Rising Above the Noise: Living in God's Goodness

Summary

On this Vision Sunday, we gather to align our hearts and minds with the mission of TAB Church: to push through boundaries and share God's story from Norfolk to the nations. This mission is not just words on paper; it is a living, breathing call to action that we are all part of. Each year, we reflect on our current season and discern what God is calling us to focus on. This year, our rallying cry is "Living Life Above the Noise." In a world filled with constant distractions and information overload, we are called to rise above the chaos and connect deeply with God.

Our culture is saturated with noise, from the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed. This noise can drown out the voice of God, making it difficult to hear His guidance and experience His presence. Yet, God is speaking loudly in our world today. The challenge is to pause, listen, and trust in His goodness, even when it seems hard to see. We are reminded that God's goodness is always pursuing us, even in the valleys of life.

As followers of Jesus, we are defined by our pursuit of Him. Our identity should not be rooted in societal noise or personal achievements but in our relationship with Christ. We are called to be kingdom agents, extending God's kingdom through sacrificial love and service. This is not an abstract concept but a practical call to action in our daily lives. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, we are to embody the love and truth of Jesus.

The Sermon on the Mount provides us with a playbook for living out this kingdom life. We are to be lights in our neighborhoods, people of our word, and those who love even our enemies. Our treasures should be stored in heaven, and our focus should be on seeking first the kingdom of God. This year, let us commit to being defined by our love for others, our willingness to listen, and our dedication to stepping in where others step out. As we live above the noise, we trust that God will do incredible things in our midst.

Key Takeaways:

1. Living Above the Noise: In a world filled with distractions, we are called to rise above the chaos and connect deeply with God. This requires intentional pauses to listen and trust in His goodness, even when it seems hard to see. God's voice is present, but we must create space to hear it. [56:46]

2. Identity in Christ: Our identity should be rooted in our relationship with Jesus, not in societal noise or personal achievements. We are defined by our pursuit of Christ and are called to be kingdom agents, extending God's love and truth in practical ways. [01:00:17]

3. Sacrificial Love: The Sermon on the Mount provides a blueprint for living out kingdom values. We are to embody sacrificial love, serving others selflessly and being lights in our communities. This is how we extend God's kingdom on earth. [01:08:03]

4. Trust in God's Goodness: Even in life's valleys, God's goodness is pursuing us. We are reminded to trust in His overarching plan and to see beyond our immediate circumstances. God's perspective is greater, and His goodness is ever-present. [01:19:27]

5. Kingdom Focus: Our primary aim is to seek first the kingdom of God. This involves being defined by love, truth, and a willingness to engage with the world around us. As we live out these values, we trust that God will work through us to bring about His kingdom. [01:16:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [0:30] - Vision Sunday Introduction
- [1:15] - Mission Statement: Pushing Through Boundaries
- [2:00] - Rallying Cry: Living Life Above the Noise
- [3:00] - The Challenge of Noise in Our Lives
- [4:30] - God's Voice Amidst the Chaos
- [5:45] - Trusting in God's Goodness
- [7:00] - Identity in Christ
- [8:30] - The Call to Sacrificial Love
- [10:00] - Practical Kingdom Living
- [11:30] - The Sermon on the Mount as a Blueprint
- [13:00] - Being Lights in Our Communities
- [14:30] - Trusting God's Plan
- [16:00] - Seeking First the Kingdom
- [17:30] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Life Above the Noise

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:14-16
2. Matthew 5:37
3. Matthew 6:33

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Observation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be the "light of the world" as described in Matthew 5:14-16? How does this relate to the sermon’s call to be lights in our communities? [01:13:15]

2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the challenge of living in a noisy world. What are some examples of noise that can distract us from hearing God's voice? [56:46]

3. How does the Sermon on the Mount serve as a "playbook" for living out kingdom values according to the sermon? [01:08:03]

4. What does the pastor mean by "living life above the noise," and how does this concept connect to our identity in Christ? [01:00:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the metaphor of being a "city on a hill" in Matthew 5:14-16 challenge believers to live out their faith in practical ways? [01:13:15]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of sacrificial love. How does this concept challenge common societal values, and what might it look like in everyday life? [01:08:03]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our identity should be rooted in Christ rather than societal achievements or noise? [01:00:17]

4. How does the call to "seek first the kingdom of God" in Matthew 6:33 influence the priorities and decisions of a believer? [01:16:17]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily routine. What specific steps can you take to create intentional pauses to listen for God's voice amidst the noise? [56:46]

2. Consider your current identity. Are there aspects of societal noise or personal achievements that you have allowed to define you more than your relationship with Christ? How can you shift your focus? [01:00:17]

3. Think of a situation where you can demonstrate sacrificial love this week. What practical actions can you take to serve others selflessly in your community or family? [01:08:03]

4. Identify a distraction in your life that prevents you from seeking God's kingdom first. What changes can you make to prioritize your relationship with God? [01:16:17]

5. How can you be a light in your neighborhood or workplace this week? What specific actions can you take to reflect the love and truth of Jesus to those around you? [01:13:15]

6. Reflect on a recent challenge or valley in your life. How can you trust in God's goodness and overarching plan despite the immediate circumstances? [01:19:27]

7. Consider a person in your life who may be difficult to love. What is one way you can show them love and grace this week, following the example of Jesus? [01:15:22]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Rising Above the Chaos
In a world overwhelmed by distractions, we are called to rise above the chaos and connect deeply with God. This requires intentional pauses to listen and trust in His goodness, even when it seems hard to see. The noise of our culture can drown out the voice of God, making it difficult to hear His guidance and experience His presence. Yet, God is speaking loudly in our world today. The challenge is to pause, listen, and trust in His goodness, even when it seems hard to see. We are reminded that God's goodness is always pursuing us, even in the valleys of life. [56:46]

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific distractions in your life are preventing you from hearing God's voice? How can you create intentional pauses today to listen to Him?

