Intentional Steps to Draw Closer to God
Summary
Today, we explored the theme of drifting away from God and how to intentionally draw closer to Him. We began by reflecting on a personal story of unexpected challenges, which led to questions many of us might ask in our spiritual journey: "Why me?" and "How did I get here?" These questions often mirror our spiritual state when we feel distant from God. We examined the parable of the sower from Matthew 13, where Jesus describes four types of soil representing different heart conditions. This parable challenges us to assess our own hearts and determine which type of soil we are. Are we the path, the rocky ground, the thorns, or the good soil that yields a fruitful harvest?
The heart of the message is about recognizing when we've drifted from God and taking intentional steps to return to Him. We discussed four pieces of "bad advice" that lead us away from God: neglecting time with Him, surrounding ourselves with the wrong people, giving into temptation, and loving the world more than God. These behaviors can cause us to drift, often without realizing it. However, the good news is that God hasn't moved; we have. The call is to repent, which means to turn back to God, and to do the things we did at first when our relationship with Him was vibrant and alive.
We are encouraged to give God the first of everything—our time, our week, our resources—and to cultivate a heart that is good soil, receptive to His word. This intentionality in our relationship with God leads to a life of fruitfulness and closeness with Him. The message concludes with an invitation to those who feel far from God to restart their relationship with Him, emphasizing that true transformation comes from a heartfelt commitment to follow Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. Recognize the Drift: It's easy to drift away from God without realizing it. Like being in the ocean and suddenly finding yourself far from where you started, spiritual drift happens when we lose focus. We must pay careful attention to our spiritual lives to prevent this drift and remain close to God. [11:29]
2. Heart Condition Matters: The parable of the sower teaches us that the condition of our heart determines our spiritual fruitfulness. We must strive to be the good soil that receives God's word and produces a bountiful harvest. This requires intentionality and a willingness to let God's word take root in our lives. [06:50]
3. Intentional Pursuit of God: To avoid drifting, we must be intentional in our pursuit of God. This means prioritizing time with Him, surrounding ourselves with godly influences, and resisting temptations that lead us away from His best for us. Our relationship with God should be our highest priority. [13:40]
4. Repentance as a Gift: Repentance is not a heavy burden but a beautiful gift. It allows us to turn back to God and realign our lives with His purposes. When we recognize we've drifted, repentance is the first step in returning to our first love and rekindling our passion for God. [21:19]
5. Return to Your First Love: When we first come to faith, our love for God is fresh and vibrant. Over time, we may lose that initial passion. To rekindle it, we must return to the practices that drew us close to God initially, such as prayer, worship, and service. This renewal leads to a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Him. [23:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [02:07] - Unexpected Challenges
- [03:36] - Questions of Faith
- [04:39] - Drifting from God
- [06:50] - The Parable of the Sower
- [11:29] - Recognizing the Drift
- [13:40] - Intentional Pursuit
- [15:03] - Temptation and Drift
- [17:46] - Faking Faith
- [19:27] - Condemnation vs. Conviction
- [21:19] - The Gift of Repentance
- [23:15] - Returning to First Love
- [24:30] - Heart Audit and Prayer
- [25:20] - Commitment to God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 13:1-23 (The Parable of the Sower)
- Hebrews 2:1
- Revelation 2:4-5
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Observation Questions:
1. In the Parable of the Sower, what are the four types of soil mentioned, and how do they relate to the condition of our hearts? [06:50]
2. What are the four pieces of "bad advice" mentioned in the sermon that can lead us to drift away from God? [11:29]
3. How does the story of the couple in the pickup truck illustrate our relationship with God when we feel distant from Him? [04:39]
4. What does Hebrews 2:1 warn us about, and how does it relate to the concept of spiritual drift? [11:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the condition of our heart, as described in the Parable of the Sower, affect our ability to receive and act on God's word? [06:50]
2. Why might someone feel like they have drifted away from God, and what role does intentionality play in maintaining a close relationship with Him? [11:29]
3. What does it mean to "return to your first love" as mentioned in Revelation 2:4-5, and how can this be practically applied in one's spiritual life? [21:19]
4. How can the concept of repentance be seen as a gift rather than a burden, and what steps can one take to realign their life with God's purposes? [21:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Which type of soil from the Parable of the Sower best represents your heart right now, and why? [06:50]
2. Identify one area in your life where you might be unintentionally drifting from God. What practical steps can you take this week to refocus your attention on Him? [11:29]
3. Consider the influences in your life. Are there any relationships or environments that might be pulling you away from God? How can you seek out more godly influences? [15:03]
4. Think about a time when you felt closest to God. What practices or habits were you engaging in then that you might want to reintroduce into your life now? [23:15]
5. How can you prioritize giving God the first of your time, resources, and energy this week? What specific changes can you make to ensure He remains your highest priority? [23:15]
6. If you feel distant from God, what does repentance look like for you personally, and how can you take the first step towards returning to your first love? [21:19]
7. How can you cultivate a heart that is "good soil," receptive to God's word, and what specific actions can you take to nurture this condition in your daily life? [06:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Spiritual Drift
In our spiritual journey, it's easy to find ourselves drifting away from God without even realizing it. This drift is akin to being in the ocean and suddenly noticing that you're far from where you started. It often happens when we lose focus on our spiritual lives, allowing the busyness and distractions of the world to pull us away from our relationship with God. To prevent this drift, we must pay careful attention to our spiritual condition and remain vigilant in our pursuit of closeness with God. This involves regular self-examination and a commitment to staying anchored in our faith. [11:29]
Hebrews 2:1 (ESV): "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel you might be drifting from God. What practical steps can you take today to refocus and draw closer to Him?
