Living Wisely: Spiritual Investments and Daily Decisions
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Menlo Church! Today marks the conclusion of our nine-week series, "Beyond the Basics," where we've delved deeply into Romans 8. Although we finished reading the chapter last week, today we will draw parallels from another letter by Paul to the churches in Galatia, which offers a concise and impactful application of the themes we've explored in Romans 8.
We live in a unique economic environment with high inflation and interest rates, which can make financial management challenging. However, there's an interest rate we can control—the interest rate of our decisions. Paul’s letters remind us that our choices accrue interest, and we must be mindful of whether our decisions are yielding positive or negative returns in our lives.
Paul emphasizes living beyond condemnation, a theme he introduces in Romans 8:1, where he states that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. This freedom should not just be a belief but a lived reality that influences our daily decisions. In Galatians, Paul counters false teachings that add legalistic requirements to faith, urging believers to walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh. This choice impacts not just our eternal destiny but our daily lives.
Our decisions have weight, and waiting to make decisions can sometimes have even greater consequences. Paul’s message in Galatians is clear: whatever we sow, we will reap. If we sow to the flesh, we reap corruption; if we sow to the Spirit, we reap eternal life. This principle of sowing and reaping is akin to the concept of compound interest in finance, where small, consistent investments yield significant returns over time.
Finally, we must assess our spiritual retirement plan. Just as we periodically review our financial investments, we should regularly evaluate our spiritual investments. Paul assures us that our justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law. This assurance should shape our daily lives and decisions, leading us to live in light of eternity.
### Key Takeaways
1. Live Beyond Condemnation: Embrace the freedom from condemnation that comes through Christ. This freedom should not just be a belief but a lived reality that influences our daily decisions, helping us to live in the grace that God provides. [28:22]
2. Walk by the Spirit: Paul urges us to walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh. This choice impacts not just our eternal destiny but our daily lives, empowering us to live differently and make decisions that align with God's will. [30:43]
3. Sow and Reap Wisely: Our decisions have weight, and whatever we sow, we will reap. If we sow to the flesh, we reap corruption; if we sow to the Spirit, we reap eternal life. This principle is akin to compound interest, where small, consistent investments yield significant returns over time. [38:10]
4. Assess Your Spiritual Investments: Just as we review our financial investments, we should regularly evaluate our spiritual investments. Paul assures us that our justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law. This assurance should shape our daily lives and decisions. [45:30]
5. God’s Grace and Time: Even if it feels like you've squandered your spiritual investment, God's grace provides time to turn back to Him. The fact that you are still here means there is still hope and time to make changes that align with God's will. [51:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:18] - Special Welcome to Bay Area Campuses
[20:54] - Recap of Romans 8
[21:22] - Introduction to Galatians
[21:56] - Prayer and Humility
[22:31] - God's Grace and Our Shortcomings
[23:00] - The Parent Tax and Economic Environment
[24:10] - Decisions and Interest Rates
[25:17] - The Interest Rate of Our Decisions
[25:52] - Living Beyond Condemnation
[28:22] - No Condemnation in Christ
[30:43] - Walking by the Spirit
[33:19] - Choosing Your Investment Strategy
[38:10] - Sowing and Reaping
[45:30] - Assessing Your Spiritual Investments
[51:13] - God's Grace and Time
[53:18] - Upcoming Series: Storytellers
[53:55] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:1-2 (ESV) - "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
2. Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV) - "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says there is "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" in Romans 8:1? How does this connect to the idea of living beyond condemnation? [28:22]
2. In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul talks about sowing and reaping. What are the two types of sowing he mentions, and what are their respective outcomes? [38:10]
3. How does Paul describe the conflict between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-17? [30:43]
4. What analogy does the pastor use to explain the concept of sowing and reaping in our daily decisions? How does this relate to compound interest? [38:10]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the freedom from condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1) influence a believer's daily decisions and overall lifestyle? [28:22]
2. What does it mean to "walk by the Spirit" according to Galatians 5:16-17, and how does this impact our daily lives and decisions? [30:43]
