Reflecting on God's Faithfulness and Preparing for Growth
Summary
Reflecting on the past year, it's essential to pause and acknowledge God's unwavering faithfulness. As we conclude 2024, we recognize that each of us has experienced different seasons—some filled with joy and others with challenges. Yet, through it all, God's goodness remains constant. Today, we take a moment to reflect on His faithfulness, much like the Israelites did when they crossed the Jordan River. They built a memorial at Gilgal to remember God's miraculous provision and guidance. This act of remembrance serves as a powerful reminder that even as we face new challenges, we can rely on the foundation of God's past faithfulness to fuel our faith for the future.
As a church, we are blessed to be a blessing, and your generosity has enabled us to impact our community significantly. As we prepare for the new year, we are reminded that while the calendar may change, our spiritual seasons may not always align. It's crucial to seek God's guidance and understand the season we are in, as this shapes our response and growth. The concept of "kairos" time—God's appointed time—reminds us that His timing is perfect, and we must wait well, actively growing and moving forward even in seasons of waiting.
Throughout the year, we've explored various themes, including the fear of the Lord, the pursuit of holiness, and understanding the kingdom of God. These teachings have been instrumental in shaping our spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of humility, sanctification, and having a kingdom mindset. As we move forward, we are called to expand our tents, prepare for growth, and embrace the opportunities God has in store for us.
In the coming weeks, we will share exciting new visions and plans for our church. But today, we set up our memorial stones, reflecting on God's goodness and preparing our hearts for the journey ahead. Let us continue to worship and give thanks, knowing that God's faithfulness will guide us into the new year.
Key Takeaways:
1. Reflecting on God's Faithfulness: Just as the Israelites built a memorial at Gilgal, we must take time to remember God's past faithfulness. These moments of reflection fuel our faith for future challenges, reminding us that God has never left us nor forsaken us. [23:54]
2. The Importance of Generosity: Our open-handed posture allows us to be blessed and to bless others. Generosity is not just about receiving but also about giving back to God and our community, enabling us to make a significant impact. [08:56]
3. Understanding Kairos Moments: God's timing, or "kairos," is about recognizing His appointed times in our lives. These moments require us to seek clarity and respond appropriately, understanding that growth and movement occur even in waiting seasons. [13:33]
4. The Fear of the Lord as a Foundation: The fear of the Lord is crucial for maintaining humility and integrity. It serves as an antidote to pride, which is the root of sin, and is foundational for wisdom and character development. [15:13]
5. Preparing for Expansion: As we enter a new season, we are called to prepare for growth by expanding our tents and strengthening our stakes. This preparation is not just for numerical growth but for expanding God's kingdom and impacting lives. [01:09:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Reflecting on 2024
- [02:00] - Generosity and Community Impact
- [04:00] - Entering a New Season
- [06:30] - Kairos Moments
- [08:56] - Series Recap: Fear of the Lord
- [13:33] - Pursuit of Holiness
- [16:34] - Kingdom Mindset
- [19:20] - Peacemakers and Jesus' Example
- [21:10] - Joshua 4: Crossing the Jordan
- [23:54] - Building Memorials of Faith
- [27:04] - Fueling Faith for the Future
- [01:03:26] - Testimonies of God's Goodness
- [01:07:53] - Prophetic Word for the Church
- [01:11:48] - Closing Worship and Praise
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Joshua 4:19-24
2. Isaiah 54:2-3
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of the Israelites building a memorial at Gilgal after crossing the Jordan River? How did this act serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness? [23:54]
2. How does the concept of "kairos" time differ from "chronos" time, and why is it important to recognize these moments in our spiritual journey? [13:33]
3. What role does generosity play in the life of the church, and how does it enable the church to impact the community? [08:56]
4. How did the sermon describe the fear of the Lord as foundational for wisdom and character development? [15:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways can reflecting on God's past faithfulness, like the Israelites did at Gilgal, strengthen a believer's faith for future challenges? [27:04]
2. How might understanding and recognizing "kairos" moments influence a person's response to different seasons in their life? [13:33]
3. What are some practical ways that a church can embody the principle of being "blessed to be a blessing" in their community? [08:56]
4. How does the fear of the Lord act as an antidote to pride, and why is it crucial for maintaining integrity in a believer's life? [15:13]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can this memory encourage you as you face new challenges? [27:04]
2. Identify a "kairos" moment in your life. How did recognizing God's timing in that situation impact your spiritual growth? [13:33]
3. In what ways can you practice generosity in your daily life, and how might this impact those around you? Consider both small and large acts of giving. [08:56]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord in your life to guard against pride and foster humility? [15:13]
5. As we prepare for a new year, what steps can you take to "expand your tents" and prepare for spiritual growth and opportunities? [01:09:59]
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to wait well. What actions can you take to grow and move forward during this waiting season? [13:33]
7. How can you actively participate in your church's vision and plans for the coming year, and what role do you see yourself playing in expanding God's kingdom? [01:07:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Building Memorials of Faith
Reflecting on God's faithfulness is a powerful practice that strengthens our faith for future challenges. Just as the Israelites built a memorial at Gilgal to remember God's miraculous provision and guidance, we too are called to set up our own memorials of faith. These moments of reflection serve as reminders that God has never left us nor forsaken us, even in the most difficult times. By acknowledging His past faithfulness, we can face new challenges with confidence, knowing that the same God who was with us before will continue to guide us. [23:54]
Joshua 4:20-22 (ESV): "And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And he said to the people of Israel, 'When your children ask their fathers in times to come, "What do these stones mean?" then you shall let your children know, "Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground."'"
