Awakening to God's Presence: A Journey of Transformation
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Seneca Creek! Today, we explored the profound connection between our daily lives and the presence of God, drawing inspiration from Psalm 139. Just as Olympic athletes dedicate themselves to rigorous training to achieve excellence, we too must structure our lives around practices that draw us closer to Jesus. This journey of becoming more like Jesus involves daily routines and habits that open us up to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.
We delved into the practice of self-examination, a spiritual discipline that has been part of the Christian tradition for thousands of years. Psalm 139 beautifully captures the tension between the comfort of God's omnipresence and the discomfort of being fully known. The Psalmist's words remind us that God is intimately familiar with every aspect of our lives, from our daily routines to our innermost thoughts.
We reflected on the importance of waking up to God's constant presence in our lives. This awareness can be cultivated through the practice of the "examine of consciousness," where we look back on our day or week and ask ourselves how God was present and what promptings we experienced. This practice helps us recognize God's presence in the mundane and the extraordinary moments of our lives.
We also discussed the "examine of conscience," which involves asking God to reveal areas in our lives where we fall short of being like Jesus. This can be a daunting process, as it requires us to confront our fears, shame, and regrets. However, the Psalmist assures us that even in our darkest moments, God's light can shine through, bringing healing and transformation.
As we embrace these practices, we begin to see ourselves as God sees us—fearfully and wonderfully made. This truth empowers us to live boldly in the light of God's love, extending His kingdom of shalom to those around us. We are called to stand up for the vulnerable, speak out against injustice, and be instruments of God's peace and wholeness in our communities.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Spiritual Practices: Just as athletes dedicate themselves to rigorous training, we must structure our lives around spiritual practices that draw us closer to Jesus. These routines and habits help us become more like Him over time. [35:09]
2. God's Intimate Knowledge of Us: Psalm 139 reminds us that God is intimately familiar with every aspect of our lives. This knowledge can be both comforting and unsettling, but it is essential for our spiritual growth. [38:06]
3. Waking Up to God's Presence: The practice of the "examine of consciousness" helps us become more aware of God's constant presence in our lives. By reflecting on our day or week, we can recognize how God was present and what promptings we experienced. [44:15]
4. Confronting Our Inner Darkness: The "examine of conscience" involves asking God to reveal areas where we fall short of being like Jesus. This process can be scary, but it is necessary for our healing and transformation. God's light can shine through even our darkest moments. [47:28]
5. Living in the Light of God's Love: As we embrace these practices, we begin to see ourselves as God sees us—fearfully and wonderfully made. This truth empowers us to live boldly in the light of God's love, extending His kingdom of shalom to those around us. [55:32]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[34:11] - Introduction and Olympic Analogy
[35:09] - Structuring Life Around Jesus
[36:08] - The Practice of Self-Examination
[37:37] - Praying Psalm 139
[41:05] - The Journey of Self-Examination
[44:15] - Examine of Consciousness
[46:51] - Examine of Conscience
[49:11] - Confronting Our Inner Darkness
[52:24] - God's Light in Our Darkness
[55:32] - Living in the Light of God's Love
[57:38] - Embracing Healing and Wholeness
[58:49] - Practicing Self-Examination
[01:04:32] - Community Support and Ministries
[01:08:51] - Closing Blessing and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 139
### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 139, what are some ways that God demonstrates His intimate knowledge of us? ([37:37])
2. What does the Psalmist mean when he says, "You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me"? ([38:06])
3. How does the Psalmist describe God's presence in both the heavens and the depths? ([38:39])
4. What does the Psalmist ask God to do at the end of Psalm 139, and why is this significant? ([40:34])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the practice of self-examination, as discussed in the sermon, help us become more aware of God's presence in our daily lives? ([44:15])
2. Why might the process of the "examine of conscience" be daunting, and how does Psalm 139 provide comfort in this practice? ([47:28])
3. What does it mean to live in the light of God's love, and how does this empower us to extend His kingdom of shalom to others? ([55:32])
4. How can recognizing ourselves as "fearfully and wonderfully made" change our perspective on our own worth and actions? ([55:32])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routines. How can you incorporate spiritual practices that draw you closer to Jesus, similar to how athletes train rigorously? ([35:09])
2. When was the last time you consciously reflected on God's presence in your day? How did it change your perspective or actions? ([44:15])
3. What are some areas in your life where you feel you fall short of being like Jesus? How can you invite God to reveal and transform these areas? ([47:28])
4. Think of a recent moment when you felt overwhelmed by darkness or fear. How can the truth that "even the darkness will not be dark to you" (Psalm 139:12) bring you comfort and hope? ([52:58])
5. Identify a specific way you can stand up for the vulnerable or speak out against injustice in your community this week. How does living in the light of God's love empower you to take this action? ([56:34])
6. How can you practice the "examine of consciousness" this week? What specific questions will you ask yourself to become more aware of God's presence? ([44:44])
7. Reflect on the statement, "You are fearfully and wonderfully made." How can this truth influence the way you view yourself and others in your daily interactions? ([55:32])
Devotional
Day 1: Structuring Life Around Jesus
To grow spiritually, we must intentionally structure our lives around practices that draw us closer to Jesus. Just as Olympic athletes dedicate themselves to rigorous training to achieve excellence, we too must commit to daily routines and habits that open us up to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. These spiritual practices are not just about checking off a list but about creating space for God to work in our lives. By dedicating time to prayer, scripture reading, and other spiritual disciplines, we allow ourselves to be shaped and molded into the likeness of Christ. [35:09]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: What specific spiritual practice can you commit to this week to draw closer to Jesus? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine?
