Continual Seeking: Embracing the Light of Christ
Summary
As we enter the Christmas season, it's a time to reflect on the light of the world, Jesus Christ, and how His presence transforms our lives. The story of the shepherds in Luke 2 serves as a powerful reminder of the initial encounter with the divine light. The shepherds, upon witnessing the glory of the Lord, were compelled to seek out the Savior, illustrating the importance of moving beyond a single encounter with God to a life of continual seeking. This journey of seeking is not just about reliving past experiences but about setting ourselves up for new and greater encounters with God.
The Christmas story, as depicted in the movie "The Christmas Pageant," highlights the transformative power of encountering Jesus. The orphans in the story, unfamiliar with the Christmas narrative, find themselves in roles that lead them to a deeper understanding of the story of Jesus. This mirrors our own spiritual journey, where initial encounters with Christ should propel us into a life of seeking Him more deeply. The danger lies in becoming stagnant, in allowing a past encounter to define our entire spiritual journey, rather than using it as a stepping stone to further growth.
The Greek word "zetao," meaning to seek, encapsulates the essence of our spiritual journey. It calls us to set ourselves in order to find God continually. Our encounters with God should lead us into seasons of seeking, where we align our lives to pursue Him with greater fervor. This seeking is not just about finding answers but about deepening our relationship with God, allowing His light to illuminate our path continually.
The story of Saul's transformation into Paul in Acts 9 further illustrates the journey from being a seer to a seeker. Saul's initial encounter with the light of Christ was a catalyst for a life of seeking, leading to profound transformation. This narrative encourages us to move beyond distractions and to focus on seeking God, trusting that in our seeking, we will find Him and experience new and greater encounters.
As we celebrate the light of the world this Christmas, let us commit to being seekers of God, setting ourselves in order to find Him continually. In doing so, we open ourselves to the fullness of His presence and the transformative power of His light in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Journey of Seeking: Our initial encounter with Jesus should be the beginning of a lifelong journey of seeking Him. This journey is about setting ourselves in order to find God continually, allowing each encounter to propel us into deeper relationship and understanding. [14:10]
2. Avoiding Stagnation: It's crucial not to become stagnant in our spiritual journey by clinging to past encounters. Instead, we should use these experiences as stepping stones to seek God more fervently, trusting that He has greater encounters waiting for us. [17:16]
3. The Power of Seeking: The Greek word "zetao" emphasizes the importance of seeking God. Our encounters with Him should lead us into seasons of seeking, where we align our lives to pursue Him with greater fervor, allowing His light to illuminate our path continually. [15:02]
4. Transformation through Seeking: Saul's transformation into Paul illustrates the power of seeking God. Despite initial distractions, Saul's encounter with Christ led to a life of seeking, resulting in profound transformation and a deeper understanding of God's purpose. [18:48]
5. The Promise of Seeking: The safest and most fulfilling path in life is to be a seeker of God. In our seeking, we are promised to find Him and experience new and greater encounters, allowing His light to transform our lives continually. [25:35]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:31] - The Christmas Story Begins
[05:58] - The Christmas Pageant Movie
[12:04] - Encountering Jesus
[14:10] - The Journey of Seeking
[15:02] - The Greek Word "Zetao"
[17:16] - Avoiding Stagnation
[18:48] - Saul's Transformation
[21:06] - The Promise of Seeking
[25:35] - Greater Encounters Await
[28:29] - The Importance of Seeking
[29:39] - The Power of Seeking
[30:50] - Aligning Your Life
[32:46] - The Season of Seeking
[36:17] - The Light of the World
[37:10] - Discipleship and Seeking
[39:30] - God's Game of Hide and Seek
[41:47] - Understanding the Encounter
[42:55] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:8-16
- Acts 9:1-19
- Matthew 7:7-8
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 2:8-16, what was the shepherds' initial reaction to the angel's message, and how did it change their actions? [02:31]
2. How does the story of Saul's transformation in Acts 9 illustrate the shift from being a "seer" to a "seeker"? [18:48]
3. What does the Greek word "zetao" mean, and how does it relate to our spiritual journey according to the sermon? [15:02]
4. How does the movie "The Christmas Pageant" illustrate the transformative power of encountering Jesus for the first time? [05:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the shepherds' decision to seek out Jesus after their encounter with the angel reflect the importance of moving beyond a single encounter with God? [14:10]
2. In what ways does Saul's story in Acts 9 demonstrate the potential for profound transformation through seeking God, despite initial distractions? [18:48]
3. How does the concept of "zetao" challenge us to continually seek God, and what might this look like in our daily lives? [15:02]
