Forgotten God: Ch 6
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INTRO
I. The Wrong Big Question
A. What r u going 2 accomplish with ur life?
a. That’s a big question.
1. maybe we can break it down into something a little easier:
i. What’s ur 5-yr plan?
-Maybe you can answer that question, no problem.
-Or maybe u feel sick 2 ur stomach when u have 2 make plans 4 the weekend.
B. Probably the most-asked question @ graduations is, “What are you going to do with your life?”
a. For whatever reason, we tend 2 focus on what we can & should do in the future, rather than what we can & should do 2day.
b. This often bleeds over into our relationship w/ God.
1. Maybe u have made this statement b4…I know I have:
i. “I want to follow God, but I just can’t figure out His will for my life.”
C. Does God have a plan for ur life?
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
a. Yep, God has a plan for ur life!
1. Because God has a plan, we tend to press Him for the plan.
i. We ask him: What should I do w/my life!
-Why did u make me!
b. This can be such a huge preoccupation that we don’t consider what God wants us 2 do right now, in the situations that He has placed us in at this moment.
1. Why might it b safer 2 commit 2 following “God’s will for ur life” rather than following God in what He may lead you to do today?
i. Francis Chan writes:
It’s much less demanding to think about God’s will for your future than it is to ask Him what He wants you to do in the next ten minutes. It’s safer to commit to following Him someday instead of this day.
c. On the flip side sometimes we get so scared about missing our calling for the future that we become paralyzed in the present.
1. We are scared to make mistakes, so we fret over figuring out God’s will.
i. We wonder what living according to His will would actually look & feel like, & we are scared to find out.
2. God does have a plan for ea. of our lives, but He has never promised 2 reveal that plan to us in advance.
i. More often it looks like Abraham’s experience:
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
II. The Better Question
A. What if we ask a different question…what if we ask, “what r we doing today God?”
III. The Video
A. While we consider this, let’s listen to a msg frm Francis Chan
B. Play Video
a. What stuck out to you about the video
b. The video poses an important question:
1. If u were absolutely, 100% submitted 2 the will o God @ this moment, what do u think He might ask u 2 do right now?
2. The moment you heard that question, maybe you knew exactly what God would want you to do.
i. He’s been calling you to it for a long time, but you’ve been writing it off as anything but the voice of God.
-If that’s the case, consider leaving this study & following the Spirit in whatever He’s leading u 2 do.
3. However, that may b a tough question 4 u 2 answer.
i. U may have no idea what God “might” call u 2
-But that’s not really the point.
BODY
I. The Point
A. It is the daily consideration & pursuit of the Spirit’s leading in our lives that is crucial.
a. See, God’s desire for us daily is spelled out simply in
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
1. God’s desire for us has always been to reflect his nature:
i. act justly w/others…when they don’t act that way to us we show mercy & 2 do so humbly w/ him; walking through life daily by HIS side
II. The Problem
A. The problem is…even though we were created in his image our sin nature imbedded in us by the fall keeps us from doing so
a. Paul says as much in...
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
1. This is a hopeless situation.
i. All God wants is act justly w/others…when they don’t act that way to us we show mercy and to do so humbly with him; walking through life daily by HIS side
- We just can’t do it.
ii. How many o u lived/live this struggle o knowing what’s right & doing what’s wrong
B. Here’s the Good news:
a. God knew this to be true and made a way
1. What is impossible in Romans 7 is made possible in Romans 8.
i. What makes the difference?
-The Holy Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
b. According to Romans 8, the difference btwn the cycle o trying & failing, & truly obeying God has everything 2 do w/ following the Spirit’s leading.
III. The Walk
A. Consider Pauls words in the following vs’s
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
a. God’s solution is salvation by Jesus’ death & resurrection freeing us from our sin nature & placing in us HIS Spirit
1. Paul refers to this process of following the Spirit’s leading as walking “according to the Spirit” in Romans 8:4 and...
2. walking “by the Spirit” in Galatians 5:16 and 25.
B. Simply Walk
a. The concept of walking is so basic that perhaps u’ve never considered what walking entails.
1. Think about how simple it is:
i. U don’t have 2 know exactly where u’re going;
ii. it doesn’t require any planning;
iii. all u have 2 do is put 1 foot in front o the other.
