Finding Clarity and Purpose Through the Holy Spirit
Summary
### Summary
This morning, as we gathered in worship, I felt a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit to address a common question many of us have: "What's next?" This question often arises from a place of confusion and discontent, feelings that I personally experienced over the past few days. The Holy Spirit revealed that many of us are in a similar state, seeking clarity and direction for our future. We prayed together for clarity of vision and understanding, asking God to replace our confusion with His peace and purpose.
We then turned to 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, which reminds us that God has prepared unimaginable things for those who love Him and that these things are revealed to us through His Spirit. This underscores the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit amidst the noise and distractions of our daily lives. I shared a personal anecdote about how I was overwhelmed by multiple stimuli, which hindered my ability to hear God's voice. This led me to a moment of repentance and a renewed commitment to focus on God.
We also explored Ephesians 4:29-32 and Ephesians 5:1-14, emphasizing the need to avoid corrupting talk and to walk in love, imitating God. This involves putting away bitterness, wrath, and malice, and instead, being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. We are called to expose the unfruitful works of darkness and to walk as children of light, making the best use of our time because the days are evil.
In Galatians 5:19-23, we contrasted the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, highlighting that living by the Spirit leads to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are the true markers of a mature Christian life. We are encouraged to grow beyond spiritual infancy and to live in a way that reflects God's love and grace.
Finally, we discussed the importance of sowing in faith, even in times of famine, as illustrated in Genesis 26:12-13. Isaac sowed in a year of famine and reaped a hundredfold because he trusted God. This principle applies to our lives today; when we sow in faith, we will reap a harvest, regardless of external circumstances.
### Key Takeaways
1. Seek Clarity and Peace from God: When feeling discontent and confused, turn to God for clarity and peace. He is not a God of confusion but of purpose and direction. Trust that He will reveal the next steps for your life as you seek Him earnestly. [33:49]
2. Listen to the Holy Spirit: Amidst the distractions and noise of daily life, make a conscious effort to listen to the Holy Spirit. He reveals the deep things of God and guides us into all truth. Remove distractions that hinder your ability to hear His voice. [42:56]
3. Walk in Love and Forgiveness: Emulate God's love by being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Avoid corrupting talk and bitterness. Instead, focus on building others up and walking in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. [48:01]
4. Live by the Spirit: The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should be evident in our lives. These attributes reflect a mature Christian life and are essential for walking in God's will. [53:24]
5. Sow in Faith: Trust God and sow in faith, even in difficult times. Just as Isaac reaped a hundredfold in a year of famine, we too can experience God's blessings when we act in faith, regardless of external circumstances. [01:18:33]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:42] - What's Next? Seeking Clarity
[32:02] - Discontent and Confusion
[33:49] - Prayer for Clarity and Peace
[39:43] - 1 Corinthians 2:9-10: God's Revelation
[41:42] - Listening to the Holy Spirit
[42:56] - Overcoming Distractions
[44:43] - Ephesians 4:29-32: Walking in Love
[48:01] - Avoiding Corrupting Talk
[49:45] - Ephesians 5:1-14: Children of Light
[51:45] - Galatians 5:19-23: Fruit of the Spirit
[53:24] - Maturing in Christ
[56:28] - Love Never Fails
[01:09:22] - Living by the Spirit
[01:18:33] - Genesis 26:12-13: Sowing in Faith
[01:22:17] - Announcements and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10: "But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God."
2. Ephesians 4:29-32: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
3. Galatians 5:19-23: "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 say about the things God has prepared for those who love Him? How are these things revealed to us? ([39:43])
2. According to Ephesians 4:29-32, what kind of talk should we avoid, and what should our speech be like instead? ([48:01])
3. In Galatians 5:19-23, what are the works of the flesh contrasted with, and what are the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit? ([51:45])
4. What personal anecdote did the pastor share about being overwhelmed by multiple stimuli, and how did it affect his ability to hear God's voice? ([42:56])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Holy Spirit reveal the deep things of God to us, and why is it important to listen to Him amidst daily distractions? ([44:43])
2. What does it mean to walk in love and forgiveness according to Ephesians 4:29-32, and how can this impact our relationships with others? ([48:01])
3. Why is it important to live by the Spirit and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:19-23? How does this reflect a mature Christian life? ([53:24])
4. How does the story of Isaac sowing in a year of famine (Genesis 26:12-13) illustrate the principle of sowing in faith, and what can we learn from this about trusting God in difficult times? ([01:18:33])
#### Application Questions
1. When you feel discontent and confused, what steps can you take to seek clarity and peace from God? How can you make this a regular practice in your life? ([33:49])
2. What are some practical ways you can remove distractions that hinder your ability to hear the Holy Spirit? Can you identify specific distractions in your life that you need to address? ([42:56])
3. Think of a recent situation where you struggled to walk in love and forgiveness. How can you apply Ephesians 4:29-32 to handle similar situations better in the future? ([48:01])
4. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate this attribute in your interactions with others? ([53:24])
5. Reflect on a time when you had to sow in faith despite difficult circumstances. How did God show His faithfulness in that situation? How can this encourage you to trust Him more in your current challenges? ([01:18:33])
6. How can you make the best use of your time, as encouraged in Ephesians 5:1-14, to walk as a child of light in a world that is often dark and challenging? ([49:45])
7. Identify one person in your life who tests your patience. What is a short prayer or practical step you can take before your next interaction with them to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit? ([53:24])
Devotional
Day 1: Seeking Clarity and Peace from God
When feeling discontent and confused, turn to God for clarity and peace. He is not a God of confusion but of purpose and direction. Trust that He will reveal the next steps for your life as you seek Him earnestly. In moments of uncertainty, it is crucial to remember that God has a plan for each of us, and He desires to guide us through His Spirit. By earnestly seeking Him in prayer and meditation, we can find the peace and clarity we need to move forward.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV): "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints."
