Rejecting Self-Centered Living: Embracing God's Truth

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning with God's Word Over Societal Norms

As believers, we are constantly bombarded with societal phrases and norms that may seem harmless but can lead us away from God's truth. One such phrase is "You do you," which promotes a self-centered lifestyle. This mindset encourages individuals to prioritize their desires and feelings over God's commandments. However, the Bible calls us to test everything against God's Word and not conform to the patterns of this world. By aligning our lives with God's unchanging Word, we can avoid the pitfalls of a self-indulgent lifestyle that leads to sin and separation from God. [45:24]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What societal norms or phrases have you accepted without questioning? How can you test them against God's Word today?

Day 2: The Necessity of Accountability in Relationships

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many of us into physical and emotional isolation, making it difficult to maintain authentic relationships. This isolation has also made us hesitant to hold each other accountable, fearing that doing so would be seen as unloving or judgmental. However, true love involves engaging in difficult conversations and holding each other to God's standards. Authentic relationships require us to disagree at times and challenge each other to grow spiritually. By doing so, we can build stronger, more meaningful connections that honor God. [48:46]

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you need to hold accountable or have a difficult conversation with? How can you approach this situation with love and grace?

Day 3: Jesus Christ is the Only Way

In a world that promotes multiple paths to spirituality and self-made versions of faith, it is crucial to remember that there is only one way to God—through Jesus Christ. Crafting our own version of Christianity by selectively following the Bible is not an option. We must surrender to God's sovereignty and align our lives with His will. Our hearts are inherently wicked, and we need a Savior to guide us. Dependence on God, rather than on our own intuition, is essential for spiritual growth and salvation. [55:21]

John 14:6 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have been selective in following God's Word? How can you fully surrender to Jesus today?

Day 4: Sharing the Gospel with Non-Believers

As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to share the gospel and lead others to Him. Saying "You do you" to a non-believer is essentially neglecting the Great Commission. We must guide others towards repentance and transformation, not by accepting their sin but by lovingly pointing them to Jesus. Our actions and words should reflect our commitment to sharing the good news and helping others find a real relationship with Christ. [01:04:40]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? How can you take a step today to share the love of Christ with them?

Day 5: True Love and Accountability

Loving others does not mean accepting their sin. True love involves holding each other accountable to God's Word and encouraging one another to live in accordance with His teachings. We cannot redefine sin based on societal norms but must strive to put to death our sins and grow in holiness. By doing so, we fulfill our purpose as a body of believers, working together to advance God's kingdom. [01:13:26]

Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV): "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Is there someone you need to lovingly hold accountable to God's Word? How can you approach this with gentleness and humility?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Vanguard Church! Today, we delved into the phrase "You do you," a popular cultural mantra that encourages self-centered living. This phrase, while seemingly harmless and even humorous, embodies a dangerous mindset that contradicts biblical teachings. As believers, we are called to test societal norms against the Word of God and not conform to them. The idea of "You do you" promotes a narcissistic and self-indulgent lifestyle, which ultimately leads to sin and separation from God.

We explored how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this mindset by pushing us into physical and emotional isolation. This isolation has made us hesitant to hold each other accountable, fearing that doing so would be labeled as hatred. However, we are better off disagreeing with each other than disregarding each other. Authentic relationships require us to engage in difficult conversations and hold each other accountable to God's standards.

We also discussed the importance of understanding that there is only one way to God—through Jesus Christ. Crafting our own version of Christianity by picking and choosing what parts of the Bible to follow is not an option. We must surrender to God's sovereignty and align our lives with His will. Our hearts are inherently wicked, and we need a Savior to guide us. Dependence on God, rather than on our own intuition, is crucial for spiritual growth.

Furthermore, we must not let non-believers dictate our actions. We have a responsibility to share the gospel and lead others to Christ. Saying "You do you" to a non-believer is essentially neglecting the Great Commission. We are called to love others into a real relationship with Jesus Christ, not to accept their sin but to guide them towards repentance and transformation.

In conclusion, loving others does not mean accepting their sin. We must hold each other accountable and strive to live in accordance with God's Word. By doing so, we fulfill our purpose as a body of believers, working together to advance God's kingdom.

###

Key Takeaways

1. centered lifestyle that leads to sin and separation from God. Instead, we should seek to align our lives with God's unchanging Word. [45:24]
2. Authentic Relationships Require Accountability: COVID-19 has pushed us into isolation, making us hesitant to hold each other accountable. However, we are better off disagreeing with each other than disregarding each other. Authentic relationships involve engaging in difficult conversations and holding each other to God's standards.

3. There is Only One Way to God: Jesus Christ is the only way to God. Crafting our own version of Christianity by selectively following the Bible is not an option. We must surrender to God's sovereignty and align our lives with His will.

4. Do Not Let Non-Believers Dictate Your Actions: We have a responsibility to share the gospel and lead others to Christ. Saying "You do you" to a non-believer is neglecting the Great Commission. We must guide others towards repentance and transformation.

5. Loving Others Does Not Mean Accepting Sin: True love involves holding each other accountable to God's Word. We cannot redefine sin based on societal norms. Instead, we must encourage each other to put to death our sins and live in accordance with God's teachings.

