Embracing Divine Necessity in Our Spiritual Journey
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of "must-dos" in our spiritual lives, drawing from Hebrews 11:6 and Acts 19:21. We often have a list of daily tasks we must accomplish, but how often do we consider our spiritual imperatives? The Apostle Paul exemplifies a life led by divine necessity, as seen in Acts 19:21 where he says, "I must see Rome." This statement reflects his submission to the Holy Spirit's guidance, a posture of humility and obedience that we should emulate.
Paul's life was marked by a series of divine must-dos, from suffering for Christ to spreading the Gospel. These were not mere personal goals but were necessary for fulfilling God's plan. Similarly, Jesus had His own set of must-dos, such as being about His Father's business. These divine imperatives often come with challenges and sacrifices, but they are essential for our spiritual growth and alignment with God's will.
We also looked at the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10. Martha was anxious and troubled by many things, but Jesus highlighted that only one thing was necessary—what Mary had chosen, which was to sit at His feet and listen. This teaches us that while daily tasks are important, they should not overshadow our spiritual priorities. The things that are truly necessary are eternal, like spending time in God's Word, loving our family, and sharing the Gospel.
In conclusion, our most important divine necessity is faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Every day, we must choose to believe in Jesus Christ, not as a one-time event but as a daily commitment. This belief should guide our actions and decisions, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in our daily must-dos. Let us seek God early, trust in His guidance, and prioritize our spiritual imperatives over our earthly ones.
### Key Takeaways
1. Divine Submission: Paul’s life was a testament to living in submission to the Holy Spirit. His statement, "I must see Rome," reflects a life directed by divine necessity rather than personal ambition. This teaches us the importance of yielding our plans to God's will, allowing Him to guide our steps and decisions. [01:43]
2. Eternal Priorities: The story of Mary and Martha illustrates the difference between urgent tasks and eternal priorities. While Martha was distracted by many things, Mary chose the one thing that was necessary—sitting at Jesus' feet. This reminds us to prioritize our spiritual life over the tyranny of urgent but less important tasks. [06:59]
3. Faith as a Daily Necessity: Faith is not a one-time event but a daily commitment. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Each day, we must choose to believe in Jesus, trust in His power, and seek His guidance, making faith our foremost daily must-do. [17:33]
4. Divine Imperatives and Suffering: Paul’s journey was filled with divine imperatives that often involved suffering. Acts 9:15-16 shows that suffering was a necessary part of his mission. This teaches us that following God's will may involve hardships, but these are essential for fulfilling His purpose in our lives. [09:57]
5. Obedience Over Convenience: Acts 5:29 highlights the apostles' commitment to obey God rather than human authorities. This teaches us that our allegiance to God should surpass all other loyalties, even when it is inconvenient or opposed by societal norms. We must prioritize God's commands over our own desires and external pressures. [15:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Introduction to Divine Necessity
[01:43] - Paul's Submission to the Spirit
[03:05] - Horizontal Posture of Submission
[04:02] - Balancing Earthly and Spiritual Must-Dos
[05:09] - Mary and Martha: Choosing the Necessary Thing
[06:59] - The Tyranny of the Urgent
[08:42] - Eternal vs. Temporal Necessities
[09:57] - Paul's Divine Imperatives
[12:18] - Divine Guidance and Suffering
[14:11] - Obeying God Over Man
[16:24] - Importance of Faith
[17:33] - Daily Commitment to Believe
[19:17] - Guided by the Holy Spirit
[20:06] - Prayer and Trust in God
[21:35] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
2. Acts 19:21 - "After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. 'After I have been there,' he said, 'I must visit Rome also.'"
