Divine Direction - The Power to Become
Divine Direction • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsGod cares about who we are than what we do. You won't do the right what if you are driven by the wrong why.
Notes
Transcript
How do I know what God wants?
How do I know what God wants?
What is God’s will for my life?
What is God’s will for my life?
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Biblical Context:
English Standard Version Introduction
Paul’s letter to the Galatians was addressed to a group of churches in Galatia, a region of present-day Turkey. Paul had preached the gospel in these churches. He wrote to counter those who taught that Christians must be circumcised in order to be accepted by God. Paul began with a defense of his apostolic authority (chs. 1–2), then made it clear that all believers, Jew and Gentile alike, enjoy complete salvation in Christ (chs. 3–4). In chapters 5–6 Paul showed how the gospel of grace leads to true freedom and godly living. Perhaps the central message of Galatians is “a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (2:16). Paul wrote this letter sometime between A.D. 48 and 55.
Can you imagine what the new Christians in Galatia were feeling?
In order to be accepted by God, to really be saved, you had to be circumcised like the Jews?
In order to be accepted by God, to really be saved, you had to be circumcised like the Jews?
What is God’s will for your life, Galatians?
That you follow Jesus PLUS That you follow the Law and be circumcised and become the children of Abraham.
Isn’t it easy to twist what God says and make it God’s will for your life?
That’s why....
Decisions matter.
Decisions we make today determine stories we tell...
What would you have done? How would you have responded to make sure that you were really saved?
These Judaizers twisted God’s word and made it God’s will!
These Judaizers twisted God’s word and made it God’s will!
This is a decision you can’t undo.
What does God want for my life?
What does God want for my life?
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
The question what does God want for my life implies that God wants me to be doing.
Notice in Galatians 1, Paul told the Galatians that they were quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ.
The Galatians were turning away from Christ.
The Galatians were turning away from Christ.
They were turning away from the calling of Jesus’ grace.
They were instead turning to a different gospel.
They were turning to a “distorted” gospel of Christ.
The question of God’s will or what he wants can be distorted.
The question of God’s will or what he wants can be distorted.
So how can we know.
Maybe the question of What does God want me to do? is replaced with, Who does God want me to become?
God is more concerned with who you are becoming than what you are doing.
God is more concerned with who you are becoming than what you are doing.
God doesnt want you to be a GOOD Christian, God wants you to be LIKE CHRIST.
WHO BEFORE DO
WHO BEFORE DO
God’s will is for you to be holy.
God’s will is for you to be holy.
but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
The Bible never talks about your calling for your career…But Peter talks about your calling to be like Jesus.
The Bible never talks about your calling for your career…But Peter talks about your calling to be like Jesus.
If you are becoming the right “who”—you will (choose) the right “do.”
If you are becoming the right “who”—you will (choose) the right “do.”
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Why? Because God is more concerned about “why” become than “what” you do!
Why? Because God is more concerned about “why” become than “what” you do!
Motives matter to God.
People may be pure in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines their motives.
“You can’t get to the right place when you start with the wrong motives...” Pastor Craig Croeschel
Another way of saying it, “Won’t do the right what” if you are driven by the wrong “why.”
WHY BEFORE WHAT
WHY BEFORE WHAT
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Look what was happening to the Galatians...
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Paul warns the Galatians that the Judaizers were wanting them to a different gospel.
To trouble them.
To want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Notice how firm Paul is....even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
The Galatians were concerned about the “what” that they quickly deserted Jesus’ calling.
The Galatians were concerned about the “what” that they quickly deserted Jesus’ calling.
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.
God’s will is a WHO before Do and WHY before WHAT.
God’s will is a WHO before Do and WHY before WHAT.
If you are becoming more like Jesus, God will help you choose the right do.
When you are driven by the right why, God will help you do the right what.
Who are you becoming like?
As Paul writes to the Galatians, don’t let someone bewitch you.
God’s will for your life is to become like Jesus.
Why are you doing what you are doing?
God is concerned about the heart. He wants your motives to be pure and holy…that is answers the question WHY.
Why before What.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Are you seeking man’s approval or God?
Practical takeaway:
Practical takeaway:
Will this decision make me become more like Jesus Christ?