Choosing Life: A Lenten Journey of Renewal

 

Summary

In today's message, I shared a story about a dear friend who embodies joy and zest for life, yet faced a critical health decision. His doctor advised him to eliminate alcohol to save his liver, a choice he made swiftly because he chose life. This narrative serves as a metaphor for the spiritual journey we embark on during Lent, a time to examine our hearts and choose life in Christ. Lent is a season to confront the spiritual pathogens that harden our hearts, much like yeast that puffs up dough. Jesus warns us about the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, representing self-righteousness and the pursuit of power and wealth, respectively.

The yeast of the Pharisees is the pride that comes from thinking oneself more pure or righteous than others. It manifests in religious and secular contexts, where purity tests and self-righteousness can lead to a callousness towards our own sins while being overly sensitive to the sins of others. The yeast of Herod, on the other hand, is the pursuit of power, wealth, and approval, which can lead to a life dictated by external validation and material success. Both forms of yeast are subtle yet dangerous, leading us away from the life God intends for us.

During Lent, we are invited to examine our hearts, not out of fear or anxiety, but with hope for transformation and renewal. Jesus, the great physician, offers us new hearts, free from the burdens of self-righteousness and the relentless pursuit of worldly success. By opening our hearts to Him, we can experience the yeast of the Kingdom of God, which brings rest, peace, and true joy. As we reflect on our lives, we are encouraged to identify where these spiritual pathogens have taken root and to invite the Holy Spirit to cleanse and renew us.

Key Takeaways:

- Choosing Life: Just as my friend chose life by giving up alcohol, we are called to choose spiritual life by examining our hearts and turning away from sin. Lent is a time to reflect on what truly gives us life and to trust that God has more life to offer than we are currently experiencing. [07:40]

- The Yeast of the Pharisees: This yeast represents self-righteousness and the pride of thinking oneself more pure than others. It can lead to a callousness towards our own sins while being overly sensitive to the sins of others. We must guard against this by seeking humility and compassion. [13:40]

- The Yeast of Herod: This yeast symbolizes the pursuit of power, wealth, and approval. It can lead to a life dictated by external validation and material success. We are invited to find our worth and security in God, not in worldly achievements. [17:12]

- Examination of the Heart: Lent is an opportunity to examine our hearts with hope, not fear. Jesus, the great physician, offers healing and renewal. By inviting Him into our hearts, we can experience transformation and freedom from spiritual burdens. [20:41]

- The Yeast of the Kingdom of God: Unlike the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, the yeast of the Kingdom brings rest, peace, and true joy. By opening our hearts to Jesus, we can experience the fullness of life He promises and live unshackled by burdens. [31:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction to the Theme
- [03:00] - Story of Choosing Life
- [07:40] - The Spiritual Heart and Lent
- [10:04] - Yeast as a Metaphor
- [13:40] - The Yeast of the Pharisees
- [17:12] - The Yeast of Herod
- [20:41] - Examining Our Hearts
- [23:30] - Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Story
- [27:47] - Reflection and Prayer
- [31:22] - Worship and Closing Prayer
- [33:00] - Blessing and Sending Forth

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 8:14-17 - Jesus warns about the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod.
2. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Paul speaks about the dangers of being puffed up and the need to remove the old yeast.
3. 1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

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#### Observation Questions
1. What metaphor does Jesus use in Mark 8:14-17 to describe the influence of the Pharisees and Herod? How do the disciples initially misunderstand this metaphor? [07:40]
2. In the sermon, what are the two types of "yeast" that Jesus warns against, and what do they represent? [13:40]
3. How does the story of the pastor's friend choosing life relate to the spiritual journey of Lent? [07:40]
4. What examples from history and modern culture were given to illustrate the yeast of Herod? [17:12]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the yeast of the Pharisees manifest in both religious and secular contexts, according to the sermon? What are the dangers of this yeast? [13:40]
2. What does the yeast of Herod symbolize, and how can it affect one's spiritual life and priorities? [17:12]
3. How does the metaphor of yeast help us understand the subtle yet pervasive nature of sin and self-righteousness? [10:04]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that examining our hearts during Lent can lead to spiritual renewal and transformation? [20:41]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you might have been influenced by the yeast of the Pharisees. How did it affect your relationships with others and your view of yourself? [13:40]
2. Consider the yeast of Herod in your life. Are there areas where you seek validation through power, wealth, or approval? How can you shift your focus to find worth in God instead? [17:12]
3. During Lent, what specific spiritual pathogens do you feel called to confront in your own heart? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to cleanse and renew you? [20:41]
4. The sermon encourages choosing life, much like the pastor's friend did. What is one habit or mindset you need to let go of to choose spiritual life more fully? [07:40]
5. How can you cultivate the yeast of the Kingdom of God in your daily life, experiencing rest, peace, and true joy? What practical steps can you take this week? [31:22]
6. Reflect on the story of Ayaan Hirsi Ali. How does her journey resonate with your own experiences of seeking spiritual solace and comfort? [20:41]
7. What is one specific way you can practice humility and compassion this week to guard against the yeast of the Pharisees? [13:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing Life in Christ
In life, we are often faced with decisions that impact our spiritual well-being. Just as the friend in the story chose life by giving up alcohol to save his liver, we are called to choose spiritual life by examining our hearts and turning away from sin. Lent is a time to reflect on what truly gives us life and to trust that God has more life to offer than we are currently experiencing. This season invites us to confront the spiritual pathogens that harden our hearts and to choose the abundant life that Christ offers. [07:40]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to choose life in Christ over a harmful habit or mindset? How can you take a step towards that choice today?


