The Path Of Faith

Intro

Introduction

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, ‘Thy will be done.’” - The Great Divorce

“Obedience is the road to real freedom: surrendering to God’s will does not imprison us, but liberates us.” (Often attributed to Lewis; exact source disputed)

“To trust Him means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There’d be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you wouldn’t take his advice.” - Mere Christianity

Prayer

Passages

Summary

            Together these scriptures emphasize that believers should direct their desires toward God’s will instead of letting human ambition or external conditions drive their motivation. Obedience to the Father brings true fulfillment. Spiritual stability and true joy emerge when we align our personal goals with divine wisdom throughout all life stages.

Teaching

         Scripture reveals that God’s eternal purpose and wisdom form the foundation of what lasts through time. Our faith develops and our divine connection strengthens when we choose to follow His supreme guidance rather than our finite understanding. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate form of obedience through His submission in the Garden of Gethsemane. The sermon teaches followers to trust God's intentions and submit their own plans to His overarching plan to foster a life of dependence and worship.

How This Passage Points to Christ?

Jesus provides the most definitive example of yielding through His prayer recorded in Luke 22:42.

Jesus prayed for the Father's will to be accomplished rather than His own during His time of intense prayer in Gethsemane.

            Christ demonstrated perfect obedience which showed His complete human experience when facing tremendous challenges and His divine nature through submission to God’s eternal plan. Examining Christ teaches us to uphold our dedication to God's will no matter how intense our earthly challenges become. Through His example we receive both hope and a blueprint for living a surrendered life.

Big Idea

            The ultimate life satisfaction comes from giving up our personal wishes in favor of God's desires while following Christ's path and drawing strength from Bible teachings.  

We choose God’s path with active faith while trusting His plan is the best course.

1. Transformation Through Renewal

Romans 12:2

 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

            In this verse, Paul suggests that we restore the mind of Christ by reading His word and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit daily. We learn the process of recognizing God's ultimate will which is good and acceptable and perfect. Spiritual growth is inhibited by conformity to worldly patterns. If we do not examine our default preferences they will prevent us from reaching the profound depths of God’s plan. The continuous renewal of the heart and mind allows us to reshape our priorities according to God’s will. Through this transformation believers develop the ability to listen to God’s voice clearly and follow His guidance.

Ways Christians conform to the world

A. Returning to Idolatry or Pagan Practices

            The Greco-Roman world was filled with idol worship which shaped social gatherings to center around pagan temples and festivities. Social factors like family expectations and financial needs forced new converts to revert to their former religious practices.

1 Corinthians 10:14

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

            Paul instructs Christians to completely reject all idol worship activities and their associated pagan influences.

1 Thessalonians 1:9

"For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,"

            We see in this scripture that the report of the church was praised as they obeyed the teachings of the Lord, delivered by Paul.

2 Corinthians 6:16–17

" And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LordAlmighty.”

            Paul is reminding them that they have agreed to the covenant that if they remain Holy, God will be their God. In the early commandments, God expressly forbids Idolatry in any form. Paul is making the connection in the spiritual realm as our earthly body can and will worship earthly things if we allow our flesh to dominate.

B. Sliding Into Sexual Immorality

            The moral standards accepted throughout first-century Gentile areas displayed permissive attitudes. The societies where believers lived tended to normalize sexual sin. Church leaders throughout early Christianity consistently warned believers about the risk of adopting secular moral principles.

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: God wants you to avoid sexual immorality and to use your body to honor Him instead of being driven by lust like those Gentiles who lack God's knowledge.

            Paul establishes a link between God’s wishes for believers to practice moral purity which separates them from non-believers.

1 Corinthians 6:18–20

"Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."

            The command to flee indicates our need to actively fight against any return to secular lifestyle patterns in this matter.

1 Peter 4:3–4

"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you."

            Peter emphasizes the change by which salvation has made us a new creation. Rather than being obedient to the prior lusts of the flesh as before, we have become strangers to the secular world.

C. Loving the World’s Values (Materialism, Status, Pride)

            Early Christians faced challenges from broader “worldly” values which included the pursuit of riches, authority positions and social recognition. Such worldly temptations had the potential to distract them from their complete devotion to Christ.

1 John 2:15–17

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

            John is detailing how we need to desire the things of God, which are spiritual, instead of the things of this world or carnal. If we worship God in Spirit and Truth, we should love the things that cannot be taken from us.

James 4:4

"Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

            Like John, James emphasizes the importance of separating our desires from the carnal and shifting our desires to the things of God, which are spiritual.

Summary

            Three main sources of pressure faced early Christians: idolatry practices, sexual immorality norms, and established worldly values. Apostolic teachings instructed believers to abandon former practices and embrace Christ's authority while experiencing spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit. Since ancient times and continuing today the church recognizes that following Christ demands a distinct path enabled by divine grace which guides believers to reject worldly norms.

2. Plans and Providence

Proverbs 19:21

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.”

A. Human planning efforts operate under constraints of finite knowledge and personal ambitions. The power of God’s counsel remains robust despite the constant shifts in our circumstances.

