Seeking God's Guidance in Decision-Making and Discernment
Summary
Pastor Steve's sermon at Grove Church focused on the importance of decision-making, discernment, and seeking good advice. He began by leading the congregation in a call to worship, emphasizing the worthiness of Jesus to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise. He then led a prayer of confession, acknowledging the congregation's actions of violence, apathy towards those in need, and misplaced identity and salvation. He prayed for the nation, asking for inspiration for the leaders to seek God's kingdom and righteousness.
The sermon then transitioned to a discussion on the concept of salvation and entrance into heaven. Pastor Steve emphasized that salvation is a gift from God through faith, not by our own works, referring to Ephesians 2:8-9. He highlighted the significance of grace, explaining that Jesus died on the cross to wash away our sins and provide us with the ticket to heaven. He also connected the message of salvation to the historical context of the Protestant Reformation, mentioning Martin Luther and others who protested against unbiblical practices, such as the selling of indulgences.
Pastor Steve then discussed the importance of seeking godly advice and guidance in a challenging and consuming world. He reminded the congregation that God has not abandoned them to figure it out on their own. Instead, God has provided His word, His Spirit, and His people to walk alongside them and help them follow His will. He led the congregation in a prayer, seeking wisdom for various decisions such as where to live, discerning relationships, and managing finances.
The sermon then focused on the importance of discernment and seeking counsel when faced with important decisions. Pastor Steve encouraged the congregation not to let fear of making the wrong choice hinder them from taking action. He used the example of King Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12 to illustrate the consequences of seeking advice from the wrong sources. He emphasized the importance of seeking counsel from godly people who know God's word and can speak truth and life into one's situation.
Finally, Pastor Steve discussed the consequences of making bad decisions based on the advice of those who appeal to our sinful nature. He referred to the story of Rehoboam, who rejected the advice of the elders and followed the counsel of his younger friends, resulting in the division of the tribes. He emphasized that listening to the loudest voices in the room and seeking to impress others can lead to destructive outcomes. Instead, he encouraged the congregation to prioritize pleasing God over seeking the approval of others.
Key Takeaways:
- Salvation is a gift from God through faith, not by our own works. Jesus died on the cross to wash away our sins and provide us with the ticket to heaven. This message is significant in the historical context of the Protestant Reformation, where Martin Luther and others protested against unbiblical practices, such as the selling of indulgences. [49:33]
- God has not abandoned us to figure out life on our own. He has provided His word, His Spirit, and His people to walk alongside us and help us follow His will. We should seek wisdom for various decisions such as where to live, discerning relationships, and managing finances. [52:10]
- Genuine discernment involves seeking God's guidance, praying, and seeking godly counsel. It's important to seek counsel from godly people who know God's word and can speak truth and life into our situation. [54:45]
- It's more valuable to receive criticism or tough advice from someone who loves and is committed to your growth, rather than receiving agreeable words from someone who doesn't have your best interests at heart. Seek counsel from individuals who have particular knowledge or experience in the area you are seeking guidance in. [57:30]
- Listening to the loudest voices in the room and seeking to impress others can lead to destructive outcomes. Prioritize pleasing God over seeking the approval of others. Stay grounded and focused on God's priorities, seeking wise counsel and making decisions that align with God's kingdom and righteousness. [1:00:15]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 2:3 - "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
2. Revelation 5:12 - "In a loud voice they were saying: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'"
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
4. 1 Kings 12:1-17 - This passage describes the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam, and the division of the kingdom of Israel.
5. Proverbs 27:6 - "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
Observation Questions:
1. What are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge mentioned in Colossians 2:3?
2. In Revelation 5:12, what are the attributes given to the Lamb, and why is He worthy to receive them?
3. What does Ephesians 2:8-9 say about the nature of salvation and our role in it?
4. What events led to the division of the kingdom of Israel in 1 Kings 12:1-17?
5. How does Proverbs 27:6 differentiate between a friend and an enemy?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of wisdom and knowledge in Colossians 2:3 relate to decision-making and discernment?
2. How does the worthiness of the Lamb in Revelation 5:12 relate to our worthiness or unworthiness for salvation?
3. How does the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam in 1 Kings 12:1-17 illustrate the importance of seeking godly counsel?
4. What does Proverbs 27:6 suggest about the value of receiving criticism or tough advice from a friend?
Application Questions:
1. How can you apply the wisdom and knowledge mentioned in Colossians 2:3 in your decision-making process this week?
2. In what ways can you remind yourself of the worthiness of the Lamb and the gift of salvation when you feel unworthy?
3. Can you think of a recent decision where you sought advice? How can you ensure that you seek godly counsel in your future decisions?
