Living a Life Set Apart for God's Purpose
Summary
The sermon titled "Set Apart" focuses on the theme of living a life dedicated to God's purpose. The speaker begins by expressing gratitude for God's knowledge and love for us, calling us to a higher purpose. The sermon emphasizes the importance of choices in life, distinguishing between trivial decisions and those with significant consequences. The speaker draws from 2 Timothy 2 to illustrate the importance of living a life that is distinct from the world and dedicated to God.
The gospel is presented as the foundation of our relationship with God, with sin being anything that goes against God's will. The speaker clarifies that good deeds cannot compensate for sin, but through Jesus' sacrifice, those who trust in Him receive eternal life. This new life with Jesus begins now and is not just about being saved from sin but also being saved for a purpose.
The speaker warns against the tendency within the American and Western church to accept Jesus as Savior but reject Him as Lord. True acceptance of the gospel involves surrendering our lives to Jesus, acknowledging Him as both Savior and Lord, and living the real and true life God calls us to.
The importance of Thanksgiving and Christmas is highlighted, along with personal reflections on these holidays. The speaker also emphasizes the need for surrendering to God, praising Him, and seeking His strength to live a life dedicated to Him.
The sermon criticizes the complacency of the church in dealing with sin and urges believers to flee from it. A personal anecdote about a friend who couldn't join an outing due to not mowing the lawn illustrates the importance of obedience and sacrifice in living a life set apart for Jesus.
The speaker discusses the countercultural nature of pursuing righteousness and living according to God's ways, emphasizing the role of scripture in understanding God's heart. Pursuing righteousness is not to earn salvation but as a response to God's love.
Understanding and experiencing God's love is presented as the motivation for living a life set apart for Him. The speaker suggests that when actions are rooted in God's love, they feel like life and relationship rather than work.
The speaker expresses concern that many churchgoers may not fully surrender their lives to Jesus, liking the idea of Him as Savior but not as Lord. True life in Jesus is found through surrender, and God desires a deep relationship with us.
The sermon concludes with a call to live lives set apart for God's glory, emphasizing the significance of choices, the pursuit of righteousness, love, peace, and the importance of community. The speaker encourages the congregation to support one another in their pursuit of Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- The choices we make daily can have profound impacts on our lives, especially when they pertain to our spiritual journey and commitment to God. Living a life "set apart" means making conscious decisions that align with God's will and purpose, rather than succumbing to trivial or worldly concerns.
- Salvation through Jesus Christ is not merely an escape from sin but an invitation to a purpose-driven life. Embracing Jesus as both Savior and Lord requires a surrender of one's own will and desires, leading to a life that reflects God's intentions and design.
- The concept of living a set apart life is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's love. Recognizing that our actions for God stem from His love for us transforms our obligations into expressions of a loving relationship, making our spiritual walk feel like life rather than labor.
- Community plays a crucial role in the Christian life, providing support, encouragement, and accountability as believers pursue a life dedicated to Jesus. Like geese flying in formation, Christians are called to uplift one another, sharing the burdens and joys of faith.
- The pursuit of righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace is essential for a life set apart for Jesus. These qualities should permeate every aspect of a believer's life, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel and the character of Christ to the world.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Set Apart"
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Timothy 2:19-22 (NIV)
> "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.' In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
2. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
> "We love because he first loved us."
3. John 3:16 (NIV)
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two types of utensils mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:20, and what do they represent in the context of a believer's life?
2. According to 2 Timothy 2:21, what must one do to be an instrument for special purposes?
3. What does 1 John 4:19 say about the reason we love?
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between accepting Jesus as Savior and accepting Him as Lord? ([50:05])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need to "turn away from wickedness" in 2 Timothy 2:19? How does this relate to living a life set apart for God?
