“Live with Intent”
Part 1 – Think. Do. Be.
NewSong Church 02/10/08
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Love God, Love Others
Jesus’ command to love God and love others is an intentional command - it puts me in the position each time to choose to either follow Christ (and act with love) or deny him (and act on my own).
What is Intentional Living?
Here is what the dictionary defines intent as:
• a determination to act in a certain way
• fixity of purpose
• firm determination marked by boldness and steadiness.
A vital relationship with Christ is not marked by
• how much you know about Jesus
• how long you’ve been a Christian
• whether or not you can walk on water
• it is determined by how you live your life each day.
Open Sharing: Random Acts of Kindness
Everything Matters
Live with Intent
Ephesians 5:1-2, 10, 15-17
(1-2) Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.
(10) Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
(15-17) So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Other’s Expectations
Culture
Human Nature
Think
“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord”
• How do I know what God wants me to do?
• How do I know I’m in his will or following his plan?
Do
“Be careful how you live”
• What do I invest in?
• What are my priorities?
• Do I reflect Christ’s life or my own way of living?
Be
“Understand what the Lord wants you to do”
• This is the sustaining of the process, the motivation to continue
• It is also about acceptance – his way in exchange for ours
Careful Living
Paul uses the word twice within this passage
• This is not accidental or haphazard
• This does not “just happen”
• It is pre-meditated, planned, and put into action
An Intentional Life Does Not Happen by Accident
• Direction
• Purpose
• Action
Applying the Intent
Intents that are never fulfilled are useless
Intentional living requires
• Dedication
• Application
• Continuation
Evaluate
Do you live for Jesus?
Do you model your life after his?
Do you act and speak the way he would in the various situations you find yourself in each day?
In other words, are you intentionally living your life his way?
Do you believe that everything you do matters?
Completion
Philippians 1:6—being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.
For the next 24 hours, think before you act or speak. Decide what will be the best way to respond and react in each situation you encounter so that you can intentionally reflect Jesus.
