Living a Spirit-Led Life in God's Love
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we delved into the book of Jude, focusing on the admonition to build ourselves up in the most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, and keeping ourselves in the love of God. Jude's message is particularly relevant today as we navigate a world filled with scoffers and divisions. We are reminded to keep ourselves in God's love, a practice that is beautifully symbolized through the act of communion. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus Christ's sacrifice—His body broken and His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
We also explored the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit, drawing from the story of Jesus' baptism and His subsequent journey into the wilderness as described in Luke chapters 3 and 4. Jesus, though divine, set aside His godly power to model a life led by the Holy Spirit. This serves as a powerful example for us: we must choose to be led by the Spirit rather than follow the ways of the world.
Being led by the Spirit involves several key aspects: listening to His voice, discerning His will, and following His guidance. This is not a mystical or abstract concept but a practical, daily walk with God. The Holy Spirit leads us through prayer, through God's Word, and through gentle nudges or promptings. These nudges are akin to the subtle guidance a skilled rider gives to a well-trained horse, steering it with just a slight tug on the reins.
We are encouraged to embrace this Spirit-led life, understanding that it may not come with a clear map or GPS. Instead, it requires daily steps of obedience and trust. The alternative—following our own whims or the ways of the world—leads to a life of confusion and sin. Therefore, we are called to repent, turn from our sins, and follow the Holy Spirit's leading.
### Key Takeaways
1. Building Up in Faith and Love: Jude's exhortation to build ourselves up in the most holy faith and keep ourselves in the love of God is crucial in these divisive times. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of God's love and Jesus' sacrifice, helping us to stay anchored in our faith. [22:50]
2. Being Led by the Spirit: Jesus' life exemplifies being led by the Holy Spirit. Despite His divinity, He chose to live as a human, guided by the Spirit. This teaches us that we must either be led by the Spirit or follow the world; there is no middle ground. [46:17]
3. Practical Steps of Obedience: Being led by the Spirit involves listening to His voice, discerning His will, and following His guidance. This is a daily walk that requires us to be attentive to the Spirit's promptings, much like a rider gently guiding a horse. [55:34]
4. The Role of Prayer and Scripture: The Holy Spirit leads us through prayer and God's Word. These are not burdensome tasks but joyful practices that deepen our relationship with God. When we fall in love with the Author of the Bible, His words become sweeter than honey to us. [01:05:50]
5. Responding to the Spirit's Nudges: The Holy Spirit often guides us through gentle nudges or promptings. These impressions should be tested against Scripture to ensure they align with God's will. Obeying these nudges, even when they seem small, is crucial for a Spirit-led life. [01:12:33]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:50] - Living in the Last Times
[23:56] - Communion: A Meal of Remembrance
[35:12] - Announcements and Offering
[41:45] - Vacation Bible School Recap
[46:17] - Being Led by the Spirit
[55:34] - Practical Steps of Obedience
[01:05:50] - The Role of Prayer and Scripture
[01:12:33] - Responding to the Spirit's Nudges
[01:21:06] - Call to Repentance and Prayer
[01:22:19] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Jude 1:17-21
2. Luke 3:21-22
3. Luke 4:1-2
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Jude 1:17-21, what are the characteristics of the people who cause divisions and follow their own ungodly passions?
2. In Luke 3:21-22, what significant event happens to Jesus after His baptism, and how does the Holy Spirit manifest?
3. How does Luke 4:1-2 describe Jesus' experience in the wilderness, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this event?
