Rising Above: Embracing Faith and Victory
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the transformative power of faith and the importance of rising above our circumstances. We began by acknowledging the need for miracles and the desire for God to work in our lives. We prayed for a young child, asking for divine protection and guidance as they grow in a Christian home, emphasizing the importance of being raised in the faith and the power of the Holy Spirit.
We then shifted our focus to the struggles many of us face, drawing from Isaiah 24:18. Life often feels like a series of pits, where one problem follows another, leaving us feeling overwhelmed. However, the key message is that no matter how many times we fall, what truly matters is our determination to rise again. We are encouraged to declare with conviction, "I'm coming out," and to actively participate in our own deliverance by putting our trust in God.
The sermon highlighted the importance of not allowing our circumstances to define us. We are reminded that God created us to have victory over our circumstances, not to live under them. The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to be overcomers, and it is our choice whether we stay down or rise up. The message is clear: we have the power to choose victory over defeat.
We also discussed the role of the Good Shepherd, who uses the Word of God to shear away the burdens that weigh us down. Just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, God cares for us and desires to lift us from our pits. We must be willing to accept His help and not resist the guidance He provides.
Finally, we were encouraged to take action, to move and struggle our way out of our pits. Whether it's through prayer, worship, or community support, we must actively participate in our own deliverance. The choice is ours, and we are called to leave the church different from how we came in, ready to embrace the victory that God has in store for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Determination: No matter how many times we fall, our determination to rise again is what truly matters. We must declare with conviction, "I'm coming out," and actively participate in our own deliverance by trusting in God. [37:05]
2. Victory Over Circumstances: God created us to have victory over our circumstances, not to live under them. The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to be overcomers, and it is our choice whether we stay down or rise up. [39:18]
3. The Role of the Good Shepherd: Just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, God cares for us and desires to lift us from our pits. We must be willing to accept His help and not resist the guidance He provides. [45:30]
4. Active Participation in Deliverance: We must take action, move, and struggle our way out of our pits. Whether through prayer, worship, or community support, we must actively participate in our own deliverance. [55:12]
5. Leaving Changed: We are called to leave the church different from how we came in, ready to embrace the victory that God has in store for us. We must be willing to do what we've never done before to experience transformation. [01:03:43]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [02:15] - Prayer for the Child
- [05:00] - Fundraiser Announcement
- [07:45] - Offering Prayer
- [10:30] - Trusting in God
- [12:00] - The Power of Determination
- [15:30] - Isaiah 24:18 Reflection
- [18:45] - Rising Above Circumstances
- [22:00] - The Good Shepherd's Care
- [25:30] - Active Participation in Deliverance
- [30:00] - Leaving Changed
- [35:00] - Call to Action
- [40:00] - Closing Encouragement
- [45:00] - Final Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 24:18
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Observation Questions:
1. In Isaiah 24:18, what does the passage describe about the cycle of escaping one pit only to fall into another? How does this relate to the struggles mentioned in the sermon? [30:44]
2. The sermon emphasized the phrase "I'm coming out." What does this declaration signify in the context of overcoming life's challenges? [37:05]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Good Shepherd in helping us rise from our pits? What tools does the Shepherd use to aid us? [45:30]
4. What actions are encouraged in the sermon to actively participate in our own deliverance from life's pits? [55:12]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the imagery of falling into a pit in Isaiah 24:18 reflect the emotional and spiritual struggles people face? What does this suggest about the nature of life's challenges? [30:44]
2. The sermon encourages declaring "I'm coming out" with conviction. How might this declaration impact a person's mindset and actions when facing difficulties? [37:05]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Good Shepherd's guidance can transform our burdens into opportunities for growth? [45:30]
4. The sermon calls for active participation in deliverance. What might this look like in practical terms for someone seeking to overcome a personal struggle? [55:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were moving from one problem to another, as described in Isaiah 24:18. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [30:44]
2. The sermon encourages us to declare "I'm coming out" with determination. Identify a current challenge in your life. How can you apply this declaration to your situation? [37:05]
3. Consider the role of the Good Shepherd in your life. Are there burdens you need to allow Him to shear away? How can you be more open to His guidance? [45:30]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of taking action to rise from our pits. What specific steps can you take this week to actively participate in your own deliverance? [55:12]
5. The message encourages leaving the church changed. Reflect on your current spiritual state. What is one change you want to make before leaving today, and how will you implement it? [01:03:43]
6. Think about a time when you resisted help or guidance. What was the outcome, and how might accepting help have changed the situation? [45:30]
7. Identify a community or support system that can aid you in your journey of overcoming challenges. How can you engage with them more effectively this week? [55:12]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Resilience
In life, we often encounter challenges that seem insurmountable, leaving us feeling trapped in a cycle of setbacks. However, the true measure of our faith is not in how many times we fall, but in our determination to rise again. By declaring with conviction, "I'm coming out," we actively participate in our own deliverance, trusting in God's power to lift us from our circumstances. This resilience is a testament to our faith and our willingness to trust in God's plan for our lives. [37:05]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Identify a recent setback in your life. How can you actively choose to rise above it today, trusting in God's strength to guide you?
Day 2: Embracing Victory Over Circumstances
God has designed us to be victors, not victims of our circumstances. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome the challenges we face, and it is our choice whether we remain defeated or rise up in victory. By embracing this truth, we can live above our circumstances, knowing that God has equipped us with everything we need to triumph. This mindset shift allows us to see our challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation. [39:18]
1 John 5:4 (ESV): "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."
Reflection: What is one circumstance in your life where you feel defeated? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you see it as an opportunity for victory?
