Aligning Our Lives with God's Will and Purpose

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone! Today, we celebrate Youth Sunday and the final week of our Ignite series. We are thrilled to have our youth lead us in worship and to welcome all newcomers. Our mission at Chatham Community Church is to connect people to God and each other, so we can engage our world for good.

We began with a story about a friend who felt aligned with God after making a significant decision, which led to a life of peace, confidence, and zero regrets. This aligns with what Scripture teaches: when we align with God’s truth, purposes, commands, and promises, we ignite a life filled with the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Today's focus is on making decisions that align with God, even when it might rub others the wrong way. We explored a story where Jesus healed a man paralyzed for 38 years, which angered the religious leaders because it was done on the Sabbath. This story illustrates that living a life aligned with God doesn’t always mean a smooth life; it often involves conflict and opposition.

We discussed the importance of discerning God’s will by recognizing that God is always at work. Instead of asking, "What should I do?" we should ask, "God, what are you already doing?" Jesus promises that His sheep will know His voice, so we must learn to distinguish His voice from the noise of anxiety, ambition, fear, and other distractions. We can do this by studying Jesus' words and works in the Scriptures.

We also talked about God's general and specific will. God's general will is like a playground with a fence—there are boundaries, but within them, we have freedom to explore and make choices. Occasionally, God has a specific will for us, and during those times, we should seek His guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of others.

Finally, we celebrated communion, remembering Jesus' sacrifice and aligning our lives with His. We confessed our sins, not to heap guilt, but to exchange our mess for His grace. As we move forward, let’s embrace the goodness of God, trust in His promises, and live as His children, fully aligned with His will.

### Key Takeaways

1. Aligning with God’s Truth and Promises: When we align our lives with God’s truth, purposes, commands, and promises, we ignite a life filled with the fruit of the Spirit. This alignment brings peace, confidence, and freedom, even if it doesn’t always align with societal norms or expectations. [26:13]

2. Conflict and the Good Life: Living a life aligned with God doesn’t mean a life free of conflict. Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath angered the religious leaders, showing that the good life in God’s eyes may involve opposition. True alignment with God sometimes means making decisions that others may not understand or appreciate. [31:18]

3. Discerning God’s Will: God is always at work, and our role is to join in what He is already doing. Instead of asking, "What should I do?" we should ask, "God, what are you already doing?" This shift in perspective helps us align our actions with God’s ongoing work in the world. [36:47]

4. Clearing Out the Clutter: To hear God’s voice, we must clear out the clutter of anxiety, ambition, fear, and other distractions. Jesus’ voice does not sound like these things. By identifying and setting aside these voices, we can better discern the guidance of the Good Shepherd. [39:06]

5. God’s General and Specific Will: God’s general will is like a playground with a fence, offering freedom within boundaries. Occasionally, God has a specific will for us, and during those times, we should seek His guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of others. This approach helps us navigate life’s decisions with confidence and faith. [45:16]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[24:40] - Baptism Service Announcement
[25:19] - Ignite Series Introduction
[26:13] - Aligning with God’s Truth
[27:40] - Fruit of the Spirit
[28:51] - External and Internal Critics
[30:02] - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
[31:18] - Conflict and the Good Life
[32:55] - Jesus’ Ambivalence to Approval
[35:06] - Jesus’ Defense and Ignite Formula
[36:47] - Discerning God’s Will
[39:06] - Clearing Out the Clutter
[42:33] - Learning Jesus’ Voice
[45:16] - God’s General and Specific Will
[50:19] - Making Decisions with God’s Guidance
[54:39] - Jesus’ Sacrifice and Communion
[58:30] - Prayer of Confession
[01:03:39] - Communion Elements
[01:07:24] - Closing and Announcements

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. John 5:1-18 - The story of Jesus healing the man paralyzed for 38 years on the Sabbath.
2. Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
3. John 10:27 - "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the religious leaders when Jesus healed the paralyzed man on the Sabbath? ([30:02])
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the voices that can clutter our ability to hear Jesus' voice? ([39:06])
3. How does the sermon describe God's general will for our lives? ([45:16])
4. What does Jesus promise about His sheep and His voice in John 10:27? ([38:36])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the religious leaders were so upset about the healing on the Sabbath? How does this reflect their understanding of God's laws? ([30:02])
2. How can identifying and setting aside voices of anxiety, ambition, and fear help us better discern God's guidance? ([39:06])
3. What does it mean to align our lives with God's truth, purposes, commands, and promises? How does this alignment impact our daily lives? ([26:13])
4. How does the concept of God's general will as a "playground with a fence" change your perspective on making decisions? ([45:16])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you consider what God was already doing in that situation? How might this perspective have changed your decision-making process? ([36:47])
2. Think about a time when you felt conflicted about a decision because it went against societal or family expectations. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? ([28:51])
3. Identify one voice of clutter (e.g., anxiety, ambition, fear) that you often hear. What practical steps can you take this week to clear out that clutter and better hear Jesus' voice? ([39:06])
4. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) to focus on this month. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others?
5. How can you better align your life with God's general will? Are there specific areas where you need to trust God's boundaries and explore the freedom He offers? ([45:16])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt God's specific will guiding you. How did you discern it, and what was the result? How can you apply this experience to future decisions? ([50:19])
7. During communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and align our lives with His. What is one area of your life where you need to exchange your mess for His grace? How will you take steps to do this? ([54:39])