3. How can the principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-8) be applied to our spiritual lives? What are some practical examples of sowing to the Spirit versus sowing to the flesh? [38:10]
4. The pastor mentioned assessing our spiritual investments regularly. How does this practice help in aligning our lives with God's will? [45:30]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily decisions. Are there areas where you feel condemned or guilty? How can embracing the truth of "no condemnation in Christ" change your perspective and actions? [28:22]
2. Identify one decision you made recently. Was it influenced by the desires of the flesh or the Spirit? How can you make more Spirit-led decisions in the future? [30:43]
3. Think about a time when you "sowed to the flesh." What were the consequences? How can you start sowing to the Spirit in that area of your life? [38:10]
4. Assess your current spiritual investments. Are there practices or habits you need to start, stop, or continue to align more closely with God's will? [45:30]
5. The pastor mentioned the importance of making intentional time for God and family. What specific steps can you take this week to create margin in your schedule for these priorities? [33:57]
6. How can you use the principle of compound interest in your spiritual life? Identify one small, consistent practice you can start today that will yield significant spiritual growth over time. [48:43]
7. Reflect on the concept of God's grace providing time to turn back to Him. Is there an area in your life where you need to make a change? What steps will you take this week to align with God's will? [51:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Freedom from Condemnation
Living beyond condemnation means embracing the freedom that comes through Christ. This freedom is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that should influence our daily decisions. Paul’s message in Romans 8:1 is clear: there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This assurance should empower us to live in the grace that God provides, free from the guilt and shame that can often paralyze us.
In Galatians, Paul counters false teachings that add legalistic requirements to faith, urging believers to walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh. This choice impacts not just our eternal destiny but our daily lives. When we live beyond condemnation, we are free to make decisions that align with God's will, knowing that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by our works. [28:22]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you feel condemned or guilty. How can you embrace the freedom that Christ offers in this area today?
Day 2: Walk by the Spirit
Walking by the Spirit means making daily choices that align with God's will rather than our fleshly desires. Paul urges us to walk by the Spirit, emphasizing that this choice impacts not just our eternal destiny but our daily lives. When we walk by the Spirit, we are empowered to live differently, making decisions that reflect God's love, grace, and truth.
In Galatians, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, urging believers to choose the latter. This choice is not always easy, but it is essential for living a life that honors God. Walking by the Spirit requires intentionality and a willingness to submit to God's guidance in every aspect of our lives. [30:43]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: Identify one decision you need to make today. How can you ensure that this decision aligns with walking by the Spirit rather than the flesh?
Day 3: Sow and Reap Wisely
The principle of sowing and reaping is a powerful reminder that our decisions have weight. Paul teaches that whatever we sow, we will reap. If we sow to the flesh, we reap corruption; if we sow to the Spirit, we reap eternal life. This principle is akin to compound interest in finance, where small, consistent investments yield significant returns over time.
In our daily lives, we must be mindful of the seeds we are planting. Are we investing in things that lead to spiritual growth and eternal life, or are we sowing seeds that lead to corruption and decay? This principle encourages us to make wise decisions that align with God's will, knowing that our choices have long-term consequences. [38:10]
Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
Reflection: Reflect on the "seeds" you are planting in your life today. Are they leading to spiritual growth or corruption? What changes can you make to sow more wisely?
Day 4: Assess Your Spiritual Investments
Just as we periodically review our financial investments, we should regularly evaluate our spiritual investments. Paul assures us that our justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law. This assurance should shape our daily lives and decisions, leading us to live in light of eternity.
Assessing our spiritual investments involves examining how we spend our time, resources, and energy. Are we investing in things that have eternal value, or are we focused on temporary, worldly pursuits? Regularly evaluating our spiritual investments helps us stay aligned with God's will and ensures that we are living a life that honors Him. [45:30]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: Take a moment to evaluate your spiritual investments. Are you investing in things that have eternal value? What changes can you make to align your investments with God's will?
