Becoming Whole: Embracing God's Nearness and Purpose

 

Summary

In this New Year, we find ourselves reflecting on who we are becoming. This is a time when many of us set resolutions or goals, but it's also a moment to consider the deeper changes happening within us. We are all in a constant state of change, and it's crucial to ask ourselves, "Who am I becoming?" This question is not just about self-improvement but about aligning ourselves with the person God intends us to be.

We are reminded that God is near to all who call on Him in truth. This nearness is not just a passive presence but an active invitation to experience His love and transformation. God has given us the authority to direct our nearness, our spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical presence, towards Him and others. This choice can shape the path of our lives, leading us towards wholeness and purpose.

The story of Jesus healing the man at the Pool of Bethesda illustrates the power of God's nearness. Jesus asks the man, "Do you want to get well?" This question invites us to acknowledge our brokenness and our need for God's healing. It challenges us to stop relying solely on our efforts and to embrace the community and support God provides through His church.

God's voice has the power to transform us. Just as Jesus' words healed the man, God's voice can bring healing and life to our own lives. We are encouraged to give God moments in our lives, allowing Him to turn them into milestones of transformation. Through practices like Lectio Divina, we can learn to listen to God's voice and experience His presence more deeply.

As we move forward, let us be intentional about directing our nearness towards God and others. Let us embrace the community God has given us and be a source of His love and presence to those around us. In doing so, we become more like Jesus, living out the purpose God has for us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Constant Change and Self-Reflection: We are all in a constant state of change, and it's essential to ask ourselves, "Who am I becoming?" This reflection is not just about self-improvement but about aligning ourselves with God's intentions for our lives. By understanding that we are always evolving, we can be more intentional about the direction of our growth. [24:37]

2. God's Nearness and Our Response: God is near to all who call on Him in truth, offering His presence and transformation. This nearness is an invitation to experience His love and healing. We have the authority to direct our nearness, and choosing to draw close to God can shape the path of our lives. [30:19]

3. The Power of God's Voice: God's voice has the power to transform and heal. Just as Jesus' words healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda, God's voice can bring healing and life to our own lives. By giving God moments in our lives, we allow Him to turn them into milestones of transformation. [43:52]

4. Community and Support: God has designed His church to be a community where we can find support and not feel alone. By embracing this community, we can experience God's presence and be a source of His love to others. This communal support is vital for our spiritual growth and healing. [38:58]

5. Intentional Nearness and Purpose: We are encouraged to be intentional about directing our nearness towards God and others. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's purpose for our lives and become more like Jesus. This intentionality can lead to a life of wholeness and fulfillment. [51:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:00] - New Year Reflections
- [10:00] - The Question of Becoming
- [15:00] - The Power of Change
- [20:00] - Directing Our Nearness
- [25:00] - The Story of the Pool of Bethesda
- [30:00] - God's Invitation to Healing
- [35:00] - Community and Support
- [40:00] - The Transformative Power of God's Voice
- [45:00] - Embracing God's Presence
- [50:00] - Intentional Living and Purpose
- [55:00] - Practicing Lectio Divina
- [01:00:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 145:18: "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."
- John 5:3-9: The story of Jesus healing the man at the Pool of Bethesda.

Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 145:18, what does it mean for the Lord to be "near" to those who call on Him in truth?
2. Describe the setting and the condition of the man at the Pool of Bethesda as mentioned in John 5:3-9.
3. What question does Jesus ask the man at the Pool of Bethesda, and why might this question be significant? [34:54]
4. How does the man's response to Jesus' question reflect his situation and mindset? [38:08]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of self-reflection in understanding who we are becoming? [24:37]
2. How does the concept of God's nearness challenge or encourage individuals in their spiritual journey? [30:19]
3. In what ways does the story of the Pool of Bethesda illustrate the power of God's voice and presence in our lives? [43:52]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of community in experiencing God's presence and support? [38:58]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the question, "Who am I becoming?" How can you align your personal growth with God's intentions for your life this year? [24:37]
2. In what ways can you intentionally direct your nearness towards God and others in your daily life? Consider specific actions you can take. [30:19]
3. How can you incorporate practices like Lectio Divina into your routine to better listen to God's voice? What might be a first step for you? [51:25]
4. Think about a time when you felt alone in your struggles. How can you seek out or offer community support to others in similar situations? [38:58]
5. Jesus asked the man at the Pool of Bethesda, "Do you want to get well?" What areas of your life need healing, and how can you invite God into those areas? [36:45]
6. How can you be a source of God's love and presence to those around you, especially those who might feel unseen or alone? [41:57]
7. Reflect on a moment when you experienced God's transformative power. How can you create space for more such moments in your life? [49:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Constant Transformation
In our journey of faith, we are in a perpetual state of transformation. This transformation is not merely about self-improvement but about aligning ourselves with the divine purpose God has for us. As we reflect on the question, "Who am I becoming?" we are invited to consider the deeper changes occurring within us. This reflection encourages us to be intentional about the direction of our growth, understanding that we are always evolving. By seeking alignment with God's intentions, we can navigate our lives with purpose and clarity. [24:37]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your life is God inviting you to transform today, and how can you align this transformation with His purpose for you?


Day 2: Drawing Near to God's Presence
God's nearness is a profound invitation to experience His love and transformation. This nearness is not passive but an active call to direct our spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical presence towards Him. By choosing to draw close to God, we allow His presence to shape the path of our lives, leading us towards wholeness and purpose. This choice is a powerful act of faith, acknowledging that God's presence is transformative and life-giving. [30:19]

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally draw near to God today, and how might this choice impact your journey of faith?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of God's Voice
God's voice holds the power to heal and transform our lives. Just as Jesus' words brought healing to the man at the Pool of Bethesda, God's voice can bring life and restoration to our own circumstances. By giving God moments in our lives, we allow Him to turn them into milestones of transformation. Engaging in practices like Lectio Divina can help us listen more deeply to God's voice and experience His presence in profound ways. [43:52]

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for God's voice, and what might He be saying to you today?


Day 4: The Gift of Community and Support
God has designed His church to be a community where we can find support and not feel alone. Embracing this community allows us to experience God's presence and be a source of His love to others. This communal support is vital for our spiritual growth and healing, reminding us that we are not meant to journey alone. By participating in the life of the church, we can find encouragement, accountability, and a sense of belonging. [38:58]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to for support or encouragement today, and how can you be a source of God's love to them?


Day 5: Living with Intentional Purpose
We are encouraged to be intentional about directing our nearness towards God and others. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's purpose for our lives and become more like Jesus. This intentionality can lead to a life of wholeness and fulfillment, as we live out the calling God has placed on our hearts. By focusing on our relationship with God and our interactions with others, we can live a life that reflects His love and grace. [51:25]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to live with intentional purpose, aligning your actions with God's calling for your life?

Quotes

We all kind of are thinking about, especially in the New Year, who am I becoming? Who am I becoming? Am I becoming somebody I want to become? It is kind of a time where just the world as a whole during the New Year time is asking questions. Who am I becoming? Who am I becoming and do I like that person? [00:24:19] (18 seconds)


Now, no matter our age, no matter how young you are, no matter how old you are, no matter where you are, all of us are in a constant state of change. Every single one of us is not who we were yesterday. And by even the smallest degree, tomorrow we will be a different person than we are today. That is something that we all need to know and understand, that we are all in a constant state of change, for better or worse. [00:24:37] (27 seconds)


The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. The Lord is near to all who call on him. God has not made it very hard for any of us to be close to him. He has not made it very hard at all. Actually, this verse, what it tells us is there's kind of, there's one qualifier, to call on God. [00:29:25] (22 seconds)


That's all that God has kind of required of us, at least according to the scripture. He's near to all who call on him. Now God offers his nearness to us. And you might be saying, hey, isn't God like everywhere? Isn't he omnipresent? Isn't that what the Bible says? He's everywhere. So he's already near to everything. There is a version of that in which God is, he's creator of all things and he's in all things. But also because God wants all of us to experience his close presence. He said, yes, I am everywhere. But I will also give you an experience. An experience of my directed nearness so that you might know that I am close to you. That's what God offers us. That's what he's chosen to do with his nearness. [00:30:19] (38 seconds)


When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked, do you want to get well? And I know what you're thinking. What kind of question is that? Jesus, you don't need to be God to know that the answer is probably yes. God, why would you ask this question? Because Jesus is fully man and fully God. And what we learn as we kind of begin to see the bigger picture of who God is, is that God, is an inviter into even our own experience of healing in his presence. He is an inviter. God will never force himself upon us. It's just simply not what we see. What we see is that the character of God is he invites us in and then gives us the authority and responsibility to make a decision. [00:35:48] (45 seconds)


This man's response, it wasn't an immediate yes. You know, to be fair, he didn't realize that it was God that was standing with him. He didn't realize that that's who Jesus was. But he doesn't respond with, yeah, I want to get well. Instead, his response is a bunch of reasons why his own efforts haven't worked. This is what he says. He says, sir, the invalid replied, I have no one. I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I'm trying to get in, someone else goes in ahead of me. [00:37:38] (30 seconds)


Behavior modification, all that stuff. It's not necessarily bad to be like, I'm going to create boundaries. I'm going to not do that. Those are good things. But they are not the places which we will find the full healing that God actually intends for us. It's not the place. You see, sometimes we need more than ourselves. And it is amazing. What God has done is that he's designed his church so that we would have more than ourselves. That we would have a community in which God has gathered together to be like, you can be with other people. I've designed my church so that you wouldn't believe the lie that you were alone. And that part of it, being together, is that we would be able to experience the presence of God with us as well. It's why we do things like life groups. It's why you are in life groups. So that we know that we're not alone. [00:39:43] (44 seconds)


Now, for this disabled man who had no one, everyone, everything was about to change because in a moment, God was gonna come near. Remember, Jesus, fully man, fully God, would come near to him. And while in that nearness, God directing himself towards being a physical presence in Jesus with this man, Jesus would speak and the voice of God would change everything for this man. [00:43:47] (23 seconds)


The voice of God speaking has the power to change things. For this man, it was a physical miracle. For us, it's often a miracle that takes place of a transformation inside. But God speaks and things change. And for this man, it was get up and walk. And he was cured. It said he got up, took his mat and walked, but it was on a Sabbath. [00:43:52] (26 seconds)


It's amazing what a moment can do. For this man, a moment in his life in time, has absolutely changed the rest of his life. And sometimes I think we discount what a moment with God could look like. Sometimes we say, well I don't do this all the time. It's like sometimes we forget what God can do in a moment and how he turns moments into milestones in our lives. I see that. I look back in my life and again, I'm not someone that's always followed Jesus. I did my own thing. I made a ton of mistakes. A ton of failures. [00:46:44] (32 seconds)


My father is always at his work to this very day. I love that Jesus begins to give us a picture of what God's work is. It is to bring healing and his presence to his creation. To this very day, God is bringing healing and his presence into those that call on him in truth. That is the only thing that God asks us to do is to call on him. [00:51:25] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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