-Really, the only way 2 walk is 1 step @ a time.
b. We can get so caught up in the big picture that we lose sight o the fact that God is simply calling us 2 walk.
1. It won’t necessarily b easy, but we can always put 1 foot in front of the other.
2. Why is it that God is more interested in communicating our daily steps w/us rather than the big picture?
i. Which o these 2 produce more faith?
ii. Which involves deeper rel?
iii. Illust. Here’s some practical truths:
-an object at rest tends to stay at rest an object in motion tends to stay in motion
-it’s easier to steer a ship that is moving than the 1 that is sedentary
3. Think about the analogy of walking.
i. Practically, what would it mean 4 u to walk by the Spirit in ur daily life?
ii. When we walk by the Spirit, we r moving in a particular direction, & that direction is set by the Spirit.
C. Walking by the spirt
a. Here’s the rub: Walking by the Spirit is not about adding the Spirit in2 ur already busy life.
1. Francis Chan writes in his book:
The Spirit who raised Christ from the dead is not someone we can just call on when we want a little extra power in our lives. Jesus Christ did not die in order to follow us. He died and rose again so that we could forget everything else and follow Him to the cross, to true Life.
b. There is a real diff. btwn adding the Spirit 2 ur life & actually following Him minute by minute.
1. If u add the Spirit 2 ur life, u’re not open 2 change;
i. u just want 2 enhance what u’re already doing.
2. What if God didn’t give u a helper 2 keep on retainer incase u need help doing what u want.
i. What if there is a greater calling here…a deeper relationship to be had.
3. H.S.’s our helper, but he’s not here 2 help u accomplish what u want!
i. He dwells in us 2 form us in2 the Image of The Father’s Son (Jesus) &
-lead us to accomplish The Father’s business
IV. Who’s really leading who
A. So, the real question is, “who’s really calling the shots in ur life? (Remember Paul said)
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
a. We must keep in step w/the Spirit…the Spirit isn’t trying to keep up w/u
1. What if God gave us his Spirit 2 give the directions…call the plays & then partner w/us to accomplish the play by his empowering strength.
i. If u begin following the Spirit’s leading in ur life, u will find urself changing.
b. The Spirit may prompt u 2 let go of things that were once important 2 u.
1. He may even call u 2 give up some good things in ur life, @ least 4 a time, in order 2 accomplish His purposes in & through u.
i. Take a look at What Paul says in...
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
B. Spirit vs Flesh
a. Listen, Paul is saying that u can’t follow the flesh & the spirit at the same time
1. they r mutually exclusive…apposed to ea. other…& headed in opposite directions
2. U cannot gratify the flesh & please God.
b. Paul’s saying there’s a big diff btwn the mind set on the flesh & the mind set on the Spirit.
1. Think about this difference. What might an example of each type of person looks like?
i. Now take a look at...
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
2. What things does Paul mention that set the Spirit-filled person apart?
i. gives life to our bodies in defeat of sin
ii. We are free from the owing allegiance to the flesh
iii. We put to death the deeds of the flesh
- What do u think Paul means “by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body”?
3. The thought of being called to give things up may be scary, but honestly answer this question:
i. Which is more frightening 2 u:
- giving up everything u own, /
- going through life on ur own w/out the H.S. Why do u say that?
ii. I don’t mean to give the impression that u always have 2 choose btwn the 2.
-But it’s an important question 2 ask urself, because anything that we value more than God is an idol.
c. Who has heard/read the story of Jesus’ interaction w/the rich young ruler found in...
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ”
20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”
21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
1. The rich young ruler didn’t realize what was keeping him from God until Jesus asked him a similar question:
i. Jesus was forcing the question “what is most important: a Rel. w/God or my flesh”
2. is it bad to have $$?
i. Jesus didn’t ask the rich guy to give up his $$ because it was evil
ii. Jesus asked him to sell all he had because he allowed it 2 become a barrier btwn him & God.
C. Giving it up
a. By definition, submitting to the Spirit’s leading means giving up control.
1. That means, when he says give up x-y-z…we give that up
2. When He says walk across the street & speak to that person…we take the steps
b. What if we don’t?