Day 5: God’s Grace and Time
Even if it feels like you've squandered your spiritual investment, God's grace provides time to turn back to Him. The fact that you are still here means there is still hope and time to make changes that align with God's will. God's grace is abundant and available to all who seek it, offering a fresh start and a new beginning.
This assurance should encourage us to make the most of the time we have, investing in things that have eternal value. No matter how far we may have strayed, God's grace is sufficient to bring us back into alignment with His will. This is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to turn back to God and make decisions that honor Him. [51:13]
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel you have squandered your spiritual investment? How can you turn back to God and make changes that align with His will today?
Quotes
1. "Sprinkled throughout Romans 8, and as you'll see in a minute through the letter to the churches in Galatia, we are shown that our decisions accrue interest. The question is, are you interested in the interest of your decisions? It's easy to look at the news or whatever we are entertaining ourselves with to be consumed with people that we will never meet. But you have influence over an interest rate in your life." [24:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The question that we'll see Paul whisper in Romans, but we'll see Paul shout in Galatians is how would you rate the interest rate of your decisions? And do you care? See, tonight, today might be an uncomfortable conversation, because without an intentional focus on a question like this, our lives can begin to drift without us even realizing it." [25:17] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you're a Christian, we can look pretty strange because we believe something, but we don't believe enough of it to do something with it. A lot of times, if you're a Christian for a long time, what we can do actually is we can make our life about what we don't do. But we can restrict ourselves and restrict ourselves and restrict ourselves. And eventually, we are way more known for what we're against than what we're for. And we're so concerned about making the wrong decision that we make no decision." [27:13] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The first choice that you and I have to address the interest rates of our decisions is to live beyond condemnation. Not to just know it, but to live beyond condemnation. If you were with us throughout the series, this is actually kind of where Paul started in chapter eight of this incredible letter. If you were with us, maybe you remember this part of the passage. He says, Now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." [28:22] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul, he counters the ideas of the false teachers and he wants to make sure that they understand there is a choice for those of us who choose to follow Jesus, that we can walk every day empowered and informed by the Holy Spirit of God living inside each and every one of us. Jesus, when he left earth from his earthly ministry, after he was resurrected, he said that he was doing it in part so that the helper or the Holy Spirit of God himself could come live inside of followers of Jesus, that we would be supernaturally empowered to live differently, that we couldn't do this before, but after we could." [31:19] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "How would you rate the interest rate of your decisions? Those poor decisions and that unintentional time, it was costing me interest that my other decisions weren't making up for. If you're honest, I bet for some of you, that's the case. That leads me to the second decision from this parallel study in Romans 8 and Galatians, which is that you need to choose your investment strategy." [34:28] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Paul gives us these ideas about investing in our study through Romans, and some of you, it's like you're hearing about retirement in high school because you're young and you're trying to figure this out. And the good news is, like, this is the perfect time to start investing. You know, the perfect time to start investing was probably in high school. The second best time to start investing is today. And the same thing, it's true for our spiritual decisions to follow Jesus in our day-to-day life." [36:15] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The small daily decisions you make compound over time, shaping your character, and your life in ways you can't always see in the moment. Just as compound interest grows wealth over years, consistent spiritual practices build a rich and flourishing soul. Some of you have experienced that exact idea. And if we go back to the idea of sowing and reaping that Paul is talking about, there would have been farmers that had second guessed before they saw the growth above the soil, did I put the seeds in the right place? Did I put them in at the right time? Are they really gonna grow?" [48:43] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Some of you have been following Jesus faithfully, not perfectly, but faithfully for decades. And your life hasn't been perfect, but God has been more than faithful to you. And your life is a testament. It's a story of God's goodness, even in the midst of hardship. And you telling that story is really important because it can give confidence and hope to people that are where you were." [49:52] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "God loves prodigals. And the picture of his eternal retirement account that has already been given the necessary amount you need to retire with God forever is the picture of the good news that Jesus came and lived a perfect life for you and died on your behalf and came back from the grave so that even now what Paul was talking about 2000 years ago can be true for you today and 2000 years from today. God has given us time. It's time to turn back to him." [50:28] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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