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning with God’s Truth and Promises
When we align our lives with God’s truth, purposes, commands, and promises, we ignite a life filled with the fruit of the Spirit. This alignment brings peace, confidence, and freedom, even if it doesn’t always align with societal norms or expectations. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are the natural outcomes of living in harmony with God’s will. This alignment is not about following a set of rules but about living in a relationship with God that transforms our hearts and minds.

In our daily lives, this means making decisions that reflect God’s character and values. It might mean standing up for what is right, even when it’s unpopular, or showing kindness in situations where it’s least expected. The peace and confidence that come from this alignment are not dependent on external circumstances but are rooted in the assurance of God’s presence and promises. [26:13]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. How did it align with God’s truth and promises? What fruit of the Spirit did you experience as a result?

Day 2: Conflict and the Good Life
Living a life aligned with God doesn’t mean a life free of conflict. Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath angered the religious leaders, showing that the good life in God’s eyes may involve opposition. True alignment with God sometimes means making decisions that others may not understand or appreciate. This can lead to conflict, but it’s important to remember that Jesus Himself faced opposition for doing God’s will.

When we encounter conflict because of our faith, it’s an opportunity to trust in God’s plan and remain steadfast in our commitment to Him. It’s a reminder that the good life is not about avoiding conflict but about being faithful to God’s calling, even in the face of adversity. [31:18]

John 15:18-19 (ESV): "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced opposition for doing what you believed was right. How did you handle it, and what did you learn about God’s faithfulness in that situation?

Day 3: Discerning God’s Will
God is always at work, and our role is to join in what He is already doing. Instead of asking, "What should I do?" we should ask, "God, what are you already doing?" This shift in perspective helps us align our actions with God’s ongoing work in the world. Recognizing that God is always at work around us can change how we approach our daily lives and decisions.

By focusing on what God is doing, we can better understand His will and purpose for our lives. This requires us to be attentive to His voice and to seek His guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of others. It’s about being open to the ways God is moving and being willing to join Him in His work. [36:47]

John 5:17 (ESV): "But Jesus answered them, 'My Father is working until now, and I am working.'"

Reflection: Take a moment to observe your surroundings today. What evidence do you see of God at work? How can you join in what He is already doing?

Day 4: Clearing Out the Clutter
To hear God’s voice, we must clear out the clutter of anxiety, ambition, fear, and other distractions. Jesus’ voice does not sound like these things. By identifying and setting aside these voices, we can better discern the guidance of the Good Shepherd. This involves creating space in our lives for quiet reflection, prayer, and meditation on God’s Word.

Clearing out the clutter means being intentional about what we allow to occupy our minds and hearts. It’s about prioritizing our relationship with God above all else and being willing to let go of anything that hinders our ability to hear His voice. This process can be challenging, but it’s essential for growing in our faith and understanding of God’s will. [39:06]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: Identify one source of clutter in your life that distracts you from hearing God’s voice. What steps can you take to clear it out and create space for God’s guidance?

Day 5: God’s General and Specific Will
God’s general will is like a playground with a fence, offering freedom within boundaries. Occasionally, God has a specific will for us, and during those times, we should seek His guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of others. This approach helps us navigate life’s decisions with confidence and faith. Understanding God’s general will involves knowing His character and commands as revealed in Scripture.

When we seek God’s specific will, it’s important to be patient and open to His leading. This might involve waiting for clarity, seeking wise counsel, and being willing to step out in faith when God’s direction becomes clear. Trusting in God’s guidance allows us to make decisions that honor Him and align with His purposes for our lives. [45:16]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek God’s guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of others? What steps can you take to trust in His direction?

