The True Cost of Freedom in Faith
Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of what it truly means for something to be "free" and how this relates to our spiritual lives. We began by discussing the financial burdens many face, such as student loans and healthcare costs, and how these challenges highlight a misunderstanding of what "free" really means. The government, for instance, doesn't provide anything for free; it uses our money to pay for services, often leading to debt. This analogy was used to illustrate that nothing in life is truly free—everything has a cost, whether it's financial or otherwise.
We then transitioned to the spiritual realm, examining how God's plans for our lives often come at a cost. Using the story of Mary and Joseph, we saw how God's timing and plans can be inconvenient and challenging, yet they are always purposeful. Mary and Joseph faced societal judgment and personal sacrifice, yet they were part of a divine plan that brought salvation to the world. This teaches us that when God births something new in our lives, it may not align with our expectations or desires, but it is always for a greater purpose.
We also discussed the role of trust and patience in our spiritual journey. Simeon's story exemplifies the importance of waiting on God's promises, even when it seems like nothing is happening. His faithfulness was rewarded when he finally saw the Messiah, reminding us that God's timing is perfect, even if it tests our patience.
Furthermore, we explored how God's plans can reveal our insecurities and challenge our pride. Like Herod, who felt threatened by Jesus' birth, we may resist God's new directions in our lives because they challenge our control and comfort. However, embracing God's plans requires humility and a willingness to trust His greater vision for our lives.
Finally, we reflected on the importance of valuing what God values. The Magi's journey to worship Jesus demonstrated their commitment and willingness to sacrifice their wealth and time. This challenges us to consider where we place our resources and whether we are truly all-in for God's kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- The Illusion of Free: Nothing in life is truly free; everything has a cost. This applies to both financial and spiritual realms. God's plans for us often require sacrifice and trust, but they lead to greater blessings and purpose. [03:27]
- God's Timing and Our Patience: Like Simeon, we must learn to wait on God's promises. His timing is perfect, and our patience is often tested to strengthen our faith and trust in Him. [16:17]
- Trust and Control: God's plans often challenge our sense of control and reveal who we truly trust. Embracing His direction requires humility and a willingness to let go of our own plans. [23:46]
- Revealing Insecurities: When God births something new in our lives, it can expose our insecurities and pride. We must be willing to submit to His authority and trust His greater vision. [30:47]
- Valuing What God Values: The Magi's journey to worship Jesus challenges us to consider where we place our resources. Are we truly committed to God's kingdom, or are we holding back? [39:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:02] - The Cost of "Free"
- [03:27] - Misunderstanding Free
- [05:00] - The Necessities of Life
- [07:42] - God's Timing and Our Plans
- [09:59] - Testing Patience
- [11:00] - Joseph and Mary's Journey
- [13:34] - Simeon's Faithfulness
- [16:17] - Waiting on God's Promises
- [17:14] - Trust and Control
- [18:37] - Simeon's Prophecy
- [20:44] - Herod's Insecurity
- [23:46] - Revealing Insecurities
- [25:37] - Herod's Fear
- [27:17] - The Magi's Journey
- [30:47] - Valuing What God Values
- [33:01] - The Cost of Worship
- [34:05] - Acts of Kindness
- [35:13] - True Worship and Sacrifice
- [36:18] - The Magi's Gifts
- [37:56] - Sincere Worship
- [39:24] - Commitment to God's Kingdom
- [41:50] - Prayer and Reflection
- [43:15] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:25-35 - The story of Simeon meeting Jesus in the temple.
2. Matthew 2:1-12 - The visit of the Magi to Jesus.
#### Observation Questions
1. What financial burdens were mentioned in the sermon as examples of misunderstanding the concept of "free"? [02:02]
2. How did Mary and Joseph's experience illustrate the cost of following God's plan? [07:42]
3. What was Simeon's reaction upon seeing Jesus, and what does this reveal about his faith? [13:34]
4. How did the Magi demonstrate their commitment to valuing what God values? [36:18]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Simeon waiting for the Messiah illustrate the importance of patience in our spiritual journey? [16:17]
2. In what ways did Herod's reaction to Jesus' birth reveal his insecurities and pride? [25:37]
3. How can the Magi's journey and their gifts to Jesus challenge us to evaluate where we place our resources and priorities? [39:24]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's timing and our personal plans? [09:59]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you misunderstood the concept of "free" in your life. How did this affect your decisions or actions? [03:27]
2. Consider a situation where God's plan for you seemed inconvenient or challenging. How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? [07:42]
3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with patience. What steps can you take to trust in God's timing more fully? [16:17]
4. Think about a time when you felt threatened by a change in your life. How did you handle it, and what does this reveal about your trust in God? [23:46]
5. Evaluate your current priorities and resources. Are they aligned with what God values? What changes can you make to better reflect your commitment to His kingdom? [39:24]
6. How can you practice humility and let go of control in areas where you feel insecure or prideful? [30:47]
7. Reflect on a recent decision where you had to choose between your plan and God's direction. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience? [09:59]
Devotional
Day 1: The True Cost of "Free"
In life, we often encounter the illusion of things being "free," but in reality, everything comes with a cost. This concept extends beyond the financial realm into our spiritual lives. Just as government services are funded by taxpayer money, the blessings and plans God has for us require sacrifice and trust. The story of Mary and Joseph illustrates this truth. They faced societal judgment and personal sacrifice, yet their obedience was part of a divine plan that brought salvation to the world. When God births something new in our lives, it may not align with our expectations, but it is always for a greater purpose. Embracing this truth requires us to recognize the cost and be willing to pay it for the sake of God's greater blessings and purpose. [03:27]
"For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:28, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to acknowledge the cost of following God's plan, and how can you begin to embrace that cost today?
