Living Urgently: Embracing God's Will Today
Summary
The sermon, deeply rooted in the book of James, begins with the speaker's reflection on the inexhaustible wisdom found within its chapters. Initially planning to preach five messages, one for each chapter, the speaker instead delves into the profound teachings of James chapter four. The sermon opens with a prayer for divine guidance and quickly transitions into the core message: the fleeting nature of life and the urgency of living in accordance with God's will.
The speaker shares a personal testimony, recounting their journey of surrendering to preach and the subsequent blessings experienced in ministry. This story serves as a powerful example of the transformation that occurs when one commits to serving God wholeheartedly. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the brevity of life, using their own experiences and biblical figures like Job and the psalmist to illustrate how quickly time passes. They urge the congregation to reflect on their own lives and consider the transient nature of their earthly existence.
The sermon continues with a call to action, encouraging believers to live for God today rather than postponing their commitment. The speaker highlights the complexity and uncertainty of life, comparing it to a vapor that appears briefly before vanishing. They stress the importance of being led by the Spirit, dying to the flesh daily, and devoting oneself to God through reading the Bible, prayer, and church attendance.
A poignant narrative is shared about a young woman named Brianna, whose life was marked by health challenges but also by a fervent passion for soul-winning. Despite her physical limitations, Brianna's determination to share the gospel exemplifies the urgency of working for God before it's too late. The speaker also recounts the story of Pastor J.D. Weedoe, whose life was transformed after he and his wife unknowingly made a commitment to God during an altar call, leading Weedoe to become a pastor.
The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder of the inclusivity of salvation and the responsibility of every believer to share their faith. The speaker shares their own experience of being saved through someone's compassion and prayers, reinforcing the message that God's will is for everyone to be reconciled with Him and to serve Him with their lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The book of James serves as a poignant reminder that life is fleeting, and believers must prioritize living in accordance with God's will. The speaker's personal journey of surrendering to preach underscores the transformative power of committing one's life to God's service. [01:10:29]
- The story of Brianna, a young woman who faced significant health challenges, illustrates the profound impact one individual can have when they dedicate their life to sharing the gospel. Her unwavering commitment to soul-winning, even in the face of adversity, serves as an inspiration to all believers to act with urgency in their faith. [01:18:51]
- Pastor J.D. Weedoe's life-changing experience at an altar call demonstrates the unexpected ways God can call individuals to serve Him. This narrative encourages believers to be open to God's calling and to seek His will for their lives, rather than settling for worldly pursuits. [01:13:01]
- The inclusivity of salvation is a central theme of the sermon, with the speaker emphasizing that anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. This message is reinforced by the story of a young girl in a wheelchair who led many to Christ, showcasing the power of sharing one's faith with compassion and love. [01:21:13]
- The sermon challenges believers to live for God today, highlighting the uncertainty of life and the importance of making the decision to be saved by God's grace. The speaker calls for a commitment to reading the Bible, praying, witnessing, exhorting one another, and following Christ without delay, as life's complexity and brevity are akin to a vapor that soon vanishes. [01:00:31]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 4:13-14 (ESV) - "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
2. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) - "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
3. Proverbs 27:1 (ESV) - "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does James compare life to in James 4:14, and what does this comparison signify about the nature of life? [57:17]
2. According to Romans 12:1-2, what are believers encouraged to do with their bodies and minds?
3. In Proverbs 27:1, what warning is given about boasting, and why is this significant for believers?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the fleeting nature of life, and how should this impact a believer's daily decisions? [57:17]
2. How does the speaker's personal testimony of surrendering to preach illustrate the transformative power of committing one's life to God's service? [49:16]
3. What lessons can be drawn from the story of Brianna regarding the urgency of sharing the gospel despite personal challenges? [01:06:18]
4. How does the narrative of Pastor J.D. Weedoe's life-changing experience at an altar call encourage believers to be open to God's calling? [01:13:37]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the comparison of life to a vapor in James 4:14. How does this perspective influence your priorities and daily actions? [57:17]
2. The speaker shared a personal testimony of surrendering to preach and the blessings that followed. Have you experienced a moment of surrender to God's will? How did it change your life? [49:16]
3. Brianna's story highlights the importance of sharing the gospel with urgency. Is there someone in your life you feel called to share your faith with? What steps can you take this week to do so? [01:06:18]
4. Pastor J.D. Weedoe's unexpected calling to ministry shows the importance of being open to God's plans. Are there areas in your life where you might be resisting God's call? How can you become more receptive? [01:13:37]
5. The sermon emphasizes the need to live for God today rather than postponing commitment. What is one specific way you can deepen your relationship with God this week through prayer, Bible reading, or church involvement? [01:00:31]
6. The speaker mentioned the inclusivity of salvation and the responsibility to share faith. How can you show compassion and love to someone who might feel excluded or distant from God? [01:21:15]
7. Considering the uncertainty of life as mentioned in Proverbs 27:1, what is one goal or action you have been delaying that you can start today to align more closely with God's will?