1. Francis Chan quotes A. W. Tozer saying
And to expose our hearts to truth and consistently refuse or neglect to obey the impulses it arouses is to stymie the motions of life within us and, if persisted in, to grieve the Holy Spirit into silence.
2. when’s the last time You heard the Spirit speak /nudge u;
i. 2day?
ii. Last week?
iii. Has it been a yr; longer?
-1 reason might b that He’s tired o telling u the same thing over & over w/no results
-He’s grieved in2 silence.
3. What do we do if the H.S. has gone quiet in our life?
i. Repent
ii. Look back 2 the last thing the H.S. has told u to do…then do that!
V. Be Being Filled; a process of renewing
A. Now, sometimes we get the impression that being Spirit-filled doesn’t require continued action.
a. It’s important 2 recognize that being filled w/ the Spirit is not a 1x act.
1. there is an initial act:
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
i. When we put our faith in Christ, the H.S. begins living w/in us, & we r sealed in Him
-That will never change.
ii. Paul tells the Corinthians in...
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
-Yet even those who have received the Spirit of God are called to be filled w/ the Spirit
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
2. There’s a continual filling as well
i. Be filled here: lit. be being filled
-That means that being filled with the Spirit is really a lifelong process.
ii. & the Holy Spirit will b working in us continually until the day we leave this earth:
18 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.
-The implication is that this is not an event;
-it’s an ongoing relationship in which the Spirit continues 2 work in us making us the people He wants us 2b.
b. Though we might wish that being Spirit-filled were as easy as an event,
1. what r the benefits o maintaining an ongoing relationship w/ the H.S. ?
i. growing trust
ii. deepening rel.
Getting Practical
Getting Practical
I. Walking by the Spirit comes down 2 daily dependence on God.
A. Most of us r excited about submitting to the Spirit in an abstract sense.
a. We enjoy the thought of being filled w/ the Spirit.
1. But how often do u consider the way the Spirit might b leading as u spend time w/ ur family?
2. What might the Spirit want u 2 say 2 the people u work w/ ?
3. Have u thought about how the Spirit might want u 2 shape ur financial budget?
i. Hey Pastor…don’t u go talking about my $$. I made it’s mine…
-who’s in charge o ur life again?
4. These r all practical areas that we rarely consider submitting 2 the Spirit.
i. Think about some of these mundane daily activities.
-In which of these r u prone 2 do ur own thing w/out considering how the Spirit might lead u?
ii. Illlust. talking w/a pastor about daily reliance on H.S.
-He told me he instructs his folks to ask God where HE wants u to sit in Church on Sunday
-but wait, doesn’t God give us a mind…does God really care where I sit in church
-What if the H.S. wants to tell some1 something & he wants u to tell them?
-Then where u sit makes all the diff. in the world
-What if the H.S. wants u to comfort some1 who sits away from where u normally sit & he wants u to be that comfort?
iii. How can you turn “mundane” activities into opportunities to follow the Spirit’s leading?
II. Who’s Strength
A. As we discuss the Spirit-filled life, there can be a real pressure 2 try harder in our own strength 2 produce the “fruit of the Spirit” mentioned in...
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
a. Maybe studying the H.S. has made u feel even more overwhelmed...
1. like you’ll never b the kind of person that God wants u 2b.
b. Everything we’ve been discussing could sound exhausting,
1. If that’s the case, then u’re not seeing an important truth:
B. All of this life-change & obedience comes through the power of the Spirit.
a. We must remember that God is not calling us to do this in our own strength.
1. Certainly the Spirit guides & directs us, but it’s vital to remember that He also empowers us.
2. Paul rebuked the Galatian churches for trying to grow in their own strength:
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
b. & though it’s a confusing thought, He actually called the Philippians 2 actively work because God was working in them
12 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,
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
1. I don’t know exactly how it all fits together, but as we follow the Spirit’s leading in our lives, He also provides the strength & power to walk.
HomeWork
HomeWork
I. Ponder the Question
A. We have a tendency 2 try 2 do the Spirit’s work in our own strength. Practically, how can you do the work of the Spirit through the power of the Spirit?
II. Prayer Time
A. Ask God what He wants you to do—not in 5yrs but right now, 2day.
B. Pray for strength to follow the Spirit’s leading in whatever He may be calling you to do.