Shine: Embracing God's Timing for Growth and Impact

 

Summary

It's a new year, and as we gather in God's presence, we are reminded of His faithfulness and the promise of His continued work in our lives. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Shiloh Church, and our theme is "Shine." This isn't just about the physical appearance of our church but about the transformative work God wants to do in each of us. As we delve into 1 Corinthians 3:5-6, we see the process of planting, watering, and God's divine increase. This passage highlights the importance of both our efforts and God's perfect timing, known as "kairos" moments, which are significant and transformative.

Understanding the difference between "chronos" (linear time) and "kairos" (opportune time) is crucial. While chronos is about the sequential passage of time, kairos is about those divine moments that change our destiny. We are encouraged to be attentive to these moments, as they often intersect with our daily lives in unexpected ways. God's timing is perfect, and when our efforts align with His divine timing, we witness growth and multiplication.

In 2025, we are called to be intentional with our time, to plant seeds of faith, and to prepare for the increase God has promised. This year is not just about personal growth but about impacting our community and the world. We are reminded that even in seasons that seem barren, God can produce growth. Our role is to be faithful in planting and watering, trusting that God will bring the increase.

As we move forward, we are called to share the gospel, train believers, and impact our city. This involves telling our stories, using social media wisely, inviting others to church, and praying for those around us. We are to be a light in a world that desperately needs hope, and through our actions, we can demonstrate the love and power of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding God's Timing: Recognize the difference between chronos and kairos. While chronos is the linear passage of time, kairos represents those divine moments that can change our lives. Be attentive to these moments and align your efforts with God's timing for growth and increase. [54:29]

2. The Power of Planting and Watering: Our role is to plant seeds of faith and water them through prayer and action. Trust that God will bring the increase in His perfect timing. This partnership with God leads to growth and multiplication in our lives and communities. [56:46]

3. Seizing Kairos Moments: Be open to the unexpected opportunities God places in your path. These kairos moments can lead to significant changes in your life and the lives of others. Don't rush through life and miss these divine appointments. [59:59]

4. Intentional Living: Be intentional with your time and resources. Avoid distractions that steal your time and focus on what truly matters. Align your life with God's purposes and watch as He brings about His promises in your life. [01:01:26]

5. Impacting the World: We are called to be a light in the world, sharing the gospel and impacting our communities. Use your story, social media, and personal interactions to spread the love and truth of Jesus. Be ready to lead others to Christ and train believers to grow in their faith. [01:18:52]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[53:15] - Introduction to the Theme
[54:29] - Understanding Chronos and Kairos
[56:46] - The Process of Planting and Watering
[59:59] - Seizing Kairos Moments
[01:01:26] - Living Intentionally
[01:04:41] - God's Promise of Fruitfulness
[01:06:35] - Overcoming Challenges with Faith
[01:08:06] - The Power of Testimony
[01:09:38] - Aligning with God's Timing
[01:10:35] - Partnering with God for Increase
[01:18:52] - Sharing the Gospel
[01:20:48] - Practical Ways to Witness
[01:25:25] - Training Believers
[01:30:05] - Impacting the City
[01:39:48] - Call to Action and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 3:5-6
- Ecclesiastes 3:1
- Psalm 90:12

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Observation Questions:

1. In 1 Corinthians 3:5-6, what roles do Paul and Apollos play in the process of growth, and who ultimately causes the increase? [53:15]

2. How does the sermon describe the difference between "chronos" and "kairos" time, and why is this distinction important for understanding God's timing? [54:29]

3. What examples from the sermon illustrate "kairos" moments, and how do these moments impact the lives of individuals? [56:46]

4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being intentional with our time in 2025, and how does this relate to the concept of planting and watering? [01:01:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might understanding the difference between "chronos" and "kairos" influence a person's perspective on their daily activities and long-term goals? [54:29]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between human effort and divine timing in achieving growth and multiplication? [56:46]

3. How can recognizing "kairos" moments change the way individuals approach opportunities and challenges in their lives? [59:59]

4. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to be a light in their communities, and how does this align with the call to share the gospel and train believers? [01:18:52]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "kairos" moment. How did it change your perspective or direction in life? How can you be more attentive to such moments in the future? [56:46]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of planting seeds of faith. What specific actions can you take this week to plant seeds in your community or personal life? [01:01:26]

3. Consider the distractions that might be stealing your time. What steps can you take to minimize these distractions and focus on what truly matters? [59:59]

4. How can you use your personal story and social media presence to share the love and truth of Jesus with others? Identify one specific way to do this in the coming week. [01:18:52]

5. The sermon calls for intentional living in 2025. What is one area of your life where you can be more intentional, and what practical steps will you take to align with God's purposes? [01:01:26]

