Hustle – Part 2

Introduction

We need to move to the rhythm of the Father’s heartbeat.

The Holy Spirit Helps Us See

The Holy Spirit is a gift to us from the Father through Jesus. (John 14:16–17 (ESV): 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.)

• The Holy Spirit is actively advocating for you, making available ongoing divine assistance.
• Notice that Jesus calls Him the Spirit of truth

Proverbs 4:18–19 (ESV): ¹⁸ But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

What happens at dawn?

• With the Holy Spirit, you can walk in the light even when your natural circumstances leave you in the dark.

The main way the Holy Spirit leads you is through the Word of God.

• Psalm 119:105 (ESV): 105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
• You’re not serious about hearing from God if you’re not serious about studying and meditating on the Word.

Proverbs 4:18–19 (ESV): ¹⁸ But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. ¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.)

Hidden Costs

The world has convinced us to pursue success at the expense of our health.

• We’re not exercising options. We’re making trade-offs.

The Example of Eve

• Genesis 3:4–7 (ESV): ⁴ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
• Genesis 3:22 (ESV): ²² Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—”

Why “No” is Good for Us

Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

• Receiving and acting on the truth is a sign of growth.
• Telling the truth is a sign of maturity.

The Power of Taste

2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV): ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

• Sound teaching must be endured.
• Sound teaching does not help us on our terms.
• Job 34:3 (ESV): ³ for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.
• Psalm 34:8 (ESV): ⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2024