Aligning Our Will with God's Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Our Will with God's

Jesus' mission on earth was to do the will of the Father, highlighting His humanity and the choice to align His will with God's. This serves as a model for us to follow, demonstrating that we too can choose to align our will with God's. Jesus, though fully divine, embraced human limitations and free will, choosing to align His will with the Father's. This choice underscores the possibility for us to do the same. By following Jesus' example, we are encouraged to actively seek God's will in our lives, making conscious decisions to align our desires and actions with His purpose. This alignment is not just a passive acceptance but an active pursuit of living in accordance with God's will, reflecting Jesus' own commitment to His mission. [03:13]

John 5:30 (ESV): "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me."

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to surrender to align your will with God's today? How can you take a step towards that alignment?

Day 2: Jesus, the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth

Jesus is the ladder connecting heaven and earth, fully embracing humanity to bridge the gap between us and God. This imagery encourages us to believe that we can follow Him, as He came all the way down to our level. By likening Himself to the ladder in Jacob's dream, Jesus illustrates His role as the mediator between God and humanity. He descended to our level, experiencing human life in its fullness, to create a pathway for us to connect with God. This connection is not just about belief but about action, as we are called to follow His example in our daily lives. Jesus' life on earth serves as a tangible demonstration of how we can live in communion with God, bridging the gap through our faith and actions. [04:39]

Genesis 28:12-13 (ESV): "And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, 'I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you act today to bridge the gap between your earthly life and your spiritual calling, following Jesus' example?

Day 3: Transformation Through the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit's indwelling presence transforms our minds and value systems, aligning them with Christ's. This transformation is the essence of true Christianity, moving beyond mere forgiveness to a life that mirrors Jesus' own. The coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus' resurrection is as significant as Jesus' own coming, as it empowers believers to live a life that reflects Christ. This transformation involves a renewal of our minds and a shift in our value systems, aligning them with the teachings and example of Jesus. True Christianity is not just about receiving forgiveness but about allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us, transforming us into the likeness of Christ. This ongoing process requires our willingness to be open to the Spirit's guidance and to actively pursue a life that mirrors Jesus' own. [09:50]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform a specific area of your life today, aligning it more closely with Christ's values?

Day 4: The Process of Sanctification

God's ultimate goal for us is not merely to reach heaven but to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. This process, known as sanctification, involves separating from everything un-Christlike and embracing a life of genuine love and humility. Sanctification is an ongoing journey of becoming more like Christ, requiring us to actively separate from behaviors and attitudes that do not reflect His character. This process is not about striving in our own strength but about allowing God's power to work within us, transforming us into His likeness. As we embrace this journey, we are called to live a life of genuine love and humility, reflecting the character of Christ in all that we do. [15:43]

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."

Reflection: What is one un-Christlike habit or attitude you can begin to separate from today as part of your sanctification journey?

Day 5: Willingness to Be Transformed

The Christian life is not about striving in our own strength but about allowing God's power to work within us. Our responsibility is simply to be willing to be transformed, trusting that God will complete the work He has begun in us. Many believers fail to grow spiritually because they do not fully open themselves to the Holy Spirit's work. The key to spiritual growth is not in our own efforts but in our willingness to be transformed by God's power. This requires a posture of openness and trust, believing that God will complete the work He has started in us. As we surrender to His transformative power, we can experience true spiritual growth and maturity, reflecting the character of Christ in our lives. [24:03]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Are you willing to let go of control and allow God to transform you today? What step can you take to demonstrate this willingness?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound reason why God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth. While the primary purpose was to die for our sins, Jesus Himself articulated a deeper mission: to do the will of the Father who sent Him. This mission underscores the humanity of Jesus, who, though fully divine, embraced human limitations and free will. This aspect of His nature is often underemphasized, yet it is crucial for understanding His role as our example. Jesus, in His humanity, chose to align His will with the Father's, demonstrating that it is possible for us to do the same.

