Choosing Jesus: The Path to True Wisdom
Summary
In our journey through life, we are inherently seekers of wisdom and guidance. From our earliest days, we learn from those around us—our parents, teachers, and society. Yet, in a world where authority is often questioned, we sometimes forget the importance of choosing the right teacher. The question we must ask ourselves is not just whether we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, but whether we have accepted Him as our Teacher. The disciples began their journey with Jesus by accepting Him as their teacher, and this is a model for us to follow.
Psalm 1 offers a profound insight into two ways of living: one that follows the counsel of the ungodly and one that delights in the law of the Lord. The counsel of the ungodly is pervasive, often manifesting in the everyday advice and pressures of society that lead us away from our true spiritual nature. It encourages us to live as though our worth is determined by others' opinions, our achievements, or our desires. In contrast, the way of the righteous is like a tree planted by streams of water, flourishing and yielding fruit in its season.
The kingdom of God, as Jesus preached, is not merely about the afterlife or meeting minimal entrance requirements for heaven. It is about living in the presence and power of God here and now. Jesus came as the kingdom bringer, offering us a way to live that is deeply connected to God's will. This kingdom is about righteousness, peace, and joy, and it calls us to bring the reality of heaven to earth in our lives and communities.
Understanding the kingdom of God involves recognizing our own kingdoms—the range of our effective will—and aligning them with God's kingdom. This alignment is not about acquiring more information but about experiencing transformation through living in God's presence. As stewards of this gospel, we are called to embody and share this transformative way of life, which is the best knowledge available to humanity.
Key Takeaways:
1. Choosing the Right Teacher: In a world where authority is often questioned, it's crucial to choose Jesus not only as our Savior but as our Teacher. This choice shapes our understanding of life and guides us in living according to God's wisdom. [09:41]
2. The Counsel of the Ungodly: The pervasive advice of society often leads us away from our true spiritual nature. It encourages us to live as though our worth is determined by external factors, rather than our identity as spiritual beings with an eternal destiny. [12:59]
3. The Kingdom of God: Jesus' gospel is about the availability of God's kingdom here and now. It is not just about the afterlife but about living in the presence and power of God, bringing the reality of heaven to earth. [29:51]
4. Aligning Our Kingdoms: Our personal kingdoms, the range of our effective will, must align with God's kingdom. This alignment is not achieved through information but through transformative experiences in God's presence. [36:04]
5. Stewards of the Gospel: As followers of Jesus, we are stewards of the gospel, called to embody and share the transformative way of life that Jesus taught. This is the best knowledge available to humanity, offering a path to true flourishing. [24:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:56] - Childhood Lessons and Authority
- [09:23] - Accepting Jesus as Teacher
- [10:25] - Wisdom in Psalm 1
- [12:06] - The Counsel of the Ungodly
- [15:50] - Progression of Influence
- [17:25] - Decision of Learning
- [19:25] - The Wisdom of God vs. Worldly Wisdom
- [22:28] - Psychology and Spirituality
- [24:56] - Four Great Questions
- [27:11] - The Gospel Jesus Preached
- [29:51] - The Kingdom of God
- [34:03] - Kingdom and Transformation
- [36:04] - Understanding Our Kingdoms
- [41:15] - The Reality of God's Kingdom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 1
2. Mark 1:14-15
3. Romans 14:17
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Psalm 1, what are the two ways of living that are contrasted? How does the psalmist describe the person who delights in the law of the Lord? [10:25]
2. In Mark 1:14-15, what is the good news that Jesus proclaims? How does this relate to the concept of the kingdom of God being available now? [28:04]
3. Romans 14:17 describes the kingdom of God in terms of righteousness, peace, and joy. How does this description challenge common perceptions of what the kingdom of God is about? [42:39]
4. The sermon mentions the "counsel of the ungodly." What are some examples given in the sermon of how this counsel manifests in everyday life? [12:59]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the choice of accepting Jesus as a teacher, rather than just a savior, impact a believer's daily life and decision-making? [09:41]
2. What does it mean to align one's personal kingdom with God's kingdom, and how might this alignment lead to transformation? [36:04]
3. The sermon suggests that the kingdom of God is about bringing heaven to earth. How might this understanding change the way one views their role in their community and the world? [29:51]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that societal pressures and advice can lead us away from our true spiritual nature? How can believers discern and resist these influences? [12:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current sources of wisdom and guidance. Are there areas in your life where you need to choose Jesus as your teacher more intentionally? How can you make this shift? [09:41]
2. Consider the "counsel of the ungodly" in your life. What are some specific societal pressures or advice that you need to resist to stay true to your spiritual identity? [12:59]
3. How can you actively participate in bringing the reality of heaven to earth in your daily interactions and community involvement? What is one specific action you can take this week? [29:51]
4. Think about your personal kingdom—the range of your effective will. In what ways can you align it more closely with God's kingdom? What changes might this require in your priorities or actions? [36:04]
5. As a steward of the gospel, how can you embody and share the transformative way of life that Jesus taught? Identify one person or group you can reach out to this week with this message. [24:23]
6. Reflect on the description of the kingdom of God as righteousness, peace, and joy. How can you cultivate these qualities in your life and relationships? What is one practical step you can take today? [42:39]
7. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living in God's presence. What practices or habits can you incorporate into your routine to experience this more fully? [36:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Choosing Jesus as Our Teacher
In a world where authority is often questioned, it is crucial to choose Jesus not only as our Savior but as our Teacher. This choice shapes our understanding of life and guides us in living according to God's wisdom. Accepting Jesus as our Teacher means actively seeking His guidance and wisdom in our daily lives, much like the disciples did. They began their journey by learning from Him, and this model is one we are encouraged to follow. By choosing Jesus as our Teacher, we open ourselves to a life of spiritual growth and transformation, grounded in His teachings and example. [09:41]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to seek Jesus' guidance as your Teacher today? How can you begin to learn from Him in this area?
