Preparing for God's New Season: Serve, Pray, Invite, Thank
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the theme of preparing for a new season that God has for each of us. We discussed the importance of getting ready and avoiding "moving fails" by focusing on four key areas: serving, praying, inviting, and giving thanks. Each of these actions helps us align with God's will and prepares us for the blessings and challenges ahead.
We began by emphasizing the importance of everyone playing their part in the church community. Serving is not just about fulfilling a role but about contributing to the collective mission of the church. Next, we highlighted the significance of prayer, particularly communal prayer, as a way to deepen our reliance on God. We were encouraged to join Tuesday Morning Prayer (TMP) as a final preparation before the new season begins.
Inviting others to share in the good news was another crucial point. We were reminded of the power of a simple invitation, illustrated by a touching story about how a single invite can change lives. Lastly, we delved into Psalm 116 to understand the essence of giving thanks. The Psalmist's heartfelt gratitude to God for His mercy, goodness, and protection serves as a model for us. We were encouraged to remember and recount the ways God has already been good to us, which strengthens our faith and prepares us for future challenges.
The sermon concluded with practical steps on how to genuinely give thanks to God. This involves more than just words; it requires actions such as lifting up the cup of salvation, keeping our promises to God, and giving special offerings as a token of our gratitude. These acts of thanksgiving not only honor God but also prepare us to move into the new season He has planned for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Serving as a Community: Serving in the church is more than just filling a role; it's about contributing to the collective mission and vision that God has for us. When each person plays their part, the entire body of Christ functions more effectively, and we are better prepared for the new season God has in store. [02:23]
2. The Power of Prayer: Prayer is our lifeline to God, and communal prayer strengthens our reliance on Him. Participating in prayer gatherings like Tuesday Morning Prayer (TMP) helps us align our hearts with God's will and prepares us spiritually for the changes ahead. [03:52]
3. Inviting Others: A simple invitation can have a profound impact on someone's life. Sharing the good news and inviting others to church can lead to life-changing experiences, both for the invitee and the inviter. This act of outreach is a crucial part of preparing for the new season. [05:23]
4. Remembering God's Goodness: Reflecting on past blessings and answered prayers strengthens our faith and gives us confidence in God's continued goodness. This practice helps us face present challenges with a heart full of gratitude and trust in God's provision. [14:14]
5. Genuine Thanksgiving: True thanksgiving goes beyond words; it involves actions that demonstrate our gratitude. This includes lifting up the cup of salvation, keeping our promises to God, and giving special offerings. These acts of thanksgiving prepare us to move into the new season God has for us. [23:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:23] - Serving as a Community
[03:52] - The Power of Prayer
[05:23] - Inviting Others
[06:55] - Psalm 116: A Model of Thanksgiving
[08:37] - The Transformative Power of Calling on the Lord
[10:08] - Testimony of Returning to Faith
[12:46] - God's Mercy and Goodness
[14:14] - Remembering God's Goodness
[17:16] - The Importance of Remembering
[18:36] - Overcoming Present Challenges
[19:55] - Be Confident in God's Goodness
[21:54] - How to Truly Give Thanks
[23:20] - Beyond Meaningless Words
[24:41] - Three "I Will" Statements
[26:09] - The Cup of Salvation
[27:59] - Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Passover
[29:48] - Keeping Our Promises to God
[31:29] - Giving a Thanksgiving Offering
[32:58] - Practical Steps to Give Thanks
[34:48] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 116:1-2: "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."
