Finding Our Way: The Gift of Following Jesus
Summary
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves lost before we even realize it. This isn't just about losing our way physically, like in a parking garage or on a hike, but also in our personal lives, relationships, and spiritual journeys. We can be confident and clueless simultaneously, moving in the wrong direction with a smile on our face, unaware of the impending dead end. This is a universal human experience, as King Solomon noted 3,000 years ago: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." This ancient wisdom remains relevant today, reminding us that our instincts and perceptions can lead us astray.
The Christmas story offers a profound solution to our lostness. At Christmas, we are introduced to Jesus, who not only claimed to know the way but to be the way. He is the embodiment of grace and truth, offering us a path back to peace with ourselves and with God. This isn't about finding a new plan or self-help strategy; it's about choosing to follow Jesus, who provides a way through the messes we've made and a way forward to the life we were created to live.
The invitation is simple yet profound: instead of asking, "What should I do?" we should ask, "Who will I follow?" This shift in perspective leads us to a life aligned with God's will, as revealed through Jesus. By following Him, we find the way back to the person we were meant to be, the way through our current struggles, and the way forward to a fulfilling life. This Christmas, let us embrace the way that Jesus offers, trusting Him to lead us through, forward, and back to where we need to be.
Key Takeaways:
- Lost Before We Know It: We often find ourselves lost in life before we even realize it. This can happen in our relationships, careers, or spiritual journeys. Recognizing that we are lost is the first step toward finding our way back. [03:06]
- The Illusion of Rightness: There is a way that seems right to us, but it can lead to dead ends. Our instincts and perceptions can be misleading, and we must be cautious about the paths we choose. [08:41]
- The Gift of Christmas: Christmas introduces us to Jesus, who claimed to be the way, not just know the way. He offers us a path back to peace with ourselves and with God, providing a way through our struggles and forward to a fulfilling life. [18:36]
- Choosing to Follow: Instead of asking, "What should I do?" we should ask, "Who will I follow?" This shift in perspective leads us to a life aligned with God's will, as revealed through Jesus. [29:50]
- A Standing Invitation: Jesus' invitation to follow Him is ongoing. We can begin this journey today, before making another decision based on what seems right to us. By following Jesus, we find the way back, through, and forward. [31:30]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - Losing Our Way
[00:49] - Common Places We Get Lost
[02:03] - The Moment of Realization
[03:06] - Lost Before We Know It
[04:39] - Confidence and Cluelessness
[07:22] - Ancient Wisdom from Solomon
[08:41] - The Illusion of Rightness
[10:30] - The Dead-End Realization
[12:51] - Language of Lostness
[15:16] - Acknowledging Our Lostness
[18:36] - The Gift of Christmas
[20:56] - John's Testimony
[25:20] - Jesus as the Way
[29:50] - Choosing to Follow
[31:30] - A Standing Invitation
[34:39] - The Christmas Story
[37:33] - Prayer for Guidance
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 14:12 - "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."
2. John 14:6 - "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
3. John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are some examples given in the sermon of places where people can physically lose their way? [00:49]
2. According to the sermon, what is the common human experience that King Solomon described 3,000 years ago? [08:41]
3. How does the sermon describe the way Jesus offers as different from a self-help strategy? [18:36]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the better question to ask instead of "What should I do?" [29:50]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the meaning of Proverbs 14:12 in the context of our personal and spiritual lives? [08:41]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus being "the way" impacts our decision-making and life direction? [18:36]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus being full of grace and truth, as mentioned in John 1:14? [24:35]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between recognizing our lostness and finding our way back through Jesus? [15:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you realized you were lost in a particular area of your life. How did you come to that realization, and what steps did you take afterward? [03:06]
2. The sermon suggests that our instincts and perceptions can be misleading. Can you identify a decision in your life that seemed right at the time but led to a dead end? How did you handle it? [08:41]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of asking "Who will I follow?" into your daily decision-making process? What changes might this bring to your life? [29:50]
4. The sermon emphasizes the ongoing invitation to follow Jesus. What are some practical ways you can respond to this invitation in your current life situation? [31:30]
5. Consider the areas of your life where you feel lost or uncertain. How can you seek Jesus' guidance to find the way forward? [37:44]
6. How does the Christmas story, as presented in the sermon, inspire you to trust Jesus as the way through your struggles? [18:36]
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to shift from asking "What should I do?" to "Who will I follow?" What steps will you take this week to make that shift? [29:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Our Lostness
In life, we often find ourselves lost before we even realize it. This isn't limited to physical disorientation but extends to our personal lives, relationships, and spiritual journeys. We can be confidently moving in the wrong direction, unaware of the impending dead end. Recognizing that we are lost is the first step toward finding our way back. This universal human experience is echoed in the ancient wisdom of King Solomon, who noted that there is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death. This serves as a reminder that our instincts and perceptions can lead us astray, and we must be vigilant in assessing the paths we choose. [03:06]
Jeremiah 10:23-24 (ESV): "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing."
Reflection: Think of a time when you realized you were lost in a particular area of your life. What steps did you take to find your way back, and how can you apply that experience to your current situation?
Day 2: The Danger of Misleading Instincts
There is a way that seems right to us, but it can lead to dead ends. Our instincts and perceptions can be misleading, and we must be cautious about the paths we choose. This illusion of rightness can cause us to move forward with confidence, only to find ourselves at a dead end. It is crucial to acknowledge that our understanding is limited and that we need guidance beyond our instincts. By seeking wisdom and discernment, we can avoid the pitfalls of relying solely on our perceptions. [08:41]
Proverbs 14:12 (ESV): "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you might be relying too heavily on your instincts. How can you seek God's guidance to ensure you are on the right path?
Day 3: Embracing the Gift of Christmas
The Christmas story introduces us to Jesus, who claimed to be the way, not just know the way. He offers us a path back to peace with ourselves and with God, providing a way through our struggles and forward to a fulfilling life. This isn't about finding a new plan or self-help strategy; it's about choosing to follow Jesus, who provides a way through the messes we've made and a way forward to the life we were created to live. By embracing the gift of Christmas, we open ourselves to the transformative power of grace and truth embodied in Jesus. [18:36]
John 14:6 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Reflection: How can you embrace the gift of Jesus this Christmas season in a way that transforms your daily life and relationships?
Day 4: The Power of Choosing to Follow
Instead of asking, "What should I do?" we should ask, "Who will I follow?" This shift in perspective leads us to a life aligned with God's will, as revealed through Jesus. By choosing to follow Him, we find the way back to the person we were meant to be, the way through our current struggles, and the way forward to a fulfilling life. This decision to follow Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to align our lives with His teachings and example. [29:50]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to shift from asking "What should I do?" to "Who will I follow?" How can this change in perspective impact your decisions today?
Day 5: Accepting the Standing Invitation
Jesus' invitation to follow Him is ongoing. We can begin this journey today, before making another decision based on what seems right to us. By following Jesus, we find the way back, through, and forward. This standing invitation is a call to trust in His guidance and to allow Him to lead us through the complexities of life. As we accept this invitation, we open ourselves to the possibility of transformation and growth, finding peace and fulfillment in the process. [31:30]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: How can you actively accept Jesus' invitation to follow Him today? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are listening to His guidance in your daily life?
Quotes
We often find ourselves lost in life before we even realize it. This can happen in our relationships, careers, or spiritual journeys. Recognizing that we are lost is the first step toward finding our way back. [00:03:06]
There is a way that seems right to a man or to a woman, or to a high school senior, or to newlyweds. There is a way that seems right, that feels right, that makes perfect sense to us. And because it makes perfect sense to us, we choose it, we embrace it, we commit ourselves to it. [00:08:41]
There is a way that seems right to us that has the potential to kill us in some cases. Literally, you've seen that play out. In fact, maybe it was playing out in your life. And right at the last minute, at the last moment, somebody finally got your attention and you did something to back up. [00:11:16]
At Christmas, we are presented with another way. We're presented with a person who claimed this is amazing. At Christmas, we're introduced to someone who not only claimed to know the way we should live, but claimed to be the way we should live. He claimed to be the way forward. [00:18:36]
The question is, now what am I gonna do? The question, the better question is, who will I follow? Who will I follow? The reason that the angels could say good news of great joy for all people, implication of every generation, of every Bible language, tribe and tongue, for everyone who will ever live. [00:29:50]
And if you will choose to follow me, I will lead you through forward and back. And here's the amazing thing. It's a standing invitation to you today and to me today. And you can begin today. You can begin this journey before anything changes. [00:31:30]
Heavenly Father, show me your will for my life. Heavenly Father, I, I'm not asking for a solution. I don't need a list. I don't need new goals. I don't need new disciplines. Maybe all that'll come. But heavenly Father, show me your will for my marriage. [00:37:33]
Heavenly Father, show me your way for my life. Because there is a way that seems right to me and I keep choosing it. And it, it's just a dead end. Heavenly Father, show me your will for my life. [00:37:33]
We celebrate God becoming one of us, to show us the way forward, to show us the ways of the Father. How many times have I told you I'm gonna keep telling you, if you wanna know what God is like, you just follow Jesus through the gospels. [00:34:39]
If you wanna know what your creator is like, who created you, who knows what you're created for and knows how you work best, you follow Jesus through the gospels. So at Christmas you are invited to follow the one who demonstrated and illustrated for us the ways of God. [00:34:39]
The way came into the world in the usual way, the way so vulnerable. And it means your God as one of us, God, for us to show us the way back, to show us the way through, to show us the way forward. [00:37:33]
If you've lost your way, maybe you've not admitted it, maybe you've never even admitted it to yourself. If you've lost your way, I wanna encourage you to pray multiple times a day. Just start here. Heavenly Father, heavenly Father, just show me your way for my life. [00:37:33]
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