Embracing a Quiet Life: Seeking God's Approval
Summary
In today's message, I explored the profound concept of living a quiet life, as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. This passage challenges the modern pursuit of fame and recognition, urging us instead to aspire to a life of quietness, minding our own affairs, and working with our hands. In a world that often equates success with visibility and influence, this scripture calls us to a counter-cultural ambition: to live quietly and faithfully in the small things. Jesus Himself exemplified this principle, often retreating from crowds to pray in solitude, demonstrating that true spiritual power and intimacy with God are found in the secret place.
I shared personal reflections on the dangers of seeking the spotlight, drawing from my own experiences and the wisdom of mentors who emphasized humility and service over public recognition. The story of Mother Teresa was highlighted as an example of someone who quietly served and was later exalted by God, illustrating that if God wants to elevate someone, He will do so in His timing and for His purposes.
Furthermore, I discussed the importance of being faithful in the little things before seeking larger platforms. This is a biblical principle found in Luke 16:10 and 1 Timothy 3, where the emphasis is on managing one's household well before leading in the church. The message also touched on the need for authenticity and transparency in our spiritual lives, encouraging us to confess our sins openly while keeping our righteous deeds hidden, as instructed in Matthew 6.
Ultimately, the call is to seek God's approval above all else, finding contentment in His presence and the rewards He promises for those who live faithfully and quietly. This is a call to a deeper, more genuine walk with God, where our ambition is not for earthly accolades but for eternal rewards.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Danger of the Spotlight: The pursuit of public recognition can be spiritually hazardous, as it often leads to pride and a focus on self rather than God. True spiritual leadership requires humility and a focus on God's glory, not our own. [02:19]
2. The Power of a Quiet Life: Scripture calls us to aspire to live quietly, focusing on faithfulness in the small things. This counter-cultural ambition aligns with Jesus' example, who often withdrew from crowds to pray in solitude. [05:42]
3. Faithfulness in Little Things: Before seeking larger platforms, we must be faithful in managing our own lives and households. This principle ensures that our leadership is grounded in integrity and genuine spiritual maturity. [10:03]
4. Authenticity and Transparency: We are encouraged to confess our sins openly while keeping our righteous deeds hidden. This practice fosters genuine community and aligns with biblical teachings on humility and secrecy in our spiritual lives. [15:48]
5. Seeking God's Approval: Our ultimate ambition should be to seek God's approval and eternal rewards, rather than earthly accolades. This requires a deep, personal relationship with God, cultivated in the secret place of prayer and service. [24:51]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:39] - Opening Prayer
[02:19] - The Danger of the Spotlight
[03:28] - Excitement for the Message
[04:36] - The Power of a Quiet Life
[05:42] - Ambition for Quietness
[06:54] - Jesus and Crowds
[10:03] - Faithfulness in Little Things
[11:21] - Wisdom from Mentors
[12:10] - Practicing Righteousness in Secret
[14:36] - The Call for Authenticity
[19:26] - Jesus' Example of Solitude
[21:25] - The Mystery of Revelation
[23:32] - Miracles in Secret
[25:29] - The Next Revival
[26:55] - Prayer for a New Generation
[29:39] - Repentance and New Ambitions
[32:08] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
- Luke 16:10
- Matthew 6:1-4
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### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 instruct believers to aspire to, and how does this contrast with modern societal values? [04:36]
2. According to the sermon, how did Jesus exemplify the principle of living a quiet life? [06:54]
3. What biblical principle is highlighted in Luke 16:10, and how does it relate to the concept of faithfulness in small things? [10:03]
4. How does Matthew 6:1-4 guide us in practicing righteousness, and what does it say about the rewards from God? [12:10]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the pursuit of public recognition pose a spiritual danger, according to the sermon? What are the potential consequences of seeking the spotlight? [02:19]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living a quiet life aligns with Jesus' teachings and actions? How might this be counter-cultural today? [05:42]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of being faithful in small responsibilities before seeking larger roles or platforms? [10:03]
4. How does the sermon interpret the practice of authenticity and transparency in our spiritual lives, particularly in relation to Matthew 6? [15:48]