2. How does understanding God's love, as described in 1 John 4:19 and John 3:16, motivate believers to live a life set apart? ([44:18])
3. What does it mean to "flee the evil desires of youth" and "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace" in practical terms? ([53:00])
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of community in pursuing a life set apart for Jesus? ([01:05:13])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily choices. Are there any areas where you need to turn away from wickedness to align more closely with God's will? What steps can you take this week to make those changes? ([43:20])
2. The sermon mentions the tendency to accept Jesus as Savior but not as Lord. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to surrender control to Jesus? How can you begin to surrender those areas to Him this week? ([50:05])
3. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's love in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to remind yourself of His love and let it motivate your actions? ([44:18])
4. Think of a specific sin or temptation you need to flee from. What practical steps can you take to avoid this sin, and how can you seek accountability from your community? ([53:00])
5. How can you pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace in your current circumstances? Identify one specific action for each quality that you can implement this week. ([58:56])
6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community. How can you actively support and encourage your fellow believers in their walk with Jesus? What can you do to foster a sense of community in your small group or church? ([01:05:13])
7. Reflect on the analogy of geese flying in formation. Who are the people in your life that you can "honk" for, offering encouragement and support? How can you be intentional about doing this in the coming week? ([01:05:55])
Devotional
Day 1: Conscious Choices for God's Will
Our daily decisions shape our spiritual journey, steering us towards or away from God's will. Choosing to live a life "set apart" involves intentional actions that reflect our commitment to God, distinguishing us from worldly influences. These choices are not just about avoiding sin but about embracing a life that glorifies God. [07:40]
James 4:17 - "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
Reflection: What decision are you facing today that could impact your spiritual life, and how can you align it with God's will?
Day 2: Surrender to Jesus as Lord
Salvation is an invitation to a transformed life, not just a ticket out of sin. Embracing Jesus as both Savior and Lord means yielding our desires to His, which reshapes our lives to mirror His purpose. This surrender is a daily act of devotion, acknowledging His authority in every aspect of our lives. [14:25]
Luke 9:23 - "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 yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 3: Motivated by God's Love
Our service to God is not a burdensome task but a response to His profound love for us. When we understand and experience this love, our actions become expressions of a vibrant relationship with Him. This perspective turns our spiritual duties into a joyous outpouring of gratitude, making our walk with God feel like life itself. [21:30]
1 John 4:19 - "We love because he first loved us."
Reflection: How does the understanding of God's love for you influence your daily actions, and in what ways can you express that love to others today?
Day 4: The Strength of Christian Community
The Christian journey is not meant to be walked alone. Community provides the support and encouragement we need to stay committed to Jesus. By uplifting one another, we share the burdens and joys of our faith, much like geese flying in formation, each benefiting from the strength of the group. [28:45]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your community can you encourage today, and how can you actively support them in their spiritual walk?
Day 5: Pursuing Righteousness and Peace
A life set apart for Jesus is marked by the pursuit of righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace. These qualities should be evident in all we do, showcasing the transformative power of the gospel. As we embody the character of Christ, we become beacons of His light in a world that desperately needs it. [35:50]
2 Peter 3:14 - "Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace."
Reflection: Reflect on your actions from the past week. How have they demonstrated righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, and what can you do differently this week to better reflect Christ's character?
Quotes
"We need that type of community as we pursue Jesus together. To pursue and to live a life set apart. I want to live a life set apart for the glory of God." [01:07:14] (Download)
"Living a life set apart is not meant to be lived alone. It's to be lived in community of people who love Jesus and want to live for him as well." [01:09:13] (Download)
"Life is full of choices. And my prayer is that we choose Jesus. That we would flee from sin and run after a life of righteousness, living God's way, saying, not my will, but your will be done, God." [01:08:11] (Download)
"We need to support each other, to stand with each other. I love the imagery of geese, right? As the geese are flying, they're flying in this V formation, and the goose at the front is doing a lot of the work." [01:05:51] (Download)
"Every day, every day we make choices, and those choices matter. And again, some are trivial, but some of these choices are huge, and they have huge life ramifications, right?" [40:47] (Download)
"I am not living rightly to be saved. I pursue righteousness. I pursue righteous living because I'm saved. There's a huge difference there. Religion says, do, do, do, do this, do that, so that maybe God will love you." [01:01:09] (Download)
"I'm not saved from something. I'm saved for something. So I seek to live a life set apart for Jesus." [52:50] (Download)
"Satan has done a really good job of convincing us that how we live doesn't matter. And that's just simply not true. If you call yourself a Christian, you want to be set apart for God, how you live matters." [57:20] (Download)
"The Christian life is meant to be lived out in every area of our life. Christ is to be preeminent over everything in our life. That is Christianity." [01:02:05] (Download)
"If your why to live a life for Jesus is not born out of the realization that God loves you, that He knows you, that He wants to be in relationship with you, it will always feel like work." [47:18] (Download)
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