Active Obedience: Engaging with God's Kingdom
Summary
In our journey through life, both as individuals and as leaders within our communities, we often encounter a myriad of challenges. These range from the overwhelming noise of the world to the intimate struggles within our personal and communal lives. However, the true barrier to manifesting the glory of Christ and the power of God in our world is not a lack of resources or influence. Instead, it is our failure to do what Jesus instructed us to do. The path to overcoming these challenges is simple yet profound: it requires our intention to obey, grounded in a vision of life within the kingdom of God. This obedience does not demand special talents or resources but rather a persistent commitment to learning how to be with Him in all circumstances.
The essence of our spiritual journey is not passive; it is an active engagement with the Spirit. Our theology, which reflects our true beliefs about God, plays a crucial role in this journey. It is essential to distinguish between knowledge, belief, commitment, and profession. Knowledge is not merely intellectual understanding but an interactive relationship with the Trinity, enabling us to engage with the world as it truly is. Belief is demonstrated through our readiness to act on what we know to be true. Commitment involves setting our will in a direction, even in the absence of complete knowledge or belief. Profession is the expression of our beliefs, whether genuine or not.
In our spiritual lives, we must prioritize knowledge and belief based on that knowledge. This foundation allows for genuine commitment and authentic profession of faith. As leaders, our role is not to compel action but to present the knowledge of God, allowing others to respond and grow in their faith. The world is hungry for this knowledge, and it is our responsibility to bring it forth, trusting that God will work through our efforts, even when we are not perfect in our delivery.
Key Takeaways:
1. Obedience to Christ's Teachings: The primary obstacle to manifesting God's glory is not a lack of resources but our failure to follow Jesus' instructions. Obedience requires intention and persistence, grounded in a vision of life in God's kingdom. [02:22]
2. Active Engagement with the Spirit: Our spiritual journey is not passive; it involves active participation with the Spirit. This requires a clear understanding of our theology, which reflects our true beliefs about God. [05:57]
3. The Role of Knowledge in Faith: Knowledge is more than intellectual understanding; it is an interactive relationship with the Trinity. This knowledge forms the foundation for genuine belief and faith. [08:10]
4. Distinguishing Belief from Commitment: Belief is demonstrated through action, while commitment involves setting our will in a direction, even without full knowledge or belief. Understanding this distinction is crucial for spiritual growth. [10:06]
5. The Leader's Role in Sharing Knowledge: As leaders, our responsibility is to present the knowledge of God, allowing others to respond and grow in their faith. The world is hungry for this knowledge, and it is our duty to provide it. [18:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:20] - Introduction to Knowledge
- [01:05] - Challenges in Life and Leadership
- [02:22] - Obedience to Christ's Teachings
- [03:06] - Vision of Life in God's Kingdom
- [05:21] - Spirit-Driven Transformation
- [06:49] - Importance of Theology
- [07:55] - Understanding Knowledge
- [09:26] - Belief and Action
- [10:06] - Distinguishing Belief from Commitment
- [12:18] - Knowledge and Rejection
- [13:28] - Commitment Without Belief
- [16:06] - The Power of Knowledge in Faith
- [18:17] - The Leader's Role in Sharing Knowledge
- [19:10] - Conclusion and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hosea 4:6 - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me."
2. Romans 1:18-21 - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them."
3. 2 Corinthians 4:6 - "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the primary obstacle to manifesting God's glory in our communities? [02:22]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between knowledge and belief? [07:04]
3. What role does theology play in our spiritual journey, as discussed in the sermon? [06:49]
4. How does the sermon differentiate between belief and commitment? [10:06]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that obedience to Christ's teachings can overcome challenges in life and leadership? [02:22]
2. How might the distinction between knowledge and belief affect a person's spiritual growth, according to the sermon? [09:26]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of presenting the knowledge of God to others? [18:17]
4. How does the sermon suggest that one's theology reflects their true beliefs about God? [06:49]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How might a commitment to obeying Christ's teachings have changed your approach or outcome? [02:22]
2. Consider your current understanding of God. How can you actively engage with the Spirit to deepen this knowledge? [05:57]
3. Identify an area in your life where your belief and actions may not align. What steps can you take to bring them into harmony? [10:06]
4. Think about a time when you felt compelled to share your faith. How did you present the knowledge of God, and what was the response? [18:17]
5. How can you ensure that your profession of faith is genuine and not just a verbal expression? [17:12]
6. In what ways can you, as a leader or community member, help others grow in their knowledge and faith? [18:17]
7. Reflect on the role of theology in your life. How does it shape your understanding and relationship with God? [06:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Intentional Obedience to Christ's Teachings
The true barrier to manifesting the glory of Christ and the power of God in our world is not a lack of resources or influence. Instead, it is our failure to do what Jesus instructed us to do. Obedience requires intention and persistence, grounded in a vision of life in God's kingdom. This obedience does not demand special talents or resources but rather a persistent commitment to learning how to be with Him in all circumstances. By aligning our actions with Christ's teachings, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. [02:22]
"Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." (John 14:21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific teaching of Jesus that you find challenging to obey? How can you intentionally practice obedience in this area today?
