Trusting God's Sovereignty in Chaotic Times
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth of God's sovereignty amidst the chaos and challenges of life. We acknowledged that while the world may seem chaotic, God remains in control, caring for both the small and significant aspects of our lives. This understanding calls us to trust Him fully and to offer our resources for the advancement of His kingdom. We also discussed the importance of living with a sense of urgency and readiness for Christ's return, as outlined in the book of Revelation. This involves not only understanding the prophetic significance of the end times but also applying practical lessons to our daily lives.
We examined the "end times report card" rubric, which provides a framework for evaluating our spiritual readiness. This includes staying spiritually awake, pursuing righteousness, living with an eternal perspective, walking by faith, and loving others selflessly. These principles are not just theoretical but are meant to be lived out in our daily interactions and decisions. The church in Smyrna serves as a powerful example of faithfulness under pressure, as they faced persecution and tribulation with unwavering commitment to Christ.
The story of Polycarp, a bishop in Smyrna, further illustrates the cost of discipleship and the importance of standing firm in faith, even unto death. His refusal to deny Christ, despite facing execution, challenges us to examine our own commitment to Jesus. Are we willing to endure hardship for the sake of the gospel? Are we living in a way that reflects our hope in Christ's return?
As we navigate the complexities of life, let us be encouraged by the promise of Christ's return and the hope of eternal life. May we live each day with a sense of purpose, aligning our lives with God's will and being a light to those around us.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Sovereignty and Our Trust: Despite the chaos in the world, God is sovereign and in control. This truth invites us to trust Him fully, knowing that He cares for every detail of our lives, both big and small. Our response should be one of surrender and commitment to His purposes. [34:02]
- Living with Urgency and Readiness: The prophetic messages in Revelation remind us to live with a sense of urgency and readiness for Christ's return. This involves staying spiritually awake, pursuing righteousness, and living with an eternal perspective. [45:12]
- The Cost of Discipleship: The story of Polycarp and the church in Smyrna highlights the cost of discipleship. True faithfulness may require enduring persecution and tribulation, but it also promises the reward of eternal life. [24:16]
- Faith Over Fear: We are called to live by faith, not fear. This means trusting God in the face of uncertainty and allowing our faith to produce works that reflect His love and truth. [01:09:14]
- Loving Others Selflessly: Our lives should be marked by selfless love for others, reflecting the heart of Christ. This involves serving and caring for those in need, as an expression of our faith and commitment to Jesus. [01:10:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [33:48] - God's Sovereignty Amidst Chaos
- [34:19] - Offering and Kingdom Advancement
- [35:01] - Church News and Events
- [36:11] - Carlson Fellows Program
- [36:45] - Upcoming Baptism
- [37:37] - Impact of Church Renewal International
- [39:19] - Prayer Summits and Community Impact
- [41:30] - Letters to the Church: Ephesus
- [42:14] - The Importance of First Love
- [44:05] - Practical Application of End Times
- [45:12] - Revelation: Uncovering Jesus
- [46:13] - Living in Light of Christ's Return
- [48:39] - End Times Report Card Rubric
- [01:24:16] - The Faithfulness of Smyrna and Polycarp
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 2:8-11
2. Matthew 24:45-51
3. Matthew 25:1-13
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Revelation 2:8-11 reveal about the church in Smyrna and their situation? How does this passage describe their faithfulness amidst persecution? [24:33]
2. In Matthew 24:45-51, what characteristics define the "faithful and wise servant"? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on spiritual readiness? [54:18]
3. According to Matthew 25:1-13, what distinguishes the wise virgins from the foolish ones? How does this parable illustrate the importance of living with an eternal perspective? [03:18]
4. How does the story of Polycarp, as mentioned in the sermon, exemplify the cost of discipleship and faithfulness under pressure? [22:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God's sovereignty, as discussed in the sermon, influence a believer's response to life's chaos and challenges? [34:02]
2. What practical steps can believers take to ensure they are spiritually awake and ready for Christ's return, as highlighted in the sermon and Matthew 24:45-51? [54:18]
3. In what ways does the story of the church in Smyrna and Polycarp challenge modern believers to evaluate their own commitment to Christ? [24:33]
