Prioritizing God: Embracing His Glory and Goodness

Devotional

Day 1: God's Glory Revealed in Goodness

In the story of Moses, we see a profound moment where he asks to see God's glory. Instead of a grand display of power, God reveals His goodness to Moses. This teaches us that God's glory is often manifested in the simple, everyday acts of goodness that we encounter. We are invited to seek and recognize God's presence in these ordinary moments, understanding that His glory is not always in the extraordinary but in the goodness that permeates our lives. As we go about our daily routines, we can be attentive to these glimpses of God's glory and allow them to transform our perspective. [30:58]

Exodus 33:18-19 (ESV): "Moses said, 'Please show me your glory.' And he said, 'I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.'"

Reflection: Think of a recent moment where you experienced an act of goodness. How can you see God's glory in that moment, and how might it change your perspective today?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit

Paul's message to the Thessalonians emphasizes that the Gospel's power is not just in words but in the work of the Holy Spirit. This reminds us that true change in our hearts and the world is God's work, and we are called to be open to the Spirit's leading. The Holy Spirit works in ways that are often unseen, transforming us from the inside out. As we open ourselves to the Spirit, we allow God to work through us, bringing about change that we could never achieve on our own. This transformative power is available to us every day, inviting us to live lives that reflect God's love and grace. [28:31]

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (ESV): "Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's transformative power? How can you invite the Spirit to work in that area today?

Day 3: Rendering to God What is God's

Jesus' response to the question about paying taxes to Caesar challenges us to consider what truly belongs to God. Our lives, resources, and everything we have are ultimately God's, and we are called to render them to Him in worship and service. This means recognizing that all we possess is a gift from God and should be used for His glory. As we navigate our daily responsibilities, we are invited to consider how we can honor God with what we have, offering our time, talents, and treasures in service to Him and others. [43:17]

Matthew 22:21 (ESV): "They said, 'Caesar's.' Then he said to them, 'Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.'"

Reflection: What is one resource or talent you have that you can offer to God today? How can you use it to serve Him and others?

Day 4: Following God in Thin Places

The concept of "thin places," where we catch glimpses of God, invites us to be attentive to God's dynamic presence. These moments remind us of our call to follow God closely, trusting in His guidance and provision. In these sacred spaces, we experience a closeness to God that can inspire and renew our faith. As we seek these thin places in our lives, we are encouraged to be open to the ways God is moving and speaking to us, allowing these encounters to deepen our relationship with Him and guide our steps. [29:47]

Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."

Reflection: Think of a place or moment where you feel especially close to God. How can you intentionally seek out these "thin places" in your daily life?

Day 5: Focus Beyond Politics

As we navigate political events, Jesus' teachings urge us to focus on our relationship with God. While politics may dominate our conversations, our ultimate allegiance is to God, and we are called to render our lives to Him above all else. This means prioritizing our faith and values over political affiliations, seeking to live in a way that reflects God's kingdom. As we engage with the world around us, we are reminded to keep our eyes on Jesus, allowing His teachings to guide our actions and decisions, and to trust in His sovereignty over all things. [36:28]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: How can you prioritize your relationship with God over political discussions or affiliations today? What practical steps can you take to ensure your faith guides your actions and decisions?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound call to prioritize God in every aspect of our lives. As we began with a responsive call to worship, we invited God's presence, seeking His guidance and glory. Our opening prayer reminded us of the importance of steadfast faithfulness and the joy that comes from following Jesus Christ. The hymn "Seek Ye First" set the tone, emphasizing that God should be the foremost focus in our lives.

We celebrated the global reach of our community, with viewers from 21 countries and 112 cities, symbolized by a tree adorned with representations of these nations. This connection underscores the universal nature of our faith and the shared journey we embark on together.

Our scripture readings from Exodus, Thessalonians, and Matthew highlighted the theme of rendering unto God what is God's. In Exodus, Moses' bold request to see God's glory was met with a revelation of God's goodness, teaching us that God's glory is often seen in His goodness. Paul's letter to the Thessalonians reminded us that the transformative power of the Gospel is not just in words but in the Holy Spirit's work. In Matthew, Jesus' response to the question about paying taxes to Caesar challenges us to consider what truly belongs to God.

The concept of "thin places," where we catch glimpses of God, was illustrated through Moses' encounter on the mountain. These moments remind us of God's dynamic nature and our call to follow Him closely. As we approach political events, like elections, Jesus' teachings urge us to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and the worship we render to Him.

