Throwing Off Burdens: Climbing Faith's Mountain Together

Devotional

Day 1: Faith is a Climb

Our journey with God is like climbing a mountain. It involves challenges and obstacles that we must face head-on. Instead of asking God to remove these hills, we should ask Him to help us lighten our load by throwing off unnecessary weights and sins. This process strengthens our faith and prepares us for greater heights. The climb is not about avoiding difficulties but about growing through them, trusting that God is with us every step of the way. [51:07]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What is one specific burden or sin that you need to throw off today to help you climb your spiritual mountain more effectively?

Day 2: Teaching the Next Generation

Just as Jesus asked the disciples to bring what they had before performing the miracle of feeding the 5,000, we must teach the next generation to engage in their own faith journey. They need to feel the weight of their challenges while knowing we are there to support them. This builds resilience and faith in God's provision. By allowing them to participate in the process, we help them understand that their "not enough" can become sufficient in God's hands. [01:00:36]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: How can you actively involve the younger generation in your life in their own faith journey today, allowing them to experience God's provision firsthand?

Day 3: The Why God Weight

One of the heaviest burdens we carry is the question of "Why, God?" While it's natural to ask this, we must not let it weigh us down permanently. Through worship and prayer, we can surrender our doubts and continue to trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand it. This act of surrender allows us to move forward in faith, knowing that God is sovereign and His ways are higher than ours. [56:17]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: What is one "Why, God?" question you have been holding onto? How can you surrender this question to God in worship and trust today?

Day 4: God's Presence in Our Struggles

God doesn't always remove our struggles immediately, but He promises to be with us through them. Whether it's physical pain, emotional distress, or spiritual battles, we can trust that God is present and working in our lives. This assurance helps us to keep climbing, knowing we are not alone. His presence is a source of comfort and strength, enabling us to persevere through any challenge we face. [01:05:50]

Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Reflection: In what current struggle do you need to be reminded of God's presence? How can you seek His comfort and strength in this situation today?

Day 5: Surrender and Worship

In moments of difficulty, our response should be to worship and surrender to God. By laying down our burdens and sins at the foot of the cross, we open ourselves to His transformative power. Worship becomes a powerful act of faith, declaring that we trust God in the midst of our climb. This act of surrender allows us to experience God's peace and strength, even in the most challenging times. [01:09:41]

Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: What burden or sin do you need to lay down at the foot of the cross today? How can you incorporate worship into your response to this challenge?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate the incredible work God has been doing in our community, especially through our Resonate Kids Camp. We heard inspiring stories of young children stepping out in faith, praying for one another, and committing their lives to Jesus. This week has been a testament to the power of God working through our leaders and volunteers, and we are grateful for every hand that contributed to making it a success.

As we transition into the Word, we reflect on the theme of "Throw it Off," building on last week's message about shaking off burdens. We delve into Hebrews 12, which encourages us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, so we can run with perseverance the race marked out for us. This passage reminds us that our faith journey is like a mountain climb, filled with challenges and obstacles that we must overcome by lightening our load, not by avoiding the climb.

We also discussed the importance of teaching the next generation to face their own hills. Using the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Mark 6, we see how Jesus didn't immediately solve the problem but instead asked the disciples to bring what they had. This teaches us that God wants us to engage in the process, to bring our "not enough" so He can make it sufficient. As parents and leaders, we must allow the next generation to feel the weight of their challenges while assuring them of our presence and support.

In our personal lives, we are called to throw off the weights that hinder us, whether they are doubts, fears, or sins. We must learn to surrender these to God, trusting that He is with us in every climb. Even when we face physical or emotional burdens, like the back pain I shared about, we must continue to trust in God's timing and His presence.

As we close, we are reminded that God is a miracle-working God who has brought us through many trials and will continue to do so. We are encouraged to worship Him in the midst of our struggles, to throw off the weights that hold us back, and to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

###

Key Takeaways

1. on. Instead of asking God to remove these hills, we should ask Him to help us lighten our load by throwing off unnecessary weights and sins. This process strengthens our faith and prepares us for greater heights. [51:07]
2. Teaching the Next Generation: Just as Jesus asked the disciples to bring what they had before performing the miracle of feeding the 5,000, we must teach the next generation to engage in their own faith journey. They need to feel the weight of their challenges while knowing we are there to support them. This builds resilience and faith in God's provision.

3. The Why God Weight: One of the heaviest burdens we carry is the question of "Why, God?" While it's natural to ask this, we must not let it weigh us down permanently. Through worship and prayer, we can surrender our doubts and continue to trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand it.

4. God's Presence in Our Struggles: God doesn't always remove our struggles immediately, but He promises to be with us through them. Whether it's physical pain, emotional distress, or spiritual battles, we can trust that God is present and working in our lives. This assurance helps us to keep climbing, knowing we are not alone.

5. Surrender and Worship: In moments of difficulty, our response should be to worship and surrender to God. By laying down our burdens and sins at the foot of the cross, we open ourselves to His transformative power. Worship becomes a powerful act of faith, declaring that we trust God in the midst of our climb.

