Living in Obedience: Surrendering to God's Will
Summary
The sermon addresses the concept of sin, the importance of living according to God's will, and the power of testimony. The speaker begins by discussing the universal sense of right and wrong, using Jonah's story to illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God's calling. They stress the importance of preaching the Gospel and the sin of knowing the good one ought to do but failing to do it, referencing James. The speaker also shares a personal anecdote from their youth to underscore this point.
The uncertainty of life and the need to acknowledge God's will in our plans are highlighted, with the speaker expressing gratitude for the congregation's support. They emphasize the Christian's call to stand out, live genuinely, and lead others to Christ. The importance of seeking wisdom from the Lord and sharing one's testimony is underscored, with the speaker encouraging the congregation to be in God's word and to live a life of thanksgiving.
The speaker reflects on personal sacrifices made for the Kingdom of God, questioning the congregation about what they have given up for the Gospel. They stress the importance of prioritizing Christ over personal success and ambitions. A tragic story of a young girl's death is shared to illustrate the brevity of life and the need for surrender to God's will.
The power of God's word and the availability of grace for the humble are acknowledged, with a prayer for humility and a blessing for the congregation. The speaker prays for guidance and wisdom, emphasizing the importance of submitting plans to God's will and relying on Christ's righteousness. They invite the congregation to surrender all to Jesus through prayer and song.
The speaker compares living life without God's guidance to building a house without an architect, warning of the destruction that life's storms can bring to such a foundation. They criticize the church for not seeking God's guidance and urge listeners to surrender their lives to God. The speaker also discusses knowing God's will, emphasizing a personal relationship with Jesus, thankfulness, and wisdom.
A child's love for Jesus and the fleeting nature of life are discussed, with references to Billy Graham and the book of James. The speaker shares a personal experience of sharing the gospel, emphasizing the importance of doing the good we know we ought to do. Lessons from the speaker's father and grandmother about humility and seeking God's will are shared, with the analogy of building a house used to illustrate the need for God's guidance in life.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Jonah serves as a powerful reminder that disobedience to God's calling can lead to dire consequences, and that even those who are far from God recognize the innate sense of right and wrong. This narrative teaches that obedience to God's will is paramount and that sharing the Gospel is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
- The teachings of James on the uncertainty of life and the importance of submitting to God's will challenge believers to live lives that are distinctly Christian. This means genuinely living out one's faith, loving the broken, and leading the lost to Christ, which requires a commitment that stands in stark contrast to the world.
- The concept of testimony is crucial in the Christian walk. Regularly sharing what God has done in one's life not only strengthens personal faith but also serves as a beacon to others. The speaker's emphasis on testimony underscores the transformative power of personal stories in witnessing to others.
- The speaker's personal sacrifices and the tragic story shared serve as sobering reminders of the brevity of life and the importance of prioritizing God's will over personal ambitions. This perspective calls for a reevaluation of one's priorities and a commitment to living a life that is surrendered to God's purposes.
- The analogy of building a house without an architect parallels the folly of living life without seeking God's guidance. The speaker's criticism of the church's self-reliance serves as a wake-up call to seek the master architect—God—in all aspects of life, ensuring that one's life is built on a solid foundation that can withstand life's storms.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- James 4:13-17
#### Observation Questions
1. What does James 4:13-14 say about the uncertainty of life and our plans?
2. According to James 4:15, what should we say when making plans?
3. How does the speaker describe the consequences of disobedience using Jonah's story? ([01:04:10])
4. What personal sacrifices did the speaker mention making for the Kingdom of God? ([57:20])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize saying "if it is the Lord's will" when making plans? How does this reflect our dependence on God? ([01:08:04])
2. How does the story of Jonah illustrate the consequences of ignoring God's calling? ([01:04:10])
3. What does the speaker mean by living a life that is "distinctly Christian"? How does this contrast with worldly living? ([55:44])
4. How does sharing one's testimony strengthen personal faith and serve as a witness to others? ([01:13:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current plans and ambitions. How often do you consider God's will in your decision-making process? What changes can you make to ensure you are seeking His guidance? ([01:08:04])
2. The speaker shared a tragic story to highlight the brevity of life. How does this perspective influence your priorities and the way you live your daily life? ([59:23])
3. Think about a time when you felt called to do something good but hesitated or failed to act. What held you back, and how can you overcome such hesitations in the future? ([01:04:10])
4. The speaker mentioned personal sacrifices made for the Kingdom of God. What are some things you might need to give up to prioritize God's will in your life? ([57:20])
5. How can you incorporate the practice of sharing your testimony into your daily life? Identify one person you can share your story with this week. ([01:13:07])
6. The analogy of building a house without an architect was used to describe living without God's guidance. What steps can you take to ensure that your life is built on a solid foundation? ([01:09:54])
7. The speaker emphasized the importance of humility and relying on Christ's righteousness. In what areas of your life do you need to practice more humility and dependence on God? ([01:15:54])
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience to God's Will is Paramount
Obedience to God's will is not optional but essential for a life of fulfillment and purpose. Jonah's story warns of the dangers of ignoring God's directives. It is a call to align one's actions with the moral compass that God has placed within each person. This obedience is not just about avoiding wrongdoing but also about actively participating in the mission to share the Gospel. [07:40]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: In what ways might you be running from God's calling in your life, and how can you begin to align your actions with His will?
