11 Jan Sermon Recap | Topical 2017 Teaching | Commitment to the Cross
Jeremiah 17: 5-8 invites us to evaluate what we ultimately put our trust in and what we naturally rely on. In this passage, there are two kinds of trees: one that is struggling and one that is flourishing. The difference between the trees is not their circumstances, but instead where they have placed their roots. In the same way for us, it is not our circumstances that should dictate our joy and growth, but rather where we plant the roots of our heart.
Scripture References
1. Our hearts are “idol factories”; we tend to manufacture idols and worship things other than God. We have to ask God to show us the condition of our hearts and what we are truly worshiping. The idols we worship come back to reveal themselves in the way in which we live. How are you tempted to make idols out of people? How do you depend on human strength? What struggles, situations or examples can you identify that could be a result of these idols in your heart?
2. When we find ourselves overreacting to a set of circumstances, we must evaluate our thinking in the moment. Can you think of an example from your own experience? In that moment, what were you worshiping? Were you worshiping your own agenda, your own way, comfort, plan etc. or were you worshiping Jesus?
3. Sinking our roots into Jesus doesn’t simply happen overnight. What steps are you taking to sink your roots into the right kind of soil? What steps have you taken in the wrong direction and how can you begin to re-direct?
4. When a dry sponge is submerged into water, it absorbs water by nature. When we shift our focus from Jesus and look to other things, we become like dry sponges—looking to people to fill us with affirmation or satisfaction. We look to others to give us something—only looking to them in order to “take.” Where in your life are you acting like a dry sponge? Where are you looking to “take” from the people around you?
Thoughts to Consider
| When I trust in people and rely on on human strength (Jeremiah 17:5-6): | When I trust the Lord and rely on His strength and hope (Jeremiah 17:7-8): |
| -I care about my reputation. -I want people to believe I am competent or capable. -I want people to appreciate what I do. -I look to things or my own personal comfort to satisfy me. -I try to lean on something else other than Jesus. |
-I know that God has my back. -I can trust Him beyond my circumstances. -I can forgive because He forgave me. -I can endure because Christ endured. -I know that Jesus Christ is enough. -I have the strength to persevere because I know His love for me. -I have a heart that desires to know God more. |
