Unlocking Potential: Getting Unstuck Through Faith

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the theme of being "unstuck" and how God's power can unlock our lives, bringing movement and momentum. We began by acknowledging the distractions and busyness of life, emphasizing the importance of focusing on Jesus, who is preeminent above all. The question posed was whether we feel stuck in our lives, relationships, or spiritual journey. The message was clear: God's power is available to unlock and bring breakthrough into our lives.

We explored Isaiah 54, where God challenges a barren nation to sing and stretch out in faith, even before seeing the breakthrough. This is a call to action, to sing in the face of barrenness and to trust in God's promises. We were reminded that life is a gift, but growing in our relationship with God is a partnership. God has given us everything we need for a godly life, but we must respond to His promises and take responsibility for our growth.

The story of Gideon was shared, illustrating how God calls us to step out in the strength we have, even when we feel inadequate. Gideon felt stuck, yet God empowered him to lead his nation to victory. Similarly, we are called to move forward, trusting in the power of God within us. The transformation of Saul to Paul was another powerful example of how getting unstuck can lead to significant impact and purpose.

We concluded with a call to surrender our lives to Jesus, recognizing that He is the source of our strength and the key to getting unstuck. Whether we are stuck due to circumstances beyond our control or personal decisions, Jesus invites us to partner with Him for transformation. By surrendering to Him, we unlock the potential of heaven within us and step into the purpose He has for our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Focus on Jesus for Clarity and Simplicity: In the midst of life's distractions, focusing on Jesus brings clarity and simplicity. By esteeming Him above all, we find peace and direction. This focus allows us to surrender fully, trusting in His power to bring breakthrough and movement in our lives. [00:00]

- Sing in the Face of Barrenness: Isaiah 54 challenges us to sing and stretch out in faith, even when we feel barren or stuck. This act of faith is a declaration of trust in God's promises, believing that He will bring fruitfulness and breakthrough. Singing before the breakthrough is an expression of hope and confidence in God's power. [13:54]

- Life is a Gift, Growth is a Partnership: While salvation is a free gift from God, growing in our relationship with Him requires our active participation. We are called to supplement our faith with virtues like moral excellence, knowledge, and self-control. This growth is a response to God's promises and an expression of our love for Him. [16:12]

- Empowered to Get Unstuck: God's power dwells within us, enabling us to overcome challenges and move forward. Like Gideon, we may feel inadequate, but God calls us to step out in the strength we have. By cooperating with His power, we can break free from stagnation and step into our God-given purpose. [24:39]

- Surrender to Unlock Potential: Surrendering to Jesus is the key to unlocking the potential of heaven within us. By inviting Him into the center of our lives, we experience transformation and empowerment. This surrender is not passive; it requires our active decision to partner with God and pursue growth and purpose. [42:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Acknowledging Jesus' Preeminence
- [01:45] - Feeling Stuck in Life
- [03:00] - The Power of God to Unlock
- [04:15] - Isaiah 54: Sing and Stretch Out
- [06:00] - Surrendering to Jesus
- [07:30] - The Challenge of Singing Before Breakthrough
- [09:00] - Life as a Gift, Growth as a Partnership
- [11:00] - The Story of Gideon
- [13:54] - Empowered to Get Unstuck
- [16:12] - Adding to Our Faith
- [18:00] - The Transformation of Saul to Paul
- [20:00] - Surrendering to Unlock Potential
- [24:39] - The Power of Heaven Within Us
- [30:26] - Conclusion and Call to Surrender

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 54:1-3
2. Judges 6:11-16
3. 2 Peter 1:3-8

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Observation Questions:

1. In Isaiah 54, what is the significance of the barren woman being called to sing and stretch out in faith? How does this relate to feeling "stuck" in life? [13:54]

2. How does the story of Gideon in Judges 6 illustrate the concept of being "unstuck"? What was Gideon's initial reaction to God's call? [24:39]

3. According to 2 Peter 1:3-8, what has God given us for living a godly life, and what are we encouraged to add to our faith? [16:12]

