Aligning Our Lives with God's Perfect Plan
Summary
In our journey of faith, we are reminded that there is truly nothing better than God and His plans for us. Our desires should align with His will, recognizing that He has a perfect plan for our lives, just as He had a perfect plan for our salvation. If God can meet our greatest need, the need for salvation, there is nothing He cannot do. When we face situations that seem hopeless, we must turn our eyes to Him and remember the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ, who died in our place, making it possible for us to have a relationship with God and live as His ambassadors on earth.
The simplicity of the gospel is profound: all we need to do is surrender and accept what Christ has done on the cross. This week, let us be reflective, looking back on all God has done and is doing, and let that reflection lead us to praise and glorify Him. We are called to grow in our relationship with God, to read His Word, and to fall more in love with His character, becoming more like Him each day.
The name Jehovah Saboth, the Lord of hosts, reminds us that God is the Lord of the army, always ready to come to our aid, especially when we are at the end of our rope. It is in those moments of desperation that we truly cry out to God, recognizing our need for His grace. Grace is not about holding on with our own strength; it is about God holding on to us, providing the strength and ability we need.
Paul's message to the Galatians emphasizes that there is only one true God. Any other god we create is a false god, a god that does not exist. We must be careful not to rely on our own resources or create idols in our lives. Instead, we should depend on God's strength and grace, which empower us to live according to His will. The gospel of grace is the good news that we have the ability and desire to do what God wants, bringing glory to Him through our faith and obedience.
Key Takeaways:
- Aligning our desires with God's will is essential, as He has a perfect plan for our lives, just as He had a perfect plan for our salvation. Trusting in His plan allows us to face seemingly hopeless situations with faith and hope. [31:01]
- The simplicity of the gospel is profound: surrendering to God and accepting what Christ has done on the cross is all that is required. This surrender leads to a life of purpose, as we become ambassadors for Christ, living on mission to bring others into God's family. [31:35]
- Jehovah Saboth, the Lord of hosts, is always ready to come to our aid, especially when we are at the end of our rope. It is in those moments of desperation that we truly cry out to God, recognizing our need for His grace and strength. [34:26]
- There is only one true God, and any other god we create is a false god that does not exist. We must be careful not to rely on our own resources or create idols in our lives, but instead depend on God's strength and grace. [38:08]
- The gospel of grace empowers us to live according to God's will, bringing glory to Him through our faith and obedience. It is through grace that we have the ability and desire to do what God wants, experiencing true freedom in Christ. [41:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [31:01] - Aligning Desires with God's Will
- [31:35] - The Simplicity of the Gospel
- [32:04] - Reflecting on God's Work
- [33:12] - The Names of God
- [34:26] - Jehovah Saboth: The Lord of Hosts
- [35:32] - Crying Out to God
- [36:11] - When to Depend on God
- [38:08] - The One True God
- [39:27] - The Gospel of Grace
- [41:32] - Empowered by Grace
- [42:45] - Faith Over Feelings
- [45:06] - Paul's Message to the Galatians
- [47:27] - False Gods and Idols
- [51:27] - God's Revelation in Creation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 4:8-9 (NIV) - "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?"
2. Romans 1:18-21 (NIV) - "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the name Jehovah Saboth, and when does God, as the Lord of hosts, typically show up in our lives? [34:26]
2. How does the sermon describe the simplicity of the gospel, and what is required of us to accept it? [31:35]
3. What does the sermon say about the creation of false gods and idols in our lives? How does this relate to the message in Galatians? [38:08]
4. In the sermon, what is described as the role of grace in our lives, and how does it empower us to live according to God's will? [41:32]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jehovah Saboth as the Lord of hosts provide comfort and assurance during times of desperation? What does this reveal about God's character? [34:26]
2. The sermon emphasizes the simplicity of the gospel. How does this simplicity challenge or affirm your understanding of faith and salvation? [31:35]
3. Reflecting on the sermon, why is it important to recognize and avoid creating false gods or idols in our lives? How does this align with Paul's message to the Galatians? [38:08]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between grace and obedience? In what ways does grace enable us to fulfill God's will? [41:32]
Application Questions:
1. The sermon encourages aligning our desires with God's will. Can you identify an area in your life where your desires might not align with God's plan? How can you work towards aligning them this week? [31:01]
2. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt at the end of your rope. How did you respond, and how might the understanding of Jehovah Saboth change your response in the future? [34:26]
3. The sermon highlights the danger of creating idols. What is one potential idol in your life, and what steps can you take to depend more on God's strength and grace instead? [38:08]
4. Consider the simplicity of the gospel as described in the sermon. How can you share this simple yet profound message with someone in your life this week? [31:35]
5. The sermon speaks about grace empowering us to live according to God's will. Identify a specific area where you need God's grace to help you obey His will. How can you seek His grace in this area? [41:32]
6. How can you cultivate a habit of reflecting on God's work in your life, as encouraged in the sermon? What practical steps can you take to make this a regular practice? [32:04]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of reading God's Word and growing in love with His character. What is one specific way you can deepen your relationship with God through His Word this week? [32:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Perfect Plan
In our journey of faith, aligning our desires with God's will is essential because He has a perfect plan for our lives, just as He had a perfect plan for our salvation. Trusting in His plan allows us to face seemingly hopeless situations with faith and hope. When we encounter challenges, it is crucial to remember that God, who met our greatest need for salvation, is capable of handling any situation we face. By surrendering our desires to Him, we open ourselves to His guidance and wisdom, which leads us to a life of purpose and fulfillment. [31:01]
"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." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you actively choose to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 2: Embracing the Simplicity of the Gospel
The simplicity of the gospel is profound: surrendering to God and accepting what Christ has done on the cross is all that is required. This surrender leads to a life of purpose, as we become ambassadors for Christ, living on mission to bring others into God's family. The gospel invites us to reflect on the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice and to live in a way that reflects His love and grace to those around us. By embracing this simplicity, we find freedom and joy in our relationship with God. [31:35]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you simplify your understanding of the gospel to better share it with someone in your life this week?
