Confronting Truth: Embracing God's Full Nature

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound and often challenging aspects of our faith, emphasizing the necessity of confronting difficult truths within the Scriptures and our lives. We began by acknowledging that while it is more comfortable to focus on the more reassuring aspects of God’s nature, such as His love and mercy, it is equally crucial to engage with His other attributes like justice and wrath. This holistic approach helps us understand God fully and fosters a mature faith.

We delved into the story of Eli and his sons from 1 Samuel, which serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the seriousness with which God regards sin. The narrative not only highlights the physical defeat of Israel by the Philistines but also the spiritual decay within Eli’s family, culminating in the tragic deaths of his sons and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant. This story was used to illustrate the theme that God will not be mocked, and His judgment is real and present, even today.

I emphasized the importance of a confessional lifestyle, where continual acknowledgment of our sins before God plays a crucial role in maintaining a soft and receptive heart towards Him. This practice is not just about acknowledging wrongdoing but is a transformative process that aligns us more closely with God’s will and prevents the hardening of our hearts.

In discussing the nature of God’s judgment, I pointed out that it is not arbitrary but a direct response to sin and rebellion. The New Testament echoes this theme, showing that judgment begins with the household of God, suggesting that we, as believers, must also undergo scrutiny and correction. This led to a broader discussion on the nature of suffering and trials, which, while difficult, are used by God to refine and strengthen our faith.

Finally, I closed with a call to action for each of us to be vigilant about the state of our hearts. Using the metaphor of a river, I illustrated how a vibrant, life-giving spirit can become a dry, barren wasteland if we allow bitterness, sin, and disobedience to prevail. The choice is ours to either nurture the flowing stream of God’s grace in our lives or to become a stagnant, lifeless creek.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding the Full Nature of God: It's crucial to embrace all aspects of God's character. While His love and mercy are comforting, His justice and wrath are equally important for our spiritual maturity. This balanced understanding helps us appreciate the divine complexity and leads to a deeper, more reverent relationship with Him. [34:08]

2. The Importance of Confession: Regular confession is not merely about acknowledging sins but is a vital practice for spiritual health and maintaining a soft heart towards God. It prevents the spiritual hardening that can lead us away from God, ensuring that we remain humble and teachable. [57:23]

3. God’s Judgment is Just and Purposeful: God’s judgments are corrective rather than punitive, aimed at bringing about repentance and realignment with His will. Understanding this can transform our perspective on suffering and trials, seeing them not as divine displeasure but as part of God’s refining process. [53:28]

4. The Role of Trials in Spiritual Growth: Just as physical exercise strengthens the body, spiritual trials are necessary for strengthening our faith. They are not to be shied away from but embraced as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. [55:15]

5. Guarding Our Hearts: The state of our heart is crucial in determining the quality of our spiritual life. A heart full of life and vibrancy in Christ can become a source of blessing and refreshment to others, whereas a neglected heart can lead to spiritual dryness and death. [41:48]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 4:12-22 - The story of Eli and his sons, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the seriousness with which God regards sin.
2. Romans 2:5 - "But because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed."
3. Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the consequences faced by Eli and his sons due to their disobedience? ([37:12])
2. How does the story of Eli and his sons illustrate the seriousness with which God regards sin? ([35:40])
3. According to Romans 2:5, what is the result of having a hard and impenitent heart?
4. In Psalm 51:10, what does the psalmist ask God to create and renew within him?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Eli and his sons from 1 Samuel 4:12-22 reflect the theme that "God will not be mocked"? ([47:20])
2. What does it mean to have a "confessional lifestyle," and why is it important for maintaining a soft heart towards God? ([57:23])
3. How can understanding God's judgment as corrective rather than punitive change our perspective on suffering and trials? ([53:28])
4. What are the implications of Psalm 51:10 for someone struggling with a hardened heart?

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you focused more on God's love and mercy while neglecting His justice and wrath. How did this affect your spiritual growth? ([34:08])
2. How can you incorporate regular confession into your daily routine to maintain a soft heart towards God? ([57:23])
3. Think of a recent trial or period of suffering in your life. How can you view it as part of God's refining process rather than as a punishment? ([55:15])
4. What steps can you take to guard your heart against becoming hardened by bitterness, sin, and disobedience? ([41:48])
5. Identify one area in your life where you need to be more vigilant about the state of your heart. What practical steps can you take this week to address it? ([43:27])
6. How can you ensure that your spiritual life remains a vibrant, life-giving stream rather than becoming a dry, barren wasteland? ([43:27])
7. In what ways can you be a source of blessing and refreshment to others through a heart full of life and vibrancy in Christ? ([43:27])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Fullness of God's Character
Understanding all aspects of God's character is essential for a mature faith. Often, it is comforting to dwell on God's love and mercy, but acknowledging His justice and wrath is equally important. This balanced view allows believers to appreciate the complexity of God and fosters a deeper, more reverent relationship with Him. By embracing both the comforting and challenging aspects of God's nature, believers can grow in their spiritual lives and better navigate the complexities of faith and obedience. [34:08]

Psalm 85:10-13 (ESV): "Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way."