4. What are the practical steps mentioned in the sermon for being led by the Holy Spirit? ([55:34])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jude emphasize the importance of building ourselves up in the most holy faith and keeping ourselves in the love of God? How does this relate to the challenges we face today? ([22:50])
2. How does Jesus' baptism and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him serve as a model for our own spiritual journey? ([46:17])
3. What does it mean to be led by the Holy Spirit in practical terms, according to the sermon? How can we discern His guidance in our daily lives? ([55:34])
4. The sermon mentions that the Holy Spirit often guides us through gentle nudges or promptings. How can we become more sensitive to these nudges, and why is it important to test them against Scripture? ([01:12:33])
#### Application Questions
1. Jude calls us to build ourselves up in the most holy faith and keep ourselves in the love of God. What specific actions can you take this week to strengthen your faith and remain in God's love? ([22:50])
2. Reflect on a time when you felt led by the Holy Spirit. How did you discern His guidance, and what was the outcome? How can you apply this experience to future decisions? ([46:17])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer and Scripture in being led by the Holy Spirit. What changes can you make in your daily routine to prioritize these practices? ([01:05:50])
4. Think about a recent situation where you felt a gentle nudge or prompting from the Holy Spirit. Did you respond to it? If not, what held you back, and how can you be more responsive in the future? ([01:12:33])
5. The sermon mentions that being led by the Spirit may not come with a clear map or GPS. How can you cultivate a mindset of trust and obedience in your walk with God, even when the path is uncertain? ([59:23])
6. Communion is described as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and God's love. How can you make the act of communion more meaningful in your spiritual life? ([23:56])
7. Identify one area of your life where you have been following your own whims or the ways of the world. What steps can you take to repent and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in that area? ([01:21:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Building Up in Faith and Love
Jude's exhortation to build ourselves up in the most holy faith and keep ourselves in the love of God is crucial in these divisive times. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of God's love and Jesus' sacrifice, helping us to stay anchored in our faith. Jude's message is particularly relevant today as we navigate a world filled with scoffers and divisions. We are reminded to keep ourselves in God's love, a practice that is beautifully symbolized through the act of communion. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus Christ's sacrifice—His body broken and His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
In these times of division and scoffing, it is essential to build ourselves up in faith and love. This involves not only personal spiritual growth but also communal practices like communion that remind us of Jesus' sacrifice. By keeping ourselves in God's love, we can navigate the challenges of the world with a firm foundation in our faith. [22:50]
Jude 1:20-21 (ESV): "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."
Reflection: How can you actively build yourself up in faith and love today? Is there a specific practice, like communion, that you can engage in to remind yourself of Jesus' sacrifice and God's love?
Day 2: Being Led by the Spirit
Jesus' life exemplifies being led by the Holy Spirit. Despite His divinity, He chose to live as a human, guided by the Spirit. This teaches us that we must either be led by the Spirit or follow the world; there is no middle ground. Jesus, though divine, set aside His godly power to model a life led by the Holy Spirit. This serves as a powerful example for us: we must choose to be led by the Spirit rather than follow the ways of the world.
Being led by the Spirit involves several key aspects: listening to His voice, discerning His will, and following His guidance. This is not a mystical or abstract concept but a practical, daily walk with God. The Holy Spirit leads us through prayer, through God's Word, and through gentle nudges or promptings. These nudges are akin to the subtle guidance a skilled rider gives to a well-trained horse, steering it with just a slight tug on the reins. [46:17]
Luke 4:1 (ESV): "And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness."
Reflection: Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you in your daily life? What steps can you take today to be more attentive to His guidance?
Day 3: Practical Steps of Obedience
Being led by the Spirit involves listening to His voice, discerning His will, and following His guidance. This is a daily walk that requires us to be attentive to the Spirit's promptings, much like a rider gently guiding a horse. We are encouraged to embrace this Spirit-led life, understanding that it may not come with a clear map or GPS. Instead, it requires daily steps of obedience and trust. The alternative—following our own whims or the ways of the world—leads to a life of confusion and sin. Therefore, we are called to repent, turn from our sins, and follow the Holy Spirit's leading.
Obedience to the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous journey. It involves daily decisions to listen, discern, and follow His guidance. This can be challenging, especially when the path is not clear, but it is essential for a fulfilling spiritual life. By taking practical steps of obedience, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His peace and direction. [55:34]
Galatians 5:25 (ESV): "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: What is one practical step of obedience you can take today to follow the Holy Spirit's leading? How can you make this a daily habit?
Day 4: The Role of Prayer and Scripture
The Holy Spirit leads us through prayer and God's Word. These are not burdensome tasks but joyful practices that deepen our relationship with God. When we fall in love with the Author of the Bible, His words become sweeter than honey to us. Prayer and Scripture are essential tools for discerning the Holy Spirit's guidance. They are not just religious duties but opportunities to connect with God and understand His will for our lives.
Engaging in prayer and Scripture reading allows us to hear God's voice and align our hearts with His. These practices help us to stay grounded in our faith and open to the Holy Spirit's promptings. By making prayer and Scripture a regular part of our lives, we cultivate a deeper relationship with God and become more attuned to His guidance. [01:05:50]
Psalm 119:103-105 (ESV): "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more prayer and Scripture reading into your daily routine? What changes can you make to ensure these practices are joyful and not burdensome?
Day 5: Responding to the Spirit's Nudges
The Holy Spirit often guides us through gentle nudges or promptings. These impressions should be tested against Scripture to ensure they align with God's will. Obeying these nudges, even when they seem small, is crucial for a Spirit-led life. The Holy Spirit's guidance is often subtle, requiring us to be attentive and responsive. These nudges can come in various forms, such as a thought, a feeling, or a sense of direction.