4. Think of a time when you received criticism or tough advice from a friend. How did you respond, and how can you respond better in the future?
5. What is one way you can prioritize pleasing God over seeking the approval of others in your life this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Salvation as a Divine Gift
Salvation is not a reward for our good deeds, but a divine gift from God, given freely through faith in Jesus Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross washed away our sins, providing us with the opportunity for eternal life. This understanding was a cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation, as reformers like Martin Luther protested against practices that suggested salvation could be bought or earned. [49:33]
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of salvation. How does recognizing it as a gift from God, not a result of your works, change your perspective on your faith journey?
Day 2: Leaning on God's Guidance
God has not left us alone to navigate the complexities of life. He has provided His word, His Spirit, and His people to guide us and help us align our decisions with His will. Whether it's deciding where to live, discerning relationships, or managing finances, we can seek and find wisdom in God's provisions. [52:10]
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: What decision are you currently facing? How can you lean on God's word, His Spirit, and His people to guide you in this situation?
Day 3: Seeking Godly Counsel
Discernment is a crucial part of our spiritual journey. It involves seeking God's guidance, praying, and seeking advice from godly people who know God's word and can speak truth into our lives. [54:45]
Proverbs 15:22 - "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
Reflection: Who are the godly people in your life from whom you can seek counsel? How can their wisdom and knowledge of God's word help you in your current situation?
Day 4: Valuing Constructive Criticism
It's more beneficial to receive constructive criticism from someone who genuinely cares for your growth than to receive agreeable words from someone who doesn't have your best interests at heart. Seek advice from individuals who have knowledge or experience in the area you need guidance in. [57:30]
Proverbs 27:6 - "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."
Reflection: Can you think of a time when you received constructive criticism? How did it help you grow, and how can you apply that experience to your current situation?
Day 5: Prioritizing God's Approval
Listening to the loudest voices in the room and seeking to impress others can lead to destructive outcomes. Instead, prioritize pleasing God over seeking the approval of others. Stay grounded and focused on God's priorities, seeking wise counsel and making decisions that align with God's kingdom and righteousness. [1:00:15]
Galatians 1:10 - "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking the approval of others over God? How can you shift your focus to prioritize God's approval?
Quotes
1. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. In other words, it's more valuable to have someone you know and love give you harsh criticism or tell you tough things than someone who doesn't love and who's not committed to your growth tell you things that are agreeable." [28:42]
2. "It's important to see if you could get godly counsel from someone who is experienced. He said who loves God knows God's word, who loves you and is cheering you on, and who has some sort of knowledge and experience in what you're seeking God's discernment." [30:34]
3. "God has not abandoned us for us to figure it out on our own. He's given us his word, he's given us his spirit, he's given us each other, his people to walk alongside of us, to follow God and God's will." [44:47]
4. "We cannot let our fear of going the wrong way stop us from going anywhere. We need to engage in genuine discernment, which is not an excuse for inaction, but is a method of giving these weighty matters before God and seeking the right path." [23:28]
5. "Seeking advice from others is not a substitute for your own spiritual discernment, right? Seeking what God, if you want to know what God thinks about something, then you have to ask God and you have to read scripture, you have to pray about it and also get godly input." [25:17]
6. "If we're looking to do things that we could only accomplish with our own human ability then we're falling short... God wants us to live a life where we're dependent on his guidance, his power, and his spirit to do and to go where God wants us to go." [41:16]
7. "Do you ask godly seasoned believers who love God, who love God's word, who love you, are you asking them to speak into your life, those people God has put in your life? Or do you go to people who will tell you what you want to hear?" [43:03]
8. "We don't have to do certain things. We don't have to give a lot of money. And if we mess up, God will forgive us. If we really are turned to him and ask him to forgive us, that Jesus is the ticket to heaven, that Jesus is part of the gift of salvation, not anything me and you can do or buy. And that's good news for us. That's the good news of the gospel of Jesus." #!!07:43!!#
9. "In Germany, in the 1500s, there was a Catholic priest named Martin Luther. And he protested against these unbiblical practices and wanted to reform the church of that time. So on October 31st, 1517, he nailed the 95 theses, 95 ways that the church had gone astray. And he nailed them to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. And that was the spark of the Protestant Reformation." #!!14:39!!#
10. "Who are you trying to please, who are you trying to impress when you make these difficult decisions and discernments? Are you looking to be successful in the eyes of your neighbors, are you looking to have the nicer lawn, the better car, are you looking to post on social media the better vacation, the more scenic fall pictures?" #!!35:55!!#
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