Being Examined: Embracing God's Call to Redemption
Summary
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:
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
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
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 3:8-13 - The story of Adam and Eve hiding from God and being confronted about their sin.
2. 2 Samuel 12:1-7 - The story of Nathan confronting David about his sin with Bathsheba.
3. John 4:7-26 - Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.
#### 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]
Devotional
Day 1: We Are the Examined, Not the Examiners
In our lives, we often assume the role of judges, evaluating the world around us, including religion and God. We place ourselves in a position of authority, believing we have the capacity to understand and dissect the divine. However, the reality is that we are not the examiners; we are the ones being examined. Our lives, actions, and decisions are under constant 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 God's narrative. Recognizing that we are being examined invites us to live with greater intentionality and awareness of our spiritual journey. [17:23]
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you been living as if you are the judge of your own life? How can you shift your perspective to recognize that you are being examined by God?
Day 2: Christianity as a Personal Encounter with God
Christianity is not merely a set of ideas to be debated or intellectualized; it is a personal encounter with God. Often, we hide behind intellectual arguments and philosophical debates, thinking that by discussing the existence of God or the nature of Jesus, we are engaging with Christianity. Yet, true engagement with Christianity involves God addressing us directly, asking, "Where are you?" This question challenges us to confront our true selves, our actions, and our relationship with God. It is a call to move beyond abstract discussions and to experience a personal and transformative relationship with the divine. [22:35]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26 ESV)
Reflection: How can you move beyond intellectual debates and open yourself to a personal encounter with God today? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 3: Honest Engagement with Scripture and Self
The Bible challenges us to face our intellectual and moral positions honestly. It calls us to engage with the scriptures, not dismiss 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, as David was confronted with his sin through a direct and personal challenge. This honest engagement requires humility and a willingness to be transformed by God's word. [28:16]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been avoiding honest self-examination? How can you invite God to help you face this area with integrity and openness?
Day 4: The Inevitability of God's Judgment
God's judgment is inevitable, and the struggles, pain, and suffering we experience are part of this judgment, a consequence of our rebellion against God. It is not something we can escape by ignoring or dismissing it. However, 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. This understanding of judgment and redemption invites us to live with a sense of urgency and hope. [42:12]
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV)
Reflection: How does the reality of God's judgment influence the way you live your life today? What changes can you make to align more closely with God's will?
Day 5: Redemption and Restoration Through Christ
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. God offers us redemption, not to condemn us, but to restore us to a right relationship with Him. This redemption is a gift that requires us to acknowledge our need for a Savior and to embrace the transformative power of Christ in our lives. It is an invitation to experience the fullness of life that comes from being in communion with God. [52:06]
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7 ESV)
Reflection: What is one sin or area of brokenness in your life that you need to bring to Christ for redemption? How can you take a step towards experiencing His forgiveness and restoration today?
Quotes
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. [00:21:59]
Christianity primarily is not a discussion about ideas; it is a discussion about you, Adam. Where Art Thou? I'm looking for you. I'm interested in you, the individual person, and my dear friend, that's the first thing that a man realizes who's on his way to becoming a Christian. [00:22:40]
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. It knows perfectly well that we're always hiding behind these intellectual trees. [00:28:12]
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. [00:42:12]
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. [00:52:06]
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. [00:17:23]
Have you realized, my friend, that in this life and in this world, you were on trial? You are not trying; you are on trial. You are being tried. How slow we are to realize this. [00:17:43]
Christianity is not a matter of opinions, and as God addresses us in these various ways that I've been indicated, he isn't talking to us about our opinions at all. He's not a bit interested in them, but he's interested in us. [00:20:13]
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. [00:28:16]
God makes Adam see all this, and Eve sees it, and anyone who comes under conviction of sin must of necessity see it. So the final question and the vital question for all of us is just this one: where are you at this moment face to face with God? [00:39:03]
God would have you see that unless it is that you're a vile sinner, he brings it home to you. You've departed from where he put you. You're hiding somewhere. You're out of the pathway. You're not in the true. You're not in the straight. [00:39:03]
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. [00:42:12]
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