bear burdens and face life's challenges with faith. This includes demonstrating how to live and die as Christians, trusting in God's providence and eternal care. By living out our faith authentically, we provide a powerful witness to others of God's love and faithfulness. This involves not only how we live our daily lives but also how we approach the end of life, with a confident hope in God's eternal promises. [52:58]
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."
Reflection: Reflect on how you can live out your faith more authentically in your daily life. What specific actions can you take to demonstrate God's love and faithfulness to those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There are many of us who are facing grief and struggle and strife in our lives. There are many of us who are tripping over stumbling blocks as they come before us, but we pray that you would speak into those places, that your presence would be with us as we face the struggles that we have in this life, that you would guide our hearts and minds and help us to be faithful as we deal with truly difficult things." [19:21] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's a very important idea of what it means to have room in your life for God, to make room for what God is going to do, to make room for time with God. And this morning, we're going to be looking at two different scripture verses. One is a gospel account from the book of Mark, chapter 6, and the other is Psalm 23." [20:54] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It's this idea that when you're with God, you have what you need. You have the provision that you need to be a successful follower of Christ. That doesn't mean that everything's easy. It doesn't mean that everything is going to be peachy and roses in the spring. It's not going to be like that. There are moments where there are going to be desires and wants. But if God is our shepherd and we are the sheep, there are moments where we wander." [24:35] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And what's amazing about God is that as I wander, God always does things to bring me back. Sometimes, it's even with just advertising. Sometimes, they'll advertise the next episode of The Chosen coming out, or something like that. And I'll go, oh, I should watch that. And then I end up binge-watching six or seven episodes just because I want to be a part of that. Or my Bible app, which notifies me every day that I've been a sinner, says, hey, you should watch this. You should read me." [27:46] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And I think about this idea of a good shepherd. He wants us to be in the safety of the flock. He wants us to be a part of his community. A part of his kingdom. He wants us to gather together as God's people. He wants us to draw strength from one another. For times when one of us just can't move forward there will be another and another standing." [35:28] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What I find is that when I'm putting my faith more in the forefront of who I am, and as a pastor, I'll tell you, the temptation to be drawn away from my faith, even as someone who preaches every week, is tremendous. There are so many things to distract yourself with. There are so many things that you can do other than being faithful. There are so many opportunities to do things that might even be good, but they're not the best thing that I could be doing." [26:56] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And there's this idea within the beginning of this psalm, of the imagery that God is providing not only the abundant life that we need, the sustenance we need, but also this idea of safety. This idea that we have been given all we need to be faithful people. That God is with us. And I can tell you this psalm, as I preach from it, it brings up a lot of memories. Because this psalm has been such a large part of my ministry." [31:42] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And it was amazing to feel the Spirit of God even in a place that was as broken and hard as that place was. Because God was with us. And what none of us could do by ourselves, God helped us do together. It was overwhelming. And I think about that when I think about this providence of God. Of how overwhelming it is to be given this gift. This gift of faithfulness. This gift of community. This gift of being a part of God's flock. That having this shepherd." [34:07] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And while many of you believe that I'm not nervous I can tell you that I lose sleep every Saturday and every Sunday morning. I dread it because I look at my sermons and go this is all garbage. And then the Spirit provides that calm gentle presence that called me, tells me I'm enough to keep going. It's the same voice that calls you. It's the same voice we all have. So I told that student and I said I am afraid but my God is bigger than my fear." [37:25] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Psalm 23 is one that tells us that there is nothing that will overcome our God. Our job is to be faithful even in the brokenness of this world. To be faithful even when it's hard. To be faithful even when our throats feel like they're going to tighten up until we can't breathe, and our eyes are streaming with tears. Even when we can't get a word out, God is with us. And God's people are with us. We don't walk alone in a world where people are lonely and feel divided and feel as if they have no friends." [50:24] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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