Key Scriptures

James 4:13–15

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow... Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’”

            James points out how our foresight has boundaries as we often make plans based on uncertain future assumptions. When we acknowledge our limited understanding it leads us to humility while reminding us that God possesses complete vision.

Modern-Day Application

Embrace Humility: Acknowledge that we don’t control every variable. As you navigate the quick rhythm of goal-setting and career changes understand that God's guidance shapes your plans.

Pray for Guidance: When you face significant choices like career transitions or family relocations, remember James 4:15 by incorporating “If the Lord wills” into your plans.

Remain Teachable: God’s counsel should guide you to adjust or perfect your goals whenever situations change. Stay flexible to take new paths when you feel spiritual guidance.

B. Trusting God’s Sovereignty

Key Scriptures

Romans 8:28

" And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

            All of life’s events unite under God’s purpose to create ultimate good. Although God may redirect our immediate plans His will remains faithful to a grander scheme of purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

            God’s intentions toward His people are redemptive. God intervenes to lead us toward a future filled with meaning and hope.

Modern-Day Application

· Rest in God’s Character: Perceive God’s involvement in our lives as loving guidance instead of disruptive interference. Understanding His benevolence helps to remove fears about divine interference with our happiness.

· Surrender Control: Understanding that God sometimes answers prayers by shutting certain doors is essential. When a plan fails to succeed understand that God’s ‘no’ or ‘not yet’ response aligns with His superior plan for you.

· Adopt a Kingdom Perspective: Direct your goals to match the principles of God’s kingdom according to Matthew 6:33. The pursuit of righteousness and service alongside love both honors God and enables you to accept His will peacefully.

C. The Peace of Divine Providence in a Chaotic World

Key Scriptures

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”              This call to believers emphasizes quiet faith in God’s supreme authority while encouraging them to stop their relentless efforts to recognize His unchanging dominion.

Proverbs 3:5–6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

            The uncertainty of the world around us becomes clear through this proverb which confirms God’s guidance is reliable when we trust Him instead of depending on our own understanding.

Matthew 11:28–29

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

            Jesus calls upon those burdened by life's pressures to discover peace through Him and teaches that divine care surpasses the security of our constant attempts to control things.

Modern-Day Application

· Release Anxiety: During times of financial uncertainty or health difficulties or relationship issues remember God cares for every aspect of your life according to 1 Peter 5:7.

· Practice Spiritual Disciplines: Establish practices of prayer together with Scripture study and quiet devotion to deepen your connection with His continuous direction.

· Cultivate Gratitude: Give thanks to God consistently for His reliable support that exists both visibly and invisibly. Your attention moves from uncontrollable elements to God's accomplished work which brings peace.

3. Submission in Gethsemane

Luke 22:42:

"saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

            While preparing to face the cross Jesus proclaims one of Scripture's most vulnerable prayers. He desires the “cup” to be removed yet submits completely to the will of the Father. The powerful moment taught us that deep spiritual maturity requires saying “nevertheless” to God and accepting “Not my will but Yours.” True submission requires trusting God even when His ways oppose our comfort or personal wishes. Choosing to let go demonstrates profound faith rather than weakness.

4. Delight in God’s Commands

Psalms 40:8

“I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

            The psalmist approaches God’s commands with genuine pleasure rather than simple submission. The concept of God’s will being burdensome is refuted because following His commands brings joy and fulfillment. God's law becomes part of our innermost being and leads us to perform actions that match His desires. True obedience emerges from a deep inner change instead of external demands. A genuine joy in following the Lord’s will directs our choices and creates stronger, profound connections with Him.

5. Application

When you're uncertain about your church position or opportunities to participate, reflect on these suggestions:

· Start Small: Perform tasks that appear small yet play an essential role in supporting the faith-based community.

· Seek Pastoral Counsel: Engage your pastor and spiritual mentors to identify where your service will have the greatest impact.

· Discover Spiritual Gifts: The areas in ministry that resonate with you as you serve can guide you to uncover God-given gifts or callings.

· Pray for Guidance: Finney teaches us to recognize prayer as essential for touching God's heart. Continue to search for His guidance with every decision and have faith that His path will reveal itself.

· Maintain a Humble Posture: Serve with the same open-hearted readiness Jesus demonstrated in Gethsemane to do all that God directs regardless of the task's size.

Conclusion

            God calls each believer to embark on an active journey of surrender. Scripture shows us how a life becomes enriched when we submit to God’s authority instead of our personal ambitions. The prayer Jesus prayed in Gethsemane—the “nevertheless” prayer—provides us with the ultimate model. We achieve alignment with our sovereign Lord’s perfect will when we set aside our personal plans to trust God’s guidance and renew our minds while finding joy in obedience.

            This posture of surrender allows revival to emerge both in the world around us and within our personal spiritual experiences. According to Finney, truth transforms people, while prayer utilizes heavenly resources to make that transformation possible. Let us move ahead with humble submission while repeating Jesus’ words: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

Closing Prayer

Amen.