Responding to God's Word: Faith in Action
Summary
In my sermon, I began by emphasizing the importance of understanding and responding to God's words. I highlighted that God's words are not empty; they contain the power to fulfill themselves, but they require our response—our cooperation and participation. I recounted the biblical account of Mary, a young virgin from Nazareth, who received a message from the angel Gabriel that she would conceive and bear a son, Jesus, who would reign forever. Despite her initial confusion and the potential for social shame, Mary's open heart and her response of faith allowed her to receive and carry God's word.
I shared personal anecdotes to illustrate the reality of God conversations in our lives. I spoke of a time when I was out of work and how, through prayer and listening to God, I received a promise that I would have a job within a month. Despite doubts and the passing of time, the word God spoke came to pass exactly a month later, as my daughter Liz pointed out. This story served to encourage the congregation to trust in God's timing and to hold onto His promises.
I also recounted a time at a camp where I was challenged to give all the money I had, which was needed for petrol to get home. Despite my initial resistance, I obeyed what I believed God was asking of me. This act of obedience was met with God's provision, as two different couples approached me and my wife with envelopes containing money, which was exactly the amount I had given. This experience taught me about the principle of giving out of obedience and honor to God, not to receive, but trusting that God will provide.
Throughout the sermon, I stressed the importance of being in tune with God's voice, just as I am familiar with my wife Helen's voice. I explained that God wants to have intimate conversations with us, and for that, we need to give Him our undivided attention. I emphasized that God speaks into barren, desolate, and dead places with supernatural creativity and authority, and that His messages contain the power to bring themselves to pass.
I concluded by urging the congregation to listen to God, to be open to His words, and to allow His words to shape and stretch us. I reminded them that we cannot live off what God is saying to others; we need to hear from God for ourselves. Our response to God's word is vital, as it not only changes us but also impacts those around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's words are not aimless; they are spoken with the intention of revealing His plans to us. Our posture of heart must be open and humble to receive these words, and we must be willing to partner with God in bringing His kingdom from heaven to earth ([19:45]).
2. Personal experiences of hearing God's voice are essential for our faith journey. Like Mary, who believed the word spoken to her, we too must believe and act on the words God speaks to us, even when they seem impossible or when they challenge our current circumstances ([27:59]).
3. The act of giving should be rooted in obedience and honor to God, not in the expectation of receiving. When we give with the right motive, God's provision follows, often in unexpected ways, as He cannot be outgiven ([15:49]).
4. Being in tune with God's voice involves giving Him our full attention and being open to His guidance in every situation. This intimacy with God allows us to hear His voice clearly and respond promptly, leading to miraculous interventions and guidance in our lives ([46:23]).
5. Our response to God's word is not a passive act; it requires active faith that believes, speaks, and acts in accordance with what God has said. This active partnership with God is the essence of walking by faith, not by sight, and it is crucial for seeing His promises fulfilled in our lives ([36:30]).
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation to Mary
2. Isaiah 55:11 - "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
3. Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Mary's initial reaction to the angel Gabriel's message, and how did she respond eventually? (Luke 1:26-38)
2. According to the sermon, what personal experience did the pastor share about trusting in God's timing for a job? ([09:01])
3. How did the pastor describe his experience of giving all his money at a camp and what was the outcome? ([15:49])
4. What does Isaiah 55:11 say about the nature of God's words?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Mary's response to the angel Gabriel's message demonstrate the importance of faith and obedience? (Luke 1:38)
2. What does the pastor's story about receiving a job within a month teach us about holding onto God's promises despite doubts? ([09:01])
3. In what ways does the act of giving, as described in the pastor's camp story, illustrate the principle of obedience and trust in God's provision? ([15:49])
4. How does Hebrews 11:6 relate to the idea that our response to God's word is crucial for seeing His promises fulfilled?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was speaking to you. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you improve your attentiveness to God's voice? ([48:43])
2. The pastor emphasized the importance of being in tune with God's voice. What practical steps can you take to give God your undivided attention in your daily life? ([31:37])
3. Think about a promise or word from God that you are currently holding onto. How can you persevere in faith to see it fulfilled, even when circumstances seem challenging? ([09:01])
4. The pastor shared a story about giving all his money at a camp. Have you ever felt prompted to give sacrificially? What was your response, and what did you learn from that experience? ([15:49])
5. How can you cultivate a heart posture that is open and humble to receive God's words, as Mary did? What distractions might you need to eliminate to hear God more clearly? ([30:36])
6. The sermon mentioned that God's words contain the power to bring themselves to pass. How can you actively partner with God in your current situation to see His promises fulfilled? ([19:00])
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to align your actions with God's word. What specific steps will you take this week to ensure your actions match your faith? ([25:57])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Intentional Words
God's words are purposeful and transformative, inviting us to participate in His divine narrative. When one hears a message from God, it is not a mere suggestion but a call to action. These words are imbued with the power to bring about what they declare, yet they require an open and humble heart to receive them. It is in the posture of humility and openness that one can truly partner with God, allowing His kingdom to manifest on earth as it is in heaven. This partnership is not passive; it demands active engagement and a willingness to step into the unknown, trusting in the divine orchestration of events.
