Guided by the Spirit: Following God's Direction
Summary
In this sermon, I discussed the importance of listening to the word of God and staying under the influence of the spirit of God. I emphasized that the word of God is fortifying to the spirit and brings joy to the heart. I also highlighted the importance of being led by the spirit of God, using examples from the Bible to illustrate the consequences of not following divine direction. I stressed that being led by the spirit is not a popularity contest and that God's opinion is not swayed by majority. I also warned against the dangers of being deceived and the importance of not being a people pleaser, but rather following what God is nudging you to do.
Key takeaways:
- The word of God is fortifying to the spirit and brings joy to the heart. [ 47:54]
- Being led by the spirit of God is crucial and can be a matter of life and death. [ 49:33]
- Being led by the spirit is not a popularity contest and God's opinion is not swayed by majority. [ 01:03:27]
- It's important to not be a people pleaser, but rather follow what God is nudging you to do. [ 01:04:37]
- There are dangers in being deceived and not following divine direction. [ 01:05:10]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:14 - "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." [47:54]
2. Matthew 2:7 - "Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared." [52:53]
Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 8:14, what does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God?
2. In Matthew 2:7, why did Herod inquire about the time the star appeared?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does being led by the Spirit of God relate to being a son of God according to Romans 8:14?
2. What can we learn from Herod's actions in Matthew 2:7 about seeking information and making decisions?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you felt led by the Spirit of God? How did you respond and what was the outcome?
2. How can you better discern the leading of the Spirit in your daily decisions?
3. In what ways can you apply the lesson from Herod's actions in Matthew 2:7 to avoid making decisions based on incomplete or incorrect information?
4. How can you ensure that you are not influenced by external factors when making decisions, but rather led by the Spirit of God?
5. Can you think of a situation where you made a decision based on your senses or popular opinion rather than being led by the Spirit? What was the outcome and what did you learn from it?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Divine Direction
Divine direction is the key to global impact and success in ministry. It is the ability to hear and follow the voice of God, even when it contradicts our human understanding or desires. This divine guidance is not just for ministers, but for every believer who seeks to live in alignment with God's will. [47:54]
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: Reflect on a time when you felt God was guiding you in a certain direction. How did you respond?
Day 2: Trusting God's Leadership
Trusting God's leadership means yielding to His guidance, even when it doesn't make sense to our human understanding. The Spirit of God knows the future and can guide us away from deception and towards God's best for us. [51:16]
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God's leadership more?
Day 3: The Danger of Self-Reliance
While resources and connections can be helpful, they should never replace our reliance on God. No amount of money or influence can deliver us from life's storms or guarantee success. Only by seeking God's guidance can we navigate life's challenges effectively. [01:24:39]
Jeremiah 17:5 - "This is what the LORD says: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.'"
Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own strength or resources instead of seeking God's guidance?
Day 4: The Importance of Discernment
In a world full of deception, discernment is crucial. We must be able to discern the truth from lies, and the genuine from the counterfeit. This discernment comes from the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth. [01:26:34]
1 John 4:1 - "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater level of spiritual discernment in your life?
Day 5: Loyalty to the Holy Spirit
Our ultimate loyalty should be to the Holy Spirit and His guidance in our lives. Even when others try to lead us astray, we must remain steadfast in following the nudging of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. [01:19:03]
Galatians 5:25 - "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your loyalty remains with the Holy Spirit and His guidance in your life?
Quotes
1. "Being led by the spirit is not a popularity contest. God does not work in a democratic setting, majority doesn't sway God's opinion." - 01:03:27
2. "When you yield to His religion, it means that you have put your trust in Him. The spirit of God knows the future, he knows exactly what is going on. If there is any form of deception, it does happen because the Bible says we shouldn't behold lie infantities." - 51:16
3. "The word of God is for to my spirit. I am strengthened by it this morning. It is wine to my heart creating Joy within me. It is also my face because in my life to shine, giving me victory in everything that I do." - 47:54
4. "For as many as alleged by the spirit, they are the sons of God. The word Sons there is a word that describes mature adulthood. It's one of the most crucial things in the Bible and can be a matter of life and death without paying attention to this aspect of the Gospel of Jesus and his Redemptive work." - 49:33
5. "You can have the car, but if you don't perceive that this journey shall be to this money won't deliver you from it. You can't buy yourself out of a storm. No matter how rich you are inside that boat when that storm came, there was nothing you can't buy yourself out of the flood." - 01:25:49
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