Beyond Religion: The Call to Know God Personally

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 8, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the mystery of being born of the Spirit, likening it to the wind that blows where it wishes. This conversation highlights a crucial distinction between mere religion and true Christianity. Nicodemus, a religious leader, admired Jesus but misunderstood the essence of the new life Jesus offered. Many today, like Nicodemus, confuse religious activity with genuine Christian faith, failing to grasp the necessity of being born again. This new birth is not something we can fully comprehend or dissect with human reasoning; it is a divine, supernatural act.

Throughout history, religion has often been the greatest adversary of true Christian faith. The Apostle Paul, once a fervent persecutor of Christians, exemplifies this. He was deeply religious, yet he lacked the true life that comes from being born again. The distinction between religion and Christianity is vital, as religion can exist within the church, turning it into a mere institution. True Christianity, however, is characterized by a divine life that expresses itself in love for God and others.

This divine life leads to a desire for a personal knowledge of God, surpassing mere intellectual understanding or religious duties. It is not enough to know about God; one must know God personally. This desire becomes the chief aim of a believer's life, more important than religious interests, theological knowledge, or even the blessings and experiences God provides. The true test of being born again is this longing for a personal relationship with God, a desire that the devil cannot counterfeit.

The ultimate purpose of salvation is to bring us into a personal knowledge of God. This is life eternal, as Jesus defines it in John 17:3. The saints throughout history have demonstrated this inner, experimental knowledge of God, experiencing His presence and communion. This longing for God is a sign of spiritual life and growth, moving beyond the superficial to a deep, abiding relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

- The distinction between religion and true Christianity is crucial. Religion can exist within the church, turning it into a mere institution, while true Christianity is characterized by a divine life that expresses itself in love for God and others. This divine life is a supernatural act, not something we can fully comprehend with human reasoning. [02:27]

- True Christianity leads to a desire for a personal knowledge of God, surpassing mere intellectual understanding or religious duties. It is not enough to know about God; one must know God personally. This desire becomes the chief aim of a believer's life, more important than religious interests or theological knowledge. [11:35]

- The ultimate purpose of salvation is to bring us into a personal knowledge of God. This is life eternal, as Jesus defines it in John 17:3. The saints throughout history have demonstrated this inner, experimental knowledge of God, experiencing His presence and communion. [32:34]

- A sign of spiritual life and growth is a longing for God that moves beyond the superficial to a deep, abiding relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This longing is a test of being born again, a desire that the devil cannot counterfeit. [43:35]

- The true test of being born again is a longing for a personal relationship with God, a desire that surpasses even the blessings and experiences God provides. This desire is a sign of spiritual life and growth, moving beyond the superficial to a deep, abiding relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [25:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to John 3:8
- [00:32] - Nicodemus' Misunderstanding
- [01:22] - The Confusion Between Religion and Faith
- [02:27] - The Mystery of Being Born Again
- [03:17] - Religion vs. True Christianity
- [04:37] - Paul's Transformation
- [06:03] - Characteristics of Divine Life
- [08:11] - Love for God and Brethren
- [10:17] - Desire for Personal Knowledge of God
- [11:35] - Beyond Intellectual Understanding
- [16:18] - The Chief End of Salvation
- [32:34] - Eternal Life Defined
- [35:16] - True Worship and Communion
- [43:35] - The Longing for God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 3:8
- John 17:3
- Philippians 3:10

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 3:8, Jesus compares being born of the Spirit to the wind. What does this analogy suggest about the nature of spiritual rebirth? [02:27]

2. How does the sermon describe Nicodemus' misunderstanding of the new life Jesus offered? What assumptions did he make? [01:04]

3. According to the sermon, what was the Apostle Paul's initial attitude towards Christianity, and how did it change after his conversion? [04:04]

4. What are some characteristics of true Christianity as opposed to mere religion, as discussed in the sermon? [06:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the analogy of the wind in John 3:8 help us understand the mystery and supernatural aspect of being born again? Why is it important to accept this mystery rather than trying to fully comprehend it? [02:42]

2. The sermon emphasizes the distinction between knowing about God and knowing God personally. How does this distinction affect one's faith journey and relationship with God? [11:35]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that religious activities can become a hindrance to true Christian faith? How can believers ensure their faith remains genuine and not just ritualistic? [17:07]

4. The sermon mentions that a longing for God is a sign of spiritual life and growth. How can this longing be cultivated in one's daily life? [43:35]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have there been times when you confused religious activities with genuine faith? How can you refocus on developing a personal relationship with God? [01:22]

2. The sermon highlights the importance of knowing God personally. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your personal knowledge of God beyond intellectual understanding? [11:35]

3. Consider the role of religious duties in your life. Are there any activities that have become more about routine than relationship? How can you transform these activities into opportunities for genuine worship? [17:07]

4. The sermon suggests that a longing for God is a test of being born again. How can you nurture this longing in your daily routine, especially during times of spiritual dryness? [43:35]

5. Think about the blessings and experiences God has provided in your life. How can you ensure that your focus remains on God Himself rather than just the gifts He gives? [25:21]

6. The sermon mentions the danger of being more interested in God's blessings than in God Himself. How can you shift your focus to prioritize your relationship with God over the benefits you receive from Him? [26:28]

7. Reflect on the analogy of a child versus an adult in their understanding of relationships. How can you apply this analogy to your spiritual maturity and relationship with God? [30:06]

Devotional

Day 1: The Essence of True Christianity

True Christianity is not about religious rituals or activities but about experiencing a divine life that expresses itself in love for God and others. This divine life is a supernatural act that cannot be fully comprehended by human reasoning. It is a transformation that goes beyond the confines of institutional religion, leading to a genuine relationship with God. Many people, like Nicodemus, may admire Jesus and engage in religious practices, yet miss the essence of the new life He offers. The distinction between religion and true Christianity is crucial, as religion can exist within the church, turning it into a mere institution. True Christianity, however, is characterized by a divine life that expresses itself in love for God and others. [02:27]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: In what ways have you confused religious activity with a genuine relationship with God? How can you begin to focus more on experiencing His divine life today?


