Aligning Desires with God's Will: A Call to Worship
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of self-centered desires and their consequences, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's desires with God's will. The speaker candidly shares personal experiences of reacting sinfully when their desires were not met, such as throwing a temper tantrum at church. They recognize these desires as selfish, seeking validation and attention from others, and acknowledge that self-centered motives lead to sinful actions. The speaker urges the congregation to examine their motives to avoid sin and warns of the harsh consequences of such behavior.
The speaker also discusses the act of giving, framing it as an act of worship to God rather than to the church or individuals. They encourage giving cheerfully and trusting God with finances, even suggesting that those who give grudgingly should keep their offering. The sermon concludes with a prayer for God to reveal daily needs, break hearts to see the reality of actions, and to live a life pleasing to Him.
Drawing from the book of James, the speaker describes God's people as being in a marriage relationship with God, with unfaithfulness likened to spiritual adultery. They share how their own desires for an easy move led to frustration and anger, highlighting the need to align desires with God's will. The speaker also expresses concern about becoming an enemy of God when worshiping something other than Him, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and its impact on our relationship with God.
The speaker shares a personal anecdote about buying a house, which led to the realization of the danger of focusing on oneself. They discuss how desires can become idols, blocking our ability to see God's goodness. The speaker prays for God to align their desires with His and for church leadership to make decisions in line with God's will. They also discuss the importance of humility, obedience to God's calling, and the role of church elders in maintaining accountability.
The speaker reflects on the phrase "you are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased" from the Bible, exploring the concept of aiming to please God. They explain that the term "Christian" means being a "little Christ" and striving to live like Christ. The speaker acknowledges the challenge of discerning one's desires and ensuring they align with Christ's desires.
The speaker addresses the desires and idols that hinder our relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and confronting these idols to prioritize God. They encourage the audience to ask themselves about their true desires and the idols in their hearts. The speaker shares a personal experience of being confronted about his smoking habit and the tension between Jesus' sacrifice and the aim to please God.
Key Takeaways:
- Self-centered desires can lead to sinful behavior, and it is crucial to examine our motives to prevent falling into sin. When we prioritize our own wants over God's will, we risk facing severe consequences and damaging our relationship with Him. This introspection is necessary for spiritual growth and aligning our lives with God's purpose. [16:50]
- Giving is an act of worship that should be done cheerfully and with trust in God's provision. If one gives reluctantly, it is better not to give at all, as the heart's posture is more important than the act itself. This principle challenges believers to reflect on their attitudes towards generosity and stewardship. [01:10:00]
- Spiritual adultery occurs when we place our desires above our commitment to God, akin to unfaithfulness in a marriage. This metaphor serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of prioritizing worldly friendships and desires over our relationship with God. Believers must be vigilant in keeping their desires in check to maintain fidelity to God. [21:33]
- Pride and self-worship are subtle yet destructive forms of idolatry that can lead to a distorted view of oneself and God. The speaker's personal experiences highlight the need for humility and the importance of community accountability in overcoming these challenges. Recognizing and repenting from pride is essential for spiritual health and growth. [51:49]
- The heart is the source of our behavior, and unchecked desires can become idols that lead us away from God. It is important to continually assess our hearts and remove any idols that may have taken root. This process often requires difficult situations that God uses to reveal and refine our character, ultimately drawing us closer to Him. [54:59]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 4:4-6 - "You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
2. 2 Corinthians 5:9 - "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it."
3. Luke 3:21-22 - "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does James 4:4-6 say about the relationship between friendship with the world and enmity with God?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:9, what should be the goal of a believer's life?