2. Psalm 116:12-14: "What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people."
3. Psalm 116:17: "I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the four key areas mentioned in the sermon that help us prepare for a new season? [02:23]
2. How does the Psalmist describe his relationship with God in Psalm 116:1-2?
3. What specific actions does the Psalmist commit to in Psalm 116:12-14 as a way of giving thanks to God?
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of communal prayer, and how does it prepare us for a new season? [03:52]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is serving in the church community more than just fulfilling a role, according to the sermon? [02:23]
2. How does the act of inviting others to church align with the theme of preparing for a new season? [05:23]
3. In Psalm 116, the Psalmist expresses gratitude for God's mercy and protection. How does this gratitude prepare us for future challenges? [14:14]
4. The sermon emphasizes genuine thanksgiving through actions. How do the actions described in Psalm 116:12-14 reflect this idea? [23:56]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current role in the church. How can you contribute more effectively to the collective mission and vision that God has for your community? [02:23]
2. How can you incorporate communal prayer into your weekly routine? Are you willing to join the Tuesday Morning Prayer (TMP) to prepare for the new season? [03:52]
3. Think of someone in your life who might benefit from an invitation to church. How can you extend that invitation this week? [05:23]
4. Take a moment to reflect on past blessings and answered prayers in your life. How can remembering these moments strengthen your faith and prepare you for current challenges? [14:14]
5. The sermon suggests that true thanksgiving involves actions. What specific actions can you take this week to show your gratitude to God? [23:56]
6. Have you made any promises to God that you have not yet fulfilled? What steps can you take to keep those promises? [29:48]
7. Consider giving a special offering as a token of your gratitude. What might this look like for you, and how can it help you prepare for the new season God has planned for you? [31:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Serving as a Community
Serving in the church is more than just filling a role; it's about contributing to the collective mission and vision that God has for us. When each person plays their part, the entire body of Christ functions more effectively, and we are better prepared for the new season God has in store. Serving is an act of love and obedience to God, and it helps build a stronger, more united church community.
By serving, we not only fulfill our individual callings but also support and uplift one another. This collective effort creates a nurturing environment where everyone can grow spiritually and be better equipped to face the challenges and blessings of the new season. Remember, your service, no matter how small it may seem, is significant in God's eyes and contributes to the greater good of the church community. [02:23]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: What specific role or task can you take on in your church community to contribute to its collective mission and vision?
Day 2: The Power of Prayer
Prayer is our lifeline to God, and communal prayer strengthens our reliance on Him. Participating in prayer gatherings like Tuesday Morning Prayer (TMP) helps us align our hearts with God's will and prepares us spiritually for the changes ahead. When we come together in prayer, we invite God's presence and power into our lives and our church community.
Communal prayer fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose, reminding us that we are not alone in our spiritual journey. It also provides an opportunity to support and encourage one another, deepening our relationships with God and each other. Make it a priority to join communal prayer gatherings and experience the transformative power of praying together. [03:52]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: How can you make communal prayer a regular part of your spiritual routine, and who can you invite to join you in prayer this week?
Day 3: Inviting Others
A simple invitation can have a profound impact on someone's life. Sharing the good news and inviting others to church can lead to life-changing experiences, both for the invitee and the inviter. This act of outreach is a crucial part of preparing for the new season.
Inviting others to church is an expression of love and care, showing that you value their spiritual well-being. It also opens the door for them to experience God's presence and the support of a faith community. Don't underestimate the power of a personal invitation; it can be the catalyst for someone's spiritual transformation. [05:23]
Luke 14:23 (ESV): "And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.'"
Reflection: Who in your life can you invite to church this week, and how can you make that invitation personal and heartfelt?
Day 4: Remembering God's Goodness
Reflecting on past blessings and answered prayers strengthens our faith and gives us confidence in God's continued goodness. This practice helps us face present challenges with a heart full of gratitude and trust in God's provision.
When we take the time to remember and recount God's goodness, we are reminded of His faithfulness and love. This reflection not only encourages us but also inspires others as we share our testimonies. Make it a habit to regularly reflect on and give thanks for the ways God has been good to you. [14:14]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Take a moment to write down three specific ways God has been good to you in the past month. How can these reflections strengthen your faith in facing current challenges?
Day 5: Genuine Thanksgiving
True thanksgiving goes beyond words; it involves actions that demonstrate our gratitude. This includes lifting up the cup of salvation, keeping our promises to God, and giving special offerings. These acts of thanksgiving prepare us to move into the new season God has for us.
