Summit Church
ReFormation Pt 3 | Examining the Walls | Andrew Serr
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Big Idea:
Where the enemy sees defeat; God sees design.
Where the enemy sees defeat; God sees design.
Grace is God’s unearned, undeserved favor that enables salvation and empowers holy living.
1. Expect Opposition
“There is no restoration without resistance.”
“There is no restoration without resistance.”
“When a Christian meets with opposition, it is a sign that he is on the right track, for Satan does not waste his ammunition on those who are not a threat.” Corrie ten Boom
Sandballat – “secret enemy”
Deception
John 8:44 – “...not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.”
He twists God’s words.
Accusation
Revelation 12:10 – “...the accuser of our brothers and sisters...”
Whispers shame, condemnation, unworthiness.
Temptation
Matthew 4:1–11 – “…the tempter came to him and said…”
Entices with false promises to fulfill real desires in illegitimate ways.
Division
2 Corinthians 2:10–11 – Don't be “outwitted by Satan.”
Keeps us bitter and unwilling to forgive each other.
Destruction
John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...”
Ending marriages, callings, even someone’s life through suicide.
Deception
John 8:44 – “...not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.”
He twists God’s words.
Accusation
Revelation 12:10 – “...the accuser of our brothers and sisters...”
Whispers shame, condemnation, unworthiness.
Temptation
Matthew 4:1–11 – “…the tempter came to him and said…”
Entices with false promises to fulfill real desires in illegitimate ways.
Division
2 Corinthians 2:10–11 – Don't be “outwitted by Satan.”
Keeps us bitter and unwilling to forgive each other.
Destruction
John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...”
Ending marriages, callings, even someone’s life through suicide.
"Expect progress, not perfection."
2. Trust the Behind-the-Scenes Work
"God restores the heart before He restores the house."
"God restores the heart before He restores the house."
“God’s preparation is in secret, when no one else sees the work He is doing in our hearts. The public victories are won in the private silences.” Oswald Chambers
5 Lessons Only the Holy Spirit can Teach:
The Valley Gate:
1. He teaches you to begin with humility and brokenness.
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
The Jackal's Well
2. He teaches you to always remain vigilant.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” 1 Peter 5:8-9a
The Dung Gate
3. He teaches you to remove sin through confession and repentance.
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord..." Acts 3:19
The Fountain Gate
4. He teaches you to renew and purify yourself daily.
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit... Titus 3:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
The King’s Pool
5. He promises you that he will sustain you through the most difficult trials.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16
The Valley Gate:
1. He teaches you to begin with humility and brokenness.
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
The Jackal's Well
2. He teaches you to always remain vigilant.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” 1 Peter 5:8-9a
The Dung Gate
3. He teaches you to remove sin through confession and repentance.
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord..." Acts 3:19
The Fountain Gate
4. He teaches you to renew and purify yourself daily.
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit... Titus 3:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
The King’s Pool
5. He promises you that he will sustain you through the most difficult trials.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16
3. There’s Purpose for your Pain
“Your story isn’t about what broke you, but who rebuilt you.”
“Your story isn’t about what broke you, but who rebuilt you.”
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” C.S. Lewis
"Every broken piece becomes part of His master plan."
"Your weakness is God’s stage for strength."
"Pain isn’t pointless—it’s part of the process that leads to spiritual maturity."
Response:
1. Identify the Opposition
·Fear, doubt, shame, temptation, bitterness etc.
·Pray, “God, this resistance is proof You’re working. Help me stand firm!”
2. Let God Reshape Your Heart
·Start at your “Dung Gate”—confess a specific struggle.
·Then move to your “Fountain Gate”—ask the Holy Spirit for renewal.
3. Name One “Ruin” in Your Life
·A past mistake, a lingering shame, or a current struggle.
·Surrender it to God, trusting He’ll transform it into strength.
1. Identify the Opposition
·Fear, doubt, shame, temptation, bitterness etc.
·Pray, “God, this resistance is proof You’re working. Help me stand firm!”
2. Let God Reshape Your Heart
·Start at your “Dung Gate”—confess a specific struggle.
·Then move to your “Fountain Gate”—ask the Holy Spirit for renewal.
3. Name One “Ruin” in Your Life
·A past mistake, a lingering shame, or a current struggle.
·Surrender it to God, trusting He’ll transform it into strength.
Discussion Guide
Opener Questions: (choose one)
1. What’s one broken thing you’ve held onto instead of fixing or tossing? Why?
2. If you could restore any old object—like a car, house, or piece of furniture—what would you choose and why?
Discussion Questions (use what’s helpful)
1. Why do you think God often begins His restoration work in secret or unseen places?
2. What are some ways we tend to “hide” our brokenness from God or others? Why do we do that?
3. How can acknowledging what’s broken in your life be the first step toward healing?
4. “Restoration begins where resistance ends.” What resistance do you feel slowing down your healing?
5. Think about the image of God “restoring you piece by piece.” What pieces do you feel like He’s currently working on in your life?
6. How does it change your view of pain to believe that “God redeems every piece of rubble for His glory”?
7. The Fountain Gate is about daily renewal. What rhythms in your life help you stay spiritually fresh?
8. Why do we often think God only wants to use our strengths? How might He be more glorified in our weaknesses?
9. The Jackal’s Well represents enemy attacks at the point of refreshment. Have you seen this happen in your life?
10. If God is restoring you “not just for survival but for significance,” what purpose do you sense He’s calling you into next?
1. What’s one broken thing you’ve held onto instead of fixing or tossing? Why?
2. If you could restore any old object—like a car, house, or piece of furniture—what would you choose and why?
Discussion Questions (use what’s helpful)
1. Why do you think God often begins His restoration work in secret or unseen places?
2. What are some ways we tend to “hide” our brokenness from God or others? Why do we do that?
3. How can acknowledging what’s broken in your life be the first step toward healing?
4. “Restoration begins where resistance ends.” What resistance do you feel slowing down your healing?
5. Think about the image of God “restoring you piece by piece.” What pieces do you feel like He’s currently working on in your life?
6. How does it change your view of pain to believe that “God redeems every piece of rubble for His glory”?
7. The Fountain Gate is about daily renewal. What rhythms in your life help you stay spiritually fresh?
8. Why do we often think God only wants to use our strengths? How might He be more glorified in our weaknesses?
9. The Jackal’s Well represents enemy attacks at the point of refreshment. Have you seen this happen in your life?
10. If God is restoring you “not just for survival but for significance,” what purpose do you sense He’s calling you into next?