Day 2: Resisting the Counsel of the Ungodly
The pervasive advice of society often leads us away from our true spiritual nature. It encourages us to live as though our worth is determined by external factors, rather than our identity as spiritual beings with an eternal destiny. This counsel can manifest in subtle ways, influencing our decisions and priorities. Psalm 1 contrasts this with the way of the righteous, who delight in the law of the Lord and flourish like a tree planted by streams of water. By choosing to follow God's wisdom, we align ourselves with our true spiritual identity and purpose. [12:59]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: Identify one piece of advice or societal pressure that has been influencing you. How can you replace it with God's truth and wisdom today?
Day 3: Living in the Kingdom of God
Jesus' gospel is about the availability of God's kingdom here and now. It is not just about the afterlife but about living in the presence and power of God, bringing the reality of heaven to earth. This kingdom is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy, and it calls us to embody these qualities in our lives and communities. By living in the kingdom of God, we experience a transformative way of life that aligns with God's will and purpose. This is an invitation to live fully in the present, experiencing the fullness of God's presence and power. [29:51]
Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"
Reflection: How can you bring the reality of God's kingdom into your daily life and interactions with others today?
Day 4: Aligning Our Kingdoms with God's Kingdom
Our personal kingdoms, the range of our effective will, must align with God's kingdom. This alignment is not achieved through acquiring more information but through transformative experiences in God's presence. By aligning our will with God's, we participate in His kingdom work and experience true transformation. This involves surrendering our desires and ambitions to God's greater purpose and allowing His will to guide our actions and decisions. As we align our kingdoms with God's, we become conduits of His love and grace in the world. [36:04]
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 is one area of your life where your will is not aligned with God's? What steps can you take to align it with His kingdom today?
Day 5: Being Stewards of the Gospel
As followers of Jesus, we are stewards of the gospel, called to embody and share the transformative way of life that Jesus taught. This is the best knowledge available to humanity, offering a path to true flourishing. As stewards, we are entrusted with the responsibility to live out and communicate the message of the kingdom in our words and actions. This involves being intentional about how we live and interact with others, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus in all we do. By doing so, we participate in God's redemptive work in the world. [24:23]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you be a better steward of the gospel in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to share the transformative message of Jesus with those around you today?
Quotes
The question is have I accepted Jesus as my savior but we never ask the question have I accepted Jesus as my teacher and that's the real question with the disciples it actually began there they began by accepting him as their teacher, and then Jesus as the savior of their lives which included of course their Eternal Destiny was just a natural outflow of that. [00:09:41]
Blessed is the one blessed are the people who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of Sinners or sit in the seat of mockers but their Delight is in the law of the Lord and on that law they meditate day and night such a person is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose Leaf does not weer whatever they do prospers. [00:10:25]
The counsel of the ungodly is just the way most people talk it is the counsel to live as though it were not true that you are an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal Destiny in God's Universe counsel of the ungodly is just to live as though it were not true that you are an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal Destiny in God's glorious universe. [00:12:59]
Jesus is the best and only one for human beings to learn how to live just Jesus we all learn somewhere we learn first from our parents and then co-workers or bosses or the media or the culture or people around us and the Bible says all attempts to do this that don't start with God will betray people. [00:17:25]
The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God and then he goes on where is the wise man where is the scholar where is the philosopher of this age has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world. [00:19:25]
Jesus came as the kingdom bringer he came to be the kingdom bringer his gospel was the availability of the Kingdom his purpose was to manifest the kingdom his one command was pursue the kingdom seek ye first thee Kingdom of God his one plan was to extend the kingdom. [00:34:03]
The kingdom of God is not about rules over eating and drinking but of righteousness peace and joy that's the kingdom of God it's doing real well and Jesus plan is there's the kingdom of God and there's the kingdom of Earth and his plan is to bring up there down here. [00:41:15]
The kingdom of God is now available and if you want to you can come right on in and live in it and what is tragic and again this is not about Dallas it's just he has been a voice that has helped to bring Clarity to this like nobody else that I know in our day. [00:29:51]
The will is transformed by experience not information the will is transformed by experience not information and both inside the church out we tremendously overestimate the power of information to bring about transformation we all have a kingdom it's a wonderful thing that everybody has a kingdom all of our kingdoms are junked up by sin. [00:36:04]
Jesus has the best knowledge the best information about how to live available to the human race Jesus has he still has the best knowledge and the best information about what is a good person and how do you become one that has ever been given to the human race. [00:24:23]
The kingdom of God is near repent and believe the good news the gospel the Yuan gelon and then uh in all three of the synoptic gospel Els Matthew Mark and Luke virtually an identical summary is given at the very beginning of his ministry of the basic gospel that Jesus proclaimed. [00:29:51]
Understanding this is real basic to understanding human nature human dignity it's part of why leadership is so hard it's very difficult to lead people without violating their Kingdom that's why we're so sensitive when we're manipulated or flattered or intimidated because what's happening is somebody is violating my kingdom. [00:36:04]
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