Pursuing with Purpose

  • Pastor Josh Smith
In a world that often values self-reliance and pride, how do we cultivate a heart that truly honors God? This message explores the transformative power of humble confidence and unending pursuit, urging us to live lives marked by brokenness, repentance, and a deep reverence for God’s Word. Discover how these values can lead to a life filled with peace, joy, and divine favor.

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Pursuing with Purpose

Message Summary
In a world that often values self-reliance and pride, how do we cultivate a heart that truly honors God? This message explores the transformative power of humble confidence and unending pursuit, urging us to live lives marked by brokenness, repentance, and a deep reverence for God’s Word. Discover how these values can lead to a life filled with peace, joy, and divine favor.
Key Scripture
This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place? My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.”
Isaiah 66:1-2 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: The Heart God Desires

Scripture: Isaiah 66:1-4 NLT

This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place? My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word. But those who choose their own ways—delighting in their detestable sins—will not have their offerings accepted. When such people sacrifice a bull, it is no more acceptable than a human sacrifice. When they sacrifice a lamb, it’s as though they had sacrificed a dog! When they bring an offering of grain, they might as well offer the blood of a pig. When they burn frankincense, it’s as if they had blessed an idol. I will send them great trouble—all the things they feared. For when I called, they did not answer. When I spoke, they did not listen. They deliberately sinned before my very eyes and chose to do what they know I despise.”

Devotional: God’s desire is not for grand gestures or impressive structures, but for hearts that are humble and contrite. He values those who tremble at His word, recognizing their need for Him. This passage challenges us to examine our hearts and motivations, reminding us that true worship begins with a heart posture of humility and repentance.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean to have a heart that trembles at God’s word?
  2. How can you cultivate humility and contrition in your daily life?
  3. In what ways might you be tempted to rely on external actions rather than internal transformation?

Prayer Points:

  1. Ask God to reveal areas of pride in your heart and to help you cultivate humility.
  2. Pray for a deeper reverence for God’s word and a willingness to be transformed by it.

Day 2

Day 2: Friendship with the World

Scripture: James 4:4-10 NLT

You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Devotional: James warns against the dangers of aligning ourselves with worldly values, which can lead us away from God. Friendship with the world creates enmity with God, but humility and repentance draw us closer to Him. This passage calls us to examine our loyalties and to choose God’s ways over the world’s.

Response Questions:

  1. What are some ways you might be tempted to befriend the world?
  2. How can you actively resist worldly influences in your life?
  3. What steps can you take to draw closer to God and purify your heart?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for discernment to recognize and resist worldly influences.
  2. Ask God to help you cultivate a heart that is fully loyal to Him.

Day 3

Day 3: Boldly Approaching God

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Devotional: Through Jesus, we have the privilege of approaching God’s throne with confidence. Our High Priest understands our struggles and offers us mercy and grace. This passage encourages us to hold firmly to our faith and to approach God with boldness, knowing that He is ready to help us in our time of need.

Response Questions:

  1. How does knowing Jesus as your High Priest impact your relationship with God?
  2. What does it mean to approach God’s throne with boldness?
  3. In what areas of your life do you need to seek God’s mercy and grace?

Prayer Points:

  1. Thank God for the access you have to Him through Jesus and for His understanding of your weaknesses.
  2. Pray for the courage to approach God boldly and to seek His help in every area of your life.

Day 4

Day 4: Growing in Unity and Maturity

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Devotional: Christ has given gifts to the church to equip and build up His body. As we grow in unity and maturity, we become more like Christ and are able to withstand false teachings. This passage highlights the importance of community and the role each believer plays in contributing to the health and growth of the church.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you use your gifts to contribute to the growth and unity of the church?
  2. What does spiritual maturity look like in your life?
  3. How can you speak the truth in love to those around you?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for unity and maturity within your church community.
  2. Ask God to help you identify and use your gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ.

Day 5

Day 5: Remaining in Christ

Scripture: John 15:4-8 NLT

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Devotional: Remaining in Christ is essential for spiritual fruitfulness. Jesus emphasizes the importance of staying connected to Him, as apart from Him, we can do nothing. This passage encourages us to abide in Christ, allowing His words to dwell in us, so that we may produce fruit that glorifies God.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean to remain in Christ, and how can you practice this daily?
  2. How does remaining in Christ impact your ability to bear fruit?
  3. In what ways can you ensure that Christ’s words remain in you?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deeper connection with Christ and a commitment to remain in Him.
  2. Ask God to help you bear fruit that glorifies Him and reflects His character.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion, open hearts, and lead each participant to a deeper understanding of humble confidence and unending pursuit.

Discussion Question 1: What does it mean to have a humble and contrite heart, and why is it important to God?

Context: The sermon emphasized that God is not impressed by what we can manufacture or build, but rather by the state of our hearts. Isaiah 66:1-2 highlights that God blesses those with humble and contrite hearts who tremble at His word. Discuss how humility and repentance are foundational to experiencing God’s favor and presence.

Discussion Question 2: How can we ensure that our actions and desires align with God’s heart rather than the world’s standards?

Context: James 4:4-8 warns against friendship with the world, which makes us enemies of God. The sermon pointed out that our desires should not lead us away from the community of believers or God’s presence. Explore practical ways to align our desires with God’s will and avoid the subtle traps of worldly thinking.

Discussion Question 3: In what ways can we cultivate a lifestyle of unending pursuit of Jesus?

Context: The sermon stressed the importance of continuous growth and pursuit of Jesus, regardless of age or spiritual maturity. Ephesians 4:12-16 speaks to the ongoing process of being equipped and built up in faith. Discuss how remaining rooted in Christ and community can lead to spiritual maturity and fruitfulness.

Discussion Question 4: How does humble confidence enable us to approach God boldly, and what impact does this have on our prayer life?

Context: Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers to approach God’s throne with confidence. The sermon highlighted that humble acceptance of Jesus allows us to confidently seek God’s grace and mercy. Reflect on how humility and confidence in Christ can transform our approach to prayer and our relationship with God.

Discussion Question 5: What role does community play in helping us live out these values of humble confidence and unending pursuit?

Context: The sermon emphasized the importance of being rooted in community, as our individual health impacts the greater body of Christ. Discuss how being part of a supportive community can encourage growth, accountability, and a deeper pursuit of Jesus.

Closing Activity: Invite each group member to share a personal prayer request related to the themes of the sermon. Encourage them to write a prayer of brokenness and repentance, as suggested in the GrowCard question, and commit to praying for one another throughout the week.

Closing Prayer: Conclude with a prayer asking God to help each participant live out the values of humble confidence and unending pursuit, and to bless their efforts to align their hearts with His will.

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A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.

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A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.