Urgency of Seeking God in Grace
Summary
In a thought-provoking message, Nathan Johnson from Freedom Church delves into the urgency of seeking the Lord and the implications of our choices in light of eternity. He begins by emphasizing the importance of seeking God, particularly in the current age of grace we live in, where access to God is unprecedented due to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This access is a privilege that should not be taken for granted, as it allows for an intimate relationship with God, regardless of one's background or past.
Johnson warns, however, that this period of grace is not permanent. He references Isaiah 55:6, urging listeners to seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near. This suggests that there may come a time when God will not be as readily accessible. To illustrate this point, he cites Genesis 6:3, which speaks of a time when God's spirit will not always strive with humanity. This striving of the spirit is likened to a judge who helps discern right from wrong, guiding us in our decisions and convicting us when we stray.
The message further explores the concept of spiritual complacency, cautioning against taking the Holy Spirit's guidance for granted. Johnson encourages listeners to be attentive to the Holy Spirit's voice, which leads to blessings and truth. He draws a parallel between the sensation of physical pain, which warns us against harm, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which steers us away from spiritual harm.
Johnson also reflects on the biblical accounts of Noah and Lot, highlighting the consequences of ignoring divine warnings. In the days of Noah, people carried on with their lives, oblivious to the impending judgment until it was too late. Similarly, in Sodom and Gomorrah, the residents were consumed with their daily activities and vices, failing to heed the warning to flee the city before it was destroyed.
The message concludes with a sobering reminder that there will come a day when it will be too late to seek God. Johnson paints a vivid picture of the final judgment, where those who have sought the Lord and surrendered their lives to Him will be preserved, while those who have pursued their own pleasures and ignored God's word will face loss. He stresses the importance of being prepared for this day, living a life aligned with God's will, and being ready to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Johnson's message is not meant to instill fear but to inspire gratitude for the current season of grace and to motivate believers to live in a way that honors God. He calls for a renewed commitment to prayer and intercession, recognizing the urgency of the times and the opportunity to seek God while He is near.
Key Takeaways:
- The current dispensation of grace offers an unparalleled opportunity to seek God and experience His presence, but this season is not indefinite. Believers are encouraged to cherish and utilize this time wisely, understanding that the privilege of direct access to God through prayer and communion is a gift borne of Christ's sacrifice. [44:10]
- The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers toward righteousness and away from sin. Just as physical pain serves as a warning against harm, the conviction of the Holy Spirit acts as a spiritual alert system, directing us towards God's will and away from actions that would lead us astray. It is vital to heed this guidance to live a life that is pleasing to God. [51:54]
- The biblical narratives of Noah and Lot serve as stark reminders that there are consequences for ignoring God's warnings. These accounts are not just historical events but also prophetic illustrations of the importance of obedience and the reality of divine judgment. They call believers to a life of vigilance and readiness for the return of Christ. [54:17]
- The concept of spiritual complacency is a significant threat to the believer's walk with God. It is easy to become accustomed to the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit and take it for granted. Believers must actively seek to maintain their spiritual fervor, continually seeking God's face and aligning their lives with His purposes. [47:03]
- The urgency of the message is underscored by the reality of the final judgment. On that day, the eternal destinies of individuals will be revealed, and it will be too late for those who have not sought the Lord. This truth should compel believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing their relationship with God and the spiritual well-being of themselves and others. [01:02:36]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 55:6 - "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near."
2. Genesis 6:3 - "Then the Lord said, 'My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.'"
3. Luke 17:26-30 - "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 55:6 urge believers to do, and why is this significant?
