Relentless Pursuit: Embracing God's Blessings and Grace
Summary
### Summary
Praise the Lord! It's a joy and honor to be here with you today. I want to share some updates about our ministry in Guatemala and reflect on the incredible blessings and opportunities God has provided. Our Bible school in Guatemala has been thriving, with new facilities and graduates who are now leading their own congregations. We also engage in various outreach activities, including building homes for families in need and supporting local churches and schools. These acts of service not only meet physical needs but also open hearts to receive the Word of God.
Today, I want to focus on the theme of God's pursuit of us and our pursuit of Him. Ephesians 2:4-6 reminds us that God, rich in mercy, has raised us up and seated us in heavenly places with Christ. This is a profound truth that should fill us with joy and gratitude. But it gets even better. Verse 7 tells us that in the ages to come, God will continue to show us the exceeding riches of His grace. God is not done blessing us; He has more in store for us.
God is actively pursuing us with His blessings, promises, and goodness. He is not pursuing us to punish or correct us harshly but to bless us abundantly. However, this pursuit is not one-sided. We must also pursue God with all our hearts. We need to push through our issues, circumstances, and the crowd to touch Jesus, just like the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. She didn't let her condition stop her; she pressed through and received her healing.
Similarly, Jairus pursued Jesus for his daughter's healing, even when it seemed too late. Jesus encouraged him to keep believing, and his daughter was healed. We must keep the switch of faith turned on, regardless of setbacks or delays. God's blessings are ours to claim because we are His children. We have the right to pursue and receive His promises.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Rich Mercy and Grace: Ephesians 2:4-7 highlights that God, rich in mercy, has raised us up with Christ and seated us in heavenly places. This is not just a future promise but a present reality. We are already children of God, and His grace continues to abound in our lives. This should fill us with immense gratitude and joy. [52:54]
2. God's Pursuit of Us: God is actively pursuing us with His blessings, promises, and goodness. He is not looking to punish us but to bless us abundantly. This pursuit is a testament to His love and grace. We must recognize that God's hand is always open, ready to pour out His blessings upon us. [56:33]
3. Our Pursuit of God: While God is pursuing us, we must also pursue Him. This involves pushing through our issues, circumstances, and the crowd to touch Jesus, just like the woman with the issue of blood. Our pursuit of God should be relentless, driven by faith and a deep desire to experience His presence and blessings. [01:05:02]
4. Faith in the Midst of Setbacks: Jairus' story teaches us to keep the switch of faith turned on, even when it seems too late. Jesus encouraged Jairus to keep believing, and his daughter was healed. We must not let life's interruptions or delays cause us to give up. God's timing is perfect, and His promises are sure. [01:20:54]
5. Claiming Our Inheritance: As children of God, we have the right to claim His blessings. We are joint heirs with Christ, and the inheritance of heaven belongs to us. We must boldly pursue and claim the promises of God, knowing that we are worthy because He has made us worthy. [01:26:48]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[35:50] - Introduction and Greetings
[36:43] - Ministry Updates from Guatemala
[38:05] - Bible School and Graduates
[39:36] - Outreach Activities and Building Homes
[40:42] - Team Visits and Community Impact
[42:07] - Acts of Service and Demonstrating God's Love
[43:33] - Personal Stories and Testimonies
[44:58] - Building Homes for Pastors and Churches
[46:30] - Supporting Local Schools and Children
[47:46] - Assembly and Outreach in Schools
[49:10] - Coffee Fundraiser and Humor
[50:41] - Worship and Prayer
[52:54] - Ephesians 2:4-7 - God's Rich Mercy
[54:49] - The Exceeding Riches of His Grace
[56:33] - God's Pursuit of Us
[58:16] - God's Loving Correction
[01:00:06] - Romans 8:32 - Freely Given All Things
[01:01:05] - 2 Chronicles 16:9 - God's Eyes Running To and Fro
[01:01:28] - 1 Corinthians 2:9 - Prepared Blessings
[01:02:39] - God Has Something Good for You
[01:03:38] - Our Pursuit of God
[01:05:02] - Running After God
[01:06:27] - The Woman with the Issue of Blood
[01:07:39] - Pressing Through the Crowd
[01:10:09] - Illustration: Pressing Through to Jesus
[01:13:45] - Jesus' Response to Faith
[01:14:56] - Blind Bartimaeus' Pursuit
[01:16:54] - Jairus' Faith and Jesus' Encouragement
[01:20:54] - Keeping the Switch of Faith Turned On
[01:22:35] - 2 Peter 1 - Exceeding Great and Precious Promises
[01:26:48] - Claiming Our Inheritance
[01:28:14] - Boldly Claiming God's Blessings
[01:29:52] - Prayer for Blessings and Healing
[01:32:10] - Encouragement to Pursue God
[01:33:34] - Starting a New Business
[01:34:04] - Amazon Wish List for Kids Day
[01:34:41] - Closing and Final Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:4-7 (NIV): "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus."
