Aligning Our Lives with God's Holiness and Will
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the holiness of God and the importance of aligning our lives with His will. We began by acknowledging that our purpose in coming together is not merely to fulfill a religious obligation but to truly experience the presence of God. The Word of God is central to our lives, serving as the foundation for understanding His will and purpose for us. It is not just a collection of sayings but the inspired Word given to us by the Holy Spirit to guide us in becoming the people God desires us to be.
We explored the concept that God's Word is synonymous with His will, and while it may not always be easy to follow, it is always what is best for us. We are reminded that there is a God, and it is not us. Our role is to glorify Jesus Christ, recognizing that the church belongs to Him. Living out God's will brings His blessings into our lives, but it requires us to trust Him fully, even when it challenges our understanding.
The sermon emphasized the importance of faith and trust in God, drawing from Proverbs 3:5-6, which calls us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. This trust is crucial as we navigate the tension between knowing God's Word and living it out. We are encouraged to move beyond mere acknowledgment of God's will to actively living it, which involves taking steps of faith and growing in our relationship with Him.
Furthermore, we discussed the significance of honoring God with our resources, recognizing that everything we have is a blessing from Him. By giving generously and cheerfully, we participate in God's plan to bless others and bring glory to His name. This act of giving is not about fulfilling a duty but about expressing our gratitude and trust in God's provision.
Finally, we celebrated those who made the decision to follow Christ, acknowledging the transformative power of faith and the importance of being part of a community that supports and nurtures spiritual growth. As we continue to grow in our faith, we are reminded that our ultimate purpose is to honor God and bring more people to know Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Holiness and Presence: We gather not to check a box but to experience God's holy presence. His Word is not just a collection of sayings but the inspired guide for our lives, helping us become who He wants us to be. [28:17]
2. God's Word as His Will: God's Word is His will, and while it may challenge us, it is always for our best. Trusting in His will brings blessings, but it requires us to let go of our own understanding and fully rely on Him. [31:53]
3. Faith and Trust: Living by faith is essential to experiencing God's glory in our lives. Trusting God with all our hearts, even when it defies our understanding, allows Him to direct our paths and fulfill His promises. [34:40]
4. Honoring God with Resources: Our resources are blessings from God, and by giving generously, we honor Him and participate in His plan to bless others. This act of giving is an expression of gratitude and trust in His provision. [50:36]
5. Spiritual Growth and Community: Our journey of faith is about growing and taking steps to honor God. Being part of a community supports this growth, and our ultimate purpose is to bring more people to know and glorify God. [56:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [28:17] - Opening Prayer and Purpose
- [30:18] - Embracing God's Word
- [31:53] - God's Word as His Will
- [32:18] - Trusting God's Best
- [34:40] - Faith and Trust in God
- [35:38] - Spiritual Growth and Challenges
- [40:00] - Keeping Jesus First
- [41:17] - God's Grace and Glory
- [41:59] - Honoring God
- [43:37] - Jesus as the Center
- [47:31] - Respect and Honor
- [49:12] - Offering and Sacrifice
- [50:36] - Generosity and Blessing
- [52:32] - Flourishing in God's House
- [56:27] - Growing in Faith and Responsibility
- [58:55] - Encouragement to Take a Step
- [01:02:34] - Invitation to Faith
- [01:04:10] - Prayer and Commitment
- [01:08:38] - Celebration and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 3:5-6
2. Ephesians 2:10
3. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between God's Word and His will? How does this understanding impact our daily lives? [31:53]
2. What does the pastor suggest is the role of faith in experiencing God's blessings, and how is this connected to Proverbs 3:5-6? [34:40]
3. How does the sermon describe the act of giving, and what biblical principle is it tied to? [50:36]
4. What examples were given in the sermon about how being part of a community supports spiritual growth? [56:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God's Word being synonymous with His will challenge or affirm your current understanding of Scripture? [31:53]
2. In what ways does trusting in the Lord with all your heart, as mentioned in Proverbs 3:5-6, require a shift in how one approaches life's challenges? [34:40]
3. How does the sermon interpret the principle of sowing and reaping in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, and what implications does this have for personal generosity? [50:36]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of community in one's spiritual journey, and how does this align with Ephesians 2:10? [56:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled to align your actions with God's will. What steps can you take to better align with His Word in the future? [31:53]
2. Consider a time when you relied on your own understanding rather than trusting God. How can you apply Proverbs 3:5-6 to similar situations in the future? [34:40]
3. How can you practice cheerful and generous giving in your life, and what changes might you need to make to align with the principles discussed in the sermon? [50:36]
4. Identify a resource or talent you have that could be used to honor God and bless others. What is one practical way you can start using it this week? [50:36]
5. Think about your current involvement in your church community. How can you take a more active role in supporting others' spiritual growth? [56:27]
6. Reflect on your spiritual journey. What is one area where you feel called to grow, and how can your community support you in this growth? [56:27]
7. How can you ensure that your daily actions and decisions are centered around glorifying God, as emphasized in the sermon? [41:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing God's Holy Presence
In our gatherings, the focus is on experiencing the holiness of God, not merely fulfilling a religious duty. God's Word is more than a collection of sayings; it is the inspired guide given by the Holy Spirit to help us become the people God desires us to be. This experience of His presence is transformative, inviting us to align our lives with His will and purpose. As we open our hearts to His presence, we are reminded of our role in glorifying Jesus Christ and recognizing that the church belongs to Him. [28:17]
Isaiah 6:3-5 (ESV): "And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!'"
Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to experience God's holy presence, beyond just attending church services?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Will
God's Word is synonymous with His will, and while it may challenge us, it is always for our best. Trusting in His will requires us to let go of our own understanding and fully rely on Him. This trust is crucial as we navigate the tension between knowing God's Word and living it out. By embracing His will, we open ourselves to His blessings and the fulfillment of His promises in our lives. [31:53]
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's will? How can you take a step today to surrender that area to Him?
Day 3: Living by Faith
Living by faith is essential to experiencing God's glory in our lives. Trusting God with all our hearts, even when it defies our understanding, allows Him to direct our paths and fulfill His promises. This journey of faith involves taking steps beyond mere acknowledgment of God's will to actively living it, growing in our relationship with Him. As we trust Him fully, we witness His transformative power in our lives. [34:40]
Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."
Reflection: Identify a specific situation where you need to step out in faith. What practical action can you take today to demonstrate your trust in God?
Day 4: Honoring God with Generosity
Our resources are blessings from God, and by giving generously, we honor Him and participate in His plan to bless others. This act of giving is not about fulfilling a duty but about expressing our gratitude and trust in God's provision. As we give cheerfully, we align ourselves with God's heart and become conduits of His blessings to those around us. [50:36]
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Consider your current approach to giving. How can you increase your generosity in a way that reflects your trust in God's provision?
Day 5: Growing in Faith and Community
Our journey of faith is about growing and taking steps to honor God. Being part of a community supports this growth, providing encouragement and accountability. As we celebrate those who have made the decision to follow Christ, we recognize the transformative power of faith and the importance of nurturing spiritual growth within a supportive community. Our ultimate purpose is to honor God and bring more people to know Him. [56:27]
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth of your community? What steps can you take to foster deeper connections with fellow believers?
Quotes
And God says, let's keep bringing more and more people to God. And God says, let's keep bringing more and more people to God. More and more of them to the cross. And here's the ultimate reason. Because God is worthy of more and more glory. Amen. Now, the interesting thing is, the word glory there also is translated honor. That he is worthy of more and more honor. [00:41:59] (28 seconds)
And so, all of this is because we want people to know Jesus. Amen? Why? Because the Bible says that people need to be rescued. Because we all know this. A lot of us know this. We were lost. We needed to be found. Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came. The Bible says we've got to believe that he was crucified, his death, his burial, his resurrection. [01:01:56] (21 seconds)
We ask Jesus to come into our life forever, and we say to Jesus, I trust you and trust you alone, because the Bible, somebody say the Bible, the Bible says for, you know, but to all who believed on him and accept him, it is to those people that God gives a privilege to become the children of God. [01:02:34] (25 seconds)
You don't need to pray about reading your Bible. You don't need to pray about attending church. You're already here there. You don't need to pray about sharing Christ. You can pray about people's hearts being prepared, but sharing Christ. These are, these are things that God wants and desires and tells us to do in his word. So if you're going to call Granite home sometime today, if you haven't taken a step, why don't you go to Granite United and by faith, someone say by faith. [01:06:36] (32 seconds)
You're never going to understand the faithfulness of God to the level he wants you to understand until you start taking steps in your life. You got to stop arguing and don't get mad at me. And don't think the church is all about money. This isn't about money. And those that want to honor God, respect God and provide food for the house. Let's go. Amen. [01:07:24] (33 seconds)
To God be the glory. May your word take root in our heart, produce fruit in our lives. We pray in Jesus' name. And everybody said, Amen. Let's celebrate. Come on. [01:08:38] (11 seconds)
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