Aligning Our Lives with God's Will
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of aligning our lives with the will of God, as illustrated in John 4:31-35. Jesus exemplified a life sustained by doing the will of God, which He described as His nourishment. This is a call for us to seek and understand God's will for our lives, ensuring that our actions and decisions are in harmony with His divine purpose. The journey begins with a personal encounter with Jesus, where we surrender our lives and desires to Him, seeking to serve and fulfill His calling. However, many of us struggle to discern what that calling specifically entails.
The key to understanding God's will lies in our relationship with Him. We must cultivate a life of faith, abiding in Jesus, and bearing fruit that glorifies God. This involves a daily commitment to remain connected to Christ, allowing His words to dwell richly in us, and letting our actions reflect His love and purpose. By doing so, we experience a deep, abiding joy that transcends circumstances, a joy that is inexpressible and full of glory.
Moreover, we must avoid limiting God's will to specific roles or careers. Instead, we should recognize that God's will encompasses every aspect of our lives, and we can glorify Him in whatever we do, whether in our jobs, families, or daily interactions. This perspective frees us from the constraints of waiting for a specific calling and empowers us to live purposefully in every moment.
Ultimately, doing the will of God is about bringing Him glory in all things. It is about living a life that reflects His love and grace, impacting those around us and fulfilling the purpose for which we were created. As we abide in Him and His words abide in us, our prayers align with His will, and we become instruments of His grace in the world. This is the essence of a life well-lived, a life that is sustained and nourished by the will of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Nourishment in God's Will: Jesus found His sustenance in doing the will of God, which should inspire us to seek and fulfill God's purpose for our lives. This spiritual nourishment brings joy and strength, enabling us to live purposefully. [03:17]
- Avoid Limiting God's Will: God's will is not confined to specific roles or careers. It is a comprehensive call to glorify Him in every aspect of our lives, freeing us to serve Him wherever we are. [11:30]
- Abiding in Christ: To bear fruit and live a meaningful life, we must remain connected to Jesus. This involves a daily commitment to dwell in His presence and let His words shape our thoughts and actions. [32:35]
- Faith as the Foundation: Doing the will of God begins with faith in Jesus. It is through faith that we enter into His rest, ceasing from our own works and partnering with God in His divine purpose. [30:22]
- Glorifying God in All Things: Our ultimate goal should be to bring glory to God in everything we do. This mindset transforms our daily activities into acts of worship, aligning us with God's will and purpose. [37:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:17] - The Nourishment of God's Will
- [03:53] - Struggles in Spiritual Life
- [06:22] - Jesus' Early Example
- [08:28] - Experiencing Joy in God's Will
- [09:58] - God's Love and Our Actions
- [10:47] - Limiting God's Will
- [12:34] - The Danger of Limiting God's Will
- [16:03] - Waiting on God's Will
- [17:49] - The Consequences of Limiting God
- [18:42] - Knowing God and His Will
- [20:07] - Hearing God's Voice
- [21:57] - Revelation Through Relationship
- [23:35] - Created for Good Works
- [24:43] - God's Goodness and Purpose
- [26:09] - Believing in Jesus
- [29:00] - Resting in God
- [31:35] - Abiding in Christ
- [33:34] - The Importance of Abiding
- [37:05] - Glorifying God in All Things
- [39:06] - Bearing Fruit Through Abiding
- [42:49] - The Power of Prayer
- [44:30] - Living for God's Glory
- [46:44] - Walking in God's Will
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 4:31-35
- John 15:1-8
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 4:31-35, what does Jesus describe as His "food," and how does this relate to His mission? [03:17]
2. According to the sermon, how does Jesus' example in John 4:31-35 challenge our understanding of spiritual nourishment? [03:53]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between abiding in Christ and bearing fruit, as seen in John 15:1-8? [32:35]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the danger of limiting God's will to specific roles or careers? [11:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus' "food" being to do the will of God (John 4:34) redefine what it means to be spiritually nourished? [03:17]
2. What does it mean to abide in Christ according to John 15:1-8, and how does this abiding lead to bearing fruit? [32:35]
3. How does the sermon interpret the idea of glorifying God in all things, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:31? [37:45]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is foundational to understanding and doing the will of God? [30:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there areas where you are not seeking God's will as your "nourishment"? How can you begin to align these areas with God's purpose? [03:17]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of not limiting God's will to specific roles. How can you apply this perspective to your current job or daily activities? [11:30]
3. What practical steps can you take to abide in Christ more consistently, as described in John 15:1-8? Consider your daily routines and spiritual practices. [32:35]
4. Think about a recent decision you made. Did you consider how it could glorify God? How can you incorporate this mindset into future decisions? [37:45]
5. The sermon discusses the joy that comes from doing God's will. Can you recall a time when you experienced this joy? How can you seek it more intentionally in your life? [08:28]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel uncertain about God's will. What steps can you take to seek clarity and direction from God? [16:03]
7. How can you ensure that your prayers align with God's will, as suggested in the sermon? Consider your current prayer habits and how they might be adjusted. [42:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Nourishment in God's Will
In John 4:31-35, Jesus speaks of His sustenance being found in doing the will of God. This profound truth invites us to seek and fulfill God's purpose for our lives, finding spiritual nourishment that brings joy and strength. As we align our actions and decisions with His divine purpose, we experience a life of purpose and fulfillment. This nourishment is not just about physical sustenance but a deep spiritual satisfaction that comes from living in harmony with God's will. By prioritizing His will, we find a joy that transcends our circumstances and empowers us to live purposefully. [03:17]
John 6:27 (ESV): "Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking fulfillment outside of God's will? How can you begin to seek His purpose in that area today?
