Preparing for God's Promises: A Spiritual Adventure
Summary
In today's gathering, we embarked on a journey of spiritual adventure, drawing inspiration from the story of Joshua and the Israelites as they prepared to cross the Jordan River. This narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journey and the daring destinations God has in store for us. We are reminded that God is our divine source, orchestrating a strategic plan with a specific timeline for our lives. Just as Joshua instructed the Israelites to prepare themselves, we too are called to prepare for the promises God has for us.
The theme of preparation is central to our journey. It involves building an expectation for what God is about to do in our lives, our families, and our community. This preparation is not just about physical readiness but also about spiritual anticipation. We are encouraged to pack our "suitcase of expectation," ready to encounter God in new and transformative ways.
As we move forward, we are invited to embrace a daring destination that includes personal, family, and community transformation. Personal transformation involves waking up spiritually, being alive in Christ, and abiding in His light. Family transformation calls us to pursue truth and instill it in the next generation, countering the cultural narratives that often lead to confusion. Community transformation, or "glocal" transformation, challenges us to think beyond our local context and engage with the global mission of the church.
This journey is not one we undertake alone. God is our guide, and He has a plan for us that is good, giving us a future and a hope. As we prepare ourselves, we are reminded that God's promises are always greater than the problems we face. We are called to trust in His divine planning and to step boldly into the adventure He has set before us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Divine Source and Strategic Planning: God is our divine source, orchestrating a strategic plan for our lives. His plans are not accidental but intentional, designed to give us a future and a hope. We are reminded that God's plans for us are greater than any plans we might have for ourselves. [21:15]
2. Preparation for Promises: Just as Joshua instructed the Israelites to prepare themselves, we too must prepare for the promises God has for us. This involves building an expectation for what God is about to do in our lives and being firm and fixed in our faith. [13:13]
3. Personal Transformation: God calls us to personal transformation, which involves waking up spiritually, being alive in Christ, and abiding in His light. This transformation is a journey of becoming spiritually awake and alive, ready to encounter God in new ways. [47:02]
4. Family Transformation: In a culture that often distorts truth, we are called to pursue family transformation by instilling biblical truth in the next generation. This involves engaging with cultural hot topics and providing a biblical worldview for our children and families. [50:05]
5. Glocal Transformation: Our mission extends beyond our local context to a global one. We are called to engage with the global mission of the church, reaching out to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. This "glocal" transformation challenges us to think beyond our immediate surroundings and embrace a broader vision for God's kingdom. [56:11]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:37] - Introduction and Gratitude
[06:19] - Adventure with God
[09:53] - Joshua's Call to Prepare
[13:13] - Expectation and Preparation
[17:00] - Crossing Over and Possessing
[21:15] - Divine Source and Planning
[25:06] - Unity and Strategic Plans
[31:00] - Strengthening Leadership and Community
[34:42] - Multi-Ethnic and Next-Gen Ministries
[39:59] - Specific Timeline for Transformation
[43:16] - Promises Greater Than Problems
[47:02] - Personal Transformation
[50:05] - Family Transformation
[56:11] - Glocal Transformation and Conclusion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 1:10-11
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Ephesians 5:14
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Observation Questions:
1. In Joshua 1:10-11, what specific instructions did Joshua give to the officers of the people, and what was the purpose of these instructions?
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of a "daring destination," and what are the three areas of transformation mentioned? [06:19]
3. According to the sermon, what does the Hebrew word "kun" mean, and how does it relate to the idea of preparation? [13:13]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea that God's promises are greater than the problems we face? [43:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the passage in Joshua 1:10-11 reflect the importance of preparation in our spiritual journey, and what might this preparation look like in a modern context?
2. The sermon mentions that God is our "divine source" with a strategic plan. How does Jeremiah 29:11 support this idea, and what implications does it have for our personal lives? [21:15]
3. Ephesians 5:14 calls believers to wake up and be alive in Christ. How does this call to action relate to the personal transformation discussed in the sermon? [47:02]
4. The sermon emphasizes the need for family transformation in a culture that distorts truth. How can the church effectively engage with cultural hot topics to instill biblical truth in the next generation? [50:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: What steps can you take to "prepare yourself" for the promises God has for you, as Joshua instructed the Israelites? [09:53]
2. Consider the idea of a "daring destination" in your spiritual journey. What personal, family, or community transformations do you feel called to pursue, and how can you begin this journey? [06:19]
3. How can you build a "suitcase of expectation" in your spiritual life, and what specific actions can you take to cultivate anticipation for God's work in your life? [13:13]
4. In what ways can you contribute to family transformation by instilling biblical truth in your home, especially in light of cultural challenges? [50:05]
5. The sermon challenges us to think "glocally." How can you engage with both local and global missions in your community, and what steps can you take to broaden your vision for God's kingdom? [56:11]
6. Reflect on a time when you faced a problem that seemed insurmountable. How did you see God's promise as greater than the problem, and how can this perspective guide you in future challenges? [43:16]
7. Ephesians 5:14 encourages believers to be awake and alive in Christ. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are spiritually awake and abiding in the light of Christ in your daily life? [47:02]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Intentional Design for Our Lives
God is our divine source, orchestrating a strategic plan for our lives. His plans are not accidental but intentional, designed to give us a future and a hope. We are reminded that God's plans for us are greater than any plans we might have for ourselves. This understanding calls us to trust in His divine orchestration, knowing that He is actively working for our good. As we align ourselves with His purpose, we can find peace and assurance in the journey He has set before us. [21:15]
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you actively surrender this area to Him today?