Day 2: Cultivating a Receptive Heart
The parable of the sower in Matthew 13 challenges us to examine the condition of our hearts. Just as different types of soil yield different results, our spiritual fruitfulness is determined by how receptive our hearts are to God's word. We are called to be the good soil that receives His word and produces a bountiful harvest. This requires intentionality and a willingness to let God's word take root in our lives, transforming us from the inside out. By cultivating a heart that is open and receptive, we position ourselves to experience the fullness of God's blessings and purpose. [06:50]
Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
Reflection: What steps can you take to cultivate a heart that is more receptive to God's word? Consider one specific change you can make in your daily routine to nurture this openness.
Day 3: Intentional Pursuit of God
To avoid spiritual drift, we must be intentional in our pursuit of God. This means prioritizing time with Him, surrounding ourselves with godly influences, and resisting temptations that lead us away from His best for us. Our relationship with God should be our highest priority, guiding our decisions and shaping our lives. By intentionally seeking God, we align ourselves with His will and experience the peace and joy that come from walking closely with Him. This pursuit requires discipline and dedication, but the rewards are immeasurable. [13:40]
James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can prioritize your relationship with God this week? Consider setting aside dedicated time each day for prayer, Bible study, or worship.
Day 4: Embracing Repentance
Repentance is not a heavy burden but a beautiful gift that allows us to turn back to God and realign our lives with His purposes. When we recognize that we've drifted, repentance is the first step in returning to our first love and rekindling our passion for God. It involves a heartfelt commitment to change and a willingness to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him. Embracing repentance leads to spiritual renewal and a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God. [21:19]
Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? What steps can you take today to embrace this gift of repentance and experience spiritual renewal?
Day 5: Returning to Your First Love
When we first come to faith, our love for God is fresh and vibrant. Over time, we may lose that initial passion, but we are called to return to our first love. This involves rekindling the practices that drew us close to God initially, such as prayer, worship, and service. By returning to these foundational practices, we renew our commitment to God and experience a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Him. This renewal leads to a life of fruitfulness and closeness with God, as we rediscover the joy and peace that come from walking in His presence. [23:15]
Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey. What practices or habits did you engage in when your love for God was most vibrant? How can you reintroduce these practices into your life today to rekindle your passion for Him?
Quotes
1) "If you're here and you might feel distant from God, far from God, he hasn't moved. We move. A.W. Tozer said that you're as close to God as you choose to be. His desire is to be close. His desire is to be near, so we have to be the kind of people who make this decision that I'm never gonna settle for drifting, but I'm gonna be intentional about pursuing God." [05:30] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "The author of Hebrews, Hebrews chapter two, verse one, said this. He said, we must pay attention, pay most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, the word of God, and here's the reason, so that we do not drift away. Like, we have two choices. We can either be intentional about following the way of Jesus, but if we're not intentional, what will happen is we'll take our eyes off, and it's not on purpose. It's not like we want to hurt God or break God's heart. It's just slowly over time, we drift." [11:29] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "If you wanna drift from God, give anything but God your focus. In the book of Psalm, David is in the desert. He says this, Psalm 63, verse one. He says, you, God, are my God. Earnestly, like with all of my heart, with all of my passion, I seek you. He says, I thirst for you. My whole being longs for you in a dry and parched land where there is no water. Imagine being in a desert. Imagine being isolated far from any sort of water or source of life and finding a cup of water. He said, that is what my soul longs for you like, like a person so parched from being in the desert, how they long for water." [13:40] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Every business leader will tell you that we become the sum of the five most influential voices in our lives. This is important for you to understand because there are people in your life and if you surround yourself with the wrong people, you will become like them. If you surround yourself with five smokers, you will become the sixth. If you surround yourself with five people who love to get blackout drunk and do stupid stuff on the weekends, you will be the sixth. If you surround yourself with people who like to cheat on their spouse, you will be the sixth. But conversely, if you spend your time with people who are pursuing the things of God, you will become the sixth." [15:03] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Condemnation is a work of the enemy to make you feel like you'll never be able to get God's love, his blessing, and his favor. It's the voice of the enemy in your mind saying, you'll never get past this. You'll never get over it. You'll never heal. God could never love you. That is condemnation. Some years ago, I preached a message on racism and it was in the height of 2020 when the whole world was going crazy. And I preached a message on racism that I would preach today to any audience in the world. In the message, I basically said that racism is sin, it is of the enemy, racism must die in our generation. We were created to love one another, all of us created in the image of God." [19:27] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Repent means this. It means to be going one direction. And to repent means to turn. It means to change directions. So here's what God is saying. If you feel like you've drifted far away, if you feel like there was a point in your life where we were once so close, but you've moved. Repent. What does that mean? I mean, saying, God, at one point I was chasing after the things from you, but I've gotten off course. Today I'm turning back to you. So simple." [23:15] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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