Choosing Jesus: The Path of Wisdom and Obedience
Summary
Choosing Jesus over everything else is a profound commitment that extends beyond the songs we sing and the words we say during worship. It is a call to live a life where obedience becomes the melody of our existence, even when the music stops and we are faced with temptations and challenges. The real work of faith begins in the quiet moments at home, where our choices reflect our devotion to Christ over the competing desires and pressures of the world. This journey of faith is not without its trials, as there will come a time when our allegiance to Jesus will be tested. In those moments, we must be prepared to stand firm, choosing Jesus over comfort, security, and even life itself.
The pursuit of wisdom, as outlined in Proverbs, is essential in this journey. Wisdom is not merely a set of rules but a divine guide that leads us to live a life worthy of God. It is the foundation upon which the earth was created, and it continues to provide order and protection in our lives. Wisdom is not restrictive; rather, it sets boundaries that protect us from destruction and lead to true freedom. Just as God established boundaries for the waters during creation, wisdom establishes boundaries in our lives to prevent chaos and calamity.
The protection of wisdom is proactive, not reactive. It is most effective when sought before we face challenges, allowing us to navigate life with discernment and avoid the pitfalls of sin. Wisdom teaches us that not everything that appears good is beneficial without boundaries. It helps us understand that even good things can become destructive if not kept within the confines of God's guidance.
Ultimately, wisdom is a guardian that watches over us when we love and obey it. It provides peace and assurance, allowing us to walk securely and rest without fear. In the storms of life, wisdom reminds us that God is in control, and His boundaries are there to protect us. By embracing wisdom, we align ourselves with God's will, experiencing the freedom and life that He desires for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Obedience as Worship: True worship extends beyond music and words; it is reflected in our daily choices and obedience to God. When faced with temptations and challenges, our commitment to Jesus should remain steadfast, choosing Him over all competing desires. This obedience becomes the melody of our lives, demonstrating our devotion to Christ. [36:32]
2. Wisdom's Protective Boundaries: Wisdom sets boundaries that protect us from destruction and lead to true freedom. Just as God established boundaries for the waters during creation, wisdom establishes boundaries in our lives to prevent chaos and calamity. These boundaries are not restrictive but are designed to safeguard us and allow us to live freely within God's will. [45:36]
3. Proactive Wisdom: Wisdom is most effective when sought before challenges arise. By seeking wisdom proactively, we can navigate life with discernment and avoid the pitfalls of sin. This proactive approach allows us to establish boundaries that prevent us from experiencing unnecessary calamity and destruction. [01:05:40]
4. Balancing Good with Wisdom: Not everything that appears good is beneficial without boundaries. Wisdom helps us understand that even good things can become destructive if not kept within the confines of God's guidance. By applying wisdom, we can enjoy the good things in life without falling into the traps of excess and sin. [01:08:31]
5. Peace through Wisdom: Wisdom provides peace and assurance, allowing us to walk securely and rest without fear. In the storms of life, wisdom reminds us that God is in control, and His boundaries are there to protect us. By embracing wisdom, we align ourselves with God's will, experiencing the freedom and life that He desires for us. [01:20:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [36:32] - Choosing Jesus Over Everything
- [38:38] - The Power of Words and Transformation
- [45:36] - The Protection of Wisdom
- [52:35] - Noah's Obedience and God's Protection
- [57:21] - Wisdom's Role in Creation
- [01:02:03] - Sin's Lurking Presence
- [01:05:40] - Proactive Wisdom
- [01:08:31] - Balancing Good with Wisdom
- [01:12:34] - The Importance of Resolution
- [01:20:17] - Peace through Wisdom
- [01:24:35] - Wisdom as a Guardian
- [01:28:37] - Invitation to Faith and Communion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 3:19-20
2. Genesis 1:6-10
3. Genesis 7:11-12
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Proverbs 3:19-20, how did God use wisdom in the creation of the earth? How does this relate to the boundaries set for the waters? [45:36]
2. In Genesis 1:6-10, what specific actions did God take to establish order during creation? How do these actions demonstrate the role of wisdom? [45:36]
3. What event is described in Genesis 7:11-12, and how does it illustrate the consequences of boundaries being broken? [52:35]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of wisdom in protecting us from chaos and calamity? [57:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of wisdom setting boundaries challenge the common perception that boundaries are restrictive? What does the sermon suggest about the true purpose of these boundaries? [45:36]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that wisdom is proactive rather than reactive? How can this understanding influence our approach to decision-making? [01:05:40]
3. How does the sermon use the story of Noah to illustrate the importance of obedience to God's wisdom? What lessons can be drawn from Noah's experience? [52:35]
4. The sermon mentions that wisdom can transform potentially destructive elements into life-giving ones. How does this concept relate to the idea of God working all things for good? [01:20:17]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you seek wisdom proactively, or did you react to the situation? How might seeking wisdom earlier have changed the outcome? [01:05:40]
2. Consider an area in your life where you feel restricted. How might viewing these restrictions as protective boundaries change your perspective? [45:36]
3. Think of a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did your commitment to Jesus influence your response? What might you do differently in future challenges to prioritize your faith? [36:32]
4. Identify a "good" aspect of your life that could become destructive without proper boundaries. What steps can you take to ensure it remains beneficial? [01:08:31]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of seeking wisdom into your daily routine? What specific actions will you take this week to prioritize wisdom in your decision-making? [01:05:40]
6. Reflect on a situation where you felt peace despite external chaos. How did wisdom play a role in providing that peace? How can you cultivate this peace in other areas of your life? [01:20:17]
7. The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience as an expression of worship. How can you demonstrate obedience to God in your daily life, especially when faced with temptations? [36:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience as the Melody of Life
Choosing Jesus over everything else is a profound commitment that extends beyond the songs we sing and the words we say during worship. It is a call to live a life where obedience becomes the melody of our existence, even when the music stops and we are faced with temptations and challenges. The real work of faith begins in the quiet moments at home, where our choices reflect our devotion to Christ over the competing desires and pressures of the world. This journey of faith is not without its trials, as there will come a time when our allegiance to Jesus will be tested. In those moments, we must be prepared to stand firm, choosing Jesus over comfort, security, and even life itself. [36:32]
"Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." (John 14:21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you are struggling to choose Jesus over other desires? How can you take a step today to prioritize obedience to Him in that area?
Day 2: Wisdom's Boundaries as a Path to Freedom
The pursuit of wisdom, as outlined in Proverbs, is essential in this journey. Wisdom is not merely a set of rules but a divine guide that leads us to live a life worthy of God. It is the foundation upon which the earth was created, and it continues to provide order and protection in our lives. Wisdom is not restrictive; rather, it sets boundaries that protect us from destruction and lead to true freedom. Just as God established boundaries for the waters during creation, wisdom establishes boundaries in our lives to prevent chaos and calamity. [45:36]
"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold." (Proverbs 3:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a boundary in your life that you have resisted. How might embracing this boundary as a form of wisdom lead to greater freedom and protection?
Day 3: Seeking Wisdom Before the Storm
The protection of wisdom is proactive, not reactive. It is most effective when sought before we face challenges, allowing us to navigate life with discernment and avoid the pitfalls of sin. Wisdom teaches us that not everything that appears good is beneficial without boundaries. It helps us understand that even good things can become destructive if not kept within the confines of God's guidance. [01:05:40]
"Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you." (Proverbs 4:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can proactively seek wisdom today? How can this proactive approach help you avoid future challenges?
Day 4: Balancing Good with God's Guidance
Not everything that appears good is beneficial without boundaries. Wisdom helps us understand that even good things can become destructive if not kept within the confines of God's guidance. By applying wisdom, we can enjoy the good things in life without falling into the traps of excess and sin. [01:08:31]
"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything." (1 Corinthians 6:12, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a "good" thing in your life that may be leading you away from God's guidance. How can you set boundaries to ensure it remains beneficial?
Day 5: Peace and Assurance through Wisdom
Ultimately, wisdom is a guardian that watches over us when we love and obey it. It provides peace and assurance, allowing us to walk securely and rest without fear. In the storms of life, wisdom reminds us that God is in control, and His boundaries are there to protect us. By embracing wisdom, we align ourselves with God's will, experiencing the freedom and life that He desires for us. [01:20:17]
"My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble." (Proverbs 3:21-23, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience God's peace and assurance? How can embracing wisdom help you find security and rest in that area?
Quotes
"Sometimes I think we really, apart from worship, I think we really have to ask ourselves, do we mean the words that we say? Do we mean the words that we sing once the music stops playing, once we're home, once temptation is facing us, once we have something else that is competing for our time or competing for his love? Can we take the same words without music and let it be the worship of our lives?" [00:34:16] (36 seconds)
"The real work begins when it's just you, at home, no music, and the obedience of your life is the melody. The obedience of your life is the kick and the snare. The yes is the words. And I'm not saying y 'all don't. But I'm saying, we got to really ask ourselves if we just sing songs or if we really apply those things to our lives." [00:35:12] (32 seconds)
"And when we really just want Jesus, that's when it doesn't matter what it is, that's when it doesn't matter what is threatened, that doesn't matter, yeah, what is threatened to be taken away, we still say it's Jesus. Friends, jobs, security, prestige, I'm rocking with Jesus." [00:35:58] (22 seconds)
"There will be a day when the great tribulation comes and every single one of us will have a decision to make. Will we bow knee to the world's systems and the enemy? Will we bow knee to avoid persecution? Will we bow knee to have a comfortable life? Or will we say, in the midst of it all, I choose Jesus." [00:36:44] (23 seconds)
"Wisdom is the instructions of God given to us by the Holy Spirit, by the Word of God, and by godly counsel and or disciples, right? And so when we talk about acquiring wisdom, we're talking about acquiring information that helps us or aids us or allows us to what? Walk in a way that is worthy of God or walk according to godliness, right?" [00:40:52] (22 seconds)
"Church, let's stop being arrogant. Let's stop thinking wisdom is trying to control you. And instead, let's change our outlook. Here's the thing. The goal of wisdom is not to control or restrict us, but it's protection that leads to freedom. It leads to freedom. And that's what we're going to see by the end of this message." [00:48:16] (18 seconds)
"The wisdom of God knows how to establish boundaries for our lives in order to protect us so that we can dwell free from calamity. You want freedom in living? We can dwell free because of wisdom's protection. If not, we have to always wake up every day worrying about every drop of rain. Oh shoot, is this it?" [00:58:27] (20 seconds)
"To walk securely is without a threat of danger. It doesn't mean that danger isn't lurking, but because I have wisdom, I know how to avoid it. My foot doesn't stumble, meaning I don't get tripped up on sin's trap because I ain't see the obstacle in the world. Whoa. The result of this is I have peaceful sleep." [01:20:42] (19 seconds)
"If you want peace and assurance in your walk, wisdom unlocks it if we comply with it, and do not scoff at it. Does it mean you won't go through hard things and battle stuff? No, but it does mean that when I seek wisdom in them, I can have peace, and ultimately that peace comes from who? The Lord." [01:21:28] (16 seconds)
"Because God can take what is meant to be destructive in our lives and make it drip clouds of dew. Listen, we can have that peace. This is, this is the very meaning of, uh, the devil meant it for good, but God is working, I mean for bad, the devil meant it for bad, but God is working it out for my good." [01:22:02] (21 seconds)
"Do not abandon her. And she will guard you. Love her. And she will watch over you. This means that wisdom has been given to us as a guardian. And if we love her, and love's language is what? Obedience. She will guard us. Wisdom knows how to set boundaries that protect. And the flood illustration shows this." [01:24:30] (23 seconds)
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