Finding Direction: A Journey of Faith

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound journey of faith through the lens of Alice in Wonderland, drawing parallels between Alice's adventures and our spiritual walk as Christians. Alice's journey through a world with strange rules and her quest for direction mirrors our own spiritual journey. We often find ourselves lost, both physically and spiritually, when we fail to follow the right directions. Just as Alice sought guidance, we too must seek direction from God, who is always ready to guide us back to the right path.

We delved into the concept of being spiritually lost and the importance of seeking God with all our hearts. God actively seeks the lost, as illustrated in Ezekiel 34:11 and Luke 19:10, and our role is to be found by earnestly seeking Him. This journey of faith is not just about believing but about becoming true followers of Jesus. In John 14, Jesus reassures His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled, emphasizing the need to believe in Him and God. However, belief alone is not enough; we must take up our cross daily and follow Him, making Jesus the center of our lives.

Jesus' promise of preparing a place for us in His Father's house offers hope and assurance. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. This path is not a one-time decision but a lifelong commitment to obedience and faithfulness. We must continually align ourselves with His directions, much like a GPS guiding us back on track when we stray.

The message also highlighted the importance of asking questions and seeking understanding, as Thomas did. Jesus' response to Thomas underscores the exclusivity of the path to salvation through Him. We are reminded that Jesus is the only way to eternal life, and our journey involves daily decisions to follow Him.

Finally, we are encouraged to embrace the Holy Spirit as our eternal guide, helping us stay on course. Jesus promises not to leave us as orphans, assuring us of His presence and love. Whether we are new to the faith or have been on this journey for a while, we are called to seek Jesus, be baptized, and remain steadfast in our walk with Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Journey of Faith: Just as Alice navigated a world with strange rules, our spiritual journey requires us to seek God's direction. When we feel lost, God is always ready to guide us back to the right path. Our role is to seek Him with all our hearts, trusting that He will find us and lead us to where we need to be. [33:23]

2. Beyond Belief: Believing in Jesus is essential, but it is not enough. We must become true followers, taking up our cross daily and making Jesus the center of our lives. This involves a daily commitment to deny ourselves and prioritize His will over our own desires. [40:47]

3. The Promise of Eternal Life: Jesus' promise of preparing a place for us in His Father's house offers hope and assurance. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Our journey is a lifelong commitment to obedience and faithfulness. [47:07]

4. The Importance of Seeking Understanding: Like Thomas, we must be willing to ask questions and seek understanding in our faith journey. Jesus' response to Thomas underscores the exclusivity of the path to salvation through Him. We are reminded that Jesus is the only way to eternal life. [49:48]

5. Embracing the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our eternal guide, helping us stay on course in our spiritual journey. Jesus promises not to leave us as orphans, assuring us of His presence and love. We are called to seek Jesus, be baptized, and remain steadfast in our walk with Him. [01:00:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Weather Musings
- [01:15] - Alice in Wonderland Illustration
- [03:45] - The Journey of Being Lost
- [06:30] - Spiritual Lostness and God's Guidance
- [09:00] - The Role of Belief and Following Jesus
- [12:00] - Jesus' Promise of Eternal Life
- [15:00] - The Importance of Asking Questions
- [18:00] - Jesus as the Way, Truth, and Life
- [21:00] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [24:00] - Embracing the Path of Obedience
- [27:00] - The Call to Seek and Follow Jesus
- [30:00] - Invitation to Baptism and Prayer
- [33:00] - Closing and Worship Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 14:1-6
- Ezekiel 34:11
- Luke 19:10

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 14:1-6, what does Jesus promise His disciples about their future with Him? How does this promise provide comfort? [43:42]

2. According to Ezekiel 34:11, what is God's role in seeking the lost? How does this reflect His character? [37:05]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of being spiritually lost using the story of Alice in Wonderland? [33:23]

4. What does Luke 19:10 reveal about Jesus' mission on earth? How is this mission reflected in the sermon? [37:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' statement in John 14:6 about being "the way, the truth, and the life" challenge the idea of multiple paths to God? [47:07]