4. How does the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 encourage believers to live with an eternal perspective, and what might this look like in daily life? [03:18]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by chaos. How can the truth of God's sovereignty help you trust Him more fully in similar situations? [34:02]
2. What are some practical ways you can stay spiritually awake and ready for Christ's return in your daily life? Consider setting specific goals for spiritual growth this week. [54:18]
3. The sermon highlighted the cost of discipleship through the story of Polycarp. Are there areas in your life where you need to stand firm in your faith, even if it means facing hardship? [22:33]
4. How can you cultivate an eternal perspective in your daily decisions and interactions? Identify one area where you can make a change this week to reflect this perspective. [03:18]
5. The sermon emphasized living by faith rather than fear. Is there a specific fear or anxiety you need to surrender to God? What steps can you take to live more by faith this week? [09:14]
6. Consider someone in your life who is in need. How can you show selfless love to them this week, reflecting the heart of Christ as discussed in the sermon? [10:50]
7. Reflect on the "end times report card" rubric from the sermon. Which area (staying awake, pursuing righteousness, living with an eternal perspective, etc.) do you feel most challenged by, and what is one action you can take to grow in that area? [48:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Sovereignty in Chaos
In the midst of life's chaos and challenges, it is essential to remember that God is sovereign and in control. This truth invites us to trust Him fully, knowing that He cares for every detail of our lives, both big and small. Our response should be one of surrender and commitment to His purposes. When we acknowledge God's sovereignty, we can find peace and assurance, even when the world around us seems uncertain. Trusting in His plan allows us to let go of our anxieties and focus on living out His will in our daily lives. [34:02]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you actively surrender this area to Him today?
Day 2: Living with Urgency and Readiness
The prophetic messages in Revelation remind us to live with a sense of urgency and readiness for Christ's return. This involves staying spiritually awake, pursuing righteousness, and living with an eternal perspective. By focusing on the eternal rather than the temporary, we align our lives with God's purposes and prepare ourselves for the fulfillment of His promises. Living with urgency means being intentional about our spiritual growth and being ready to respond to God's call at any moment. [45:12]
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (ESV): "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take this week to stay spiritually awake and live with an eternal perspective?
Day 3: Embracing the Cost of Discipleship
The story of Polycarp and the church in Smyrna highlights the cost of discipleship. True faithfulness may require enduring persecution and tribulation, but it also promises the reward of eternal life. Polycarp's unwavering commitment to Christ, even in the face of death, challenges us to examine our own dedication to Jesus. Are we willing to endure hardship for the sake of the gospel? Embracing the cost of discipleship means being prepared to stand firm in our faith, regardless of the circumstances. [24:16]
2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV): "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Reflection: Consider a recent challenge or hardship you faced. How did you respond, and what does it reveal about your commitment to following Christ?
Day 4: Choosing Faith Over Fear
We are called to live by faith, not fear. This means trusting God in the face of uncertainty and allowing our faith to produce works that reflect His love and truth. When we choose faith over fear, we demonstrate our reliance on God's promises and His ability to guide us through life's challenges. Faith empowers us to act boldly and confidently, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [01:09:14]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: Identify a situation where fear has held you back. How can you choose to act in faith instead, trusting in God's guidance and provision?
Day 5: Loving Others Selflessly
Our lives should be marked by selfless love for others, reflecting the heart of Christ. This involves serving and caring for those in need, as an expression of our faith and commitment to Jesus. Selfless love requires us to put others' needs before our own and to act with compassion and kindness. By loving others in this way, we become a light to those around us and demonstrate the transformative power of God's love. [01:10:50]
1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is in need. How can you show them selfless love this week through a specific act of kindness or service?
