Recalibrating Our Lives: Pursuing Godly Character in Faith

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, it's easy to become distracted by the world and lose sight of our spiritual goals. Just as a GPS recalculates when we take a wrong turn, God's word and His Spirit guide us back on track, offering grace and new directions. This week, I've been reminded of the importance of focusing on who we are becoming in Christ rather than what we are achieving. Our character, shaped by virtues like self-control, steadfastness, and love, is what truly matters.

Reflecting on 2 Peter 1, we are called to make every effort to supplement our faith with virtues that lead to a fruitful and effective life in Christ. It's not about achieving worldly success but about becoming the person God has called us to be. This involves a diligent pursuit of character qualities that reflect God's nature.

We often focus on changing our circumstances, but God is more interested in changing us. He desires to see His children grow in godliness, grace, and peace. This transformation comes from knowing Him and becoming like Him. It's about embracing the divine nature we've been given and making every effort to live a life that reflects His character.

The journey of faith is not about avoiding hardships but about developing steadfastness through them. God uses challenges to draw us closer to Him and to strengthen our character. We must shift our focus from seeking comfort to seeking growth in our relationship with God.

Ultimately, our greatest impact comes from who we are, not what we do. As we pursue godly character, we become effective witnesses of Christ's love and grace. This is the legacy we leave for our children and the world around us. Let's recalibrate our lives, focusing on becoming the people God has called us to be, trusting that as we do, He will guide us and use us for His purposes.

Key Takeaways:

- Recalibrating Our Lives: Just as a GPS recalculates when we take a wrong turn, God's word and Spirit guide us back on track, offering grace and new directions. We must listen and follow His guidance to become the people He wants us to be. [02:57]

- Pursuing Godly Character: Our focus should be on who we are becoming in Christ, not on what we are achieving. By diligently pursuing virtues like self-control, steadfastness, and love, we align ourselves with God's purpose and become effective in our faith. [06:51]

- Embracing Challenges for Growth: God is more interested in changing us than our circumstances. He uses hardships to develop steadfastness and draw us closer to Him. We should embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth in our relationship with God. [28:24]

- The Power of Divine Nature: As believers, we have been given a divine nature and everything we need for life and godliness. We must make every effort to live a life that reflects God's character, knowing that He empowers us to achieve it. [13:54]

- Impact Through Character: Our greatest impact comes from who we are, not what we do. By pursuing godly character, we become effective witnesses of Christ's love and grace, leaving a lasting legacy for our children and the world around us. [44:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - The Supernatural Perspective
- [00:46] - The Power of God's Word
- [01:16] - Lessons from a GPS
- [02:17] - Recalculating with Grace
- [03:57] - Reading from 2 Peter
- [06:22] - Making Every Effort
- [07:26] - Reflecting on Life Goals
- [08:50] - The Importance of Character
- [10:18] - Recalculating Life's Focus
- [11:16] - God's Concern for Our Character
- [12:19] - The Desire for Change
- [13:54] - Embracing the Divine Nature
- [17:24] - Pursuing Godly Potential
- [28:24] - Embracing Challenges for Growth
- [44:12] - Impact Through Character

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Peter 1:5-11

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 that believers are encouraged to add to their faith? How do these virtues contribute to a fruitful life in Christ? [04:17]

2. According to the sermon, how does the concept of a GPS recalculating relate to our spiritual journey and God's guidance? [02:57]

3. What does the pastor suggest is the primary focus of our spiritual journey, as opposed to achieving worldly success? [08:09]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of hardships in developing steadfastness and character? [28:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's grace is similar to a GPS recalculating our path? How does this analogy help us understand God's guidance in our lives? [02:57]

2. How does the pastor's reflection on his past goals highlight the importance of focusing on character development over achievements? [08:09]

3. What does it mean to be a "partaker of the divine nature," and how does this concept influence our pursuit of godly character? [13:54]

4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between enduring hardships and growing closer to God? What practical steps can believers take to embrace challenges for growth? [28:24]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt you took a "wrong turn" in your spiritual journey. How can you apply the concept of "recalculating" to get back on track with God's guidance? [02:57]

2. Identify one virtue from 2 Peter 1:5-7 that you feel needs more attention in your life. What specific actions can you take this week to cultivate this virtue? [04:17]

3. Consider a current challenge or hardship you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for growth in your relationship with God? [28:24]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of character over achievements. How can you recalibrate your personal goals to align more closely with becoming the person God has called you to be? [08:09]

5. Think of a time when you focused more on changing your circumstances than on changing yourself. How can you prioritize personal transformation in your spiritual journey? [11:16]

