IMPACT Recap

The Year of Wonder

January 23, 2023 · 0:42:43

FaithMiraclesIdentity

Recap

Guest Speaker Davide Mutendji opened his message by celebrating the miraculous work of God at Impact Church, encouraging the congregation not to take it for granted. He introduced the sermon's theme, declaring this as 'the year of wonder,' where God gives new thoughts about what we already have rather than just new things. The message centered on the familiar story of Jesus and Peter walking on water from Matthew 14:22-33. Pastor Davide challenged the common desire to identify with Peter's bravery, pointing out that it's easier to choose faith when we pick our fights, but the real test comes when the fight picks us—through job loss, marital struggles, or financial strain. He noted that Peter was no different from the other disciples; his only distinction was that he chose to ask Jesus for the impossible. The core teaching was that before we walk in faith, we wonder, and the direction of our wonder determines our destiny. Pastor Davide provided three practical guards for our thoughts: don't weary wonder (running on our own depleted strength), don't worry wonder (letting circumstances cloud our view of God), and don't waste wonder (adopting an 'I'll believe it when I see it' mentality). He concluded by urging the church to reclaim their God-given ability to ask, dream, and believe, trusting that with Jesus, they can walk on the waves life brings.

Main Points

  • We often want new things, but God wants to give us new thoughts and a new perspective (a new 'lens') on what we already have.
  • Walking in faith begins with wondering rightly; Peter walked on water not because he was different, but because he chose to ask.
  • Guard your wonder by avoiding weary wonder (self-reliance), worry wonder (circumstance-focused fear), and wasted wonder (unbelief that demands proof).

Verses Mentioned

  • Matthew 14:22-33 - "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It’s a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.' 'Lord, if it’s you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?' And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'" (NIV)
  • Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
  • Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (NIV)
  • 2 Corinthians 10:5 - "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)
  • Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)

Daily Action Plan

Monday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 14:28 - 'Lord, if it’s you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.'

Focus Point: The Power of Asking

Action Plan: Identify one area where you've been hesitant to ask God for help or for a miracle. Write down a simple, bold prayer asking Him to invite you into that impossible situation.

Deep Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to ask. If you are calling me, give me the faith to say 'tell me to come.'

Tuesday

Scripture Reflection: Romans 12:2 - '...be transformed by the renewing of your mind.'

Focus Point: Renewing Your Perspective

Action Plan: Take a current challenge and intentionally list 2-3 potential positive outcomes or ways God could work, shifting your focus from the problem to His possibility.

Deep Prayer: God, transform my thinking today. Help me see my situation through the lens of your power and promise, not my limitations.

Wednesday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 11:28 - 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.'

Focus Point: Don't Weary Wonder

Action Plan: Intentionally pause from striving for 15 minutes. Don't plan or problem-solve. Simply sit in silence or listen to worship music, consciously receiving rest from God.

Deep Prayer: Jesus, I come to you weary. I lay down my burdens and my need to figure it all out. Replenish my soul with your rest.

Thursday

Scripture Reflection: 2 Corinthians 10:5 - '...we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.'

Focus Point: Don't Worry Wonder

Action Plan: When a worried 'what if...' thought arises today, consciously capture it. Counter it aloud with a truth from God's Word (e.g., 'God is my provider,' 'God is with me').

Deep Prayer: Holy Spirit, alert me to thoughts of worry. Give me the strength to take them captive and replace them with your truth.

Friday

Scripture Reflection: Philippians 4:8 - '...whatever is true... noble... right... pure... lovely... admirable—think about such things.'

Focus Point: Directing Your Wonder

Action Plan: Spend 5 minutes at the end of your day writing down or reflecting on things that were true, good, or praiseworthy from your day, no matter how small.

Deep Prayer: Father, train my mind to wonder about what is good and from you. Fill my thoughts with your excellence today.

Saturday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 14:29-30 - 'Then Peter got down out of the boat... walked on the water... But when he saw the wind, he was afraid...'

Focus Point: Getting Your Wonder Back

Action Plan: Dream with God. Write down one 'impossible' dream for your life, family, or relationship with God. Don't edit it based on practicality. Simply offer it to Him.

Deep Prayer: Lord, I choose to wonder with you again. I believe you are passing by, revealing yourself. I ask for the faith to step out and dream the dreams you have for me.

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