Forward 3: Good Plan?
Welcome To REUNION
We are glad that you are here. We hope that you feel save, welcomed and relaxed. We are going to read the Bible, pray, sing a few songs and listen to a short Lead In. We might even have discussions
But.. you’re invited to participate as much as you want.
No expects you to speak or share. We do invite you to remain present. We believe that remaining present - even in our minds - is an act of love.
NOTES
So far we’ve asked a few important questions:
Do you want a light and free life? Great! Stop. Stop setting goals you might fail or even if you succeed at because we all know that void isn’t going to be filled by succeeding at: losing weight, paying off debt, fixing those relationships. BTW: these are all good good things we should do BUT often we assume if everything was just right we’d be better.
Jesus says, “come to me” and you’ll be free and light. Hmm.. are you willing to give Jesus a shot?
In order to come to Jesus we kinda need to trust Jesus. Can you trust Jesus?
Today’s Question: Can God’s plan be trusted?
We’ll never follow Jesus or obey him if in fact we cannot believe the guidance he gives us good.
Philippians 2: Paul writes 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Break it Down:
We apprentices of Jesus are called to obey Christ.
Obedience is doing but it’s rooted in attentive listening.
Do you take time to be attentive to the Spirit?
but obedience sounds restricting … that’s not good?
Obey by working out your salvation with fear and trembling….
that sounds worse Wes.
Wait! Paul says “work out” not “work for!” We cannot earn our way to God. We cannot work for God’s love. God has chosen you from the beginning so stop working for your salvation instead work out your salvation.
Work out? Yes, figure it out.
What are the implications of being united to Christ?
How do being united with Christ impact your choices, lifestyle, vision for the future?
Salvation is like a puzzle - we need to sit down and consider with urgency the implications of our unity to Christ.
Fear and Trembling?!
this has been weaponized by the church to make us do things or live in fear.
Fear in trembling is Paul’s way of saying taking this process of working out your salvation seriously because of you sacredness.
stop being flippant with your choices and life because: you really really matter to God. Your life really really really matter. You are really important to God. Why?! Because God chose to unite to you!
And there’s more! God isn’t just united to you but working in you!
that means for everything God calls you to do God is already at work preparing you to do. God is working our your salvation too!
Why? For his GOOD purposes: GOOD, GOOD!
How do we know if it’s God will or purpose? IT’S GOOD!
if it’s not good it’s not God
God will might be hard but it’s always good.
God’s name is taken in vain every time it’s tied to harm.
So in closing? As you consider what God wants to you to first know this:
You are chosen by God & You are united to God
Wow - what are the implications of these two statements?
Work out your life with God as God works it out in you.
God’s will is always good. Always GOOD!
God’s will might be hard but that doesn’t mean bad.
If it’s not good, it’s not GOD. Walk away.
What is God saying to you and how are you going to respond?
Questions:
Can your new years resolutions or goals for 2024 be summed up by the words Light and free? Why or why not?
How do you react to Paul’s statement that you are united to Christ?
Do you find yourself “working for” or “working out” you relationship with God?
Paul instructs us that apprentices of Jesus live obedience lives. How do you react to the word obey?
Wesley thinks Paul helps us understand obedience by highlighting our need for urgency. How do you react to this statement: Work out the implications of living with Jesus “with seriousness” because of your sacredness.
What role have the words “fear and trembling” played in your relationship with God thus far?
How do you react to these statements:
God’s will has to be good.
God’s will might be hard but it will never harm.
If it ain’t good, it ain’t God.