Day 2: Rooted in Christ
Our identity should be rooted in our relationship with Jesus, not in societal noise or personal achievements. As followers of Jesus, we are defined by our pursuit of Him. Our identity should not be rooted in societal noise or personal achievements but in our relationship with Christ. We are called to be kingdom agents, extending God's kingdom through sacrificial love and service. This is not an abstract concept but a practical call to action in our daily lives. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, we are to embody the love and truth of Jesus. [01:00:17]

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed societal expectations to define your identity? How can you begin to root your identity more deeply in Christ today?

Day 3: Embodying Sacrificial Love
The Sermon on the Mount provides a blueprint for living out kingdom values. We are to embody sacrificial love, serving others selflessly and being lights in our communities. This is how we extend God's kingdom on earth. Our treasures should be stored in heaven, and our focus should be on seeking first the kingdom of God. This year, let us commit to being defined by our love for others, our willingness to listen, and our dedication to stepping in where others step out. [01:08:03]

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1 John 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community can you serve selflessly this week? What practical steps can you take to embody sacrificial love in your daily interactions?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Pursuit
Even in life's valleys, God's goodness is pursuing us. We are reminded to trust in His overarching plan and to see beyond our immediate circumstances. God's perspective is greater, and His goodness is ever-present. The challenge is to pause, listen, and trust in His goodness, even when it seems hard to see. We are reminded that God's goodness is always pursuing us, even in the valleys of life. [01:19:27]

"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." (Lamentations 3:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: What current challenge in your life is testing your trust in God's goodness? How can you actively choose to trust His plan today?

Day 5: Seeking the Kingdom First
Our primary aim is to seek first the kingdom of God. This involves being defined by love, truth, and a willingness to engage with the world around us. As we live out these values, we trust that God will work through us to bring about His kingdom. We are to be lights in our neighborhoods, people of our word, and those who love even our enemies. Our treasures should be stored in heaven, and our focus should be on seeking first the kingdom of God. [01:16:17]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can prioritize God's kingdom in your life this week? How can you ensure that your actions align with seeking His kingdom first?

Quotes

1) "Living life above the noise, we just, we live in a, we live in a culture, we live in a city, we live in a community, we live in houses that are very noisy. And what do I mean by that? We are a, a culture, myself too, right? I, I catch, I, I tried to pay attention to it more this week, but when I get in the car, what's usually the first thing that I do? I turn on the radio or I turn on a podcast, right? When we get home, what's usually the, the first thing we do? We sit down and we turn on the TV or we turn on the computer. And we just live in this world where we are saturated with information. We are saturated with noise in our life." [54:55] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "The goodness of God no matter what's swirling right no matter what's happening we might not see it in this moment but from God's bird's eye view like we've been talking about the last several weeks you can take it to the bank that God's goodness he sees something that you can't see and that's why I'm reminded of the goodness of God something that we might not see right now but the goodness of God is literally chasing after you today even in the pain even in the hardship even in the struggle God's love and goodness is chasing after us." [01:00:17] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "We are a people who are defined by God and we are a people who are defined by God by our pursuit of Jesus that's who we are okay so just do some evaluation just in in our heart of hearts when I when I enter into the world when I enter into my school classroom when I enter into my workplace when I went when I enter into my home in the evenings after work would the people around me would they say yeah that is a that is a a man that is flawed that is a man that is flawed that is a woman sure makes mistakes but they are someone who is pursuing Jesus and following Jesus is that how we are known and how we are defined." [01:01:54] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Living life above the noises our cry as a people that say we want to be on a kingdom agenda we want to be about the kingdom this year we believe that jesus has come and through his work on the cross what he did on the cross yeah it's a it's a It's the way that we as individuals connect and are reconciled with God. But Jesus, what he did on the cross, he literally defeated Satan. He defeated him on the cross. The game is already over. Right? Yes, the battles ensue. Yes, he can still pick and snick and snare and all those things. Right? But the battle has already been won." [01:05:03] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "We make it our business, wherever we are, our number one priority is to exude that hope that we have. That the battle has already been won. The penalty of sin and death has been alleviated. And it is... Already come because of what Jesus Christ has already done on our behalf. That's the heart of the gospel today. And so if we're not... If we're not obsessed with that, right? And again, I know we go through seasons and we go through different stages or whatever, right? But something about being in a relationship with God. God has a way of getting our attention. And reminding us of the one thing. The one thing that we already have." [01:05:59] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "The kingdom of God doesn't just, it's not an abstract thing. It comes through us as we are living into that relationship that we have. And we're walking into our worlds with that mindset. Man, I want to see lost people come to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior. I want to see that person down the street that maybe I've written off. Man, I keep going back, and I'm sorry, but I keep going back to just a few weeks ago when some of our global workers were telling stories of what they had experienced." [01:16:17] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "We have the truth of God. We have been given the playbook. Let's be a people that are defined by our love for people, our willingness to listen, our willingness to step in where others are stepping out. And it might be messy. Hey, it might, we might make some mistakes. But I promise you, the goodness, the goodness of God is pursuing us. The goodness of God is pursuing that person too. And we can trust that the Holy Spirit will come in and he will do his thing. If we are a people of prayer, we're a people of love, a people of trust, a people of truth, right? But I think this could be a year where we could really see God do something incredible in our midst." [01:19:27] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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