Awakening Expectation: Transformative Encounters in Worship
Summary
### Summary
Entering the sanctuary on a Sunday can sometimes feel routine, but it is a profound act of stepping into the throne room of God. This sacred space is where we should expect transformation and divine encounters. However, we often fall into the habit of attending church without genuine expectation, treating it as a mere ritual. Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesians to "awake, O sleeper" is a call to break free from this spiritual lethargy and to live with the expectation that God will show up and change us.
When we come with open hearts, God meets us, transforms us, and makes us more like His Son. This transformation is not limited to our personal growth but extends to our mission of multiplying the kingdom of God. Just as John the Baptist pointed his disciples to Jesus, we are called to point others to Christ, even if it means they leave our immediate circle. This multiplication is essential for the growth of God's kingdom.
Jesus' question to His first disciples, "What do you want?" challenges us to examine our own desires and expectations. Are we seeking mere entertainment or a life-changing encounter with God? Jesus invites us to "come and see," to experience His transformative power firsthand. This invitation is not just for us but for everyone we encounter. We are called to be witnesses, sharing our experiences of God's grace and pointing others to Him.
The journey of grace is not about self-improvement but about complete surrender to Jesus. It involves recognizing that God is already at work in the lives of those around us, drawing them to Himself through His prevenient grace. Our role is to witness, to share our stories, and to invite others to "come and see" the goodness of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Expect Transformation in Worship: When we enter the sanctuary, we are stepping into the throne room of God. This should be a place of expectation, where we anticipate God to show up and transform us. We must break free from the routine and come with open hearts, ready for divine encounters. [45:55]
2. Awake from Spiritual Lethargy: Paul’s call to "awake, O sleeper" is a reminder to break free from spiritual complacency. We must live with the expectation that God will show up and change us, not just go through the motions of religious rituals. This awakening leads to a life of active faith and transformation. [47:18]
3. Seek Jesus with Genuine Desire: Jesus' question, "What do you want?" challenges us to examine our true desires. Are we seeking mere entertainment or a life-changing encounter with God? We must come to Jesus with genuine desire, ready to be transformed by His grace. [57:59]
4. Witness and Multiply the Kingdom: Just as John the Baptist pointed his disciples to Jesus, we are called to point others to Christ. This involves both addition and multiplication in the kingdom of God. We must be willing to send people out, even if it means fewer people in our immediate circle, for the sake of the kingdom. [55:14]
5. Embrace the Invitation to "Come and See": Jesus invites us to "come and see" His transformative power. This invitation is not just for us but for everyone we encounter. We are called to be witnesses, sharing our experiences of God's grace and inviting others to experience His goodness. [01:03:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[45:39] - Entering the Throne Room
[46:07] - Expecting Transformation
[46:45] - Paul's Challenge to the Ephesians
[47:18] - Awake, O Sleeper
[47:36] - God Changes Us
[48:25] - Breaking Free from Routine
[49:46] - Holy Spirit's Presence
[50:23] - Introduction to John Chapter 1
[52:06] - John the Baptist Points to Jesus
[53:45] - The Difference Between Addition and Multiplication
[55:14] - Sending Out for the Kingdom
[57:59] - Jesus' Question: What Do You Want?
[01:03:26] - Invitation to "Come and See"
[01:07:39] - Provenient Grace
[01:11:20] - Being Witnesses
[01:15:55] - Jesus is Already Looking for You
[01:18:16] - Specific Prayers for Witnessing
[01:22:26] - Closing and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 5:14 - "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
2. John 1:35-39 - "The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God!' The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, 'What are you seeking?' And they said to him, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?' He said to them, 'Come and you will see.' So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "Awake, O sleeper" in Ephesians 5:14? How does this relate to the sermon’s call to break free from spiritual lethargy? [47:18]
2. In John 1:35-39, what was John the Baptist’s role in pointing his disciples to Jesus? How did the disciples respond to John’s declaration? [52:06]
3. What question does Jesus ask the disciples who follow Him in John 1:38, and what is their response? [57:59]
4. According to the sermon, what should we expect when we enter the sanctuary or the "throne room of God"? [45:55]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul’s exhortation to "awake" challenge our routine approach to worship? What does it mean to live with the expectation that God will show up and change us? [47:18]
2. Why is it significant that John the Baptist pointed his disciples to Jesus, even if it meant they would leave his immediate circle? How does this reflect the concept of multiplication in the kingdom of God? [55:14]
3. What does Jesus’ question, "What do you want?" reveal about the importance of our desires and expectations when we seek Him? How can this question help us examine our own spiritual motivations? [57:59]
4. How does the invitation to "come and see" in John 1:39 extend beyond the initial disciples to us today? What does it mean to experience Jesus’ transformative power firsthand? [01:03:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own approach to worship. Do you come with genuine expectation for transformation, or has it become a routine? How can you prepare your heart to meet God each Sunday? [45:55]