Jesus likened Himself to the ladder Jacob saw in his dream, connecting heaven and earth. This imagery illustrates that Jesus came all the way down to our level, fully embracing humanity to bridge the gap between us and God. His life on earth was not just about being our Savior but also our example. We are called to follow Him, not just in belief but in action, adopting His mindset and attitude.

The coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus' resurrection is as significant as Jesus' own coming. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, transforming our minds and value systems to align with Christ's. This transformation is the essence of true Christianity, moving beyond mere forgiveness to a life that mirrors Jesus' own. The ultimate goal, as outlined in Romans 8:29, is not merely to reach heaven but to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. This process, known as sanctification, involves separating from everything un-Christlike and embracing a life of genuine love and humility.

God respects our free will, allowing us to choose whether to pursue this transformation. Many believers fail to grow spiritually because they do not fully open themselves to the Holy Spirit's work. The Christian life is not about striving in our own strength but about allowing God's power to work within us. Our responsibility is simply to be willing to be transformed, trusting that God will complete the work He has begun in us.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus' mission on earth was to do the Father's will, highlighting His humanity and the choice to align His will with God's. This serves as a model for us to follow, demonstrating that we too can choose to align our will with God's. [03:13]
2. Jesus is the ladder connecting heaven and earth, fully embracing humanity to bridge the gap between us and God. This imagery encourages us to believe that we can follow Him, as He came all the way down to our level. [04:39]
3. The Holy Spirit's indwelling presence transforms our minds and value systems, aligning them with Christ's. This transformation is the essence of true Christianity, moving beyond mere forgiveness to a life that mirrors Jesus' own. [09:50]
4. God's ultimate goal for us is not merely to reach heaven but to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. This process, known as sanctification, involves separating from everything un-Christlike and embracing a life of genuine love and humility. [15:43]
5. The Christian life is not about striving in our own strength but about allowing God's power to work within us. Our responsibility is simply to be willing to be transformed, trusting that God will complete the work He has begun in us. [24:03]
** [24:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Purpose of Jesus' Coming
[01:03] - Jesus' Humanity and Free Will
[02:35] - Emphasizing Jesus' Humanity
[03:38] - Jesus as the Ladder
[04:22] - Connecting Heaven and Earth
[05:19] - Jesus as Our Example
[06:16] - The Mind of Christ
[07:19] - The Holy Spirit's Role
[08:09] - Our Bodies as Temples
[09:33] - Transformation by the Holy Spirit
[12:08] - Predestination and Conformity
[14:23] - God's Ultimate Plan
[15:43] - Sanctification Process
[18:12] - True Inner Change
[20:13] - God's Goal for Us
[22:00] - Free Will and Spiritual Growth
[24:03] - Willingness to Be Transformed

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

John 6:38 - "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me."
John 1:51 - "And he said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'"
Romans 8:29 - "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

Observation Questions:

According to John 6:38, what was Jesus' primary mission on earth? How does this reflect His humanity? [01:03]
How does Jesus describe Himself in John 1:51, and what does this imagery signify about His role between heaven and earth? [03:38]
In Romans 8:29, what is the ultimate goal for believers, and how does this relate to the concept of predestination? [12:08]

Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean for Jesus to have a free will, and how does this aspect of His humanity serve as a model for us? [01:49]
How does the imagery of Jesus as a ladder in John 1:51 help us understand His mission to connect humanity with God? [04:22]
What does the process of sanctification involve, and why is it significant for believers to be conformed to the likeness of Christ? [15:43]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you struggled to align your will with God's. What steps can you take to better align your will with His in the future? [03:13]
How can you actively embrace the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming your mind and values to mirror those of Christ? [09:50]
Consider areas in your life where you might be resisting spiritual growth. What practical steps can you take to open yourself more fully to the Holy Spirit's work? [22:00]
In what ways can you demonstrate genuine love and humility in your daily interactions, following Jesus' example? [15:43]
Identify one un-Christlike habit or attitude you want to separate from. What specific actions will you take this week to begin this process of sanctification? [16:02]
How can you ensure that your pursuit of spiritual growth is not based on your own strength but on allowing God's power to work within you? [24:03]
Think of a situation where you need to trust God to complete the work He has begun in you. How can you express this trust in your prayers and actions this week? [24:03]

