Partnering with God in His Redemption Story
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded that God invites us to partner with Him in His grand redemption story, a life lived in faithful obedience and trust in God's power. This life, as I understood, is not about what we don't have, but about who we are in Christ and what we have in Him. I was encouraged to drop my little stories that center around me and give God the freedom to utilize everything I am and everything I'm not for His grand story.
The sermon also emphasized the importance of obedience and the ripple effect it can have. I was reminded that my obedience matters and that there's grace when I transgress. The sermon also highlighted the theme of restoration, assuring me that every loss in my life will be restored one day, either in this life or the next. I was also reminded that God isn't looking for my ability, but my availability.
Key takeaways:
- God invites us to partner with Him in His grand redemption story, a life lived in faithful obedience and trust in God's power ([47:11]).
- Our obedience matters and there's grace when we transgress ([42:52]).
- Every loss in our life will be restored one day, either in this life or the next ([45:02]).
- God isn't looking for our ability, but our availability ([46:29]).
- We are encouraged to drop our little stories that center around us and give God the freedom to utilize everything we are and everything we're not for His grand story ([48:40]).
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. The speaker emphasizes the importance of the City Gate in Bethlehem, describing it as the heart of the community and a place of significant business transactions, government, and prophetic messages. This location, he suggests, is a site of dramatic, suspenseful, and powerful moments that have had a ripple effect throughout history ([15:28]).
2. The speaker discusses the concept of "X marks the spot" in our lives, suggesting that there are significant moments and locations that we may not recognize in real time, but which have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of others ([08:43]).
3. The speaker shares the story of two Anglican Bishops, Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer, who were burned at the stake for their Christian convictions. Their deaths, marked by a humble cross in the middle of Broad Street in Oxford, had a significant impact on the acceleration of the Reformation throughout England ([06:44]).
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. Ruth 4
2. John 17
3. Romans 1
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the City Gate in Bethlehem as described in the sermon?
2. How does the speaker interpret the concept of "X marks the spot" in our lives?
3. What impact did the deaths of Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer have on the Reformation in England?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Ruth 4 relate to the main points of the sermon?
2. How does John 17 support the idea of unity and the power of the Gospel as discussed in the sermon?
3. How does Romans 1:16 relate to the speaker's discussion of the power of the Gospel?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify any "X marks the spot" moments in your own life where a decision or event had a significant impact on your faith journey?
2. How can we apply the concept of unity and the power of the Gospel in our own communities, as suggested by the speaker?
3. How can the story of Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer inspire us to stand firm in our Christian convictions, even in the face of adversity?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Faithful Obedience
Faithful obedience to God's word is a powerful tool in our spiritual journey. It is through obedience that we align our will with God's will, and it is through obedience that we experience the fullness of God's blessings.
1 Samuel 15:22 - "But Samuel replied: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you make it out of obedience to God's word or your own desires? If it was the latter, how might you have acted differently in obedience to God?
Day 2: The Importance of Sharing God's Love
God's love is not meant to be kept to ourselves. It is meant to be shared with others, especially those who are hurting, lost, or in need.
1 John 4:7 - "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."
Reflection: Can you think of someone in your life who needs to experience God's love? What is one practical way you can show them God's love this week?
Day 3: The Power of God to Change Lives
God has the power to change lives in ways that we cannot even begin to comprehend. His power can transform the most hardened hearts and the most broken lives.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant change in your life. Can you see God's hand in that change? If so, how did it impact your faith?
Day 4: God's Providence in Our Lives
God's providence is His divine guidance and care in our lives. Even when we don't understand why certain things are happening, we can trust that God is in control and working all things for our good.
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."
Reflection: Can you recall a situation where you didn't understand why something was happening, but later saw God's providence at work? How did that experience shape your trust in God's plan for your life?
Day 5: The Significance of the City Gate
In biblical times, the city gate was a place of gathering, decision-making, and justice. It is a symbol of community and the role it plays in our spiritual journey.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How do you see your community playing a role in your spiritual journey? Are there ways you could be more engaged or supportive in your community to further your spiritual growth?
Quotes
1. "We're not going to transform the bay without the gospel and we've been praying about how do we Infuse the gospel into the bay area... what if we equip the local church with the gospel and empower the local church... what if we bring two superpowers together the power of the Gospel Romans 1 16. and the power of unity John 17 the very last prayer Jesus prayed before his arrest Lord make them one so the world would know that you sent me." - 10:32
2. "God says let me redeem it and let me invite you to partner with me in my grand Redemption story around the world that's called The Good Life... a life lived in faithful obedience in the power of the Holy Spirit faithful obedience trusting God with the results knowing that every loss that God calls us into will be restored one day." - 47:11
3. "We thought you know what it's been a while and we don't think this is the day to fill stadiums within evangelist I thank God for that we said what if we filled churches with people... what if we combine those two superpowers and bring a Unity series a Unity gospel not in a stadium but in churches all over the Bay Area." - 10:32
4. "There are X's all over where you live where you work that you walk into you don't foresee them coming but simple acts of obedience simple statements made have a ripple effect into all eternity." - 08:43
5. "We leave this mountain now as we go from this place pray we would be renewed in our faith we'd see others differently we'd see you differently we trust that you are the great Redeemer you are the great restorer you are the great restorer and we hand you our little stories and Lord frankly I pray for myself for sisters and brothers that we would drop our little stories that center around us we give you the freedom fill us and utilize everything we are and everything we're not the scars utilize it all for your grand story." - 48:40
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