Rooted in Faith: Navigating Trials and Grace
Summary
Rooting ourselves in the foundational doctrines of the faith is crucial for spiritual growth and unity among believers. The Apostles' Creed, despite its mention of "Catholic," which refers to the universal church rather than the Roman Catholic Church, serves as a powerful reminder of the core truths we hold dear. These creeds are not part of our official doctrinal statement, but they encapsulate essential beliefs that have been affirmed by Christians throughout history. Memorizing these creeds can help us remember and internalize these truths, strengthening our faith and grounding us in the shared beliefs of the Christian community.
In recent times, our church has faced a series of challenges, including sickness and the passing of loved ones. These trials can lead us to question God's goodness, but we must remember that God is always present, supporting and carrying us through difficult times. Even when we don't understand His ways, we can trust in His goodness and faithfulness. God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ, and even in the hardest times, He is working for our good and the good of others.
As we delve into Judges chapter 8, we see the story of Gideon, a man called by God to lead Israel to victory over the Midianites. Despite his initial fear and doubt, Gideon experienced God's grace and power, leading a small army to defeat a much larger force. However, as the story unfolds, we see cracks in Gideon's character and the nation of Israel. They struggled with syncretism, mixing their worship of Yahweh with the beliefs of the Canaanites. This serves as a warning to us about the dangers of allowing other influences to dilute our faith.
The chapter highlights several red flags that indicate a departure from living in the grace of God: jealousy, anger, aggression, self-preservation, fear, retribution, greed, and idolatry. These attitudes and actions can clutter our lives and hinder our relationship with God. We must be vigilant in recognizing these red flags and take steps to realign our lives with God's grace. Living in God's grace leads to increased faith, decreased fear, and a life that reflects His love and truth.
Key Takeaways:
- The Apostles' Creed serves as a powerful reminder of the core truths of our faith, uniting believers across denominations. Memorizing these creeds can help us internalize these truths and strengthen our faith. [38:16]
- In times of trial and loss, we may question God's goodness, but we must remember that He is always present, supporting and carrying us through difficult times. Trusting in His goodness and faithfulness is essential for navigating life's challenges. [42:19]
- Gideon's story in Judges 8 warns us about the dangers of syncretism, where we mix our worship of God with other beliefs. This can dilute our faith and lead us away from living in the grace of God. [46:38]
- Red flags such as jealousy, anger, aggression, self-preservation, fear, retribution, greed, and idolatry indicate a departure from living in God's grace. Recognizing these signs can help us realign our lives with His love and truth. [50:48]
- Living in God's grace leads to increased faith, decreased fear, and a life that reflects His love and truth. We must be vigilant in recognizing and addressing anything that hinders our relationship with God. [58:50]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Importance of the Creeds
[03:45] - Recent Church Challenges
[07:20] - God's Presence in Trials
[10:50] - Introduction to Judges 8
[15:30] - Gideon's Call and Victory
[20:15] - Syncretism and Its Dangers
[25:40] - Red Flags in Our Spiritual Life
[30:10] - Jealousy, Anger, and Aggression
[35:00] - Self-Preservation and Fear
[40:20] - Retribution and Greed
[45:50] - Idolatry and Its Consequences
[50:30] - Living in God's Grace
[55:00] - Communion and Reflection
[01:00:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Judges 8
2. Ephesians 1:3
3. Galatians 5:19-21
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Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the core truths mentioned in the Apostles' Creed that unite believers across denominations? How does the sermon suggest these truths can strengthen our faith? [38:16]
2. In Judges 8, what initial fears and doubts did Gideon face, and how did God address them? [42:19]
3. What were the red flags in Gideon's character and actions, as well as in the nation of Israel, that indicated a departure from living in God's grace? [50:48]
4. How did the people of Succoth and Penuel respond to Gideon's request for help, and what does this reveal about their spiritual state? [55:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Apostles' Creed serve as a tool for believers to internalize and remember the core truths of their faith? Why might this be important for spiritual growth and unity? [38:16]
2. What does Gideon's story in Judges 8 teach us about the dangers of syncretism, and how can this apply to modern-day believers? [46:38]
