Aligning Our Trust and Vision with God's Heart

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the importance of trusting in God and aligning our lives with His divine vision. Psalm 34 reminds us to bless the Lord continually, for He hears and answers our prayers. This trust in God is not just a passive belief but an active reliance on His power and promises. We are reminded that our emotional state often reflects our level of trust in God. If we are anxious or hopeless, it may be because we are not fully trusting Him.

We also discussed the importance of having a "just vision" rather than just any vision. A just vision aligns with God's priorities and His kingdom. This means prioritizing the people and values that God prioritizes. In Luke 14, Jesus teaches us through parables about true holiness, humility, hospitality, hunger for the lost, and commitment. These principles should guide our vision and actions as believers.

True holiness transcends mere religiosity and focuses on the heart. True humility involves not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought and being willing to take the lower place. True hospitality means inviting and serving those who cannot repay us, reflecting God's generosity. A true hunger for the lost drives us to share the gospel with those who are far from God. Finally, true commitment requires us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, even our closest relationships.

In our daily lives, we must seek to align our actions with these principles, ensuring that our vision is not just self-serving but truly reflective of God's heart and mission. This alignment will lead to experiencing the victory that God has for us in Christ.

### Key Takeaways

1. Trust in God Reflects in Our Emotional State: Our emotional disposition often indicates our level of trust in God. If we are anxious or hopeless, it may be because we are not fully relying on Him. Trusting in God means believing that He can do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think. This trust should be evident in our peace and confidence, knowing that God hears and answers our prayers. [36:41]

2. A Just Vision Aligns with God's Priorities: Having a just vision means prioritizing what God prioritizes. This involves seeking divine alignment with our divine assignment. When we are in alignment with God's will, we experience His victory. This vision is not about our own ideas but about discerning and discovering God's purpose for our lives. [42:30]

3. True Holiness and Humility: True holiness goes beyond external religiosity and focuses on the heart. It involves compassion and genuine care for others, not using people as pawns for our own agendas. True humility means not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought and being willing to take the lower place, trusting that God will exalt us in due time. [51:51]

4. True Hospitality and Generosity: True hospitality is about serving those who cannot repay us. It reflects God's generosity and love. We should not only invite and serve those who can do something for us in return but also those who are in need and cannot repay us. This kind of hospitality is a true reflection of God's heart. [01:08:46]

5. Commitment to Sharing the Gospel: We must have a true hunger for the lost and be committed to sharing the gospel. This involves going beyond our comfort zones and reaching out to those who are far from God. Our commitment to God should be evident in our willingness to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, even our closest relationships. [01:21:50]

### YouTube Chapters

1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [28:16] - Trusting in God
3. [34:30] - Who Are You Trusting?
4. [36:41] - Emotional State and Trust
5. [37:46] - Shifting Our Trust
6. [38:29] - True Holiness
7. [39:18] - Faithfulness of God
8. [40:31] - Beyond Religion
9. [42:30] - Just Vision
10. [45:32] - Common Elements of Vision
11. [47:30] - Prioritizing People
12. [50:19] - Healing on the Sabbath
13. [51:51] - True Holiness and Compassion
14. [55:08] - Legalism vs. True Religion
15. [01:08:46] - True Hospitality
16. [01:21:50] - Sharing the Gospel
17. [01:27:14] - Aligning with God's Assignment
18. [01:32:31] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 34:1-4 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."
2. Luke 14:12-14 (ESV): "He said also to the man who had invited him, 'When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.'"
3. Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 34, what is the result of seeking the Lord? How does this relate to our emotional state? [36:41]
2. In Luke 14, what does Jesus say about whom we should invite to our feasts? Why is this significant? [01:08:46]
3. What does Matthew 6:33 instruct us to prioritize in our lives? How does this align with the concept of a "just vision"? [42:30]

