Stepping into Light: Embracing Our True Selves

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Your Authentic Self

Description: Just as Nathanael was called out from under the fig tree, we are called to step out of our places of retreat and embrace our true selves. Our quirks and goofiness are not flaws but unique gifts that God can use for His glory. When we hide away, we often believe the negative voices that tell us we are not enough. However, Jesus sees us and calls us to live authentically, embracing who we are in Him. This authenticity is not just for our benefit but for the world around us. By being our true selves, we can bless others and fulfill our God-given purpose. [53:55]

John 1:47-48 (ESV): "Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!' Nathanael said to him, 'How do you know me?' Jesus answered him, 'Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.'"

Reflection: What unique quirks or traits do you often hide from others? How can you begin to embrace these aspects of yourself as gifts from God today?

Day 2: The Danger of Staying in the Shadows

Description: While retreating for healing is necessary, staying too long in the shadows can lead us to believe the negative voices that mock us. It’s essential to step out and live the life God has given us, embracing both our strengths and weaknesses. When we hide away, we may feel safe, but we also miss out on the fullness of life that God has for us. Jesus calls us out of the shadows, not to expose us to harm, but to help us grow and thrive in His love. By stepping out, we can overcome the lies that hold us back and live courageously. [53:02]

Isaiah 60:1-2 (ESV): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you staying in the shadows? What steps can you take today to step out and embrace the life God has given you?

Day 3: The Power of Being Seen by Jesus

Description: Jesus sees us in our most vulnerable moments and loves us just as we are. This divine gaze transforms us, helping us to see ourselves in the light of His love and to live out our true calling. When Nathanael was seen by Jesus, it changed his life and led him to a profound confession of faith. Similarly, when we realize that Jesus sees us and loves us, it can transform our self-perception and empower us to live boldly. Knowing that we are seen and loved by Jesus gives us the courage to embrace our true identity and purpose. [01:02:17]

Psalm 139:1-3 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways."

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus sees and loves you just as you are change the way you view yourself? How can this truth empower you to live out your true calling?

Day 4: Fruitfulness Through Authenticity

Description: The stories of the fig tree in the Gospels remind us that true fruitfulness comes from living authentically. When we step out of the shadows and embrace our true selves, we not only find our purpose but also bless those around us. Just as a fig tree is expected to bear fruit, we are called to live out our true selves, embracing our unique gifts and quirks. This authenticity is not just for our benefit but for the world around us. By being our true selves, we can bless others and fulfill our God-given purpose. [58:45]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: What unique gifts and quirks do you have that you can use to bless others? How can you live more authentically to fulfill your God-given purpose?

Day 5: Resilience and Rising Again

Description: Life involves falling and getting up repeatedly. Each fall and subsequent rise is an opportunity to discover the miraculous within us. This resilience, rooted in God’s love, enables us to become all that God has created us to be. When we fall, it can be tempting to stay down and believe that we are not capable of rising again. However, God's love gives us the strength to get back up and continue on our journey. Each time we rise, we grow stronger and more resilient, becoming more of who God has created us to be. [01:10:27]

Micah 7:8 (ESV): "Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me."

Reflection: Think of a recent time when you fell or faced a setback. How did you respond? How can you rely on God's love to help you rise again and continue on your journey?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, and welcome to our Sunday worship at Epworth United Methodist Church. Today, we celebrate the profound truth that Jesus sees us in every situation and loves us just as we are. As we dive into the announcements, we are reminded of the various activities and events that bring our community together, from Vacation Bible School to our Code Purple fundraiser and the Skate Epworth anniversary. These events are not just activities but opportunities to experience and share God's love in tangible ways.

Reflecting on a personal story from my childhood, I shared an experience of ice skating with my brother. This story illustrated the theme of retreat and healing, but also the danger of staying too long in the shadows of protection. It’s easy to believe the mockery and negative voices that echo in our minds when we hide away. However, even in those moments, there is a calling—a calling to step out and embrace our true selves, goofy and all.