6. Reflect on the idea of being a "partaker of the divine nature." How does this understanding empower you to live a life that reflects God's character? [13:54]

7. How can you become a more effective witness of Christ's love and grace in your daily interactions? What specific steps can you take to leave a lasting legacy of godly character for those around you? [44:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Recalibrating with Divine Guidance
In our spiritual journey, it's easy to become distracted by worldly concerns and lose sight of our spiritual goals. Just as a GPS recalculates when we take a wrong turn, God's word and His Spirit guide us back on track, offering grace and new directions. This recalibration requires us to listen and follow His guidance, allowing us to become the people He wants us to be. By aligning ourselves with His will, we can navigate life's challenges with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. [02:57]

"For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." (Psalm 48:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel lost or off track? How can you seek God's guidance to recalibrate your path today?


Day 2: Cultivating Godly Character
Our focus should be on who we are becoming in Christ, not on what we are achieving. By diligently pursuing virtues like self-control, steadfastness, and love, we align ourselves with God's purpose and become effective in our faith. This pursuit of godly character is not about achieving worldly success but about becoming the person God has called us to be. As we cultivate these virtues, we reflect God's nature and live a life that is fruitful and effective in Christ. [06:51]

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12, ESV)

Reflection: Which virtue do you feel God is calling you to develop more deeply in your life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this virtue today?


Day 3: Embracing Growth Through Challenges
God is more interested in changing us than our circumstances. He uses hardships to develop steadfastness and draw us closer to Him. Instead of seeking comfort, we should embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth in our relationship with God. Through trials, we learn to rely on His strength and develop a character that reflects His steadfastness and grace. [28:24]

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God?


Day 4: Living Out Our Divine Nature
As believers, we have been given a divine nature and everything we need for life and godliness. We must make every effort to live a life that reflects God's character, knowing that He empowers us to achieve it. Embracing this divine nature involves a commitment to living out the virtues that align with God's will, allowing His power to work through us in every aspect of our lives. [13:54]

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively embrace and live out your divine nature today? How can you rely on God's power to help you in this pursuit?


Day 5: Impact Through Godly Character
Our greatest impact comes from who we are, not what we do. By pursuing godly character, we become effective witnesses of Christ's love and grace, leaving a lasting legacy for our children and the world around us. This impact is not measured by worldly achievements but by the transformation of our character to reflect Christ's love and grace in all we do. [44:12]

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can your character today serve as a witness to those around you? What specific actions can you take to let your light shine in your community?

Quotes



The journey of faith is not about avoiding hardships but about developing steadfastness through them. God uses challenges to draw us closer to Him and to strengthen our character. We must shift our focus from seeking comfort to seeking growth in our relationship with God. [00:28:24]

Our focus should be on who we are becoming in Christ, not on what we are achieving. By diligently pursuing virtues like self-control, steadfastness, and love, we align ourselves with God's purpose and become effective in our faith. [00:06:51]

Just as a GPS recalculates when we take a wrong turn, God's word and Spirit guide us back on track, offering grace and new directions. We must listen and follow His guidance to become the people He wants us to be. [00:02:57]

As believers, we have been given a divine nature and everything we need for life and godliness. We must make every effort to live a life that reflects God's character, knowing that He empowers us to achieve it. [00:13:54]

Our greatest impact comes from who we are, not what we do. By pursuing godly character, we become effective witnesses of Christ's love and grace, leaving a lasting legacy for our children and the world around us. [00:44:12]

God is more interested in changing us than our circumstances. He uses hardships to develop steadfastness and draw us closer to Him. We should embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth in our relationship with God. [00:28:24]

Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. [00:06:22]

If these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:06:22]

God's plan for parenting was always the same Deuteronomy 6 that as you go along life as you walk about your way as your kids are lying down you're just teaching them all along life's Road they're watching your life and seeing these character qualities. [00:42:12]

The greatest thing you can do for your kids is pursue your own character it really is this whole hey I want you to obey me so you don't end up like me that's been our go-to line and it's never really worked the best thing is for you to choose to pursue moral Excellence yourself. [00:42:12]

Some of you came here this morning with a hope that God would change your circumstances and fix your situation and the first thing I want to say to you is that God is more concerned about changing you than your circumstances. [00:11:16]

You have been given a divine nature and now I can live a different way and now he says for this reason because you have this Holy Spirit in you because you have been given this divine nature because God's blessed you and given you everything you need for life and godliness. [00:13:54]

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Transcript
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