Building a Life Aligned with God's Will
Summary
### Summary
Praise the Lord! Today, we focused on the importance of building our lives for God, drawing from 1 Corinthians 3:10-11. The foundation of our lives must be Jesus Christ, and we must be intentional about how we build upon it. Many people spend more time planning vacations than planning their lives, which often leads to regret in their later years. Similarly, we must be diligent in our spiritual planning and growth.
We discussed the necessity of making conscious decisions to align our lives with God's will. This involves more than just attending church; it requires a deep, personal commitment to live according to God's Word. We must evaluate our lives and ask ourselves if we are truly living for God or merely going through the motions.
Life's challenges, such as health issues or financial struggles, often force us to reflect on our priorities. It's crucial to make decisions that align with God's will, even when it's difficult. We must be real with God, not just "churchy." This means surrendering our all to Him and allowing His Spirit to guide us.
We also touched on the importance of Christian character. Are we reliable and faithful in our commitments, or do we fall apart when things get tough? Our character should reflect our dedication to God, and we should strive to be examples for others.
Finally, we emphasized the power of prayer and the need to seek God's guidance continually. Whether it's for healing, financial blessings, or spiritual growth, we must come to the altar with a sincere heart, ready to receive from God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Foundation in Christ: Our lives must be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. This requires intentional planning and commitment, much like how we plan other important aspects of our lives. Without this foundation, our efforts are in vain. [36:23]
2. Alignment with God's Will: It's essential to evaluate whether our lives align with God's will. This involves more than just attending church; it requires a deep, personal commitment to live according to God's Word. We must ask ourselves if we are truly living for God or merely going through the motions. [41:14]
3. Christian Character: Our character should reflect our dedication to God. Are we reliable and faithful in our commitments, or do we fall apart when things get tough? Our character should be an example for others, showing that we are serious about our walk with God. [52:02]
4. Power of Prayer: Prayer is a powerful tool that we must use continually. Whether it's for healing, financial blessings, or spiritual growth, we must come to the altar with a sincere heart, ready to receive from God. [01:14:58]
5. Making Tough Decisions: Life's challenges often force us to reflect on our priorities. It's crucial to make decisions that align with God's will, even when it's difficult. We must be real with God, not just "churchy," and allow His Spirit to guide us. [01:07:08]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[34:40] - Introduction and Announcements
[36:23] - Foundation in Christ
[37:21] - Opening Prayer
[38:22] - Planning for Life and Eternity
[39:35] - Making Conscious Decisions
[41:14] - Aligning with God's Will
[42:36] - Health and Spiritual Reflection
[44:25] - The Importance of Change
[45:32] - Choices and Consequences
[47:06] - Surrendering to God
[48:12] - Beyond Church Attendance
[49:39] - Barriers to God
[50:15] - Literal vs. Liberal Interpretation of Scripture
[51:31] - Seeking God's Power
[52:02] - Building a Life for God
[53:01] - Faithfulness in Stewardship
[54:45] - Living a Life Aligned with God
[56:48] - Facing Challenges with Faith
[58:30] - Trusting God in Difficult Times
[59:11] - Being Active in God's Work
[01:00:31] - God's Call to Everyone
[01:01:12] - Commitment to Church Activities
[01:02:02] - Applying God's Word
[01:03:21] - Hard Sayings and True Commitment
[01:04:33] - Personal Testimonies
[01:06:16] - Being Pliable to the Holy Spirit
[01:07:08] - Building Christian Character
[01:08:42] - God's Blessings and Our Character
[01:09:30] - Keeping Focus on God
[01:11:46] - Inspiring Others
[01:12:39] - Preparing for God's Blessings
[01:14:58] - Altar Call and Prayer
[01:20:11] - Healing and Deliverance
[01:22:25] - Seeking Miracles
[01:23:41] - Affirming Our Identity in Christ
[01:24:26] - Financial Blessings
[01:27:03] - Closing Prayers and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (KJV)
> According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he refers to himself as a "wise master builder" in 1 Corinthians 3:10?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 3:11, what is the only foundation that can be laid for our lives?
3. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the importance of planning our lives intentionally for God? [38:22]
4. How does the pastor describe the difference between being "churchy" and being real with God? [47:06]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to have Jesus Christ as the foundation of our lives, according to 1 Corinthians 3:10-11?
