Obedience to God's Will: Trusting Beyond Tradition
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound narrative of Zechariah and Elizabeth from the book of Luke, focusing on the birth and naming of their son, John the Baptist. This story serves as a powerful reminder of how God's plans often challenge cultural norms and personal expectations. Zechariah and Elizabeth were faced with a choice that defied tradition: naming their son John instead of following the customary practice of naming him after his father. This decision was not merely about breaking tradition but about obedience to God's specific revelation to them. It highlights the importance of discerning God's will, even when it contradicts societal norms or personal desires.
The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth teaches us that God's will is often mysterious and may not align with our understanding or expectations. It requires us to trust in His higher ways and thoughts, which are beyond our comprehension. This trust is rooted in a deep relationship with God, cultivated through prayer, devotion, and a willingness to surrender our plans to His divine purpose. The narrative also emphasizes the significance of revelation, where God unveils His plans to us in ways that are new and personal, though not necessarily unprecedented.
As we navigate our own lives, we are encouraged to seek God's perfect will, which may involve making choices that are not merely between good and evil but between what is good and what is best. This discernment requires us to be open to new things God might be doing in our lives, even if they seem unconventional or challenging. We are reminded that God's will is not always a straightforward path but a journey of faith, requiring us to step out in obedience and trust.
Key Takeaways:
1. Obedience Over Tradition: Zechariah and Elizabeth's decision to name their son John, as instructed by God, illustrates the importance of prioritizing divine revelation over cultural norms. This act of obedience opened the door for God's blessings and serves as a reminder that God's plans may require us to break from tradition. [47:43]
2. Trusting in God's Higher Ways: God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, often leading us into the unknown. Like Abraham, we are called to trust God even when His plans seem mysterious or counterintuitive, knowing that His purposes are ultimately for our good. [52:24]
3. The Mystery of God's Will: Understanding God's will involves embracing the mystery and unpredictability of His plans. We must be willing to follow His lead, even when it disrupts our own plans or expectations, trusting that He is guiding us toward His perfect purpose. [54:33]
4. Revelation and Relationship: Knowing God's will is not just about understanding His word but also about cultivating a relationship with Him. Through prayer and devotion, we learn to discern His ways and align our lives with His divine purpose. [01:12:28]
5. The Role of Timing and Surrender: God's will often involves a sense of divine timing, requiring us to act promptly and decisively. Surrendering to His will means being open and ready to respond to His leading, trusting that He will equip us for the journey ahead. [01:31:43]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[30:47] - Announcements and Events
[36:30] - Offering and New Building Update
[42:28] - The Story of Zechariah and Elizabeth
[47:43] - Obedience Over Tradition
[49:58] - Cultural Norms vs. God's Will
[51:06] - Jesus' Unexpected Arrival
[52:24] - Trusting in God's Higher Ways
[54:33] - The Mystery of God's Will
[01:01:16] - Pursuing God's Perfect Will
[01:02:35] - The Sin of Disobedience
[01:04:47] - Revelation and New Things
[01:07:08] - Joseph's Dream and God's Plan
[01:09:43] - Faith and Obedience
[01:12:28] - Knowing God's Word and Ways
[01:15:03] - Embracing New Things
[01:17:49] - Six Steps to Knowing God's Will
[01:23:42] - Trusting God's Guidance
[01:27:19] - Seeking God's Will in Our Lives
[01:31:43] - Surrendering to God's Will
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 1:57-66
- Isaiah 55:9
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the cultural expectation for naming Zechariah and Elizabeth's son, and how did they respond to it? [43:52]
2. How did Zechariah communicate his agreement with Elizabeth about their son's name, and what was the immediate result of his action? [43:52]
3. What does the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth teach us about the importance of obedience to God's revelation over cultural norms? [47:43]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God's will being mysterious and often counterintuitive to human understanding? [52:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might God choose to reveal His will in ways that challenge cultural norms or personal expectations, as seen in the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth? [47:43]
2. How does the sermon suggest that a deep relationship with God can aid in discerning His will, even when it seems mysterious or counterintuitive? [54:33]
3. In what ways does the sermon highlight the role of timing and surrender in following God's will, and how can this be applied to personal decision-making? [01:31:43]
4. How does the sermon use the example of Zechariah and Elizabeth to illustrate the difference between choosing what is good and what is best according to God's will? [01:02:35]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's will was leading you in a direction that contradicted societal norms or personal desires. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [47:43]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a relationship with God in discerning His will. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God through prayer and devotion? [54:33]
3. Consider a decision you are currently facing. How can you apply the principle of choosing between what is good and what is best in this situation? [01:02:35]
4. The sermon discusses the role of timing in God's will. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is prompting you to act promptly? How can you ensure you are ready to respond? [01:31:43]
5. How can you cultivate a mindset of surrender to God's will, especially when it involves stepping into the unknown or the unconventional? [52:24]
6. Think about a tradition or cultural norm in your life that might be hindering your obedience to God's will. What steps can you take to align more closely with His revelation? [47:43]
7. How can you seek wise counsel from fellow believers to help discern God's will in your life, and who might you approach for such guidance? [01:20:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience Over Tradition
Zechariah and Elizabeth's story is a profound example of choosing obedience to God over adhering to cultural norms. When they named their son John, as instructed by God, they broke away from the tradition of naming him after his father. This act of obedience was not just about defying tradition but was a testament to their faith and trust in God's revelation. It reminds us that sometimes God's plans require us to step out of our comfort zones and challenge societal expectations. By prioritizing divine revelation, they opened the door for God's blessings, illustrating that true obedience often involves making difficult choices that align with God's will rather than human customs. [47:43]
Luke 1:59-63 (ESV): "And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, 'No; he shall be called John.' And they said to her, 'None of your relatives is called by this name.' And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' And they all wondered."
