In life, we will encounter things we don’t want or haven’t signed up for. In this message, Pastor Jeremy DeWeerdt encourages us to listen for God’s voice in everything we do and everywhere we go! God’s love is with us on the mountains and valleys of life!
Notes 📓✏️:
Matthew 17:1-6 (NLT) Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If You want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials – one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy. Listen to Him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.”
Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV) “Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk Him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by You,” he said, “so why are You coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize Him.”
God’s love is with you on the mountains of life and God’s love is with you in the valleys of life.
It is easy to focus on the blessing rather than the One who blesses.
Deuteronomy 8:11-17 (MSG) Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery… You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth… After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.”
“YOU ARE MINE AND YOU BRING ME GREAT JOY”
We respond – THANK YOU FOR YOUR BLESSINGS!
God also says, “YOU ARE MINE AND YOU BRING ME GREAT JOY”
We respond – I WILL TRUST YOU!
There are Three Ways to Trust God:
Desperation
Deliberation
Revelation
Desperation
Deliberation
Revelation
An Eye-Opening Discovery
Proverbs 3:5-7 (Msg) “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.”
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God!
Revelation comes through hearing
Your ability to trust in God is in direct proportion to what you know about His Word.
Romans 10:17 (NKJV) “So then faith (trust) comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Are you going to trust the resource or trust the source?
“This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.”
Romans 8:31 (NIV) “If God is for us [you], who can be against us [you]?”
Psalm 118:6 (NLT) The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Psalm 23:4 (NLT) “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.”
YOU ARE MINE AND YOU BRING ME GREAT JOY
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
Conversation Starter:
Baptisms are happening in the next few weeks at the church, is anyone interested in taking a next step in this area?
First Stop:
- What is something you have learned about yourself and God these last 5 weeks?
- Jesus set a beautiful example of making the journey He was on, one of signifigance. Do you make the most of the life you have been given and the journey you have been caled to?
- Busyness can often full up our lives and we can miss out on being used by God. How can we be determined to say yes to the right things and allow God to direct our steps?
Mile Markers:
- If we only look at the destination or the end outcome we will miss so many things along the way. How can we walk through life intentionally and take in the life God has for us?
- Let’s discuss the differences between having a heavenly perspective and a worldly one. What are some of the key components of each?
- Reflecting on the entire series, what are some key takeaways or lessons that you’ve gained from “Into the Wild”? How will you apply these lessons to you ongoing journey of faith?
Destination:
- What significant work have you seen God do in your life?
- Pastor Jeremy encourages us to live life to the fullest and empower others with our journey. How can we actively engage with our communities and demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ in our daily interactions?
- This week references Revelation 21:3-5 and the promise of heaven. How does this promise influence your perspective on life’s challenges and the ultimate purpose of your journey on Earth?