Building a Great Soul: The Eternal Pursuit of Love

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound journey of building a great soul, a pursuit that transcends the temporary achievements of this world. As we gather on this Mother's Day, a day filled with a spectrum of emotions, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing our inner lives. Reflecting on the teachings from Nehemiah and the call to rebuild the city of our souls, we recognize the need for both action and contemplation in our spiritual journey.

At the heart of our existence lies a shared desire to love and be loved, to belong, and to leave a meaningful legacy. While many chase greatness in worldly achievements, few aim for greatness in the soul, which is eternal. The pursuit of a deep and healthy soul is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstances. The Bible emphasizes that the greatest legacy we can leave is one of love—loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

To grow a great soul, we must respond to God's invitation to a relationship with Him, allowing Him to transform us as we surrender. This transformation is not about becoming a better version of ourselves but about becoming more like Christ. As we learn from the Holy Spirit, who continues to teach us, we are called to practice and apply God's Word in our lives, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity.

Enduring hardship is another crucial aspect of this journey. While God brings good out of evil, our role is to persevere, trusting that He is not helpless among the ruins of our lives. As we endure, we find strength and even joy in the midst of trials. The promise of God is that He will complete the good work He has begun in us, leading us to a legacy of love that cannot be surpassed.

Key Takeaways:

- Embrace the Eternal Pursuit: While worldly achievements are temporary, the growth of a great soul is eternal. This pursuit is accessible to everyone, regardless of background, and focuses on loving God and others deeply. [06:26]

- Respond to God's Invitation: Our journey begins with responding to God's invitation to a relationship with Him. This relationship is foundational for transformation and growth in our spiritual lives. [11:45]

- Transformation Through Surrender: God transforms us into the image of Christ as we surrender to Him. This transformation involves developing the fruit of the Spirit and becoming more like Jesus. [14:31]

- Learning from the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit continues to teach us, guiding us into all truth. Our part is to learn and apply God's Word, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity. [19:46]

- Endure with Hope: In the face of hardship, God brings good out of evil. Our role is to endure, trusting in His plan and finding strength and joy in His presence. [23:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:22] - Mother's Day Reflections
- [01:02] - Building a Better Future
- [01:40] - Doers and Beers
- [02:21] - Core Desires
- [03:02] - The Pursuit of Greatness
- [04:22] - Cautionary Realities
- [05:45] - The Eternal Soul
- [07:12] - Growing a Great Soul
- [07:57] - Indicators of Soul Health
- [09:32] - The Greatest Legacy
- [11:03] - Developing a Great Soul
- [11:45] - Responding to God's Invitation
- [14:31] - Transformation and Surrender
- [19:46] - Learning from the Holy Spirit
- [23:57] - Enduring Hardship with Hope
- [29:00] - Trusting in God
- [31:08] - The Promise of Completion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Building a Great Soul

Bible Reading:
1. 3 John 1:2 - "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."
2. Mark 12:30-31 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
3. Philippians 1:6 - "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what are the two types of people mentioned, and how do they contribute to a balanced world? [01:40]

2. What does the sermon suggest is the greatest legacy one can leave behind? [09:32]

3. How does the sermon describe the process of transformation in a believer's life? [14:31]

4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the life of a believer, according to the sermon? [18:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the desire to be the "greatest of all time" in worldly achievements versus spiritual growth? [05:45]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that enduring hardship can lead to spiritual growth and joy? [23:57]

3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between responding to God's invitation and the transformation of the soul? [11:45]

4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of learning and applying God's Word in moving from spiritual infancy to maturity? [19:46]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are pursuing worldly achievements more than spiritual growth? How can you shift your focus to building a great soul? [06:26]

2. Consider a recent hardship you have faced. How can you find strength and joy in God's presence during trials, as suggested in the sermon? [23:57]

3. The sermon emphasizes responding to God's invitation. Have you taken steps to deepen your relationship with God? What is one practical step you can take this week to respond to His invitation? [11:45]

4. Think about the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more attentive to the Spirit's guidance and teaching in your daily decisions? [18:31]

5. The sermon talks about loving God and others as the greatest legacy. Identify one person in your life you can show love to this week. What specific action will you take to demonstrate this love? [09:32]

6. Reflect on the idea of transformation through surrender. Is there an area of your life you need to surrender to God? What steps can you take to fully surrender this area to Him? [14:31]

7. How can you incorporate the practice of learning and applying God's Word into your daily routine to grow from spiritual infancy to maturity? [19:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Eternal Pursuit
The journey of building a great soul is a profound and eternal pursuit that transcends the temporary achievements of this world. It is a journey accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. At the heart of this pursuit is the call to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is the greatest legacy we can leave—a legacy of love that endures beyond our earthly existence. As we gather on this Mother's Day, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing our inner lives and focusing on what truly matters. The growth of a great soul is not about achieving worldly greatness but about cultivating a deep and healthy soul that reflects the love of God. [06:26]

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36, ESV)

Reflection: What are some temporary achievements you have been pursuing that may be distracting you from the eternal pursuit of growing a great soul? How can you refocus your priorities today to align with this eternal pursuit?


Day 2: Respond to God's Invitation
Our spiritual journey begins with responding to God's invitation to a relationship with Him. This relationship is foundational for transformation and growth in our spiritual lives. It is through this relationship that we are invited to rebuild the city of our souls, much like Nehemiah was called to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This rebuilding requires both action and contemplation, as we seek to align our lives with God's will. By responding to God's invitation, we open ourselves to His transformative work in our lives, allowing Him to shape us into the people He created us to be. [11:45]

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: How have you responded to God's invitation to a relationship with Him? What steps can you take today to deepen this relationship and allow God to transform your life?


