This week, Pastor David challenged us to consider how we can respond to God’s faithfulness through examining our own walks with Christ, our service to His church, and our witness to those far from Him. He reminded us that God remains faithful even when His people are not, and how obedience to Him, not any destination, is the source of true abundance.
Review
- God is the priority.
- Everyone serves obediently in humility and discipline.
- Growth and worship are personal and corporate.
- God gives courage in opportunities that test unity and maturity.
- God gives grace to the repentant and hope to the faithful.
- God gives restoration and refreshment to body and soul.
- God warns the wandering and punishes the sinful.
- His people walk in submission—body and soul, worship and word.
- God calls His people to ongoing faithfulness, holiness, and courage.
I. God calls His people to a journey of faithfulness.
- His faithfulness to His people (33:1-49)
- Their faithfulness to Him (33:50-56)
II. God provides blessing and purpose.
- A place to serve (34:1-15)
- Leaders for guidance (34:16-29)
III. God expects good stewardship.
- Care for spiritual leaders (35:1-8)
- Justice and mercy among His people (35:9-34)
IV. God expects flexibility and obedience. (36:1-13)
Abundance comes not in a destination but in obedience. The satisfaction of life comes only in Jesus.
Further Study
- As God led the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness, how did He provide for them and demonstrate His faithfulness even when they were unfaithful? How does Christ demonstrate His perfect faithfulness to us through His life, death and resurrection? (See Hebrews 4:15-16)
- What principles of stewardship and sacrifice can we learn from the Israelites giving cities and pasturelands to the Levites? How should we steward all that God has given us for His service and the benefit of His church? (See 1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
- How did God provide both blessing and purpose for the Israelites in the Promised Land? In what ways has God blessed us and given us purpose through salvation in Christ? (See Ephesians 1:3-14)
- What flexibility and obedience did God require of the Israelites? How can we follow Christ’s example in being willing to submit our own desires in obedience to God? (See Luke 22:42)
- If you are facing uncertainty right now, take a minute to read and meditate on (Psalm 77:11-12). Our God has proven Himself faithful in the past. He will continue to be faithful in the future you’re facing.
- David talked about finding our identity, belonging, and purpose in Christ. What does 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 tell us about how these three elements shape the way we live out our faith in our daily lives?
- Pastor David talked about the cities of refuge. Prayerfully read through Micah 6:8 and consider the balance between justice and mercy in your own life. How can you emulate God’s justice and mercy in your interactions with others? Are there difficult relationships in which this would be more trying right now? Lift those situations to God in prayer.
The Gospel
Christ willingly and fully surrendered His “yes” to the Father through His sinless life, atoning death on the cross, and victorious resurrection (1 John 1:1-14).
Ashley talked about how Jesus gave us His “yes” before we ever thought to give Him ours (2 Corinthians 5:21). The gracious work of Christ – His perfect life lived in our place, His atoning death that paid the penalty for our sins, and His triumphant resurrection that defeated death is the only basis by which we can be made right with God (John 3:16).
It is only through trusting in this completed work of Christ that any of us can be saved. When we trust entirely in Him and what He accomplished for us, rather than our own works, we are freely declared righteous by God. This is the heart of the gospel.