Day 2: God's Intimate Knowledge of Us
Psalm 139 reminds us that God is intimately familiar with every aspect of our lives. This knowledge can be both comforting and unsettling, as it means that God sees not only our actions but also our innermost thoughts and desires. Understanding that God knows us so deeply can lead us to a place of greater honesty and vulnerability in our relationship with Him. It encourages us to bring our true selves before God, trusting that He loves us completely and desires our growth and transformation. [38:06]
Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."
Reflection: How does knowing that God is intimately familiar with every aspect of your life affect your relationship with Him? What areas of your life do you need to bring before God in honesty and vulnerability?
Day 3: Waking Up to God's Presence
The practice of the "examine of consciousness" helps us become more aware of God's constant presence in our lives. By reflecting on our day or week, we can recognize how God was present and what promptings we experienced. This practice allows us to see God's hand in both the mundane and extraordinary moments of our lives, helping us to cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence. As we become more attuned to God's presence, we can respond more faithfully to His guidance and leading in our daily lives. [44:15]
Psalm 16:8 (ESV): "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your past week. How did you experience God's presence in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments? How can you become more aware of His presence in your daily life?
Day 4: Confronting Our Inner Darkness
The "examine of conscience" involves asking God to reveal areas where we fall short of being like Jesus. This process can be daunting, as it requires us to confront our fears, shame, and regrets. However, it is a necessary step for our healing and transformation. By bringing our inner darkness into the light of God's love, we allow His grace to bring healing and change. This practice helps us to grow in self-awareness and humility, recognizing our need for God's mercy and strength. [47:28]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: What areas of your life do you need to bring before God for healing and transformation? How can you invite God's light into your inner darkness today?
Day 5: Living in the Light of God's Love
As we embrace these spiritual practices, we begin to see ourselves as God sees us—fearfully and wonderfully made. This truth empowers us to live boldly in the light of God's love, extending His kingdom of shalom to those around us. We are called to stand up for the vulnerable, speak out against injustice, and be instruments of God's peace and wholeness in our communities. By living in the light of God's love, we become agents of His transformative power in the world. [55:32]
Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."
Reflection: How can you live more boldly in the light of God's love this week? What specific actions can you take to extend His kingdom of shalom to those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "At some point we make a decision I want to follow Jesus I want to be more like Jesus And so then we have to structure our lives Around Jesus And we have to make our routines And our habits Those things that people who follow Jesus Think that Jesus Would do And then day after day as we practice We become More and more like Jesus And what a gift That is." [35:09] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I invite you This morning to come along on this journey This journey of waking up To God's constant Presence And waking up to the unique and beautiful Way that God has created Each of us In order to be able to extend God's kingdom Of shalom That shalom being that wholeness That wellness That the way God created Things to be in the beginning We have the honor of extending That kingdom of shalom To all people." [42:06] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "No matter where We run No matter where we try to hide God's hand is there Holding on to us God is there Grasping us God's not letting go And at this point The Psalmist after he's tried all these places To run to flee He realizes I can't I can't escape I can't escape God's presence I can't escape his grip on me." [51:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The darkness will not Overcome us Because Jesus Experienced the deepest Darkness of injustice And hate Of suffering And it couldn't keep him down Because Jesus Is in the business of bringing life Where there is death And Jesus wants to bring That light and that life Into all Of our dark places." [54:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So wherever you find yourself today On this journey Of following Jesus I encourage you to Lean into this practice Of self examination Sometime each day reflecting Where did I experience God's presence today So that you can say With a psalmist You have searched me Lord And you know me." [57:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "This is a really wonderful description Of this journey And the practice Of self examination Which is really recognizing Who we are In God's presence Now this is not an easy practice And this psalm Actually contains some of that Tension that we may encounter Between that desire To be fully known And the fact that this kind of Intimacy is scary." [41:05] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Christian practice of the examine Of consciousness Now that examine is like a Latin term This is something that Jesus Followers have been practicing For thousands of years As a way to wake up To open our eyes And be aware Of God's constant presence It's one of the ways That we can join with the Psalmist When he says You have searched me Lord And you know me Because you're always present." [44:15] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And that leads to the next part Of the practice of self examination And that is the examine of conscience And this involves asking God To bring to mind Those attitudes Those words Or those actions Where we fall short of being like Jesus Those places Or those times Where we fail to love As Jesus loves And this can feel scary This can feel scary To say God search my heart And show me any offensive way in me." [46:51] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We might be afraid that God's going to get in there And stir it all up And that's uncomfortable We might fear what would happen If all those memories came back up What would happen if I had to face The truth that I really don't want to look at We may be believing Some things about ourselves Right we might be believing that If no one knew this the true me No one would love me I'm not lovable." [49:11] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So as practice We begin to wake up We begin to say Oh yes God is here and present And that leads to the next part Of the practice of self examination And that is the examine of conscience And this involves asking God To bring to mind Those attitudes Those words Or those actions Where we fall short of being like Jesus Those places Or those times Where we fail to love As Jesus loves." [46:51] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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