Embracing God's Purpose: Conviction, Character, and Community
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor explaining that sometimes people feel like he is speaking directly to them. This, he clarifies, is because God wanted certain individuals to hear specific messages. He references Romans 14, emphasizing that everyone will be judged by God's standards, not by the standards of others or themselves. The pastor distinguishes between conviction and condemnation. Conviction, which comes from God, is meant to correct and guide individuals towards living the right way, while condemnation, which comes from Satan, is meant to criticize and accuse, leading to feelings of worthlessness and guilt.
The pastor then underscores that life on Earth is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment given by God. He explains that God wants individuals to practice the things they will do in heaven and to develop a character like Jesus Christ. Despite life's challenges, God is more interested in the growth of one's character than their comfort. The pastor encourages the congregation to think and act like Jesus Christ, using Him as the model and filter for their thoughts and actions.
The pastor also emphasizes the importance of being a peacemaker and avoiding conflict. He warns against engaging in gossip, labeling it as satanic and not from God. He explains that wisdom from God is considerate and takes into account the effects on other people. The pastor then discusses the importance of considering one's personal calling and purpose when starting a business. He shares the story of well-meaning Christians who started businesses without considering if the business idea is consistent with how God has shaped them.
The pastor concludes the sermon by emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's purpose for our lives and seeking His forgiveness. He encourages the congregation to confess any hindrances in their lives that prevent them from hearing God's voice and to surrender those things to Him. The pastor leads a prayer for those who are accepting Christ into their lives, asking for acceptance into God's family and a desire to hear His voice and feel His presence.
Key Takeaways:
- Conviction from God is meant to correct and guide individuals towards living the right way, while condemnation from Satan is meant to criticize and accuse, leading to feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Recognizing the difference between the two is crucial. [12:45]
- Life on Earth is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment given by God. Despite life's challenges, God is more interested in the growth of one's character than their comfort. We should strive to think and act like Jesus Christ. [24:30]
- Gossip is satanic and not from God. Engaging in gossip is doing the devil's work. Wisdom from God is considerate and takes into account the effects on other people. We should strive to be peacemakers and avoid conflict. [36:15]
- Before we were born, God had a specific plan and purpose for our lives, and He shaped us accordingly. Our unique shape, which includes our spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences, determines our significance and function in life. We should consider our personal calling and purpose when making decisions. [48:20]
- Recognizing God's purpose for our lives and seeking His forgiveness is crucial. We should confess any hindrances in our lives that prevent us from hearing God's voice and surrender those things to Him. Accepting Christ into our lives leads to acceptance into God's family and a desire to hear His voice and feel His presence. [59:10]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 14:12: "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
2. 1 John 4:1: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
3. Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Observation Questions:
1. In Proverbs 14:12, what does it mean when it says, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death"?
2. What does 1 John 4:1 instruct us to do regarding spirits and prophets?
3. According to Ephesians 2:10, what are we created to do and who prepared these works?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Proverbs 14:12 relate to the concept of conviction and condemnation?
2. How does 1 John 4:1 guide us in discerning between God's wisdom and satanic influences such as gossip?
3. In the context of Ephesians 2:10, what could be the implications of being God's handiwork and doing good works prepared by Him?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you felt convicted by God to correct a certain behavior? How did you respond to this conviction?
2. Have you ever found yourself engaging in gossip? How can you apply the wisdom from 1 John 4:1 to avoid such situations in the future?
3. Reflect on Ephesians 2:10. How does it resonate with your personal calling and purpose? Are there any areas in your life where you feel you are not aligning with the good works God has prepared for you?
4. Think of a recent decision you made. Did you consider if it was consistent with how God has shaped you? If not, how can you ensure to do so in the future?
5. Are there any hindrances in your life that prevent you from hearing God's voice? What steps can you take to surrender these to Him?
Devotional
1) Themes and Descriptions:
Day 1: Discerning Conviction from Condemnation
God's conviction is a guiding force, meant to correct and lead individuals towards righteousness, while Satan's condemnation is a destructive force, meant to criticize and accuse, leading to feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Recognizing the difference between the two is crucial for spiritual growth and mental well-being. [12:45]
Day 2: Earthly Life as a Divine Assignment
Life on Earth is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment given by God. Despite life's challenges, God is more interested in the growth of one's character than their comfort. Striving to think and act like Jesus Christ is the key to fulfilling this divine assignment. [24:30]
Day 3: The Sin of Gossip and the Virtue of Peace
Gossip is a tool of Satan, not of God. Engaging in gossip is doing the devil's work. Wisdom from God is considerate and takes into account the effects on other people. Striving to be peacemakers and avoiding conflict is a divine calling. [36:15]
Day 4: Aligning Personal Calling with God's Purpose
God had a specific plan and purpose for our lives before we were born, and He shaped us accordingly. Our unique shape, which includes our spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences, determines our significance and function in life. Considering our personal calling and purpose when making decisions aligns us with God's plan. [48:20]
Day 5: Recognizing God's Purpose and Seeking Forgiveness
Recognizing God's purpose for our lives and seeking His forgiveness is crucial for spiritual growth. Confessing any hindrances in our lives that prevent us from hearing God's voice and surrendering those things to Him leads to acceptance into God's family and a desire to hear His voice and feel His presence. [59:10]
2) Bible Passages:
Day 1: 2 Corinthians 7:10 - "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
Day 2: James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Day 3: Proverbs 16:28 - "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends."
