Sermon Sketch: Sunday 2008.01.06

Good Intentions: Taking Aim at
Spiritual Growth - Part 2
The Wisdom of Willfulness
Following Jesus requires your
effort and intention.

Text: Colossians 3:1-3

Bible Readings:
OT - Psalm 101:1-6
NT – 2 Peter 1:3-11

Introduction:
- Intentionality is good. The road to spiritual maturity is paved with intention.
- Taking AIM (aspiration + intention + means = spiritual formation and growth)
If we aim at nothing, we will hit it. Spiritual growth in our lives requires our desire and aspiration, our willful intent, and our effort to take hold of every effective means we can find.

1. Willful about Setting Our Hearts and Minds (Col 3:1-3)
- Since we have been raised. The potential we have is in Christ’s resurrection power.
- Set your hearts on things above (where Christ is at God’s right hand)
- Set your minds on things above (not on earthly things)
Wisdom calls us to take hold of resurrection power of Christ, setting our hearts on minds on things above.
We must find our lives in Christ, our Lord, not in earthly things.

2. Willful about Our Walk and Influences (Ps. 101:1-6)
- “I will” is a statement of resolve and intention
- “Walking with integrity” / Faith and values fully integrated into every aspect of life.
- David was willful about: his walk, his house, his eyes, his relationships, his actions
Wisdom and integrity require resolve in our personal lives. We must be very intentional about the influences and relationships that shape our thinking and our actions.

3. Willful about Our Efforts and Aspirations (2 Peter 1:3-11)
- God has given us what we need / divine nature (v. 3)
- We can escape corruption caused by evil desires. Our desires can be transformed. (v. 4)
- We must “make every effort to add” to our faith (v. 5)
- Aspirations should include: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (vv. 5-7)
- We should be “eager to make our calling and election sure” (v.10)
Our efforts are and essential to spiritual growth. Growing and changing gives us confidence.

4. Part of My Daily Morning Prayer
“Grant me the wisdom and the will to guard my heart, feed my spirit, stimulate my mind, and care for my body.”

Prayer of Response:
O God, it is our good intention to be led and formed by you. By the power and grace of your Holy Spirit, lead, teach, transform, shape, and strengthen us, that we might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Grant us the wisdom and the will to guard our hearts, feed our spirits, stimulate our minds, and care for our bodies. Help us, by faith, to do the good things you’ve prepared in advance for us to do. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.