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does trusting in God impact our emotional well-being according to the sermon? Why might a lack of trust lead to anxiety or hopelessness? [36:41]
2. What does it mean to have a "just vision" that aligns with God's priorities? How can we discern God's purpose for our lives? [42:30]
3. How does true humility differ from false humility or pride? Why is it important to take the lower place as Jesus teaches in Luke 14? [01:02:05]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current emotional state. Are there areas where you feel anxious or hopeless? How might increasing your trust in God help alleviate these feelings? [36:41]
2. Think about your personal vision and goals. Are they aligned with God's priorities? What steps can you take to ensure your vision is a "just vision"? [42:30]
3. Consider a recent social gathering you hosted or attended. Did you prioritize inviting those who could not repay you? How can you practice true hospitality in your daily life? [01:08:46]
4. Identify a situation where you might have thought more highly of yourself than you ought. How can you practice true humility in that context? [01:02:05]
5. Reflect on your commitment to sharing the gospel. When was the last time you shared your faith with someone? What can you do this week to reach out to someone who is far from God? [01:21:50]
6. How can you prioritize your relationship with God above all else, even your closest relationships? What practical steps can you take to deepen your commitment to God? [01:23:31]
7. Think of a person or group in your community who might be overlooked or marginalized. How can you extend God's love and hospitality to them this week? [01:08:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Trust in God Reflects in Our Emotional State
Our emotional state often mirrors our level of trust in God. When we are anxious or hopeless, it may indicate that we are not fully relying on Him. Trusting in God means believing that He can do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think. This trust should be evident in our peace and confidence, knowing that God hears and answers our prayers. Psalm 34 reminds us to bless the Lord continually, for He hears and answers our prayers. This trust in God is not just a passive belief but an active reliance on His power and promises. [36:41]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life that is causing you anxiety. How can you actively place your trust in God in this situation today?

Day 2: A Just Vision Aligns with God's Priorities
Having a just vision means prioritizing what God prioritizes. This involves seeking divine alignment with our divine assignment. When we are in alignment with God's will, we experience His victory. This vision is not about our own ideas but about discerning and discovering God's purpose for our lives. A just vision aligns with God's priorities and His kingdom, meaning we prioritize the people and values that God prioritizes. [42:30]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to realign your priorities with God's priorities? How can you take a step towards that realignment today?

Day 3: True Holiness and Humility
True holiness transcends mere religiosity and focuses on the heart. It involves compassion and genuine care for others, not using people as pawns for our own agendas. True humility means not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought and being willing to take the lower place, trusting that God will exalt us in due time. Jesus teaches us through parables about true holiness, humility, hospitality, hunger for the lost, and commitment. These principles should guide our vision and actions as believers. [51:51]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to think more highly of yourself than you ought? How can you practice true humility in your interactions with others today?

Day 4: True Hospitality and Generosity
True hospitality is about serving those who cannot repay us. It reflects God's generosity and love. We should not only invite and serve those who can do something for us in return but also those who are in need and cannot repay us. This kind of hospitality is a true reflection of God's heart. Jesus' teachings in Luke 14 emphasize the importance of inviting and serving those who cannot repay us, reflecting God's generosity. [01:08:46]

Hebrews 13:2 (ESV): "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can show hospitality to, even if they cannot repay you? What specific action can you take to serve them today?

Day 5: Commitment to Sharing the Gospel
We must have a true hunger for the lost and be committed to sharing the gospel. This involves going beyond our comfort zones and reaching out to those who are far from God. Our commitment to God should be evident in our willingness to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, even our closest relationships. A true hunger for the lost drives us to share the gospel with those who are far from God. [01:21:50]

2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV): "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that needs to hear the gospel? How can you take a step towards sharing the good news with them today?