2. Mark 5:25-34 (NIV): "And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?' 'You see the people crowding against you,' his disciples answered, 'and yet you can ask, "Who touched me?"' But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.'"
3. Romans 8:32 (NIV): "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:4-7, what has God done for us because of His great love and mercy? How does this passage describe our current spiritual position? [52:54]
2. In Mark 5:25-34, what actions did the woman with the issue of blood take to receive her healing? What was Jesus' response to her faith? [01:10:09]
3. Romans 8:32 speaks about God not sparing His own Son. What does this imply about God's willingness to give us other things? [01:00:06]
4. The sermon mentioned that God is actively pursuing us with His blessings and promises. How does this align with the passages we read? [56:33]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Ephesians 2:4-7 speaks of being seated in heavenly places with Christ. What does this mean for our daily lives and spiritual identity? How should this affect our perspective on challenges we face? [52:54]
2. The woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 had to push through the crowd to touch Jesus. What does this teach us about the nature of faith and persistence in seeking God? [01:10:09]
3. Romans 8:32 suggests that if God did not spare His own Son, He will graciously give us all things. How does this shape our understanding of God's generosity and our expectations of His blessings? [01:00:06]
4. The sermon emphasized that God's pursuit of us is not to punish but to bless. How does this understanding change the way we view our relationship with God and His actions in our lives? [56:33]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Ephesians 2:4-7, how can you remind yourself daily of your identity in Christ and the heavenly position you hold? What practical steps can you take to live out this truth? [52:54]
2. The woman in Mark 5 did not let her condition stop her from reaching out to Jesus. Is there a situation in your life where you need to push through obstacles to seek God’s help? What steps will you take this week to pursue Him despite these challenges? [01:10:09]
3. Romans 8:32 assures us of God's willingness to give us all things. What specific needs or desires do you have that you have been hesitant to bring to God? How can you approach Him with confidence this week? [01:00:06]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of keeping the switch of faith turned on, even in setbacks. Can you identify a recent setback in your life? How can you maintain your faith and trust in God's timing and promises? [01:20:54]
5. As children of God, we have the right to claim His blessings. What promises from God’s Word are you currently holding onto? How can you actively pursue and claim these promises in your daily life? [01:26:48]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of acts of service in demonstrating God's love. What is one act of service you can commit to this week to show God's love to someone in need? [42:07]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's blessings. How can you shift your mindset to embrace the truth that God has made you worthy through Christ? What affirmations or scriptures can you meditate on to reinforce this truth? [56:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing God's Rich Mercy and Grace
God, rich in mercy, has raised us up with Christ and seated us in heavenly places. This is not just a future promise but a present reality. We are already children of God, and His grace continues to abound in our lives. This should fill us with immense gratitude and joy. Ephesians 2:4-7 reminds us that God, rich in mercy, has raised us up and seated us in heavenly places with Christ. This is a profound truth that should fill us with joy and gratitude. But it gets even better. Verse 7 tells us that in the ages to come, God will continue to show us the exceeding riches of His grace. God is not done blessing us; He has more in store for us. [52:54]
Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself daily of the reality that you are already seated in heavenly places with Christ? What practical steps can you take to live out this truth in your everyday life?
Day 2: Recognizing God's Pursuit of Us
God is actively pursuing us with His blessings, promises, and goodness. He is not looking to punish us but to bless us abundantly. This pursuit is a testament to His love and grace. We must recognize that God's hand is always open, ready to pour out His blessings upon us. God is actively pursuing us with His blessings, promises, and goodness. He is not pursuing us to punish or correct us harshly but to bless us abundantly. [56:33]
2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV): "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."
Reflection: In what ways have you seen God actively pursuing you with His blessings and goodness? How can you become more aware of His pursuit in your daily life?
Day 3: Our Relentless Pursuit of God
While God is pursuing us, we must also pursue Him. This involves pushing through our issues, circumstances, and the crowd to touch Jesus, just like the woman with the issue of blood. Our pursuit of God should be relentless, driven by faith and a deep desire to experience His presence and blessings. We need to push through our issues, circumstances, and the crowd to touch Jesus, just like the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. She didn't let her condition stop her; she pressed through and received her healing. [01:05:02]
Mark 5:27-29 (ESV): "She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, 'If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.' And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease."
