Reaching Out: Finding Strength in God's Support
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the metaphor of tendrils in plants to illustrate our need for support and strength in our spiritual lives. Just as tendrils reach out to attach themselves to a trellis for stability, we too must reach out to God for support. Our neighbors' trellis and my own garden serve as vivid examples of how plants thrive when they find the right support. Similarly, our spiritual growth depends on our connection to God, who is our ultimate source of strength.
We delved into Job 11:13-16, which encourages us to devote our hearts to God, put away sin, and stand firm without fear. This passage reminds us to let go of past troubles and not drag them along like a tendril clinging to the wrong support. The beauty of my passion plant, with its vibrant flowers, serves as a reminder of God's intricate design and care for us. Just as the plant needs the right conditions to thrive, we need to reach out to God, especially during difficult times.
Training ourselves to seek God consistently is crucial. It's not always easy, much like trying to wake up early every morning. Ephesians 6 teaches us to stand firm after doing everything to stand. This resilience is essential as we navigate life's storms. We also reflected on the story of the woman in Matthew 9 who was healed by touching Jesus' cloak. Her faith transformed her life, just as our faith can transform ours.
Ultimately, our role is to reach out to God and let His strength and love flow through us. This enables us to point others towards Him, even though we cannot save them ourselves. We must share God's glory and testify to His support in our lives, just as nature reflects His beauty and grace.
### Key Takeaways
1. Reaching for Support: Just as tendrils seek a trellis for stability, we must reach out to God for our spiritual support. Our connection to Him provides the strength we need to stand firm in our faith. This act of reaching out is a conscious decision to seek His face and rely on His strength. [01:26]
2. Letting Go of Past Troubles: Job 11:13-16 teaches us to let go of past troubles and not let them hinder our spiritual growth. Holding onto past sins or failures is like a tendril clinging to the wrong support. By releasing these burdens, we can stand firm and face the future without fear. [01:26]
3. Training in Faith: Spiritual growth requires consistent effort and training, much like physical training. Ephesians 6 emphasizes the importance of standing firm after doing everything to stand. This resilience is crucial as we face life's challenges and strive to maintain our connection to God. [04:47]
4. Faith Transforms: The story of the woman in Matthew 9 who was healed by touching Jesus' cloak illustrates the transformative power of faith. Her act of reaching out in faith changed her life, just as our faith can bring about profound changes in our own lives. [05:49]
5. Pointing Others to God: While we cannot save others ourselves, we can point them towards God. Our testimony and the way we live our lives can guide others to seek His face. By sharing God's glory and reflecting His love, we can help others find the support and strength they need. [06:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - The Metaphor of Tendrils
[01:26] - Reaching Out to God
[02:23] - The Beauty of God's Creation
[03:06] - Seeking God in Difficult Times
[03:55] - The Importance of Training
[04:47] - Standing Firm in Faith
[05:49] - The Healing Power of Faith
[06:52] - Pointing Others to God
[08:18] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Job 11:13-16: "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that’s in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by."
2. Ephesians 6:13-14: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place."
3. Matthew 9:20-22: "Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, 'If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.' Jesus turned and saw her. 'Take heart, daughter,' he said, 'your faith has healed you.' And the woman was healed at that moment."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Job 11:13-16 encourage us to do with our hearts and hands? ([01:26])
2. According to Ephesians 6:13-14, what should we do after putting on the full armor of God? ([04:47])
3. In Matthew 9:20-22, what was the woman's condition, and what did she believe would heal her? ([05:49])
4. How does the metaphor of tendrils seeking support relate to our spiritual lives? ([00:46])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "stand firm without fear" as mentioned in Job 11:13-16? How can this be applied in our daily lives? ([01:26])
2. How does the act of "putting away sin" help us in our spiritual growth according to Job 11:13-16? ([01:26])
3. What does Ephesians 6:13-14 suggest about the importance of resilience in our faith journey? ([04:47])
4. How does the story of the woman in Matthew 9 illustrate the transformative power of faith? ([05:49])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you reached out to God for support. How did it change your situation or perspective? ([01:26])
2. Are there past troubles or sins that you are still holding onto? What steps can you take to let them go and stand firm without fear? ([01:26])
3. What are some practical ways you can train yourself to seek God consistently, especially during difficult times? ([03:55])
4. How can you cultivate resilience in your faith, similar to the way Ephesians 6:13-14 encourages us to stand firm? ([04:47])
5. Think of a situation where your faith transformed your life or someone else's. How can you share this testimony to point others towards God? ([06:52])
6. Identify one person in your life who might be seeking support. How can you guide them to reach out to God for strength? ([06:52])
7. What specific actions can you take this week to reflect God's glory and support others in their spiritual journey? ([06:52])
Devotional
Day 1: Reaching for Divine Support
Description: Just as tendrils in plants instinctively reach out for a trellis to gain stability and support, we too must consciously reach out to God for our spiritual support. This act of reaching out is not passive but an active decision to seek His face and rely on His strength. Our connection to God provides the foundation we need to stand firm in our faith, especially during challenging times. By making a deliberate effort to connect with God, we allow His strength to flow through us, enabling us to navigate life's storms with resilience. [01:26]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively reach out to God for support in this situation today?
