Trusting God's Glory: Faith in Uncertainty and Hope
Summary
In today's exploration of Matthew, we delve into the profound concept of God's glory and greatness. Reflecting on a personal journey, I shared how God led me from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., with only $1,000 in my bank account. This move was a leap of faith, trusting in God's provision despite the uncertainty. It was a journey marked by challenges, including a job search that seemed fruitless until a moment of thanksgiving and faith led to an unexpected job offer in accounting, a field I had no experience in. This experience underscored the importance of faith and trust in God's plans, even when they seem beyond our understanding.
We then turned to Matthew 17, where Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, revealing His divine glory. This moment is a powerful reminder of Jesus' identity as the Son of God, greater than Moses and Elijah, who represent the law and the prophets. The transfiguration is a testament to Jesus' divine authority and the call to listen to Him above all else.
The sermon also highlighted the vastness of God's creation, from the solar system to the observable universe, emphasizing God's power and majesty. This grandeur is a reminder of God's sovereignty and the assurance that He holds the universe by the power of His word.
In Daniel 7 and Revelation, we see visions of God's throne, surrounded by countless beings worshiping Him. These passages remind us of God's ultimate authority and the future judgment where all will stand before Him. Despite the challenges and resistance from the enemy, we are encouraged to trust in God's greater power and His plans for us.
Finally, we are reminded of the promise of a bright future with God, where every tear will be wiped away, and we will reign with Him. This hope is a call to cast our cares on God, knowing He cares deeply for us and has a glorious future in store.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith in Uncertainty: Trusting God in uncertain times can lead to unexpected blessings. When I moved to Washington, D.C., with limited resources, it was faith and thanksgiving that opened doors I never imagined. This teaches us that faith, even in small amounts, can move mountains and bring about God's provision in our lives. [02:47]
2. The Transfiguration's Significance: The transfiguration of Jesus reveals His divine nature and authority, surpassing the law and the prophets. This event calls us to listen to Jesus, who is not just a messenger but the Son of God. It challenges us to prioritize His teachings and authority in our lives. [05:09]
3. God's Majestic Creation: The vastness of the universe reflects God's immense power and glory. Understanding the scale of creation helps us grasp the greatness of God, who holds everything by His word. This perspective encourages us to trust in His sovereignty over our lives and the world. [12:40]
4. Victory Over the Enemy: Despite the enemy's resistance, God's power is greater. Like Elisha's servant, we must open our eyes to see God's protection and support. Recognizing that God is for us, we can overcome fear and challenges, knowing that His glory surpasses any opposition. [29:27]
5. A Promised Future: God's promise of a bright future assures us that our struggles are temporary. Revelation reminds us that every tear will be wiped away, and we will reign with Christ. This hope encourages us to cast our cares on God, trusting in His love and the eternal kingdom He has prepared for us. [33:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:05] - A Leap of Faith
- [02:47] - Thanksgiving and Provision
- [03:58] - Unexpected Blessings
- [04:30] - The Transfiguration
- [05:09] - Jesus' Divine Glory
- [06:28] - God's Voice and Authority
- [07:13] - Greater Than the Law and Prophets
- [08:42] - The Vastness of Creation
- [10:21] - God's Sovereignty
- [12:40] - The Universe's Majesty
- [15:04] - God's Throne and Judgment
- [17:52] - Resistance from the Enemy
- [20:58] - Vision of Heaven
- [24:42] - Coming Down from the Mountain
- [27:03] - Faith and Healing
- [29:27] - Seeing God's Protection
- [33:54] - A Bright Future with God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 17:1-8 - The Transfiguration of Jesus
2. Daniel 7:9-10 - Vision of God's Throne
3. Revelation 21:4 - Promise of a Future without Pain
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Jesus' transfiguration in front of Peter, James, and John, and how did it reveal His divine nature? [05:09]
2. How did the pastor's personal story of moving from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., illustrate the concept of faith in uncertainty? [02:47]
3. What does the vastness of God's creation, as described in the sermon, tell us about His power and majesty? [12:40]
4. How does the vision of God's throne in Daniel 7 emphasize His ultimate authority and the future judgment? [15:04]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the transfiguration of Jesus challenge believers to prioritize His teachings and authority over other influences in their lives? [07:13]
2. How can the pastor's experience of unexpected provision in Washington, D.C., inspire believers to trust in God's plans during uncertain times? [03:29]
3. What does the description of the universe's vastness in the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's creation and His sovereignty? [12:40]
4. How does the promise of a future without pain in Revelation 21:4 provide hope and encouragement for believers facing current struggles? [33:54]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced uncertainty. How did you respond, and what role did faith play in your decision-making process? [02:47]
2. The transfiguration calls us to listen to Jesus above all else. What practical steps can you take to ensure His teachings are the primary influence in your life? [07:13]
3. Consider the vastness of God's creation. How does this perspective change the way you view your own challenges and God's ability to handle them? [12:40]
4. In what ways can you actively cast your cares on God, trusting in His promise of a bright future? Identify specific worries you can surrender to Him this week. [32:15]
5. How can the vision of God's throne and the future judgment motivate you to live a life that honors Him? What changes might you need to make in your daily actions? [15:04]
6. Think about a current struggle you are facing. How does the promise of a future without pain in Revelation 21:4 encourage you to persevere? [33:54]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to exercise more faith. What steps can you take this week to trust God more fully in that area? [27:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God in Uncertainty
In times of uncertainty, trusting in God's provision can lead to unexpected blessings. When faced with a move to a new city with limited resources, one might feel overwhelmed by the challenges ahead. However, faith and thanksgiving can open doors that seemed impossible. This journey teaches that even a small amount of faith can lead to significant changes and blessings in life. Trusting in God's plans, even when they are beyond our understanding, can bring about His provision in ways we never imagined. [02:47]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are currently facing uncertainty? How can you actively choose to trust God in this situation today?