Genuine thanksgiving is an expression of our love and appreciation for God's blessings. It requires intentional actions that honor God and reflect our gratitude. By lifting up the cup of salvation, we acknowledge God's saving grace; by keeping our promises, we show our commitment to Him; and by giving special offerings, we express our thankfulness in a tangible way. Let your thanksgiving be heartfelt and action-oriented. [23:56]
Psalm 50:14-15 (ESV): "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your gratitude to God, beyond just words? Consider lifting up the cup of salvation, keeping a promise, or giving a special offering.
Quotes
1. "God wants to take each one of us, not just this wider church. God wants to take each one of us and move us into a new season. That's why we're getting ready. But we're praying that we don't have moving fails. You know what a moving fail is? Let's check this out. Come Let's not have any moving fails, all right?" [02:23] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "How do we avoid moving fails is by sharing the good news. We talked about last week by inviting others to share in the good things that we ourselves have experienced. By the way, have everyone gotten down this QR code yet? Is it up there? Do we have it? Am I supposed to do it here? I don't know. We're not supposed to do it. Okay. Pull out your phone if this is our last time to invite. You can take out your phone, get this QR code. It will send you a link to a video." [03:52] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I want to remind you, this Get Ready series isn't just trying to get things from you. God wants to bless us in ways that we really don't even understand. It can be a change of a life for someone else, but it can also come back around and bless you as well. Come on, in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Who are you going to invite? Who are you going to invite? We have incredible opportunities coming up." [05:23] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Parents don't underestimate the power of planting the seeds of the love of God in our kids. In fact, I just want to encourage some parents right now that you raise them in God's house and you planted the seeds faithfully of the love of God in them. They're coming back home. Those seeds are going to cry. In Jesus' name. Come on. Someone needs to say amen." [10:08] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I called out to the Lord and it was like a switch instantly. Things changed. He goes, I could not wait. I could not wait to get back to church the next Sunday. That's not me. Something happened on the inside. Eventually the anger began to loosen up in my life. The habits I had formed, listen to me, since I was in middle school, they were a part of the fabric of me maturing. Those bad habits began to slowly break off my life." [11:19] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The Lord is merciful and good. Our God, his, let's read those three qualities again. You think these are good qualities? The Lord is what? The Lord is merciful and good. Our God, it's kind of tough to improve on those. The Lord is merciful. The Lord is good. Lord, thank you for not giving up on me. Someone needs to hear that. The Lord's not giving up on Lord, thank you for being compassionate." [12:46] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "What prayers has the Lord already answered? Before we get to the present challenge, some of you can't even hear what I'm saying because the present challenge is so looming over you. Just try to stop. Stop, stop. But, Pastor, stop, stop. What prayers... You're taking notes. We're a note-taking church. Maybe think about it right now. What prayers has God already answered? In other words, how has God already been good in our lives?" [14:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you're not careful, the present challenge that you're facing that's in front of you right now can absorb your full attention. What's the big deal about it? Absorbs your full attention. It robs you of your peace and your strength in God. You come into church, you're all gloomy in the face. You're zapped of your strength and zapped of your potential because we have forgotten that God has already been good in our lives. And because he's already been good, he's going to be good again." [18:36] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Be confident, my heart. The Lord has been good to me. Look at verse seven. Let's read it together. Be confident, my heart, because the Lord, he's already been good to me. Come on, touch somebody and say, be confident. Turn to somebody else, say, be confident. Tell yourself, be confident. The Lord, finish it out. The Lord has been good to you." [19:55] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "How do we truly give thanks to the Lord? I'm going to suggest it's not just words. Words are important. We can, especially if they're sincere and real. I was reminded what the prophet Isaiah said about words. He was talking about Israel's worship. He said, these people claim to worship me, but they're worshiping me. Words, the words are what? You know, it's like, let me just keep the scripture up there. Christianity is more than just meaningless words." [23:20] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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