Day 4: Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Day 5: 1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
3) Reflection Questions:
Day 1: How can you distinguish between God's conviction and Satan's condemnation in your life? Can you recall a recent instance where you felt either?
Day 2: How can you emulate Jesus Christ in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to grow your character despite life's challenges?
Day 3: How can you actively avoid gossip and promote peace in your interactions today? Can you think of a specific situation where you can apply this?
Day 4: How does your personal calling align with God's purpose for your life? Can you identify a decision you need to make that requires considering this alignment?
Day 5: What hindrances in your life are preventing you from hearing God's voice? How can you surrender these to Him and seek His forgiveness today?
4) 5-Day Devotional:
Day 1: Discerning Conviction from Condemnation
God's conviction is a guiding force, meant to correct and lead individuals towards righteousness, while Satan's condemnation is a destructive force, meant to criticize and accuse, leading to feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Recognizing the difference between the two is crucial for spiritual growth and mental well-being. [12:45]
2 Corinthians 7:10 - "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
Reflection: How can you distinguish between God's conviction and Satan's condemnation in your life? Can you recall a recent instance where you felt either?
Day 2: Earthly Life as a Divine Assignment
Life on Earth is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment given by God. Despite life's challenges, God is more interested in the growth of one's character than their comfort. Striving to think and act like Jesus Christ is the key to fulfilling this divine assignment. [24:30]
James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Reflection: How can you emulate Jesus Christ in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to grow your character despite life's challenges?
Day 3: The Sin of Gossip and the Virtue of Peace
Gossip is a tool of Satan, not of God. Engaging in gossip is doing the devil's work. Wisdom from God is considerate and takes into account the effects on other people. Striving to be peacemakers and avoiding conflict is a divine calling. [36:15]
Proverbs 16:28 - "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends."
Reflection: How can you actively avoid gossip and promote peace in your interactions today? Can you think of a specific situation where you can apply this?
Day 4: Aligning Personal Calling with God's Purpose
God had a specific plan and purpose for our lives before we were born, and He shaped us accordingly. Our unique shape, which includes our spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences, determines our significance and function in life. Considering our personal calling and purpose when making decisions aligns us with God's plan. [48:20]
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection: How does your personal calling align with God's purpose for your life? Can you identify a decision you need to make that requires considering this alignment?
Day 5: Recognizing God's Purpose and Seeking Forgiveness
Recognizing God's purpose for our lives and seeking His forgiveness is crucial for spiritual growth. Confessing any hindrances in our lives that prevent us from hearing God's voice and surrendering those things to Him leads to acceptance into God's family and a desire to hear His voice and feel His presence. [59:10]
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: What hindrances in your life are preventing you from hearing God's voice? How can you surrender these to Him and seek His forgiveness today?
Quotes
"We will all be judged one day not by each other's standards, thank God, or even our own standards, but by the judgment of God because God is just, right, fair, and true. And no one's gonna say you're not fair, it is to God alone that we will have to answer for our actions." [54:27]
"Conviction comes from God. He gives it to us to correct us. So I say something to one of my kids that I shouldn't have said it or my husband, my wife, God says you shouldn't talk like that, that's conviction. And he does it to correct us because He loves us, because he wants us to live the right kind of way and enjoy the kind of lives that he made us to live." [55:34]
"Now God is more interested in your character than your comfort, and he wants you to grow up and become like Jesus. In your lives, you must think and act like Jesus Christ. God says He is the model, and we take every thought captive, testing it to see if it's obedient to Christ." [14:30]
"All gossip is satanic. It doesn't come from God, it's satanic. Why? Because the Bible says Satan is the accuser, he is the QSer of Christians, he is the condemner of Christians." [19:54]
"If I get an idea and it's gonna help me but it's gonna hurt everybody else in my family, that idea did not come from God. Wisdom from God is considerate, God is concerned about the effects on other people." [20:32]
"Is it consistent with how God shaped me? Now before you were born God decided what he wanted you to do with your life and then he formed you, he shaped you for that specific task." #!!31:32!!#
"Your shape determines your significance. What you're supposed to form follows function, function follows form, and the way God formed you determines what your function is." #!!32:12!!#
"Condemnation is like this dark cloud of guilt. When God speaks, it's like a pinpoint of light. He tells you exactly what's wrong and how to change it. So now let's change it together. That's how he speaks in my life, that's how he speaks in your life." #!!58:05!!#
"When I recognize that I am forgiven, I am set free. That's God's system of justice, it's an awesome system of justice, it's a good news God." #!!59:13!!#
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