Living in Light of God's Sovereignty and Grace
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by welcoming the congregation and acknowledging the lighter attendance due to the season of travel. I took a moment to recognize our deacons, highlighting their contributions and expressing my appreciation for their service. I presented them with gift cards as a token of gratitude, emphasizing the importance of their roles in pastoral care and the church's operations.
Moving into the core of my message, I discussed the law of God, particularly the Ten Commandments, and their relevance to us as believers. I explained that the law serves to reveal God's holy nature and will, as well as our own sinful nature and disobedience, highlighting our need for a Savior. I emphasized that while we cannot fulfill the law on our own, it has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who makes us righteous before the law. I encouraged the congregation to live lives worthy of the Savior, aligning our actions with our Christian identity.
I then delved into the teachings of James chapter 4, which contrasts human self-confidence with the sovereignty of God. I pointed out that our plans are futile if they do not align with God's will, and that boasting about our plans without acknowledging God's sovereignty is both ignorant and sinful. I shared personal reflections on the dangers of being overly focused on planning to the detriment of enjoying the present moment and recognizing God's role in our lives.
I also touched on the brevity of life, using the metaphor of life as a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes. I urged the congregation to consider what truly matters and to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing service to God and others over worldly achievements.
As I concluded, I called for self-examination, asking the congregation to consider areas of their attitudes that need addressing. I stressed the importance of acknowledging and repenting from sin, especially when we are aware of it, and the urgency of living in light of God's truth and the imminent return of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. The law of God, including the Ten Commandments, serves to reveal our sinful nature and our need for a Savior. It is not by our own deeds but through faith in Christ's work on the cross that we are made righteous. This understanding should lead us to live in a manner that honors the name of Christ. [22:05]
2. Human plans are meaningless if they do not consider the sovereignty of God. Our self-confidence must be replaced with a humble submission to God's will, acknowledging that without His blessing, our efforts are in vain. This attitude of dependence on God should permeate every aspect of our lives. [49:15]
3. Life is transient and uncertain, like a vapor that appears briefly and then vanishes. This reality should prompt us to live each day with purpose, serving God and others, rather than postponing what is eternally significant for temporal pursuits. [01:05:15]
4. Boasting about our plans and achievements is an indication of ignorance and arrogance, which are offensive to God. We must recognize that we are not the masters of our fate and that our confidence should be in God alone. This humility allows us to properly align our actions with our faith. [01:22:11]
5. Knowing what is right and failing to do it is sin. Self-awareness brings accountability, and we must act on our knowledge of God's will. This requires a continual examination of our attitudes and a willingness to repent and align ourselves with God's righteousness. [01:27:45]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 3:20 - "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
2. James 4:13-17 - "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 3:20 say about the purpose of the law? How does it relate to our understanding of sin and righteousness?
2. In James 4:13-17, what metaphor is used to describe the brevity of life? How does this metaphor help us understand our existence? [44:19]
3. According to the sermon, what are the dangers of making plans without considering God's will? [49:15]
4. What does the pastor say about the importance of acknowledging God's sovereignty in our daily lives? [01:00:09]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the purpose of the law in Romans 3:20 change our perspective on our need for a Savior?
2. What does it mean to live with an eternal perspective, as discussed in the sermon? How can this perspective influence our daily decisions? [01:05:15]
3. How can boasting about our plans and achievements be seen as ignorance and arrogance before God? What are the implications of this attitude? [01:22:11]
4. Why is it important to act on our knowledge of God's will, and what are the consequences of failing to do so? [01:27:45]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you made plans without considering God's will. How did that turn out? What steps can you take to ensure you seek God's guidance in your future plans? [49:15]
2. The sermon emphasized the transient nature of life. How can you live each day with purpose, serving God and others, rather than focusing on worldly achievements? [01:05:15]
3. Think about an area in your life where you might be boasting about your plans or achievements. How can you shift your attitude to one of humble submission to God's will? [01:22:11]
4. Identify a specific sin or attitude that you are aware of but have not yet addressed. What steps can you take this week to repent and align yourself with God's righteousness? [01:27:45]
5. How can you cultivate an attitude of dependence on God in your daily life? Share a practical example of how you can acknowledge God's sovereignty in your routine activities. [01:00:09]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of living in light of God's truth and the imminent return of Christ. How does this belief impact your priorities and actions? [01:05:15]
7. Consider the metaphor of life as a vapor. What changes can you make to ensure you are not postponing what is eternally significant for temporal pursuits? [44:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Righteousness Beyond the Law
The Ten Commandments reveal a stark contrast between God's holiness and human sinfulness, underscoring the necessity of a Savior. While the law exposes human shortcomings, it also points to the grace found in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law on humanity's behalf. This gift of righteousness is not something that can be earned through deeds but is received through faith in Christ's sacrificial work. Believers are called to live in a way that reflects gratitude for this unmerited favor, striving to embody the righteousness of Christ in their daily lives. This pursuit of holiness is not about legalistic adherence to rules but about a transformation of the heart that naturally leads to a life that honors God.
