Reflecting on Blessings: Embracing Purpose in 2004

 

Summary

Reflecting on the transition from 2003 to 2004, I was struck by the rapid passage of time and the tendency to focus on future goals without pausing to appreciate the past. This year, I made a conscious decision to reflect on 2003, thanking God for the many blessings and experiences that unfolded. This exercise revealed the profound impact of gratitude and reflection, allowing me to see God's hand in every moment of the past year. I encourage everyone to take time to look back, acknowledge God's work in their lives, and express gratitude before diving into new plans for 2004.

In 2003, our church experienced remarkable growth and transformation, with over 600 baptisms and significant contributions to missions and the poor. These achievements remind us of the power of prayer and the importance of setting spiritual goals. As we move into 2004, I urge you to consider what God is calling you to do in this unique stage of your life. Whether you're in high school, college, or any other phase, recognize the opportunities before you and seize them for God's glory.

Reflecting on Nehemiah's story, we see a man whose heart was broken for his people, leading him to take bold action. Like Nehemiah, we are called to let our hearts be moved by the needs around us and to pray fervently for God's guidance and strength. This year, let's commit to serving God with passion and purpose, using our unique gifts to make a difference in the lives of others.

As we embark on this new year, let's not settle for mere survival. Instead, let's strive for a year of service, where we actively seek to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. Whether it's through missions, ministry, or personal growth, let's make 2004 a year that counts for eternity.

Key Takeaways:

- Reflect and Give Thanks: Before setting new goals, take time to reflect on the past year and thank God for His blessings. This practice of gratitude can reveal the depth of God's involvement in our lives and prepare our hearts for future endeavors. [01:23]

- Embrace the Power of Prayer: The past year showed us the transformative power of prayer. As we move forward, let's continue to prioritize prayer, both individually and as a community, trusting that God will work mightily in our lives. [02:50]

- Recognize Your Unique Stage: Each stage of life offers unique opportunities to serve God. Whether you're in school, working, or retired, identify the specific ways you can make an impact and seize those opportunities with enthusiasm. [09:04]

- Be Inspired by Nehemiah: Nehemiah's story teaches us the importance of having a heart that breaks for the needs of others. Let this compassion drive you to action, seeking God's guidance and strength to make a difference in the world. [26:20]

- Pursue Eternal Significance: As you plan for the year ahead, focus on activities that have eternal value. Consider how you can invest your time and resources in ways that will have lasting impact, both in your life and in the lives of others. [17:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Reflecting on the New Year
- [01:23] - Gratitude for 2003
- [02:38] - The Year of Prayer
- [03:47] - Church Achievements in 2003
- [05:31] - Remembering God's Works
- [06:41] - The Story of the Ten Lepers
- [07:26] - Seizing Opportunities in Life Stages
- [09:04] - Unique Opportunities in Each Life Stage
- [11:06] - Investing in Family Relationships
- [12:23] - Wisdom in Later Life
- [13:29] - Dreaming Big for God's Kingdom
- [14:45] - Starting Eternity Bible College
- [16:08] - Eternal Investments
- [17:39] - Plans for 2004
- [18:41] - The Joy of Serving God
- [25:18] - Nehemiah's Heart for Jerusalem
- [30:02] - The Challenge of Rebuilding
- [32:36] - Worshiping Comfort vs. Eternal Impact
- [34:01] - Praying for Character Over Comfort
- [36:15] - Opportunities for Service in 2004

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Nehemiah 1:2-11
- Luke 17:11-19

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Nehemiah's reaction upon hearing about the state of Jerusalem, and what actions did he take in response? ([26:20])

2. How did the church experience growth and transformation in 2003, according to the sermon? ([03:47])

3. In the story of the ten lepers from Luke 17, how many returned to thank Jesus, and what was Jesus' response? ([06:53])

4. What were some of the specific achievements of the church in 2003 mentioned in the sermon? ([05:31])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Nehemiah's prayer in Nehemiah 1:5-11 reveal about his understanding of God's character and promises? ([27:35])

2. How does the pastor suggest that different life stages offer unique opportunities to serve God? What might this imply about God's purpose for individuals at various stages of life? ([09:04])