Quotes

1. "The scriptures teach that when we align with God, it ignites this kind of life. And so because it's back to school season, because I struggled mightily through early algebra, I've been putting this in algebra equation, not because it's a formula, but because it's just an easier way to kind of hook into this and remember, kind of what do we need to align with? We put it this way that when we align with goddess truth, the truth about who God is, that God is good, God is wise, God is just, God is holy, God is love. We align it around the truth of who God is, the truth of God's purposes in the world, kind of what's God up to in the world? What does God want to do in the world? And God's commands always serve his purposes. So how do we align ourselves with God's purposes in the world? And aligning through God's commands is one of the ways we do that." [26:13] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The scriptures describe this kind of life as bearing the fruit of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit is a great description that the apostle Paul writes. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. You live that kind of life. It's a gift to you and everyone around you, right? So we're talking about aligning with God, igniting this kind of life. Now, today we're picking up on a story right after Jesus does this amazing healing. It's a wonderful gift, but it makes people around him angry. And what this is gonna emerge, what this is gonna surface is this, that you can be totally aligned with God and the good life and not everybody's gonna like it. You can be totally aligned with God and his purpose is for you and in the world." [27:40] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What Jesus shows us is sort of this thing that we're talking about there at the very beginning, that this. That to live the good life does not mean the smooth life, however you might define smooth. To live the good life before the Lord does not mean the smooth life. Right. For some of us. Think about the good life. For some of you, the good life is no conflict, right? Wouldn't that be great? No conflict, no fights. Some of you, that's like your prime directive. And Jesus is like, no, no, no. That's not the good life. That's not the life I'm calling you to." [31:18] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The people that are set against him have approximately zero part of the ignite equation. He's not out to pick a fight. He's just out to honor God the father. If it makes people mad, so be it. And if people like it, so be it. Jesus, throughout the course of his life, is remarkably ambivalent about people's applause or their disapproval. He just honors God. Jesus is not motivated by being against anyone. He was against sin and death, and inasmuch in as far as people were tangled up in sin and death, he was against them. But Jesus was not motivated by being primarily against anyone." [33:47] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God is always already at work. Jesus says, my father is always working to this very day. So I'm just jumping in with whatever he's up to. God's always at work. See, sometimes you come to a fork in the road or a major decision, and you're like, God, where are you, God, what do you want me to do? What do you want me to do? What do you want me to do? What do you want me to do? It's a great question, but what if the prayer was God? I'm at this major fork in the road. What are you already doing? How are you already at work? What if that was your prayer? What if the prayer was God, what are you already up to?" [36:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "You can learn what his voice does not sound like, because you're going to hear all kinds of voices, right? You can start with clearing out the clutter. Jesus's voice does not sound like anxiety. Doesn't sound like ambition, doesn't sound like fear. Doesn't sound like harsh criticism or anger or rage. Jesus voice does not sound like jealousy. Jesus voice does not sound like revenge. Jesus voice does not sound like lust. Jesus voice does not sound like a whole bunch of things that you and I hear all the time. So part of the work that we get to do as Jesus followers is we get to clear out the clutter. And part of the ways that you know that this is not the voice of the good shepherd is when you obey those voices, it doesn't bear the fruit of the spirit." [39:06] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "What do you do when you're trying to make a decision? What do you do when you're at a place, a fork in the road trying to figure things out? One, God, what are you already up to? What are you doing? Jesus promised means you're always at work. Two, Jesus promises that his sheep will know his voice. Lord Jesus, I believe you're speaking. Help me to hear it, Lord. I hear these other voices. Help me to get rid of those voices. And then two, the second thing that you can do to hear the good shepherd's voice to know what the good shepherd sounds like is this. Learn what the words of Jesus sound like. What the voice of Jesus sounds like by studying his words and his works in the scriptures." [42:33] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "God's will was like a giant minefield. One wrong step, and it blew up, and you lost an appendage. It's not a really healthy way to think about God's will, really. Actually, in retrospect, that's kind of where I was. And then I heard a. Then I heard a speaker who kind of framed it up in a slightly different, I think, more faithful way, honestly. So here's what I want to propose to you. That God's general will looks more like this. It looks more like a playground with a fence than a minefield. Looks more like a playground with events rather than minefield. Here's what God does. God creates everything beautiful and good. He creates us in his image. And then he says, here's what I'm about. I want you to love God. Love your neighbor. I want you to do justice, love mercy. Walk humbly with me. I want you to repent of your sin. I want you to leave sin behind so that you can be free from the slavery to sin and death forever and ever to amen." [45:16] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The same God that came through for Jesus will come through for you. The same God that came through for Jesus will come through for you. The same God that came through for Jesus and raised him from the dead will come through for you too. Jesus goes to the cross as the son of God. He doesn't look at the son of God, does he? No one around him thinks he's the son of God. Everyone's making fun of him. He saved others. He can't even save himself. But even when Jesus is dying, a slow, torturous, shame filled death and everyone's making fun of him, he still knows who he is. Doesn't change who he is. He's still the son of God. The son of God. And on the third day, God raises them from the dead and he lives." [54:39] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Confession is not about heaping on shame and guilt. It's about relieving shame and guilt. Confession is not piling on how bad you are. Confession is. Well, here's the mess. Thank you for forgiving this. Take the mess away from me. I exchanged my mess for your grace. That's what confession is. So a couple months ago, Brian Emmett, who preached here last week, thanks Brian for preaching. Last week he shared with me a prayer of confession that his church used to pray. And what I'm going to do is I'm going to read through this and give you a chance to read through it, just silently. And then we're going to, if you're willing and able and want to, we're going to recite this prayer of confession together as a way of entering into the amazing grace of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins as we settle into our time of communion." [56:19] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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