Living with Determination: Devotion to Jesus' Values
Summary
In our journey of faith, we are exploring the profound concept of determination through pre-deciding to live by the values of Jesus. This series has been a personal exploration for me, and I hope it has been for you as well. The essence of our decisions should be rooted in the eternal values of Jesus, which guide us to forgive, love, and live a life aligned with His teachings. When we align our decisions with Jesus' values, we tap into a supernatural determination that shapes the outcome of our lives. Living by these values assures us of salvation, forgiveness, and love, transcending the hurt and rules of the church.
Despite this assurance, life can still be challenging. We face tough weeks, financial struggles, and personal disappointments. It's easy to feel like life is passing us by, leaving us unfulfilled even when we achieve our dreams. However, with Jesus, mediocrity is not an option. We are called to run the race with our focus on Him, not just wait for His return. Our devotion to Jesus should be evident in every aspect of our lives, not just when it's convenient or comfortable.
Today's message is about getting closer to God by bringing every part of ourselves to Him, even the parts we struggle with. Our decisions should reflect the values of Jesus, as the direction of our lives is determined by the quality of our decisions. We must pre-decide to be devoted to Jesus, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness. This devotion is not just a one-time decision but an ongoing, timeless commitment.
The early disciples exemplified this devotion, even in the face of persecution. They were devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Their devotion was not just a belief but a way of life. We, too, must evaluate our devotion and ensure it is not just a label but a reality. Our devotion should be evident in how we spend our time, prioritize our lives, and make decisions.
To remain attached to the vine, we must pre-decide on a time, place, and plan to connect with Jesus daily. This ongoing pursuit of Jesus transforms our hearts and lives, allowing us to bear fruit that reflects His love, joy, peace, and patience. Our devotion to Jesus should be the foundation of our lives, influencing every decision and relationship. Let us seek first the one who matters most, being fully devoted to Jesus in every aspect of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Pre-deciding to Live by Jesus' Values: Our determination and the direction of our lives are shaped by pre-deciding to align our decisions with the eternal values of Jesus. This alignment assures us of salvation, forgiveness, and love, transcending the hurt and rules of the church. [03:28]
2. Facing Life's Challenges with Devotion: Despite life's challenges and feelings of unfulfillment, mediocrity is not an option with Jesus. We are called to run the race with our focus on Him, not just wait for His return. Our devotion should be evident in every aspect of our lives. [06:29]
3. Bringing Every Part of Ourselves to God: We must bring every part of ourselves, even the struggles, closer to God. Our decisions should reflect the values of Jesus, as the direction of our lives is determined by the quality of our decisions. [10:02]
4. Ongoing Devotion Like the Early Disciples: The early disciples exemplified devotion through teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Their devotion was not just a belief but a way of life. We must evaluate our devotion and ensure it is a reality, not just a label. [20:14]
5. Practical Steps to Remain Attached to the Vine: To remain attached to Jesus, we must pre-decide on a time, place, and plan to connect with Him daily. This ongoing pursuit transforms our hearts and lives, allowing us to bear fruit that reflects His love, joy, peace, and patience. [49:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:28] - Pre-deciding to Live by Jesus' Values
- [06:29] - Facing Life's Challenges with Devotion
- [10:02] - Bringing Every Part of Ourselves to God
- [13:16] - Seeking First the Kingdom
- [16:50] - Understanding True Devotion
- [20:14] - Lessons from the Early Disciples
- [23:02] - The Power of Jesus' Teachings
- [26:02] - Creating Healing Through Devotion
- [29:44] - Modern Christian Devotion
- [32:31] - Evaluating Our Devotion
- [35:35] - Time Management and Devotion
- [37:48] - The Reality of Partial Devotion
- [40:41] - The Importance of Remaining in Jesus
- [43:15] - Bearing Fruit Through Connection
- [49:35] - Practical Steps to Remain Attached to the Vine
- [55:31] - Transformation Through Devotion
- [58:09] - Aligning Our Hearts with God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. Acts 2:42 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
3. John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Matthew 6:33 suggest about the priorities we should have in our lives? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on seeking Jesus first? [13:16]
2. According to Acts 2:42, what were the early disciples devoted to, and how does this reflect their commitment to Jesus? [20:14]
3. In John 15:5, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches. What does this metaphor suggest about our relationship with Him and the importance of remaining connected? [43:15]
