Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon emphasizes trusting in God's divine guidance, rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks in all circumstances as we navigate life's challenges and decisions.
Good morning, beloved family of God. It is indeed a day of joy and blessing as we gather together in the house of the Lord, united in spirit and purpose. We are here to seek the face of God, to hear His voice, and to align our lives with His divine will. Today, we are not just sitting in a church; we are standing at the crossroads of divine direction, discerning God's guidance, and dwelling in His decisions.
In the words of the renowned theologian, J.I. Packer, "Guidance, like all God's acts of blessing under the covenant of grace, is a sovereign act. Not merely does God will to guide us in the sense of showing us his way, that we may tread it; he wills also to guide us in the more fundamental sense of ensuring that, whatever happens, whatever mistakes we may make, we shall come safely home."
These words remind us that God's guidance is not a mere suggestion or a roadmap that we can choose to follow or ignore. It is a divine assurance, a promise that no matter where we go, what we do, or how we stumble, His hand will lead us and His right hand will hold us.
The divine direction we seek is not a hidden treasure, nor a secret code that needs to be deciphered. It is a path that has been laid before us, a path that is illuminated by the light of God's word and the guidance of His Spirit. This path is not always easy to see, and it is not always easy to follow. It is often obscured by the distractions of this world, by our own desires and fears, and by the lies and deceptions of the enemy. But it is there, always there, waiting for us to step onto it and to walk in it.
When we talk about divine direction, we are talking about the guidance that comes from God. This guidance is not a set of instructions or a list of do's and don'ts. It is a relationship, a deep and intimate connection with the Creator of the universe. It is a dance, a movement of grace and love that draws us closer to God and aligns our lives with His purposes.
The first aspect of this divine direction is the recognition of God's sovereignty. God is not a distant deity who set the world in motion and then stepped back to watch it spin. He is a personal and present God who is actively involved in the world and in the lives of His people. He is the one who guides the stars in their courses and who also guides the steps of His children. His sovereignty means that He is in control, that He has a plan and a purpose, and that He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him.
This recognition of God's sovereignty leads us to the second aspect of divine direction, which is the submission to God's will. Submission is not a popular word in our culture. It is often associated with weakness, with giving up, with letting go of control. But in the context of divine direction, submission is a position of strength. It is a choice to align our will with God's will, to let go of our plans and to embrace His plans.
The third aspect of divine direction is the reliance on God's word. The Bible is not just a book of stories and teachings. It is the living and active word of God, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It is the primary means through which God speaks to us, guides us, and reveals His will to us. When we read the Bible, when we meditate on its truths, when we apply its teachings to our lives, we are opening ourselves up to the divine direction of God.
Finally is the responsiveness to God's Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a force or a power. He is a person, the third person of the Trinity, who dwells in the hearts of believers. He is the one who convicts us of sin, who comforts us in sorrow, who counsels us in confusion, who confirms us in faith. He is the one who leads us into all truth, who guides us into all righteousness, who empowers us for all service. When we listen to the Spirit, when we yield to His leading, when we walk in His power, we are walking in the divine direction of God.
In the book of 1 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul gives us a beautiful picture of what this divine direction looks like. He tells us to rejoice always, to pray continually, to give thanks in all circumstances. These are not just spiritual disciplines or religious rituals. They are attitudes and actions that reflect our relationship with God, our submission to His will, our reliance on His word, and our responsiveness to His Spirit.
As we navigate through the complexities of life, discerning God's guidance becomes an essential aspect of our spiritual walk ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO