Awakening to the Spiritual Realm Around Us
Summary
In today's message, I wanted to illustrate a profound truth about our spiritual awareness using a simple yet effective analogy. I began by recalling the days of overhead projectors, a nostalgic nod to how we used to project images and words for everyone to see. This set the stage for a demonstration involving pill bugs placed on a screen. As we watched these bugs, oblivious to our presence and cheers, it became clear that they were unaware of the larger world around them. This mirrors our own lives, where we often go about our daily routines, unaware of the spiritual realm that surrounds us.
The Bible speaks of a spiritual world that is very much present, though unseen. Hebrews mentions a "great cloud of witnesses," and Ephesians reminds us that our struggles are not merely against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. In Ephesians 6, Paul emphasizes that our battles are against rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of darkness. Furthermore, Ephesians 1 highlights that Christ, through His resurrection, was raised above all these powers and dominions.
As we delve into Ephesians 3, we see that the church is called to display the manifold wisdom of God to these spiritual beings. This means that our lives, our actions, and our faith are on display not just to the world but to the spiritual realm as well. Just like the bugs, we might be unaware of the spiritual audience watching us, but that doesn't negate their presence or the significance of our actions.
This analogy serves as a reminder to heighten our spiritual awareness and recognize that our lives are part of a much larger narrative. We are called to live with the understanding that there is a spiritual dimension to our existence, one that is filled with both challenges and opportunities to demonstrate God's wisdom and glory.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual Awareness: Just as the bugs were unaware of the humans watching them, we often live oblivious to the spiritual realm around us. The Bible reminds us that there is a great cloud of witnesses and spiritual forces at play, urging us to be more spiritually aware. [03:19]
2. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Ephesians 6 teaches that our struggles are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. This calls us to recognize the reality of spiritual warfare and to equip ourselves with spiritual armor. [03:55]
3. Christ's Supremacy: Ephesians 1 highlights that Christ is raised above all spiritual powers and dominions. This assures us of His ultimate authority and victory, encouraging us to trust in His power and sovereignty. [04:15]
4. The Church's Role: Ephesians 3 reveals that the church is meant to display God's wisdom to the spiritual realm. Our lives and actions are a testimony to both the seen and unseen worlds, calling us to live with intentionality and purpose. [04:33]
5. Living with Purpose: Understanding the spiritual dimension of our lives should inspire us to live with greater purpose and awareness. We are part of a larger narrative, and our faith and actions have eternal significance. [05:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction and Overhead Projector Analogy
[00:29] - Demonstration with Pill Bugs
[01:10] - Observing the Bugs
[01:25] - The Bugs' Oblivion
[02:01] - Cheering for the Bugs
[02:28] - The Point of the Demonstration
[03:19] - Spiritual World Awareness
[03:36] - Biblical References to Spiritual Realms
[03:55] - Spiritual Warfare in Ephesians
[04:15] - Christ's Authority Over Spiritual Powers
[04:33] - Church's Role in Displaying God's Wisdom
[05:07] - Living with Spiritual Awareness
[05:20] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."
2. Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
3. Ephesians 3:10 - "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms."
Observation Questions:
1. What was the purpose of the overhead projector and pill bug analogy in the sermon? How did it relate to our spiritual awareness? [02:28]
2. According to Ephesians 6:12, who or what are our struggles truly against?
3. How does Hebrews 12:1 describe the spiritual realm that surrounds us?
4. What role does Ephesians 3:10 suggest the church plays in the spiritual realm?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the analogy of the pill bugs help us understand our own awareness of the spiritual realm? [03:19]
2. In what ways does Ephesians 6:12 challenge our understanding of daily struggles and conflicts?
3. How does the concept of a "great cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12:1 impact our perception of accountability in our spiritual lives?