Day 3: Transformation Through Surrender
God transforms us into the image of Christ as we surrender to Him. This transformation is not about becoming a better version of ourselves but about becoming more like Jesus. It involves developing the fruit of the Spirit and allowing God to work in and through us. As we surrender to God, we are invited to let go of our own desires and ambitions and to trust in His plan for our lives. This process of transformation is ongoing and requires a willingness to be molded and shaped by God. [14:31]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 4: Learning from the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit continues to teach us, guiding us into all truth. Our part is to learn and apply God's Word, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity. This process involves being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and allowing Him to lead us in our spiritual journey. As we learn from the Holy Spirit, we are called to practice and apply God's Word in our lives, growing in our understanding and application of His truth. This growth is a lifelong journey that requires a commitment to learning and growing in our faith. [19:46]

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily life to listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance? What practical steps can you take to apply God's Word and move from spiritual infancy to maturity?


Day 5: Endure with Hope
In the face of hardship, God brings good out of evil. Our role is to endure, trusting in His plan and finding strength and joy in His presence. Enduring hardship is a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey, as it allows us to grow in our faith and trust in God. While we may face trials and challenges, we can find hope in the promise that God will complete the good work He has begun in us. As we endure, we are reminded that God is not helpless among the ruins of our lives, and we can trust in His plan for our future. [23:57]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What is a current hardship you are facing, and how can you find strength and joy in God's presence during this time? How can you trust in His plan and endure with hope?

Quotes



The Bible narrows all of our earthly pursuits of greatness to this singular focus, love. Love God with your heart. Love God with your soul. Love God with your mind. Love God with all your strength. Love God with every fiber of your being and to love your neighbor with the same passion and energy and devotion has you love yourself. The greatest thing in life is love. [09:24]

The starting point in growing a great soul is responding to God's invitation to each of us, to begin a relationship with him. God's part is he invites, and my part I respond. The Bible says in Ephesians 1:4 that God chose us first. It says even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be Holy and without fault in his eyes. [11:37]

When I give my life to God, he begins to transform me. Not into a better me, but into the image of his son, Jesus Christ. And he gives me the power to change, to develop the fruit of the spirit, what the Bible calls the fruit of the Spirit, these characteristics that the Holy Spirit develops in us, once Jesus is living inside of us. [14:23]

Jesus knew that before he went, that he was gonna be going back to his Father. And he began to tell them, that he wasn't going to be visible to them any longer. And they got really anxious about him leaving. They were fearful that they wouldn't know what to do, that they wouldn't have the right answers for living. [17:56]

He tells them that they should be able to understand more complex spiritual matters, doctrine and principles that require chewing because they've been followers of Christ for a long time. And he says, I just keep having to talk to you about the most simple things of God because you have not grown, you have not learned. [21:13]

Romans 8:28 says we are well aware that God works with those who love him. Those who have been called in accordance with his purpose and turns everything to their good. This is probably one of the most misunderstood or misapplied verses in the Bible. It's often said by well-meaning folks to people in grief or loss as sort of this magic eraser verse to try to minimize or contain the amount of hurt and sadness or sorrow we feel. [23:27]

God's love is still working. He comes in and takes the calamity and uses it victoriously, working out his wonderful plan of love. You may have faced horrific evil circumstances, leaving you certain that your life is wrecked and ruined. But I want to reassure you, God is not helpless in your ruins. [25:13]

When we decide to keep growing a great soul, the result is fruitfulness in every season, whether it's rain, no rain, whether there's flood, whether there's years of drought, the Bible says when our roots are planted deep into God, there's fruitfulness in every season. He said instead of being this tumbleweed that's rootless and blown around at the whim of every rogue wind, we can be like majestic trees that line the river beds, that flourish and they're laden with fruit, delicious fruit in every season, even though seasons of extreme heat and long months or years of drought. [30:00]

And this delicious fruit, this fruit, this fruitfulness that Jeremiah is talking about, I think is this deep soul. It's a great soil where the character of Christ is reproduced in us by that process of planting and responding, of seeking and finding, of teaching and learning, of him working through the bad times and us enduring the unendurable and of us sending our spiritual roots deep into him. [30:41]

One last promise to you, as you dare to grow a deep soul, a great soul, God will finish what he has started in you. Philippians 1:6, the apostle Paul says and I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ, right up to the time of his return. [31:08]

Some of you may have realized or maybe you've known for some time that you haven't ever really begun this journey. And today is your moment to say yes to God's invitation, to get to know him through Jesus Christ. You don't have to understand it all, a simple prayer is all. In fact, if you'd like to just bow your head for just a moment, you don't have to say this out loud but you can just say this in your mind. "God, I want to be a part of you. I don't really know what all that means, but please forgive me for living my life apart from you. I don't wanna be like one of those tumbleweeds that's aimless and wandering, because I've tried to trust everybody in everything but you. Jesus I invite you to come into my life and to be my Savior." [32:45]

If you will dare to pray that, God will begin that ongoing process of inviting, you responding, him transforming you, you surrendering, him teaching, you learning, him bringing good out of evil and you using his strength to endure. And fruit will be grown in your soul, fruit for yourself and enough to give away to others. Will you believe that he will finish what he has started? Will you decide to leave the greatest legacy of all? Will you decide that your greatest accomplishment, your greatest legacy will be this, she loved God with all her heart, her soul, and her mind, and her strength. He loved people like he loved himself. [33:41]

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Transcript
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