Sermon: Quiet Life / Loud Impact
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
ICE BREAKER: Would you rather always speak in a barely audible whisper or always speak in an over-the-top yell?
REVIEW:
This week we talked about the power of living a Quiet Life. The world around us can be VERY loud! Different forms of media constantly fight for our attention, there is distraction and tension in our relationships, our minds are often reeling with thoughts and worries, and our homes are often messy and complicated. Loud lives keep us from hearing clearly from God and living out our purpose because WHEN EVERYTHING IS LOUD, NOTHING IS CLEAR!
To help quiet down our lives, we learned three "volume knobs" starting with"
CURATE YOUR CONTENT
Proverbs 4 says:
“23 Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.”
There are SO many forms of media vying for your attention. What we allow in our eyes and ears is also what we are allowing in our heart. Would you watch all the same shows and videos if you knew God was in in the room with you? Would you listen to the same songs and podcasts?
Curating your content is not just about keeping negative things OUT of your heart, it is about filling your life with positive things - especially the things of God!
The second volume knob is:
CULTIVATE YOUR COMMUNITY
Proverbs 13 says:
20 “The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Allowing the wrong people into your life will exponentially turn up the volume on your life! You are allowed to be intentional about who you give access to your life. Far too many Christ followers are being distracted and derailed by toxic relationships that lead them astray.
We are called to love, and be loving, to all people! Setting clear boundaries is part of how you love people well. Get intentional and surround yourself with like-minded people!
The third volume knob is:
CLEAR YOUR CONSCIENCE
To live a quiet, powerful life you need to learn to forgive others AND ask others for forgiveness.
If you Curate Your Content - really take control of what information you are allowing in your life, AND you Cultivate your community, saying NO to people who lead you down the wrong path and YES to those who build you up…. BUT, you still live with a lack of forgiveness in your life, your heart and soul will still be on volume level 10!
True forgiveness silences the screams of guilt and regret that we live with so often. Having peace externally does not guarantee peace internally. Clear Your Conscience and learn to live a truly quiet life!
APPLY:
The point of living a quiet life is not to shrink back from the world. In fact, quieting your life is how you hear from God, clarify your purpose, and make a MASSIVE, LOUD impact on the culture around you!
Which of these three volume knobs do you struggle with the most?
Why is that part of your life so difficult to control?
What is ONE WAY you will turn down the volume in your life this week?
PRAY:
Spend some time asking God to teach you how to Curate Your Content, Cultivate Your Community, and Clear Your Conscience. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you lead a quiet life with a loud impact!
