Today at Gateway Church in Austin, we began a series called “Speed of Life” which explores principles from the book of Hebrews. Ted Beasley spoke at the McNeil campus, and I spoke at the South campus. We shared some of the following insights:
“Most of us never make it to the kind of life we hoped to experience.
What was the moment in your life when you felt most passionate about God? If you could go back to that moment, what would you do differently?
The Book of Hebrews is a systematic defense of believing in Jesus, even in hard times. And the most important concept in the book is expressed by the words ‘better’ and ‘perfect’ which is used 13 times. ‘You have something perfect in your relationship with Jesus. You have something better in Jesus than your old life without him, so why would you trade in something better for something that may be easier but doesn’t really bring you peace?’
In Hebrews 1-2, we’re going to uncover four messages that God speaks into your existence every day, and we’re going to learn how tune into this conversation at a deep level.
#1: I’m Here (Hebrews 1:1-4)
The great mystery of faith is that God inhabits the ordinary, breakable lives of human beings, and you wouldn’t expect to find communion with God in the routine, unexciting moments of your day, but He is there.
Regularly carve out sacred time to be with Him.
#2 Wake Up! (Hebrews 2:1-3)
Don’t let yourself drift away. If you don’t acknowledge it and intercept the drift, you lose your vital connection to God throughout the day. Jesus wants to help with the drift. He gets it. Jesus himself was tempted to drift, so he offers his help. Here’s another practice you can incorporate in your life and see big dividends. It’s called ‘The Escape Prayer’ which is ‘Lord, I don’t want to fall. Where’s my life boat?’ When we face temptation, God will always provide a way of escape to guide us out of it. The escape hatch is open every time.’No temptation has seized you
except which is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it’ (I Corinthians 10:13).
#3: Now’s Your Chance (Hebrews 2:5-8)
Don’t dismiss interruptions. Most of us are irritated by interruption. When you consider the life of Jesus and his ministry, it was kind of one interruption after another. God inhabits interruptions. When someone or something interrupts you, take a moment and silently ask, ‘God, what do you want me to do right now?’
#4: Trust Me (Hebrews 2:14-16)
Humanity – being flesh and blood – has limitations. You’re just not in control. You have limitations. When you reach the end of yourself, when the
problem or the challenge is bigger than you, this is one of the holiest moments in your lifetime dance with God. He’s been waiting for you to realize this. To admit you need him. Just confess your need and ask him to work. Under your breath cry out ‘Kyrie Eleison,’ a Greek phrase that literally means, ‘Lord have mercy.’
All throughout your day, God speaks. Are you listening?
The adventure isn’t the destination, friends, it’s the journey. The dream isn’t accomplished by one day arriving, it happens slowly, sometime imperceptibly as you do your daily life. And walking with God is not some mountain top experience that you have to hold onto. It’s walking by faith every day. It’s learning to listen to his voice. ‘I’m here. Wake up! Now’s your chance. Trust me.’”
To listen or watch this message, go to www.gatewaychurch.com/podcast.
