Social Dallas Podcast: "Do You See What I See" with Robert Madu and Social Dallas Church

Release Date: December 9, 2024
Host: Social Dallas Church
Episode Title: Do You See What I See

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of the Social Dallas Podcast, Pastor Jabin and Pastor Taylor Madu delve into the profound theme of perception in faith, inspired by the Christmas story. The episode, titled "Do You See What I See," encourages listeners to recognize and seek the miracles and divine presence of Jesus in their daily lives. The pastors weave together biblical narratives, personal anecdotes, and interactive moments to engage the congregation and listeners alike.

Main Message: Seeing vs. Looking

Pastor Jabin opens the discussion by emphasizing the difference between merely seeing and truly perceiving the presence of God. He references Hebrews 12:28-29 to highlight the church's annual focus on being "unshakable," urging members to remain steadfast in their faith.

• Notable Quote:
  "[00:05] Pastor Jabin: ...our word for this year is unshakable."

Pastor Taylor complements this by illustrating how God's miracles often go unnoticed amidst life's chaos. He shares the compelling story of Joshua Bell's subway experiment to demonstrate how context influences our recognition of beauty and value.

• Notable Quote:
  "[05:30] Pastor Taylor: ...there is a difference between hearing and listening to something."

Biblical Insights: The Journey of the Wise Men and Shepherds

The pastors draw parallels between the wise men and the shepherds in the Christmas narrative, highlighting their distinct journeys in seeking Jesus. They emphasize that both groups, despite their different backgrounds and approaches, embody the idea of actively seeking and recognizing God's presence.

• Notable Quote:
  "[15:24] Pastor Jabin: ...they were seeking Jesus to find him."

Pastor Jabin challenges common misconceptions about the Magi, revealing that they were likely wise men or astrologers rather than kings. He underscores that their gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbolize Jesus's roles as King, Priest, and Savior.

• Notable Quote:
  "[28:19] Pastor Jabin: ...the frankincense, was what the priests would use...myrrh was what you would give and put on a body when it was dead."

The Power of Seeking and the Process

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the importance of seeking God and trusting His timing. Both pastors discuss how God often works behind the scenes, preparing individuals through challenges and processes before fulfilling His promises.

• Notable Quote:
  "[11:10] Pastor Jabin: We're obsessed with outcomes. God is obsessed with the process before the outcome."

Pastor Taylor elaborates on this by referencing biblical stories such as Abraham and Sarah, and the Exodus, illustrating how God's purposes are fulfilled through enduring and faithful seeking.

• Notable Quote:
  "[12:00] Pastor Jabin: It was the process...God could have given us a building the day that we launched the church, but God said, no, there's a process."

Interactive Worship and Community Engagement

Midway through the episode, the pastors transition to an interactive segment where congregation members are invited to participate in an offering dedicated to securing a down payment for the church's new home. This moment is likened to the wise men bringing gifts to Jesus, symbolizing the community's collective worship and investment in their spiritual journey.

• Notable Quote:
  "[34:18] Pastor Jabin: ...this is more than just an offering for us to get our own home. The home is important, but it's not as important as the one whose presence will be in the home..."

Pastor Taylor shares a personal story about her child's generosity, reinforcing the theme that giving is a reflection of one's heart and trust in God's provision.

• Notable Quote:
  "[33:17] Pastor Jabin: ...they were writing this person a thank you note for giving them that money. And it just blessed my heart."

Prayer and Faith in Action

The episode culminates in a powerful prayer session where both pastors and congregation members pray over their offerings and the collective needs of the community. They emphasize that true worship goes beyond material offerings, focusing on honoring God for who He is rather than what He does.

• Notable Quote:
  "[15:24] Pastor Jabin: ...they worshiped with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They got to the house, the place after they worshiped."

Pastor Taylor highlights the significance of the posture of the heart in giving, stating that generosity reveals one's true intentions and trust in God.

• Notable Quote:
  "[34:18] Pastor Jabin: ...it reveals the posture of your heart."

Conclusion: Trusting God's Timing and Presence

In closing, Pastor Jabin and Pastor Taylor reaffirm the episode's central message: the importance of seeking and trusting in God's divine timing and presence. They encourage listeners to continue believing in the miraculous, even when immediate outcomes aren't visible, and to remain faithful in their pursuit of a deeper relationship with Christ.

• Notable Quote:
  "[51:15] Pastor Jabin: May the Lord bless you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, give you grace and peace now and forevermore. Amen."

Key Takeaways

• Seek Actively: Genuine seeking leads to a deeper understanding and recognition of God's presence.
• Trust the Process: God's timing and methods may differ from our expectations, but His purposes are always for our good.
• True Worship: Worship is not contingent on what God does for us but is an acknowledgment of who He is.
• Community Engagement: Collective actions, such as offerings, symbolize the community's unity and shared faith journey.
• Heart Posture: Generosity and giving reflect one's trust and reliance on God, revealing the true state of one's heart.

Conclusion

"Do You See What I See" serves as a compelling reminder to both the Social Dallas congregation and podcast listeners to remain vigilant and intentional in their faith journey. By distinguishing between merely seeing and truly perceiving God's work, the pastors inspire a community-wide commitment to seeking, trusting, and worshipping God with all their hearts.