Reflection: Is there a tradition or expectation in your life that God is calling you to challenge in order to follow His will more closely?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Higher Ways
God's ways and thoughts are often beyond our understanding, leading us into the unknown. Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we are called to trust in God's higher ways, even when His plans seem mysterious or counterintuitive. This trust is rooted in the belief that God's purposes are ultimately for our good, even if they don't align with our immediate desires or expectations. Trusting in God's higher ways requires a deep relationship with Him, cultivated through prayer and devotion, allowing us to surrender our plans to His divine purpose. It is a journey of faith, where we learn to rely on His guidance and wisdom, knowing that He sees the bigger picture. [52:24]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 3: The Mystery of God's Will
Understanding God's will often involves embracing the mystery and unpredictability of His plans. Zechariah and Elizabeth's story teaches us that God's will is not always a straightforward path but a journey of faith. We must be willing to follow His lead, even when it disrupts our own plans or expectations. This requires a willingness to step out in obedience and trust, knowing that God is guiding us toward His perfect purpose. Embracing the mystery of God's will means being open to new things He might be doing in our lives, even if they seem unconventional or challenging. [54:33]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where God's will seemed unclear. How can you practice trusting Him more in similar situations in the future?
Day 4: Revelation and Relationship
Knowing God's will is not just about understanding His word but also about cultivating a relationship with Him. Through prayer and devotion, we learn to discern His ways and align our lives with His divine purpose. Zechariah and Elizabeth's story highlights the importance of revelation, where God unveils His plans to us in ways that are new and personal. This relationship with God is essential for discerning His will, as it allows us to be open to His guidance and direction. By nurturing our relationship with God, we become more attuned to His voice and better equipped to follow His lead. [01:12:28]
Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV): "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God this week to better discern His will for your life?
Day 5: The Role of Timing and Surrender
God's will often involves a sense of divine timing, requiring us to act promptly and decisively. Zechariah and Elizabeth's story reminds us that surrendering to God's will means being open and ready to respond to His leading. This involves trusting that God will equip us for the journey ahead, even when His timing doesn't align with our own. Surrendering to God's will requires a willingness to let go of our own plans and desires, trusting that His timing and purpose are perfect. It is an act of faith, where we learn to rely on God's strength and wisdom to guide us through life's challenges. [01:31:43]
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to surrender your timing to God's? What steps can you take today to trust His timing more fully?
Quotes
"Much of Jesus' ministry was, how many know, upending cultural norms. We love Jesus calling the little children to himself. We love the Jesus that's pictured in so many religious iconography where he looks like a woman with a beard. Or he looks soft. Do you know what I'm saying? But Jesus wasn't soft." [01:01:16] (21 seconds)
"What's important for us then, church, is that we have to seek God's perfect will for us. It takes discernment. There's a scripture in Isaiah chapter 43. We read it this morning in our Sunday school lesson. Isaiah 43 verse 19, behold, I will do a new thing." [01:04:47] (20 seconds)
"Serving the Lord and doing his will is much more than just a matter of faith. It tells me much more than just following a list of do's and don'ts. Zacharias discovered something here, that doing the will of God is much more about having a relationship with him." [01:09:43] (18 seconds)
"The way that we know the ways of God, not just his words, but his ways, is by spending time with him in prayer, in devotion, worship, to spend time seeking, devoted his word and his truth." [01:12:28] (21 seconds)
"Sometimes serving God means doing something that's out of the ordinary, a change in your schedule, out of the ordinary. The normal way of thinking. And, you know, that's hard for us because we get set in our ways. We become inflexible." [01:15:03] (18 seconds)
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