More God
Sermon Notes
When Scripture uses the image of God’s right hand,
it is meant to be a picture of absolute strength, honor and ability.
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
- Psalm 16:7-11
The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes.
He trusts something that can’t help him at all.
Yet he cannot bring himself to ask,
“Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”
- Isaiah 44:20 NLT
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,
and Your right hand upholds me; and Your gentleness makes me great.
- Psalms 18:35
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
- Isaiah 41:10
Table Group Resources
Mixer
How will you/did you spend your holiday weekend?
Discuss/Reflect
In this week’s episode of As Normal As Weird Can Be, Pastor Jared & Mike Foster talked about how to help people in a time of crisis.
1. Chat with your group about how you can love people during this time.
2. How can we be more equal with people and ditch the idea of being their heroes?
3. Share one way you have you seen God’s goodness through this pandemic?
Sermon Questions
1. We all experience setbacks at one time or another in our lives. Pastor Mike talked about two mistakes we make: “We hold our own hand,” or “We hold the wrong hand.” Share a time when you tried to fix something yourself, or relied on the wrong person, instead of reaching your hand out to God.
2. Isaiah 44:20 asks, “Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?” Are there idols in your life that are serving as a temporary fix or distracting you from seeking God?
3. This week’s message taught us that the right hand of God provides protection, provision and promise. Reflect on a time when God stepped in and provided you with protection, or provision, during a setback.
Go Deeper
My Sophomore year of High School, the State track meet was the same day as Prom. My reality was that if I made it to the final race that day, I would miss my hair appointment and dinner. I was so torn between wanting to win and wanting to leave for Prom.
When we look at the time we spend with God, we can sit down and be present with Him or we can be doing laundry, or watching the kids, or hanging out with friends, or or. There will always be something waiting for us during our prayer time. If we rush our time with Him, what might we be missing out on? “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples’” (Luke 11:1). “When He ceased” tells us that there was a finish to Jesus’ time of prayer. (Technically, we know that Jesus prayed without ceasing; but when it came to his prayer space, there was a point that He ceased.)
I made it to the finals that day and placed 4th overall. I made it to dinner and prom but not my hair appointment. As an adult, we know the difference and importance between a commitment and a want/desire. When we sit to talk with God, we are committing to being in His presence. “Do not be hasty to leave the king's presence” (Ecclesiastes 8:3). When we linger in God’s presence, He will reveal Himself to us. Let’s not be hurried to get on to the next thing, but rather sit with our Father and allow Him to dismiss us.
(Jaden Duncan)
Suggestions to Serve
Good Neighbor Drop-N-Drive | The Church at RB | Thursday 10AM-2PM
Prayer
Popcorn pray as a group.
Reminder
If you or someone you know is struggling, our counseling ministry is taking new appointments via zoom to help navigate these unusually challenging days.