This brings us to the story of Nathanael in the Gospel of John. Nathanael, who initially hides under a fig tree, is seen and called by Jesus. The fig tree symbolizes a place of retreat and protection, but also a place where one can become invisible and believe in their own inadequacies. Jesus sees Nathanael and calls him out of the shadows, affirming his true identity as a child of God. This encounter transforms Nathanael, leading him to a profound confession of faith.

The fig tree stories in the Gospels often highlight themes of fruitfulness and authenticity. Just as a fig tree is expected to bear fruit, we are called to live out our true selves, embracing our unique gifts and quirks. This authenticity is not just for our benefit but for the world around us. It is in stepping out of the shadows and into the light of God's love that we find our true calling and purpose.

In a contemporary parallel, we see this theme in the recent political events involving Kamala Harris. Her rise from invisibility and mockery to a position of prominence illustrates the power of authenticity and resilience. It serves as a reminder that our true selves, with all our quirks and goofiness, are valuable and can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

As we conclude, remember that the love of Jesus calls us out of the shadows and into a life of authenticity and fruitfulness. Embrace who you are, fall and rise again, and become all that God has created you to be. This is incredibly good news—don't keep it to yourself. Amen.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Embrace Your Authentic Self: Just as Nathanael was called out from under the fig tree, we are called to step out of our places of retreat and embrace our true selves. Our quirks and goofiness are not flaws but unique gifts that God can use for His glory. [53:55]
2. The Danger of Staying in the Shadows: While retreating for healing is necessary, staying too long in the shadows can lead us to believe the negative voices that mock us. It’s essential to step out and live the life God has given us, embracing both our strengths and weaknesses. [53:02]
3. The Power of Being Seen by Jesus: Jesus sees us in our most vulnerable moments and loves us just as we are. This divine gaze transforms us, helping us to see ourselves in the light of His love and to live out our true calling. [62:17]
4. Fruitfulness Through Authenticity: The stories of the fig tree in the Gospels remind us that true fruitfulness comes from living authentically. When we step out of the shadows and embrace our true selves, we not only find our purpose but also bless those around us. [58:45]
5. Resilience and Rising Again: Life involves falling and getting up repeatedly. Each fall and subsequent rise is an opportunity to discover the miraculous within us. This resilience, rooted in God’s love, enables us to become all that God has created us to be. [01:10:27]
### [70:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:47] - Announcements
[50:37] - Personal Story: Ice Skating
[53:02] - The Danger of Staying in the Shadows
[53:55] - Embrace Your Authentic Self
[56:16] - Nathanael and the Fig Tree
[58:45] - Fruitfulness Through Authenticity
[62:17] - The Power of Being Seen by Jesus
[70:27] - Resilience and Rising Again
[71:25] - Closing Remarks and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Nathanael doing when Jesus saw him, and how did Jesus describe him? (John 1:48-49)
In the sermon, what personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the theme of retreat and healing? ([50:37])
How does the fig tree symbolize both protection and the danger of staying hidden, according to the sermon? ([53:02])
What contemporary example did the pastor use to illustrate the power of authenticity and resilience? ([01:06:37])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus' recognition of Nathanael under the fig tree had such a profound impact on him? (John 1:48-49)
How does the story of the barren fig tree in Matthew 21:18-22 relate to the theme of fruitfulness and authenticity discussed in the sermon? ([58:45])
What does the parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13:6-9 teach us about patience and second chances, and how does this relate to the sermon's message about resilience? ([01:10:27])
How does the pastor's story about ice skating with his brother illustrate the danger of believing negative voices and the importance of stepping out of the shadows? ([53:02])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt hidden or inadequate. How can you step out of the shadows and embrace your authentic self this week? ([53:55])
What are some "fig trees" in your life where you retreat for protection? How can you begin to step out from under them and live more authentically? ([56:16])
Jesus saw Nathanael and loved him just as he was. How can you practice seeing and loving others in your life in the same way? ([01:02:17])
Think of a situation where you have stayed too long in the shadows, believing negative voices. What steps can you take to counteract those voices and embrace your strengths and weaknesses? ([53:02])