4. How does the transformation of Saul to Paul serve as an example of getting "unstuck" and finding purpose? [30:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to "sing in the face of barrenness," and how can this act of faith impact one's spiritual journey? [13:54]

2. In what ways does the story of Gideon challenge the idea that feeling inadequate disqualifies someone from being used by God? [24:39]

3. How does 2 Peter 1:3-8 describe the relationship between God's promises and our responsibility in spiritual growth? [16:12]

4. How does the transformation of Saul to Paul illustrate the power of surrendering to Jesus and embracing a new purpose? [30:26]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt "stuck" in your life. What steps did you take to focus on Jesus and seek His guidance for clarity and direction? [00:30]

2. Isaiah 54 encourages singing before the breakthrough. Is there a current situation in your life where you need to express faith and hope despite not seeing immediate results? How can you do this practically? [13:54]

3. Consider the idea that life is a gift, but growth is a partnership. What specific virtues from 2 Peter 1:3-8 do you feel called to develop in your life right now? [16:12]

4. Like Gideon, have you ever felt inadequate for a task God called you to? How did you respond, and what can you learn from Gideon's story about stepping out in faith? [24:39]

5. The sermon emphasized the importance of surrendering to Jesus to unlock potential. What area of your life do you need to surrender to Him, and what steps can you take to do so this week? [42:14]

6. Reflect on the transformation of Saul to Paul. Is there an area in your life where you need a similar transformation? How can you invite Jesus into that process? [30:26]

7. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction and prioritize your relationship with Him? [00:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Focus on Jesus for Clarity and Simplicity
Focusing on Jesus amidst life's distractions brings clarity and simplicity. By esteeming Him above all, we find peace and direction. This focus allows us to surrender fully, trusting in His power to bring breakthrough and movement in our lives. When we prioritize Jesus, we align our lives with His purpose, which helps us navigate through the noise and chaos of daily life. This alignment is not just about removing distractions but about centering our hearts and minds on the One who is preeminent above all. [00:00]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What specific distractions in your life are preventing you from focusing on Jesus today? How can you intentionally set your mind on things above?


Day 2: Sing in the Face of Barrenness
Isaiah 54 challenges us to sing and stretch out in faith, even when we feel barren or stuck. This act of faith is a declaration of trust in God's promises, believing that He will bring fruitfulness and breakthrough. Singing before the breakthrough is an expression of hope and confidence in God's power. It is a call to action, to trust in what is unseen and to believe in the fulfillment of God's promises, even when circumstances seem unchanged. [13:54]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel barren or stuck? How can you express faith and hope in God's promises today, even before seeing the breakthrough?


Day 3: Life is a Gift, Growth is a Partnership
While salvation is a free gift from God, growing in our relationship with Him requires our active participation. We are called to supplement our faith with virtues like moral excellence, knowledge, and self-control. This growth is a response to God's promises and an expression of our love for Him. It involves a conscious effort to cultivate spiritual disciplines and virtues that align with God's character, recognizing that growth is a collaborative journey with God. [16:12]

2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV): "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."

Reflection: What specific virtue or discipline do you feel called to develop in your spiritual journey? How can you actively partner with God in this area of growth today?


Day 4: Empowered to Get Unstuck
God's power dwells within us, enabling us to overcome challenges and move forward. Like Gideon, we may feel inadequate, but God calls us to step out in the strength we have. By cooperating with His power, we can break free from stagnation and step into our God-given purpose. This empowerment is not about relying on our own abilities but trusting in the divine strength that God provides to accomplish His will. [24:39]

Judges 6:14 (ESV): "And the Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?'"

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel stuck or inadequate? How can you step out in the strength God has given you today, trusting in His empowerment?