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### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are seeking recognition or approval from others rather than God? How can you shift your focus to seek God's approval instead? [24:51]
2. Consider the example of Jesus withdrawing to pray in solitude. How can you incorporate more quiet time with God into your daily routine? What might you need to change to make this a priority? [19:26]
3. Think about a small responsibility or task in your life. How can you be more faithful and diligent in this area, and why is this important before taking on larger roles? [10:03]
4. In what ways can you practice doing good deeds in secret, as instructed in Matthew 6? What might be the challenges and benefits of this approach? [12:10]
5. Reflect on the concept of authenticity in your spiritual life. Are there sins you need to confess or righteous deeds you need to keep private? How can you foster a genuine community around you? [15:48]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper, more personal relationship with God that prioritizes eternal rewards over earthly accolades? What steps can you take this week to move in that direction? [24:51]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can work with your hands or serve quietly. How can this practice help you grow spiritually and align with the teachings of 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12? [04:36]
Devotional
Day 1: The Perils of Pursuing Recognition
In a world that often equates success with visibility and influence, the pursuit of public recognition can be spiritually hazardous. This ambition can lead to pride and a focus on self rather than God. True spiritual leadership requires humility and a focus on God's glory, not our own. The story of Mother Teresa serves as a poignant reminder that if God wants to elevate someone, He will do so in His timing and for His purposes. By seeking the spotlight, we risk losing sight of the quiet, faithful service that God values most. [02:19]
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a time when you sought recognition for your efforts. How can you shift your focus from seeking approval from others to seeking God's approval in your daily actions?
Day 2: Embracing the Quiet Life
Scripture calls us to aspire to live quietly, focusing on faithfulness in the small things. This counter-cultural ambition aligns with Jesus' example, who often withdrew from crowds to pray in solitude. In a society that values noise and busyness, the power of a quiet life is often overlooked. Yet, it is in the quiet moments that we can hear God's voice most clearly and cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. By embracing a quiet life, we can find contentment and spiritual growth in the everyday moments. [05:42]
"But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." (1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to create more quiet moments in your life to listen to God and reflect on His presence?
Day 3: Faithfulness in the Small Things
Before seeking larger platforms, we must be faithful in managing our own lives and households. This principle ensures that our leadership is grounded in integrity and genuine spiritual maturity. The Bible emphasizes the importance of being faithful in the little things, as seen in Luke 16:10 and 1 Timothy 3. By focusing on the small tasks and responsibilities God has given us, we prepare ourselves for greater opportunities to serve Him. Faithfulness in the small things is a testament to our character and commitment to God's work. [10:03]
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." (Luke 16:10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a small responsibility in your life that you can approach with greater faithfulness and dedication. How can this practice prepare you for larger roles in the future?
Day 4: Authenticity and Transparency
We are encouraged to confess our sins openly while keeping our righteous deeds hidden. This practice fosters genuine community and aligns with biblical teachings on humility and secrecy in our spiritual lives. Authenticity and transparency are essential for building trust and deepening relationships within the church community. By being honest about our struggles and weaknesses, we create an environment where others feel safe to do the same, leading to mutual support and growth. [15:48]
"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." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent struggle or sin you have been keeping hidden. How can you take a step towards authenticity by sharing this with a trusted friend or mentor?
Day 5: Seeking God's Approval
Our ultimate ambition should be to seek God's approval and eternal rewards, rather than earthly accolades. This requires a deep, personal relationship with God, cultivated in the secret place of prayer and service. By prioritizing God's approval, we align our lives with His purposes and find true fulfillment in His presence. This focus on eternal rewards shifts our perspective from temporary achievements to lasting spiritual growth and impact. [24:51]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking approval from others rather than God? How can you realign your focus to prioritize God's approval in this area?