2. Paul’s call to "awake" from spiritual lethargy is a challenge to break free from complacency. What are some practical steps you can take to stay spiritually awake and expectant? [47:18]
3. Jesus asked His disciples, "What do you want?" Take a moment to reflect on your own desires. Are you seeking mere entertainment or a life-changing encounter with God? How can you align your desires with God’s will? [57:59]
4. John the Baptist was willing to let his disciples go to follow Jesus. Are there people in your life you need to release for the sake of the kingdom? How can you support and encourage them in their spiritual journey? [55:14]
5. Jesus invites us to "come and see" His transformative power. Think of someone in your life who needs to experience God’s grace. How can you extend this invitation to them this week? [01:03:26]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of witnessing and sharing our experiences of God’s grace. Identify one specific way you can share your testimony with someone this week. [01:11:20]
7. Reflect on the concept of prevenient grace—God’s work in the lives of those around us before they even know Him. How can this understanding change the way you pray for and interact with non-believers? [01:07:39]
Devotional
### Day 1: Expect Transformation in Worship
When we enter the sanctuary, we are stepping into the throne room of God. This should be a place of expectation, where we anticipate God to show up and transform us. We must break free from the routine and come with open hearts, ready for divine encounters. [45:55]
Entering the sanctuary on a Sunday can sometimes feel routine, but it is a profound act of stepping into the throne room of God. This sacred space is where we should expect transformation and divine encounters. However, we often fall into the habit of attending church without genuine expectation, treating it as a mere ritual. When we come with open hearts, God meets us, transforms us, and makes us more like His Son. This transformation is not limited to our personal growth but extends to our mission of multiplying the kingdom of God.
When we come with open hearts, God meets us, transforms us, and makes us more like His Son. This transformation is not limited to our personal growth but extends to our mission of multiplying the kingdom of God. Just as John the Baptist pointed his disciples to Jesus, we are called to point others to Christ, even if it means they leave our immediate circle. This multiplication is essential for the growth of God's kingdom.
Bible Passage:
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh." (Hebrews 10:19-20, ESV)
Reflection:
When you enter the sanctuary this Sunday, what specific transformation are you expecting God to work in your life? How can you prepare your heart to be open to His divine encounter?
### Day 2: Awake from Spiritual Lethargy
Paul’s call to "awake, O sleeper" is a reminder to break free from spiritual complacency. We must live with the expectation that God will show up and change us, not just go through the motions of religious rituals. This awakening leads to a life of active faith and transformation. [47:18]
Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesians to "awake, O sleeper" is a call to break free from spiritual lethargy and to live with the expectation that God will show up and change us. Often, we fall into the habit of attending church without genuine expectation, treating it as a mere ritual. This spiritual complacency can hinder our growth and transformation.
Awakening from spiritual lethargy involves recognizing the need for a deeper, more active faith. It means breaking free from the routine and coming to God with open hearts, ready for divine encounters. This awakening leads to a life of active faith and transformation, where we are continually being made more like Christ.
Bible Passage:
"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11, ESV)
Reflection:
In what areas of your spiritual life have you become complacent? How can you actively seek to awaken from this spiritual lethargy and live with the expectation that God will show up and change you?
### Day 3: Seek Jesus with Genuine Desire
Jesus' question, "What do you want?" challenges us to examine our true desires. Are we seeking mere entertainment or a life-changing encounter with God? We must come to Jesus with genuine desire, ready to be transformed by His grace. [57:59]
Jesus' question to His first disciples, "What do you want?" challenges us to examine our own desires and expectations. Are we seeking mere entertainment or a life-changing encounter with God? This question invites us to reflect on our true desires and motivations.
Jesus invites us to "come and see," to experience His transformative power firsthand. This invitation is not just for us but for everyone we encounter. We are called to be witnesses, sharing our experiences of God's grace and pointing others to Him. Seeking Jesus with genuine desire means coming to Him with open hearts, ready to be transformed by His grace.
Bible Passage:
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)
Reflection:
What are you truly seeking when you come to Jesus? Are there areas in your life where you are seeking mere entertainment rather than a life-changing encounter with God? How can you shift your focus to seek Jesus with genuine desire?
### Day 4: Witness and Multiply the Kingdom
Just as John the Baptist pointed his disciples to Jesus, we are called to point others to Christ. This involves both addition and multiplication in the kingdom of God. We must be willing to send people out, even if it means fewer people in our immediate circle, for the sake of the kingdom. [55:14]
John the Baptist pointed his disciples to Jesus, showing us the importance of directing others to Christ. This act of witnessing is not just about adding individuals to our immediate circle but about multiplying the kingdom of God. We must be willing to send people out, even if it means fewer people in our immediate circle, for the sake of the kingdom.