6. Think of someone in your life who needs hope. How can you be a light to them this week, and what specific actions will you take to demonstrate the love of Jesus? [01:18:52]

7. Reflect on the idea of being a "kingdom of priests" as mentioned in the sermon. How can you embrace this identity in your daily interactions and responsibilities? [01:30:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Divine Moments in Time
Understanding the difference between "chronos" and "kairos" is essential for spiritual growth. Chronos refers to the linear, sequential passage of time, while kairos represents those opportune, divine moments that can transform our lives. These kairos moments are significant because they often intersect with our daily routines in unexpected ways, offering opportunities for growth and change. Being attentive to these moments allows us to align our efforts with God's perfect timing, leading to spiritual growth and multiplication. As we enter this new year, let us be vigilant and open to the kairos moments God places in our path, trusting that His timing is perfect. [54:29]

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Can you recall a recent moment when you felt God's timing was at work in your life? How can you be more attentive to these divine moments in the future?


Day 2: The Partnership of Planting and Watering
The process of planting and watering is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. Our role is to plant seeds of faith and nurture them through prayer and action, trusting that God will bring the increase in His perfect timing. This partnership with God is crucial, as it leads to growth and multiplication in our lives and communities. Even in seasons that seem barren, God can produce growth when we remain faithful in our efforts. As we move forward, let us commit to planting and watering diligently, knowing that God will honor our efforts with His divine increase. [56:46]

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What seeds of faith have you planted recently, and how can you continue to nurture them through prayer and action?


Day 3: Embracing Unexpected Opportunities
Seizing kairos moments requires openness to the unexpected opportunities God places in our path. These divine appointments can lead to significant changes in our lives and the lives of others. It is important not to rush through life, missing these opportunities for growth and transformation. By being open and attentive, we can embrace these moments and allow God to work through us in powerful ways. Let us be ready to respond to God's call, trusting that He will guide us in these transformative moments. [59:59]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent unexpected opportunity that came your way. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to better embrace future kairos moments?


Day 4: Living with Purpose and Intention
Intentional living involves being deliberate with our time and resources, focusing on what truly matters. It requires us to avoid distractions that steal our time and align our lives with God's purposes. By living intentionally, we can witness God's promises unfold in our lives and experience His blessings. This year, let us commit to living with purpose, making choices that reflect our faith and values, and trusting that God will guide us in fulfilling His plans for us. [01:01:26]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to be more intentional? How can you align this area with God's purposes today?


Day 5: Being a Light in the World
We are called to be a light in the world, sharing the gospel and impacting our communities. This involves telling our stories, using social media wisely, inviting others to church, and praying for those around us. By being a light, we can demonstrate the love and power of Jesus to a world that desperately needs hope. Let us be ready to lead others to Christ and train believers to grow in their faith, making a lasting impact on our city and beyond. [01:18:52]

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use your unique story and gifts to be a light in your community this week? What specific steps can you take to share the love and truth of Jesus with others?

Quotes



"Kairos is measured by minutes. I mean, chronos is measured by minutes, whereas kairos is measured by moments. The Greek word for kairos. Kairos refers to the appointed or opportune time. It's about moments that carry deep significance, a purpose beyond the ordinary passage of time." [00:56:13] (25 seconds)


"And a lot of us here think we're waiting on God, but what if God is waiting on you to do what he's asked you to do? And when our human effort, our chronos meets God's divine timing, kairos, that's when we see increase. That's when we see growth. That's when we see multiplication." [00:59:01] (21 seconds)


"Melinda and I have always, always been intentional to take time every year. And this year we're going to do it more. Every year we take at least two days where we get away and we pray and we seek God. No social media, no TV. If you call us, we won't answer. And we seek God about what he's saying for the year." [01:01:26] (23 seconds)


"Tell your neighbor you'll be surprised by what grows in the winter. And just like Ecclesiastes, there's a time for everything. I believe now is the time for increase. Now is the time for growth. Shiloh 2025 is a time to see God move. And to shine for Jesus. And I declare today that if you plant and if you put seed in the ground, then the kairos of God, the divine timing of God, will produce fruit." [01:04:30] (33 seconds)


"To align with God's perfect kairos time, there's something for us to do with the chronos time God has given us. Look what the psalmist says in Psalm 90, 12. So, teach us, Lord, to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. When I understand God's time, that's when I could move with wisdom." [00:59:30] (29 seconds)


"God's calling you to shine in the middle of culture. But I'm calling you to be different, the culture, so you could impact culture. God desires for you to shine in the middle of a dying and broken world so that they see you and you look different, so that they hear you and you sound different." [01:33:40] (23 seconds)


"How many of you say that? I want God's best. I want God's best for my family. I want God's best for my city. I want God's best for my finances. I want God's best for the salvation of many. I want God's best in 2025. So let's plant where we need to plant." [01:39:48] (20 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?