Quotes
1. "This is such a dangerous place to be. Seriously. No, I'm talking about a stage. It's almost like every time I step on a stage, it's like almost drinking a little bit of poison, where you can, to really be thinking about God right now. about him and his glory and his holiness and how everything needs to be given to him while there's flesh going on and fighting that and going, okay, well, the people like me, how are they going to respond to this message? You know, the praise, the criticism, everything, it all, it can really mess up your walk with the Lord." [00:01:11] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "But one of the reasons I'm very excited about this is it's very rare, those who have heard me speak, it's very rare that I have notes and I stick to the notes, and it's more common that I put notes together and then I show up and go, yeah, I'm going to forget the notes. God's given me something different. But as I was praying for this specific gathering this week, it was like, boom. And this doesn't happen normally. Just verse after verse, statement after statement, even a title. I don't think I've ever gotten a title. For a sermon, seriously, in my life." [00:03:45] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How many of you came into this day or you just think about life and you go, what my ambition is to live a quiet life? So I hear a lot of young people go, oh, I want to speak to the crowds. I have a message to the world. I have a voice. And then scripture says, make it your ambition to live a quiet life. What's he talking about here? Because we're living in a time when it's assumed that the virtuous thing to do is get a bigger and bigger crowd." [00:05:42] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "let me ask you did Jesus can you show me any verse in Scripture where Jesus pursued a crowd where he looked at his disciples and goes this let's get let's get more of you bring a friend like do you see the hat because I see the opposite I see him running from crowds I can tell you many verses where he ran from crowds and escaped the crowds and so I just think it's unusual that we're all chasing crowds more and more followers and yet we think that's the right thing the best thing to do I mean we're at Jesus 23 let me ask you a question what did Jesus do when he was 23" [00:07:18] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I mean we're talking about Jesus how is it that we don't know what he was doing when he was 23 it's almost like he made it his ambition to live a quiet life and to work hard with his hands you see there's a principle in Scripture in Luke 16 verse 10 it says that he who is faithful in little will be faithful and much and I'm just I get concerned I love the passion that I see in young people today for Jesus that gets me so fired up and it's out of my love for you that I'm saying you gotta be faithful in the little before you can be a voice to the world we have a lot of people clamoring to be voices we need fewer voices and more examples" [00:08:41] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Again, he's saying, look, if you can't manage your house, if you can't even, if your own kids don't respect you, if you don't even have a right relationship with your wife, what are you doing leading the church? And then he says, be careful. You don't want to give too much to a young convert because it's going to lead them into this trap, the condemnation of the devil. It's going to lead to this problem. It's going to lead to this problem. It's going to lead to this pride. You give a platform to a young man?" [00:11:03] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "you're not preaching because he loved me and he says look I don't want you falling into this there's something about these lights that aren't good for you one of my mentors is this guy in India and I remember him telling me this story he goes you know everyone's chasing a bigger and bigger platform he goes but if God wants to give it to you he'll give it to you and then he said he goes you know I remember just because there were my friend Teresa I visit her all the time we would just go serve the poor do our thing whatever and then one day God decides I want the whole world to know about you so everyone knows about Mother Teresa and he goes you know never in her wildest dreams would she think to promote herself just quietly do her thing and then God decided to make her a household name" [00:12:10] (80 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "My wife was reading that, and she just asked me, she goes, does anyone do anything in secret anymore? We're so into posting things, that even your quiet time is your Bible with a coffee and a little muffin, time with Jesus. Yes. And this, this passage, she goes, does anyone do anything in secret? Sadly, I go, yeah, sinful stuff. And I'm not judging, and I understand forgiveness. Yes. I'm just saying God could we have another generation rise up that has nothing to hide" [00:14:53] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "He says, when you pray, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. In Mark 1, verse 35, I mean, again, we're talking about Jesus. Jesus, and it says in verse 35, rising very early in the morning while it was still dark, he departed and went to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, everyone is looking for you." [00:19:26] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "What if by you living a quiet life and you doing things in secret meant that God would show you miracles, more miracles than you've ever seen, but they were just for you? And what if I be the one to say, by being quiet and seeking God, he starts thundering messages just for you. And he says, I've never told anyone this and I'm not telling anyone this. This is just for you, Francis. You can't post it. I don't even want you telling people that I told you something." [00:23:19] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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