3. In Luke 3:21-22, what significant event happens to Jesus, and what does God declare about Him?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of spiritual adultery in James 4:4-6 help us understand the seriousness of prioritizing worldly desires over our relationship with God? [21:33]
2. What does it mean to make it our goal to please God, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:9, and how does this align with the sermon’s message about aligning our desires with God's will? [03:06]
3. Reflecting on Luke 3:21-22, how does God's declaration about Jesus being His beloved Son relate to our identity and purpose as Christians? [09:22]
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized the importance of examining our motives to prevent falling into sin. Can you identify a recent situation where your motives were self-centered? How did it affect your actions and relationship with God? [14:14]
2. Giving is described as an act of worship that should be done cheerfully. Reflect on your attitude towards giving. Do you give cheerfully, or do you sometimes give grudgingly? How can you change your heart posture towards generosity? [01:10:00]
3. The speaker shared a personal experience of frustration and anger during a house move. Can you think of a time when your desires led to frustration? How can you better align your desires with God's will in similar situations? [23:45]
4. The sermon discussed the concept of spiritual adultery. Are there any "idols" in your life that you prioritize over your relationship with God? How can you confront and remove these idols? [29:16]
5. Pride and self-worship were highlighted as subtle forms of idolatry. Reflect on an area of your life where pride might be affecting your relationship with God and others. What steps can you take to cultivate humility? [51:49]
6. The heart is the source of our behavior, and unchecked desires can become idols. What practical steps can you take to continually assess and purify your heart to ensure it aligns with God's desires? [54:59]
7. The speaker urged the congregation to pray for God to reveal daily needs and to break their hearts to see the reality of their actions. How can you incorporate this type of prayer into your daily routine to stay aligned with God's will? [01:07:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Motives Matter in God's Eyes
Self-centered desires can lead to sinful behavior, and it is crucial to examine our motives to prevent falling into sin. When we prioritize our own wants over God's will, we risk facing severe consequences and damaging our relationship with Him. This introspection is necessary for spiritual growth and aligning our lives with God's purpose. [16:50]
Proverbs 21:2 - "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your daily decisions are aligned with God's will rather than being driven by self-centered motives?
Day 2: Generosity as Worship
Giving is an act of worship that should be done cheerfully and with trust in God's provision. If one gives reluctantly, it is better not to give at all, as the heart's posture is more important than the act itself. This principle challenges believers to reflect on their attitudes towards generosity and stewardship. [01:10:00]
2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice cheerful giving this week, and how can you trust God more with your finances?
Day 3: Fidelity to God Above All
Spiritual adultery occurs when we place our desires above our commitment to God, akin to unfaithfulness in a marriage. This metaphor serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of prioritizing worldly friendships and desires over our relationship with God. Believers must be vigilant in keeping their desires in check to maintain fidelity to God. [21:33]
James 4:4 - "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
Reflection: What worldly desires or friendships might be competing with your commitment to God, and how can you address them?
Day 4: The Idolatry of Self
Pride and self-worship are subtle yet destructive forms of idolatry that can lead to a distorted view of oneself and God. Recognizing and repenting from pride is essential for spiritual health and growth. The importance of community accountability in overcoming these challenges cannot be overstated. [51:49]
Ezekiel 14:3 - "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I let myself be inquired of at all by them?"
Reflection: Can you identify any areas of pride or self-focus in your life, and how can you seek accountability within your spiritual community?
Day 5: Heart Check for Hidden Idols
The heart is the source of our behavior, and unchecked desires can become idols that lead us away from God. It is important to continually assess our hearts and remove any idols that may have taken root. This process often requires difficult situations that God uses to reveal and refine our character, ultimately drawing us closer to Him. [54:59]
Psalm 139:23-24 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Reflection: What idols have you allowed to take root in your heart, and what steps can you take today to begin removing them?
Quotes
"If I respond sinfully when I don't get what I want, then what I want is wrong. I'm too focused on what I want, and the desire is wrong when my motive is selfish." [16:14] (Download)
"When my focus is on me, when my motive is me, then that's a sinful desire and it's going to lead me to sin. That's how we can focus on what our desire is and why we are doing what we're doing." [16:50] (Download)
"This next section gets a little bit harsh as James writes out what happens to our relationship with God when we're sinning by focusing so much on our hearts." [18:17] (Download)
"We can blame everyone else but the reality is that we must face that the idols in our own hearts are preventing us from worshipping God alone." [01:03:54] (Download)
"What do I really want like when it's all boiled down when you take away the extra stuff what do I really want? [...] What should I be wanting? I should be wanting to be like Christ, that's what I should be wanting." [01:05:31] (Download)
"I ask that you make sure that our vision, that our wants, that our desires are in line with your desires, with your heart, with your will, with your vision. Whatever that means, whatever that takes, God, I ask that you make sure that we're focused on you and not ourselves." [01:17:51] (Download)
"Our hearts don't just drift aimlessly; the drift is always away from the gospel, away from our Savior and into the grip of something or someone else." [32:52] (Download)
"I shouldn't be so focused on what I want, on getting to work, on my career, that I lose focus on Christ. That's supposed to be the center." [35:15] (Download)
"Our decisions need to be rooted in Christ, not in anything else, and that's a foundation we can stand firm on as we navigate the complexities of life." [01:52] (Download)
"That gift that you're giving to God, it's an act of worship. It's an outward expression of worship to God because you can trust him with your finances because you know he's in control." [01:10:41] (Download)
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