Day 5: Surrender to Unlock Potential
Surrendering to Jesus is the key to unlocking the potential of heaven within us. By inviting Him into the center of our lives, we experience transformation and empowerment. This surrender is not passive; it requires our active decision to partner with God and pursue growth and purpose. It involves a willingness to let go of control and trust in God's plan, allowing His power to work through us for His glory. [42:14]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes


Thank You, Jesus, for Your presence here today. Thank You, Jesus, for Your promise. Lord, today we esteem You number one. Lord, all the distractions, all the busyness, we thank You, Jesus, that You are preeminent and above all of that. Thank You, Lord, that our life finds simplicity when we focus on You. Lord, we have clarity. Have it all, God. Have it all. Today we are surrendered to You, Lord. [00:10:11] (28 seconds)


And so today, if that's you today, you're feeling stuck, I want you just to lift your hands and say, Jesus, I'm believing for getting unstuck this morning. Thank you, Jesus. Lord, today you see our hands lifted. We thank you, Lord, that you are the breakthrough. Lord, that you are the change maker, God. Lord, that you change the equation, God, for us. And Lord, today we speak release. I speak release, God. Lord, today we speak surrender, Lord. Have it all, God. [00:12:15] (29 seconds)


God's given us all this stuff and Peter is saying we've got to take that and add to that God has given us the power to step forward to add to our life he's saying okay this is great this is what you've got now just seek to grow I don't think there's anything terribly magic about each of those things what he's saying is we need to add the character of God we have the power we have the opportunity to take responsibility for our own growth [00:20:58] (30 seconds)


Salvation is a free gift, but unstuck is a partnership. Now God's got us. We're stuck in the mud, and he says, can you give me a hand here? Now the fact is, He could do it all, but he actually can't because it's our response that he's looking for. [00:23:41] (19 seconds)


The amazing thing, Gideon said, look, we're stuck. And God says, you've got the power to change this. I'm sending you. And I think sometimes we can say to God, I'm stuck. There's nothing I can do. And God's saying, you've got my power. Take a step. Step out. Move forward. We can see problems, challenges broken over our life. That's what the power of God does within us. But we need to cooperate. Unstuck allows for growth. Unstuck requires growth. [00:29:10] (35 seconds)


The enemy would like to come to you and say, you're stuck and there's nothing you can do. And God's saying, I am dwelling within you. According to the power that's within you, you can believe that God can do exceedingly, abundantly above. Yeah, come on. Let's thank Jesus for that. [00:30:12] (14 seconds)


unlocks purpose God's called us for purpose now why the enemy the reason the enemy wants to just make us all feel so stuck is because while we feel stuck we're not stepping into purpose we're not stepping into possibility if I just live stuck then all the people that I could be reaching don't get reached and thank God I believe that he organizes someone else to go and reach them but it could have been you there's kingdom purpose on your life [00:30:45] (27 seconds)


I like the conversion of Saul who became Paul he became Paul just to give you a spoiler alert Saul was the persecutor of the church Paul was the biggest builder of the church I reckon and there's a good argument for Paul being the second most influential person in the history of the universe other than Jesus he gave us the understanding of the doctrine of grace which has transformed all of our lives what Paul wrote from prison when he was feeling like he was stuck so he's stuck there in prison can't preach the gospel can't go anywhere so Jesus I'm stuck all I can do is write a letter to these people and Jesus how about you write the letter well we've still got the letters we can't listen to any of his preaching but we've still got the letters and they've changed the world [00:31:57] (48 seconds)


it's time church for us to get up put on the power of God and get unstuck there's stuff you can add you've got more we've got more choices than we think we have we've got more power than we think we have we have more control than we think we have we can shift this thing and the thing is you can do we can do we do actually do everything that's really important to us and so we can make the change because the power of heaven lives within us [00:36:29] (31 seconds)


The fact is, Jesus is not air conditioning. He's the motor. He gets us unstuck. He gets us unstuck. You haven't got a relationship with Jesus. He loves you. And he wants a relationship with you. He came, it amazes me, he came up to his own people and they even rejected him. He made all the play. He came and moved in amongst us and lived with us. Why? Because he wanted a relationship with people. He wants a relationship with you. You matter to him. And he wants to get you unstuck. [00:40:05] (33 seconds)


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Transcript
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