Trusting God: The Path to True Fulfillment

Summary

In our journey through life, we often encounter beliefs and ideas that seem strange or unfounded. History is filled with examples of people holding onto misconceptions, from medieval beliefs about left-handedness to modern flat-earth theories. These beliefs often arise from a deep-seated need for answers to life's big questions, such as our purpose and existence. Blaise Pascal famously noted that we all have a "God-shaped hole" in our lives, a void that only God can fill. This longing for answers has led to the creation of various belief systems and religions.

About a century ago, there was a significant shift from a supernatural worldview to a naturalistic one, where science became the primary source of answers. This shift led to the rise of humanism, which suggests that self-actualization is the key to understanding life's purpose. However, this belief in self as the ultimate answer is flawed. True fulfillment comes not from believing in oneself but from trusting in the God who created, gifted, and called us.

Jeremiah 17 warns against placing our trust in human strength and turning our hearts away from God. Those who do so are like stunted shrubs in a barren desert, devoid of hope and future. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord are like trees planted by a river, flourishing even in times of drought. This imagery highlights the importance of where we place our trust and the condition of our hearts.

Our hearts are deceitful and can lead us astray, making us chase after things that ultimately leave us empty. Instead, we are called to turn our hearts towards God, allowing our actions to follow. This involves recognizing where God is at work around us and joining Him in His mission. By doing so, we experience the blessings and fullness of life that God intends for us.

Key Takeaways:

- History shows us that people often believe in strange things to satisfy their need for answers. This highlights our innate longing for understanding and purpose, which can only be truly fulfilled by God. [04:03]

- The shift from a supernatural to a naturalistic worldview has led many to seek answers within themselves. However, true fulfillment comes from trusting in God, not in self-actualization. [07:33]

- Jeremiah 17 illustrates the consequences of trusting in human strength versus trusting in God. A heart turned towards self leads to a barren life, while a heart turned towards God leads to flourishing. [12:15]

- Our hearts are deceitful and can lead us to pursue empty pursuits. By turning our hearts towards God, we align our actions with His will and experience true life. [18:21]

- Recognizing where God is at work and joining Him in His mission allows us to experience His blessings. This requires a shift from self-focus to God-focus, leading to a life of purpose and fulfillment. [24:29]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:03] - Historical Beliefs and Longing for Answers
[07:33] - Shift to Naturalistic Worldview
[12:15] - Jeremiah's Warning
[15:57] - Heart's Deception and Self-Focus
[18:21] - Consequences of Self-Reliance
[20:24] - Trusting in God for Fulfillment
[24:29] - Recognizing God's Work
[27:20] - Joining God's Mission
[30:35] - Personal Reflection and Involvement
[32:42] - Leveraging Gifts for God's Work
[37:12] - Invitation to Trust in Jesus
[38:23] - Call to Action and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 17:5-8

Observation Questions:
1. What are some historical examples of strange beliefs mentioned in the sermon, and what do they reveal about human nature? [04:03]
2. How does the sermon describe the shift from a supernatural worldview to a naturalistic one, and what impact did this have on people's search for answers? [07:33]
3. According to Jeremiah 17, what are the consequences of placing trust in human strength versus trusting in God? [12:15]
4. What imagery does Jeremiah use to contrast those who trust in themselves with those who trust in God? [18:21]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of a "God-shaped hole" relate to the human search for purpose and fulfillment? [04:03]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that self-actualization is a flawed approach to finding life's purpose? [07:33]
3. How does Jeremiah 17 illustrate the importance of the heart's orientation in determining one's life path and fulfillment? [12:15]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of recognizing God's work around us in experiencing a fulfilling life? [24:29]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you believed in something that later turned out to be unfounded. How did that experience shape your understanding of truth and belief? [04:03]
2. How can you identify areas in your life where you might be relying too much on your own strength rather than trusting in God? What steps can you take to shift your trust? [12:15]
3. Consider the imagery of being a "tree planted by a river." What practical steps can you take to ensure your spiritual roots are deep and nourished? [18:21]
4. How can you actively look for where God is at work in your community or family, and what actions can you take to join Him in His mission? [24:29]
5. Think about a recent decision or action. Was it driven by self-focus or God-focus? How might you approach similar situations differently in the future? [24:29]
6. Identify one area of your life where your heart might be deceitful. How can you seek God's guidance to align your heart with His will? [24:29]
7. What specific gifts or talents do you have that you can leverage for God's work? How can you start using them this week to contribute to His mission? [32:42]

Devotional

Day 1: The Quest for Answers and the God-Shaped Void
In our journey through life, we often encounter beliefs and ideas that seem strange or unfounded. History is filled with examples of people holding onto misconceptions, from medieval beliefs about left-handedness to modern flat-earth theories. These beliefs often arise from a deep-seated need for answers to life's big questions, such as our purpose and existence. Blaise Pascal famously noted that we all have a "God-shaped hole" in our lives, a void that only God can fill. This longing for answers has led to the creation of various belief systems and religions. [04:03]

"For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water." (Jeremiah 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: What are some beliefs or ideas you have held onto in the past to fill the void in your life? How can you invite God to fill that space today?