Day 2: Guarding Against Self-Righteousness
The yeast of the Pharisees represents self-righteousness and the pride of thinking oneself more pure than others. This attitude can lead to a callousness towards our own sins while being overly sensitive to the sins of others. During Lent, we are encouraged to seek humility and compassion, recognizing that we all fall short and are in need of God's grace. By examining our hearts, we can identify where self-righteousness has taken root and invite the Holy Spirit to cultivate humility within us. [13:40]

Luke 18:11-14 (ESV): "The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where you felt self-righteous? How can you practice humility and compassion in similar situations moving forward?


Day 3: Finding Worth Beyond Worldly Success
The yeast of Herod symbolizes the pursuit of power, wealth, and approval, which can lead to a life dictated by external validation and material success. We are invited to find our worth and security in God, not in worldly achievements. Lent is a time to reflect on where we seek validation and to realign our hearts with the values of God's Kingdom. By doing so, we can experience the peace and joy that come from knowing our true worth in Christ. [17:12]

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV): "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself seeking validation through worldly success? How can you begin to find your worth in God instead?


Day 4: Hopeful Examination of the Heart
Lent is an opportunity to examine our hearts with hope, not fear. Jesus, the great physician, offers healing and renewal. By inviting Him into our hearts, we can experience transformation and freedom from spiritual burdens. This season encourages us to confront the areas of our lives where we have strayed from God's path and to seek His guidance and strength for renewal. With hope, we can trust that God is at work in us, bringing about His good purposes. [20:41]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: What is one area of your heart that you feel needs examination and renewal? How can you invite Jesus to bring healing and transformation to that area today?


Day 5: Embracing the Yeast of the Kingdom
Unlike the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, the yeast of the Kingdom brings rest, peace, and true joy. By opening our hearts to Jesus, we can experience the fullness of life He promises and live unshackled by burdens. Lent is a time to embrace the transformative power of God's Kingdom in our lives, allowing His peace and joy to permeate every aspect of our being. As we do so, we become agents of His Kingdom, spreading His love and grace to those around us. [31:22]

Matthew 13:33 (ESV): "He told them another parable. 'The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.'"

Reflection: How can you allow the yeast of the Kingdom to influence your daily life and interactions with others? What steps can you take to spread God's peace and joy in your community?

Quotes


My friend, as much as he loved whiskey, beer, and wine, made a very quick calculation and choice. He chose life. He loves his work. He loves his friends. He loves his family. And he wanted to live. That's my prayer for you and me as well, that we would choose life and have faith that God has more life to give than we are currently experiencing. [00:06:05] (27 seconds)


We stop taking this heart for granted, lest it fail when we need it most. Remember that the Christian view is that we are all infected with a virus, the virus that Christians call sin. And the result is that all of our hearts tend towards hardness, towards spiritual arterial sclerosis. Our hearts get rigid and brittle and we lose compassion. [00:06:45] (26 seconds)


In this message about the sickness of the human heart, Jesus tells us what it is, what pathogen makes us sick. He uses the metaphor of yeast, or sometimes in Bible translations it will say leaven, same thing. Yeast is a tiny thing, a single-celled microorganism, a fungus. And if you think about it, we could just say that yeast is something very small that makes an enormous difference. [00:08:32] (35 seconds)


In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul warns about the dangers of being puffed up like this, and so he calls Christian disciples, his followers, to examine their hearts. He draws upon the tradition of the Jewish festival of the Passover, and in that Passover, which commemorated the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt hundreds and hundreds of years before, there is a tradition of searching the house for leavened bread, bread that is not like a cracker, but bread that's raised bread. [00:10:49] (37 seconds)


They search the house for any leavened bread and put it out of the house as a symbol of searching our hearts for any sign of spiritual pathogen that makes us feel puffed up and superior. They take it outside in the Passover festival, and they actually have a ceremony in which they burn it, which is to say they distance themselves from it. [00:11:25] (29 seconds)


But the yeast of the Pharisees turned bad when that instinct to keep the law became neurotic and competitive. Neurotic meaning anxious. I'm searching my heart because I believe that if I don't keep every ounce of pathogen out of my heart, God doesn't love me anymore. And competitive because we might think that we're better than other people if we do more for God than other people, and that is completely and totally and absolutely twisted. [00:13:19] (33 seconds)


You know the yeast of the Pharisees has damaged your heart when you are callous to your own sin and sensitive to the sins of other people. You know, we didn't do anything in Black History Month. I feel like we missed that opportunity in the month of February. But I was thinking about Black History Month, and I was doing some reading about the lynching parties that happened in the United States. [00:15:57] (26 seconds)


The yeast of Herod is the strength one draws from wealth and applause. And we know that the yeast of Herod is at work in our lives when grandiosity is sort of at the center of our being. Maybe it would help us to rename it since many of us don't know that much about Herod. He's an ancient ruler. Maybe we could call it the yeast of the American dream or the yeast of Silicon Valley or the yeast of social media. [00:18:18] (29 seconds)


Because yeast, while being small, is such a dangerous threat to the human heart, Jesus invites us to examine our hearts, and we do that in earnest during Lent. Now, I know the examination of our hearts can sound daunting. It can even sound scary. That's especially true if you are prone to think of God as some sort of police officer, someone who, like a teacher with a big red pen, who likes nothing more than telling you about all the things that you have done wrong. [00:20:02] (34 seconds)


And I pray, may the Spirit of God free you in this season to live as a child of God, unshackled by burdens, liberated by love. Friends, I send you now into the world everywhere you go. You're the instruments of His peace. So as you go about your day, may the peace of Christ go with you. Have a great day. I hope I'll see you in person at some point. Bye now. Bye now. [00:45:49] (31 seconds)


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Transcript
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