Embracing Our Divine Purpose: Living the 'God Version'
Summary
The sermon delivered by the speaker delves into the profound understanding that each individual has a unique purpose, preordained by God, much like Jesus who was sent to Earth with a divine mission. The speaker begins by drawing parallels between Jesus' life and the lives of the listeners, emphasizing that just as Jesus was fully man and fully God, led by His Father, every person has a version of themselves that God has crafted, which they have yet to fully experience. This version, knitted together in the womb, is meant to fulfill a specific purpose on Earth. The speaker shares a personal revelation from God, which underscores the importance of denying one's flesh and worldly desires to align with God's will, even in everyday choices like choosing prayer over a trip to the mall.
The speaker warns of the enemy's tactics, which include infiltrating the church with false prophets and deceptive individuals to derail believers from their divine path. They caution the audience to be discerning about their associations and who they allow to speak into their lives. The speaker references the story of Elijah and the widow, illustrating that God's plans are intricately orchestrated, and each day is ordained for a purpose. Embracing the 'god version' of oneself involves desiring what God wants and understanding that an abundant life is not measured by worldly riches but by spiritual treasures and eternal impact.
Living a life marked by love for God and others is highlighted as the essence of true peace and joy, which cannot be found in external sources. The speaker stresses the need to be set apart for God's purpose, which may require distancing from certain relationships or habits. The audience is encouraged to avoid being double-minded and to align with God's word and purpose to live as the best version of themselves.
The speaker shares a testimony of a young lady who surrendered her desires to God, leading her to a conference where she connected with God's purpose for her life. This story exemplifies the significance of following God's leading in even the smallest decisions. The speaker also shares a personal experience of seeking spiritual meaning during a trip to Connecticut, realizing that there is a version of oneself that reflects what God sees, urging the audience to see themselves from a spiritual perspective to align with God's will.
The sermon concludes with the speaker inviting the Holy Spirit to transform them into the image of Jesus Christ, praying for a cleansing of the mind, mouth, and heart to glorify God. The congregation is encouraged to seek God's nature, character, and spirit through the Word, prayer, and worship. Pastor Teresa Niles urges the congregation to meditate on Psalm 139:16 and to declare their commitment to God's purpose by posting the scripture as a reminder of their divine calling.
Key Takeaways:
- The concept of a predestined 'god version' of ourselves is a powerful reminder that we are created with a divine purpose that goes beyond our earthly existence. Just as Jesus was sent with a mission, we too are called to fulfill a specific role in God's grand design. This understanding should shape our daily decisions and priorities, leading us to seek alignment with God's will over our own desires. [13:57]
- The enemy's strategy to disrupt God's plan includes the introduction of deceit within the church. Believers must exercise discernment in their relationships and be vigilant about the spiritual influences in their lives. The story of Elijah and the widow serves as a testament to the precision of God's orchestration in our lives, where every encounter can have a divine purpose. [28:59]
- True contentment and joy are found in a life dedicated to loving God and others, not in the pursuit of worldly desires. Being set apart for God's purpose may require difficult choices, such as ending certain relationships or changing habits, but these sacrifices are essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. [30:34]
- The testimony of the young lady who allowed God to lead her decisions illustrates the importance of obedience in small matters. God's guidance in seemingly minor choices can have significant implications for our destiny. This encourages believers to remain attentive to the Holy Spirit's prompting in all aspects of life. [20:45]
- Inviting the Holy Spirit to transform us into Christ's likeness is a daily process that involves the renewal of our minds and hearts. As we seek to embody God's nature, character, and spirit, we must engage with the Word, prayer, and worship, allowing these disciplines to shape our identity and actions for God's glory. [40:44]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
2. John 5:19 (NIV)
"Jesus gave them this answer: 'Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'"
3. Psalm 139:16 (NIV)
"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jeremiah 1:5 reveal about the relationship between God and an individual before their birth?
2. According to John 5:19, how does Jesus describe His actions in relation to the Father's?
3. In Psalm 139:16, what is conveyed about the knowledge and plans God has for an individual's life?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the understanding that one's days are ordained by God influence the way they view their life's purpose?
2. In what ways could the concept of doing only what one perceives as aligned with God's actions, as Jesus did, affect personal decision-making?
3. Considering that one's life is known by God even before birth, how does this shape the idea of a preordained purpose or calling?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How can you evaluate whether it aligns with what you believe God's purpose for your life is?
2. Identify a moment this week when you can pause and ask for God's direction before proceeding with a choice that impacts your daily life.
