Who is God? Part 5 “Guide”

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S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

Have you ever paid a tour guide? Was it worth your investment?

Scripture:

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22–25 NLT

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1 NLT

The LORD went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. Exodus 13:21 NLT

Suddenly the LORD called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did….

Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.’”

So Samuel went back to bed. And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:4-5, 8–10 NLT

Sermon Insights:

God wants to be our guide through life.

What is harder for you—learning the Scripture or living it out?

At first glance, the phrase “perfect law that sets you free” sounds a bit contradictory. What are your thoughts about this description of God’s guiding Scriptures?

Three of the four Scriptures above indicate God’s special intervention to lead men who would have huge impacts on many people—Abraham, Moses, and Samuel. Who will be impacted by YOUR choice to follow God’s guidance in your life?

Lord, thank you for being willing to guide me in my life, for my benefit and for the benefit of those I will lead. Help me learn your ways clearly and live your ways faithfully.

Do you find it easier to converse with one of your parents more than the other?

Scripture:

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:1–10 NLT

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:15–17 NLT

Sermon Insights:

There are three primary ways God speaks to us today. Method #1: God guides us through prayer.

What is your attitude towards prayer—can anyone do it?

What is Jesus’ goal for your life in his words?

“Abba” has a deeply close and personal connotation, similar to calling God “Papa” or “Daddy.” Do you approach God through prayer as his beloved child? Why or why not?

If you are a Christian, that means you, along with Jesus, are heirs of God’s glory. What does that mean?

Lord, thank you for wanting to help me live a rich and satisfying life. Thank you for making me a child of God. That is an incredible gift with important roles and responsibilities. Guide me through prayer—talking and listening to you—as I explore how to follow you during this stage in my life!

What is a lesson you learned in childhood that has stuck with you?

Scripture:

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:1–12 NLT

And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. Acts 17:11 NLT

Sermon Insights:

There are three primary ways God speaks to us today. Method #2: God guides us through his Word, the Bible.

God wants us to test everything against what he has already said in his Word.

Why is it important to question those who teach you the Bible, as the Bereans questioned the Apostle Paul (who commended them for it)? Who is ultimately responsible for your interpretation and application of God’s Word?

If you “store” God’s commands and “write them deep” within your heart, what three outcomes did God promise?

In your giving, do you give the first and best of what God blesses you with, or do you give the leftovers?

How does God’s correction for his children show his love?

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness and patience with me. Thank you for being with me every day of my life, even when I did not acknowledge or respect your wisdom. Thank you for approaching me with grace and kindness. Help me to learn not only the information in your Word, but help me see your heart!

What do you appreciate most about Jesus?

Scripture:

Jesus spoke these words at the Last Supper with his disciples, the night before he was crucified: “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going. John 14:15–31 NLT

Sermon Insights:

There are three primary ways God speaks to us today. Method #3: God guides us through the Holy Spirit.

Consider Judas’ response: he thought Jesus should force the world to acknowledge and accept him as a conquering king. Jesus was talking about a different kind of reign, the quiet transformation of individuals from the inside out. How is this both different and more effective than simply dictating change?

The Holy Spirit will teach…remind…bring peace of mind and heart…comfort…empower…are you surrendering to the Holy Spirit so He can accomplish good in you?

Lord, thank you for giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit to lovingly change me from the inside out rather than simply guilt and shame me into being a “better person” on my own power.

What role do you play in your family during this season in your life?

Scripture:

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. Luke 10:21 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:1–13 NLT

Sermon Insights:

God can speak to or through anyone.

What was a time God clearly spoke to you through someone unexpected? Did you recognize God’s wisdom at the time or did it take a while?

The Apostle Paul writes, “I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.” God does not make that decision for you, nor do religious leaders—only YOU can make the decision. God honors your right to choose. How does this help you understand and appreciate God’s heart?

Lord, your ways are higher than my ways. Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. You have given me the right to choose how to respond to you. Help my eyes and ears to be wide open to receive your truth!

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Who is God? Part 5 “Guide”

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