Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a God-given vision or plan to navigate life's challenges with purpose, power, and protection.
Welcome, dear friends. It's always a joy to gather together in the presence of the Lord, bound by our shared faith and love for His Word. As we gather in His name today, let's turn our hearts and minds towards the wisdom of the book of Proverbs. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture, and to forget the divine blueprint that God has laid out for us. But today, we're going to focus on the power, purpose, and protection that can be found in God's plan for our lives.
Our Scripture passage today comes from Proverbs 29:18-19. It’s a passage that speaks to the heart of what it means to live a life guided by God's vision. The verses read as follows: "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand, he will not answer."
These verses remind us of the importance of having a vision, a plan. They remind us that without a God-given vision, we are like a ship adrift at sea, tossed by the waves of circumstance and chance. But with a plan, with a vision, we can navigate the storms of life with confidence and courage, knowing that we are following the path that God has laid out for us.
When we think about the power that comes from having a plan, we can start by considering the creation of the world. God didn't just randomly throw together the universe. He had a plan. He knew exactly what He was doing and why He was doing it. Every star in the sky, every blade of grass on the ground, every creature in the sea was part of His plan. And because of that plan, everything works together in harmony. The sun rises and sets. The seasons change. Life flourishes. That's the power of a plan.
Now, let's bring it down to a more personal level. Think about a time when you had a plan for your day. You knew what you needed to do and when you needed to do it. You had a schedule, a list, a plan. And because of that plan, you were able to accomplish what you set out to do. You were able to navigate your day with purpose and efficiency. That's the power of a plan.
Think of what happens when we don't have a plan. We're like a ship without a rudder, tossed about by the waves of life. We're reactive, not proactive. We're at the mercy of whatever comes our way. We're not in control. And that can lead to stress, frustration, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. That's the power of a plan, or rather, the lack of one. Now, let's take it a step further.
What happens when we have a plan, but it's not God's plan? We might think we know what's best for us. We might think we have it all figured out. But if our plan isn't aligned with God's plan, we're setting ourselves up for disappointment. We're setting ourselves up for failure. Because God knows what's best for us. He sees the big picture. He has a plan for our lives that is far greater than anything we could ever imagine. And when we align our plans with His, that's when we truly experience the power of a plan.
So, how do we align our plans with God's? We start by seeking Him. We start by spending time in His Word, in prayer, in worship. We ask Him to reveal His plan for our lives. We ask Him to guide our steps. And then we listen. We listen for His voice. We listen for His guidance. And when He speaks, we obey. We follow His plan, even when it doesn't make sense, even when it's not what we had in mind. Because we trust Him. We trust that He knows what's best for us. We trust that His plan is for our good and His glory. That's the power of a plan.
And finally, let's consider the power of a plan in the context of our faith. Our faith isn't just about believing in God. It's about living for God. It's about following His plan for our lives. And when we do that, when we live according to His plan, our faith becomes more than just a belief. That's the power of a plan.
Now, consider the idea of pursuing purpose with a plan ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO