Seeking God's Faithfulness and Living in Holiness
Summary
In today's gathering, we took a moment to reflect on the faithfulness of God, acknowledging that even when we falter, He remains steadfast. We are reminded of the importance of seeking more of His presence, peace, and wisdom in our lives, especially in a world that often turns away from Him. The call for revival begins with us, as we turn back to God in repentance and humility. We prayed for strength and comfort for our brothers and sisters in need, and for the continued blessing and guidance of our church community.
We explored Proverbs 29:18, emphasizing that without divine revelation, people lose their way. Proper vision leads to proper revelation, and this understanding is crucial for walking in wisdom and godliness. We discussed the danger of living without direction, likening it to bondage, and stressed the importance of not just receiving salvation but also living it out with practical wisdom. The story of abstaining from sweets illustrated how temporary relief is not the same as true deliverance, and how we often revert to old habits without genuine transformation.
We delved into the concept of spiritual blindness, noting that even with natural vision, without a revelation of God, we can be spiritually blind. This blindness can prevent us from fulfilling our God-given purpose. We must seek a true revelation of God, which will guide us in our assignments and help us reflect His character to the world. The example of the refiner's fire was used to illustrate how God purifies us, removing impurities to make us more valuable.
We also discussed the importance of godliness as a guide, producing guardrails that protect us from sin. Setting boundaries in relationships and surrounding ourselves with like-minded believers are practical steps to maintain godliness. We must guard our time with the Lord, ensuring that nothing becomes an idol in our lives. The flesh becomes more attractive when the spirit is not in view, so we must remain vigilant in our pursuit of holiness.
Finally, we were reminded that holiness is still the answer. Our choices should reflect the one who chose us, and we must strive to live in a way that brings glory to God. In a world that often chooses fleshly desires, we are called to choose God and live according to His word.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faithfulness of God: Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful. This truth calls us to seek more of His presence and wisdom, especially in a world that often turns away from Him. Revival begins with our repentance and humility. [47:29]
2. Proper Vision and Revelation: Without divine revelation, people lose their way. Proper vision leads to proper revelation, which is essential for walking in wisdom and godliness. We must not only receive salvation but also live it out with practical wisdom. [50:52]
3. Spiritual Blindness: Even with natural vision, without a revelation of God, we can be spiritually blind. This blindness can prevent us from fulfilling our God-given purpose. We must seek a true revelation of God to guide us in our assignments and reflect His character to the world. [54:49]
4. Godliness as a Guide: Godliness produces guardrails that protect us from sin. Setting boundaries in relationships and surrounding ourselves with like-minded believers are practical steps to maintain godliness. We must guard our time with the Lord, ensuring that nothing becomes an idol in our lives. [01:06:53]
5. Holiness is the Answer: Our choices should reflect the one who chose us, and we must strive to live in a way that brings glory to God. In a world that often chooses fleshly desires, we are called to choose God and live according to His word. [01:23:24]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:01:00] - Reflecting on God's Faithfulness
[00:03:00] - Seeking God's Presence
[00:05:00] - Prayer for Community
[00:07:00] - Introduction to Proverbs 29:18
[00:10:00] - Proper Vision and Revelation
[00:15:00] - Spiritual Blindness
[00:20:00] - The Refiner's Fire
[00:25:00] - Godliness as a Guide
[00:30:00] - Setting Boundaries
[00:35:00] - Guarding Our Time with God
[00:40:00] - The Flesh vs. The Spirit
[00:45:00] - Holiness is the Answer
[00:50:00] - Choosing God Over Flesh
[00:55:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Proverbs 29:18 (NIV): "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction."
- Galatians 5:13 (NIV): "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
- Hebrews 12:1 (NIV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Proverbs 29:18, what happens when there is no revelation? How does this relate to the concept of restraint mentioned in the sermon? [50:52]
2. In the sermon, what example was given to illustrate the difference between temporary relief and true deliverance? [50:52]
3. How does the speaker describe the process of the refiner's fire, and what spiritual lesson does it convey? [54:49]
4. What does the speaker say about the importance of setting boundaries in relationships to maintain godliness? [01:06:53]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the speaker interpret the phrase "proper vision leads to proper revelation" in the context of Proverbs 29:18? What implications does this have for living a life of wisdom and godliness? [50:52]
2. The sermon discusses spiritual blindness. How does the speaker suggest we can overcome this blindness to fulfill our God-given purpose? [54:49]
3. In what ways does the speaker suggest that godliness acts as a guide and produces guardrails in our lives? How can this be practically applied? [01:06:53]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of holiness. How does the speaker suggest our choices should reflect the one who chose us? [01:23:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually blind. What steps can you take to seek a true revelation of God in your current situation? [54:49]
2. The sermon mentions setting boundaries in relationships. Identify one relationship where you need to establish or reinforce boundaries to maintain godliness. What practical steps will you take this week? [01:06:53]
3. Consider the concept of temporary relief versus true deliverance. Is there an area in your life where you have been seeking temporary relief instead of true deliverance? How can you pursue genuine transformation? [50:52]
4. The speaker talks about the importance of guarding our time with the Lord. What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to prioritize your time with God? [01:06:53]
5. In what ways have you allowed your desires to stray from the vision God has for your life? How can you realign your choices with God's will? [54:49]
6. The sermon calls for choosing God over fleshly desires. Identify one area where you struggle with this choice. What is one action you can take this week to choose God in that area? [01:23:24]
7. Reflect on the idea that holiness is still the answer. How can you incorporate this truth into your decision-making process this week? [01:23:24]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unwavering Faithfulness
In a world that often turns away from God, His faithfulness remains constant even when we falter. This truth calls us to seek more of His presence, peace, and wisdom in our lives. Revival begins with us, as we turn back to God in repentance and humility. We are reminded that our journey towards spiritual renewal starts with acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking His strength and comfort. As we pray for our community, we also pray for the continued blessing and guidance of our church. [47:29]
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge God's faithfulness and seek His presence more intentionally today?