3. How do the red flags of jealousy, anger, aggression, and self-preservation reflect a life not fully aligned with God's grace? What might be the consequences of ignoring these signs? [50:48]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living in God's grace can lead to increased faith and decreased fear? How might this be evident in a believer's life? [58:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge or trial in your life. How did you perceive God's presence and support during that time? How can you remind yourself of His goodness and faithfulness in future trials? [42:19]
2. Consider the influences in your life that might be diluting your faith. What steps can you take to ensure that your worship and beliefs remain centered on God alone? [46:38]
3. Identify any red flags in your own life, such as jealousy or anger, that might indicate a departure from living in God's grace. What practical steps can you take to address these issues? [50:48]
4. How can memorizing and reflecting on the Apostles' Creed or similar statements of faith help you stay grounded in your beliefs? What is one truth from the Creed that you want to focus on this week? [38:16]
5. Think about a time when you acted out of self-preservation or fear rather than faith. How can you cultivate a mindset that trusts in God's provision and guidance? [55:07]
6. In what ways can you actively participate in God's work, even when it requires stepping out of your comfort zone? How can you encourage others in your community to do the same? [55:07]
7. Reflect on the concept of idolatry as anything that displaces God in your life. What is one area where you might be placing too much trust, and how can you realign your focus on God? [01:01:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Core Beliefs
Rooting ourselves in the foundational doctrines of the faith is crucial for spiritual growth and unity among believers. The Apostles' Creed, despite its mention of "Catholic," which refers to the universal church rather than the Roman Catholic Church, serves as a powerful reminder of the core truths we hold dear. These creeds are not part of our official doctrinal statement, but they encapsulate essential beliefs that have been affirmed by Christians throughout history. Memorizing these creeds can help us remember and internalize these truths, strengthening our faith and grounding us in the shared beliefs of the Christian community. [38:16]
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the truths of the Apostles' Creed into your daily prayer life to strengthen your faith and unity with other believers?
Day 2: Trusting God's Presence in Trials
In recent times, our church has faced a series of challenges, including sickness and the passing of loved ones. These trials can lead us to question God's goodness, but we must remember that God is always present, supporting and carrying us through difficult times. Even when we don't understand His ways, we can trust in His goodness and faithfulness. God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ, and even in the hardest times, He is working for our good and the good of others. [42:19]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How can you actively remind yourself of God's presence and support during such times?
Day 3: Guarding Against Syncretism
As we delve into Judges chapter 8, we see the story of Gideon, a man called by God to lead Israel to victory over the Midianites. Despite his initial fear and doubt, Gideon experienced God's grace and power, leading a small army to defeat a much larger force. However, as the story unfolds, we see cracks in Gideon's character and the nation of Israel. They struggled with syncretism, mixing their worship of Yahweh with the beliefs of the Canaanites. This serves as a warning to us about the dangers of allowing other influences to dilute our faith. [46:38]
"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15, ESV)
Reflection: Are there any cultural or societal beliefs that you have allowed to mix with your faith? How can you take steps to purify your worship and devotion to God alone?
Day 4: Recognizing Red Flags in Spiritual Life
The chapter highlights several red flags that indicate a departure from living in the grace of God: jealousy, anger, aggression, self-preservation, fear, retribution, greed, and idolatry. These attitudes and actions can clutter our lives and hinder our relationship with God. We must be vigilant in recognizing these red flags and take steps to realign our lives with God's grace. Living in God's grace leads to increased faith, decreased fear, and a life that reflects His love and truth. [50:48]
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one red flag in your spiritual life. What practical steps can you take today to address it and realign your life with God's grace?
Day 5: Living in God's Grace
Living in God's grace leads to increased faith, decreased fear, and a life that reflects His love and truth. We must be vigilant in recognizing and addressing anything that hinders our relationship with God. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of His blessings and live a life that is a testament to His goodness. [58:50]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on God's grace? How can you actively seek His grace in this area today?
