Thriving Spiritually: Aligning with God's Will
Summary
In today's sermon, I began by addressing the foundational truth of our faith, emphasizing the importance of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, as stated in Mark 12:28-30. This commandment sets the stage for our entire spiritual journey, underscoring the necessity of a holistic devotion to God.
I then delved into the concept of thriving in our spiritual lives, focusing on the letter 'I' from the acronym THRIVE. I highlighted the personal responsibility each of us holds in nurturing our spiritual growth. It's crucial to recognize that thriving is contingent upon our active participation in our relationship with God. If we are not the 'I' in Thrive, we simply cannot expect to flourish.
Throughout the sermon, I explored the three-part composition of human beings—body, soul, and spirit—as designed by God. This tripartite nature is essential for understanding how we interact with the world, with God, and within ourselves. Our body connects us to our physical environment, our soul (comprising our mind, will, and emotions) interacts with our internal and external stimuli, and our spirit is that God-like essence that should align with the Holy Spirit.
I stressed the importance of aligning our will with God's will. This alignment is crucial for living a life that is not only pleasing to God but also fulfilling and purposeful for us. I shared personal anecdotes and biblical insights to illustrate how our desires and expectations should be filtered through our relationship with God, ensuring that our spiritual journey is guided by His wisdom and not by our fleeting emotions or worldly pressures.
As we moved towards the conclusion, I emphasized the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. By surrendering our will to God, as exemplified by biblical figures like David and Moses, we invite divine order into our lives, replacing chaos with peace and clarity. This surrender is not a one-time act but a continuous process of renewal and commitment.
Finally, I called everyone to a moment of reflection and commitment, urging each person to recommit their lives to God, ensuring that their personal temple—body, soul, and spirit—is aligned with God's purpose and will.
### Key Takeaways:
1. The Greatest Commandment Shapes Our Entire Spiritual Journey
Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is not just a command; it's the foundation of our faith. This holistic love guides every other aspect of our lives, influencing our decisions, shaping our relationships, and determining our priorities. When we truly embrace this commandment, every part of our being aligns with God's will, leading to a fulfilled and purposeful life. [03:59]
2. Personal Responsibility in Spiritual Growth
Thriving spiritually requires personal initiative. We cannot be passive participants in our relationship with God. Just as a plant needs water, sunlight, and nutrients to grow, our spiritual lives need prayer, scripture, and active engagement with the Holy Spirit. This proactive approach ensures that we are not just going through the motions but are genuinely growing in our faith. [13:52]
3. The Tripartite Nature of Humanity
Understanding that we are made up of body, soul, and spirit is crucial for spiritual maturity. Each part has a specific role and function, yet they are all interconnected. Our spirit should be in tune with the Holy Spirit, guiding our soul (mind, will, emotions) and body towards Godly pursuits. This alignment is essential for living a life that truly honors God. [12:44]
4. Aligning Our Will with God's Will
The alignment of our will with God's will is a transformative process that brings clarity and purpose to our lives. It involves regular introspection, prayer, and submission to God's guidance. This alignment ensures that our plans and desires are not just good, but Godly, leading us to live impactful and meaningful lives. [10:05]
5. The Power of God's Transformative Presence
Inviting God's presence into our lives transforms us from the inside out. It brings order to chaos, clarity to confusion, and peace to turmoil. As we surrender more of ourselves to God, we experience His power working through us, enabling us to overcome challenges and grow in grace. This transformative process is essential for anyone seeking to live a victorious Christian life. [56:53]
### Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:54] - Introduction to the Greatest Commandment
- [03:12] - Exploring the 'I' in THRIVE
- [12:44] - Understanding Body, Soul, and Spirit
- [20:21] - The Importance of Aligning Our Will with God's
- [41:10] - Achieving Divine Order Through Surrender
- [54:29] - Closing Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 12:28-30 - "And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus identify as the greatest commandment in Mark 12:28-30?
2. According to the sermon, what are the three parts of human beings as designed by God? [03:12]
3. How does the pastor describe the relationship between our spirit and the Holy Spirit? [13:52]
4. What are the five "I wills" of God mentioned in the Old Testament, as discussed in the sermon? [04:50]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength according to the sermon? [01:33]
2. How does understanding our tripartite nature (body, soul, and spirit) help us in our spiritual growth? [03:12]
3. What does it mean to align our will with God's will, and why is this alignment crucial for our spiritual journey? [10:05]
4. How does the pastor illustrate the transformative power of God's presence in our lives? [56:53]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are you loving Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? What steps can you take to deepen this holistic devotion? [01:33]
2. The sermon emphasizes personal responsibility in spiritual growth. What specific actions can you take this week to actively nurture your relationship with God? [13:52]
3. Considering the tripartite nature of humanity, how can you ensure that your spirit is in tune with the Holy Spirit, guiding your soul and body towards Godly pursuits? [12:44]
4. Think about a recent decision or desire you had. Did you filter it through your relationship with God? How can you make a habit of aligning your will with God's will in your daily life? [10:05]
5. The pastor shared personal anecdotes about surrendering to God's will. Can you recall a time when you surrendered your will to God? What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith journey? [11:41]
6. How can you invite more of God's transformative presence into your life to replace chaos with peace and clarity? What practical steps can you take to surrender more of yourself to God? [56:53]
7. Reflect on the pastor's call to recommit your life to God. What areas of your life need realignment with God's purpose and will? How can you make this commitment a continuous process? [54:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Foundation of Faith
Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the cornerstone of our spiritual journey. This commandment is not merely a directive but the very foundation upon which every other aspect of our faith is built. When we fully commit to this command, it influences our decisions, shapes our relationships, and sets our priorities. It's about integrating this love into every facet of our lives, ensuring that our actions and thoughts are consistently aligned with God's will. This holistic approach to loving God ensures that every part of our being is working in harmony towards a fulfilled and purposeful life. [03:59]
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you better integrate the love of God into every aspect of your daily routine?
