Trusting God's Plan: Navigating Life's Upper and Lower Stories
Summary
The discourse begins with a reflection on the opening verses of Genesis, where the creation narrative sets the stage for understanding the world and humanity's place within it. The narrative is divided into two distinct realms: the upper story, which encompasses God's actions and plans, and the lower story, which represents human experiences and the complexities of life on Earth. The upper story is foundational to Christian faith, asserting that God is always at work, has a plan, and seldom works alone.
In the lower story, individuals encounter challenges and hindrances that may cause them to question whether anyone cares about their struggles. However, it is emphasized that God cares deeply and has a purpose for every situation, even if it is not immediately apparent. By surrendering to God and remaining faithful, one can trust that their circumstances will be woven into God's greater purposes.
The narrative then shifts to the story of creation, where God is described as creating, designing, defining, and giving direction. Adam and Eve are tasked with living out God's purposes, but the narrative takes a turn when they are tempted by the serpent. The serpent's deception leads to the desire to be like God, which is identified as a fundamental problem: the human inclination to control and define one's own life.
This desire for autonomy is contrasted with the need to live according to the upper story, where God's will prevails. The discourse acknowledges the difficulty of living in the lower story, where life is messy and full of challenges that can obscure God's work. It is suggested that instead of allowing circumstances to define God, individuals should let God define their circumstances, trusting in His character and providence.
The narrative of Joseph is highlighted as an example of this principle. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph later reveals to them that what they intended for harm, God used for good. This story illustrates the idea that even when human actions disrupt God's plan, His purposes will ultimately be fulfilled.
The discourse concludes with an invitation to participate in the Lord's Supper, encouraging individuals to bring their lives into the upper story and trust in God's unseen work. It is a call to faith, whether one is seeking salvation, healing, or the strength to endure difficult times. The message ends with a reminder that God is still sovereign over the world and invites believers to learn how to live with their eyes fixed on the upper story while navigating the realities of the lower story.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christian faith is deeply rooted in the belief that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, as depicted in the Genesis narrative. This belief is not just about acknowledging God's past actions but also recognizing His ongoing involvement in the world and in individual lives. The creation story serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the purposeful design behind all that exists. [42:07]
- The concept of the upper and lower stories provides a framework for understanding the relationship between divine sovereignty and human experience. While God operates in the upper story with perfect knowledge and purpose, humans live in the lower story, often grappling with uncertainty and suffering. This perspective encourages individuals to trust in God's overarching plan, even when their personal circumstances are challenging or confusing. [39:52]
- The temptation of Adam and Eve by the serpent highlights a universal human struggle: the desire to be autonomous and define one's own existence. This struggle is at the heart of many conflicts and issues in life. Recognizing this tendency can lead to a deeper reliance on God's definitions and directions, rather than on personal desires or societal pressures. [55:09]
- The story of Joseph serves as a powerful example of God's redemptive work in the midst of human betrayal and suffering. It demonstrates that God can use even the most painful experiences for good, ultimately fulfilling His purposes. This story encourages believers to view their own hardships through the lens of God's providential care and to remain hopeful that their trials can contribute to a greater plan. [58:28]
- Participation in the Lord's Supper is an act of aligning oneself with the upper story, where God's will is paramount. It is an opportunity to reaffirm faith in God's presence and activity, even when they are not immediately visible. This sacrament serves as a tangible reminder of God's invitation to live in communion with Him and to trust in His unfolding story for the world. [01:06:09]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:1-3 (NIV) - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
2. Genesis 50:20 (NIV) - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two distinct realms described in the sermon, and how do they differ? ([39:09])
2. According to the sermon, what are the three fundamental truths about God mentioned in the upper story? ([39:09])
3. How does the story of Joseph illustrate the principle of God using human actions for His greater purposes? ([58:28])
4. What role does the Lord's Supper play in aligning oneself with the upper story, as mentioned in the sermon? ([01:00:37])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the creation narrative in Genesis 1:1-3 set the stage for understanding the upper and lower stories? ([38:27])
2. What does the desire for autonomy, as seen in the temptation of Adam and Eve, reveal about human nature and its conflicts with God's will? ([55:09])