3. Think of a situation where you felt your plans were not aligning with a deeper purpose. What is one step you can take to seek God's guidance in that area?
4. Recall a time when you felt the urge to follow a desire that might not align with spiritual growth. What is a Bible verse you can memorize to help you focus on God's will in such moments?
5. Consider your interactions with others this week. What is one specific action you can take to demonstrate that you are living a life set apart for God's purposes?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the God-Envisioned Self
God has crafted a unique purpose for each individual, a blueprint for a life that transcends our current understanding and experiences. This divine version of ourselves is not a distant ideal but a present reality within God's sovereign plan, awaiting our discovery and alignment with His will. It beckons us to step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary life He has prepared. [13:57]
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: What aspects of your life might be holding you back from embracing the unique purpose God has for you?
Day 2: Surrendering to Divine Appointments
Surrendering to God's will is not a passive act but a conscious, daily decision to seek His guidance above personal desires. It is in this surrender that one finds themselves at the crossroads of divine appointments, where pivotal moments are orchestrated to align with one's calling. This act of yielding is the gateway to a life of purpose and fulfillment in God's grand design. [20:45]
Isaiah 30:21 - "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
Reflection: Can you identify a desire you need to surrender to God in order to be more attuned to His divine appointments?
Day 3: Living with Expectant Faith
The narrative of our lives is intricately authored by God, with each day holding the potential for kingdom impact. The seemingly mundane moments can be infused with divine purpose, transforming ordinary interactions into opportunities for blessing and growth. Recognizing that our days are divinely orchestrated invites us to live with expectant faith, looking for God's hand in every circumstance. [28:18]
Psalm 139:16 - "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Reflection: How can you approach your daily routine with an expectancy for God to move in and through you?
Day 4: Investing in Eternal Impact
True abundance is not measured by material wealth but by the depth of spiritual growth and the impact one leaves on the lives of others. This redefinition of the abundant life calls for a shift in priorities, encouraging a focus on eternal treasures over temporary gains. It is a challenge to live a life that invests in what is everlasting, fostering a legacy that echoes into eternity. [29:49]
Matthew 6:20 - "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Reflection: What is one way you can invest in someone's life this week to make an eternal impact?
Day 5: Reflecting Christ in Daily Living
Emulating the life of Jesus requires a conscious effort to align with the Father's will, rejecting selfish desires in favor of God's perfect plan. This transformative journey involves engaging with the Holy Spirit through prayer, worship, and Scripture, leading to a life that not only glorifies God but also reflects His love and grace in every action. It is a call to embody the image of Christ in our daily walk. [39:57]
Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can begin to more actively engage with the Holy Spirit to reflect Christ's image?
Quotes
"Are you living the version of you that God created? Have you bought the stuff that the world said will make you happy, gone to the places that the world said will make you smile, been in the relationships that people said were fulfilling, but it was nothing?" [25:22] (Download)
"The joy that I have, the world didn't give it; this peace that I'm walking in, the world didn't give it. And on this journey of fulfillment to do the thing that God wants me to do, there may be a separation for that elevation, and it's okay." [31:24] (Download)
"In order for you to follow me, you got to be willing to give up that instant gratification and the pleasures of this world and align yourself with my word and my purpose that you may live the god version of you." [32:49] (Download)
"The more [the enemy] fought [the church], the stronger it grew, so he knew he couldn't hinder that, so what he did was he joined it, became a part of it. That's where those false prophets come in." [27:30] (Download)
"The god version of you is who God created you to be, that when you look in the mirror, you see the image of Him, the image of Christ, where you're no longer desiring what you want, but you're desiring what He wants." [28:59] (Download)
"Every time you see it, I want you to remind yourself that my day didn't become today, but that God's eyes saw me when I wasn't even formed in my mother's body, then all of my days were written in his book and ordained for me before one of them came to be." [42:05] (Download)
"In order to hear the voice of God, you got to die to your flesh, you got to die to your nature, you got to die to your emotions because when you are emotionally connected to what you want and what you want to do, then the voice of God grows silent." [22:23] (Download)
"Transform us into the image of Jesus Christ that we may live and bring glory to your name, that we may draw people to you, that they may live out their lives in Holiness and righteousness." [37:23] (Download)
"No longer will I live for me, but I will live For Your Glory. I will deny my flesh, I will deny my desires, I will deny my wants that your will be done in the earth." [39:57] (Download)
"Father, I pray that everyone... will come to the surface, that search through the word, that I will realize the nature of God, that hunt in prayer, that I will realize the character of God, that hunt in worship, that I will realize the spirit of God." [38:18] (Download)
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