2. What does it mean to "seek God with all your heart" as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:13, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about being found by God? [37:05]

3. How does the sermon explain the importance of asking questions in our faith journey, as demonstrated by Thomas in John 14? [49:48]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit acts as our guide, similar to a GPS, in our spiritual journey? [49:48]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually lost. What steps did you take to seek God's direction, and how did you experience His guidance? [33:23]

2. Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. What are some practical ways you can prioritize His will over your own desires this week? [40:47]

3. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life" in your daily life? What changes might this require in your current lifestyle? [47:07]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of asking questions in our faith journey. What is one question you have about your faith that you would like to explore further? [49:48]

5. How can you be more intentional about embracing the Holy Spirit as your guide? Identify one area in your life where you need His guidance and support. [49:48]

6. Jesus promises not to leave us as orphans. How can this assurance of His presence and love impact your approach to challenges you are currently facing? [01:00:17]

7. Consider someone in your life who might be spiritually lost. How can you be a source of encouragement and guidance for them, reflecting God's love and direction? [37:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Navigating Spiritual Lostness
In our spiritual journey, much like Alice in Wonderland, we often find ourselves in a world with strange rules and unexpected turns. This journey requires us to seek God's direction earnestly. When we feel lost, both physically and spiritually, God is always ready to guide us back to the right path. Our role is to seek Him with all our hearts, trusting that He will find us and lead us to where we need to be. This involves a conscious effort to align our lives with His will, much like a GPS guiding us back on track when we stray. [33:23]

Ezekiel 34:16 (ESV): "I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt spiritually lost. What steps can you take today to seek God's guidance and realign your path with His direction?


Day 2: Commitment Beyond Belief
Believing in Jesus is essential, but it is not enough. Our faith journey calls us to become true followers, taking up our cross daily and making Jesus the center of our lives. This involves a daily commitment to deny ourselves and prioritize His will over our own desires. It is a lifelong journey of obedience and faithfulness, where we continually align ourselves with His directions. This commitment is not a one-time decision but a daily choice to follow Him wholeheartedly. [40:47]

Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it challenging to prioritize Jesus' will over your own desires? How can you take a step today to make Him the center of that area?


Day 3: Assurance of Eternal Life
Jesus' promise of preparing a place for us in His Father's house offers hope and assurance. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Our journey is a lifelong commitment to obedience and faithfulness, where we continually align ourselves with His directions. This promise is not just about a future hope but a present reality that shapes how we live our lives today. It calls us to live with the assurance that our eternal home is secure in Him. [47:07]

John 14:2-3 (ESV): "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life with Jesus influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make today to live with this eternal perspective?


Day 4: Seeking Understanding in Faith
Like Thomas, we must be willing to ask questions and seek understanding in our faith journey. Jesus' response to Thomas underscores the exclusivity of the path to salvation through Him. We are reminded that Jesus is the only way to eternal life, and our journey involves daily decisions to follow Him. This pursuit of understanding is not a sign of doubt but a desire to deepen our relationship with Him and grow in our faith. [49:48]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: What is one question or area of your faith that you are seeking to understand better? How can you actively pursue answers and deepen your relationship with Jesus today?


Day 5: Embracing the Holy Spirit's Guidance
The Holy Spirit is our eternal guide, helping us stay on course in our spiritual journey. Jesus promises not to leave us as orphans, assuring us of His presence and love. Whether we are new to the faith or have been on this journey for a while, we are called to seek Jesus, be baptized, and remain steadfast in our walk with Him. Embracing the Holy Spirit involves a daily reliance on His guidance and a willingness to follow His leading in every aspect of our lives. [01:00:17]

John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you more fully in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to be more attentive to His leading today?

