Standing in the Gap: Embracing Our Divine Purpose
Summary
### Summary
Good afternoon, everyone. Today, I want to address a topic that has been weighing heavily on my heart, especially in light of recent events like the assassination attempt on former President Trump. As followers of Jesus, we are called to stand in the gap between a world in turmoil and the peace of God's kingdom. Reflecting on Jeremiah's words to the exiled Israelites, we are reminded to work for the peace and prosperity of the city where we find ourselves, for its welfare determines our welfare. This is a crucial time for us to embody the teachings of Jesus, who loved His enemies and prayed for those who persecuted Him.
We also discussed the story of Anatoly, a Ukrainian powerlifter who disguises himself as a janitor to surprise people with his strength. This serves as a metaphor for how God sees us. Even if we feel like nobodies, in God's eyes, we are elite powerlifters capable of extraordinary things through His power. Jesus highlighted this when He praised the widow who gave her last pennies at the temple, showing that in God's economy, our small acts of faith and obedience are of immense value.
We then revisited the concept of working out our salvation with fear and trembling, as mentioned in Philippians. This is not about earning our salvation but about allowing it to permeate every aspect of our lives. God works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose, and our role is to surrender to His transformative power. This process is not just for our benefit but for the joy and delight of others around us.
Paul's example of Jesus' humility and service, as well as the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus, serve as powerful reminders of what it means to live a mission-driven life. We are called to invest in others, to be spiritual mentors, and to expand God's kingdom through our actions. This is a high-stakes endeavor that requires us to be fully engaged in the battle for our souls and the souls of others.
As we conclude, I encourage you to reflect on your own journey. Are you working out your salvation? Are you investing in others? Are you expanding God's kingdom? Let's commit to being a community that reaches its full redemptive potential, bringing peace, hope, and justice to a world in desperate need.
### Key Takeaways
1. Stand in the Gap: In times of political and social turmoil, our role as followers of Jesus is to stand in the gap between a broken world and the peace of God's kingdom. We are called to work for the peace and prosperity of our communities, recognizing that their welfare is intertwined with our own. This requires us to embody the teachings of Jesus, who loved His enemies and prayed for those who persecuted Him. [05:19]
2. God's Economy: Even if we feel insignificant, God sees us as elite powerlifters capable of extraordinary things through His power. The story of the widow's offering at the temple illustrates that our small acts of faith and obedience are of immense value in God's eyes. This should encourage us to surrender ourselves to His plan and purpose, knowing that we are participating in the most important work in the history of the world. [12:45]
3. Work Out Your Salvation: Working out our salvation with fear and trembling is about allowing God's transformative power to permeate every aspect of our lives. This process is not about earning our salvation but about experiencing the joy and freedom that come from surrendering every part of our soul to Jesus. It is a high-stakes endeavor that impacts not just our lives but the lives of those around us. [18:44]
4. Live a Mission-Driven Life: The examples of Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus remind us of the importance of living a mission-driven life. We are called to serve others, put their needs ahead of our own, and invest in their spiritual growth. This is how we expand God's kingdom and fulfill our divine purpose. [31:04]
5. Invest in Others: Our spiritual journey is not just about personal growth but about investing in others. By mentoring and discipling others, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate circle. This is how we build a community that reaches its full redemptive potential, bringing peace, hope, and justice to a world in desperate need. [35:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:43] - Reflecting on Recent Events
[02:46] - Jeremiah's Exile and Our Role
[04:06] - The Divided Church
[05:19] - Pray for Peace and Prosperity
[06:58] - Anatoly the Powerlifter
[08:37] - The Janitor Metaphor
[09:59] - Nobodies in God's Economy
[11:24] - The Widow's Offering
[12:45] - Elite in God's Eyes
[14:14] - Working Out Your Salvation
[15:33] - Salvation in Every Aspect
[17:01] - God's Work in Us
[18:44] - Fear and Trembling
[20:23] - Daily Reflection
[21:54] - AAA and Sanctification
[23:33] - The Ripple Effect
[25:09] - High Stakes of Salvation
[26:32] - The Example of Jesus
[28:09] - Serving Others
[29:34] - Examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus
[31:04] - Humility and Service
[32:39] - Mentorship and Discipleship
[34:09] - The Ripple Effect of Discipleship
[35:40] - Expanding God's Kingdom
[37:17] - Engaging in the Battle
[38:40] - Community and Redemptive Potential
[40:40] - Prayer and Consecration
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV) - "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
2. Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) - "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
3. Luke 21:1-4 (NIV) - "As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 'Truly I tell you,' he said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jeremiah 29:7 instruct the exiled Israelites to do, and why is it significant for their welfare? [02:46]
2. How does the story of the widow's offering in Luke 21:1-4 illustrate the concept of "God's economy" as mentioned in the sermon? [11:24]
3. According to Philippians 2:12-13, what is the relationship between our efforts and God's work in us? [17:01]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea of living a mission-driven life? [29:34]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the instruction in Jeremiah 29:7 to seek the peace and prosperity of the city apply to our current social and political climate? [05:19]
2. In what ways does the story of the widow's offering challenge our understanding of value and significance in God's kingdom? [12:45]
3. What does it mean to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling," and how does this process impact both our lives and the lives of those around us? [18:44]
4. How do the examples of Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus serve as models for living a mission-driven life? [31:04]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Jeremiah 29:7, how can you actively seek the peace and prosperity of your community in practical ways? [05:19]
2. The widow's offering shows that small acts of faith and obedience are of immense value in God's eyes. What small act of faith can you commit to this week, knowing it is significant to God? [12:45]
3. Working out your salvation involves allowing God's transformative power to permeate every aspect of your life. What specific area of your life do you need to surrender to God's transformative power? [18:44]
4. Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus exemplified humility and service. Identify one person in your life whom you can serve selflessly this week. How will you do it? [31:04]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of investing in others. Who is one person you can mentor or disciple, and what steps will you take to begin or deepen that relationship? [35:40]
6. How can you ensure that your actions and words reflect the teachings of Jesus, especially in times of political and social turmoil? [05:19]
7. The sermon mentioned the ripple effect of discipleship. How can you create a positive ripple effect in your community or church? [34:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Stand in the Gap for Peace
In times of political and social turmoil, our role as followers of Jesus is to stand in the gap between a broken world and the peace of God's kingdom. We are called to work for the peace and prosperity of our communities, recognizing that their welfare is intertwined with our own. This requires us to embody the teachings of Jesus, who loved His enemies and prayed for those who persecuted Him. Reflecting on Jeremiah's words to the exiled Israelites, we are reminded to work for the peace and prosperity of the city where we find ourselves, for its welfare determines our welfare. This is a crucial time for us to embody the teachings of Jesus, who loved His enemies and prayed for those who persecuted Him. [05:19]
Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can contribute to the peace and prosperity of your community this week. How can you embody the teachings of Jesus in this action?
