Preparing for Greater: Embracing God's New Season
Summary
Today marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of 45 years of God's faithfulness to Philippi Missionary Baptist Church. As we reflect on our journey, we honor the legacy of those who paved the way, including our founding pastor, Reverend Roger E. Gibbons, and others who have led us through various seasons. While we celebrate the past, we must also prepare for the future, as God is calling us to greater things. This is a time to get ready for greater and expect bigger, as God is shifting us to a new level of purpose and promise.
God often moves us through seasons, and it's crucial not to become too comfortable in one place. Many people miss out on future blessings because they cling to past victories. God desires us to move from good to great, and this requires us to be willing to let go of what was and embrace what's next. The book of Joshua serves as a powerful reminder of this truth. God didn't just want to bring the Israelites out of Egypt; He wanted to lead them into the Promised Land. However, their disobedience and doubt delayed their destiny.
Joshua 5 is a pivotal chapter that reveals the biggest threat to Israel's progress was not external enemies but themselves. We must learn to check our flesh, as unchecked flesh can hinder growth and infect those around us. Spiritual infections, like bitterness and dysfunction, can spread if not addressed. We must also deal with our minds, breaking free from cycles of dysfunction and shame that have been passed down through generations. Finally, we must change our appetite, moving from survival to success and embracing the abundance God has for us.
As we prepare for the next 45 years, we must be ready for greater and expect bigger. This requires cutting away the flesh, renewing our minds, and changing our appetites. God is shifting us from receiving to producing, from just getting by to walking in the overflow. We must let go of the past and step into the new things God has for us. Let us be ready for greater and expect bigger, trusting that God will do miraculous things in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Check Your Flesh: Unchecked flesh can hinder growth and infect those around us. Just as circumcision was necessary for the Israelites, we must cut away things in our lives that limit our ability to grow and expand. This is a private matter, and God is more concerned with what's happening in us than around us. [55:08]
- Renew Your Mind: The greatest battles are often in the mind. We must break free from cycles of dysfunction and shame that have been passed down through generations. God calls us to a place of transformation, where we can let go of past guilt and embrace a new identity in Him. [01:13:08]
- Change Your Appetite: God is shifting us from survival to success, from receiving to producing. We must change our appetite, moving away from what sustained us in the past to embrace the abundance God has for us. Feeding on past experiences can prevent us from stepping into the promised land. [01:20:46]
- Faith Requires Action: God often requires us to take the first step in faith before He moves. Like the Israelites at the Jordan River, we must be willing to step into the water, trusting that God will part the waters as we move forward. Faith is not passive; it requires action. [49:32]
- Prepare for Greater: God is calling us to greater things, and we must be ready to embrace them. This involves cutting away the flesh, renewing our minds, and changing our appetites. We must let go of the past and step into the new things God has for us, trusting that He will do miraculous things in our lives. [01:27:05]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:56] - Worship and Trust
- [43:04] - Scripture Reading: Joshua 5
- [49:32] - Transition and Divine Shift
- [55:08] - Check Your Flesh
- [01:13:08] - Renew Your Mind
- [01:20:46] - Change Your Appetite
- [01:24:48] - Get Ready for Greater
- [01:27:05] - Prayer for Greater
- [01:30:38] - Communion Preparation
- [01:36:53] - Communion Service
- [01:40:00] - Closing and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 5:8-12 (NLT)
Observation Questions:
1. What significant event took place in Joshua 5 that marked a shift for the Israelites? [43:04]
2. How did God instruct Joshua to prepare the Israelites before entering the Promised Land, and why was this necessary? [55:08]
3. What change occurred in the Israelites' diet after they celebrated Passover in the plains of Jericho? [01:20:46]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might God have chosen circumcision as a necessary step for the Israelites before entering the Promised Land, and what does this signify for personal spiritual growth? [55:08]
2. How does the concept of "rolling away the shame of Egypt" at Gilgal relate to breaking free from past cycles of dysfunction and shame? [01:13:08]
3. What does the cessation of manna and the shift to eating from the land signify about God's provision and the Israelites' journey from survival to success? [01:20:46]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a personal "flesh" issue that might be hindering your spiritual growth. What steps can you take to address it privately, as the Israelites did with circumcision? [55:08]
2. Consider a past victory or comfort zone you might be clinging to. How can you let go of it to embrace the greater things God has for you? [49:32]
3. Identify a cycle of dysfunction or shame in your life that you feel has been passed down through generations. What practical steps can you take to break this cycle? [01:13:08]
4. How can you shift your mindset from merely surviving to thriving in your spiritual journey? What specific actions can you take to renew your mind? [01:13:08]
5. Reflect on your current "appetite" for spiritual growth. Are there past experiences or habits you need to let go of to embrace the abundance God has for you? [01:20:46]
6. What is one area in your life where you need to take a step of faith, trusting that God will provide as you move forward? [49:32]
7. How can you prepare yourself for the greater things God is calling you to, both individually and as part of the church community? [01:24:48]
Devotional
Day 1: The Inner Battle of the Flesh
Unchecked desires can hinder spiritual growth and affect those around us. Just as the Israelites needed circumcision to prepare for the Promised Land, we must cut away the things in our lives that limit our ability to grow and expand. This is a deeply personal matter, as God is more concerned with what's happening within us than around us. By addressing these internal struggles, we can prevent spiritual infections like bitterness and dysfunction from spreading. [55:08]
"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where unchecked desires are holding you back from spiritual growth? How can you begin to address this today?
