Aligning Our Will with God's Purpose

 

Summary

In our journey through the renovation of the heart, we delve into the profound reality of the spiritual dimension of our lives. The central prayer that guides us is "Your will be done," a call to align our spirits with God's will. Understanding the spiritual is challenging, as it often seems abstract or metaphorical compared to the tangible physical world. However, the spiritual is as real as the physical, encompassing our will, mind, and soul, which are unseen yet integral parts of our being.

Dallas Willard's insights help us navigate the complexities of spirituality. He distinguishes between the general and specific uses of the term "spirit." Generally, it refers to the non-physical aspects of our existence, such as our thoughts, feelings, and soul. Specifically, it pertains to our will—the capacity to choose and create. This understanding is crucial for spiritual formation, as it involves recognizing the human spirit's role in initiating and sustaining actions.

The spiritual realm is not automatically good; it requires discernment and careful navigation. The spiritual dimension is where our will interacts with God's will, and it is here that we must learn to surrender. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a decision of strength, aligning our will with God's purpose.

Tolstoy's reflection on the two gods highlights a common misconception: the god who serves our desires does not exist. Instead, the true God, whom we must serve, is the prime cause of our existence. Everything physical begins in the spiritual realm, just as a cell phone starts as an idea before becoming a tangible object. Similarly, our lives and the world around us originate from the mind of a Creator.

Our bodies, though physical, are the starting point of our personal kingdoms, where our wills begin to reign. Yet, our willpower is limited, and true strength lies in surrendering to God's will. This surrender is a daily practice, a prayer of alignment with the divine purpose.

Key Takeaways:

1. The spiritual dimension is as real as the physical, encompassing our will, mind, and soul. Recognizing this reality helps us understand our true nature and the importance of aligning our spirit with God's will. [02:01]

2. Spirituality requires discernment, as not all that is spiritual is inherently good. We must carefully navigate the spiritual realm, understanding that our will is central to our spiritual formation. [03:47]

3. Our will, the capacity to choose and create, is a core aspect of our spirit. This understanding is crucial for spiritual growth, as it involves recognizing the role of our spirit in initiating and sustaining actions. [06:29]

4. The true God, whom we must serve, is the prime cause of our existence. Everything physical begins in the spiritual realm, emphasizing the importance of aligning our will with the Creator's purpose. [09:47]

5. Surrendering our will to God is a decision of strength, not weakness. This daily practice aligns us with the divine purpose, allowing us to live in harmony with God's will. [10:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - Introduction to Spiritual Reality
- [01:03] - Behind the Scenes
- [02:01] - Understanding the Spiritual
- [03:19] - The Misconception of Spirituality
- [04:15] - The Non-Physical Aspects of Being
- [05:23] - The Spiritual Dimension of Personhood
- [06:29] - The Role of Will in Spirituality
- [07:28] - God's Nature as Spirit
- [08:12] - Surrendering to God
- [08:43] - Tolstoy's Reflection on God
- [09:47] - The True God We Serve
- [10:25] - The Interaction of Mind and Body
- [10:51] - The Strength in Surrender
- [11:10] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Renovation of the Heart

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
2. John 4:24 - "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
3. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the spiritual and physical realms? [03:04]
2. What are the two ways Dallas Willard uses the term "spirit" in the sermon? [02:25]
3. According to the sermon, what is the role of the human will in spiritual formation? [06:29]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept that everything physical begins in the spiritual realm? [09:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to align our will with God's will, as discussed in the sermon? How does this relate to the prayer "Your will be done"? [00:49]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the spiritual realm requires discernment and careful navigation? [03:47]
3. How does the sermon explain the misconception of a god who serves our desires versus the true God we must serve? [09:29]
4. What is the significance of surrendering our will to God, and how is this portrayed as a decision of strength rather than weakness? [10:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did you consider God's will in that decision, and how might you approach it differently after hearing this sermon? [00:49]
2. The sermon emphasizes the reality of the spiritual realm. How can you become more aware of the spiritual dimension in your daily life? [03:04]
3. Consider a situation where your will conflicted with God's will. How did you handle it, and what steps can you take to better align your will with God's in the future? [06:29]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of discernment in the spiritual realm. What practices can you implement to improve your spiritual discernment? [03:47]
5. How can you practice surrendering your will to God in a specific area of your life this week? What challenges do you anticipate, and how can you overcome them? [10:51]
6. Think about a time when you expected God to serve your desires. How can you shift your perspective to serve God's purpose instead? [09:29]
7. The sermon suggests that our bodies are the starting point of our personal kingdoms. How can you use your physical actions to reflect your spiritual alignment with God's will? [10:40]

Devotional

Day 1: The Reality of the Spiritual Dimension
The spiritual dimension is as real as the physical, encompassing our will, mind, and soul. Recognizing this reality helps us understand our true nature and the importance of aligning our spirit with God's will. The spiritual realm, though unseen, is integral to our existence and influences our actions and decisions. It is where our deepest thoughts, emotions, and intentions reside, shaping who we are and how we interact with the world. By acknowledging the spiritual as a vital part of our being, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God, allowing His will to guide our lives. [02:01]

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you currently acknowledge the spiritual dimension in your daily life, and how can you become more aware of its influence on your decisions and actions today?


