Choosing God's Best: Avoiding Second Best in Life
Summary
In today's gathering at Oxford Church of the Nazarene, we explored the theme of not settling for second best in our spiritual and personal lives. We began by acknowledging the imperfections we all bring into the church, likening it to a place for "dings and things," where brokenness is met with love and healing. We prayed for those affected by the earthquake in Myanmar, reminding ourselves of the power of prayer and God's ability to bring peace amidst chaos.
The core of our discussion centered on the dangers of subtly settling for second best, using the story of the Reubenites and Gadites from Numbers 32 as a cautionary tale. These tribes chose to settle east of the Jordan River, a decision that seemed beneficial at the time but ultimately led to their downfall. This narrative serves as a metaphor for the choices we make when we opt for comfort over God's best for us. We reflected on how this applies to various aspects of life, including careers, relationships, and spiritual commitments.
We emphasized the importance of seeking God's will through prayer, as demonstrated by David, who inquired of God nine times in the scriptures. This practice of seeking divine guidance is crucial when we face restlessness or uncertainty. We were reminded that Jesus did not give us His second best; He gave His life so that we might have the best—eternal life and a relationship with God.
As we concluded, we were encouraged to pray fervently, asking God to be our source of vision, wisdom, and strength. By doing so, we open ourselves to experiencing God's best in our lives. We ended with a call to action: to not only seek God's best but to share the living hope we have in Christ with others.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Church as a Place for Imperfection: The church is a sanctuary for the broken, a place where we bring our "dings and things" and find healing through Christ. It is not a place for the perfect but for those seeking victory and transformation through Jesus. [06:04]
2. The Power of Prayer: Prayer is a powerful tool that can bring about miracles and peace in the midst of chaos. It is our direct line to God, allowing us to lift up those in need and seek His intervention in our lives and the world. [40:00]
3. Avoiding Second Best: Settling for second best can lead to missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. Like the Reubenites and Gadites, we must be cautious of choosing comfort over God's best for us, which requires faith and courage to pursue. [49:25]
4. Seeking God's Will: In times of restlessness and uncertainty, we must deepen our prayer life and seek God's guidance. David's example of inquiring of God reminds us that divine direction is essential for making wise decisions. [01:01:20]
5. Living with a Fervent Desire for God: We are called to have a passionate pursuit of God, asking Him to be our source of vision, wisdom, and strength. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and open ourselves to experiencing His best in our lives. [01:14:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [06:04] - Prayer for Myanmar
- [12:00] - The Church as a Place for Imperfection
- [20:00] - Testimony of Prayer's Power
- [30:00] - Living Hope in Christ
- [40:00] - The Importance of Prayer
- [44:01] - Avoiding Second Best
- [49:25] - The Story of the Reubenites and Gadites
- [54:22] - Moses' Response
- [57:06] - Consequences of Settling
- [01:01:20] - Seeking God's Will
- [01:05:45] - Personal Testimony
- [01:08:17] - Jesus' Example of Obedience
- [01:14:35] - Living with a Fervent Desire for God
- [01:17:26] - Invitation to Prayer and Commitment
- [01:23:24] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Numbers 32:1-15
2. 1 Samuel 23:1-4
3. Romans 12:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. In Numbers 32, what reasons did the Reubenites and Gadites give for wanting to settle east of the Jordan River instead of crossing into the Promised Land? [49:25]
2. How did Moses respond to the request of the Reubenites and Gadites, and what concerns did he express about their decision? [54:22]
3. According to the sermon, how did the Reubenites and Gadites' decision to settle east of the Jordan ultimately affect them? [57:06]
4. What example from David's life was given in the sermon to illustrate the importance of seeking God's guidance? [01:08:17]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What might the story of the Reubenites and Gadites teach us about the potential consequences of choosing comfort over God's best for us? [49:25]
2. How does the sermon suggest that prayer can transform a situation of restlessness or uncertainty into one of clarity and direction? [01:01:20]
3. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to avoid settling for second best in their spiritual lives, and how is this related to the example of Jesus? [01:14:35]
4. How does Romans 12:1-2 relate to the idea of not conforming to the world and seeking God's will for our lives?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you might have settled for second best in your life. What was the outcome, and how might seeking God's guidance have changed the situation? [49:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes the power of prayer. How can you deepen your prayer life to seek God's will more effectively in your current circumstances? [40:00]
3. Consider an area of your life where you feel restless or uncertain. What steps can you take to seek God's guidance and avoid making decisions based solely on comfort? [01:01:20]
4. Jesus did not give us His second best; He gave His life for us. How can you ensure that you are giving God your best in your daily life and spiritual commitments? [01:14:35]
5. Identify a specific decision or situation where you need to inquire of God, as David did. What practical steps will you take this week to seek His guidance? [01:08:17]
6. How can you share the living hope you have in Christ with someone in your life who might be settling for second best? What specific actions can you take to encourage them? [01:17:26]
7. Reflect on Romans 12:1-2. What is one area of your life where you need to renew your mind and align more closely with God's will? How will you begin this transformation process?
