Being Examined: Embracing God's Call to Redemption

In our journey through life, we often perceive ourselves as the investigators, the ones who scrutinize and evaluate the world, including religion and God. We place ourselves on a pedestal, believing we have the capacity to dissect and understand the divine. However, the truth is quite the opposite. We are not the examiners; we are the ones being examined. Our lives, actions, and decisions are constantly under scrutiny, not just by others but by God Himself. This realization is crucial as it shifts our perspective from being mere spectators to active participants in the divine narrative.

We often hide behind intellectual arguments and philosophical debates, thinking that by discussing the existence of God, the possibility of miracles, or the nature of Jesus, we are engaging with Christianity. Yet, Christianity is not merely a set of ideas to be debated; it is a personal encounter with God. It is about God addressing us directly, asking, "Where are you?" This question is not about our physical location but about our spiritual and moral standing. It challenges us to confront our true selves, our actions, and our relationship with God.

The Bible calls us to face our intellectual and moral positions honestly. Have we truly engaged with the scriptures, or have we dismissed them without understanding? Morally, we must examine our lives, our actions, and our thoughts. Are we living in accordance with God's will, or are we hiding behind excuses and justifications? The story of David and Nathan illustrates this perfectly. David was confronted with his sin, not through abstract arguments but through a direct and personal challenge.

Ultimately, God’s judgment is inevitable. It is not something we can escape by ignoring or dismissing it. The struggles, pain, and suffering we experience are part of this judgment, a consequence of our rebellion against God. Yet, there is hope. God does not call us out of our hiding places to condemn us but to offer us redemption through Jesus Christ. By acknowledging our sins and turning to Christ, we can find forgiveness and be restored to a right relationship with God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. We often see ourselves as the judges of religion and God, but in reality, we are the ones being examined. Our lives are under constant scrutiny, and we must realize that we are not mere spectators but active participants in God's narrative. [17:23]
• 2. Christianity is not just a set of ideas to be debated; it is a personal encounter with God. God addresses us directly, asking us to confront our true selves and our relationship with Him. [22:35]
• 3. The Bible challenges us to face our intellectual and moral positions honestly. We must engage with the scriptures and examine our lives to ensure we are living in accordance with God's will. [28:16]
• 4. God's judgment is inevitable, and the struggles and suffering we experience are part of this judgment. However, God offers us redemption through Jesus Christ, allowing us to be restored to a right relationship with Him. [42:12]
• 5. By acknowledging our sins and turning to Christ, we can find forgiveness and be welcomed back into God's presence. This is the hope and promise of the gospel. [52:06]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [15:55] - The Illusion of Investigation
• [17:23] - Realization of Being Examined
• [19:10] - Life as a Journey
• [20:13] - Personal Address by God
• [22:35] - Christianity: A Personal Encounter
• [23:47] - Avoiding Personal Emphasis
• [25:22] - Facing Our True Position
• [26:53] - Intellectual Honesty
• [29:37] - Moral Examination
• [31:30] - The Woman at the Well
• [34:04] - David and Nathan
• [36:14] - Understanding Sin
• [39:03] - The Nature of Sin
• [42:12] - God's Judgment
• [51:49] - Redemption Through Christ
• [54:31] - Conclusion and Invitation

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 3:8-13, what was Adam and Eve's initial reaction when they heard God in the garden, and how did God address them? How does this relate to the sermon's theme of being examined by God? [19:10]
2. How did Nathan confront David about his sin in 2 Samuel 12:1-7, and what was David's reaction? How does this story illustrate the sermon's point about personal confrontation with sin? [34:24]
3. In John 4:7-26, how did Jesus shift the conversation with the Samaritan woman from a theological debate to a personal matter? What does this reveal about the nature of a personal encounter with God? [32:22]

Interpretation Questions

1. How does the realization that we are being examined by God, rather than being the examiners, change our understanding of our role in the divine narrative? [17:23]
2. What does the sermon's emphasis on personal confrontation with God suggest about the nature of true Christianity, as opposed to merely engaging in intellectual debates? [22:35]
3. How does the story of David and Nathan illustrate the sermon's message about the inevitability of God's judgment and the need for personal repentance? [34:24]
4. In what ways does the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman demonstrate the sermon's point that Christianity is about a personal relationship with God rather than abstract theological discussions? [32:22]

Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were the examiner of your faith or beliefs. How did this perspective affect your relationship with God, and how might shifting to the understanding that you are being examined change that? [17:23]
2. Are there intellectual or philosophical "trees" you hide behind to avoid confronting your true spiritual and moral standing? How can you begin to address these areas honestly? [23:01]
3. Consider your current relationship with God. How would you respond if God asked you, "Where are you?" in terms of your spiritual and moral life? What steps can you take to align more closely with His will? [25:22]
4. How do you typically respond to personal confrontation about sin, whether from others or through your own conscience? What can you learn from David's response to Nathan that might help you in future situations? [34:24]
5. In what ways can you move from discussing Christianity as a set of ideas to experiencing it as a personal encounter with God? What practical steps can you take to deepen this personal relationship? [22:35]
6. How do you perceive God's judgment in your life? Do you see it as condemnation or as an opportunity for redemption through Christ? How can this understanding impact your daily walk with God? [42:12]
7. Identify one area of your life where you need to come out of hiding and face the truth about your actions or thoughts. What is one specific action you can take this week to address this area and seek God's forgiveness and guidance? [33:33]