Day 2: Patience in God's Timing
God's timing often challenges our patience, yet it is always perfect. Simeon's story exemplifies the importance of waiting on God's promises, even when it seems like nothing is happening. His faithfulness was rewarded when he finally saw the Messiah, reminding us that God's timing is perfect, even if it tests our patience. In our spiritual journey, we must learn to trust that God's plans unfold in His perfect timing, not ours. This requires us to cultivate patience and faith, knowing that waiting is not wasted time but a period of growth and preparation for the fulfillment of His promises. [16:17]
"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:25, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to wait on God's timing, and how can you practice patience and trust in His perfect plan today?
Day 3: Trusting Beyond Control
God's plans often challenge our sense of control and reveal who we truly trust. Like Herod, who felt threatened by Jesus' birth, we may resist God's new directions in our lives because they challenge our control and comfort. Embracing God's direction requires humility and a willingness to let go of our own plans. It is in surrendering control that we find true freedom and alignment with God's greater vision for our lives. This process of letting go is not easy, but it is essential for spiritual growth and fulfillment. [23:46]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding onto control, and how can you begin to trust God more fully in that area today?
Day 4: Facing Insecurities with Faith
When God births something new in our lives, it can expose our insecurities and pride. Like Herod, we may resist God's new directions because they challenge our control and comfort. However, embracing God's plans requires humility and a willingness to trust His greater vision for our lives. This process of facing our insecurities and submitting to God's authority is not easy, but it is essential for spiritual growth and fulfillment. By trusting in God's plan, we can overcome our insecurities and find peace in His purpose for our lives. [30:47]
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6, ESV)
Reflection: What insecurity is God revealing in your life, and how can you begin to trust His wisdom and plan to overcome it today?
Day 5: Committing to God's Kingdom
The Magi's journey to worship Jesus demonstrated their commitment and willingness to sacrifice their wealth and time. This challenges us to consider where we place our resources and whether we are truly all-in for God's kingdom. Valuing what God values requires us to examine our priorities and make intentional choices to invest in His kingdom. It is a call to align our lives with God's purposes and to be willing to sacrifice for the sake of His glory. By doing so, we find true fulfillment and joy in serving Him. [39:24]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you realign your resources and priorities to reflect a true commitment to God's kingdom today?
Quotes
Then God comes along and wants to add something to us. God wants to birth something into our life that we know, we know is going to cost us something because listen, God always, if you were here last week, seems to come at the worst time. [00:05:52] (18 seconds)
Or we don't understand what God's trying to do in us or through us. And so it frustrates us to be a part of his plan when he doesn't seem to be doing a good job of explaining his plan or when he does explain it and we do hear it, it's not what we were expecting. And we're a little frustrated that it's going to take us a different path. [00:06:45] (20 seconds)
Now the day had come. The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he should go to the temple. Mary and Joseph were bringing the baby Jesus to do what God's rule said to do what the law commanded. Simeon went to them. He took Jesus. So he recognized it. I mean, there was a lot of people there probably doing very similar things because remember they'd all gone in for the census and there was a lot of people in that region. [00:14:14] (23 seconds)
He will bring light to people so they can know you. He will show you to those people who are not Jews also Gentiles. That's us and he will also show that your people of Israel are very special. [00:14:18] (13 seconds)
And I have to tell you that any of us that see something birthed into our lives in which God says, I'm going to establish a new authority in you. A new ruler over your money, over your time, over your priorities, over your plans, over your family, over your thoughts, over how you behave to people. [00:29:47] (24 seconds)
And so ask yourself this question when God births a new rule, a new ruler into your life, when God wants to introduce something new that says, I want you to do things my way. I want you to submit. I want you to bow a knee and submit yourself to my plan, my kingdom. [00:30:44] (19 seconds)
But where we put our wealth is an indicator of where our heart is in the moment. Right. Listen to what it says in Matthew two, nine through 12 says after the King had spoken, they went on their way. This is Herod had spoken to the Magi. The Magi went on their way. The star in the East had led them that went before them. It came and stopped over the place where they were, where the young child was exactly where Jesus was. [00:36:18] (32 seconds)
And listen, it's none of your business, how the person to the left and right of you or how me and Lisa or how anyone else worships God with our wealth. The question that God wants to know is do you come bearing? [00:39:24] (14 seconds)
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