"Then Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38 ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart posture that is open and responsive to God's words in your daily life? [19:45]
Day 2: Faith in Action Through God's Voice
Believing and acting upon God's words can lead to extraordinary outcomes, even when they defy our understanding or circumstances. Like Mary, who trusted in the message delivered to her, individuals are called to have faith in the words spoken by God. This faith is not passive; it requires one to believe, speak, and act in alignment with God's promises. When faced with situations that seem impossible, it is this active faith that enables one to move mountains and witness the fulfillment of God's word in their lives.
"For nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37 ESV)
Reflection: Recall a time when you felt God speaking to you. Did you respond with faith, and what was the outcome? [27:59]
Day 3: The Heart Behind Giving
Giving should stem from a place of obedience and honor towards God, not from the expectation of receiving something in return. When one gives with the right motives, they align themselves with the principle that God cannot be outgiven. This act of faith demonstrates trust in God's provision and opens the door for Him to work in unexpected ways. It is a testament to the belief that God will provide for one's needs according to His riches and glory.
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV)
Reflection: When was the last time you gave sacrificially, and how did it impact your understanding of God's provision? [15:49]
Day 4: Intimacy with God Through Attentive Listening
To hear God's voice clearly, one must give Him undivided attention and be open to His guidance in every situation. This level of intimacy with God is akin to recognizing the voice of a loved one amidst a crowd. It is through this close relationship that one can discern God's voice and respond promptly, leading to miraculous interventions and guidance. God desires to speak into the barren and desolate areas of life with supernatural creativity and authority, and it is through attentive listening that one can witness His power at work.
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27 ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to improve your ability to listen to God's voice in your daily life? [46:23]
Day 5: Active Faith in God's Word
Responding to God's word is an active process that involves believing, speaking, and acting in accordance with what He has said. This active partnership with God is the essence of walking by faith and not by sight. It is through this dynamic interaction that one can see God's promises come to fruition in their lives. The response to God's word is not only transformative for the individual but also has the potential to impact those around them, as faith in action can serve as a powerful testimony to God's faithfulness.
"And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, 'Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.'" (Genesis 13:14-15 ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to actively believe and pursue today? [36:30]
Quotes
1) "God's words on their own are not enough. They need a response from us. They require my cooperation, my participation to cause them to manifest. You cannot be a spectator in the things of God. He's looking for people that will participate in what God is doing and cooperate with what God is saying." [19:45]
2) "God's words are not empty words. God's words are not aimless words. God doesn't talk just for the sake of talking. God talks because he wants to reveal something to us, his people. And God is a God who talks. He talks in the Old Testament. He talks in the New Testament." [00:51]
3) "God's salvation strategy began with a God conversation with a teenage girl in a remote village called Nazareth. His plan for salvation started there. It says, you will conceive and give birth to a son of the Most High and the Lord God will give him his throne of his father David and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever." [27:59]
4) "Our response to God's word not only changes us, it affects people around us. It impacts people around us. So our response to what God says is vital. I could have said, oh, okay, whatever. Probably wouldn't have got the same result." [10:08]
5) "God wants faithful partners who will hear and respond to his word and his call. Our response is crucial to bringing God's plan for the kingdom from heaven to earth. Hearing from God is just the start. It's the starting point of a process that involves active participation, confrontation with the enemy and an underlying faith in the God whose word overcomes all." [19:45]
6) "Like Mary, when we hear God's words, we must believe them and allow them to shape us and stretch us. We need to allow God's words to shape us and stretch us. We don't need to stretch God's Word to fit us. We need to let God's Word stretch us." [47:13]
7) "God's words are fulfilled by faith. God's words are impossible to achieve naturally because they're supernatural words. God speaks into barren places, desolate places, dead places, and God speaks into them with supernatural creativity and authority." [43:36]
8) "The more you hear God, the more you get to know God. The more you hear God and get to know Him, you will know that He's a miracle-working God even today. The more you know Him, you'll hear His voice in situations that says, don't do this, don't do that, don't do that." [46:23]
9) "But words and actions match up perfectly. In other words, what God says is what God does. And what God does is not contradicted by what he says. His actions, and his words match up. It's a worldly saying. Actions speak louder than words. In the church, what we say and what we do should be the same thing." [25:00]
10) "God looks for a person who is listening with an open heart. Then God speaks words of divine promise and power. When they are received, God's people can carry them in faith and see them fulfilled. Has God ever said, have I spoken words to you? Have you seen them fulfilled?" [26:33]
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