### [51:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:26] - Opening Prayer
[38:16] - Celebrating Resonate Kids Camp
[39:33] - Stories of Faith from Camp
[40:24] - Personal Story: Wyland's Faith
[41:16] - Honoring Leaders and Volunteers
[41:47] - Summer Blast Announcement
[42:16] - Next Steps Program Success
[42:57] - Upcoming Baptisms
[44:21] - Recap of Last Week's Message
[45:46] - Hebrews 12: Throw it Off
[47:17] - Personal Story: Packing Light
[48:25] - Missions Trip Experience
[51:07] - Faith is a Climb
[56:17] - The Why God Weight
[60:36] - Teaching the Next Generation
[65:50] - God's Presence in Our Struggles
[69:41] - Surrender and Worship
[78:40] - Invitation to Faith
[80:02] - Prayer for Salvation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Hebrews 12:1-2 encourage believers to do in their faith journey?
In Mark 6:35-38, how did Jesus respond to the disciples' suggestion to send the people away to buy food?
According to the sermon, what are some examples of "weights" that can hinder our spiritual climb? ([56:17])
How did the pastor describe the experience of the Resonate Kids Camp and its impact on the children and leaders? ([39:33])

Interpretation Questions

What might it mean to "throw off everything that hinders" in the context of Hebrews 12:1-2? How can this apply to modern-day believers?
Why do you think Jesus asked the disciples to bring what they had before performing the miracle in Mark 6:35-38? What lesson was He teaching them?
The sermon mentioned the "Why God weight." How can asking "Why, God?" become a burden, and what should be our response according to the pastor? ([56:17])
How does the pastor's story about his back pain illustrate the concept of God's presence in our struggles? ([55:41])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: What are some specific "weights" or sins that you need to throw off to run your race with perseverance? How can you start doing this today? ([46:05])
Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did you handle it? Did you try to avoid the "hill," or did you seek to lighten your load and persevere? What could you do differently next time? ([52:07])
As a parent, leader, or mentor, how can you help the next generation face their own hills without immediately solving their problems for them? What practical steps can you take to support them while allowing them to grow? ([01:00:36])
The pastor shared about the importance of worship and surrender during difficult times. How can you incorporate more worship and surrender into your daily routine, especially when facing struggles? ([01:09:41])
Identify a "Why, God?" question you have been carrying. How can you begin to surrender this question to God through prayer and worship? What steps will you take this week to trust in God's plan despite not having all the answers? ([56:17])
The sermon emphasized the importance of teaching resilience and faith to the next generation. How can you model resilience and faith in your own life to those around you? ([01:00:36])
Consider a time when you felt God's presence in the midst of a struggle. How did that experience strengthen your faith? How can you remind yourself of God's presence in future challenges? ([55:41])

Sermon Clips

1. "I love the stories that we heard coming out of camp. We sat around with some of our leaders on Friday night, and one of our leaders said still struggle to pray out loud. But this week, as I was watching some five-year-olds pray for the person who was next to them, this week, as I saw some five-year-olds say I'm ready to go all in with Jesus, it was elevating my faith." [39:33] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so you've signed up. You're part of the team. And we celebrate. Come on, can we give it up for what God is doing in the summer? Glory to God. I love it. I love it. And then finally one more thing. Next week we are having baptisms. And so if you have, we've already got people signed up. But if you're not yet signed up, but you've made a decision to follow Jesus, at some point you've gone all in with God, and you've not yet been baptized, the next week is the week for you." [42:38] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You don't have to feel ready to get baptized. All you need to do is say Jesus has saved me and will continue to transform my life. My life might still feel like a mess from time to time, but thank God not only did he save me in a moment, but he's transforming my life and he's promised to continue to. And so if you've made a decision to follow Jesus, it is your time." [43:24] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God's put favor on your life. So Paul, you are blessed. And we said this last week that blessing and burden walk hand in hand. And here's why it's so important that we know that. If we don't know that blessing and burden walk in hand, we will simply adopt this happiness theology that says God exists to make my life simply better. And if we believe that, then we will turn from God the moment life doesn't look the way that we thought it should." [45:09] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Let us throw off everything that hinders. Somebody say throw off. Throw. Last week was shake it off. This week is throw it off. Throw off everything that hinders and that sin that so easily entangles our hearts and our lives and slows us down. But we're going to throw all of that off because we're going to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. We're going to have our eyes fixed on Jesus, not on the burden, the shipwreck, the storm. No, we're going to have our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and the perfecter of our faith." [46:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Your faith is a climb. Right now in your walk with Jesus, you are on a mountain climb. And sometimes you want to throw in the towel, and sometimes you want to give up. But I came today to say that you might just need to throw off some stuff that's getting in the way of the climb because God has called you to climb." [51:07] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "What are you carrying around today that it's time to throw off? Are you carrying the weight of why God? Are you carrying the weight of a relationship that doesn't honor God? The writer of Hebrews says it here for us. It's not just weights that we carry. There's sin. Maybe it's sin. And if that's you, here's the good news today. God doesn't want you to carry that around anymore. He wants you to submit it, to surrender it to him. He's already dealt with the sin at the cross. He just needs you to lay it before him, to say I'm going to throw this off. I don't want this in my life anymore." [57:43] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "I'm learning in my own life that instead of always asking God to remove the hill, I need to learn to ask God, God, what are you calling me to surrender so that you can move? What am I holding on to right now, God, that you need me to lay it at your feet? Right now in your world, there's a hill, there's a burden. It's real, it's heavy, it's hard, it's a climb. And today I believe the heavenly father is speaking over you. I'm with you." [01:06:24] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Some of you had parents that all that they ever did for you was take away the hill. And as a result, when you find yourself in a difficult moment of your life, you find yourself looking at God and saying, God, why aren't you taking away the hill? And God is saying, I'm trying to disciple you, son. I'm trying to disciple you, daughter, that you can carry more than you think you can carry. And I am with you." [01:05:19] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that you don't have to save yourself. He's already done it for you. All you have to do is surrender, but it will take the surrender of your life. And if that's you today, you'd say, I want to surrender my life to God. In a moment, we're going to pray a prayer. We're all going to pray it together, but you're going to be praying it from your heart, and it's going to be a life-transforming moment, breakthrough. And in a moment, God's going to save you by his sovereign grace." [01:20:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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