Day 2: Discernment in the Spiritual Realm
Spirituality requires discernment, as not all that is spiritual is inherently good. We must carefully navigate the spiritual realm, understanding that our will is central to our spiritual formation. The spiritual world is a complex landscape where good and evil coexist, and it is crucial to discern God's voice amidst the noise. Our will plays a pivotal role in this process, as it is through our choices that we align ourselves with God's purpose or stray from it. By seeking wisdom and guidance from God, we can navigate the spiritual realm with clarity and purpose. [03:47]

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1, ESV)

Reflection: What practices can you incorporate into your life to better discern God's voice and guidance in the spiritual realm today?


Day 3: The Role of Will in Spiritual Growth
Our will, the capacity to choose and create, is a core aspect of our spirit. This understanding is crucial for spiritual growth, as it involves recognizing the role of our spirit in initiating and sustaining actions. Our will is the driving force behind our decisions, shaping our character and destiny. By aligning our will with God's, we open ourselves to transformation and growth, allowing His power to work through us. This alignment requires intentionality and commitment, as we seek to live in accordance with His purpose and design. [06:29]

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where your will is not aligned with God's. What steps can you take today to begin aligning your will with His in that area?


Day 4: Serving the True God
The true God, whom we must serve, is the prime cause of our existence. Everything physical begins in the spiritual realm, emphasizing the importance of aligning our will with the Creator's purpose. Our lives and the world around us are a reflection of God's creative power, and by serving Him, we fulfill our true purpose. This service is not about fulfilling our desires but about surrendering to His will and allowing His love to flow through us. By recognizing God as the source of all life, we find meaning and direction in our journey. [09:47]

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from serving your desires to serving God's purpose in your daily life today?


Day 5: The Strength in Surrender
Surrendering our will to God is a decision of strength, not weakness. This daily practice aligns us with the divine purpose, allowing us to live in harmony with God's will. Surrender is an act of trust, acknowledging that God's plans are greater than our own. It requires humility and faith, as we let go of control and allow God to lead us. Through surrender, we find true freedom and strength, as we are empowered by His Spirit to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. [10:51]

"And he said to them all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes


to learn to depend on the reality of the spiritual as part of our life that's very difficult. now while i'm doing that a little glimpse behind the scenes hey tamodius i need you to come here for just a second um uh i'm at the property and i want you all to meet a friend of mine tomorrow's and i used to be part of the church back at menlo and he's here taking pictures right now thank you for doing this [00:00:49]

we want to learn to depend on the reality of the spiritual god is spirit but that's a word that's often used quite loosely so we need to talk today a little bit more precisely about it and how dallas would use it but what's important of course is not just how dallas uses it how do we best understand it so that i can actually depend on to god [00:02:01]

at the core you have a will or a spirit or a heart those serve to talk about basically the same function and then you have a mind and that includes both thoughts and feelings and then we have a body mostly a bunch of appetites we run on habit then there's the social dimension of other people and then there's our soul that connects that all together [00:02:39]

and unfortunately we live in a world that often tries to convince us that the physical part of reality is true is real but we we have we we tend to think of the spiritual realm as more metaphorical or abstract so dallas will talk about spirit in two different ways this is page 17. i'll try to remember to talk about page numbers [00:03:06]

the language of spiritual spirit and spirituality has become increasingly common today and cannot be avoided but it's often unclear in meaning and this can be dangerous it can lead us down paths of confusion and destruction spiritual is not automatically good we must be very careful with this language in the sense of spiritual which means only non-physical [00:03:37]

the hidden or inner world of the human self is indeed spiritual now the idea here is that just as you have a body neurons tissues and that's visible you have uh parts to you that are not visible not physical so your will your ability to choose your mind your thoughts and your feelings your soul that hides it all that ties it all together [00:04:05]

in a general sense to say that you are spiritual is to say that you have will you can choose and you have thoughts and you have feelings and you have a soul that integrates that all together that is the spiritual dimension of your being and just as you are a physical person you are a spiritual person [00:05:17]

the acts of willing the capacity for volition or choice form the spirit in a person in this narrow and focused sense the spiritual is not just the non-physical as we explained it early but it is the central core of the non-physical part in man you know us there is much that is not physical that is also not spirit in this narrow sense that is not of the will [00:06:32]

the spiritual is as real as the physical end in fact and in fact every physical thing you see began in the realm of the invisible or the spirit the cell phone that i'm looking into right now began because somebody one day had an idea for a cell phone and in a similar way the earth these trees began because there is a god in whose mind the idea came first [00:08:46]

there are two gods tolstoy once said there is the god that people generally believe in a god who has to serve them sometimes in very refined ways say by merely giving them peace of mind this god does not exist this god does not exist the god who has to serve me my will be done god you want you do what i want to be done that god does not exist [00:09:18]

but the god whom people forget the god whom we all have to serve exists is the prime cause of our existence and of all that we perceive you did not just evolve the earth did not just bang just as a cell phone or a tripod begins in the mind of a creator so the earth and you began in the mind of a creator [00:09:41]

our bodies are that little place where our wills begin to reign so our bodies are the beginning of our little kingdom but we were given our will in order to surrender to god our willpower is a very limited thing so the prayer for today that will be with us all through this series is actually a prayer of great strength your will be done [00:10:37]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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