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Sanctuary for the Broken
The church is not a place for the perfect but a sanctuary for those who are broken and seeking healing through Christ. It is a community where individuals bring their imperfections, their "dings and things," and find love and transformation through Jesus. This understanding encourages believers to embrace their vulnerabilities and seek victory through the grace and power of Christ. The church becomes a place of refuge and restoration, where the broken are met with compassion and the opportunity for renewal. [06:04]
Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to making your church a welcoming sanctuary for those who feel broken or imperfect?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us directly to God, allowing us to seek His intervention in our lives and the world. It is through prayer that we can lift up those in need, like those affected by the earthquake in Myanmar, and trust in God's ability to bring peace amidst chaos. Prayer is not just a ritual but a dynamic conversation with God that can lead to miracles and transformation. By engaging in fervent prayer, believers can experience God's presence and power in profound ways. [40:00]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who in your life is in need of prayer today, and how can you commit to praying for them consistently this week?
Day 3: Choosing God's Best Over Comfort
The story of the Reubenites and Gadites serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of settling for second best. These tribes chose comfort over God's best, leading to missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. This narrative challenges believers to examine their own lives and consider where they might be choosing comfort over God's calling. It requires faith and courage to pursue God's best, even when it means stepping out of our comfort zones. [49:25]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you might be settling for comfort. What steps can you take to pursue God's best in that area?
Day 4: Seeking Divine Guidance in Uncertainty
In times of restlessness and uncertainty, it is crucial to deepen our prayer life and seek God's guidance. David's example of inquiring of God reminds us that divine direction is essential for making wise decisions. By seeking God's will, believers can navigate life's challenges with clarity and confidence, knowing that they are aligned with His purpose. This practice of seeking divine guidance fosters a deeper relationship with God and opens the door to His wisdom and direction. [01:01:20]
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 decision or situation in your life requires God's guidance right now? How can you intentionally seek His direction through prayer and reflection?
Day 5: Living with a Passionate Pursuit of God
Believers are called to have a fervent desire for God, asking Him to be their source of vision, wisdom, and strength. By passionately pursuing God, individuals align themselves with His will and open themselves to experiencing His best in their lives. This pursuit involves a commitment to prayer, worship, and obedience, allowing God's presence to transform and guide every aspect of life. It is through this passionate pursuit that believers can share the living hope they have in Christ with others. [01:14:35]
Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"
Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to cultivate a passionate pursuit of God? How can these practices help you share the hope of Christ with others?