4. What does it mean for the church to display the "manifold wisdom of God" to spiritual beings, as mentioned in Ephesians 3:10?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were unaware of a larger context or situation, similar to the pill bugs. How can this experience help you become more spiritually aware? [02:48]
2. Considering Ephesians 6:12, how can you better equip yourself to face spiritual battles in your life?
3. How can the awareness of a "great cloud of witnesses" influence your daily decisions and actions?
4. In what ways can you contribute to your church's role in displaying God's wisdom to both the seen and unseen worlds?
5. Identify one area in your life where you can live with greater purpose and spiritual awareness. What steps will you take to address this?
6. How can you remind yourself of Christ's supremacy over all spiritual powers in moments of doubt or fear?
7. Think of a specific situation where you can demonstrate God's wisdom and glory. What practical steps can you take to make this happen?
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Awareness in Daily Life
In our daily routines, we often remain unaware of the spiritual realm that surrounds us. Just as pill bugs on a screen are oblivious to the larger world watching them, we too can be blind to the spiritual forces at play in our lives. The Bible speaks of a "great cloud of witnesses" and spiritual forces that are present, urging us to heighten our spiritual awareness. By recognizing this unseen world, we can live with a deeper understanding of our place in God's grand narrative. [03:19]
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)
Reflection: What daily habit can you incorporate to remind yourself of the spiritual realm around you? How can this awareness change the way you approach your day?
Day 2: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6 teaches us that our struggles are not merely against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. This reality calls us to recognize the spiritual warfare that exists and to equip ourselves with the armor of God. By understanding the nature of our battles, we can better prepare ourselves to stand firm in faith, relying on God's strength and protection. [03:55]
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:13, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current struggle in your life. How can you equip yourself spiritually to face this challenge with God's armor?
Day 3: Christ's Authority Over All
Ephesians 1 highlights that Christ is raised above all spiritual powers and dominions, assuring us of His ultimate authority and victory. This truth encourages us to trust in His power and sovereignty, knowing that He reigns supreme over all. By acknowledging Christ's supremacy, we can find peace and confidence in His ability to guide and protect us through life's challenges. [04:15]
"And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust more in Christ's authority? How can you actively surrender this area to Him today?
Day 4: The Church's Role in Displaying God's Wisdom
Ephesians 3 reveals that the church is called to display the manifold wisdom of God to the spiritual realm. Our lives and actions serve as a testimony to both the seen and unseen worlds, calling us to live with intentionality and purpose. By embracing this role, we can demonstrate God's wisdom and glory through our faith and actions. [04:33]
"So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 3:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to your church's mission to display God's wisdom? What specific action can you take this week to live out this calling?
Day 5: Living with Purpose and Awareness
Understanding the spiritual dimension of our lives should inspire us to live with greater purpose and awareness. We are part of a larger narrative, and our faith and actions have eternal significance. By recognizing the impact of our lives on the spiritual realm, we can strive to live intentionally, reflecting God's love and wisdom in all we do. [05:20]
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can live with more purpose and awareness? How can you begin to make intentional changes today?
Quotes
"Those bugs are oblivious to what just happened in this room, right? All they see is their friends and they're just, you know, they've never been under such intense light before and they just started walking. Some didn't. My point is none of those guys know that you were staring at them, you were cheering for them, you were hoping one of them would get across the edge." [00:02:38]
"The Bible talks about how there's a spiritual world that's around us right now and sometimes we are just as oblivious. You know, when Hebrews talks about how there's a great cloud of witnesses and how in the book of Ephesians Paul talks about how hey there are rulers and authorities and in fact in chapter 6 he goes we don't wrestle against flesh and blood." [00:03:19]
"But against these rulers, against these authorities, against these Cosmic powers of darkness and Heavenly Realms in chapter 1 he talks about how when Christ died and he was raised he says he was he raised him above all rule, far above all Rule and authority and power and dominion." [00:03:55]
"And so when we get to chapter three this week again he talks about how the church was supposed to put on display the manifold wisdom of God that we were supposed to Now display it for these rulers and authorities in Heavenly places." [00:04:15]
"So right now are there demons watching us, are there angels watching us? See we can be like those bugs and just we don't know what's going on, we're just living our life, we're just walking around doing our thing interacting with each other but meanwhile there's something spiritual going on that's so much bigger that I think we can be oblivious to." [00:05:07]
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