Summary
This sermon explores the difference between thriving and surviving in life through a panel discussion featuring three church members sharing their personal stories. The message centers on Psalm 92:12, which states that 'the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.' The panel shared experiences of addiction recovery, domestic violence, immigration challenges, and career transitions, demonstrating that true flourishing comes not from external circumstances but from identity in Christ, authentic community, and trust in God's faithfulness. The discussion emphasized that godly people are not perfect but are those who maintain a close relationship with God through repentance and forgiveness.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You have for us in this time together. We thank You for the opportunity to gather as a community and learn from one another's experiences. Lord, help us to be vulnerable and authentic as we discuss what it means to truly flourish in You. Remove any barriers that might prevent us from hearing Your voice today, and give us wisdom to apply what we learn to our own lives. We ask that You would speak to each person here according to their specific needs and circumstances. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What's one simple thing that always makes you smile or brings you joy, no matter what kind of day you're having?
Key Verses
Psalm 92:12
1 John 4:18
Questions
How would you personally define the difference between 'thriving' and 'surviving' in your own life?
Can you think of a time when your external circumstances looked good but you were actually struggling internally, or vice versa?
What role does community play in helping you through difficult seasons, and how can we better support one another?
How has your identity in Christ changed the way you view success and failure?
What are some practical safeguards you can put in place to help you stay connected to God during both thriving and surviving seasons?
How do you respond when you feel distant or numb in your relationship with God?
What does it look like practically to 'appropriate the victories in scripture' as mentioned in the sermon?
At the end of each day, how do you measure whether you've been successful in God's eyes rather than the world's standards?
Life Application
This week, identify one area where you've been measuring success by worldly standards rather than by your relationship with Christ. Choose one specific way to realign your perspective with God's definition of flourishing - whether that's through daily prayer, scripture reading, reaching out to community, or practicing vulnerability with a trusted friend. Commit to taking this step for the next seven days and notice how it impacts your sense of thriving versus surviving.
Key Takeaways
Thriving in life has more to do with our identity, character, and perspective than our external circumstances
Godly people are not perfect people, but rather those who keep short accounts with God through repentance and forgiveness
Authentic community and vulnerability are essential for spiritual growth and support during difficult seasons
Building trust with God happens through experiencing His faithfulness in both small and significant moments
True success is measured by becoming more like Jesus and doing what He calls us to do, not by worldly achievements
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the powerful testimonies we've heard today and for the reminder that You are faithful even when we can't see or feel Your presence. Help us to remember that our identity is found in You alone, not in our circumstances or achievements. Give us courage to be vulnerable with others and to seek authentic community. When we face seasons of surviving, remind us that You are with us and that these seasons will pass. When we experience seasons of thriving, keep us humble and dependent on You. Help us to measure success by Your standards and to trust in Your perfect timing. May we continue to grow in becoming more like You each day. In Your precious name, Amen.