Reflection: What obstacles are currently hindering your pursuit of God? How can you push through these obstacles to experience His presence and blessings more fully?
Day 4: Keeping Faith in the Midst of Setbacks
Jairus' story teaches us to keep the switch of faith turned on, even when it seems too late. Jesus encouraged Jairus to keep believing, and his daughter was healed. We must not let life's interruptions or delays cause us to give up. God's timing is perfect, and His promises are sure. Similarly, Jairus pursued Jesus for his daughter's healing, even when it seemed too late. Jesus encouraged him to keep believing, and his daughter was healed. [01:20:54]
Mark 5:35-36 (ESV): "While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?' But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, 'Do not fear, only believe.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent setback or delay you have experienced. How can you keep the switch of faith turned on in this situation, trusting in God's perfect timing and promises?
Day 5: Boldly Claiming Our Inheritance
As children of God, we have the right to claim His blessings. We are joint heirs with Christ, and the inheritance of heaven belongs to us. We must boldly pursue and claim the promises of God, knowing that we are worthy because He has made us worthy. God's blessings are ours to claim because we are His children. We have the right to pursue and receive His promises. [01:26:48]
Romans 8:17 (ESV): "And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
Reflection: What specific promises of God do you need to boldly claim in your life today? How can you remind yourself of your worthiness as a child of God and joint heir with Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God is rich in mercy. He placed us in His family, forgave us, cleansed us, and caused us His children. Right now, here upon this earth, I am a child of God. When I get to heaven, I'll be no more a child of God in heaven than I am right now. He's redeemed me, He's forgiven me, and He's placed me into His very kingdom." [52:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God has been good to me. God has been good to all of us. But have you know God's not done blessing our life. God has goodness, God has grace, God has provision, God has promises with your name on it. God is good and if He stops blessing us, that's okay because He's blessed us so much. But I mean oh God isn't going to stop blessing us. I mean oh He's got more to show us." [54:49] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God is pursuing you and me. He's pursued me and redeemed me and brought me into a relationship with thee. He placed me into His family. I'm not worthy of it, but He's made me worthy. I'm not worthy, none of us are worthy, but He's made us worthy to be in His kingdom. And now He's pursuing us with His blessings, with His promises, with His goodness." [56:33] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God is working on things to bless your life. God has a miracle, God has grace, God has blessings with your name on it. And the day and the hour that we're living in, He is the God that sees ahead and makes provision. He's the God that looks ahead and makes provision. He's pursuing signs and wonders and miracles. He's working on blessings for your life." [01:02:24] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God is pursuing you. God is running after you. He has blessings for your life. No matter what you're facing, no matter how it looks, no matter what you feel like, God is working on a miracle for your life. Everybody say, God is running after me. Say it again. Say God is pursuing me." [01:03:38] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "To give the acts of service demonstrates the love of God. It just opens up people's heart to receive the word of God. And all the houses that we build, we bring a pastor with us and if they're not connected to a church, we connect them to a church. And so it's just really exciting to me to let them know that we didn't do it, God did this." [42:07] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God has done His part. But now it's our turn to do our part. I don't know if you ever played checkers or not. But there's a person that moves. Your opponent moves. Then now it's your move. Your opponent can't move again until you have your turn and move. God has extended His goodness and His grace and His blessings and His healing and His direction for our life. But now it's our turn to move." [01:16:54] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God's blessings belong to us. God in His love and His grace, He placed us in His family. He redeemed us and bought us into His family as sons and daughters. And now that we're in His family, His blessings belong to you and me. And too many times, we're not pursuing the blessings of God because we don't think we have a right to pursue those blessings. But if you're in the family of God, I mean of the blessings belong to you." [01:23:28] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You have the right to claim the blessings of the Lord. You are in the family and I don't care what the blessing, what's the thing that you need, what you're believing God for. I mean, don't you let the devil, don't you let anybody else, don't you let religion tell you you're not worthy. Your daddy has made you worthy. And if your daddy's got it, I mean, oh, you've got it." [01:26:48] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Bible says to boldly go to the throne of grace. When you need something, when you have something that you need, you're not going to get condemnation. You're not going to get guilt. You're not going to get shame. He's not going to say shame on you. He's going to commend you for claiming the blessings that He's given you." [01:28:14] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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