Day 2: Preparing for God's Promises
Just as Joshua instructed the Israelites to prepare themselves, we too must prepare for the promises God has for us. This involves building an expectation for what God is about to do in our lives and being firm and fixed in our faith. Preparation is not merely about physical readiness but also about spiritual anticipation. It is about packing our "suitcase of expectation," ready to encounter God in new and transformative ways. As we prepare, we are called to be vigilant and expectant, trusting that God is about to move in powerful ways. [13:13]
Joshua 3:5 (ESV): "Then Joshua said to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.'"
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to prepare your heart and mind for the promises God has for you?
Day 3: Awakening to Personal Transformation
God calls us to personal transformation, which involves waking up spiritually, being alive in Christ, and abiding in His light. This transformation is a journey of becoming spiritually awake and alive, ready to encounter God in new ways. It is about shedding the old self and embracing the new life that Christ offers. As we pursue personal transformation, we are invited to deepen our relationship with God, allowing His light to illuminate every aspect of our lives. [47:02]
Ephesians 5:14-16 (ESV): "For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek to awaken spiritually and abide in Christ's light today?
Day 4: Pursuing Family Transformation
In a culture that often distorts truth, we are called to pursue family transformation by instilling biblical truth in the next generation. This involves engaging with cultural hot topics and providing a biblical worldview for our children and families. As we navigate the complexities of modern culture, we are challenged to be intentional in teaching and modeling truth to our families. By doing so, we can counter the cultural narratives that often lead to confusion and guide our families in the way of truth. [50:05]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you intentionally instill biblical truth in your family today, especially in the face of cultural challenges?
Day 5: Embracing Glocal Transformation
Our mission extends beyond our local context to a global one. We are called to engage with the global mission of the church, reaching out to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. This "glocal" transformation challenges us to think beyond our immediate surroundings and embrace a broader vision for God's kingdom. As we engage in this mission, we are invited to be part of a larger story, impacting lives both near and far with the love and truth of Christ. [56:11]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to engage with the global mission of the church, either locally or globally?
Quotes
1) "Can I just declare to you today, Bethesda, that we're going to go some places we haven't been before. We're going to see some things we haven't seen before and do some things we haven't done before. Because this adventure is not an adventure that we're on alone. This is an adventure with God. He is the tour guide of this adventure. And when God gets involved with our adventures, transformation occurs. Personal transformation, family transformation, church transformation, community transformation." [06:19] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "And here's the challenge that some churches face. They pile into the car with their community of faith and they head somewhere, but they don't know where they're going. They're kind, they're generous, they pile in the car and go along for the ride. But sometimes what they don't realize is they've become a miniature version or a microcosm of wandering in the wilderness without a daring destination. And today I want to issue an invitation to a daring destination. I want to inspire you with the notion that God has us on an adventure." [06:19] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "There has to be something that is building within us that is causing us to prepare ourselves for the promises of God, preparation for his promises. And today we know the word prepare in the Hebrew is the word kun, which actually means to be firm or to be fit. So in preparation you reach a decision where you become firm and fixed in moving forward. And today I want to just ask you to make this a suitcase expectation moment that you will get ready to move forward, that you will become fixed and firm, that whatever God has for you, as promises in this next grand adventure, that you will build your expectation to encounter him and experience what you have not seen and what you have not done and perhaps spiritual places in God that you have not encountered yet." [13:13] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "The greatest adventures of all are what happen when our divine source prepares a strategic plan with a specific timeline for a daring destination. And if you're wanting the outline for the message, that's the outline. Because we're gonna start with the first part, the divine source. How many know that God has to be the source? He is the one that is issuing the invitation. He is the one that is building the house. Unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain who build it. I'm so thankful today that God is God and I'm not. I'm so thankful that he is a God of divine planning." [21:15] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "When our father God makes a promise, the promise is always greater than the problem. If he made a promise to you, that your family member is going to be saved, he's going to fulfill his promise because the promise is greater than the problem. If he made a promise to you that your family is going to be fruitful, that your church is going to be fruitful, that you're going to get that promotion, or you're going to have that job that's going to take care of your family, it doesn't matter what the promise problem is. God's promise is greater. Father God's promise is greater. Than the problem." [43:16] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Did you know that God has a promise for personal transformation in your life? That God has you on a spiritual journey that is going to impact you in ways that you've not yet experienced, that God has you on a path of transformation. He wants to do something in you and in your family and in this community of faith that is transformative. That's a daring destination. You know what that is? That's Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 14. That's God saying, awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light. If you want to know what personal transformation is, it's those three things right there in that verse. Being awake, being alive, and being in the light." [47:02] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "I don't know who I'm preaching to today, but I'm preaching to somebody who feels like Satan has tried to put you in a dark house, turn out the lights, and throw away the key. Somebody, I'm telling you that Satan is attempting not just to steal from you, but to kill and to destroy in your life. And the issue, the matter is not a concentration of darkness in your life. It's the lack of light. God wants to turn on the light in your life. He wants you to abide in the light and not in the darkness." [50:05] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Now, you may think, glocal doesn't sound like a word. It sounds like a made -up word. It does because it is a made -up word. As you get to know me, you'll begin to understand that I like to make up words, to convey pictures. But Bethesda is what we know the Bible calls churches to be as a Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and utter mortality. part of the earth church. We are local, but we are global, thus glocal. It's the idea that we have to remind ourselves from time to time that the church is the big C church and the kingdom is the big K kingdom, that we are a part of this amazing body of Christ here in our community that reaches Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and the uttermost part of the earth, and that Bethesda has a daring destination to reach every one of those spots, possession points, not just Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, America, the nations. We're believing for transformation that touches the world." [56:11] (95 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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