4. How does the sermon describe the challenges of living a life devoted to Jesus, especially when faced with life's difficulties? [06:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might seeking first the kingdom of God, as mentioned in Matthew 6:33, change the way a person approaches their daily decisions and priorities? [13:16]
2. What can we learn from the early disciples' devotion in Acts 2:42 about the importance of community and fellowship in our spiritual lives? [20:14]
3. In what ways does the metaphor of the vine and branches in John 15:5 illustrate the consequences of being disconnected from Jesus? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about the importance of ongoing devotion? [43:15]
4. The sermon discusses the concept of pre-deciding to live by Jesus' values. How does this idea of pre-decision impact one's ability to face life's challenges with faith and determination? [10:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you need to seek Jesus first, as encouraged in Matthew 6:33? What steps can you take this week to realign your priorities? [13:16]
2. The early disciples were devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. How can you incorporate these elements into your weekly routine to strengthen your devotion to Jesus? [20:14]
3. Consider the metaphor of the vine and branches. Is there a specific area in your life where you feel disconnected from Jesus? What practical steps can you take to reconnect and remain in Him? [43:15]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of bringing every part of ourselves to God, even our struggles. Is there a particular struggle you are facing that you need to bring to God? How can you do this in a practical way this week? [10:02]
5. Evaluate your current level of devotion to Jesus. Are there any distractions or habits that are hindering your spiritual growth? What changes can you make to ensure your devotion is not just a label but a reality? [29:44]
6. The sermon suggests pre-deciding on a time, place, and plan to connect with Jesus daily. What specific time, place, and plan can you commit to this week to deepen your relationship with Him? [49:35]
7. Think of a relationship in your life that could benefit from the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, or patience. What is one action you can take this week to demonstrate this fruit in that relationship? [43:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Decisions with Jesus' Eternal Values
Our lives are profoundly shaped by the decisions we make, and when we pre-decide to align our choices with the eternal values of Jesus, we tap into a supernatural determination that guides us toward salvation, forgiveness, and love. This alignment transcends the hurt and rules of the church, offering a path that is rooted in the teachings of Jesus. By living according to His values, we ensure that our lives are not only fulfilling but also reflective of His love and grace. This commitment requires intentionality and a conscious effort to prioritize Jesus' teachings in every decision we make. [03:28]
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that aligns more closely with the values of Jesus, and how might this decision impact your life and those around you?
Day 2: Devotion in the Face of Life's Challenges
Life is filled with challenges and moments of unfulfillment, but with Jesus, mediocrity is not an option. We are called to run the race with our focus on Him, ensuring that our devotion is evident in every aspect of our lives. This means not just waiting for His return but actively living out our faith in the here and now. Our devotion should be a constant, unwavering commitment that guides us through life's ups and downs, providing strength and purpose even in the toughest times. [06:29]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you currently facing a challenge, and how can you demonstrate your devotion to Jesus in the midst of this struggle?
Day 3: Bringing Our Whole Selves to God
To truly grow closer to God, we must bring every part of ourselves to Him, including the areas where we struggle. Our decisions should reflect the values of Jesus, as the direction of our lives is determined by the quality of our decisions. By being honest and vulnerable with God, we allow His transformative power to work within us, guiding us toward a life that is more aligned with His will. This requires a willingness to confront our weaknesses and seek His guidance in overcoming them. [10:02]
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of struggle in your life that you have been hesitant to bring to God, and how can you begin to invite Him into this part of your life today?
Day 4: Emulating the Devotion of the Early Disciples
The early disciples exemplified a devotion that was not just a belief but a way of life. They were committed to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, even in the face of persecution. This level of devotion requires us to evaluate our own commitment to Jesus and ensure that it is a reality, not just a label. By following their example, we can cultivate a faith that is deeply rooted and transformative, impacting every aspect of our lives. [20:14]
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the practices of the early disciples into your daily routine to deepen your devotion to Jesus?