This multiplication is essential for the growth of God's kingdom. It involves both addition and multiplication, where we are called to be witnesses, sharing our experiences of God's grace and pointing others to Him. This act of witnessing and multiplication is a crucial part of our mission as followers of Christ.
Bible Passage:
"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)
Reflection:
Who in your life can you point to Jesus today? Are you willing to send people out for the sake of the kingdom, even if it means fewer people in your immediate circle? How can you actively participate in the multiplication of God's kingdom?
### Day 5: Embrace the Invitation to "Come and See"
Jesus invites us to "come and see" His transformative power. This invitation is not just for us but for everyone we encounter. We are called to be witnesses, sharing our experiences of God's grace and inviting others to experience His goodness. [01:03:26]
Jesus' invitation to "come and see" is a call to experience His transformative power firsthand. This invitation is not just for us but for everyone we encounter. We are called to be witnesses, sharing our experiences of God's grace and pointing others to Him.
The journey of grace is not about self-improvement but about complete surrender to Jesus. It involves recognizing that God is already at work in the lives of those around us, drawing them to Himself through His prevenient grace. Our role is to witness, to share our stories, and to invite others to "come and see" the goodness of God.
Bible Passage:
"Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man." (Psalm 66:5, ESV)
Reflection:
Who can you invite to "come and see" the goodness of God today? How can you share your experiences of God's grace with others and be a witness to His transformative power?
Quotes
1. "When you're coming into this sanctuary, you are, in a way, stepping into that throne room of God. When you go before him in prayer at home, even, you're going into the throne room of God. And when we go into the throne room, we expect to be changed. We expect to be made different. We expect God to show up." [45:55] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We believe that when God shows up, He changes us. And He's here. He's here. When we come with expectations, truly can sing that song, I believe. I believe. So God, this morning, we believe. We come with hearts open wide. Hearts expectant to hear from You. Hearts expecting You or to meet with us. Change us. To transform us. That's the grace of God always at work." [47:36] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What are you seeking in this church? Are you seeking to be entertained? Because I know I'm not that funny. Hey, hey. I'm not quitting my day job. Although, watching the Olympics, you know, I thought about being the oldest breakdancer in history, but I figured I would break something if I, you know, did that. But, you know, are we here to be entertained?" [01:00:43] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Do we expect him? Do we seek him as the deer panteth for the water? I've talked about that. I won't go into too much detail. But a deer does not pant. It's not a dog. It has to be so almost near death that the only thing that would save it is water for a deer to pant in that way. Do we long after God so desperately because he is the only thing, his grace is the only thing that will change us, transform us." [01:02:21] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When we come to him to fill that hole, to find our complete surrender to that call of Jesus on our lives, then we can finally see what God has for us. Lay it all at his feet. See the transformation that he wants to make in our lives. Maybe that's why at the end of the Bible, we see this phrase repeated again. At the very end of Revelation of the entire Bible, these words were Jesus speaking to us again. Come, and let the one who hears say come." [01:04:12] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "He wants more than that. He wants more than just working in us so that we are educated beyond our willingness to obey. He wants more. Because the Bible isn't meant to be a counseling session. It can't stop with us. Jesus never put himself up as a self-help guru. He is much different than Confucius. Only through his words are there life." [01:06:36] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We believe that the Holy Spirit is drawing each and every person, no matter how far we think. Humanly, they are too far beyond God's reach. No, God is drawing them. He's convicting them. He's challenging them. The Holy Spirit is. He's speaking to them. He's speaking to each and every one right where they are because he knows them better than you do. That's provenient grace." [01:08:18] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When you seek after Jesus, when you walk close to Him, you will find He was already looking for you. That goes back to that pervenient grace. He's already looking for you. He's already right there with arms open wide for you and for your loved one. This truth gives us strength to believe He is always seeking after that neighbor, that friend, that co-worker that we're praying for." [01:15:55] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We must first follow Jesus. Seek Him and Him alone for our salvation. Taste and see that He is God. Is there something in our lives that we need to seek Him for? Some healing? Some direction? Some guidance? Some distraction that needs removed? Some doubt? Some callousnesses to the church? Maybe to the body of Christ? We hold people at arm's length and we're not growing with one another. He wants to be found." [01:16:34] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We must go out to be the witness. We can so easily get caught up with the whole sitting back, crossing our arms and saying, you know what, the world's going to end up like this. I'm going to hell in a handbasket. Who cares? Because I'm going to heaven. You know that verse about dusting our feet, the sand off of our feet? That was only after they went and they had been persecuted. They had been sent to jail, almost murdered." [01:17:39] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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