Day 2: Listening to Jesus' Divine Authority
The transfiguration of Jesus is a powerful revelation of His divine nature and authority, surpassing the law and the prophets. This event calls believers to prioritize Jesus' teachings and authority in their lives. It challenges us to listen to Him above all else, recognizing that He is not just a messenger but the Son of God. By focusing on His words and guidance, we can align our lives with His divine purpose and experience the fullness of His presence. [05:09]
Hebrews 1:1-3 (ESV): "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power."
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize listening to Jesus' teachings in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to ensure His authority guides your decisions?
Day 3: Embracing God's Majestic Creation
The vastness of the universe reflects God's immense power and glory. Understanding the scale of creation helps us grasp the greatness of God, who holds everything by His word. This perspective encourages us to trust in His sovereignty over our lives and the world. By contemplating the majesty of creation, we are reminded of God's power and His ability to sustain us through any circumstance. [12:40]
Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV): "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."
Reflection: Take a moment to observe the natural world around you. How does the beauty and complexity of creation inspire you to trust in God's power and sovereignty?
Day 4: Overcoming Fear with God's Protection
Despite the enemy's resistance, God's power is greater. Like Elisha's servant, we must open our eyes to see God's protection and support. Recognizing that God is for us, we can overcome fear and challenges, knowing that His glory surpasses any opposition. This assurance allows us to face difficulties with confidence, trusting in God's greater power and His plans for us. [29:27]
2 Kings 6:16-17 (ESV): "He said, 'Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.' So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
Reflection: What fears or challenges are you currently facing? How can you ask God to open your eyes to His protection and support in these situations?
Day 5: Hope in God's Promised Future
God's promise of a bright future assures us that our struggles are temporary. Revelation reminds us that every tear will be wiped away, and we will reign with Christ. This hope encourages us to cast our cares on God, trusting in His love and the eternal kingdom He has prepared for us. By focusing on this promise, we can find peace and strength to endure present difficulties, knowing that a glorious future awaits. [33:54]
Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"
Reflection: How does the promise of a future with God impact your perspective on current struggles? What steps can you take to cast your cares on Him today?
Quotes
1) "And so it says after six days, and what happened before that? It's chapter 16, one chapter before. For the son of man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his father. Jesus is coming. Jesus is going to come with a great glory. Glory. When you think of glory, it's something, wow, that makes you say, wow, awesome. That's amazing. That's what glory does. The glory of his father, God. And then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Jesus is going to come in glory and he's going to judge every person according to their deeds." [08:00] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "And Hebrews says this, 1.3, he, Jesus, is the radiance, something that radiates of the glory of God. He is the visible image of the glory of God, the exact imprint of his nature, the exact copy of God the father. That is who Jesus is, exact imprint of his nature. And he upholds. He holds the whole universe by the word of his power. The universe, all of you had science classes, right? And you know the universe is vast, it's great. We live on earth and we look around and we see mountains and we're like, oh, that's a big mountain." [09:25] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "And lately, I've been thinking a lot about clouds for some reason. When I'm driving in Korea, I can see clouds over city, over buildings, and they look something like this. I found this picture. But in my imagination, I sometimes just think randomly. I don't know why, but I just think, how many buildings can you fit in the cloud? And to me, for some reason, that is fascinating. Why? Because clouds really is something that God created. And buildings is something that human beings created. And in my imagination, it's something like, yeah, people can try the hardest as much as they can with their minds, with their skills." [17:08] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "And sometimes you feel like you are overwhelmed. Sometimes you feel like there's some resistance in your life. And it feels like devil himself, Satan himself is fighting against you. How many of you have experienced that, yeah? But that is only because Satan resists those who are trying, who are going forward to build God's kingdom. If you are just sitting around and doing nothing, Satan doesn't care about you. Satan's like, oh, he's doing this. He's doing nothing. Don't touch him. But as soon as you get up and you start working and serving God and loving Jesus and you want to do things for God, suddenly there's resistance to you because Satan doesn't like when you are fighting against his kingdom, when you're bringing damage to his kingdom." [18:37] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "So the first step to victory, to overcoming fear, to overcoming the enemy is actually to see how great God is. That there is more for us than who is against us. That God is greater than any problem in this world. That is the first step to victory for any Christian. We must realize that our problems, they are tiny compared to the glory of God. The glory of God. So what is the glory of God? The greatness. As we saw the universe, did you see how big the universe is? God, our God created that whole universe. You must see that God is a great God and yet He cares for each one of us." [29:59] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "And the Bible says that that is our God. He has many armies to fight for us. And just the thought that God, He will bring judgment and nobody can resist our God, that alone makes us understand that our God is great God. He is stronger and greater than any enemy, any nation out there. And the judgment is against Sidon, Tyre, Babylon, which is Iraq, Israel, the whole world. Even heavens will be judged by God Himself. Our God is a fearsome God. He is holy and majestic. He will bring everyone to judgment. So it doesn't matter how big or strong the enemy looks like, God is stronger." [31:17] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "And sometimes we're like, Me? Who am I? I'm just a little person. I barely make enough money to live every month. But no, you, God chose to rule with Him. Your future is bright. You'll be okay. Revelations 21.4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. And in the past, right now, I don't watch these anymore. But in the past, I used to see some movies. They're scary movies. Okay? And the scary movies, you probably know some, like, zombie movies or something. And there's bad people or bad things and you kill them." [33:54] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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