Reflection: What are some specific instances of God's faithfulness in your life that you can memorialize today? How can these memories fuel your faith for the future?
Day 2: Generosity as a Blessing
Generosity is more than just an act of giving; it is a posture of the heart that allows us to be both blessed and a blessing to others. When we give back to God and our community, we enable significant impact and transformation. This open-handed approach to life reflects God's own generosity towards us and invites us to participate in His work. As we prepare for the new year, let us remember that our generosity can change lives and bring hope to those around us. [08:56]
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (ESV): "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice generosity today, not just financially, but with your time and talents? How can you be a blessing to someone in your community?
Day 3: Embracing Kairos Moments
Understanding "kairos" moments—God's appointed times—requires us to seek clarity and respond appropriately. These moments are not always about immediate action but often involve waiting and growing in faith. God's timing is perfect, and even in seasons of waiting, we are called to actively grow and move forward. By recognizing these divine moments, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience His perfect timing in our lives. [13:33]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."
Reflection: Are you currently in a season of waiting? How can you actively grow and prepare during this time, trusting in God's perfect timing?
Day 4: The Fear of the Lord as a Foundation
The fear of the Lord is foundational for maintaining humility and integrity. It serves as an antidote to pride, which is the root of sin, and is essential for wisdom and character development. By cultivating a healthy fear of the Lord, we align ourselves with His will and grow in our spiritual journey. This reverence for God keeps us grounded and focused on His purposes, leading to a life of holiness and righteousness. [15:13]
Proverbs 9:10 (ESV): "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure humility and integrity in your actions?
Day 5: Preparing for Expansion
As we enter a new season, we are called to prepare for growth by expanding our tents and strengthening our stakes. This preparation is not just for numerical growth but for expanding God's kingdom and impacting lives. By embracing the opportunities God has in store for us, we position ourselves to be used by Him in powerful ways. Let us be ready to step into new territories and trust that God will guide us in this journey of expansion. [01:09:59]
Isaiah 54:2-3 (ESV): "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities."
Reflection: What areas of your life or ministry need expansion? How can you prepare yourself spiritually and practically for the growth God has planned for you?
Quotes
"We talked about the fear of the Lord and we talked about how God is holy. And so this pursuit of holiness series was birthed out of the fear of the Lord. And we were there for probably a month and a half, a couple months at least. And the pursuit of holiness series was the pursuit of holiness, sanctification. We've been talking about these words, justification. We are justified. We are made right with God just by receiving Jesus." [00:15:07] (24 seconds)
"Joshua now is the new leader of the Israelites, and they have been wandering in the desert for 40 years, and finally, after 40 years, they are about to cross over the last obstacle, the Jordan River, and really this is where God performs his last miracle of the exodus, okay? They're about to cross over the Jordan River and finally enter into the promised land, or Canaan, right? Which they have been wandering for 40 years, and this is finally about to happen in Joshua chapter 4." [00:21:10] (37 seconds)
"There's one more thing that I want you to do. And what he does is, he instructs them now to take stones from the middle of the river, and I'm sure that these are not just stones, but like huge boulders, and build a memorial on the other side of the river to remember what God has done, to remember his faithfulness. And I believe that, in a sense, that's what we're doing today. We're doing that very thing today, because look at this. We are about to cross over into 2025." [00:23:24] (38 seconds)
"Because here's the thing, you guys, when we go into a new season, it doesn't mean that this new season doesn't have things that we're going to face. There's giants a lot of times in the new season. There's giants in the promised land. There's enemies that we have to battle. Now the battle is the Lord's. We fight from victory, right? So it's so fitting that it was there, their base of operations, that the memorial was set up to remind them of God's faithfulness of what he's done in their life." [00:26:32] (31 seconds)
"But when you've walked with the Lord, and when he's been faithful to you, when he's performed miracles in your life, now you have something to build on. You have something to remind yourself for when you come up to the next challenge. When you come up to the, every level has a different boss, right? The boss gets bigger and bigger and bigger. The test gets harder and harder and harder. But when you come up to the next challenge, you have something to build on. We have something now to remember, God, you've been faithful." [00:27:22] (28 seconds)
"Enlarge the place of your tent and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings. Do not spare. Lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. Amen. For you shall expand to the right and to the left. And your descendants will inherit the nations and make the desolate cities inhabited. I believe that this is a word, a prophetic word for our church as we move forward. It's not just a word for 2025, but it's a word that starts now." [01:09:24] (35 seconds)
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