Quotes

1. "So the question becomes, who's your trust in today? Who are you really relying upon today? Who are you really casting your emotional disposition as an indication of who you're trusting in? Your emotional disposition is an indication of who you're trusting in. If your soul is awry, it's because you're not trusting him. If you're extremely exacerbated, it's because you're not trusting him. If you are hopeless right now, it's because you're not trusting in him. Our God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond all we can ask, think, or imagine. And when you trust in that God, that he's able to do more than you can think, whatever you're thinking about, he can do more than that. I sought the Lord, and he heard, and he answered. That's why. I trust him." [36:41] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When you are in alignment with your divine assignment, you will experience the victory that God has for you in Christ. Amen. How many of y'all want victory today? Amen. Okay. We're going to work on the rest of y'all. We're going to work on the rest of y'all. All right. Let's just pray right now for those who don't want vision. All right. And so I don't know about you, but I want the victory that God has assigned for my life. Amen. Now, I'm not trying to hype you. I'm trying to help you. And so I don't want to just come up with a vision. I'm trying to help you. I'm trying to help you. I'm trying to help you. Well, God's got a vision for your life and God's got blessing for your life. The reality is if you're not in alignment with your assignment, you should not expect to receive from God all that he talks about." [42:30] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So we live in an era where people want to come to God for his blessings, but don't want a relationship with him. And so they live with the illusion. They have the privileges of God. They have the benefits of God. They have the protection of God without having a relationship with God. And so I said, man, I love you, but I can't let you keep perpetrating like that. And so I want y'all to be real. I'm not trying to hype y'all. I'm trying to help y'all. Amen. When you are in alignment, with your assignment, you have the victory of God. When you are in the will of God, then God pays his bills. Where there is God's will, there's God's bill. But if you're not in God's will, don't expect God to pay the bill. So the question becomes, do you have just vision, or do you just have a vision?" [43:55] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "True holiness. True religion transcends man's traditions that do not capture the heart of God. How many of y'all want to have a just vision? A just vision prioritizes the people that God prioritizes. You know, we prioritize people who basically would fit into this category of pharisaical. He says in verse three through five, and Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees saying, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not? But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. Jesus says, I'm going to transcend their traditions. I'm not trying to be legalistic. You know, people who think they spiritual, but not really spiritual, they become legalistic on you." [55:08] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "How many of us think more of ourselves than we ought to think? He didn't say you shouldn't think of yourselves. Romans teaches you, you shouldn't think more highly of yourself than you ought to think. So he comes in verses seven through four and 11. He told a parable to those who were invited when he noticed how they chose the places of honor saying to them, when you are invited someone to a wedding, an airline seat, a wedding feast, don't sit down in the wrong place. Like pastor did. Let someone more distinguished, a stewardess. Or somebody else who paid for the seat and then invited by him. And he who invited you both will come and say to you, the stewardess, give your place to this person who paid for the seat. And then you will begin with shame and dishonor and embarrassment. Load up all your stuff and take a lowly place." [01:02:05] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "How many of us do God that way? We want full benefits, but we don't have full commitment. So we live in a world where we're not experiencing all that God has for us because we're not fully committed to him. We want full privileges, but not full commitment. That's a different message. It don't make you shout. It don't make you scream, but it's true. How many of you are want the victory of God? You experience the victory of God when you're in alignment with his assignment and part of being alignment with his assignment. You are passionate and you prioritize. Prioritize the people that God prioritizes." [01:27:14] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "How many of y'all are talking to people about what they're going to do after they die? How many of y'all are engaging people with the gospel of Jesus Christ? How many of y'all are putting your arm around somebody who's stank and said, let me introduce you to a man? How many of y'all are talking to people who are disenfranchised and counted out? So let me tell you about a man who can lift you up. Out of the muck and the miry clay. Let me tell you about a man who can secure your eternal life. Let me tell you about a man who's better than money. How many of you all are sharing the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ? The only reason he's left you here on earth is so you can make a difference in the lives of somebody else. Are you passionate about the things and the people that God is passionate about?" [01:22:41] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "When you have a just vision, you're passionate and you prioritize what God prioritizes. He says, we went back out and we went to the streets and and there's still room. He says, go out into the highways and the hedges and compel the, you mean compels, but he don't mean for somebody. He means persuade somebody. How many of you all are persuading people with wisdom to trust Christ? So I'll be following up with my friend. See, you can talk tough when you've shown tenderness. You can talk tough when you've demonstrated. I've shown you I love you. I've shown you I'm fully committed to you. Ain't no question about that. So don't be tripping. This is the truth of God. I want you to be an authentic believer. So this morning I text him Luke chapter 14. I said read this chapter and you'll have a better perspective of what I'm really trying to do with your life. I don't know all the answers. I want you to have authentic hope and not false hope." [01:31:56] (75 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "So we live in a world where people don't experience the blessings of God, the exaltation of God, the abundance of God, because they don't have an authentic relationship with God. And then they go back and say, well, God is not who he says he is and God didn't do what he said he would do. And basically what God wants to say, you're not the person who I said you needed to be. You're not committed. You're not devoted. You don't read your Bible. You think a verse a day. Keep the devil away. You put me on the back burner. Until you hurt. You put me on the back burner to give me the job. You put me on the back burner until you want something from me. And then when you want something from me, you come to me like you've been fully committed. It's like somebody who ain't called you in three months, six months, and they call a second. I brought a dollar like you ain't even told me. I ain't got no problem with the money. But what?" [01:26:09] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "When you live with this kind of generosity, when you live with this kind of honor, when you live with this kind of disposition, people are going to assume you have an arterial motive. Culture and our world, we don't live around people who are truly generous. We don't live around people who really are Philippians too, looking out for the welfare of their brother and their sister. We have people who look out for three people, me, myself, and I. Are we tracking together? We don't have people who really want to lift you up with no strings attached. We don't have people who do stuff for you just because they were led by the Holy Spirit to do it for you. They don't need your name. They don't need your name. They don't need your name. They don't need your address. They don't need your phone number. They don't need your email. They want to just do it because God placed it upon their hearts to do it." [01:10:10] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?