Sermon Clips

Jesus himself said in John's Gospel and chapter 6 and verse 38 he described the purpose with which he came from heaven in these words I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me it's quite an amazing statement when you come to think of it because when Jesus was in heaven from all eternity as the second person of the Trinity there was no conflict between his will and his Father's will. [00:00:41]

The moment he came to earth and became like us and if he had to be like us then he had to have a free will all human beings have a free will our children have a free will they can disobey us if they want and if Jesus was not to be a robot and we know he was not then he had to have a free will. [00:01:36]

Jesus once described his coming to earth and being a man compared it with the ladder that Jacob saw ascending up to heaven he said that in John 1:51 truly truly I say to you you shall see the heavens open he told Nathaniel there and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. [00:03:35]

He is that ladder he is the son of man who connects heaven to earth and the point is if the last rung of that ladder did not touch the earth it could not connect us to heaven he did not come and stay a little bit above us he came all the way down the ladder bottom of the ladder touch the earth. [00:04:27]

The Holy Spirit did not dwell within man you know the most significant event that took place after the resurrection of Christ and Christ going to heaven is the coming of the Holy Spirit it's as important as the coming of Jesus Christ to earth a lot of Christians appreciate the fact that Christ came to earth but they haven't sufficiently understood the implications and the blessing of the third person of the Trinity the Holy Spirit coming to her as well. [00:07:07]

The purpose of God is that when Christ comes into our life and we open our beings to be filled with the holy spirit not just to receive the forgiveness that Christ offers us on the cross but beyond that when we open our beings to allow the Holy Spirit to control us what will happen is he will change our way of thinking he will change our value system he will make us think more like Jesus thought in his earthly days as a man. [00:09:27]

Transformation into the likeness of Christ is God's goal for us in Romans chapter 8 and verse 29 we read a word called predestined the subject of predestination has been discussed by so many Bible scholars and they have different interpretations and there are people who talk about some human beings being predestined to go to hell and some human beings being predestined to go to heaven. [00:12:08]

The word predestination in the Bible is not connected with heaven or hell that is not the destination God has predetermined for us you see predestination means beforehand the destination being determined God has determined the destination for us who are his children and I want to say to you this may surprise you it is not heaven where is it then that destination is according to Romans 8:29 conformity to the likeness of Jesus Christ. [00:13:06]

God has a goal in his dealings with us and that goal is to conform us to the likeness of Christ completely and all the events and circumstances and things that happen around us are planned by God to bring us to that goal where we become like Christ so God is very serious about this he's determined to bring us there at any cost and if we also cooperate with him we get there pretty quickly. [00:20:23]

God respects the man's free will and the clearest proof of that is that if a person wants to go to hell God Almighty doesn't stop him isn't that amazing that every day there are millions of people dying in sin going to an eternal hell separated from God and God doesn't stop them if they want to go there they're welcome to go there. [00:21:01]

The Christian life is really very simple it's actually very exciting because he doesn't expect us to do anything on our own open your being God says to the power of my Holy Spirit and I will change you the responsibility to change us is God's the destination determined is by him and he works things in our circumstances and he works inside us to make us like Christ. [00:24:00]

When it's you have a command saying have this attitude which is in Christ he is the one who is willing to produce that in us if we are willing to change isn't that a wonderful message it takes the responsibility off us completely to be transformed all we need to do is to be willing are you willing it's all God wants from you. [00:24:59]

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Aligning Our Will with God's Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Our Will with God's

Day 2: Jesus, the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth

Day 3: Transformation Through the Holy Spirit

Day 4: The Process of Sanctification

Day 5: Willingness to Be Transformed

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Aligning Our Will with God's Purpose

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