Day 2: Recognize Your Value in God's Economy
Even if we feel insignificant, God sees us as elite powerlifters capable of extraordinary things through His power. The story of the widow's offering at the temple illustrates that our small acts of faith and obedience are of immense value in God's eyes. This should encourage us to surrender ourselves to His plan and purpose, knowing that we are participating in the most important work in the history of the world. The metaphor of Anatoly, a Ukrainian powerlifter who disguises himself as a janitor, serves as a powerful reminder that God sees our true potential, even when we feel like nobodies. [12:45]
Mark 12:43-44 (ESV): "And he called his disciples to him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a small act of faith or obedience you can offer to God today. How does knowing that God values even your smallest actions change your perspective?
Day 3: Allow God's Transformative Power to Work in You
Working out our salvation with fear and trembling is about allowing God's transformative power to permeate every aspect of our lives. This process is not about earning our salvation but about experiencing the joy and freedom that come from surrendering every part of our soul to Jesus. It is a high-stakes endeavor that impacts not just our lives but the lives of those around us. God works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose, and our role is to surrender to His transformative power. [18:44]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you need to allow God's transformative power to work. What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him?
Day 4: Live a Mission-Driven Life
The examples of Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus remind us of the importance of living a mission-driven life. We are called to serve others, put their needs ahead of our own, and invest in their spiritual growth. This is how we expand God's kingdom and fulfill our divine purpose. Jesus' humility and service, as well as the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus, serve as powerful reminders of what it means to live a mission-driven life. [31:04]
Philippians 2:19-22 (ESV): "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs your help or support. How can you serve them and invest in their spiritual growth this week?
Day 5: Invest in Others for a Ripple Effect
Our spiritual journey is not just about personal growth but about investing in others. By mentoring and discipling others, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate circle. This is how we build a community that reaches its full redemptive potential, bringing peace, hope, and justice to a world in desperate need. The ripple effect of discipleship and mentorship is a powerful way to expand God's kingdom and fulfill our divine purpose. [35:40]
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
Reflection: Identify one person you can mentor or disciple. What steps can you take today to begin investing in their spiritual growth?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You might just be looking like a janitor. You might be just there helping clean up the thing. But in God's economy, you're an elite power lifter. And, you know, what you're able to do with God's power in you is unprecedented. It will blow people's absolute minds." [09:59] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You surrender yourself to him and you let his power run through you. And you're an elite powerlifter in my book. You know, a young person today, you might be a young person and you might look around and let, you know, all of your friends and colleagues, I got these, you know, I got these, I got these, I got these, I got these, I got these, you know, these accomplishments." [12:45] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Surrender yourself to his plan and his purpose for you. Join him in his work and you are participating in the single most important thing in the history of the world. And Jesus says, you're an elite part of this team. This is, I'm telling you, we see this over and over in the scriptures." [12:45] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You will shine among them like stars in the sky. You work out your salvation. It's for your delight, but it's also for the incredible delight of the other people all around you. It is not a private affair. You working out your salvation is very high stakes game." [23:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "How are you expanding the kingdom of God? How are you bringing justice to those who need it? How are you bringing hope to the hopeless? You hear these stories that we've been telling today, and you realize that there is an impact to be made. There is hurt and there is pain inside people's souls that we get to help unravel and we get to help heal." [37:17] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "For us to work for the peace and the prosperity of the nation we find ourselves as exiles in is our role. For us to recognize that the welfare of this country is also our welfare. This is exactly what he told us. Pray to the Lord for it. Pray to the Lord for its welfare determines your welfare as well." [05:19] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, because it isn't simply about you. And that's how we're all integrated here on this planet. You work out your salvation. Working out your salvation is for our greatest delight and the delight of many others." [23:33] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "For God's power empowers your power. For God's pleasure and your joy and the delight of many others. That's a mouthful. And so it took me two weeks to get it all out to you. A true brother, a coworker, a fellow soldier. See, it can be done. Will you do it? Will you do it?" [32:39] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you're going to be working out your salvation with fear and trembling, it isn't simply about you. It's about joining in the work and the mission of God, joining him in this and seeing this unfold for each and every one of us and for untold countless people for way down the line." [35:40] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "How is your battle going in your soul? How is that battle going? Are you in it? Are you engaged in this battle? Are you actually doing the work of working your salvation out in you? Because if you're not, if you're just kind of mailing it in on this Christian thing, you are missing out on so much joy and delight and impact and purpose that Jesus is calling you to work out your salvation, fear and trembling." [37:17] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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