Day 3: The Shepherd's Care
Just as a shepherd tends to his flock, God cares for us deeply and desires to lift us from the burdens that weigh us down. He uses His Word to guide and comfort us, offering His help and guidance. However, we must be willing to accept His assistance and not resist the direction He provides. By trusting in the Good Shepherd, we can find peace and assurance in His care, knowing that He is always with us, ready to lead us to greener pastures. [45:30]
Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV): "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Reflection: In what area of your life are you resisting God's guidance? How can you open your heart to accept His care and direction today?
Day 4: Active Participation in Deliverance
Deliverance is not a passive experience; it requires our active participation. Whether through prayer, worship, or seeking support from our community, we must take steps to move out of our pits. By engaging in these spiritual practices, we align ourselves with God's will and open ourselves to His transformative power. This active involvement in our deliverance is a demonstration of our faith and commitment to living a life of victory. [55:12]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to actively participate in your deliverance? How can you incorporate this step into your daily routine?
Day 5: Transformation Through Change
We are called to leave our places of worship transformed, ready to embrace the victory that God has in store for us. This transformation requires us to do what we've never done before, stepping out in faith and trusting in God's plan. By embracing change and being open to new experiences, we allow God to work in our lives in powerful ways, leading us to a deeper understanding of His love and purpose for us. [01:03:43]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What is one new action or habit you can adopt this week to experience transformation in your spiritual life? How can this change help you embrace the victory God has for you?
Quotes
"Somebody told me something a while back and I took it to heart. It's my Sunday mantra. I have to remind myself on Sundays that I'm not the main attraction. I'm just the tour guide. Amen. And my only position in life on a Sunday is to show Jesus. Amen. Show how wonderful He is. Show how great He is. Show how marvelous He is." [00:00:29] (28 seconds)
"Sometimes I just have to be real with myself. Sometimes you just have to be real with yourself. Amen. Some of you come in here looking for answers. Some of you come in here this morning feeling down. Discouraged. Thank God that I come to help you get back up. Amen. Thank God I help you. I come to help you get back up. Amen." [00:31:43] (26 seconds)
"Friend, it doesn't, you say, well, I don't, you don't know how many times I've fallen. It really doesn't matter how many times you have fallen. It matters how many times you desire to get back up. If you will, would you help me a little bit? Would you shout it with an attitude? I'm coming out." [00:35:26] (20 seconds)
"Would you shout it with an attitude? I'm coming. Oh, hallelujah. God's already at work in your life. You know why? You know what the evidence is? You have a desire to put a voice to what you need to do. I'm coming out of this. I'm coming out of this demise. I'm coming out of this struggle. I'm coming out of this problem." [00:35:40] (23 seconds)
"You may be down now, but you're not going to stay down. Come on. I'm not going to let you stay down. You may be down now, but you're not going to stay down. And look, we can all, we can all come up together. Amen. We all come up together. Amen. If everybody in this room works for a purpose to see a victory today, we'll all come out of the pit that we're in." [00:36:57] (26 seconds)
"It does not matter what your circumstances are today. There's victory in the house of the Lord today. There's victory in the house of the Lord today. You just need to quit trying to trick God and quit trying to play with yourself and playing with your own mind and just say, God, you know where I'm ahead. You know my doings and my comings and my goings." [00:37:57] (24 seconds)
"Because it doesn't matter what your circumstances are in life. God didn't create you to live under your circumstance. He created you to have victory over your circumstance. Oh, if you need to be delivered from one thing, you need to be delivered from a poor mouth that everything's come your way. Look what my, oh, what, oh, pitiful me." [00:39:18] (25 seconds)
"Don't put it all on me today because it's a matter of choice. I can preach a good message, I can preach a bad message, but it's a matter of choice whether you stay down or whether you get back up. Amen, that's your choice. Whether you stay down or whether you get back up. But I got a feeling there's a spirit in the house today that said, rejoice not against me, oh, my enemy. For when I fall, I shall arise." [00:40:17] (29 seconds)
"Some of us the only thing we're struggling with right now we're struggling with reality that God sent a messenger to your house God sent a messenger to your mind God sent a messenger to your life but you know what he didn't send a messenger here to push you farther down in the pit God sent me here to get you up out of the pit." [00:45:40] (20 seconds)
"Amen You can be seated for a moment If you'll keep preaching with me Amen Even the weakest of you The youngest of you The oldest of you Can do what the devil can't do Amen I know it sounds silly But the devil fell And he can't get back up But when you fall You can get back up For when I fall I will When I fall I will When I fall I will When I fall I" [00:46:40] (40 seconds)
"There's got to be some will in you to get up You got to will yourself into getting up Oh hallelujah Oh rejoice not against me Oh my enemy I'm rising up today I'm rising up today Oh We will get up We will There's no ilse ands or buts There's no questions We put an exclamation mark today We will get back up" [00:47:37] (35 seconds)
"Of all the things that you can do to get out of your pit, that one thing that you can't do, you can't just sit there. You've got to move. You've got to struggle. You've got to grab a hold of the sides of your pit and begin to push. I need some volunteers right now. I need three volunteers that will do some things that will run and will obey the man of God." [01:02:23] (26 seconds)
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