Day 2: The Personal Journey of Spiritual Thriving
Thriving spiritually requires a proactive and personal commitment. It's about recognizing that our growth as believers depends on our willingness to engage actively with God through prayer, scripture reading, and communion with the Holy Spirit. Just as a plant needs sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow, our spiritual lives require nourishment through consistent spiritual disciplines. This personal initiative is what moves us beyond mere religious observance to a vibrant, growing relationship with God. [13:52]
Philippians 2:12-13 "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can begin this week to enhance your personal growth in faith?
Day 3: Understanding Our Complex Nature
Recognizing that we are composed of body, soul, and spirit is essential for achieving spiritual maturity. Each component plays a critical role in how we interact with the world, with God, and within ourselves. Our spirit should be in constant communion with the Holy Spirit, guiding our soul—which encompasses our mind, will, and emotions—and our body in pursuit of godliness. This understanding helps us to align our entire being with God's purposes, leading to a more integrated and holistic approach to living out our faith. [12:44]
1 Thessalonians 5:23 "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you better align your mind, will, and emotions with the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
Day 4: Aligning Our Will with God's Divine Purpose
The alignment of our will with God's will is not merely about subjugation but about transformation. It involves a deep, ongoing process of introspection, prayer, and submission to God's guidance. This alignment ensures that our desires and plans are not just good, but Godly. It transforms our lives, bringing clarity, purpose, and a profound sense of fulfillment. As we align our will with God's, we open ourselves to His transformative power, enabling us to live impactful and meaningful lives. [10:05]
Psalm 143:10 "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where aligning your will with God's will could transform your approach or outcome?
Day 5: Experiencing the Transformative Power of God's Presence
Inviting God's presence into our lives is transformative. It replaces chaos with divine order, confusion with clarity, and turmoil with peace. This process of surrendering to God is continuous, requiring us to yield our desires and plans to His greater purpose. As we surrender more, we experience God's power working through us, enabling us to overcome challenges and grow in grace. This transformation is crucial for anyone seeking to live a victorious Christian life. [56:53]
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to surrender more fully to experience the transformative power of God's presence?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Our life is based, it's based on relationships. No man is an island under himself. I know there's people that think they can live without other people. It's not true. You need friends, you need family, you need that special relationship. It builds your character. Wives and husbands and kids build character in people's lives." [31:06]
2. "Our reasoning was always meant to have a supernatural element. You know what I'm talking about? Our reasoning was always to have a need of a God. God made us that way. He made us that we would have a desire to have a God in our life." [25:43]
3. "If I'm not the 'I' in Thrive, I won't thrive. How many knows that God made us to thrive? When He made us. He made us to thrive. Now, God made us in three parts. He made us to have a body, a soul, and a spirit. And His will was what Jesus quoted." [03:12]
4. "What are your expectations for your life? It's amazing to me how expectations change over time due to what we see and what we've been through. We all battle stuff up here. It's a constant battle. Your spirit wars against your flesh. Your spirit wants you to do right, while your flesh and your mind might say otherwise." [33:28]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The Bible says to bring every thought into subjection unto God. You filter every thought through God's spirit. It does matter what you think because God never intended for you to be ruled and you to live by what you think." [20:21]
2. "He has a plan and I need to fulfill that plan by following after Him and doing what He's called me to do and believing on Him. And so I need His influence in my life. I need His logos, that instruction in my life. If we want some logic, then get the logos. It's the logic of God." [26:16]
3. "My life is in order. There's no chaos in God. If my life is chaotic, then it's because I'm not filtering everything through Him. When He's the center of everything that I'm about, then everything is where it's supposed to be." [41:10]
4. "Our body is the house of our spirit and our soul. It's the outer shell. It's the temple of our spirit and our soul. And this flesh does have its own appetites. But it will obey our soul's command. Our spirit's commands." [12:44]
5. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and strength. That's in the Old Testament. But Jesus added our mind. Because it's implicated in the Old Testament, but Jesus adds it in the New Testament when He quotes it." [03:59]
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