### [45:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[45:24] - Introduction to "You Do You"
[46:19] - The Danger of Self-Centered Living
[48:46] - COVID-19 and Isolation
[49:28] - The Importance of Authentic Relationships
[51:15] - Understanding "You Do You"
[52:04] - The Problem with Neutrality
[55:21] - There is Only One Way
[57:15] - God's Sovereignty
[59:03] - Accepting Our Need for a Savior
[60:41] - Dependence on God
[64:40] - Don't Let the Lost Do You
[65:55] - The Great Commission
[68:55] - Loving Others into a Relationship with Christ
[73:26] - Loving Isn't Accepting
[77:52] - Final Encouragement and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to John 15:4-5, what is necessary for a branch to bear fruit? How does this relate to our relationship with Jesus?
What command does Jesus give in Matthew 28:19-20, and what does this imply about our responsibilities as believers?
In Jeremiah 17:9, how is the human heart described? What does this suggest about relying on our own intuition?

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of "abiding in the vine" in John 15:4-5 challenge the cultural mantra of "You do you"? [01:01:49]
What are the implications of Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20 for how we interact with non-believers? How does this contrast with the idea of letting others "do them"? [01:05:55]
Given the description of the heart in Jeremiah 17:9, why is it dangerous to follow the advice of "You do you"? How does this align with the sermon’s message about the need for a Savior? [59:35]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you have been following your own intuition rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you begin to abide more fully in Jesus this week? [01:00:41]
Think about your relationships with non-believers. Have you been hesitant to share the gospel or hold them accountable to God's standards? What steps can you take to lovingly guide them towards repentance and transformation? [01:04:40]
In what ways has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your willingness to engage in authentic relationships and hold others accountable? How can you start to rebuild those connections and lean into difficult conversations? [48:46]
Consider the idea that "loving isn't accepting." Are there people in your life whose sinful behaviors you have been accepting rather than addressing? How can you lovingly hold them accountable to God's Word? [01:13:26]
Evaluate your heart's position. Are you doing things that align with God's will, or are you following your own desires? How can you invite others to speak truth into your life and hold you accountable? [01:16:31]
How can you actively participate in the Great Commission this week? Identify one person you can share the gospel with or invite to church. [01:05:55]
Reflect on the sermon’s message about the dangers of isolation. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are not isolating yourself physically, emotionally, or spiritually? [48:06]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We are better off disagreeing with each other than we are disregarding each other. So lean into your relationships. Lean into the discord. In a political season, in a year we're a few months away from electing the leaders of this country, lean into it. Lean into your disagreements with others, but don't disregard people. Don't pull away from relationship. You realize that's what the enemy wants, right?" [49:28] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We are saved only through his son and no one else. So I want to switch gears here a little bit. The other side of this phrase, the other side of this phrase, and this is some hard stuff to understand, but really powerful stuff. How do we move from our own intuition to trusting in God's provision? Point number four, don't let the lost do you." [01:04:03] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We love others into a real relationship with Jesus Christ. That's what we do here at Vanguard Church. That's who we're about. We are building real, authentic relationship to one day get people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. That's who we're going to be. That's who we're going to be. We don't beat people over the head with it. We don't manipulate them. We don't confuse them. We love them." [01:08:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life that one may turn away from the snares of death. Did you hear it? The fear of the Lord. That means submission to the Lord is the fountain of life. It is in the fear of the Lord that we find life. But in a hopeless obsession with doing our own thing, we lead to separation from God. May God give us the grace to lean into him and not us." [01:17:52] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We cannot follow our own intuition. We cannot do us thinking we're well-equipped to do this because there is only one way. The Bible tells us that over and over and over. Therefore, you can't craft your own Christianity. And say, I'm going to follow this part of the Bible, but not this part. I'm going to do these things I like to do, but not these things because I'm doing me. I'm doing me. We surrender to God." [56:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We are continually broken. We are continually mending throughout our lives, throughout following Jesus Christ, throughout our entire lives as a believer, we're walking in, that path. It is continuous. We are not walking without Jesus. Why does this matter? Look at John 15, four. Love this. Model. It says, abide in me. This is Jesus speaking. 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." [01:01:22] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We cannot say you do you. We understand that eternity, anything mathematically divided by the mathematical concept of infinity is zero. So no matter how many years you live on this earth, it will be zero when it pales in the scale of eternity. And the Bible says that if we want to live a life without God, we will live an eternity without God. And so when we don't tell people, when we let the lost do them, we're saying, we don't care. We cannot do this as believers." [01:06:38] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We cannot craft our own version of what sin is and isn't. If we believe in the Bible, you can't take out the parts of the Bible that you like and throw out the parts of the Bible that you don't like. You can't take out the parts of the Bible that you don't like. You can't take out the parts you don't. Sin is sin. We do not get to redefine sin. Jesus in his ministry did not walk up to people and say, you're sinning. Sounds good." [01:13:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We as believers are not on a pleasure cruise to heaven. We are in the trenches. We are in the trenches to work with each other in spite of our disagreements, to lean into each other, to love each other, even in the midst of those disagreements. But it's not to disregard each other and do our own thing. Don't let the loss do you. Don't let others do you." [01:16:31] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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