Day 2: Transforming the Mind
The greatest battles often occur in the mind, where cycles of dysfunction and shame can persist through generations. God calls us to a place of transformation, where we can let go of past guilt and embrace a new identity in Him. By renewing our minds, we break free from these cycles and step into the freedom and purpose God has for us. This transformation is essential for moving from past victories to future promises. [01:13:08]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What negative thought patterns do you need to break free from? How can you actively renew your mind to align with God's truth today?
Day 3: Shifting Appetites from Survival to Success
God is shifting us from a mindset of survival to one of success, from merely receiving to actively producing. This requires a change in our appetite, moving away from what sustained us in the past to embrace the abundance God has for us. Feeding on past experiences can prevent us from stepping into the promised land of our lives. By changing our appetites, we open ourselves to the new things God wants to do. [01:20:46]
"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." (Isaiah 55:2, ESV)
Reflection: What are you currently feeding on that no longer satisfies or serves your spiritual growth? How can you shift your focus to embrace the abundance God has for you?
Day 4: Faith in Action
Faith is not passive; it requires action. God often asks us to take the first step in faith before He moves. Like the Israelites at the Jordan River, we must be willing to step into the water, trusting that God will part the waters as we move forward. This active faith is crucial for experiencing the miraculous things God wants to do in our lives. [49:32]
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today, trusting that God will meet you in that action? How can you actively demonstrate your faith in your daily life?
Day 5: Preparing for Greater Things
God is calling us to greater things, and we must be ready to embrace them. This involves cutting away the flesh, renewing our minds, and changing our appetites. By letting go of the past, we can step into the new things God has for us, trusting that He will do miraculous things in our lives. This preparation is essential for moving from receiving to producing and from just getting by to walking in the overflow. [01:27:05]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go of the past to embrace the new things God has for you? How can you prepare yourself for the greater things God is calling you to?
Quotes
"God often operates and moves in seasons, moving us from one phase of life to another. And what I found out in life is that God is intentional about shifting and transitioning, which is why we should never be too comfortable or attempt to remain in the same place for too long." [00:47:16] (24 seconds)
"God moves us from strength to strength and glory to glory, constantly leading us toward greater purpose. And what we must understand is that what we accomplish in one season is not always the ultimate destination, but rather a stepping stone to something even greater." [00:47:56] (21 seconds)
"If we're not careful, we can become so attached to our current situation that we miss out on what God ultimately wants us to do. I just felt something on me, so y 'all forgive me. That is the challenge we face today. The truth is reflected in the book of Joshua." [00:49:32] (18 seconds)
"God said once you get a taste of where you're going, I can't keep feeding you from where you've been. So the manna had to stop. Listen to me real clear. The manna had to stop because once you get a taste of where you're going, I can't keep feeding you from where you've been." [01:20:46] (20 seconds)
"He's shifting you from survival to success. He's shifting you from receiving to producing. He's shifting you from just getting by to walking in the overflow. But hear me today, if you keep craving wilderness food, you'll never stop step fully into the promised land." [01:24:06] (20 seconds)
"If you keep feeding on wilderness food, you'll never step fully into the promised land. I know it seems like God took your manna away, but God is not punishing you. He's preparing you. He says I can't let you taste the next level and still depend on the last one." [01:25:46] (22 seconds)
"God, that we have to do the steps necessary to get to the promise, God. God, that we cut away the flesh. That we cut away those things that held us bound to our past, God. God, we cut it away now. God, remove it now. God, you said that you sent your son to cleanse us, God, with his blood." [01:27:43] (23 seconds)
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