Reflection: How can you better incorporate the understanding of God's justice into your daily spiritual practices?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of Confession
Regular confession is not just about acknowledging sins; it is a vital practice for spiritual health. This continual acknowledgment before God helps maintain a soft and receptive heart, preventing spiritual hardening and fostering humility and teachability. By regularly examining our hearts and confessing our sins, we align ourselves more closely with God's will, which is crucial for spiritual growth and resilience. [57:23]

Lamentations 3:40-42 (ESV): "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: 'We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven.'"

Reflection: What is one sin or negative habit you can confess today, and how can you actively seek God's help to overcome it?

Day 3: Understanding God’s Purposeful Judgment
God's judgment is not arbitrary but a direct response to sin and rebellion, aimed at correction rather than punishment. This understanding transforms our perspective on suffering and trials, seeing them not as signs of divine displeasure but as part of God's refining process. By recognizing the corrective nature of God's judgments, believers can approach trials with a mindset geared towards growth and alignment with God's will. [53:28]

Jeremiah 30:11 (ESV): "For I am with you to save you, declares the Lord; I will make a full end of all the nations among whom I scattered you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished."

Reflection: How can viewing challenges as opportunities for growth change your response to difficult situations in your life?

Day 4: The Role of Trials in Spiritual Strengthening
Just as physical exercise strengthens the body, spiritual trials are necessary for strengthening our faith. These trials should not be shied away from but embraced as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. By enduring and learning from these trials, believers can develop a stronger, more resilient faith that is prepared to face the complexities of life. [55:15]

Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: What recent trial have you experienced, and how can you see it as a means to strengthen your faith?

Day 5: Guarding Our Hearts for Spiritual Vitality
The state of our heart is crucial in determining the quality of our spiritual life. A vibrant, life-giving spirit can become a source of blessing and refreshment to others, whereas a neglected heart can lead to spiritual dryness and death. It is essential to nurture the flowing stream of God’s grace in our lives by guarding against bitterness, sin, and disobedience. [41:48]

Proverbs 4:23-27 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Make level paths for your feet, and all your ways will be sure."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to guard your heart from bitterness and maintain its vibrancy in Christ?

Quotes

1. "No. You'll probably be broken until the day you've physically died. But better to be broken with the soft, malleable heart to Christ than to have everything you've ever wanted with a hard heart. It affects people around you. Both affect. You're either the dry waterway, sandy, dusty place of death, or you're a flowing stream of grace." [01:01:31]( | | )

2. "Church, when you read the Bible, read the hard verses twice. Don't shy away from them. Be an adult. Receive the meat of God's word. The hard, the good. That which causes repentance and confession are the best verses for the glory of his name." [01:07:22](Download clip | | )

3. "If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar. And his word, his logos, is not in us. We confess our sins. A confessional lifestyle. Evangelical churches kind of push this to the back. A confession. You know, I mean, I accepted Christ as my Savior a long time ago, and I know he forgives sins." [57:23]( | | )

4. "God will always punish the guilty. If you're guilty church. You will be punished. So what's your hope? Well, somebody is going to be punished for your sin. Here's the deal about it though. God's judgment is never cruel, irrational, or malicious, but a direct response to evil and disobedience." [53:28]( | | )

5. "The best part of going to the gym is not when you start. It's when you begin to see results. The best part of some of you have kids that are starting to grow up. You're going to have kids that are going to play musical instruments and it is painful when they start. Amen. Especially if it happens to be a violin, probably all things." [32:33]( | | )

6. "Keep your heart with all vigilance or from it flows the springs of life. There's two images that I get when I read that passage right there. I'm married. I have children. They're getting older every year. Middle daughter just had an 18th birthday. Oh my gosh. The oldest one is almost 21." [41:48]( | | )

7. "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God. The Lord takes vengeance and is fierce in wrath. The Lord takes vengeance against his foes. He is furious with his enemies. Verse 3. The Lord is slow to anger, but great in power. The Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished." [50:52]( | | )

8. "The God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament and today. Let's finish up this horrific story. Verse 19. Eli's daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news about the capture of God's ark and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband, she collapsed and gave birth because her labor pains came on her." [47:20]( | | )

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Transcript
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