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Sermon Notes

Date of Sermon:    September 20, 2026

Title: Know

​Main Idea:  Know God by drawing near and surrendering to His heart through spiritual practices.
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Primary Passage:  James 4:1-10
 
Sermon Outline:

• A disciple draws near to the heart of God.
  • James 4:1-8 (ESV)
  • Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
  • John 17:1-3 (ESV)
  • John 16:23-28 (ESV)
  • Luke 5:15-16 (ESV)
  • John 14:11a (ESV)
  • John 5:19 (ESV)
• A disciple surrenders to the heart of God.
  • James 4:6-10 (ESV)
  • Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
  • John 6:38 (ESV)
  • Luke 22:41-42 (ESV)
• Main Idea: Know God by drawing near and surrendering to His heart through spiritual practices.
  • Luke 10:38–42 (ESV)
  • John 15:5 (ESV)
  • 1 John 4:7-12 (ESV)

 

• For next week’s message: Read and reflect on Titus 2:11-14.

Things to Consider: (Feel free to read Scripture passages that God brings to mind as you work through these questions)

1. What about the sermon challenged, encouraged, or confused you? What, if anything, would you like further clarification on?
2. Do you agree, Scripturally, with the statement “God would rather we focus on drawing nearer than being better”? What about it do you agree with or not agree with and why?
3. When do you sense that you are near to God and when do you sense you are not near to Him?
4. How do you draw near to God and how do you maintain the practice of it? What gets in the way of your practicing it?
5. What does it mean to surrender to the heart of God and what keeps you from wanting to surrender?
6. In what way, if any, do you sense that God may be asking you to surrender more fully to His heart?
7. Which of the spiritual practices do you find easy to maintain and which ones do you avoid or struggle with maintaining? What might you be missing out on by skipping some practices?
8. How might you prevent the belief that spiritual practices are the means by which we partner with God in being better for Him rather than simply the means by which we draw near to Him so that He can make us better?

As always, feel free to contact Charles if you have questions or concerns regarding the message; its content, meaning, or application to your life. The easiest way to do that is by submitting a Bridge Card at steamboatbiblechurch.com/bridgecard. 
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Bridge card

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