3. Luke 10:41-42 - "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 11:6 say is necessary to please God?
2. In Acts 19:21, what does Paul say he must do, and what does this reveal about his priorities? [01:43]
3. According to Luke 10:41-42, what was Martha worried about, and what did Jesus say was the one necessary thing? [06:59]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul's statement "I must see Rome" in Acts 19:21 reflect his submission to the Holy Spirit's guidance? [01:43]
2. What can we learn from the story of Mary and Martha about balancing daily tasks with spiritual priorities? [06:59]
3. Why is faith described as a daily necessity in Hebrews 11:6, and how does this impact our daily lives? [17:33]
4. How does the concept of divine imperatives and suffering, as seen in Paul's life, challenge our understanding of following God's will? [09:57]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. What are some "must-dos" that might be interfering with your spiritual priorities? How can you realign them to focus more on God's will? [04:02]
2. Think about a time when you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you. How did you respond, and what can you do to be more open to His guidance in the future? [01:43]
3. In what ways can you prioritize spending time with God, similar to how Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet? What practical steps can you take to make this a daily habit? [06:59]
4. How can you cultivate a daily commitment to faith, as described in Hebrews 11:6? What specific actions can you take to strengthen your belief and trust in God each day? [17:33]
5. Reflect on a recent challenge or hardship. How might viewing it as a divine imperative change your perspective and response to it? [09:57]
6. How can you practice obedience to God over convenience in your daily life? Share a specific situation where you might need to choose God's will over your own desires or societal pressures. [15:13]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust in God's guidance more fully. What steps can you take this week to seek His direction and submit to His will? [19:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Yielding to Divine Guidance
Paul’s life was a testament to living in submission to the Holy Spirit. His statement, "I must see Rome," reflects a life directed by divine necessity rather than personal ambition. This teaches us the importance of yielding our plans to God's will, allowing Him to guide our steps and decisions. When we submit to the Holy Spirit, we align ourselves with God's greater plan, which often surpasses our understanding and personal desires.
Living a life of divine submission means trusting that God's plans are better than our own. It requires humility and a willingness to let go of our own ambitions. As we see in Paul's journey, this kind of submission can lead us to places we never imagined, fulfilling purposes we could never have conceived on our own. Let us strive to live with the same posture of humility and obedience, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our every step. [01:43]
Acts 16:6-7 (ESV): "And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to yield to God's guidance? How can you begin to trust Him more in that area today?
Day 2: Prioritizing Eternal Over Urgent
The story of Mary and Martha illustrates the difference between urgent tasks and eternal priorities. While Martha was distracted by many things, Mary chose the one thing that was necessary—sitting at Jesus' feet. This reminds us to prioritize our spiritual life over the tyranny of urgent but less important tasks.
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by a multitude of tasks and responsibilities. However, Jesus teaches us through Mary and Martha that the most important thing is to spend time with Him. This means setting aside time for prayer, reading the Bible, and simply being in His presence. By doing so, we align our lives with what truly matters and find peace amidst the chaos. [06:59]
Luke 10:41-42 (ESV): "But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
Reflection: What are some urgent tasks that often distract you from spending time with God? How can you rearrange your schedule to prioritize your spiritual life?
Day 3: Faith as a Daily Commitment
Faith is not a one-time event but a daily commitment. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Each day, we must choose to believe in Jesus, trust in His power, and seek His guidance, making faith our foremost daily must-do.
Living by faith means trusting God in every aspect of our lives, from the smallest decisions to the biggest challenges. It requires us to rely on His promises and believe that He is working for our good, even when we cannot see it. By making faith a daily practice, we grow closer to God and become more attuned to His will for our lives. [17:33]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: How can you make faith a more integral part of your daily routine? What specific actions can you take today to demonstrate your trust in God?
Day 4: Embracing Divine Imperatives and Suffering
Paul’s journey was filled with divine imperatives that often involved suffering. Acts 9:15-16 shows that suffering was a necessary part of his mission. This teaches us that following God's will may involve hardships, but these are essential for fulfilling His purpose in our lives.
Suffering is not something we naturally seek, but it is often through trials that we grow the most spiritually. Paul’s life shows us that suffering can be a part of God's plan to refine us and make us more like Christ. When we embrace our divine imperatives, even when they involve suffering, we participate in God's greater story and experience His strength and grace in new ways. [09:57]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Think of a recent hardship you have faced. How can you see God's hand at work in that situation? How can you embrace suffering as a part of His divine plan?
