Trusting God: Unlocking Potential and Divine Peace
Summary
In my sermon, I began by addressing the congregation with a heartfelt message about the importance of fully relying on God, especially in this season of creative breakthroughs. I emphasized that these breakthroughs come at the cost of being completely dependent on Him, and that we often settle for doing nothing with Him, even though we can't do anything without Him. I shared my conviction that we are God's plan for bringing heaven to earth, and that we must trust Him fully.
I then spoke about the danger of becoming complacent after a series of answered prayers, which can lead us to believe we don't need God anymore. I shared personal reflections on how every step I've taken has been met by God's provision, and that we must not settle for less than what He has for us.
Moving on, I discussed the story of Elisha and the King of Syria from 2 Kings 6. I highlighted how Elisha, the prophet of God, repeatedly thwarted the King of Syria's plans to ambush Israel by warning the King of Israel. This led to the Syrian King's frustration and his attempt to capture Elisha, only to be met by a divine revelation of God's protective army of fire.
I shared a humorous personal anecdote about attending a Zoom class in pajamas, which served as a metaphor for the idea that there's always more than what we can see. I encouraged the congregation to look beyond the surface and to seek what God is revealing.
I then delved into the concept of potential and how it is God's gift to us, while what we do with that potential is our gift back to Him. I used the example of a one-armed basketball player to illustrate how eliminating choices can lead to greater focus and success.
I continued by discussing the importance of looking for what God wants us to see, rather than being distracted by our circumstances. I confessed my own shortcomings in finding things and related it to the spiritual principle that seeing is linked to moving.
I shared my vulnerabilities, such as my fear of spiders and heights, and my inability to back up a trailer, to connect with the congregation on a personal level and to illustrate that we all have fears that can control us even when we don't feel afraid.
I returned to the story of Elisha and the servant, emphasizing the power of perspective and the need to look up to see God's help and provision. I prayed for the congregation to have the courage to look up and see beyond their current situations.
Finally, I concluded with the story of Peter's imprisonment and miraculous escape in Acts 12, drawing parallels between Peter's peace in the face of danger and our own ability to rest in God's presence, regardless of the battles we face.
Key Takeaways:
1. Trusting God fully is the key to unlocking creative breakthroughs in our lives. Just as Elisha trusted God amidst the Syrian ambushes, we too must depend on God's guidance rather than our own understanding. This trust leads to a life of divine intervention and protection. [02:31]
2. The dangers of complacency can be subtle yet profound. When we experience a series of answered prayers, we must guard against the false sense of self-sufficiency that can creep in. Our need for God is constant, and every blessing we receive is a reminder of His ongoing provision and grace. [03:24]
3. Our potential is a divine gift, and what we do with it is our offering back to God. The story of the one-armed basketball player teaches us that when we eliminate other options and focus solely on God's calling, we can achieve greatness despite our limitations. [14:22]
4. Spiritual sight is linked to action. Like Abraham, who only saw God's provision when he moved in obedience, we too must take steps of faith to see God's promises unfold in our lives. Our destiny is hidden behind our willingness to act on God's word. [17:42]
5. Resting in God's presence is possible even in the face of imminent danger. Peter's ability to sleep while chained between soldiers is a testament to the peace that comes from knowing God is with us. No matter the battle, we can find rest in His sovereignty and love. [37:44]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Kings 6:8-17 - The story of Elisha and the King of Syria.
2. Acts 12:5-11 - The story of Peter's imprisonment and miraculous escape.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Elisha's role in thwarting the King of Syria's plans? How did he receive the information to warn the King of Israel? [05:11]
2. How did Elisha's servant react when he saw the Syrian army surrounding them, and what was Elisha's response? [06:54]
3. Describe Peter's situation in prison and his reaction to it. What miraculous event occurred? [37:44]
4. What did Elisha pray for his servant, and what was revealed as a result? [06:54]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Elisha was able to sleep despite knowing the Syrian army was coming for him? How does this reflect his trust in God? [29:59]
2. How does the story of Peter's imprisonment illustrate the peace that comes from trusting in God's presence, even in dire circumstances? [37:44]
3. What does the story of Elisha and his servant teach us about spiritual sight and perspective? How can this be applied to our daily lives? [06:54]
4. How does the concept of potential as a divine gift, and our actions as our gift back to God, challenge our understanding of our abilities and choices? [14:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a breakthrough in your life. How did your reliance on God play a role in that breakthrough? How can you ensure you continue to rely on Him fully? [01:13]
2. Have you ever felt complacent after a series of answered prayers? How can you guard against the false sense of self-sufficiency that can follow? [02:31]
3. Think about a situation where you felt surrounded by challenges. How can you shift your perspective to see God's provision and protection in that situation? [06:54]
4. Identify an area in your life where you have potential but have not fully committed to God's calling. What steps can you take to eliminate distractions and focus on this calling? [14:22]
5. How can you practice looking beyond the surface in your daily interactions and circumstances to see what God is revealing to you? [11:15]
6. Consider a fear or vulnerability you have. How can you bring this to God and trust in His strength and provision to overcome it? [19:26]
7. Reflect on a recent redirection in your life. How can you view this as God's protection and guidance rather than a setback? [25:24]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of trust, reliance on God, and spiritual perspective as discussed in the sermon. Use the questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Breakthrough Requires Trust
Trusting in God is not merely a passive state of mind; it is an active leap of faith that opens the door to divine breakthroughs. When one fully relies on God, they enter into a partnership where their own understanding is no longer the limit of what can be achieved. This trust is not about inaction but about moving forward with the confidence that God is the source of all wisdom and power. It is about letting go of the illusion of control and embracing the possibilities that come with divine guidance. Trusting God means acknowledging that without Him, nothing of eternal value can be accomplished, and with Him, the potential for creative breakthroughs is limitless [02:31].