"Romans 7:4-6 - Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."
Reflection: How does understanding that Christ has fulfilled the law on your behalf change the way you approach your personal spiritual disciplines? [07:40]
Day 2: Humble Submission to Divine Sovereignty
The illusion of control can be a subtle trap, leading to self-reliance and the neglect of seeking God's will. The teachings of James remind believers that human plans are insignificant if they do not align with the divine purpose. Acknowledging God's sovereignty involves recognizing that without His guidance and blessing, efforts are ultimately futile. This realization should not lead to passivity but to an active dependence on God, seeking His direction in all aspects of life. It is a call to replace self-confidence with God-confidence, humbly submitting every plan and ambition to the One who holds the future.
"Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to relinquish control and seek God's guidance more earnestly? [49:15]
Day 3: The Transience of Life
Life's fleeting nature is a sobering reality that can inspire a shift in priorities. Recognizing that life is like a vapor that appears and then vanishes should motivate believers to focus on what is eternally significant. This perspective encourages living each day with intentionality, dedicating time and energy to serving God and others rather than chasing temporary achievements. The brevity of life is not a cause for despair but a call to action, to make the most of the time given by investing in relationships and endeavors that have lasting impact.
"Psalm 90:12 - So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Reflection: How can you make more room in your daily routine to prioritize activities that have eternal value? [01:05:15]
Day 4: The Folly of Boastful Planning
Boasting about personal plans and accomplishments is a sign of ignorance and arrogance, which are offensive to God. It reflects a misunderstanding of life's true purpose and the believer's dependence on God. The Scriptures caution against such prideful attitudes, urging a recognition that humans are not the masters of their fate. True wisdom lies in understanding that confidence should rest in God alone, and this humility is what aligns actions with genuine faith.
"Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: Can you identify a recent instance where you boasted about your achievements? How can you redirect that impulse to give glory to God instead? [01:22:11]
Day 5: Accountability in Self-Awareness
Self-awareness brings with it a responsibility to act according to the knowledge of God's will. To know what is right and yet fail to do it is sin. This requires believers to continually examine their hearts and attitudes, repenting from sin and realigning with God's righteousness. It is an ongoing process of transformation, where one must be willing to confront personal shortcomings and make the necessary changes to live in the light of God's truth.
"James 4:17 - So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
Reflection: What is one specific action you know you should take to align with God's will, and what is preventing you from doing it? [01:27:45]
Quotes
1. "And this is what that means in no uncertain terms, that all that you were in this world, all of your accomplishments, all of your achievements... the moment that you die, every bit of that vanishes." [01:13:08]
2. "We're easily forgotten. You know who doesn't forget us? God. Never forgets us. We're always on his mind. Death is certain... Only what's done for Christ will last." [01:15:21]
3. "You have a desire for tomorrow. But no assurance of it... tomorrow's not promised... tomorrow is not promised. And also, time is always short." [01:09:23]
4. "The fruit of this attitude of I'm going to do this and I'm going to do that and I'm going to do this. The fruit of that attitude is procrastination towards the right attitude." [01:03:36]
5. "Your boasting is vile to the Lord... we are daily participating in a system that is the enemy of God... But if you're not applying yourself to know and truth, you're going to continue to walk in the wrong way." [01:24:50]
6. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin... When you know it, awareness assigns accountability... When you realize it, you've got to repent from it." [01:28:15]
7. "The law of God has not been done away with. It's been fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and I cannot keep it. We need him to make us righteous in the eyes of the law." [22:05]
8. "If we were going to approach that from a Christian perspective, a God-centered attitude, we would think that they ought to be first aimed at praise... everything should be done unto the honor and glory of God." [59:23]
9. "But now you rejoice in your boastings. All such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." [01:17:34]
10. "If you carry the name Christian, you carry it because you placed your faith and trust in Christ, and you ought to live accordingly so as to not besmirch that name by which you've been called." [22:05]
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