Day 2: Active Engagement with the Spirit
Our spiritual journey is not passive; it involves active participation with the Spirit. This requires a clear understanding of our theology, which reflects our true beliefs about God. Engaging with the Spirit means being open to His guidance and allowing Him to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions. It is through this active engagement that we experience spiritual growth and transformation, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to a living, dynamic relationship with God. [05:57]
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage with the Holy Spirit today? Consider setting aside time for prayer or meditation to listen for His guidance.
Day 3: The Role of Knowledge in Faith
Knowledge is more than intellectual understanding; it is an interactive relationship with the Trinity. This knowledge forms the foundation for genuine belief and faith. It is essential to distinguish between knowledge, belief, commitment, and profession. Knowledge enables us to engage with the world as it truly is, providing a solid foundation for our beliefs and actions. By deepening our understanding of God, we strengthen our faith and become more effective in living out our spiritual convictions. [08:10]
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your knowledge of God today? Consider studying a specific aspect of God's character or a passage of Scripture that challenges your understanding.
Day 4: Distinguishing Belief from Commitment
Belief is demonstrated through action, while commitment involves setting our will in a direction, even without full knowledge or belief. Understanding this distinction is crucial for spiritual growth. Commitment requires us to act on our beliefs, even when we face uncertainty or doubt. It is through this commitment that we demonstrate our trust in God and our willingness to follow His lead, regardless of the circumstances. [10:06]
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to move from belief to commitment? What steps can you take today to demonstrate your commitment to God in this area?
Day 5: The Leader's Role in Sharing Knowledge
As leaders, our responsibility is to present the knowledge of God, allowing others to respond and grow in their faith. The world is hungry for this knowledge, and it is our duty to provide it. By sharing the truth of God's Word and living out our faith authentically, we create opportunities for others to encounter God and experience His transformative power. Trusting that God will work through our efforts, we can confidently share His love and truth with those around us. [18:17]
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is seeking knowledge of God? How can you intentionally share your faith with them today, trusting God to work through your efforts?
Quotes
"The only thing that prevents us from overwhelming our communities and our world with the glory of Christ and the power of God in righteousness is never that we do not have enough people, that we don't have enough money, that we don't have enough influence. There is more than enough in this room to do the job. The problem is that we do not do what Jesus told us to do." [00:01:50]
"It requires no special human resources. You don't have to have a budget. It requires no special human talents or human connections or advantages. It requires only the intention to obey based upon a vision of life in the kingdom of God. It requires persistence in learning how to be with Him in all of our activities and circumstances." [00:02:52]
"It is very important to understand that while what we're thinking about is spirit driven, we are not passive. We cannot be passive, and that gets into a lot of theology very fast. In the recent past of Christianity in the American context, the Armenian branch of the Christian church has been in disarray." [00:05:36]
"Your theology is what you really believe about God, not what you say you believe, what you really believe. See, when you look at the spectrum of Christian life, you have to distinguish knowledge from belief, belief from commitment, and commitment from profession, and then you have to apply that not only to yourself but to the situation in which you were working." [00:06:44]
"Knowledge is when you are able to represent or treat or deal with things as they are on an appropriate basis of thought and experience. Now that is the substance of eternal living, is knowledge, interactive relationship with the Trinity. Our lives are being taken up in what God is doing on earth." [00:07:55]
"You believe something if you're ready to act as if it were true. So to believe in the Trinity is to be ready to act as if the Trinity were real, as if it were true that there is a Trinity and that there is the relationship." [00:09:24]
"Belief involves your will, and your will may be set in a direction that rejects the knowledge you have. When that comes to a fever pitch, that's what we call conviction. You know the first part of the word conviction is convict, no, and you can become a convict of your knowledge." [00:11:04]
"Commitment is setting your will in a certain direction, and it may not involve knowledge and it may not involve belief. If you're lost in the woods, you might commit yourself to a direction even though you didn't have any belief or knowledge about whether it was the right one, but you say I got to do something." [00:13:28]
"Faith environment and knowledge will take care of commitment. See, commitment is invoked often in our circles when we have people who have no belief, and they are free of knowledge, and we're trying to get them to do things they don't want to do, and instead of fixing it by bringing knowledge and faith based on knowledge." [00:15:17]
"Your job is not to get people to do things. It is to bring knowledge, to bring knowledge of God, to present it as such. Don't stand in your community unless you are sure that you bring knowledge. Now that may mean some adjustment and work in your part, but the world hungers for knowledge of God." [00:18:17]
"The only hope they have, even if they don't know it, is that someone will bring them knowledge of God, knowledge of God. You remember the verse we started with in 2 Corinthians 4, talking about the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, God who spoke out of darkness, let there be light has spoken in our hearts to bring us the knowledge." [00:19:10]
"Now you don't have to make people know, but you present knowledge, and then they can respond to it as such, and God will move in and give them the reality that goes with the knowledge. Now thanks be to the mercy of God, that is what happens often, even when we are not clear in the message that we are giving." [00:19:54]
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