Day 2: The Pursuit of Personal Knowledge of God
True Christianity leads to a desire for a personal knowledge of God, surpassing mere intellectual understanding or religious duties. It is not enough to know about God; one must know God personally. This desire becomes the chief aim of a believer's life, more important than religious interests or theological knowledge. The longing for a personal relationship with God is a sign of being born again, a desire that the devil cannot counterfeit. This pursuit of knowing God personally is what distinguishes true faith from mere religious observance. [11:35]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your personal knowledge of God beyond intellectual understanding or religious duties?


Day 3: The Ultimate Purpose of Salvation
The ultimate purpose of salvation is to bring us into a personal knowledge of God. This is life eternal, as Jesus defines it in John 17:3. The saints throughout history have demonstrated this inner, experimental knowledge of God, experiencing His presence and communion. Salvation is not merely about escaping judgment or receiving blessings; it is about entering into a relationship with God that transforms every aspect of life. This relationship is characterized by an ongoing experience of God's presence and a deepening communion with Him. [32:34]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: How does understanding the ultimate purpose of salvation as a personal knowledge of God change your perspective on your faith journey?


Day 4: The Longing for God as a Sign of Spiritual Life
A sign of spiritual life and growth is a longing for God that moves beyond the superficial to a deep, abiding relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This longing is a test of being born again, a desire that the devil cannot counterfeit. It is a yearning that goes beyond the blessings and experiences God provides, focusing instead on knowing Him intimately. This longing is a mark of true spiritual vitality and growth, indicating a heart that is truly alive to God. [43:35]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: In what ways do you experience a longing for God in your daily life? How can you cultivate this longing to deepen your relationship with Him?


Day 5: The True Test of Being Born Again
The true test of being born again is a longing for a personal relationship with God, a desire that surpasses even the blessings and experiences God provides. This desire is a sign of spiritual life and growth, moving beyond the superficial to a deep, abiding relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a longing that cannot be manufactured or imitated, as it is a genuine expression of a heart transformed by God's Spirit. This longing is the hallmark of a life that has been truly born again, reflecting a deep and abiding connection with God. [25:21]

Philippians 3:8-10 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can prioritize your relationship with God over other blessings and experiences in your life today?

Quotes



Now we are not to understand what that means fully that was the blunder of Nicodemus who keeps on saying how can these things be we've got to get beyond that stage and realize that by definition we are here in the realm of the miraculous the Supernatural and the Divine. [00:02:05]

The whole history of the church shows so clearly the importance of this distinction throughout the century, religion has been the greatest enemy of the Christian truth and the Christian faith and the tragedy is that you can have religion in the church and that the Christian church can just become a religion. [00:03:24]

The moment a man receives this life he sees the difference between this and everything which he formerly regarded as Christianity and therefore as I'm drawing these distinctions and showing these differences that in and of itself is a test of whether we've got life or not. [00:07:17]

We know that we have passed from Death to life because we love the Brethren. Now what follows that well it seems to me that what follows that inevitably is this that we know that we have passed from Death to life also because we love God and because we have an increasing desire to know God. [00:08:02]

The distinction I'm drawing is the difference between Desiring to know things about God and the desire to know God himself. Now here you see is not only the difference between religion and Christianity it is still more the difference between philosophy and true Christianity. [00:11:21]

The man I say who has been born again is the man who sees that all that is not an end it's only a means to an end the purpose and function of all knowledge and all understanding is to bring you to a knowledge of God himself. [00:24:48]

The man who's Born Again desires this personal knowledge of God even more than he desires the blessings of God even more he desires experiences which are given by God you see this is a test that works everywhere that's where it's so wonderful. [00:25:18]

The man who is Born Again realizes that this is really the chief end of salvation, our Lord himself has put this for us so plainly in the 17th chapter of this Gospel According to St John in verse three he says and this is life eternal that they might Know Thee. [00:32:41]

The man who's got life in him realizes that the ultimate end of being given this and of the whole of salvation is to bring him into a personal knowledge of God now he realizes that this is something that is possible in this life and in this world. [00:34:51]

The man who is born again is a man who knows that this is possible he's got that within him that cries out for the Father the knowledge of the father and the Son and the Holy Ghost and he's no longer content with anything less than that. [00:43:38]

The devil can counterfeit experiences and gifts and most other things but there is one thing the devil cannot do and that is give us a desire for a personal knowledge of God the devil can give you an interest in Theology and encourage it. [00:44:43]

There is only one thing that can produce that and that is that God himself through the spirit should implant within us a seat of this Divine Life this is therefore one of those ultimate tests and God willing we shall go on with our consideration of it next Sunday morning. [00:45:37]

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Transcript
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