Aligning Our Lives with God's Word and Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of God's Word

The people of Jerusalem, upon returning to their city, recognized the disobedience of their ancestors and chose to align their lives with God's Word. This decision was not merely a return to tradition but a profound commitment to live differently, prioritizing God's desires over personal preferences. The Word of God served as a mirror, reflecting the areas of their lives that needed change and prompting them to make a binding agreement to break away from the disobedience of their forebears. This transformative power of God's Word is available to us today, challenging us to examine our lives and make similar commitments to align with His will. [35:26]

Nehemiah 8:8-9 (ESV): "They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, 'This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.' For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law."

Reflection: What specific area of your life is God calling you to align with His Word today? How can you take a step towards that alignment this week?

Day 2: Embracing Obedience Despite Discomfort

True obedience to God often involves discomfort and challenges. It requires us to rearrange our lives and priorities, moving beyond being lukewarm Christians to fully embracing God's purposes. This journey of obedience is not easy, as it calls us to make difficult choices and have uncomfortable conversations. Yet, it is through these challenges that we grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God. Embracing obedience means trusting that God's plans for us are good, even when they lead us out of our comfort zones. [37:46]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: What is one uncomfortable step of obedience God is asking you to take today? How can you rely on His strength to take that step?

Day 3: Aligning Preferences with God's Purpose

The struggle between personal preferences and God's purposes is a central theme in our lives. We often choose our comfort over God's commands, rationalizing our actions and justifying our disobedience. Yet, true Christian maturity is found when our preferences align with God's purposes. This alignment requires us to be set apart, to live holy lives that reflect God's Word, and to resist the temptation to conform to the world's standards. It is a call to prioritize God's purposes over our own desires, even when it means making difficult choices. [39:11]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find your preferences clashing with God's purposes? What practical steps can you take to align them today?

Day 4: Maintaining Distinctiveness as Followers of Christ

Like the people in Nehemiah's time, we are called to maintain our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. This involves making commitments that reflect our faith and resisting the temptation to conform to the world's standards. The people of Jerusalem made specific commitments, such as not intermarrying with those outside their faith and observing the Sabbath, to maintain their identity as God's people. Today, we face similar challenges in maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. We must be willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it means going against societal norms or facing criticism. [45:46]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: What is one way you can maintain your distinctiveness as a follower of Christ in your daily life? How can you stand firm in your faith today?

Day 5: Rooted in God's Desires, Not Approval of Others

Our identity should be rooted in our response to God's desires for us, not in the approval of others. As we navigate the complexities of life, we are called to seek God's purposes above all else, trusting that His plans for us are good and perfect. This means letting go of the need for external validation and focusing on what God desires for our lives. It is a call to live for an audience of One, finding our worth and identity in Him alone. [58:48]

Galatians 1:10 (ESV): "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Reflection: In what ways are you seeking the approval of others over God's desires for you? How can you shift your focus to prioritize God's approval today?

Sermon Summary

In our gathering today, we delved into the transformative power of God's Word as illustrated in the book of Nehemiah. The people of Jerusalem, upon returning to their city, asked Ezra to open the Word of God. As they studied, they realized their ancestors had not lived according to God's desires. This realization led them to make a binding agreement to live differently, to align their lives with God's Word, and to break away from the disobedience of their forebears.

This commitment to obedience is not without discomfort. God's Word challenges us to rearrange our lives, our relationships, and our priorities. It calls us to move beyond being lukewarm Christians who balance between personal preferences and divine directives. Instead, we are urged to prioritize God's purposes over our own desires, even when it means making difficult choices or having uncomfortable conversations.

The struggle between preference and purpose is a central theme in our lives. We often choose our comfort over God's commands, rationalizing our actions and justifying our disobedience. Yet, true Christian maturity is found when our preferences align with God's purposes. This alignment requires us to be set apart, to live holy lives that reflect God's Word, and to resist the temptation to conform to the world's standards.

In Nehemiah's time, the people made specific commitments, such as not intermarrying with those outside their faith and observing the Sabbath. These commitments were not about exclusion but about maintaining a distinct identity as God's people. Today, we face similar challenges in maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. We must be willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it means going against societal norms or facing criticism.