Reflection: Think of a current situation in your life where you feel confused or discontent. How can you seek God's clarity and peace in this situation today? [33:49]
Day 2: Listening to the Holy Spirit
Amidst the distractions and noise of daily life, make a conscious effort to listen to the Holy Spirit. He reveals the deep things of God and guides us into all truth. Remove distractions that hinder your ability to hear His voice. In our busy lives, it is easy to become overwhelmed by various stimuli that can drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit. By intentionally creating quiet moments and spaces, we can better attune our hearts to His guidance and wisdom.
John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
Reflection: Identify one distraction in your life that hinders your ability to hear the Holy Spirit. What steps can you take today to minimize this distraction and create space for God's voice? [42:56]
Day 3: Walking in Love and Forgiveness
Emulate God's love by being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Avoid corrupting talk and bitterness. Instead, focus on building others up and walking in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. This involves a conscious effort to let go of negative emotions and behaviors that can harm our relationships and spiritual growth. By choosing to walk in love and forgiveness, we reflect God's character and bring His light into the world.
Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today? [48:01]
Day 4: Living by the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should be evident in our lives. These attributes reflect a mature Christian life and are essential for walking in God's will. By cultivating these qualities, we demonstrate the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and become effective witnesses of God's love and grace.
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit in your daily life? How can you intentionally cultivate this attribute today? [53:24]
Day 5: Sowing in Faith
Trust God and sow in faith, even in difficult times. Just as Isaac reaped a hundredfold in a year of famine, we too can experience God's blessings when we act in faith, regardless of external circumstances. This principle encourages us to trust in God's provision and timing, knowing that He is faithful to reward our faithfulness and obedience.
2 Corinthians 9:6 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to sow in faith despite challenging circumstances? How can you take a step of faith in this area today? [01:18:33]
Quotes
1. "The Holy Spirit just speaks to people. He speaks to you. There's actually some, some in here this morning, the Holy Spirit's been speaking to you already. But I kept hearing that phrase, what's next? And I, and I heard this other word, I heard vision, vision, vision for the future, vision for the future." [29:42] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You feel discontent where you're at right now. You feel discontent with the situation at hand. And it can be confusing. Man, if you've, if you're feeling like I felt the last couple of days, man, I'm going to, I'm going to pray for you because that's, that's, that's not good. That's not good. That's not good to not have peace about direction. Even if you don't know all of it, even if you don't know all the answers, but to have peace in the moment." [32:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We're not, we're not wandering around on this earth aimlessly, but there is purpose and great reward, great reward for each and every one. Hallelujah. Thank you for it, father. Father, we seal this today, Lord. Can't get in and cause more mud. Can't cause more turbidity, clarity, clarity, and peace, peace, peace, peace, peace of God in Jesus name." [36:19] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We can get so bombarded with so much stimulus, stimuli. We get so bombarded with so much news and, you know, things and needs and busyness that we don't listen to God. I mean, it took me about five, 10 minutes in bed with the lights out, just laying there saying, okay, Lord, I'm so sorry. I just wasted a day. Now there's times when you can waste a day. It's okay. And I think that was okay. Partly because he's using it as an example." [42:56] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need to be getting rid of this stuff that causes strife. We need to be getting rid of these things that causes angst. We need to get rid of, we need to be not focusing on division, not focusing on issues and problems and what, what, what's, what's, what's, why are you upset with the next person or the next person in the next row or the next house or the next cubicle or what, instead of being in strife, he wants us to focus on life, focus on truth." [48:01] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Are the days evil? Yes, of course they are. They're no more evil than they were 2,000 years ago. They're no more evil than they were 4,000 years ago. They may be a little less evil than they were 5,000 years ago because it said every thought and intention of their minds was evil. Every thought and intention of their minds were evil. We live in an evil world. Okay, so we do. But he doesn't give us a pass and say, well, then, okay, we're going to live in an evil world." [49:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We don't want to be toddler Christians. We don't. We want to grow up. We want to grow up where we, we actually understand what God's doing, and, and, and it isn't, the, the rules aren't there to, I mean, they're there to stop you from doing something, but at some point, you realize, I don't need to stop doing, I need to do it for the right reason. And that right reason is love." [56:28] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Love never fails. Now, does it mean, does it mean you just let them keep being that way? No, you say things, but you got to say them in love. You react in love. You don't react in anger. You don't yell. You don't scream. You don't off. You don't, you just, you know, I mean, if the Holy Spirit lets you do that, that's fine. And there's been people in my life where the Holy Spirit said, yeah, you don't have to put up with it anymore." [01:05:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there's anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things and the God of peace will be with you. You focus on truth. You focus on life. You focus on, you focus on the good things, the good things around, and the good things will start coming out of you." [01:16:27] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "When you sow, you will reap. When you sow in faith, you will reap a harvest. It doesn't matter what the conditions are. It's a spiritual principle. It's not a physical principle. Even in the worst times, even in famine, God can bless you. Amen?" [01:20:23] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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