3. How can the story of Joseph help believers view their own hardships through the lens of God's providential care? ([58:28])
4. In what ways does participating in the Lord's Supper serve as a tangible reminder of God's invitation to live in communion with Him? ([01:00:37])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did you see God's hand at work in that situation, even if it wasn't immediately apparent? ([39:52])
2. The sermon mentions the human inclination to control and define one's own life. In what areas of your life do you struggle with this desire for autonomy, and how can you surrender these areas to God? ([55:09])
3. How can you practice trusting in God's overarching plan when your personal circumstances are challenging or confusing? Share a specific example from your life. ([39:52])
4. The story of Joseph shows that God can use painful experiences for good. How can you apply this perspective to a current hardship you are facing? ([58:28])
5. Participation in the Lord's Supper is an act of aligning oneself with the upper story. How can you make this sacrament more meaningful in your spiritual journey? ([01:00:37])
6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of letting God define our circumstances rather than the other way around. How can you remind yourself of this truth in your daily life? ([56:31])
7. Think of a specific situation where you felt betrayed or hurt by someone. How can you, like Joseph, see God's redemptive work in that situation and move towards forgiveness and healing? ([58:28])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Sovereign Design
God's creation narrative reveals His sovereignty and intentionality in the universe, inviting us to trust in His purposeful design for our lives. [42:07]
Colossians 1:16-17 - "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: How does recognizing God's sovereignty over creation influence your understanding of your purpose and place in the world?
Day 2: Trusting the Upper Story
In the midst of life's uncertainties, we are called to trust in God's perfect knowledge and purpose, which may not always align with our lower story experiences. [39:52]
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you need to relinquish control and trust in God's higher purpose?
Day 3: Surrendering to Divine Direction
The temptation to define our own existence is a challenge to God's authority, but surrendering to His direction leads to true fulfillment. [55:09]
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: What aspect of your life are you trying to control, and how can you begin to surrender it to God's direction?
Day 4: Seeing Good in Trials
The story of Joseph teaches us that God can transform our deepest pains into a greater purpose, encouraging us to find hope in His redemptive work. [58:28]
Genesis 50:20 - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Reflection: Reflect on a difficult experience you've had. How might God be using that situation for a greater good?
Day 5: Aligning with God's Will
Participating in the Lord's Supper is an act of aligning with God's will, reaffirming our trust in His unseen work and presence in our lives. [01:06:09]
1 Corinthians 11:26 - "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Reflection: How does participating in the Lord's Supper help you to focus on God's upper story and trust in His plan for your life?
Quotes
"He loves you more than anybody in this world loves you and he wants only what is best for you and he will not give up pursuing you until somebody puts you in the ground." [57:08] (Download)
"When you go through a hard time, don't let the hard time define you or define your God; take that and don't invite God to come into the hard time, take that hard time and put it in the context of the character of God." [59:58] (Download)
"God has defined us who we are sexually and has made us into the people that he wants us to be and it's our calling to live into the definitions of God." [48:21] (Download)
"God had a plan and a purpose he knew exactly what he wanted to happen... God loved the world so much and his heart was so full of love that he created the world so that he might be in a relationship with the people that he created." [51:48] (Download)
"God Longs for fellowship with his people God wants to be in a relationship with you he wants to be in a relationship with your children he wants to be in a relationship with your neighbors." [53:04] (Download)
"We all want to be God. We all want to direct our lives, we all want to define our lives, we all want to design who we are and what we want to be." [55:09] (Download)
"It's a wonderful time to be alive, but we're in the lower story so we don't always see what God might be doing with this particularly difficult issue or challenging issue in our lives." [56:31] (Download)
"God is always up to something and God always has a plan. That's the upper story. Now we live in the lower story... we don't always know what God's doing and sometimes our lives get complicated." [39:52] (Download)
"In every situation that you will face in your life, God has a purpose and he's working in that. He may not have brought that into your life, but he will weave what comes into our lives into his greater purposes as we surrender those circumstances to him." [40:29] (Download)
"We're living in a broken world but God is still in heaven, he's still in charge, he's still in control. So just bring it all to the Lord, say Lord I don't understand it, it seems like it's a raw deal right now, but I'm going to trust you." [01:04:47] (Download)
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