Quotes
"Whatever we see happening in the place iCal landscape around the world and we see it feels like chaos and yet you are high above ruling on your throne nothing escapes your sovereignty nothing happens without your notice including according to the gospels the hairs on our head you care about the small things and the big." [00:33:55]
"Jesus never says the busyness was bad he actually says that was good this you have you're doing this well but but he saw a fatal flaw in that church and that's why I'm so glad it was probably intentional that he starts with Ephesus because the Fatal flaw was the most important thing that any one of us can really strive towards in our lives and that is First Love." [00:41:51]
"First Love though will shape the way that you live it will shape your desires it will shape the things that you do you'll be able to see it in actions it bears fruit it bears fruit um but it's not simply passion although we can see that passion does often follow First Love um and even people that aren't passionate you know I'm not well I'm not passionate worshipper maybe like you are or something like that but then we can be passionate about hockey or passionate about football or passionate about reading we can really get passionate about a lot of things and so scripture challenges us on where the affections of our heart center on do they sand her on Jesus." [00:42:56]
"Jesus provides hope the the the message of the end of the age is is not one just simply of Doom and destruction yes it is also referred to as the terrible day of the Lord it is referred to that but it doesn't have to be it's a message of hope that evil has an expiration date because Jesus is coming back and when he comes back all of that anxiety all of that addiction all of that rejection loneliness death I cannot wait for death to be swallowed up in Victory it'll be gone and we'll spend an eternity either with him or away from him depending on the desires of our heart." [00:47:51]
"Are we living in light of Christ's return and that's really what an the end times or or the revelation of Jesus The Apocalypse of Jesus challenges us on and that's the message Jesus has for the church the church then in now modern day Turkey in Asia Minor and now the church here today including us at selfland are we in the in light of reality of what is really going on are we going to live in light of that reality or are we going to live as though nothing is going to happen." [00:48:39]
"Well of that God breathed scripture over 25% is devoted to Jesus's second return it's almost as though God himself is looking forward to this and he wants us to share in his excitement that's what I think but beyond that you know that 500 so 737 prophecies in Scripture that 594 of them have already come to pass that's 80% 80% of the prophecies in scripture have already taken place we're just waiting for the final 20% most most of them related to the the End of the Age." [00:50:41]
"How can we expect to stand firm in our faith and not be deceived if we are spiritually sleeping and not paying attention to the words of Jesus himself that's a that's a question we should wrestle with that would be a worthwhile question to wrestle with even if it makes you a little bit nervous or afraid wrestle through that press in into prayer and in the word and find out you can move past the worry and the fear but you might have to start there don't hide from it one of the greatest deceptions is passive Christianity." [00:52:59]
"Are we awake or are we spiritually sleeping that's again a question that you need to ask yourself I can't tell you you know if you're awake or if you're sleeping I can't look and see what's going on in your heart I can't and we all have different starting spots we totally do so it might look different for you than it does for me I've been growing in this for over 20 years now you might be just starting but is the is the direction of your life does it reveal that you are awake and waiting for the Master's return or would he if he came back today say that you were sleeping." [00:57:00]
"Are you living in sin or are you pursuing righteousness now I want to be clear Jesus isn't making a new way to heaven saying that you have to be righteous by your own Works in order to get in he's not saying that but read first John and it's very clear on those that practice sin for versus those that practice righteousness meaning is the again the direction of your life is it pointed towards righteousness because the fruit of having the spirit inside of you is the fruit of righteousness that's one of the fruits and so to be able to just live in unrepentant sin should be impossible for a Believer with the spirit inside of them." [01:00:15]
"Are you living for the present or living for the future now we should not just live for the future in the sense of being ignorant of the present you have to live your life and be wise with your finances and wise with decisions that you're making today in light of Jesus coming back that's what I'm getting at so let's look at examples of the present versus future." [01:02:51]
"Are you living in fear or are you living by faith and we get an example of that when we look at the servants and we've gone over this story many times here and I know I've preached all of these before but but they're important because Jesus gave them to us to instruct us on what it looks like to live ready for his return it'll a man goes on a journey calls his servants to himself three of them were told gives them a different amount of talents right to one gives five to when he gives two and to when he gives one then he leaves on a journey and doesn't tell them when he's going to come back." [01:05:55]
"Are you holding on to your faith are you still pursuing Jesus the best you know how are you still trying to love those around you these are questions that we can ask ourselves and that moves right into the last one and that is living for self versus loving people all right then he will say to those in his left depart from me you cursed into Eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels he's splitting the sheep from the goats right and he says for I was hungry you gave me no food I was thirsty you gave me no drink I was a stranger you did not welcome me naked and you did not clothe me sick and imprisoned and you did not visit me." [01:09:14]
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