Quotes
"And if you read through the Apostles Creed, I mean, there's a part in there we don't like because it says Catholic and we're not Catholic, but Catholic doesn't mean Roman Catholic. We, of course, are not that. But it's a really important point and it's stressing that we universally as believers agree on these core truths. That's why we leave that in there. It's really important to us to know that these are the doctrines affirmed by believers, those who would believe in the authority of Scripture the way we do. And it's actually pretty fun to go through all of these statements. It's like a condensed form of all the kernel beliefs that we have." [00:34:24] (45 seconds)
"And you would do yourself a favor to memorize these creeds. They're not a part of our official doctrinal statement or anything like that. They're just good doctrinal truths. I think my voice just changed, but they're core beliefs to who we are and what believers have accepted to be kernel parts of our truth. Anyway, the second thing, now that the mic is more stable, a few sad things. I mean, it feels like since October, we've been going through one thing after another as a church, sicknesses and people passing." [00:35:48] (40 seconds)
"Even in that, you might be tempted to think sometimes, is God good? Because we prayed so hard, and so many people, I'm sure people around the world pray in, and is God good? And I can assure you that Kim believed that, and so does Jonah, and I believe it, that God is good. But even in the goodness of God, sad times come, and we rest fully in God. We trust in him, but God wasn't sitting idly by. He was there substantially supporting and carrying them through this trial, as he does with us, because I'm sure there's times where we're tempted to think, was God there? Does he even care? And the truth is, is that God cares." [00:37:55] (51 seconds)
"When I preached a sermon on Ephesians, it's going to be in 1 and 2 Peter, starting this summer, Lord willing, when I finish Judges, but in Ephesians, we quoted a verse every time I preached. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ, that God has now on our account blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. It's ours. We have blessings now and blessings later. And when we think about that, it reminds us that our God has been good." [00:38:45] (40 seconds)
"We get to Judges chapter 8. It's not a pretty chapter. It's not like, well, Gideon did great. Let's sing the song of Gideon and, you know, yahoo, yeehaw. We're going to just have a good old time. Now we get to Judges chapter 8. We begin to see some cracks in Gideon's character, in his actions, and even in the nation of Israel. Initially, they're subtle, and I think Gideon throughout his life, he honored God, he worshiped God, but there was syncretism there. Remember, God had warned Israel, don't go in the land and start practicing like the Canaanites and believing what they believe. And somehow, the Israelites had mixed together their belief in Yahweh with the beliefs of the Canaanites, and Gideon was no exception." [00:40:01] (50 seconds)
"Jealousy is an evil thing. James chapter 3 verses 14 and 16. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly. It's unspiritual. It's demonic. Do you believe that? Christians are influenced by the teachings of Satan when we follow after these types of things. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exists, there will be disorder in every vile practice." [00:48:37] (34 seconds)
"The works of the flesh are evident. Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery. Are you getting the gist of it? It goes on. Sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you as I warned you before that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Now we know that those who have committed such things will be in the kingdom, but they've been forgiven. But these are not the kinds of people that are knocking on the gates of heaven." [00:49:18] (39 seconds)
"An incident of ignoring God's grace. The people went back to their sinful ways of idolatry and living in sin, and they did not remember the work of God. So verse 29, it says, Jerubbabel, who is Gideon, he was called Jerubbabel because he told Baal to fight for himself. He goes back and it says he sat in his house. Now scholars tell me, I don't even have to go there. I got enough against Gideon already. They tell me that he's sitting on a throne, like he's sitting in a place of leadership, and he did maintain his authority over Israel, even though he didn't accept the honorary title." [01:09:45] (39 seconds)
"But isn't it wonderful that God is gracious? Here's the deal. He's so gracious that he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sin so that we could have restoration with God. We can be reconciled to God. We could have forgiveness of sin and even freedom from the guilt and consequences of much of our sin. Jesus paid the price for us. He came from heaven to earth. He lived a perfect and sinless life. He died for us. He was buried. He rose again, defeating death and sin for us. And how can we ever ignore that grace of God?" [01:14:32] (42 seconds)
"When you live in the grace of God, when you're remembering the work of Jesus Christ appropriately, faith will increase, trust will increase, fear will decrease, doubts will decrease. They might still be there, but isn't God gracious? He uses us and He's still at work. And that's an awesome thing. But today we're remembering yet again, once more, that Jesus did it for us. He died for the church. Yes, He died for you, but not just for you, not for your sins only, but for the sins of the whole world. And any who would believe on Him, we would invite you today to participate with us." [01:16:04] (39 seconds)
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