Quotes
"I want to welcome you to worship here at Oxford Church of the Nazarene. So glad you are here and hopefully you have come as you are. I heard a commercial on one of the radio stations. I can't remember the exact slogan, but it was something to the effect of dings and things. That's not the exact name, but it's something along that line. And I thought dings and things, that's what a church is, isn't it? Literally, thank the Lord. The church is, that's the people, dings and things. We've all, from this past week in our lives, we all get dinged, right? We all bring things here from the past week." [00:04:36] (39 seconds)
"Father, thank you for sending your son to calvary's cross to die that all humanity's past would be wiped away. Thank you that through your son's death thank you jesus through your obedience you took pain and suffering so that every person on this planet's baggage their sins is gone a clean slate thank you father that as we read in peter's letters thank you father that you want everybody on this planet to be saved thank you father that in our most hopeless situations anybody can find new hope." [00:37:56] (53 seconds)
"The dangers of saying, oh, this is all there is for me. Think about maybe a career that you've had where there's an internal posting. Again, I'm speaking and preaching to myself. Well, this message is for me, and I have to learn from this. What would happen? Maybe you've had this happen in your life. A company you're with, the internal posting comes. I think I could do that, but I don't know. I'm comfortable where I am. I think I'll just settle here. Have you ever had that experience?" [00:46:26] (42 seconds)
"Do we do this in church as Christ followers? Yeah, I've been coming to church, this church, most of my life, and I've contributed. I'm quite comfortable. The pastor could count on me to be in the pew every Sunday. The pastor could count on me to tithe every Sunday. Or I've had this ministry for years in the church, and I'm quite happy there. And all of a sudden, there's a sign-up sheet for a new ministry. Have we maybe thought, yeah, I don't know, I could. I think I'm more comfortable just staying here. We can limit God, can't we?" [00:48:12] (47 seconds)
"When we subtly settle for second best. When we subtly settle, subtly settle for second best. Someone say it with me. Subtly settle for second best. You see, it's a wrestling match, isn't it? I'm a wrestling nut. It's a wrestling match, you see, between understanding where God wants us. Are we as the old expression goes? Maybe you haven't heard it, maybe you have. Are we to be content and bloom where we're planted? Have you heard that expression? Bloom where you're planted, bloom where you're planted. Are we to bloom where we're planted? Is that what God wants for us to be content?" [00:48:55] (53 seconds)
"Question for you and I today is this. When we see, we'll catch up a bit. When we see something, when we're restless in our situations, whether it's at work, whether it's in relationships, whether it's at church, in our positions, when we are restless, And that causes us to start kind of wondering, I think I've been in this position enough. When we start to seek and look in our restlessness, here's what I want to say. Today, we need to do what the Ruponites and the Gadites didn't do. If you read earlier in that passage, it tells that they had already prepared their livestock and their wives and their families." [01:00:08] (58 seconds)
"We need to deepen our prayer life like never before and under Jody's leadership. This church is, I've been around a lot of churches just from a wee fella and teenager and adult and prayer is the only thing. Prayer births everything. Would you agree with that? Prayer births everything. It births mission. It births vision. It births steps. As I prayed, you know, if you're in a hopeless situation yourself, what should we do? Pray. Pray like you've never prayed before." [01:02:36] (44 seconds)
"Go to God and ask, God, I'm in a situation here and how do I serve you best? Jesus, how do I serve you best? Look, here, my job here, I'm feeling restless. Look, I've, I'll get real honest with you. You know this, for six years I worked just down the road at the frozen food plant. Oxford frozen foods. I can't speak for anybody in the room who's, who's worked there, but for six years I was nothing but a zombie. Eat. Anyone done 12-hour shifts? Some people love it. Some people, maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just, maybe I'm still a spoiled brat and brat. I don't know. But I can tell you what it was doing to me." [01:03:38] (45 seconds)
"How do you make sure you're not subtly settling for second best? It is with a lot of prayer. I'm not telling anybody working here that you're supposed to immediately have. Pastor told me to leave my job. Don't do that. Don't listen to me. That's my story. What we need to do is pray. Your will be done. I've given it all to you and I promise you, Father. Your will be done. You want me to stay even though I don't want to stay? I'm staying. You want me to go even though I'm scared? I can't give up a job and go to nothing. It's your will. I'm going. I'm giving up a job and money and benefit package and I'm going to nothing. We need to pray. It's all about the Father's will." [01:06:28] (45 seconds)
"Here's what we need to do. Would you please have a fervent desire and a passion? Would you please have a fervent desire and a passion for God where you're asking God, would you be my source of vision? Would you be my source of wisdom? Would you be my source of will? Would you be my source of strength? Direction, you get it. Be my source of provision. Go to God like you've never done before. You do this, and I promise you, you will experience God's best. As we sing, let's stand and let's belt it out, shall we?" [01:19:12] (41 seconds)
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