Day 2: The Flawed Pursuit of Self-Actualization
About a century ago, there was a significant shift from a supernatural worldview to a naturalistic one, where science became the primary source of answers. This shift led to the rise of humanism, which suggests that self-actualization is the key to understanding life's purpose. However, this belief in self as the ultimate answer is flawed. True fulfillment comes not from believing in oneself but from trusting in the God who created, gifted, and called us. [07:33]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 17:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than trusting in God? What steps can you take to shift your trust to Him today?

Day 3: The Consequences of Misplaced Trust
Jeremiah 17 warns against placing our trust in human strength and turning our hearts away from God. Those who do so are like stunted shrubs in a barren desert, devoid of hope and future. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord are like trees planted by a river, flourishing even in times of drought. This imagery highlights the importance of where we place our trust and the condition of our hearts. [12:15]

"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." (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt like a "stunted shrub" due to misplaced trust. How can you begin to trust God more deeply in that area of your life?

Day 4: The Deceptive Heart and the Call to Align with God
Our hearts are deceitful and can lead us astray, making us chase after things that ultimately leave us empty. Instead, we are called to turn our hearts towards God, allowing our actions to follow. This involves recognizing where God is at work around us and joining Him in His mission. By doing so, we experience the blessings and fullness of life that God intends for us. [18:21]

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'" (Jeremiah 17:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What desires or pursuits in your life might be leading you away from God? How can you realign your heart and actions with His will today?

Day 5: Joining God's Mission for a Fulfilled Life
Recognizing where God is at work and joining Him in His mission allows us to experience His blessings. This requires a shift from self-focus to God-focus, leading to a life of purpose and fulfillment. By turning our hearts towards God, we align our actions with His will and experience true life. [24:29]

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you see God at work around you, and how can you join Him in His mission today? What specific actions can you take to shift your focus from self to God?

Quotes

1. "Now we talk about flat earthers all the time. Like it's in our vocabulary now. People believe things that we kind of go, that's kind of strange, it's kind of odd. But a lot of times when you have questions, like about what's the world like out there? Or you have questions like, why is everyone right-handed but these couple of people are left-handed? Or questions about science that you understand. We long for answers, right? And so we'll believe things sometimes that don't make any sense because they satisfy a question that we had. And so we're okay with it. Then you get bigger questions, not just why is someone left-handed, but big questions like, how did we exist? How did people get here? Bigger questions about my personal life, like what is my purpose in life? Why do I exist? Not just why are we here on a planet, why do I exist?" [00:02:01] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Then about a hundred years ago or so, we had a major shift in the way we thought from a supernatural worldview to a naturalistic worldview. What that means, if you're not into understanding worldview stuff, is the naturalistic worldview came with the rise of science that said every answer out there has to be rooted in the natural world, something we can prove, something we can study, something that science points to. That meant people began to reject God who is supernatural. He was above the natural world because he created the natural world. So as we walked away from a supernatural worldview to a naturalistic worldview, where we had to get answers to our big questions from things that we could see and touch and feel and hear, we began to struggle." [00:04:13] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And even though the science of evolution is flawed and has tons of holes, we hold on to it because it's the best natural answer to a supernatural question. Then in academia, humanism began to rise. The belief and the idea that self-actualization was the answer to all of life's questions. That if you want to know your purpose, you want to know why you're here, you want to know why you exist, you need to understand the inner you, the real you, you need to unlock yourself because all of the answers to all of the questions in the world are found in you being self-actualized." [00:05:02] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Believe in yourself ends in a desert barren wasteland. Believe in the God who created you and gifted you and called you. It's a life that's full. It's a life that's got blessing. It's the life that's green and fruitful. Now listen, he talks about it. He says drought's going to come. He talks about that. Heat's going to come. It doesn't mean that if you turn your heart towards Jesus that life is rainbows and butterflies all the time. But to turn your heart towards Jesus means that you're planted next to the river where there's daily nourishment. Where every day you find life." [00:19:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When your heart's turned towards God, not turned towards self, you have the God of the universe walking with you every day. And when trouble comes, the heat comes, the drought comes, his arms around you going, I've been there. I've done that. I've experienced things, everything you've experienced and more, and I'm going to walk you through this. But if you are, if you're camped over here in the world of self, and I'm worshiping self and self is who I put my resilience and my trust in when the bottom falls out there's no one to go to you don't have anybody except other broken frail people." [00:22:23] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "If somebody sat down with you at lunch today and said, hey, tell me what God's doing in your life and what you're doing with him. How long would it take you to answer? Would you be able to throw out several things? Again, I get to cheat, pastor, right? Like I get to see a lot of the stuff. You don't get to cheat like me. But would you have an answer? What God is doing? And where you're involved with him and seeing his movement happen? If not, if you go, I don't know. Well, here's your next step." [00:32:05] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "You throw your life into what he's doing and you experience him. So this morning, like your life is more a picture of that barren wasteland and you don't want it to be. See, there's a simple solution. It's not about self. It's not about works. It's not about doing things now, being involved in church. Most things are talking about throwing yourself into what God's doing. It's not about gaining God's favor. It's because God already loves you and you just want to be a part of what he's doing." [00:37:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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