Day 5: Remaining Attached to the Vine
To remain attached to Jesus, we must pre-decide on a time, place, and plan to connect with Him daily. This ongoing pursuit transforms our hearts and lives, allowing us to bear fruit that reflects His love, joy, peace, and patience. Our devotion to Jesus should be the foundation of our lives, influencing every decision and relationship. By prioritizing this connection, we ensure that our lives are continually nourished and guided by His presence. [49:35]
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to establish a daily routine that keeps you connected to Jesus, and how might this routine impact your spiritual growth?
Quotes
We're in a wonderful series that I've really been enjoying putting together and studying myself. This concept of our determination comes from pre-deciding what values we will lead our lives by. How many of you have been learning that Jesus' values are the basis of how we make decisions? [00:00:00] (21 seconds)
We make a decision to forgive because Jesus forgives. We make a decision to love because Jesus is love and so on and so forth. We go and often we make these predetermined things that happen in our lives. And just as we think through the summary in our minds of where we've gone and what we've already studied in this four-week journey, I hope and pray that you've been utilizing some of the little tools that we've been throwing out to try and start saying, well, how do I align my decision-making to the values of Jesus? Because the values of Jesus last forever. When we align ourselves and our decisions to the values of Jesus, we can have a supernatural determination. [00:00:23] (42 seconds)
But even though, Christians, just bear with me because I'm a Christian, I believe, I believe in Jesus, but I get to a place, this week has been a tough week. How many of you are having some tough weeks recently? We've had some things going on in our family and not negative, just tough. [00:01:49] (18 seconds)
And so I want to say that it's a tough week. And even though we have this wonderful predetermined existence, we have this wonderful predetermined salvation with Jesus Christ, if we have faith in him, we still get down. Ever feel disappointed about yourself and about your life? [00:02:28] (15 seconds)
And can you believe it? We're like a month or two away from summer again. And all of those kids that went into their senior year are now finished and done and on their way already. Like I blinked twice and I have to realize that my youngest is 19. [00:05:27] (17 seconds)
And then I wonder if, if, if there's something more. There's just, is there something more to what I've got to do here? Is there something more to what you have to add to your family, to the kingdom, to, to you? Is there something more? I want to say, spoiler alert, there is. [00:06:01] (19 seconds)
Because you see, with Jesus, mediocrity is not an option. You know, I thought that would be a little bit more well-received. Mediocrity is not an option. Like, troublesository. We'll be right back. [00:06:23] (10 seconds)
That's the definition of mediocrity. When we get so worn down by nothing happening, life is just passing, everything I try doesn't work out, I'm never feeling fulfilled, I'm always feeling empty, so I'm not even going to try and fill up those things in my life, I'm just going to let life tick by, by and by, and I can wait for Jesus either to return, which I believe is imminent, or go and be with Jesus either way. You know what, Jesus didn't ask us to wait on Him, Jesus asked us to run a race while keeping our focus on Him. [00:06:35] (33 seconds)
We've got some running to do, people, and it's not about just sitting back going, well, Jesus is coming, yes, He's coming, and I do believe it's imminent, which makes my activity and my passion to get His work done even more important, because it's not just about Jesus coming back for me, it's about Jesus coming back, and maybe that next door neighbor needs to hear the gospel from you, maybe that person at work needs to see your behavior change so that he can come to Jesus. If Jesus is imminent, we've got some work to do. [00:07:10] (33 seconds)
Today's message is entitled, Getting Closer to God. And I really want today to be saying to yourself, there's nothing I can't bring close to God. There's no waste at the altar. There's nothing I can't bring. The good parts of you will naturally draw closer to God. [00:08:39] (17 seconds)
We know that the series has been called Determined, and I think that we need to understand that our decisions need to be based on the values of Jesus. Jesus, and that's the whole thrust of this message series, that the direction your life takes is directly... determined by the quality of your decisions. [00:09:28] (22 seconds)
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