Seeking God: Embracing Community and Hope in Advent
Summary
Celebrating the gift of life that Jesus brings, we gather as a church family to welcome new members and reaffirm our commitment to encouraging our community toward wholeness in Jesus. This mission is ongoing, and we are grateful for those who have joined us in this journey. As we welcome Dylan, Eric, Selena, Doug, Amber, and Chloe, we are reminded of the importance of community and the support we offer each other in our walk with Christ.
In this season of Advent, we focus on seeking the Lord, both individually and collectively. Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation, aligning with our church's mission of seeking, loving, and serving. As we enter December and January, we emphasize the importance of seeking God, culminating in a 21-day period of prayer and fasting. This practice is rooted in the tradition of God's people, who have always been called to seek Him, despite the distractions that often lead us astray.
Reflecting on the story of Zephaniah, we see a prophet who emerged during a time of distraction and spiritual decline. Despite the challenges faced by the people of Judah, Zephaniah's message was one of hope and restoration. He reminded the people that God desires a relationship with them and that true life is found in this relationship. The end of their exile symbolized the end of hopelessness and the beginning of a renewed connection with God.
This message is relevant to us today. We are often distracted by the busyness of life, seeking fulfillment in things that cannot satisfy. Yet, God continually seeks us, inviting us into a relationship where we can find true life, hope, peace, and joy. As we navigate the distractions of our world, we are called to trust in God, who promises to guide us and bring us home to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Community and Wholeness: Our church family is committed to encouraging each other toward wholeness in Jesus. This mission is ongoing and requires the support and prayers of the entire community. As we welcome new members, we are reminded of the importance of walking together in faith. [20:42]
- Advent and Seeking God: Advent is a season of anticipation and seeking the Lord. It aligns with our church's mission of seeking, loving, and serving. This time of year invites us to focus on our relationship with God, both individually and collectively, as we prepare for a new year. [46:59]
- Zephaniah's Message of Hope: Zephaniah emerged during a time of distraction and spiritual decline, bringing a message of hope and restoration. He reminded the people of Judah that God desires a relationship with them and that true life is found in this relationship. [54:36]
- Overcoming Distractions: We are often distracted by the busyness of life, seeking fulfillment in things that cannot satisfy. Yet, God continually seeks us, inviting us into a relationship where we can find true life, hope, peace, and joy. [01:01:00]
- Trusting in God's Promises: God promises to guide us and bring us home to Him. As we navigate the distractions of our world, we are called to trust in God, who desires to renew our relationship with Him and lead us into a life of fullness and purpose. [01:06:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:42] - Introduction of New Members
- [40:34] - Prayer and Worship
- [46:59] - Children's Bell Performance
- [50:52] - Advent and Seeking God
- [52:09] - The Distractions of Life
- [54:36] - Zephaniah's Message
- [56:43] - Historical Context of Zephaniah
- [58:38] - Zephaniah's Prophecy of Hope
- [01:01:00] - The End of Exile
- [01:02:59] - God's Desire for Relationship
- [01:05:05] - Finding Life in God
- [01:06:56] - God's Pursuit of Us
- [01:08:14] - Prayer for Guidance
- [01:12:01] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Zephaniah 3:14-20
Observation Questions:
1. What was the historical context in which Zephaniah delivered his message, and how did it affect the people of Judah? [54:36]
2. How does Zephaniah describe the change in God's relationship with His people towards the end of his book? [58:38]
3. What are some of the distractions mentioned in the sermon that can lead us away from seeking God? [52:09]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of community in encouraging each other toward wholeness in Jesus? [20:42]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Zephaniah's message of hope and restoration suggest about God's character and His desires for His people? [58:38]
2. How does the concept of seeking God during Advent align with the church's mission of seeking, loving, and serving? [46:59]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that distractions can impact our spiritual journey and relationship with God? [52:09]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of trusting in God's promises, even amidst life's distractions? [01:06:56]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distracted from your spiritual journey. What steps can you take to refocus on your relationship with God this Advent season? [52:09]
2. How can you actively participate in your church community to encourage others toward wholeness in Jesus? Consider specific actions you can take this week. [20:42]
3. The sermon emphasizes seeking God both individually and collectively. What are some practical ways you can incorporate seeking God into your daily routine and family life? [46:59]
4. Zephaniah's message highlights the end of exile as a symbol of hope. How can you apply this concept of hope and restoration to a challenging situation in your life? [58:38]
5. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What strategies can you implement to minimize this distraction in the coming weeks? [52:09]
6. How can you trust in God's promises more fully, especially when facing uncertainties or challenges? Share a personal experience where trusting God made a difference. [01:06:56]
7. Consider the role of prayer and fasting in seeking God. How might you incorporate these practices into your spiritual life during the upcoming 21-day period mentioned in the sermon? [46:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Walking Together in Faith
Our church family is committed to encouraging each other toward wholeness in Jesus. This mission is ongoing and requires the support and prayers of the entire community. As we welcome new members, we are reminded of the importance of walking together in faith. [20:42]
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to offer encouragement or support in their walk with Christ?
