Yielding to God's Will: The Path of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Surrendering to Divine Will

Yielding to God's will often clashes with our personal desires, yet it is the essence of discipleship. We must be vigilant to discern God's will from our own, understanding that our true calling is to follow Christ's example of perfect submission. This surrender is not a one-time act but a daily, conscious decision that requires humility and trust. It is in this surrender that we find our true purpose and the peace that comes from aligning with the divine plan.

"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'" (Matthew 16:24-25 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's will? How can you practice surrendering this area to God today? [53:12]

Day 2: The Testimony of Baptism

Baptism is a profound testimony of a believer's commitment to live a transformed life. It symbolizes the death of the old self, enslaved to sin, and the birth of a new self, alive in Christ. This sacrament is a public declaration of faith and an invitation to a lifelong journey of repentance and obedience. As believers emerge from the baptismal waters, they proclaim their intention to follow Jesus, no matter where He may lead.

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4 ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism. How does it shape the way you live out your faith daily? [01:12:23]

Day 3: Covenant Community in Christ

The church is not just an assembly of individuals; it is a covenant community where believers commit to support and nurture one another in love. This community is marked by mutual care, accountability, and the shared goal of growing in faith. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to walk together in humility, offering counsel, encouragement, and even admonishment, always reflecting Christ's love and grace.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth and support of someone in your church community this week? [28:58]

Day 4: Parenting as Divine Calling

Parenting is a divine vocation that involves guiding children to love God with their entire being. This sacred responsibility goes beyond words; it requires parents to model faith through their actions. The church community plays an essential role in supporting parents as they nurture their children's spiritual development, ensuring that the next generation is grounded in love for God and His commandments.

"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." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV)

Reflection: As a parent or mentor, what is one way you can demonstrate your faith to the younger generation this week? [30:17]

Day 5: Embracing Sacrificial Love

The ultimate expression of God's love was Jesus' willingness to endure the cross for our salvation. This act of sacrificial love is the foundation of our faith and the model for how we should live. Understanding the depth of God's love for us compels us to live lives of gratitude, obedience, and surrender, as we seek to embody Christ's love in our interactions with others.

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1 John 3:16 ESV)

Reflection: How can the reality of Jesus' sacrificial love impact the way you approach relationships and service in your community? [51:44]

Sermon Summary

In our lives, we often find ourselves caught between the desire to follow our own will and the call to submit to God's perfect will. We may, like Judas, pretend to love God while secretly serving our own interests, or like Peter, we may fight against God's plan because it doesn't align with our own. Yet, the path of true discipleship requires us to yield to God, to lay down our own desires and ambitions, and to embrace His will for our lives.

We are reminded that God has designed the world to work in a particular way, and when we think we know better, we sin by rebelling against His design. The commandments to honor the Sabbath and our parents are not mere suggestions but divine instructions for a life that honors God. We are called to rest in the Lord and to respect the authority He has placed over us, recognizing that our worth and identity are not found in our productivity or achievements but in Christ alone.

The act of baptism is a public declaration of our intention to die to ourselves and to live for Christ. It is a proclamation that we are no longer slaves to sin but are now children of God, chosen and loved by Him. In baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, and we commit to walking in repentance and faith.

The church plays a crucial role in this journey. As a community of believers, we are called to support one another, to walk together in humility and love, and to help each other grow in faith. We are to be a community that practices forgiveness, extends grace, and demonstrates steadfast love, reflecting the love of Christ to the world.

As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the ultimate act of love: Jesus willingly submitting to the power of darkness, to torture, and to death on the cross for our sake. He drank the cup of God's wrath so that we might be forgiven and embraced as sons and daughters of God. This sacrificial love compels us to respond by living lives that are fully surrendered to Him.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 22:47-53 (ESV) — > While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

2. Exodus 20:8-12 (ESV)
> “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

3. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV)
> “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Observation Questions

What was the sign Judas used to betray Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to it? ([38:18])
How did Peter react when the crowd came to arrest Jesus, and what was Jesus' response to Peter's action? ([41:10])
According to Exodus 20:8-12, what are the two commandments mentioned, and what reasons are given for observing them?
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, what are the Israelites commanded to do with the words of the Lord, and how are they to teach them to their children?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to heal the servant's ear after Peter cut it off, and what does this reveal about Jesus' mission and character? ([43:54])
How does the command to honor the Sabbath and parents in Exodus 20 relate to the idea of submitting to God's design for our lives? ([22:07])
What does the passage in Deuteronomy 6 suggest about the importance of integrating faith into daily life and family practices? ([27:02])
How does Jesus' willingness to submit to the power of darkness and go to the cross demonstrate the depth of His love for humanity? ([51:44])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you were tempted to follow your own will instead of God's. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently in the future? ([49:33])
How can you ensure that your actions and decisions are aligned with God's will rather than your own desires? ([55:33])
Baptism is a public declaration of faith. If you have been baptized, how has this commitment impacted your daily life? If not, what steps could you take to explore this further? ([01:12:23])
In what ways can you support and encourage other members of your church community to grow in their faith? ([28:58])
How can you incorporate the practice of Sabbath rest and honoring your parents into your weekly routine? ([22:07])
Jesus' sacrificial love on the cross is a profound example for us. How can you demonstrate sacrificial love in your relationships and daily interactions? ([51:44])
Think of a specific area in your life where you might be pretending or fighting against God's will. What steps can you take to yield to God's perfect will in that area? ([55:33])

Sermon Clips

"We are not a perfect people; we are a repenting people who recognize our sin and confess it freely to God." [21:29] (Download | )

"The Lord has designed the world to work in a particular way, and when we think we know better than He does, that's sin." [22:42] (Download | )

"As God has loved us, so we also are to love one another. As God has forgiven us, so we also are to forgive one another." [01:10:51] (Download | )

"Baptism is the way that we publicly proclaim that this is the pattern of our lives from now on: my intention is to walk in repentance and faith." [01:12:23] (Download | )

"The church is not just a gathering of individuals but a covenant community committed to walking together in Christ." [28:58] (Download | Download cropped video)

"Each of us must decide whether we will go through life pretending like Judas, fighting like Peter, or yielding to God's perfect will like Jesus." [55:33] (Download | Download cropped video)

"Jesus willingly submits himself to the power of darkness... He drank the cup of God's wrath so that we might be forgiven and embraced as sons and daughters of God." [51:44] (Download | Download cropped video)

"Jesus fully submitted himself to God's will... He walked forward saying, 'Not my will, but your will be done.'" [53:12] (Download | )

"We must yield every single one of us must walk in repentance and faith, and it's through our faith by grace alone that we are given the undeserved gift of forgiveness of our sins and eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord." [01:15:16] (Download | Download cropped video)

"Parenting is a divine calling that involves teaching our children to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength." [27:36] (Download | )

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