Life Application / Accountability
Last week Pastor Matt said, “We are not just talking about changing bad habits, we are talking about the power of God’s Spirit to cleanse us from the inside out!”
How did you seek out true transformation this past week? How will you continue to do so?
Sermon Recap
How we position ourselves matters, a lot. When we position ourselves in God’s presence we will find ourselves in His will, pursuing holiness. However, when we don’t, we are susceptible to the temptations of this world no matter how far along we are in our faith journey.
This week Pastor Nikki spoke about David and Bathsheba. A story rooted in disobedience with tragic consequences begins with King David, a man after God’s own heart not positioning himself well. King David should have gone to war with his army. It is what his people expected of him but more importantly it is what God expected of him. However, King David’s decision to stay behind in Jerusalem, which seemed like no big deal, soon turns out to be a colossal mistake.
Through this story God reveals to us that when we are not positioned toward obedience to Him we will most often pursue the desires of the flesh. One fateful decision of disobedience can soon turn into a series of bad choices, things we never thought ourselves capable of doing yet we do. Why? Because when our focus shifts off of God disobedience is not only possible, it is probable. Failure to pay attention to God’s details often leaves a wake of destruction in our path as it did for King David. However, God did not give up on King David. He sent the prophet Nathan to reveal his sin to him. When King David realized the severity of how he sinned against God he immediately repented.
Ultimately David repositioned himself in God’s presence and His will. Walking in the fullness of being a man after God’s own heart. Just as God desired to reveal the error of his ways to King David, God also longs to refocus our attention on Him so that we too might be positioned in His will. Much like the prophet Nathan the Holy Spirit’s work in us reveals any way in our lives that is not pleasing to God so that we too might repent and propel forward into all that God has for us in His kingdom.
Key Scripture
Read through this passage together:
2 Samuel 11:1-17
Discussion Questions
Discuss together, pushing yourself toward transparency. The more we are authentic and humble with one another, the more we can grow in Christ.
What are some of the things you have said that you would NEVER do? How has that played out in your life?
Do you think there are times when disobedience to God is “no big deal”? If yes, in what circumstances? If no, why not?
What do you think it means to be positioned well?
Tell of time when you or someone you know got caught in a bad situation because you/they were not positioned in God’s presence and will? How did it turn out?
How are you positioned? Is your focus on God and the details of what He has spoken to us or are you focused on other things?
Are there areas in your life that you recognize have placed you outside of the will of God? Are you the choices you are making focusing on pursuing holiness or are they setting you up for temptation?
Prayer
This week meditate on Deuteronomy 5:32-33 So Moses told the people, “You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instructions in every detail. Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” Thoughtfully ask God to reveal any area of your life that does not honor Him well. Confess any sins that you have treated as no big deal. Praise God that He bends low to hear your confession and graciously forgives you. Praise Him, that He alone gives us a hope and future to be more than the conquerors over the temptations of the enemy and to walk in the fullness of who we are as His children.
Life Application / Accountability For The Upcoming Week
This week, practice positioning yourself well. Set aside time in God’s presence, in His Word, communicating with Him through prayer. This is not about creating a to do list. This is about positioning yourself at the feet of Jesus so that you might find yourself pursuing holiness and living in the will of God.
Fast 1 thing this week and replace it with time with God. It could be a meal, a TV show, a video game, social media, whatever it is, replace it with positioning yourself at the feet of Jesus. Then every night before bed give thanks to God for 1 thing you learned, experienced, or heard in that sacred time with God.
Don’t Forget!
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