Guided by God: Embracing His Presence in Our Lives

This morning is all about returning to the heart of our faith: seeing God for who He truly is and not getting lost in the activities or routines of church life. Our purpose is to worship Him, to seek Him, and to be guided by Him in every aspect of our lives. Deep within every human heart is a longing to know why we are here, what our purpose is, and how God leads us. The world offers many answers, but only God provides the eternal, soul-satisfying guidance we truly need.

God’s desire to guide us is woven into His very nature. From the Old Testament, where He led Israel with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, to the New Testament, where Jesus offers living water that quenches our deepest thirst, God’s heart is to lead, instruct, and counsel us. He is not distant or silent; He is actively involved, wanting to direct our steps.

There are five primary ways God guides us. First, through commanding Scripture: His Word is alive, trustworthy, and sufficient for teaching, correcting, and equipping us for every good work. We are called not just to listen to others talk about God, but to engage with His Word ourselves, letting it be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Second, God guides us by His compelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit nudges, convicts, and leads us into truth, always in alignment with Scripture. We must be careful not to build our lives on fleeting feelings or misinterpreted signs, but to let the Spirit confirm what God is already saying.

Third, God uses the counsel of the saints—our community. Wise counsel and accountability are essential, and God often confirms His guidance through the voices of those He has placed around us. Community is not optional; it is God’s design for our growth and discernment. Fourth, God has given us common sense and reason. We are to use wisdom, count the cost, and make decisions that align with both Scripture and the practical realities of life. Finally, God sometimes speaks through circumstantial signs. While not every circumstance is God’s will, He can use every situation—good or bad—to guide, teach, and reveal Himself to us.

Ultimately, the call is to obedience. God is already speaking, already leading. The question is whether we will respond, trust Him, and let Him guide us in every area of our lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s guidance is rooted in His desire for relationship, not just in giving us answers. He wants us to seek Him personally, not merely rely on secondhand information or the opinions of others. True guidance flows from intimacy with Him, where His Word becomes the foundation of our decisions and direction. [04:49]
• 2. The Holy Spirit’s leading is always consistent with Scripture and the character of Christ. While we may experience nudges, dreams, or prophetic words, these must be weighed and confirmed by God’s Word and the broader community. Discernment is essential, as not every feeling or sign is from God, and He never contradicts Himself. [20:44]
• 3. Community is God’s safeguard for our journey. He places us in the body of Christ so that we can receive wise counsel, encouragement, and correction. Isolation leads to confusion and vulnerability, but in community, God confirms His guidance and shapes us through shared wisdom and accountability. [26:47]
• 4. God expects us to use the wisdom and common sense He has given us. Faith is not opposed to reason; rather, God’s guidance often involves practical steps, thoughtful planning, and responsible decision-making. We honor Him when we steward our minds and resources well, integrating spiritual discernment with practical action. [31:35]
• 5. God can use every circumstance—pleasant or painful—to guide and shape us. Even when life feels confusing or difficult, He is present and at work, inviting us to trust Him and look for His hand in our situation. Our response in these moments should be worship, openness, and a willingness to let Him speak and lead, no matter what we face. [36:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:23] - The Heart of Worship and Purpose
• [02:36] - Humanity’s Search for Guidance
• [03:47] - Jesus, the Living Water
• [04:49] - God’s Desire to Guide
• [07:22] - Five Ways God Guides Us
• [10:39] - Commanding Scripture
• [14:37] - Obedience to God’s Word
• [16:52] - Hearing God for Yourself
• [18:47] - The Compelling Spirit
• [20:44] - Discernment and the Spirit’s Leading
• [23:09] - Counsel of the Saints
• [26:47] - The Necessity of Community
• [31:35] - Common Sense and Reason
• [33:22] - Avoiding Misguided Decisions
• [36:00] - Circumstantial Signs
• [36:55] - God’s Presence in Our Circumstances
• [38:11] - Turning to God in Every Situation
• [39:27] - Closing Prayer and Response

Bible Reading

1. John 4:13-14 (ESV) — > Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

2. Psalm 32:8 (ESV) — > I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) — > All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Observation Questions

1. In John 4:13-14, what does Jesus say about the difference between the water from the well and the water He gives?
2. According to Psalm 32:8, what does God promise to do for His people?
3. What are the four things 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says Scripture is useful for?
4. The sermon mentioned five ways God guides us. Can you list them? ([07:22])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus uses the image of “living water” when talking to the Samaritan woman? What does this say about the kind of guidance He offers? ([03:47])
2. The sermon says God’s guidance is rooted in relationship, not just giving us answers. Why is this distinction important for how we approach God? ([04:49])
3. How does the idea that “all Scripture is God-breathed” affect the way we should treat the Bible when seeking guidance? ([10:39])
4. The sermon warns against relying only on feelings or signs for guidance. Why is it important to weigh these things against Scripture and community? ([20:44])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us not to get lost in church activities and routines, but to seek God Himself. Are there any routines or habits in your life that have become more about “doing” than about knowing God? What could you do differently this week to focus on relationship with Him? ([01:23])
2. When was the last time you personally engaged with God’s Word for guidance, rather than just listening to sermons or podcasts? What is one step you can take to make Bible reading a more regular part of your life? ([16:52])
3. The Holy Spirit sometimes nudges or convicts us. Can you think of a recent time when you sensed the Spirit leading you? How did you respond, and how did you confirm it was really from God? ([18:47])
4. Who are the “counsel of the saints” in your life? Is there a decision or area where you need to seek wise counsel or accountability from your community? ([23:09])
5. The sermon talked about using common sense and reason as part of God’s guidance. Is there a decision you’re facing where you need to pause and “count the cost” or think practically? ([31:35])
6. Think about a recent circumstance—good or bad—where you wondered what God was doing. How might God be using that situation to guide or shape you? ([36:55])
7. The ultimate call is to obedience. Is there an area where you sense God is already speaking or leading, but you’ve been hesitant to respond? What would it look like to take a step of obedience this week? ([04:49])