Day 5: Obedience Over Convenience
Acts 5:29 highlights the apostles' commitment to obey God rather than human authorities. This teaches us that our allegiance to God should surpass all other loyalties, even when it is inconvenient or opposed by societal norms. We must prioritize God's commands over our own desires and external pressures.
Obedience to God often requires us to go against the grain of society and even our own inclinations. It means putting His will above our comfort and convenience. The apostles' example shows us that true discipleship involves a willingness to stand firm in our faith, regardless of the consequences. By prioritizing obedience to God, we demonstrate our love and commitment to Him. [15:13]
John 14:15 (ESV): "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are choosing convenience over obedience to God? What steps can you take today to align your actions with His commands?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1.
> "Wouldn't you like to have that kind of a relationship with God? Oh my word. It's like everywhere I go, everything I do, I'm directed of God. What gets in the way of me being... Directed by God is me being directed by me. My must-dos interfere oftentimes with God's must-dos. It's a bit of a tightrope to walk. But the things that I must do to stay alive... I must eat today. Must go to this meeting. Must do this certain thing." [04:02] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2.
> "The time that you spend in the word, the time that you spend loving your family, loving your neighbors, sharing the word. Different things within the spirit that you do within the body of Christ. Those things are eternal. Those are the things that last." [08:42] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3.
> "What one thing is necessary for me today? The first thing is to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Every day that I get up. I have a must do. I must believe for today. I must believe in the presence and the power and the grace and the mercy of God to transport me through this day." [17:33] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4.
> "Encourage us. To seek him. To seek him early. To understand that every day. Believing in Jesus isn't a one time event. Where I ask him into my heart. It's an everyday event where I commit. This day I choose. To believe in him. To believe in his miracle working power. To believe in his presence. To believe in what he will purpose through me. And through my life." [18:30] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5.
> "One of the must do's for us is to pray. Is to seek the Lord. Is to trust in him. Will you do that with me right now? Heavenly Father. We thank you for the must do's in Paul's life. And the must do's in my life. Help me Lord to sort out the things in my flesh. In my schedule. In my activity. That may be important. But they're never hired. Than you. They're never above you. They're never more necessary. Than you." [20:06] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1.
> "Paul purposed in the Spirit. Now, this is a New King James version of this verse. When he had passed through Macedonia and Acacia to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must. I must see Rome. So, the first thing to notice in this verse is that Paul purposed in the Spirit. Now, depending on the translation you have, some translations do not capitalize Spirit. Some think it's Paul's Spirit that he purposed himself to do this." [01:43] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2.
> "It's important that the older I get that I make accommodations to live my age. I don't expect to see a 20-year-old using a walker. But I'm not surprised to see an 80-year-old... using a walker. But you might be the 80-year-olds, I'm never going to use a walker. Then you may fall on your neck and break a bone and that's it. You're not allowed to fall in this ministry. Spiritually or physically. You got that?" [06:04] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3.
> "Divine necessity. The things that God puts on us that we must do based on his purpose and the leading of the Spirit. If you look down under number three on your handout to Paul's divine necessity, his direction and redirections were Spirit-led and Spirit-inspired. He must keep the Passover. He must bear witness in Rome. Be brought before Caesar. Be cast onto an island. All of these things." [11:03] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4.
> "Therefore, we must give more earnest heed. We must pay attention to the things we've heard things we've read in the word. Unless we drift away. This is a time right now here in history. Where the church needs to listen carefully to the word of God. We need to return to his word and not the man's view. A denominational view. Much as I care for denominations and I believe that there's nothing unholy necessarily about them. God is above all of that." [16:24] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5.
> "When I finish one thing and go to the next. I must let the Holy Spirit guide me. And lead me. Not me vertically standing at the demanding of God. But me horizontally. Before the throne of God. Prone out. Laid out before God. Saying oh God have mercy on me. Show me the way in which I should go. And then put in me the divine imperative. The must do's. That you have called for me today." [19:17] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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