Day 2: Avoid Limiting God's Will
God's will is not confined to specific roles or careers but is a comprehensive call to glorify Him in every aspect of our lives. This understanding frees us from the constraints of waiting for a specific calling and empowers us to serve Him wherever we are. By recognizing that God's will encompasses all areas of our lives, we can glorify Him in our jobs, families, and daily interactions. This perspective allows us to live purposefully in every moment, knowing that we are fulfilling His divine purpose. [11:30]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: In what ways have you limited God's will to specific areas of your life? How can you begin to see every aspect of your life as an opportunity to glorify Him?
Day 3: Abiding in Christ
To bear fruit and live a meaningful life, we must remain connected to Jesus. This involves a daily commitment to dwell in His presence and let His words shape our thoughts and actions. By abiding in Christ, we allow His love and purpose to flow through us, impacting those around us. This connection is the source of our strength and the foundation of a life that reflects His love and grace. As we abide in Him, we experience a deep, abiding joy that transcends circumstances and empowers us to live purposefully. [32:35]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: What daily habits can you establish to ensure you remain connected to Jesus and allow His words to shape your life?
Day 4: Faith as the Foundation
Doing the will of God begins with faith in Jesus. It is through faith that we enter into His rest, ceasing from our own works and partnering with God in His divine purpose. This faith is the foundation of a life that is aligned with God's will, enabling us to live purposefully and fulfill the purpose for which we were created. By trusting in Him, we find rest and strength to carry out His will, knowing that He is working in and through us. [30:22]
Hebrews 4:10-11 (ESV): "For whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are striving in your own strength? How can you begin to trust God and enter into His rest in that area?
Day 5: Glorifying God in All Things
Our ultimate goal should be to bring glory to God in everything we do. This mindset transforms our daily activities into acts of worship, aligning us with God's will and purpose. By living with the intention of glorifying Him, we become instruments of His grace in the world, impacting those around us and fulfilling the purpose for which we were created. This is the essence of a life well-lived, a life that is sustained and nourished by the will of God. [37:45]
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV): "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Reflection: How can you transform a mundane task or routine in your life into an act of worship that glorifies God today?
Quotes
"Jesus said, my food, my nourishment. Jesus was sustained by the will of God. He was kept by the will of God. He was driven. He was driven to finish the work. Think about that. Pleasing God was what nourished Jesus." [00:03:26] (16 seconds)
"We have to get a hold of the will of God and sustain ourselves and nourish ourselves and strengthen ourselves so that we can actually have joy, so we can actually find, find purpose and make sense of this life." [00:03:53] (15 seconds)
"God's will is so much bigger, so much more incredible, so much greater than we allow it to be in our lives. I love the fact that there is joy and the joy I'm talking about, the Bible calls inexpressible and full of glory." [00:07:15] (14 seconds)
"There is joy that we can experience, not passing, not happiness, right? Because you could be happy for a moment and then sad the next, right? But there is this deep abiding joy that carries you along like a river." [00:07:29] (13 seconds)
"Doing the will of God begins with and is sustained by faith in Jesus, period. Hebrews 4, 9 and 10 says, therefore, there remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered his rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from his." [00:28:44] (22 seconds)
"Living in the will of God and doing the works of God is impossible for us to do apart from Christ. It's impossible to do without Jesus. This is why we have to learn to abide in Him." [00:32:35] (13 seconds)
"The result of our walking in the will of God and doing the works of God is very simple. It's God is glorified. This should be our goal every day, every moment to bring glory to God." [00:36:42] (11 seconds)
"Doing the will of God is doing anything that would bring Him glory. Do you want to do the will of God? Whatever you do, bring God glory." [00:37:42] (11 seconds)
"Fruit happens when we abide in Him. What's the result of a branch being connected to the vine? It just produces. Because that's what branches do." [00:38:22] (9 seconds)
"Abiding in him, his word in us, our prayers, our obedience, our thanksgiving result into God receiving glory. He receives our glory. He receives the glory. He receives honor and praise from us." [00:42:53] (14 seconds)
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