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Life's Fleeting Nature
Life is short and unpredictable, a truth that should compel us to live with purpose and in alignment with God's will. Recognizing the brevity of life can lead to a transformative commitment to serve and honor God in every moment. This realization is not meant to incite fear but to inspire a life lived fully for God's glory. [01:10:29]
James 4:14 - "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
Reflection: How does the awareness of life's brevity influence your daily priorities and decisions?
Day 2: The Impact of Unwavering Commitment
Despite significant health challenges, one's dedication to sharing the gospel can have a profound impact. This unwavering commitment serves as a testament to the power of faith and the urgency of spreading God's word, regardless of personal obstacles. It is a call to act with conviction and to never underestimate the influence of a life lived for Christ. [01:18:51]
Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Reflection: What personal challenges might be hindering you from fully committing to God's work, and how can you overcome them?
Day 3: Openness to God's Unexpected Call
God's calling can come in unexpected moments and transform lives in unimaginable ways. Being open to God's will can lead to a life of service and fulfillment that far exceeds worldly pursuits. This openness is a journey of faith, trusting that God's plans are greater than our own. [01:13:01]
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God's plan for you was different from your own, and how did you respond?
Day 4: Salvation's Inclusive Embrace
Salvation is an inclusive gift, available to all who call upon the Lord. The power of sharing one's faith with compassion and love can lead many to Christ, demonstrating that physical limitations do not hinder spiritual influence. This inclusivity underscores the responsibility to share the gospel with all, reflecting God's desire for everyone to know Him. [01:21:13]
Romans 10:12-13 - "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate the inclusivity of God's love in your interactions with others today?
Day 5: Today's Commitment to God's Will
The uncertainty of life underscores the importance of committing to God's will today. Embracing daily disciplines such as reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with believers are essential in cultivating a relationship with Christ. This commitment to living for God should not be delayed, as life's fleeting nature reminds us that every moment is an opportunity to serve Him. [01:00:31]
Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to deepen your commitment to living according to God's will?
Quotes
"Somebody once said this, there are two eternities, a past and a future, and between those two eternities lies a speck called today. Can I say dear child of God, today is the most important time in our life. It's important because today is the only day that we're certain that we're going to have." [59:54] (Download)
"We're so busy and so fast-paced in this society that every now and then we ought to just stop for just a moment and put life into perspective." [57:15] (Download)
"The clock is ticking for us to be committed to God with our lives. Commitment involves a surrendered will. It's not my will, but thine be done." [01:12:18] (Download)
"To most of us this morning, life seems long. And we measure life in years. But in comparison to eternity, life is just a vapor." [01:03:29] (Download)
"Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today? Because there's not a one of us that knows if we're going to have tomorrow, therefore, if we're going to live for God, today is the day that we must live for God." [01:00:31] (Download)
"The Bible says behold now is the accepted time. Behold today is the day of salvation. Today becomes an urgent opportunity to be saved by the grace of God." [01:01:05] (Download)
"Brianna loved to win folks to Christ. Three months before she went home to be with the Lord, she was so sick and had been in and out of the hospital for days... She said, Daddy, I want to go soul-winning." [01:19:45] (Download)
"He said, I went down to an old-fashioned altar, and I laid my life on the altar, and I realized that God saved me, and He bought me at the price, and it's not my life to do with it what I want to do." [01:15:47] (Download)
"To be devoted to the Father, we're devoted to His love letter called the Bible, we're devoted to God in a sincere prayer life, and by being at His house, any time the door is open, we ought to be in our place at the house of God." [53:16] (Download)
"God's good will is that everybody be saved by the grace of God. God's acceptable will is that you and I serve him with our life." [55:18] (Download)
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