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to relinquish control and trust God's guidance more fully?
Day 2: Complacency, the Subtle Enemy
After experiencing answered prayers, it's easy to slip into a false sense of independence from God. This complacency can be a spiritual pitfall, leading one to forget the source of their blessings. It is crucial to remember that every step taken and every success achieved is not by one's own strength but by God's provision. The danger lies in becoming so accustomed to God's grace that one begins to take it for granted, losing sight of the constant need for His presence and guidance in every aspect of life. Recognizing this tendency is the first step in guarding against it and ensuring that one's spiritual journey continues to be one of humility and dependence on God [03:24].
Hebrews 2:1 (ESV)
"Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a daily practice of acknowledging God's provision to combat spiritual complacency?
Day 3: Potential Realized Through Focus
God has endowed each person with unique potential, a divine gift that holds the promise of greatness when aligned with His purpose. Realizing this potential requires a focused dedication to God's calling, often necessitating the elimination of distractions and alternative paths. Like the one-armed basketball player who achieved success by concentrating on his strengths, individuals are called to focus on the gifts God has given them and to use them in service to His kingdom. This focus is not about the absence of choice but about the deliberate selection of the divine path over all others [14:22].
1 Corinthians 9:26 (ESV)
"So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air."
Reflection: What distractions do you need to eliminate in order to focus more on realizing the potential God has given you?
Day 4: Seeing Is Linked to Moving
Spiritual sight is not a passive act but one that is intrinsically connected to movement and obedience. Just as Abraham had to step out in faith to see God's provision, individuals today must also take action to witness the unfolding of God's promises in their lives. This principle teaches that one's destiny is not a static picture waiting to be discovered but a dynamic journey that is revealed through steps of faith. It is in the act of moving forward, often into the unknown, that one's spiritual eyes are opened to the possibilities that God has laid out before them [17:42].
James 2:22 (ESV)
"You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works."
Reflection: What step of faith is God calling you to take today to bring His promises into clearer view?
Day 5: Resting in God's Sovereignty
The ability to rest in God's presence, even amidst turmoil, is a testament to the peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not a denial of the battles one faces but a deep-seated trust in God's sovereignty and love. Like Peter, who slept soundly while imprisoned, believers can find rest in the knowledge that God is in control. This rest is not about the absence of conflict but about the presence of God in the midst of it, providing comfort and assurance that ultimately, His will shall prevail [37:44].
Psalm 4:8 (ESV)
"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Reflection: What fears or battles are you facing today, and how can you actively choose to rest in God's sovereignty over them?
Quotes
1. "There's always more than what you can see. There's always more to you than what other people can see. People can stand in here and I love, I love the people in here that are just a little too loud in worship and you kind of get on people's nerves because there's a little more there than what people can see." [11:15]
2. "God blesses faithful trust. We want our destiny and we want it right now as though we popped it in the microwave and we miss the very thing that's right in front of us. How many of you notice that? In the story, the army wasn't coming. It was there all along and we missed the calling that God has for us because we're too busy waiting for a paycheck or waiting for God to scratch you just the right way." [12:16]
3. "Potential is God's gift to you. What you do with that potential is your gift back to him. There's graveyards full of potential. Everybody in here has potential. God in his goodness locks your destiny behind your choices, you know, on choices. God can't be first. If he's only, and God wants to be first." [15:18]
4. "Seeing is linked to moving. You won't see it till you move. Just ask Abraham walking up the mountain. As soon as he stops, provision stops. But until you begin to move, it actually takes you doing something to see it come to pass because God in his goodness hides your destiny behind the choices that you make and the willingness to do something." [17:42]
5. "The redirections that we have in our lives that we become frustrated with are, are, are a litmus test of our inability to see when we get redirected, that is God's goodness and his protection. We're going on a well on our way and doing our own thing. And then all of a sudden we get, this thing in the road that we have to turn around and go back the other way." [25:24]
6. "God does not have a plan for your life. He has a purpose for your life and he is so sovereign. He can get you there any way that he wants to. God is not a map. He's more like a GPS, right? And because we're human, we're going to run into probably some bad traffic. And what's Siri going to say? Oh, we're redirecting." [26:53]
7. "The biggest problem is that we don't look up enough. I lifted up my eyes to the hills from whence come my help. My help cometh from the Lord. I'm here to tell you that the best thing for us is a change of perspective, that the thing that surrounds you can no longer rob you because you can finally see that those who are with you are those who are against you." [39:09]
8. "The Lord wants desperately for you to fully rely on him. The place of trust for a new breakthrough. I'm just feeling like this season is going to be a season of creative breakthroughs. Things that you couldn't even imagine, things that were there all along. He's going to be Jehovah sneaky to you." [01:13]
9. "The most dangerous place in your life is not the center of your difficult situation. The most dangerous place in time in your life is when you've had about three or four answered prayers in a row, because we start to think we don't need him anymore. We start to think that, oh, I can do this on my own." [02:31]
10. "Thank God for unanswered prayers. Thank God that in his wisdom and knowledge, he doesn't give us everything we ask for. And while we're on the topic of not seeing there's, uh, what I've found is that there's only one type of prayer that God can't answer. And that's the prayer he's already answered." [21:03]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Apr 11, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?