2. How can we evaluate whether our lives are truly aligned with God's will, as discussed in the sermon? [41:14]
3. What does it mean to have Christian character, and why is it important in our walk with God? [52:02]
4. How does the power of prayer play a role in aligning our lives with God's will and seeking His guidance? [01:14:58]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life foundation. Is it truly built on Jesus Christ, or are there other foundations you are relying on? What steps can you take to ensure Jesus is your primary foundation? [36:23]
2. Think about a recent decision you made. Did you seek God's will in that decision? How can you make a habit of aligning your decisions with God's will in the future? [41:14]
3. Consider a time when your character was tested. How did you respond? What can you do to strengthen your Christian character so that it reflects your dedication to God, even in tough times? [52:02]
4. How often do you pray for guidance, healing, or blessings? What can you do to make prayer a more integral part of your daily life? [01:14:58]
5. Identify a specific challenge you are currently facing. How can you make a decision that aligns with God's will, even if it is difficult? [01:07:08]
6. Are there areas in your life where you are just "going through the motions" rather than being real with God? What changes can you make to be more genuine in your relationship with Him? [47:06]
7. Think of someone in your life who looks up to you as a Christian example. How can you demonstrate reliability and faithfulness in your commitments to inspire them? [52:02]
Devotional
### Day 1: Building on the Foundation of Christ
Our lives must be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. This requires intentional planning and commitment, much like how we plan other important aspects of our lives. Without this foundation, our efforts are in vain. [36:23]
In 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, Paul emphasizes the importance of building our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Just as a house needs a solid foundation to stand firm, our lives need to be rooted in Christ to withstand life's challenges. Many people spend more time planning vacations than planning their lives, which often leads to regret in their later years. Similarly, we must be diligent in our spiritual planning and growth. This involves making conscious decisions to align our lives with God's will and being intentional about how we build upon the foundation of Christ.
Building on this foundation means more than just attending church; it requires a deep, personal commitment to live according to God's Word. We must evaluate our lives and ask ourselves if we are truly living for God or merely going through the motions. By doing so, we ensure that our efforts are not in vain and that we are building a life that honors God.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (ESV): "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure that your life is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ?
### Day 2: Aligning with God's Will
It's essential to evaluate whether our lives align with God's will. This involves more than just attending church; it requires a deep, personal commitment to live according to God's Word. We must ask ourselves if we are truly living for God or merely going through the motions. [41:14]
Aligning our lives with God's will is a continuous process that requires self-reflection and intentionality. It's easy to fall into the routine of attending church and participating in religious activities without truly committing our hearts and lives to God. True alignment with God's will involves a deep, personal commitment to live according to His Word and to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.
We must evaluate our actions, decisions, and priorities to ensure they reflect our dedication to God. This means being honest with ourselves and with God about our shortcomings and areas where we need to grow. By doing so, we can make conscious decisions to align our lives with God's will and live in a way that honors Him.
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 areas of your life do you need to realign with God's will, and what steps can you take today to begin that process?
### Day 3: Reflecting Christian Character
Our character should reflect our dedication to God. Are we reliable and faithful in our commitments, or do we fall apart when things get tough? Our character should be an example for others, showing that we are serious about our walk with God. [52:02]
Christian character is a reflection of our relationship with God and our commitment to living according to His principles. It involves being reliable, faithful, and steadfast in our commitments, even when faced with challenges. Our character should be an example for others, demonstrating that we are serious about our walk with God and that we strive to live in a way that honors Him.
When we face difficulties, our response should reflect our trust in God and our reliance on His strength. By maintaining our integrity and faithfulness, we can inspire others and show them the power of a life dedicated to God. It's important to continually evaluate our character and seek God's help in areas where we need to grow.
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate reliability and faithfulness in your commitments today, especially in the face of challenges?
### Day 4: The Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool that we must use continually. Whether it's for healing, financial blessings, or spiritual growth, we must come to the altar with a sincere heart, ready to receive from God. [01:14:58]
Prayer is a vital aspect of our relationship with God and a powerful tool for seeking His guidance, blessings, and intervention in our lives. It is through prayer that we communicate with God, express our needs, and seek His will. Whether we are praying for healing, financial blessings, or spiritual growth, we must approach God with a sincere heart, ready to receive from Him.
The power of prayer lies in our faith and trust in God's ability to answer our prayers according to His will. By continually seeking God's guidance through prayer, we can experience His presence and power in our lives. It's important to make prayer a regular part of our daily routine and to approach God with humility and sincerity.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What specific needs or concerns can you bring to God in prayer today, trusting in His power to answer?
### Day 5: Making Tough Decisions
Life's challenges often force us to reflect on our priorities. It's crucial to make decisions that align with God's will, even when it's difficult. We must be real with God, not just "churchy," and allow His Spirit to guide us. [01:07:08]
Life is full of challenges that require us to make tough decisions. These moments often force us to reflect on our priorities and evaluate whether our choices align with God's will. It's crucial to make decisions that honor God, even when they are difficult or require personal sacrifice. Being real with God means being honest about our struggles and seeking His guidance in every aspect of our lives.