Day 2: Anticipation and Preparation in Advent
Advent is a season of anticipation and seeking the Lord. It aligns with our church's mission of seeking, loving, and serving. This time of year invites us to focus on our relationship with God, both individually and collectively, as we prepare for a new year. [46:59]
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near." (Isaiah 55:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God during this Advent season, and what specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to prepare your heart for the coming year?
Day 3: Hope and Restoration in Zephaniah
Zephaniah emerged during a time of distraction and spiritual decline, bringing a message of hope and restoration. He reminded the people of Judah that God desires a relationship with them and that true life is found in this relationship. [54:36]
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually distracted or in decline, and how can you invite God's message of hope and restoration into those areas today?
Day 4: Finding Fulfillment in God
We are often distracted by the busyness of life, seeking fulfillment in things that cannot satisfy. Yet, God continually seeks us, inviting us into a relationship where we can find true life, hope, peace, and joy. [01:01:00]
"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." (Isaiah 55:2, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you are seeking fulfillment outside of God. What steps can you take to redirect your focus and find satisfaction in your relationship with Him?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Guidance
God promises to guide us and bring us home to Him. As we navigate the distractions of our world, we are called to trust in God, who desires to renew our relationship with Him and lead us into a life of fullness and purpose. [01:06:56]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's guidance? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him and trust in His promises today?
Quotes
Really, these people are all, some of them are already members, but others have been a part of a class where they have learned about what the Church of the Nazarene is about and what Grace Church is about. And one of the things that we are really all about is encouraging our community to move toward wholeness. That's our mission. That's our goal, that we will never, ever finish that. But it's something that we hope that we continually do over and over again. [00:19:46] (23 seconds)
But what we know happened is somewhere along the way, him and Josiah began to help the people once again see who God wanted to be. And towards the end of his book, once again, the first part of it is rough. It's tough. It's blunt. It's in their face. It doesn't make them feel good at all. But towards the end of Zephaniah, there's some good news. [00:58:05] (28 seconds)
I will remove disaster from you so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save. The lame. And I'll gather the outcast. I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home. And at that time when I gather you. For I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth. [00:59:43] (35 seconds)
But God was reminding them of the promise that he had given to them over and over and over and over and over that I will gather you and I will bring you home. I will give you honor. And I will restore you. I will help you to know and understand exactly who I am and who I long to be. Because, see, the religion of the Hebrews, the religion of the people of God, were always concerned. [01:03:40] (27 seconds)
Zephaniah's words of God this morning remind us that it's not just on us to try and find him, that it's the God who created, who came seeking for us, who looks for us, who's looking for you. It's the one that says, it says, I will not forget my promises that I will come after you and I will seek after you. It's that prevenient grace, the grace that goes before us that is always looking for us. [01:05:43] (25 seconds)
And don't you ever forget that God has chosen you. He's chosen you. Whether you choose him or not, he chooses you. Whether you decide to follow him, he will follow you. Not because he's mad, not because he's angry, not because he wants to get at you and tear you down or anything like that. He chooses you because he absolutely loves you. [01:06:56] (30 seconds)
I think that's why so often we go back to this prayer that we've been working through for at least a year now. And it's just a simple prayer that I keep putting up on the screen and I keep working through in my own life. And it just simply says, Jesus, I want you as my Lord and Savior. I want you as my Savior because I need, saved. I need, I need, I need saved for myself. [01:07:39] (24 seconds)
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