Day 2: Letting Go of Past Troubles
Description: Job 11:13-16 encourages us to devote our hearts to God, put away sin, and stand firm without fear. Holding onto past sins or failures is like a tendril clinging to the wrong support, hindering our spiritual growth. By releasing these burdens, we can stand firm and face the future without fear. Letting go of past troubles allows us to fully embrace the new life and opportunities God has for us. It is a conscious decision to trust in God's forgiveness and move forward with confidence in His plan for our lives. [01:26]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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."
Reflection: Identify a past mistake or regret that you are holding onto. How can you release this burden to God and embrace His new plans for you today?
Day 3: Training in Faith
Description: Spiritual growth requires consistent effort and training, much like physical training. Ephesians 6 emphasizes the importance of standing firm after doing everything to stand. This resilience is crucial as we face life's challenges and strive to maintain our connection to God. Training ourselves to seek God consistently is essential for our spiritual development. It involves daily practices such as prayer, reading the Bible, and worship, which strengthen our faith and prepare us to stand firm in the face of adversity. [04:47]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: What specific daily habit can you incorporate into your routine to strengthen your faith and connection to God?
Day 4: Faith Transforms
Description: The story of the woman in Matthew 9 who was healed by touching Jesus' cloak illustrates the transformative power of faith. Her act of reaching out in faith changed her life, just as our faith can bring about profound changes in our own lives. Faith is not just a belief but an active trust in God's power and love. When we reach out to God in faith, we open ourselves to His transformative work in our lives, allowing Him to heal, restore, and guide us in ways we never imagined. [05:49]
Mark 5:34 (ESV): "And he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you need God's transformative power. How can you actively reach out in faith to Him today?
Day 5: Pointing Others to God
Description: While we cannot save others ourselves, we can point them towards God. Our testimony and the way we live our lives can guide others to seek His face. By sharing God's glory and reflecting His love, we can help others find the support and strength they need. Our role is to be a beacon of God's love and grace, showing others the way to Him through our actions, words, and the way we handle life's challenges. This not only strengthens our own faith but also encourages others to seek a relationship with God. [06:52]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs encouragement. How can you share God's love and support with them today?
Quotes
1. "Our Lord, our Father is our support and strength. He says, just reach out to me. Just reach out. I want you to. Seek my face. I want to be there." [01:26] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to be reaching, always reaching. And when we've grabbed hold, we need to stand up and let that glory shine through us so that others know exactly what direction to go. We need to reach hard. We need to reach. See, tendrils are for support. It helps them hold firm. Helps them hold strong. That's what we need in our life. We need to train ourselves because it's not easy." [03:06] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He said, my heart says, seek his face. My heart says, get out of bed. But my body says, no, I need to stay here. I deserve a few more moments. See, we can talk ourselves out of reaching and training ourselves in the right way. I can train myself to reach for his love. I love feeling strong. I can't do that by myself. Stand firm, it said in that." [04:47] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Stand firm, then. After you've done everything to grab a hold, just hold on. Just hold on. Just hold on tight. And he gives us our strength. He gives us our worth. He gives us what we need to move on till tomorrow. So as we weather life, that's what happened to the woman." [05:49] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Regardless of what you have weathered or what you're weathering now, that's life. We all do. We all weather something. But it's where we seek and where we reach. And I hope today that you are reaching out to the Father and that you are letting that sun just soak up in your heart. And when you are mature, when he says, you've got this, stand up and share my glory with everyone else." [06:52] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I have sought his face. I seek his face and I reach for his son and I have been grabbed and I am his arms." [08:18] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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