We must avoid merely going through the motions of religious activities and instead cultivate a genuine relationship with God. This involves surrendering our all to Him and allowing His Spirit to guide us in our decision-making process. By doing so, we can navigate life's challenges with faith and confidence, knowing that we are following God's will.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What tough decision are you facing today, and how can you seek God's guidance to ensure it aligns with His will?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Somewhere along the line, you’ve got to start taking life seriously. I need to make some decisions, the direction my life is going to go. Specifically, when people start having problems or start seeing things in their life, at some point along the line, they’ve got to begin to look at it, I’m making bad decisions. I’m going the wrong way. I’m going the wrong way. And they begin to really reflect upon the life and really want to determine the direction that they’re going to go. They begin to think about God. I need to get God in my life." [39:35] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see, when people decide to be real with God, when they have a walk with God, nothing matters. They live in such a way that I’m going to do all I can for God. And so can I pray for Sister Cook or others like that to be healed? Yes. Yes. Because she’s living it. How about you this morning? Are you building your life on being real with God?" [56:03] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He said, choose you this day. We have a choice. God does not make robots. He gives us something called choice. We choose how close we are. You’re as close to God right now as you want to be. Because if you want to be closer to God, you’d be closer to God. Now, hopefully, by the time we finish this morning, somebody may want to get closer to God. And that’s why we’re here this morning. We’re here to lift up his name and really begin to think about our life for God." [45:32] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You see, Paul begins to say, and he said, take care. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. You see, we begin to make some choices. We cannot choose to be a member of a church as far as the name of the door and consider that our religion. Somebody said, I can’t come to your church. I like you and Sister Tucker. I like this, but I’ve always been a member of the church of Christ. I can’t come to your church. Your name’s over the door. It’s not church of Christ." [48:12] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I need the power of God. I need God to heal my body. I need God to touch my mind. There’s sometimes a confusion may come or sometimes sadness or sometimes depression comes on and tries to get upon me. And I’ve got to be able to cast it away. I’ve got to be able to cast it off in the name of Jesus. I’ve got to have the ability to call upon God’s help to keep on going every single day. I cannot just say I want a poem. I want the power of God manifested in my life. I want miracles. I want joy. I want victory." [51:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "As I begin to really pray about that, I realize at some point in people’s lives, they have to begin to make some things happen. They’ve got to begin to plan some things. I was reading a statistic somewhere, and it was talking about those that end up in their elder life or their golden years broke. Okay. Having no money and no resources. And, you know, they’re really not having a whole lot going for them. And he was saying that it’s a shame because people spend a lot of time doing absolutely nothing as far as planning for their life." [38:22] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so I wanted to begin to look at this this morning, because I really believe, somewhere along the line, ask yourself, is my life aligned with God’s will? Am I really where God wants me to be? Am I just going through life playing games? Or is the Spirit of God on the insides? Have I surrendered my all to God? Am I really living the life? Because I find that as people begin to go through life, they can lie to themselves. Has anybody this morning lied to yourself? Everything’s fine. Everything’s well." [41:14] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He said, according to the grace of God, which is given unto me. God gives us grace. Thank God for the grace of God this morning. Thank God for his mercy. If God had chosen us, we’d already be in Georgia, already be in hell. But God has blessed us. What another day to live and enjoy this life. I need somebody to shout with me right there. God has blessed us. What another day to magnify his name. God has blessed us. What another day to walk in this life. And if we have to and begin to look at this, we’ve got to make some decisions." [46:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so when Reverend Rice sometime began to preach about living for God and I was just getting in church, I had to make up my mind. I went all the way in. Now, as soon as I said that, I went through all kinds of battles. We had a serviceman’s home. And a lot of the brethren would like to live in the serviceman’s home rather than live in the barracks. And so we had, you know, it was good times. Sister Wright was always making burritos and inchiladas for us. We had a wonderful time." [01:04:33] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so I want somebody to understand the spirit of God has taken note of this place. He said, there were two or three gathered in my name. There I am in the midst. I believe the spirit of God is looking at us and there’s an all-seeing eye. And I believe the blessing of God is getting ready to come. You may not believe it, but I feel the spirit of God and I feel the hand of God hovering over his treasure chest. At any moment, he’s reaching down to his treasure chest and there’s going to be a blessing this way, a blessing thrown that way, a blessing thrown this way, I believe God’s getting ready to do something." [01:08:42] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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