Day 2: Distinctly Christian Living
The uncertainty of life calls for a distinctly Christian approach, one that is marked by genuine faith and love for others. Believers are challenged to stand out, not conforming to the world but transforming it by leading the lost to Christ. This requires a commitment to live by the principles taught by Jesus, even when it is countercultural. [14:20]
1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
Reflection: How can your life today reflect a commitment to genuinely living out your faith and loving those who are broken?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Testimony
Sharing one's testimony is not just a recount of past events; it's a powerful tool that can inspire and lead others to Christ. It is a reflection of God's work in an individual's life and a testament to His grace and mercy. Regularly sharing these stories can strengthen personal faith and serve as a beacon of hope to others. [21:35]
Psalm 71:15-16 - "My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone."
Reflection: What is one way God has worked in your life that you can share with someone this week to encourage their faith?
Day 4: Prioritizing God's Will Over Personal Ambitions
The brevity of life and the inevitability of death call for a reevaluation of priorities, placing God's will above personal ambitions. The sacrifices made for the Kingdom of God are not in vain but are investments in eternal life. This perspective challenges individuals to live not for temporary gains but for the fulfillment of God's purposes. [28:50]
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Reflection: What are you holding onto that is hindering your full commitment to God's will, and how can you begin to let go of it?
Day 5: Building Life on God's Guidance
Living without seeking God's guidance is like constructing a building without a blueprint. It is essential to seek the Master Architect's plan to ensure that life is built on a solid foundation. This requires humility, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to follow God's direction, especially when it contradicts personal desires or societal norms. [35:10]
Proverbs 24:3-4 - "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have not sought God's guidance, and how can you begin to seek His wisdom in that area today?
Quotes
"We have got to have wisdom that comes from the Lord and because of all of those things being a real reality, you have got to have a testimony to share what God is doing in your life." [01:13:07] (Download)
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all those things are going to come. He'll lead you to the right person, he'll put you in the right job opportunity, he'll tell you who you're supposed to witness to." [01:14:22] (Download)
"We are guilty of trying to build a structure in our life that is empty, foundation-less, with no foundation. Lord, I'm grateful that the good news of today is that if we have not been doing this with our life, you haven't returned yet and so we can repent this very moment." [01:15:07] (Download)
"Your word is life-giving, it's convicting; sometimes, Lord, we feel like we miss the mark so often, but there is more grace for those who are humble." [01:19:50] (Download)
"What have you really given up for the sake of the Kingdom? What have you really given up for the sake of the Gospel? And I know that's the same question the Lord Jesus would be asking us today." [58:03] (Download)
"The fact that he would take a broken sinner like me and choose to use me in any way still blows my mind, but I do stand here fully committed to preach the word, to encourage the Saints, to love the broken, to lead the lost to Jesus Christ." [55:44] (Download)
"If you are a Christian, if you have confessed Christ as Lord, you should look differently; you should not look like the World. Many of the responses I got this week were encouraging but also kind of questioning." [56:35] (Download)
"Instead you ought to say if it is the Lord's will we should do this or that... anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." [01:02:57] (Download)
"Anyone who knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. So you and I are living in sin when we are called by God to do something and we don't do it." [01:04:10] (Download)
"Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ excites me, and if you're not in the habit of preaching the gospel or sharing the gospel with people, shame on you. Start today; you know the story that has the power to set people free, so speak it." [01:05:31] (Download)
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