Starting Again: Shaping Generations Through Faithful Choices
Summary
In this sermon, I discussed the concept of starting again, emphasizing the importance of making decisions today that God can use to shape future generations. I encouraged listeners not to despair or hunker down in the face of difficulties, but to think big and beyond their lifetimes, considering the impact their actions might have on generations to come. I also stressed the importance of stewarding the rich salvation we have in Jesus Christ and not keeping it to ourselves. I urged those who feel discouraged or believe they have nothing to contribute to step out in faith and start again, trusting in God's anointing and commissioning.
Key Takeaways:
- The decisions we make today can shape future generations. [ 01:00:58]
- We should think beyond our lifetimes and consider the impact our actions might have on future generations. [ 01:01:35]
- We should steward the rich salvation we have in Jesus Christ and not keep it to ourselves. [ 01:02:15]
- Those who feel discouraged or believe they have nothing to contribute should step out in faith and start again. [ 01:03:04]
- We should be postured towards God and others, especially those who may be seen as outcasts in society. [ 52:23]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ruth 1:6 #!!43:00!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What are the circumstances surrounding Ruth and Naomi in Ruth 1:6?
2. How does Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi reflect her faith?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi tell us about her character and faith?
2. How does Ruth's story illustrate the concept of starting again in faith?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a time in your life when you had to start again, much like Ruth did? How did your faith play a role in that situation?
2. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to start again? What steps can you take this week to follow that calling?
3. How can you ensure that you are not letting others set your agenda, but instead seeking God's direction in your life?
4. Can you think of a time when you had to make a decision that didn't make sense to others, but you felt it was what God was calling you to do? How did you handle that situation?
5. How can you encourage and support others in your life who are in a season of starting again?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Story in Our Decisions
God's story is intricately woven into our daily decisions. The choices we make today, guided by the Holy Spirit, can have a profound impact on future generations. We are called to think beyond ourselves and our lifetimes, stewarding the rich salvation we have in Jesus Christ. [01:00:58]
Bible Passage: Deuteronomy 30:19 - "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did you see God's guidance in that decision and how might it impact future generations?
Day 2: Dreaming Beyond Success
Our dreams should not be limited to personal success but should extend to how we can serve Jesus in our community. We are called to ask how our dreams can draw us closer to God and in service to others. [54:59]
Bible Passage: Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reflection: What is a dream you have that goes beyond personal success? How can this dream serve your community and draw you closer to God?
Day 3: Starting Again
There are areas in our lives that we may need to rethink and start again. This could be our schedules, relationships, or finding our way back to our Heavenly Father. [26:47]
Bible Passage: Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: What is an area in your life that you need to rethink and start again? How can you seek God's guidance in this process?
Day 4: Listening to God's Leading
We are called to dream again and ask God for guidance, even when things don't make sense. Our youth can lead us into this posture of faith, where we seek God's leading above all else. [46:11]
Bible Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a posture of faith in your life? How can you seek God's leading in your dreams and plans?
Day 5: Be Mindful of Who You're Posturing Yourself Toward
When starting again, we need to be mindful of who we're posturing ourselves toward. We are called not to turn our backs on God but to cling to Him, just as Ruth clung to Naomi. [48:10]
Bible Passage: Ruth 1:16 - "But Ruth replied, 'Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'"
Reflection: As you consider starting again in an area of your life, how can you ensure you are posturing yourself toward God?
Quotes
1. "The decisions that you and I make today, how might God be weaving his story for future generations? We don't just look at the moments that we're in and say all is lost. God's saying start again because who knows the decisions that you make in conjunction with the Holy Spirit's leading in your life might make for generations to come." - 01:00:37
2. "May our youth be leading us into this posture of Faith where we say okay maybe it doesn't all make sense but God where are you leading? Oh that we'd be people that are starting again not just realizing that reality is everybody has a plan for your life." - 46:01
3. "Are there areas in your life that maybe you've put on hold? Are there areas in your life that you've said man I've just it feels like I'm coming up against all these hurdles and I just can't get past it or through it?" - 26:08
4. "We all have these plans for life and then we get kicked down we think well that wasn't much of a plan but all that we would be people that every time where we get knocked down we pick ourselves up dust ourselves off and take another step forward." - 40:21
5. "When starting again don't let others set your agenda. Some of you have maybe spent a lifetime of having people telling you what to do how to respond. But oh that you would also pause and ask not what they want you to do but to seek God actually ask him some questions. God what is it that you want me to start where it is it that you want me to lean into?" - 40:21
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