Quotes

"Most of the time when we get lost, it's because we fail to listen to directions, don't we? Or look at the map. Or if you're a guy like me, you're driving and before the GPS days, your wife says, you ought to think that maybe we should stop and ask for directions. And of course, I'm going to be like, no, I know where I'm going." [00:33:58] (20 seconds)


"And so, and we can get spiritually lost the same exact way that we can get physically lost, by not following directions, by not listening to the right people tell us the directions to go. We like to listen to Satan, or we like to listen to somebody that's got a self-help book that's going to fix everything. And so we can get spiritually lost." [00:37:13] (21 seconds)


"Here's the thing is, it's our job to be found by seeking God. And here's one thing that people say, and I get it, is like, oh, I found God. I found God today. It's like, really? Was he lost? Well, I found Jesus. It's like, well, Jesus was never actually really lost." [00:37:58] (19 seconds)


"Believing is not good enough. Because in James 2:19 it says, you believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe and shudder. So it goes beyond believing. We must become a follower of Jesus. We must become a follower. Jesus says in Matthew 16:24, if anyone would come after me." [00:40:19] (24 seconds)


"This is denying yourself every day. This is an everyday occurrence. We have to wake up every morning and we have to deny ourselves and put Jesus ahead of us. And I know that sometimes I have a hard time doing this. This is our human, our flesh and our spirit wants to fight with each other." [00:41:14] (20 seconds)


"But Jesus gives us this hope of this promise of living in the presence of the father. And Jesus goes on to say, if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am, you may be also." [00:42:50] (23 seconds)


"Jesus makes it pretty clear here. He says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. And I want to break this, these down this, this morning is the way Jesus is saying, he is the only way to salvation. He is the only way to the father. He is the only way that we can gain eternal life is through him. There's no other way." [00:47:14] (23 seconds)


"And salvation is a one-time deal that we get to salvation. That's fine that we get this. But here's more than this. This path, this way that Jesus is talking about, it's more than just a one-time deal. The fact that we can be saved when we come to him is really awesome. But the part of it is obedience to the way is a lifetime decision." [00:48:28] (26 seconds)


"Well, sometimes we get off track and we need God to be that GPS that's going to try to get us re-centered again. And sometimes we don't want to pay attention and turn around. But eventually, if we follow that path, it'll get us back on track." [00:50:24] (18 seconds)


"Jesus says come to the Lord's Supper remember me we do that every time at Westside now one thing that we can't get in a habit of doing is just doing it because that's what we do every Sunday the Lord's Supper is an intimate time that we commune with the Lord and we need to make sure that every time we do it that we're coming to the table and we're making an intimate moment in our lives that we're communing with the Lord evaluating ourselves not our neighbors or enemies we're evaluating ourselves we're coming to that table to remember that we were once sinners and we were just like the rest of the sinners and now that we remember that Jesus saved us from the sin and now we're no longer like them we no longer are lost but now we're found that's what communion's about" [01:00:17] (55 seconds)


"but I found out that giving is one of the most important things that we can do as Christians it's not just giving financial but it's giving ourselves to Jesus giving ourselves to the way and then giving became easy and then pretty soon giving became so easy Teresa had to tell me to quit giving things away but all of these things can be hard all of these things that I just read can be hard for us and as we walk this path and we get to these places to where we're kind of falling off the path it's hard to live this Christian life and that's why Jesus finishes up here in 16 in 17 he says that and I will ask the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him you know him for he dwells with you and will be with you Jesus says I am going to give you a helper to help you stay on court basically Jesus is saying I'm going to give you an eternal GPS that's going to keep you on this path but it's our job to listen to this GPS and without this GPS without the Holy Spirit we can't do these things and we can have the Holy Spirit and not use the Holy Spirit I've used this illustration before it's like my cell phone if I have a smart phone that is smarter than me by far and has more memory than my computer has in it and if I just used it for a telephone I'm not using it for all of the capabilities that I can use it for the Holy Spirit is the same way we have to tap into that we have to tap into the Holy Spirit before the Christians were actually called Christians they were called the way" [01:03:26] (122 seconds)


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Transcript
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