Choosing Jesus: Overcoming Competing Desires in Faith
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the theme of competing desires and how they impact our spiritual journey. We began by acknowledging the freedom and opportunity we have to worship and lift the name of Jesus high. We prayed for healing, freedom from fear, anxiety, and depression, and for transformation in families, trusting in God's power to save and heal. We celebrated testimonies of faith and encouraged each other to be a blessing to our church family, recognizing the impact of small acts of kindness.
We then delved into the concept of competing desires, using relatable examples like the struggle between wanting to be fit and the comfort of staying in bed, or the desire to eat healthily versus the temptation of pizza. These everyday battles mirror the spiritual struggle between our desire for Jesus and the allure of worldly comforts. We explored the story of Lot's wife from Genesis, who, despite being offered a way of escape, looked back longingly at her old life and was turned into a pillar of salt. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of a divided heart.
Jesus used this story to teach about the coming judgment and the importance of undivided devotion. He warned that trying to hold onto the world while seeking Him leads to destruction. We were challenged to examine our own lives, to identify what we might be holding onto that competes with our devotion to Jesus. The call was clear: to let go of anything that hinders our wholehearted pursuit of Christ.
As we concluded, we were invited to respond by laying down our burdens and sins at the altar, choosing to follow Jesus with no turning back. We were reminded that this journey of faith is not about our strength but about surrendering to Jesus, who empowers us to live a godly life. The invitation was extended to anyone who felt called to follow Jesus for the first time, emphasizing the urgency and significance of this decision.
Key Takeaways:
- Freedom in Worship: We are blessed with the freedom to worship and lift Jesus' name high. This freedom is not just a privilege but a responsibility to seek transformation and healing in our lives and communities. We are called to trust in God's power to save and heal, believing that He desires to bless us abundantly. [00:00]
- Competing Desires: Our daily struggles with competing desires, such as wanting to be fit but preferring comfort, reflect the spiritual battle between our desire for Jesus and worldly attractions. Recognizing these battles helps us understand the importance of choosing Jesus over temporary comforts. [43:25]
- The Story of Lot's Wife: Lot's wife's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of a divided heart. Her longing for her old life led to her destruction, illustrating that we cannot hold onto the world and follow Jesus simultaneously. This story challenges us to examine our own hearts and desires. [56:36]
- Jesus' Teaching on Judgment: Jesus used the story of Lot's wife to teach about the coming judgment and the importance of undivided devotion. He emphasized that trying to hold onto the world while seeking Him leads to destruction. We are called to remember Lot's wife and choose Jesus wholeheartedly. [01:00:17]
- Responding to the Call: We are invited to respond to Jesus' call by letting go of anything that hinders our devotion to Him. This involves laying down our burdens and sins at the altar, choosing to follow Jesus with no turning back. The journey of faith is about surrendering to Jesus, who empowers us to live a godly life. [01:12:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [02:00] - Testimony and Encouragement
- [04:30] - Announcements and Prayer Week
- [07:00] - Call to Regular Giving
- [10:00] - Introduction to Competing Desires
- [13:43] - The Struggle with Comfort
- [43:25] - Relatable Examples of Competing Desires
- [46:17] - Spiritual Implications of Competing Desires
- [51:43] - The Story of Lot and Sodom
- [56:36] - Lot's Wife and the Dangers of Looking Back
- [01:00:17] - Jesus' Teaching on Judgment
- [01:04:22] - The Call to Undivided Devotion
- [01:07:07] - Responding to Jesus' Call
- [01:12:28] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Respond
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 19:12-26
- Luke 17:28-33
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did the angels give to Lot and his family in Genesis 19:12-17, and how did Lot's wife respond to these instructions? [51:43]
2. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the concept of competing desires in our daily lives? [43:25]
3. How did Jesus use the story of Lot's wife to teach about judgment and devotion in Luke 17:28-33? [01:00:17]
4. What was the significance of Lot's wife's decision to look back, and what was the consequence of her action? [56:36]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Lot's wife serve as a warning about the dangers of a divided heart in one's spiritual journey? [56:36]
2. What does Jesus' teaching about remembering Lot's wife suggest about the importance of undivided devotion in the life of a believer? [01:00:17]
3. In what ways do the examples of competing desires shared in the sermon reflect the spiritual struggle between following Jesus and worldly attractions? [46:17]
4. How can the urgency of Jesus' call to follow Him without turning back be understood in the context of the sermon? [01:12:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced competing desires in your spiritual life. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome? [46:17]
2. Identify one area in your life where you feel a divided heart between following Jesus and holding onto worldly comforts. What steps can you take to address this division? [56:36]
3. How can you apply the lesson of Lot's wife to ensure that your devotion to Jesus remains undivided? What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to support this? [01:00:17]
4. Consider the urgency of Jesus' call to follow Him wholeheartedly. What is one specific action you can take this week to respond to this call? [01:12:28]
5. In what ways can you encourage others in your church community to let go of burdens and pursue a wholehearted devotion to Jesus? [01:10:20]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s emphasis on laying down burdens and sins at the altar. What is one burden or sin you feel called to surrender, and how can you take a step towards doing so this week? [01:07:07]
7. How can you use the freedom in worship mentioned in the sermon to seek transformation and healing in your life and community? [00:00]
Devotional
Day 1: The Privilege and Responsibility of Worship
In our spiritual journey, we are blessed with the freedom to worship and lift the name of Jesus high. This freedom is not merely a privilege but a profound responsibility to seek transformation and healing in our lives and communities. As we gather in worship, we are called to trust in God's power to save and heal, believing that He desires to bless us abundantly. This involves praying for healing, freedom from fear, anxiety, and depression, and for transformation in families. By celebrating testimonies of faith and encouraging each other, we recognize the impact of small acts of kindness and the importance of being a blessing to our church family. [00:00]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13 ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve and bless someone in your community today?
Day 2: The Battle of Competing Desires
Every day, we face the struggle of competing desires, such as wanting to be fit but preferring comfort, or the desire to eat healthily versus the temptation of indulgence. These everyday battles mirror the spiritual struggle between our desire for Jesus and the allure of worldly comforts. Recognizing these battles helps us understand the importance of choosing Jesus over temporary comforts. By identifying these competing desires, we can better align our lives with our spiritual goals and prioritize our relationship with Jesus above all else. [43:25]
"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:17 ESV)
Reflection: What is one worldly comfort that often competes with your desire for Jesus, and how can you choose Him over it today?
Day 3: The Cautionary Tale of Lot's Wife
The story of Lot's wife serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of a divided heart. Despite being offered a way of escape, she looked back longingly at her old life and was turned into a pillar of salt. This story illustrates that we cannot hold onto the world and follow Jesus simultaneously. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and desires, identifying what we might be holding onto that competes with our devotion to Jesus. By letting go of these attachments, we can pursue a wholehearted relationship with Christ. [56:36]
"Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it." (Luke 17:32-33 ESV)
Reflection: Is there something in your past that you are still holding onto? How can you release it to fully embrace your journey with Jesus?
Day 4: The Call to Undivided Devotion
Jesus used the story of Lot's wife to teach about the coming judgment and the importance of undivided devotion. He warned that trying to hold onto the world while seeking Him leads to destruction. We are called to remember Lot's wife and choose Jesus wholeheartedly. This involves examining our lives and letting go of anything that hinders our devotion to Him. By choosing Jesus with no turning back, we align ourselves with His will and purpose for our lives, experiencing the fullness of His love and grace. [01:00:17]
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:24 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself divided in your devotion? What steps can you take to choose Jesus wholeheartedly in that area today?
Day 5: Responding to Jesus' Call
We are invited to respond to Jesus' call by letting go of anything that hinders our devotion to Him. This involves laying down our burdens and sins at the altar, choosing to follow Jesus with no turning back. The journey of faith is not about our strength but about surrendering to Jesus, who empowers us to live a godly life. The invitation is extended to anyone who feels called to follow Jesus for the first time, emphasizing the urgency and significance of this decision. By responding to His call, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love and grace. [01:12:28]
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29 ESV)
Reflection: What burden or sin do you need to lay down at the altar today? How can you take a step towards surrendering it to Jesus and embracing His rest?
Quotes
So we're going to start today. We're going to be praying all week. We're going to focus on Wednesday, pray at home Thursday and Friday. And where are you going to be Saturday night? Right here at 7 o'clock. Sounds good. Maybe I'll do this announcement stuff on a regular race. It's kind of fun. Okay, so I have one more. Sarah's going to pull up another slide for me. [00:14:02] (20 seconds)
We want easy so incredibly bad that we're going to buy a button that does nothing and spend 10 bucks on it so we can hit it and feel like that's going to make our life easier. Come on. So we want good things. You're all with me. We're all together on this journey today. The ship's left the port, but I think we're all on the ship. [00:47:12] (24 seconds)
We all understand what it's like to want competing things and have competing desires. And that is just part of life. But the problem is when that spills on over into our faith. When we want Jesus and we want to go to heaven and we want his blessing and we want his help and we want his provision, but then we say, Jesus is Lord, but we still negotiate with sin like we negotiated with the pizza. [00:47:43] (33 seconds)
When our battle that we are facing and the competing desire in our life is between Jesus on one hand and the world on the other, the outcome of that is actually the most significant thing of all. It is life or death. And I'm not just being a drama queen. It really is because we're going to see it in the scripture today. I don't want you to take my word for it. [00:48:36] (24 seconds)
She wanted to be rescued, but she also wanted her old life. And what does this Bible story tell us? You can't have both. At the end of the day, you can't exercise and stay in bed in the morning. You can't eat the pizza and diet from eating pizza. You can't eat the calories and then not eat and have the calories. [00:57:01] (24 seconds)
She had a divided heart, and everything that Jesus taught in Scripture was that divided things fall. A house divided itself will not stand. Jesus taught that. A family divided will not stand. A heart divided, a life divided will not last. Jesus said, you can't serve two masters. You can't love one and love the other. You can't do both. [01:00:34] (26 seconds)
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