Day 3: Relying on Jehovah Saboth
Jehovah Saboth, the Lord of hosts, is always ready to come to our aid, especially when we are at the end of our rope. It is in those moments of desperation that we truly cry out to God, recognizing our need for His grace and strength. Understanding that God is the Lord of the army, we can find comfort in knowing that He fights for us and provides the strength we need to persevere. By relying on His grace, we learn to let go of our own efforts and trust in His power to sustain us. [34:26]
"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." (Exodus 14:14, ESV)
Reflection: When was the last time you felt at the end of your rope? How can you invite Jehovah Saboth into that situation today?
Day 4: Recognizing the One True God
There is only one true God, and any other god we create is a false god that does not exist. We must be careful not to rely on our own resources or create idols in our lives, but instead depend on God's strength and grace. By acknowledging the supremacy of the one true God, we are reminded of the futility of idols and the importance of placing our trust in Him alone. This recognition leads us to a deeper relationship with God, where we experience His love and guidance in every aspect of our lives. [38:08]
"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What are some "idols" or false gods you might be relying on in your life? How can you shift your focus back to the one true God today?
Day 5: Living Empowered by Grace
The gospel of grace empowers us to live according to God's will, bringing glory to Him through our faith and obedience. It is through grace that we have the ability and desire to do what God wants, experiencing true freedom in Christ. By embracing the grace offered to us, we are equipped to live a life that reflects God's love and purpose. This empowerment allows us to overcome challenges and live in a way that honors God, ultimately leading to a life of fulfillment and joy. [41:32]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on God's grace rather than your own strength? How can you begin to make that shift today?
Quotes
If you can meet our greatest need God the the need we could never meet ourselves um there's nothing that you can't do And so I pray that if we're looking at any situation in our life thinking it's hopeless I pray that we would turn our eyes to you. [00:30:54]
The simplicity of the gospel is profound: all we need to do is surrender and accept what Christ has done on the cross. This week, let us be reflective, looking back on all God has done and is doing, and let that reflection lead us to praise and glorify Him. [00:31:35]
Jehovah Saboth is the Lord of hosts. He's Lord of the army. He's the Lord that, man, he's got an army that we can't see that's always on call at all times. And what's cool when you go into scripture and you look up and you study all of the passages in the Old Testament where Jehovah Sabio shows up. [00:34:26]
When is it that we cry out for God and we really need his help when we're at the what when we're at the end of the rope and it's like God if you don't show up man I'm crashing and burning It's going down. [00:35:32]
There is only one true God, and any other god we create is a false god that does not exist. We must be careful not to rely on our own resources or create idols in our lives, but instead depend on God's strength and grace. [00:38:08]
The gospel of grace empowers us to live according to God's will, bringing glory to Him through our faith and obedience. It is through grace that we have the ability and desire to do what God wants, experiencing true freedom in Christ. [00:41:32]
It's the gospel of grace. The good news is I don't and I can't and I won't do it on my own. It's God that's empowering me. Steve, you put that shirt on this morning, right? You're just up front so I'm gonna pick on you today. You put that shirt on this morning, right? [00:42:45]
Faith to override our feelings. It takes faith to override that. But God gives us that grace. That faith comes by grace. And the whole purpose of grace again y'all been hearing this for weeks. The whole purpose of grace is to bring what glory to God. [00:45:06]
Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to the what so-called gods that do not even what? All right. So there you go. You might have thought a minute ago well who is he to be so arrogant to be able to say "My God doesn't exist." [00:47:27]
God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. So it's all about people suppressing what they suppress the what the truth. The truth. Who is the who is the the way the truth and the life? [00:51:27]
Instead of worshiping the glorious everliving God, they worship idols made to look like check out the gods. The gods we make when we make our own gods. If we make our own gods before we're saved, we made these gods. That's all we had. [01:13:44]
We don't worship anyone or anything except for who god. That is the kingdom. When Christ was being confronted by was it Pilate or one of those dudes and like "Well where's your army man?" He said "You know what dude if this was my kingdom I'd have my army right here. [01:16:03]
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