In our time of offering, we were encouraged to support our community's missions and ministries, recognizing that everything we have is ultimately God's. Our prayer of confession called us to acknowledge our reliance on tangible things and to seek God's presence and forgiveness. As we concluded with the hymn "Take My Gifts," we were reminded to offer all that we are to God, living lives of worship and service.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Glory in His Goodness: Moses' request to see God's glory was met with a revelation of God's goodness. This teaches us that God's glory is often manifested in His goodness, which we can experience in our daily lives. We are invited to seek and recognize God's presence in the ordinary moments. [30:58]
2. The Power of the Holy Spirit: Paul's message to the Thessalonians emphasizes that the Gospel's transformative power is not just in words but in the work of the Holy Spirit. This reminds us that true change in our hearts and the world is God's work, and we are called to be open to the Spirit's leading. [28:31]
3. Rendering to God What is God's: Jesus' response to the question about paying taxes to Caesar challenges us to consider what truly belongs to God. Our lives, resources, and everything we have are ultimately God's, and we are called to render them to Him in worship and service. [43:17]
4. Following God in Thin Places: The concept of "thin places," where we catch glimpses of God, invites us to be attentive to God's dynamic presence. These moments remind us of our call to follow God closely, trusting in His guidance and provision. [29:47]
5. Focus Beyond Politics: As we navigate political events, Jesus' teachings urge us to focus on our relationship with God. While politics may dominate our conversations, our ultimate allegiance is to God, and we are called to render our lives to Him above all else. [36:28]
** [36:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:52] - Call to Worship
[06:37] - Opening Prayer
[07:29] - Gathering Hymn: Seek Ye First
[11:28] - Global Community Celebration
[13:26] - Special Music
[18:44] - Children's Video
[24:41] - Scripture Readings
[27:34] - Gospel Reading: Matthew
[28:31] - Focus on God
[29:47] - Liminal Spaces and God's Glory
[33:04] - Politics and Faith
[35:36] - Jesus' Response to Taxes
[43:17] - Worship and Service
[46:19] - Offering and Support
[48:39] - Prayer of Confession
[50:03] - The Lord's Prayer
[53:08] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Moses' bold request to God in Exodus, and how did God respond? [28:31]
In 1 Thessalonians, what does Paul emphasize about the nature of the Gospel's power? [28:31]
How did Jesus respond to the question about paying taxes to Caesar, and what was the significance of His answer? [27:34]
What does the concept of "thin places" refer to in the sermon, and how is it illustrated through Moses' encounter? [29:47]

Interpretation Questions

How does the revelation of God's goodness to Moses in Exodus help us understand the nature of God's glory? [30:58]
What role does the Holy Spirit play in the transformative power of the Gospel according to Paul's letter to the Thessalonians? [28:31]
How does Jesus' teaching on rendering to God what is God's challenge our understanding of ownership and stewardship? [43:17]
In what ways do "thin places" encourage believers to be more attentive to God's presence in their lives? [29:47]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced God's goodness in an ordinary moment. How can you be more aware of these moments in your daily life? [30:58]
How can you be more open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your personal life and community? What steps can you take to invite the Spirit's work? [28:31]
Consider your resources and time. How can you better render them to God in worship and service? What specific changes can you make this week? [43:17]
Identify a "thin place" in your life where you feel closer to God. How can you create more opportunities to encounter God in these spaces? [29:47]
As political events unfold, how can you maintain your focus on your relationship with God rather than getting caught up in political discourse? [36:28]
In what ways can you support your community's missions and ministries, recognizing that everything you have is ultimately God's? [46:19]
Reflect on the hymn "Take My Gifts." What gifts or talents can you offer to God in service to others, and how will you do so this week? [50:03]

Sermon Clips

1) "Today we heard three readings. Each one seemed to be pretty different. Yet, all three were actually calling for our focus to be on God, for us to make sure that in everything we do, we put God first. In Exodus, Moses, seeking God's guidance, implores God, Show me your glory. In response, God reveals through a cleft in the rock. In writing to the Christians at Thessalonica, Paul gives thanks to God, for the witness of the Christians who are gathered there. A key verse, Our message came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit, reminding us that if hearts change, and the world tilts on its axis, it is God's work." [28:31] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what is God's. See, that's the important part. Render unto God what is God's. Who is God's? Give to God what belongs to God. So let's just back up a little and go back for a moment to Exodus and Moses. What's going on here? Some of you may remember me sometimes talking about and speaking about something called liminal spaces. Thin places. Places that are a bit dangerous. Places where we catch a glimpse of God. This is one of those. Moses on the mountain, not just any mountain but the mountain, with God." [29:47] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Want to see my glory? Here's some of my goodness. Maybe that's how we see God's glory, not head on which would probably overwhelm us, sort of like trying to look at the sun from twenty -five feet away. God's goodness is a manifestation. An accurate shadow of God's glory and accommodated glimpse, peeking through that thin veil. So this is a manifestation, in verse 19 the meaning of the name yahweh is probably best explained here i shall be gracious to whom i shall be gracious i shall have compassion on whom i shall have compassion no predestination here rather it is god's nature to be gracious and compassionate it's god's choice not our earning not our goodness goodness." [30:58] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Kind of fascinating to play around with. You see the back as it moves by. God isn't a still life. God is in motion. God is one who moves. Yahweh is clearly a verbal form of the word, an action verb in Hebrew. And where are you if you see the back? You're behind. You are following. Jesus said, follow me. That is, keep behind me. Watch my back closely. Follow God. And that's where our focus should be. In following God." [33:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Don't you find it interesting that Jesus turns this question about taxes into a question of worship? A question of what honor and glory we give to Caesar, the state, the governing authorities, and what we offer up to God. Jesus makes no attempt to carefully distinguish what exactly belongs to Caesar and what exactly belongs to God. One can imagine his critics standing there with their mouths gaping open saying, well, but what is God's? Perhaps he does this in order to leave each of his disciples to make up their own mind about Caesar and God. That's probably unlikely. But it could be. Perhaps this. Perhaps Jesus is saying, you're Jews. You know the scriptures. The psalmist says the earth is the Lord's and everything in it. Not much left for Caesar." [44:25] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Render unto God what is God's. Render unto God what is God's. Your lunch break at work. Your shopping, your meals, your conversation with a friend, with a neighbor, the stuff in your closet, your anxieties in the night, your portfolio, or your debt, or your fantasies, your time, your energy, your brokenness. It's all God's. Render it to God. God. Rendering unto God is worship, which is both liturgy and life. Remember last week about joy and prayer? Render your prayers, your joy, your life, your all." [45:35] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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