Day 2: Vision and Revelation
Without divine revelation, people lose their way. Proper vision leads to proper revelation, which is essential for walking in wisdom and godliness. It is not enough to receive salvation; we must also live it out with practical wisdom. This involves understanding the danger of living without direction, which can lead to bondage. We are called to seek God's guidance and allow His revelation to shape our lives, ensuring that we walk in His wisdom and purpose. [50:52]
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity." (Proverbs 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek God's revelation and ensure that your life is aligned with His wisdom and purpose?
Day 3: Overcoming Spiritual Blindness
Even with natural vision, without a revelation of God, we can be spiritually blind. This blindness can prevent us from fulfilling our God-given purpose. We must seek a true revelation of God, which will guide us in our assignments and help us reflect His character to the world. The process of spiritual purification, like the refiner's fire, removes impurities and makes us more valuable. By seeking God's revelation, we can overcome spiritual blindness and live out our purpose with clarity and conviction. [54:49]
"I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16, ESV)
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually blind? How can you seek God's revelation to gain clarity and fulfill your purpose?
Day 4: Godliness as a Protective Guide
Godliness produces guardrails that protect us from sin. Setting boundaries in relationships and surrounding ourselves with like-minded believers are practical steps to maintain godliness. We must guard our time with the Lord, ensuring that nothing becomes an idol in our lives. When the spirit is not in view, the flesh becomes more attractive, so we must remain vigilant in our pursuit of holiness. By prioritizing godliness, we create a protective guide that helps us navigate life's challenges and remain faithful to God's calling. [01:06:53]
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you." (Proverbs 4:23-25, ESV)
Reflection: What boundaries can you set today to protect your relationship with God and ensure that nothing becomes an idol in your life?
Day 5: Choosing Holiness in a World of Fleshly Desires
Holiness is still the answer. Our choices should reflect the one who chose us, and we must strive to live in a way that brings glory to God. In a world that often chooses fleshly desires, we are called to choose God and live according to His word. This involves making intentional decisions that align with His will and reflect His character. By choosing holiness, we demonstrate our commitment to God and our desire to live a life that honors Him. [01:23:24]
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:14-16, ESV)
Reflection: What specific choices can you make today to reflect God's holiness and live according to His word in a world that often chooses otherwise?
Quotes
"I just kind of want to maintain this posture for a second because how easy it is sometimes, right, when life begins to pull on us that we forget how faithful not just God is, but how faithful God has been. And so just for a moment, if you would just bow your heads with me, I just want to reverence and honor the Lord. We're going to get through this. We're going to get into the word, but I don't want to miss this moment to just worship God for who he is." [00:45:55] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Proverbs 29 and 18, what this text is really saying is without a revelation, we cannot walk in wisdom and godliness. But without a revelation of God, people easily fall into sin. That without truly seeing God for who he is, it is easy to fall and give in to what our flesh desires. But as Tank has been walking with us these last three weeks, I believe all of us have learned how to remain steadfast so where we bend but we don't break." [00:51:11] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Reach God desires that we live and operate from a place of freedom through understanding, understanding how Christ calls us to live free in him. God wants us to be people that live according to his word. So we have clear instruction as we move in obedience to his word. Because here's the facts. As we move in obedience to God's word, it gives us the proper revelation of God's will, which produces the vision to see what he desires to do in our lives." [00:54:10] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Don't you realize the job of the enemy is to cause you to think there's more to the picture than what God's already shown you. That there's got to be more than what meets the eye. The enemy understands that if he can convince us that there's a better vision than what God has already revealed, it can ultimately impact our obedience to God and have us operating outside of God's will, trying to find what we think God is keeping from us." [01:01:52] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When we see God for who he is, it unlocks more of what God desires to do in our lives because Peter had the right revelation. Jesus tells him this. He says, I'm building my church on you. And the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Let me make this declaration real quick that hell has no authority over the person who sees God for who he really is." [01:06:29] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Godliness produces guardrails. What do we see in Proverbs 29 and 18? Right? People with no guardrails. Right? It said, going back to our text, what does it tell us in Proverbs 29 and 19? When people don't accept divine guidance, they run wild. Right? They throw off restraint." [01:08:33] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Holiness is still the answer. Check this out what the world calls extra God calls righteousness what the world views as you doing too much, God says no keep doing that right keep doing that what the world says man you ain't gotta read that much you ain't gotta fast that much you ain't gotta pray that hard I'm going to keep doing it because I understand the where the road is narrow right it's not wide the road is narrow." [01:20:22] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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