The pastor mentioned the resilience of Kamala Harris as an example of rising from invisibility to prominence. How can you apply this lesson of resilience in your own life, especially in areas where you feel mocked or undervalued? ([01:06:37])
The stories of the fig tree in the Gospels highlight the importance of fruitfulness. What unique gifts and quirks do you have that you can use to bless those around you? ([58:45])
Life involves falling and getting up repeatedly. Identify a recent "fall" in your life. How can you use this experience to discover the miraculous within you and rise again? ([01:10:27])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I began to see myself differently in the light of that kind of love. And this is what I wanted to talk about as we gather around this, the story of the calling of Jesus' first disciples. We read about it in the very first chapter of John's Gospel. And everything hinges on this business under the fig tree." [56:16] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Fruitfulness means coming out of the shadows of whatever we think we need to protect us and living the life that God has given us in all of its weirdness, the good, the bad, the ugly, the strangeness that can become sometimes, maybe all the time, our greatest gift, not only to ourselves, but the world around us." [58:45] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I saw you in that place where you retreat for healing. I saw you in that place where you retreat and the price of that retreat is that these mocking voices echo in your ear over and over again. I saw you and I love what I see. I love what I see. Dare we believe it? Well, Nathanael did." [01:05:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Because here's the invitation to us all, to come out from the shade, wonderful as it is, where we've been protected and have licked the wounds that life has inflicted on us. I promise you will fall. And then perhaps you will get up again and fall and get up again and fall and get up again and somewhere along the way discover that you are miraculous." [01:10:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "That that gaze which found you and me even in the shade of that tree of protection or whatever mask it is that we think we must wear, even in the shade of that tree of protection, in that gaze, there is love that calls to us. Goofiness and all to discover the grace in that goofiness that is us, that is you and is me and is this wonderful mix that we can not only celebrate who we are, but with each fall and each new rising up, right?" [01:11:25] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "And one of the interesting things that happens about living in the shade or staying too long in the shade of this protection, in the shade of this retreat, in the shade of this healing that prevents us from living the fruitful life that God has called us to, is that we become invisible, like Vicki was talking about with the kids. We become invisible even to the people who know us best. Nathaniel was not invisible to Jesus. When Nathaniel encounters Jesus, everything changes." [01:02:17] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What if Jesus was just simply being honest and saying something about Nathanael that He desperately wanted to believe about Himself. But all that time in the shade prevented Him from believing about Himself. Here is someone who is a true child of God in whom there is no deceit at all. How do you know me? He says. And maybe He's not. Maybe there's no irony in that at all. And Jesus answered, I saw you." [01:04:38] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And what does fruitfulness mean? Fruitfulness means coming out of the shadows of whatever we think we need to protect us and living the life that God has given us in all of its weirdness, the good, the bad, the ugly, the strangeness that can become sometimes, maybe all the time, our greatest gift, not only to ourselves, but the world around us." [58:45] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And maybe it won't be lost on us as well. Because here's the invitation to us all, to come out from the shade, wonderful as it is, where we've been protected and have licked the wounds that life has inflicted on us. I promise you will fall. And then perhaps you will get up again and fall and get up again and fall and get up again and somewhere along the way discover that you are miraculous." [01:10:27] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And this is what I wanted to talk about as we gather around this, the story of the calling of Jesus' first disciples. We read about it in the very first chapter of John's Gospel. And everything hinges on this business under the fig tree. And fig trees are interesting. And one of the neat things about the Gospel accounts, I don't know if you've ever heard this or if you know this, but papyrus was at a premium. You didn't waste it." [56:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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