3. Reflecting on the story of the ten lepers, what might this narrative suggest about the importance of gratitude in our relationship with God? ([06:53])

4. How does the pastor's emphasis on prayer in 2003 relate to the church's achievements and growth? What might this suggest about the role of prayer in spiritual and communal development? ([02:50])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the past year. What are some specific moments or experiences for which you can thank God? How might this practice of gratitude impact your outlook for the coming year? ([01:23])

2. Consider the unique stage of life you are currently in. What specific opportunities do you have to serve God, and how can you seize them with enthusiasm? ([09:04])

3. Nehemiah's heart was moved by the needs of his people, leading him to take bold action. What needs around you break your heart, and how can you respond with prayer and action? ([26:20])

4. The pastor challenges us to make 2004 a year of service rather than mere survival. What specific steps can you take to ensure that your actions this year have eternal significance? ([17:39])

5. Reflect on the transformative power of prayer as emphasized in the sermon. How can you prioritize prayer in your daily life, both individually and within your community? ([02:50])

6. The story of the ten lepers highlights the importance of gratitude. How can you cultivate a habit of thankfulness in your daily life, and what impact might this have on your relationship with God and others? ([06:53])

7. The pastor encourages dreaming big for God's kingdom. What is one bold goal you can set for yourself this year that requires God's help to achieve? How will you begin working towards it? ([14:45])

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting on God's Past Blessings
Reflecting on the past year can reveal the depth of God's involvement in our lives. By taking time to look back and express gratitude, we can see how God has been present in both the challenges and the triumphs. This practice of gratitude not only honors God but also prepares our hearts for future endeavors. As we transition into a new year, it's important to pause and thank God for His blessings, recognizing His hand in every moment. [01:23]

"Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you." (Deuteronomy 32:7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific blessings from the past year can you thank God for today, and how can this gratitude shape your outlook for the coming year?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool that can transform lives and communities. The past year has shown the importance of prioritizing prayer, both individually and collectively. By committing to prayer, we open ourselves to God's guidance and strength, trusting that He will work mightily in our lives. As we move forward, let's continue to embrace the power of prayer, allowing it to shape our actions and decisions. [02:50]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine, and what specific area of your life do you need to bring before God in prayer today?


Day 3: Embracing Opportunities in Your Life Stage
Each stage of life presents unique opportunities to serve God and make an impact. Whether you're in school, working, or retired, it's important to recognize the specific ways you can contribute to God's kingdom. By seizing these opportunities with enthusiasm, you can use your unique gifts to make a difference in the lives of others. Consider what God is calling you to do in this unique stage of your life and how you can respond to that call. [09:04]

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:10, ESV)

Reflection: What unique opportunities do you have in your current life stage to serve God, and how can you actively pursue them this week?


Day 4: Compassion That Leads to Action
Nehemiah's story teaches us the importance of having a heart that breaks for the needs of others. His compassion drove him to take bold action, seeking God's guidance and strength to make a difference. Like Nehemiah, we are called to let our hearts be moved by the needs around us and to pray fervently for God's direction. This year, let's commit to serving God with passion and purpose, using our unique gifts to impact the world. [26:20]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of support or encouragement, and how can you take a specific action today to help bear their burden?


Day 5: Pursuing Activities of Eternal Significance
As we plan for the year ahead, it's important to focus on activities that have eternal value. Consider how you can invest your time and resources in ways that will have a lasting impact, both in your life and in the lives of others. By pursuing activities of eternal significance, we align our lives with God's purpose and make a difference that counts for eternity. [17:10]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one activity or habit you can start this week that will have eternal significance, and how can you commit to it consistently?

Quotes


"i challenge you before you get all into the planning of this year this week would you just take your calendar from last year and just go through the months and just start thanking god it's an amazing experience because it'll blow you away how much god was in your life especially for those of you guys who are really praying for that" [00:02:16]

"remember in uh remember in uh beginning of 2003 how i said you know let's make this the year of prayer let's make it the year where we individually pray more than ever and we as a church pray more than we ever have and we did as a church i don't know how you did individually but we started these prayer meetings you know just my own personal life just just more committed to praying and i and i've gotten many emails from people who said you know what thank you thank you for 2003. thank you for the emphasis on prayer i pray to god more than ever and i'm addicted now it's like i just i can't live without it and it has changed my life it's been the greatest year of my life thank you for the emphasis on prayer" [00:02:38]