2. According to Genesis 6:3, what does God say about His Spirit's interaction with humanity?
3. In Luke 17:26-30, what activities were people engaged in during the days of Noah and Lot, and what was the outcome of their actions?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "seek the Lord while he may be found" in the context of our current age of grace? How does this apply to our daily lives? [44:10]
2. How does the Holy Spirit's role as described in Genesis 6:3 and the sermon compare to the function of physical pain in our lives? [51:54]
3. What lessons can we learn from the biblical accounts of Noah and Lot regarding the consequences of ignoring divine warnings? [54:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you have become complacent in seeking the Lord? What steps can you take to renew your commitment to seeking God daily? [47:03]
2. How do you respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit in your life? Can you recall a recent instance where you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you away from a harmful action? How did you respond? [51:54]
3. Considering the urgency of the final judgment as described in the sermon, how can you live with a greater sense of eternal perspective in your daily decisions and interactions? [01:02:36]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of prayer and intercession. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your routine, especially for those who have not yet sought the Lord? [01:06:03]
5. Reflect on the biblical narratives of Noah and Lot. How can you ensure that you are not ignoring divine warnings in your life today? What practical steps can you take to be more vigilant and obedient to God's guidance? [54:17]
6. The sermon mentioned the privilege of direct access to God through Christ's sacrifice. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for this access in your daily worship and prayer life? [44:10]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to seek the Lord and avoid spiritual complacency? What specific actions can you take to support and motivate them? [47:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Cherish the Season of Grace
The current dispensation of grace is a unique period where the opportunity to seek and experience God's presence is unparalleled. This gift of access to God, made possible through Christ's sacrifice, is not to be taken lightly or assumed to last indefinitely. It is a time to be valued and used wisely, as it allows for a deep and personal relationship with the Divine. [44:10]
Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Reflection: How are you making the most of this current season of grace to deepen your relationship with God?
Day 2: Heeding the Holy Spirit's Guidance
The Holy Spirit's role in a believer's life is akin to a spiritual alert system, guiding towards righteousness and away from sin. As physical pain warns us of potential harm, the Spirit's conviction is a divine mechanism to protect us from spiritual dangers. It is essential to listen to and act upon this guidance to ensure a life that aligns with God's will. [51:54]
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 - "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil."
Reflection: Can you recall a recent instance where you felt the Holy Spirit's conviction? How did you respond, and what can you do to be more attentive to this guidance?
Day 3: Learning from Biblical Warnings
The stories of Noah and Lot are not just historical accounts but also serve as prophetic warnings about the consequences of disobedience and the reality of divine judgment. These narratives remind us to live in obedience and readiness for Christ's return, as ignoring God's warnings can lead to irreversible consequences. [54:17]
Ezekiel 33:4-5 - "Then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you may have ignored a spiritual warning. What can you do to ensure you are more vigilant and obedient to God's guidance in the future?
Day 4: Avoiding Spiritual Complacency
Spiritual complacency is a subtle yet significant threat to one's walk with God. It can lead to taking the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance for granted. Believers must actively seek God's face and maintain their spiritual fervor, ensuring their lives are continually aligned with His purposes. [47:03]
Romans 12:11 - "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you may have become spiritually complacent? How can you reignite your passion for seeking God and His will?
Day 5: Living with an Eternal Perspective
The sobering reality of the final judgment should compel believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing their relationship with God and the spiritual well-being of themselves and others. It is a reminder that the time to seek the Lord is now, as it will be too late for those who have not when the day of judgment comes. [01:02:36]
Colossians 3:1-2 - "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Reflection: How does the reality of the final judgment influence your daily decisions and priorities? Are there changes you need to make to live more aligned with an eternal perspective?
Quotes
1) "We are living in a time of incredible access to the Father, a dispensation of grace, so it says call on Him, seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him because He is very near right now." [45:23]
2) "The Holy Spirit in our life is like this guide that says 'Walk This Way, Don't Walk This Way.' He's working in our lives, leading us and guiding us." [49:40]
3) "The sensation of physical pain can be a blessing, similar to the Holy Spirit when we do something wrong and we have this sense like 'I shouldn't have done that.' That's a blessing because the Holy Spirit is saying 'no, that's not the way.'" [51:22]
4) "Whenever you feel that [conviction], obey that because the Holy Spirit wants to bless you. The Holy Spirit wants to lead you into incredible grace and truth. Always obey that inner voice of the Holy Spirit." [52:30]
5) "On that day, everything will be revealed. Those seeking to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for Christ will preserve it." [57:31]
6) "Today is the day of salvation, this is the day of prayer, this is the day of intercession, and God is just pouring out His presence in these days and saying 'call on me and I will answer you.'" [01:06:36]
7) "We are living in a season of grace and in a dispensation of access to the Father. You can know today that when you leave, you can be in a right relationship with God." [01:09:03]
8) "It's time to seek the Lord while He may be found and to call on Him while He is near. This is the day of salvation, this is the day to seek the Lord because He's very near." [01:07:11]
9) "The Holy Spirit will not always strive with us... learn to listen to what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. Always obey that inner voice of the Holy Spirit." [52:30]
10) "This is the only season I've ever known in my 60 years, access to God. My concern is that we become a little lethargic, a little lazy, because we've always known access." [46:30]
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