Sermon Recap: Faith over Feelings
Group Leader Discussion Guide
Read: Jeremiah 24: 1-7
Group Questions:
As you review this lesson, what speaks to you?
Why is it sometimes difficult to have faith in the midst of a storm? What specific things challenge our faith?
It was said that ‘as humans our perspectives are often shaped by our experiences.’ Share experiences you have had that have shaped your perspective about God? About faith? About life? About storms?
It was said that ‘seeing with God’s perspective is an ongoing challenge for each of us.’ Why do you think this is such a challenge?
In this lesson, the Israelites who remained in Jerusalem were shorted-sighted thinking they were the ones blessed when from God’s perspective, it was those who were exiled that would be blessed. Share a time when you may have been short-sighted.
Share a time when you were in a displaced or seemingly stormy situation and, contrary to the way it appeared to be, blessings came out of it.
Consider the four promises given- how do you believe they will be manifested as we go through the storm of this coronavirus?
Sermon Recap:
When one has faith, it can offer a perspective and spiritual insight that causes them to see a promise that others cannot. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is confidence in that which we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. It is that which brings hopes into reality even when in the natural realm it does not make sense. People who live by faith live with a different perspective, and have a clear focus on what faith is and is not. Three such lenses to keep in mind are that: (1) Faith is not blind, but has as its root a deep trust and confidence in God; (2) Faith is not a denial of the obvious. It does not take you out of the storm, but calms you in the storm; and (3) Faith is not based on feelings. Although feelings and emotions are essential, faith extends beyond what we learn from our senses.
Sometimes our perspective is short-sighted, as was that of some of the Israelites when the King of Judah, officials and some Israelites were exiled to Babylon. Those who were not displaced, but instead remained in Jerusalem, believed they had the upper hand and had escaped God’s judgement. But their assumptions were corrected by the vision given to Jeremiah involving two baskets of figs. Surprisingly, the good figs were those who had gone into captivity, and the bad figs were those left behind and who would be destroyed. Through the analogy of the figs, God’s perspective was evident as He showed Jeremiah four promises for His people, in the midst of their troubles.
When we are faced with tests and challenges, God gives us the same assurances given to Israel. He promises protection and safety in the midst of our storms (Psalm 91:1). He promises redemption as He rebuilds us, restores us and looks out for our good (Romans 8:28). He promises growth. As we trust in Him, He causes our roots to deepen such that they sustain us and produce fruit (Psalm 1:3). And as we rely on Him, God firms up our identity as His people reminding us of whose we are. It is when we are under the pressure of storms that our faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. We are challenged to be firm in our faith and to keep our perspectives in line with God’s.
When we are suffering, we are taking part in Christ’s mission. While in the storm of the coronavirus, staying at home and social distancing, it may be difficult for us to see how we are taking part in Christ’s mission. Some of us may yearn to go back to our “regular” life and to go back to church and fellowship the way we used to know it. Could it be that God wants to use this global crisis to eliminate some of our spiritual checkboxes? Could it be that God wants us to stay engaged in the mission of the church which will never change, but recognize that methods will change and that things will never be the same? Jesus and His disciples were engaged in several storms. Although they were with Him as He taught in the synagogues and ministered in the streets, the disciples learned their most significant lessons in the storms. As we go through this storm, let us learn how to stay spiritually connected. Let us partake in Christ’s mission, and let us lower our sails and row at the waves