It is important to test these promptings against Scripture to ensure they are from God. By responding to the Holy Spirit's nudges, we demonstrate our willingness to follow His lead and trust in His wisdom. This obedience, even in small matters, can lead to significant spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with God. [01:12:33]
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (ESV): "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good."
Reflection: Can you recall a recent nudge or prompting from the Holy Spirit? How did you respond, and what can you do to be more attentive and obedient to His guidance in the future?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We live in this small little slice of time. But Jude gives us the admonishment to build ourselves up in the Spirit, praying in the Holy Spirit, and keeping ourselves in the love of God. That's the whole point. He says, Keep yourself in the love of God. And one of the reasons, you know, we celebrate communion every week. And one of the reasons that we do is because it reminds us the love that God has for us." [22:50] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You will either be led by the Spirit, or you will follow the world. You will either be led by the Spirit, or you will follow the world. Today, we're going to take a deep dive into Luke chapter 3 and 4, and we're going to recount the story. The story of Jesus' baptism, followed by His expulsion by the Spirit into the wilderness of God, where He was tempted by the devil." [46:17] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We do not get our identity by what we do for God. A lot of us we served really hard this week we said i mean it we were here for hours on end every night doing vacation bible school but we do not get our identity from that we don't get identity from what we did for god we get identity about from what god says about us and he calls us those who are his he says you are my beloved son you are my beloved daughter you are my children and that's where we get our identity from not from what we do for god but from what he says about us." [51:03] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you are not following the Spirit of God, you are living, let me put it as bluntly as I can, you are living an insane life. You are randomly bouncing off walls. You are being tossed to and fro. By every wind that comes by. The world and the culture, it's going to take you in all different types of directions. But you, if you are following the Spirit of God, He is going to lead you down the narrow path to the narrow gate and you will find eternal life." [01:19:11] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you are here and you have never been baptized, and you would like to be baptized, let me know, because we are going to have a baptismal service, hopefully, in the next month or two. So let me know if that is you. Now, Jesus is baptized. He comes up out of the water. And then the different Gospels record it like this, is that the heavens part, the Holy Spirit comes down in bodily form like a dove. And rest on him." [49:06] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The Spirit leads us, number one, through prayer. The Spirit leads us through prayer. If you want to follow Jesus, you're going to have to start praying. Now, some of you, that's really hard. You go, I don't have time for this. I don't know about that. But He's going to lead you into prayer. And the thing that I've noticed about this is, not only does He lead you through prayer, He leads you into prayer." [01:03:41] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Spirit leads us through God's Word. If you're looking for, Lord, what do you have for me? Where do I need to go? Get into His Word. He has literally, He wrote down His Word. And it's thick. This wasn't like a one-page thing. Right? Like, He has lots of words for us. He has words of comfort. He has words of peace. He has words of healing. We as Christians now, we feel like we've got to just avoid God's Word." [01:05:50] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The spirit of god is not the force from star wars okay it's not just some you know you know thing that that floats around in the sky or that we can just you know we can will up you know or something the holy spirit is a person that's why it says in bodily form they take pain the the author took pains to let us know that this was in bodily form that the holy spirit came upon him now the the like a dove part i just picture that as it was slow it was steady it was coming down it wasn't it wasn't it wasn't it wasn't it wasn't it wasn't aggressive it was you know it was it was it was a peaceful thing okay but it's in bodily form so i want you to know that what i am asking you to do is not to be to be led by some sort of new age mysticism what i am asking you to do is to be led by the person of the holy spirit mentioned here in the word of god that he is a person who wants to lead you amen okay so let's not let's not go into any further stuff okay i want us to stay with what the scripture actually says." [52:35] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The spirit helps us determine what god's will is the bible puts it this way it says because of uh that we will have the mind of christ that's in first corinthians i believe the spirit of god helps us it reveals god's will to us not just for us but for many situations if we seek to know it now timothy george pastor theologian he's pulling from various verses to get this um I don't want to spend a whole lot of time here because I want to get into some practical things, okay?" [55:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The spirit leads us through nudges, through nudges. This is the third thing I want to highlight today. The what, what some of the old, older, older saints called the promptings, the nudges of the Holy Spirit. I want to remind you of how I started this sermon. When you ride a horse, there's a bit bridle and reins. I told you, you pull on one side. Horse goes to the right. You pull on the other side. A horse goes to the left. My grandfather also had another horse. It was a black horse named Pride. He loved that horse. That's why he named him Pride." [01:11:45] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?