Sacred Threads
Speaker: Pastor Pierre Du Plessis
Scripture References: Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, 17-19, 20-23, 4:12, Revelation 4:11, Colossians 1:16-20 (MSG), I Kings 4:30-34, Isaiah 46:9-10
Sermon Recap
For something to have significance, it must be part of a greater whole. A single thread remains incomplete, fragile and without purpose until woven into a greater piece, then it gains strength, function and meaning. Imagine the rope a sailor uses to moor his boat to a dock. A single strand of thread could never accomplish that task. The same thing can be said of a single chord, only when it is joined purposefully with other notes, does it become a melody.
God had a plan before He ever started creation.(Revelation 4:11). But man had other ideas. Man’s quest for autonomy and individualism is not just a trend. When man became autonomous in the Garden by disobeying God, he pulled himself out of the plan of God. It was at the cross that Jesus’ mission culminated in God's plan. You are an integral part of His plan. You are wanted. No one is an accident.
Understand that individualism is manipulation to convince you that you don’t have to be part of a greater whole to find your purpose; and you can go forth to show the world how important you are. You're only as important as you are willing to realize that you are disconnected, and inharmonious like a grating chord until you come in conjunction with other purposeful notes to make a melody. Consider that there is nothing in your life that God will not bring to the greater whole of what you can and will achieve......your pain, your suffering, your ups and downs, your experiences of shame, regret, hills and valleys....all of these and more, He will use to weave into a harmonious whole, fit for the Master’s use.
Jesus invites us to give Him our individual lives (threads), so He can weave us into a body that now partners with HIM as co-workers who demonstrate the restorative, regenerative power of God, witnessing to the world the wonder of His love and work on the earth.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is your overall response to the sermon and or review?
2. Have you ever wondered about your purpose in life? If no, are you motivated to ponder its implications for your life? If yes, please share your thoughts.
3. Read Solomon’s conclusion about the meaning of life found in Ecclesiastes 2:17-19, 20-23. What factors contributed to the conclusion that all was vanity?
4. How can belief in God change one’s perspective on the meaning of life? Start with Isaiah 46:9, 10 and add other Scriptures that are pertinent.
5. Our society places a high premium on autonomy, or self-rule and direction. How does this concept conflict with God’s plan for His body, the church?
6. What factors are we encouraged to remember when we feel disconnected, fragile and unimportant?