Ultimately, our identity should be rooted in our response to God's desires for us, not in the approval of others. As we navigate the complexities of life, we are called to seek God's purposes above all else, trusting that His plans for us are good and perfect.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of God's Word: The people of Jerusalem recognized their ancestors' disobedience and chose to align their lives with God's Word. This decision required a commitment to live differently, prioritizing God's desires over personal preferences. [35:26]
2. Obedience and Discomfort: True obedience to God often involves discomfort and challenges. It requires us to rearrange our lives and priorities, moving beyond being lukewarm Christians to fully embracing God's purposes. [37:46]
3. **Preference vs. Purpose:** The struggle between personal preferences and God's purposes is a central theme in our lives. True Christian maturity is found when our preferences align with God's purposes, even when it means making difficult choices. [39:11]
4. Maintaining Distinctiveness: Like the people in Nehemiah's time, we are called to maintain our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. This involves making commitments that reflect our faith and resisting the temptation to conform to the world's standards. [45:46]
5. Rooted in God's Desires: Our identity should be rooted in our response to God's desires for us, not in the approval of others. As we navigate life's complexities, we are called to seek God's purposes above all else, trusting in His perfect plans. [58:48]
** [58:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:26] - Return to Jerusalem
[37:46] - The Challenge of Obedience
[39:11] - Lukewarm Christianity
[39:52] - Disobedience and Preferences
[40:59] - Rationalizing Behavior
[41:59] - The Struggle of Preferences
[42:51] - Disobedience in Relationships
[44:15] - Teaching Our Children
[45:46] - Commitment to Change
[46:39] - Yoking in Marriage
[48:13] - Speaking Truth in Love
[49:14] - High School Logic
[50:56] - God's Purpose Over Preference
[52:48] - Observing the Sabbath
[53:43] - Living Set Apart
[54:59] - The True Sabbath
[56:28] - Signing the Agreement
[57:27] - Preference vs. Permanent Promise
[58:48] - Responding to God's Desires
[60:18] - Seeking God's Purposes
[61:23] - Personal Reflection
[62:20] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What realization did the people of Jerusalem come to when they studied God's Word, and how did it affect their actions? [35:26]
How did the sermon describe the concept of being a "lukewarm Christian"? What are the characteristics of such a person? [39:11]
What specific commitments did the people in Nehemiah's time make to maintain their distinctiveness as God's people? [45:46]
How does the sermon illustrate the struggle between personal preferences and God's purposes? [40:59]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean for a Christian to align their preferences with God's purposes, and why is this alignment important? [42:51]
How can the discomfort associated with true obedience to God be seen as a positive aspect of spiritual growth? [37:46]
In what ways does maintaining a distinct identity as followers of Christ challenge societal norms today? [46:39]
How does the sermon suggest that our identity should be rooted in God's desires rather than the approval of others? [58:48]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you prioritized your personal preferences over God's purposes. What steps can you take to realign your priorities? [40:59]
Consider the relationships in your life. Are there any that require you to have uncomfortable conversations to align with God's Word? How can you approach these conversations with love and truth? [48:13]
How can you actively resist the temptation to conform to the world's standards and maintain your distinctiveness as a follower of Christ? [45:46]
Identify one area of your life where you feel lukewarm in your faith. What practical steps can you take to become more committed and passionate in that area? [39:11]
Think about the societal norms that challenge your faith. How can you stand firm in your beliefs while still engaging with the world around you? [46:39]
What specific actions can you take this week to ensure that your identity is rooted in God's desires rather than seeking approval from others? [58:48]
How can you incorporate the practice of observing a Sabbath or a time of rest dedicated to God in your weekly routine? [52:48]

Sermon Clips

"We are a lukewarm Christian. And what I mean by that is we balance between what we want and what God says. We're comfortable in this place. We're in this spot of saying, okay, God, I'll follow your command. Your directives when it's comfortable for me, but I'm going to do what I want in my way." [00:39:17] (22 seconds)

"This is God taking and rearranging our entire lives, rearranging our friend groups, rearranging the way we handle our resources, our time, our money. It's God saying, wait, stop. You don't have this right. Let me show you what I desire for you. You see, because when God's Word penetrates, when it convicts our hearts, the only response is obedience." [00:38:07] (27 seconds)

"Disobedience at its very core is us choosing our will over God's will. Period. Disobedience is us saying, I know what God's word is. I know what his purpose is, but I'm going to choose my preference. I know what God's word says about premarital sex, but you don't understand." [00:40:51] (21 seconds)

"Think about this for just a moment. I will be disobedient to the purposes of God because I don't want to offend my spouse. I'll be disobedient to the word of God because I don't want my children to be frustrated with me. I'll be disobedient to my role as a parent because I don't want to hold my children accountable to what God says about them." [00:42:51] (23 seconds)

"True Christian maturity comes when our preferences are aligned with God's purpose. Disobedience is when we try to get God's purpose aligned with our preferences. The image here for us is us being so focused on the living word of God, which is Jesus, and the written word of God, which is his Bible, his scripture, his word, breathed by God onto these pages, illuminated for us by the gift of the Holy Spirit." [00:43:28] (40 seconds)

"We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons. Okay, let's break this open here. What God is saying here in this text, and we find it in Judges as well, is that God's people are to be yoked and equipped and stay in the lineage of their own people instead of going out and marrying Ammonites or Jezebites or whatever else you're going to, other bites you're going to come up with." [00:45:58] (36 seconds)

"Holiness is what's being referred to here in this text. And this idea of every seventh year, we will forego working on the land and we'll cancel all debts. That's the year of Jubilee. You can look it up. And the idea is we are going to be faithful to the word of God. And what they're really doing here is they're turning away from their own preferences and turning to the purposes of God." [00:53:12] (26 seconds)

"I think about this in terms of the message that we send to the world by the ways in which we live, by the priorities, that we make by the passions and the pursuits that we endeavor to think about how it is that we live our lives and what sets us apart from the world." [00:53:58] (24 seconds)

"What if we flipped that and we made our lives about responding to what God desires for us? That's what his purposes are for us. Next slide. Look at this image. Where do you fit on here? And you can say, well, I try, I try, I try. I get it. I do too. But I also acknowledge I can keep trying and trying and trying on my own or I can submit to the Lord and allow him to work in me in a mighty way." [00:58:46] (38 seconds)

"And ultimately, what God desires is that our preferences are in sync with his purposes and we seek him in all things. Would you join me in prayer? Gracious and everlasting Father, as far as the East is from the West, you are. As far as we think of the cosmos, and the galaxies and the creation and all of this, and yet you choose to love us." [01:02:20] (41 seconds)

"And on a response to that, Father, we ask that you would help illuminate those preferences in our lives that have postured themselves above your purpose. And so, Lord, I ask that you would just reveal to each of us now those areas of our lives. Turn over to you. That we come to the cross, we find level ground, and we lay these burdens down. And, Lord, we surrender our preferences to you this morning." [01:03:15] (85 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?