Transformative Empowerment: Aligning Desires with God's Will
Summary
God's intention for His people is profound and transformative. He desires that we grow in our character to a point where He can empower us to do what we want to do. This might sound surprising at first, but it is rooted in the understanding that as we mature in our faith and character, our desires align with His will. God wants us to become the kind of people He can trust with His power, enabling us to act according to His purposes naturally. This is the essence of Kingdom living, where our inner character reflects God's nature.
The process of reaching this point is ongoing and will culminate in a future where the law of God is inscribed on our hearts. In this future, doing what is right will become second nature, and wrongdoing will be as surprising as righteousness is today. This transformation is not just an individual journey but a collective one that will manifest in world history. The triumph of God will be evident when humanity naturally embodies His character, leading to a world where His will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
This vision calls us to actively participate in God's transformative work in our lives. It challenges us to examine our desires and align them with God's will, trusting that as we grow in character, He will empower us to fulfill His purposes. The journey requires patience and faith, knowing that God's process is at work within us and will ultimately lead to His triumph in the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Empowerment Through Character Growth: God desires to empower us to do what we want, but this requires growth in our character. As we mature, our desires align with His will, allowing us to act according to His purposes. This empowerment is a testament to the trust God places in us as we reflect His nature. [00:35]
2. Alignment of Desires with God's Will: The journey of faith involves aligning our desires with God's will. As we grow in character, our wants become synonymous with His purposes, leading to a life that naturally reflects His kingdom values. This alignment is crucial for living a life empowered by God. [00:55]
3. The Inner Dimension of Kingdom Living: Kingdom living is about developing an inner character that mirrors God's nature. This transformation allows us to be trusted with His power, enabling us to act in ways that fulfill His will and bring about His kingdom on earth. [01:15]
4. A Future of Natural Righteousness: A time is coming when righteousness will be the norm, and wrongdoing will be surprising. This future reflects the triumph of God, where His law is written on our hearts, and we naturally embody His character. [01:43]
5. Participating in God's Transformative Work: We are called to actively participate in God's work of transformation in our lives. This involves examining our desires, aligning them with His will, and trusting in His process to bring about His triumph in the world. [02:07]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Empowerment Through Character
[00:55] - Aligning Desires with God's Will
[01:15] - Inner Dimension of Kingdom Living
[01:43] - Future of Natural Righteousness
[02:07] - Participating in God's Work
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Jeremiah 31:33 - "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
2. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is God's ultimate intention for His people? How does this relate to our character growth? [00:35]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the future of humanity in terms of righteousness and wrongdoing? [01:43]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of aligning our desires with God's will? [00:55]
4. What role does the "inner dimension of Kingdom living" play in our empowerment by God? [01:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God writing His law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33) relate to the sermon’s vision of a future where righteousness is natural?
2. In what ways does Romans 12:2's call for transformation and renewal of the mind connect with the sermon’s emphasis on character growth and alignment with God's will?
3. What might it mean for someone to be "trusted with God's power" as described in the sermon? How does this trust develop over time? [01:15]
4. How does the sermon’s vision of a future where wrongdoing is surprising challenge our current understanding of human nature and society? [01:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current desires. Are there areas where your desires do not align with God's will? What steps can you take to bring them into alignment? [00:55]
2. Consider a time when you acted in a way that naturally reflected God's character. What circumstances or practices helped you to do so, and how can you cultivate more of these in your life? [01:15]
3. How can you actively participate in God's transformative work in your life this week? Identify one specific area of character growth you want to focus on. [02:07]
4. Think about a situation where you were surprised by someone’s wrongdoing. How can you use this experience to better understand the sermon’s vision of a future where righteousness is the norm? [01:43]
5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your actions are empowered by God and aligned with His purposes? Consider setting a specific goal for this week. [00:35]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to grow in character and align their desires with God's will? Identify one person you can support in this journey.
7. Reflect on the idea of God’s law being written on your heart. What does this mean for your daily decisions and interactions with others? How can you remind yourself of this truth throughout the week?
Devotional
Day 1: Empowerment Through Character Growth
God desires to empower His people to act according to their true desires, but this empowerment is contingent upon the growth of their character. As individuals mature in their faith, their desires begin to align with God's will, allowing them to act in ways that naturally fulfill His purposes. This process is a testament to the trust God places in His people, as they reflect His nature and become vessels of His power. The journey of character growth is ongoing and requires a commitment to spiritual maturity, where one's inner transformation leads to outward actions that glorify God. [00:35]
"For this very reason, 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." (2 Peter 1:5-7, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your character do you feel God is calling you to grow in, and how can you take a practical step towards that growth today?
Day 2: Alignment of Desires with God's Will
The journey of faith involves a profound alignment of one's desires with God's will. As believers grow in character, their wants become synonymous with God's purposes, leading to a life that naturally reflects His kingdom values. This alignment is crucial for living a life empowered by God, as it ensures that one's actions are in harmony with His divine plan. The process of aligning desires with God's will requires intentional reflection and a willingness to surrender personal ambitions in favor of His greater purpose. [00:55]
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one desire you have that may not be fully aligned with God's will. How can you begin to surrender this desire to Him and seek His guidance in reshaping it?
Day 3: The Inner Dimension of Kingdom Living
Kingdom living is characterized by the development of an inner character that mirrors God's nature. This transformation allows believers to be trusted with His power, enabling them to act in ways that fulfill His will and bring about His kingdom on earth. The inner dimension of kingdom living is not just about external actions but about cultivating a heart that reflects God's love, justice, and mercy. As believers grow in this inner transformation, they become agents of change in the world, embodying the values of God's kingdom in their daily lives. [01:15]
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate an inner character that reflects God's nature in your interactions with others today?
Day 4: A Future of Natural Righteousness
A time is coming when righteousness will be the norm, and wrongdoing will be surprising. This future reflects the triumph of God, where His law is written on the hearts of His people, and they naturally embody His character. The vision of a future where righteousness is second nature challenges believers to actively participate in God's transformative work in their lives. It calls for a commitment to spiritual growth and a trust in God's process, knowing that His ultimate triumph will be evident in a world where His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. [01:43]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: How can you begin to live today in a way that anticipates the future reality of natural righteousness, where God's law is inscribed on your heart?
Day 5: Participating in God's Transformative Work
Believers are called to actively participate in God's work of transformation in their lives. This involves examining their desires, aligning them with His will, and trusting in His process to bring about His triumph in the world. The journey of transformation requires patience and faith, as individuals allow God to shape their character and empower them to fulfill His purposes. By participating in God's transformative work, believers become co-laborers in His kingdom, contributing to the realization of His will on earth. [02:07]
"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." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to actively participate in God's transformative work in your life, and how can you remain open to His guidance in this process?
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