"and you start looking at life and you realize man there's all these different phases and then once the kids are out of the house man what a great opportunity you have to serve the lord then also you know because now there are so few people that really teach on parenting you know they can teach from their mistakes and from their victories you don't hear about it a lot to talk about marriage those who have been married for for years man to build into some of these younger couples and and to to help the the youth so that they don't make the same mistakes" [00:11:06]

"and i bring the story up because i ask why can't you be the next nehemiah and why can't i honestly what what keeps us from being someone like that that they'll read about if the lord tarries for 3000 years which i highly doubt but you know the whole idea is why couldn't i be why couldn't you be we can all look at ourselves and get depressed okay anyone can do that no matter how great you think you are you start looking at yourself long enough you just go man i can't do anything right that's the whole point that's what god does is he uses ordinary people who could never do it by themselves but people whose hearts are broken" [00:30:02]

"see but so often we worship comfort we really do when someone asks you hey how was your year you think back okay how fun was it how comfortable was it how easy was it if it was easy made some money it was a good year see that's the problem with our you know we we joke around about you know the needs in simi valley but the truth is we have a far greater need because we're so blinded by our materialism and we're so blinded by worship of comfort that a lot of times we don't even realize that there's more to life than that" [00:32:36]

"and you know what what my heart breaks over is is the fact that many of us are going to stand before god and be absolutely blown away my heart breaks over that because we think that everything is going so well why because it's easy it's comfortable and that's what we pursue that's what we chase then we'll stand before god and say what'd you do with your life i don't know but it kept getting easier i just kept acquiring more from myself and was able to retire and take it as easy as i mean that's the american dream we just want life to be easy" [00:34:01]

"are you willing to say lord in 2004 i just want to know you more i just want to be more mature and complete like your word talks about i just want to get some things done that are of eternal value even if it's difficult because i want that type of character and i want to do something huge this year so even if it's difficult do it through me are you willing to pray that see many people are scared to pray that prayer" [00:36:15]

"and i bring all this stuff up because you know when i look through the old testament and you know look it up in concordance sometimes but god constantly is telling the israelites remember he does he tells him remember you were slaves in egypt remember how i led you through the desert remember the food i provided for you out in the desert remember when i read you know part of the red sea remember this remember this remember this and they would set up memorials they would remember the things that took place that was very important in the heart of god that we remember what he's done for us" [00:05:31]

"and i just i bring that up to you because i never really thought through the stage of life i was in because i i sometimes miss it and i think about the future too often but look at whatever you had in life and and realize man this is a unique time for you if you're if you're still in high school or junior high understand that you will never have another opportunity than what you have right now you know where you're going to school and seeing the same people every day and you can actually build relationships with that many people you will never have another opportunity like that to have that many relationships and be that focused on relationships" [00:09:04]

"and i bring the story up because i ask why can't you be the next nehemiah and why can't i honestly what what keeps us from being someone like that that they'll read about if the lord tarries for 3000 years which i highly doubt but you know the whole idea is why couldn't i be why couldn't you be we can all look at ourselves and get depressed okay anyone can do that no matter how great you think you are you start looking at yourself long enough you just go man i can't do anything right that's the whole point that's what god does is he uses ordinary people who could never do it by themselves but people whose hearts are broken" [00:30:02]

"and i bring all this stuff up because you know when i look through the old testament and you know look it up in concordance sometimes but god constantly is telling the israelites remember he does he tells him remember you were slaves in egypt remember how i led you through the desert remember the food i provided for you out in the desert remember when i read you know part of the red sea remember this remember this remember this and they would set up memorials they would remember the things that took place that was very important in the heart of god that we remember what he's done for us" [00:05:31]

"and i just i bring that up to you because i never really thought through the stage of life i was in because i i sometimes miss it and i think about the future too often but look at whatever you had in life and and realize man this is a unique time for you if you're if you're still in high school or junior high understand that you will never have another opportunity than what you have right now you know where you're going to school and seeing the same people every day and you can actually build relationships with that many people you will never have another opportunity like that to have that many relationships and be that focused on relationships" [00:09:04]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?