Divine Purpose: Embracing God's Sovereign Choice in Our Lives
Summary
God is the author of our salvation, the one who initiated a profound process within us. Before the foundation of the world, He chose us to be holy and blameless. This divine selection is not a random occurrence but a deliberate act of love and purpose. Reflect on your life and consider why you are here, in this moment, in love with Him. It is because a being in Heaven, God Himself, began a work in you. He knew you even in your mother's womb and chose you for a purpose that transcends time and understanding. This realization should lead us to a place of gratitude, acknowledging that God started something beautiful in our lives. Our response should be to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and to live in a way that honors the calling He has placed on us.
In this journey, it is crucial to remember that our relationship with God is not about anyone else but about Him. It is about recognizing His sovereignty and His intimate involvement in our lives. By focusing on Jesus, we align ourselves with His will and purpose, allowing His transformative power to work within us. This focus helps us to live a life that reflects His holiness and blamelessness, fulfilling the destiny He has set before us.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Sovereign Choice: Before the world began, God chose us to be holy and blameless. This choice is a testament to His love and purpose for our lives, reminding us that our existence is not accidental but divinely orchestrated. Reflecting on this truth should fill us with gratitude and a desire to live according to His will. [00:10]
2. The Initiator of Our Faith: God is the one who started the work in us. He knew us even in our mother's womb, and His plans for us are rooted in His eternal wisdom. Recognizing Him as the initiator of our faith encourages us to trust in His ongoing work in our lives. [00:26]
3. A Call to Gratitude: Understanding that God began a good work in us should lead us to a posture of thankfulness. This gratitude is not just for what He has done but for who He is—a loving and purposeful God who desires a relationship with us. [00:47]
4. Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus: Our focus should be on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. By keeping our eyes on Him, we align ourselves with His purpose and allow His transformative power to shape our lives. [00:47]
5. Living Out Our Calling: Being chosen by God calls us to live a life that reflects His holiness and blamelessness. This calling is a daily journey of aligning our actions and thoughts with His will, trusting that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. [00:47]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - God's Sovereign Choice
[00:26] - The Initiator of Our Faith
[00:47] - A Call to Gratitude
[00:47] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[00:47] - Living Out Our Calling
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 1:4-5 - "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."
2. Hebrews 12:2 - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of God choosing us before the foundation of the world? [00:10]
2. How does the sermon describe God's role in the initiation of our faith journey? [00:26]
3. What does the speaker emphasize about our focus in our relationship with God? [00:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be "holy and blameless" as mentioned in Ephesians 1:4-5, and how does this relate to God's sovereign choice?
2. How does recognizing God as the initiator of our faith impact our trust in His plans for us? [00:26]
3. In what ways does fixing our eyes on Jesus help us align with His purpose and allow His transformative power to work within us? [00:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt chosen by God for a specific purpose. How did that experience shape your faith journey?
2. How can you cultivate a daily practice of gratitude for the work God has started in your life? [00:47]
3. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to keep your focus on Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to redirect your attention towards Him? [00:47]
4. Consider the ways in which you can live out your calling to be holy and blameless. What specific actions can you take to align your life with this calling?
5. How can you remind yourself of God's intimate involvement in your life, especially during challenging times? [00:26]
6. Think of a person in your life who may not yet recognize God's work in them. How can you encourage them to see His hand in their life?
7. What is one way you can demonstrate God's love and purpose in your interactions with others this week?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Deliberate Choice
God's choice of us before the foundation of the world is a profound testament to His love and purpose. This choice is not random but intentional, reflecting His desire for us to be holy and blameless. Understanding this divine selection should fill us with gratitude and a sense of purpose, knowing that our existence is not accidental but divinely orchestrated. As we reflect on this truth, we are reminded of the depth of God's love and the intentionality behind His plans for our lives. This realization calls us to live in a way that honors His choice and aligns with His will. [00:10]
Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."
Reflection: Consider a moment in your life where you felt chosen or set apart. How does knowing that God chose you before the foundation of the world change your perspective on that moment?
Day 2: The Divine Initiator
God is the initiator of our faith, having known us even in our mother's womb. His plans for us are rooted in His eternal wisdom, and He began a good work in us long before we were aware of it. Recognizing God as the initiator encourages us to trust in His ongoing work in our lives, knowing that He is faithful to complete what He has started. This understanding invites us to rest in His sovereignty and to trust in His perfect timing and purpose. [00:26]
Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in your life unexpectedly. How can you trust Him more as the initiator of your faith in your current circumstances?
Day 3: A Heart of Gratitude
Understanding that God began a good work in us should lead us to a posture of thankfulness. This gratitude is not just for what He has done but for who He is—a loving and purposeful God who desires a relationship with us. As we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we are reminded of His faithfulness and the beauty of His work in our lives. This gratitude transforms our perspective, allowing us to see His hand in every aspect of our journey. [00:47]
Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: Identify three specific things you are grateful for today. How can you express this gratitude to God in a tangible way?
Day 4: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
Our focus should be on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. By keeping our eyes on Him, we align ourselves with His purpose and allow His transformative power to shape our lives. This focus helps us to live a life that reflects His holiness and blamelessness, fulfilling the destiny He has set before us. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are empowered to navigate life's challenges with faith and perseverance. [00:47]
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: What distractions are keeping you from fixing your eyes on Jesus? What practical steps can you take today to refocus your attention on Him?
Day 5: Living Out Our Calling
Being chosen by God calls us to live a life that reflects His holiness and blamelessness. This calling is a daily journey of aligning our actions and thoughts with His will, trusting that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. As we live out our calling, we are invited to participate in His divine purpose, allowing His light to shine through us in a world that desperately needs it. [00:47]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what specific area of your life is God calling you to reflect His holiness? How can you take a step towards living out this calling today?
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