4. What are the dangers of becoming stagnant in our spiritual journey, as highlighted in the sermon, and how can we avoid this? [17:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your first encounter with Jesus. How has it shaped your spiritual journey, and what steps can you take to ensure it propels you into deeper seeking rather than stagnation? [12:04]
2. Identify a past spiritual encounter that you may have been clinging to. How can you use it as a stepping stone for further growth rather than a defining moment? [17:16]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God continually. What practical steps can you take this week to align your life with this pursuit? [15:02]
4. Consider the distractions in your life that may be hindering your spiritual growth. What changes can you make to focus more on seeking God? [21:06]
5. How can you apply the lesson from Saul's transformation to your own life, especially in areas where you feel spiritually blind or distracted? [18:48]
6. The sermon suggests that our measure of seeking determines the greatness of our next encounter with God. What specific actions can you take to increase your seeking this Christmas season? [25:35]
7. Reflect on the promise of seeking in Matthew 7:7-8. How can you incorporate this promise into your prayer life and daily routine? [28:29]
Devotional
Day 1: The Lifelong Journey of Seeking
Our spiritual journey begins with an initial encounter with Jesus, but it should not end there. This encounter is meant to be the starting point of a lifelong pursuit of knowing Him more deeply. The shepherds in Luke 2 exemplify this journey as they moved from witnessing the glory of the Lord to actively seeking the Savior. This journey is not about reliving past experiences but about setting ourselves up for new and greater encounters with God. The Greek word "zetao," meaning to seek, captures the essence of this journey, calling us to continually align our lives to pursue God with greater fervor. Each encounter with God should propel us into a deeper relationship and understanding of Him. [14:10]
"For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: 'Seek me and live; but do not seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal or cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nothing.'" (Amos 5:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to move beyond your initial encounter with Jesus and actively seek Him in your daily life?
Day 2: Avoiding Spiritual Stagnation
It's easy to become stagnant in our spiritual journey by clinging to past encounters with God. However, these experiences are meant to be stepping stones, not the entirety of our spiritual life. The danger lies in allowing a past encounter to define our entire journey, rather than using it as a catalyst for further growth. The story of the orphans in "The Christmas Pageant" illustrates how initial encounters with Christ should propel us into a life of seeking Him more deeply. By avoiding stagnation, we open ourselves to the greater encounters that God has in store for us. [17:16]
"Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." (Hebrews 6:1, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a past spiritual experience that you have been holding onto. How can you use it as a stepping stone to seek God more fervently today?
Day 3: The Power of Seeking
The Greek word "zetao" emphasizes the importance of seeking God continually. Our encounters with Him should lead us into seasons of seeking, where we align our lives to pursue Him with greater fervor. This seeking is not just about finding answers but about deepening our relationship with God, allowing His light to illuminate our path continually. The journey of seeking is a dynamic process that requires us to set our lives in order to find God continually, trusting that He will reveal Himself in new and profound ways. [15:02]
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you align your daily routine to prioritize seeking God and His presence?
Day 4: Transformation through Seeking
Saul's transformation into Paul in Acts 9 illustrates the power of seeking God. Despite initial distractions, Saul's encounter with the light of Christ was a catalyst for a life of seeking, resulting in profound transformation. This narrative encourages us to move beyond distractions and focus on seeking God, trusting that in our seeking, we will find Him and experience new and greater encounters. Saul's journey from being a seer to a seeker serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of seeking God with all our hearts. [18:48]
"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: What distractions in your life are preventing you from seeking God wholeheartedly? How can you address these distractions to focus on your spiritual growth?
Day 5: The Promise of Seeking
The safest and most fulfilling path in life is to be a seeker of God. In our seeking, we are promised to find Him and experience new and greater encounters, allowing His light to transform our lives continually. As we celebrate the light of the world this Christmas, let us commit to being seekers of God, setting ourselves in order to find Him continually. In doing so, we open ourselves to the fullness of His presence and the transformative power of His light in our lives. [25:35]
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can commit to seeking God more intentionally this week, trusting in His promise to reveal Himself to you?
Quotes
"There's a Greek word called zetao. It is the Greek word for to seek, seeking, and it means this, to set yourself in order to find, to set yourself in order to set yourself up to begin to find what you're supposed to have, to find where you're supposed to be, to find who you're supposed to be, and so even more than a life of encounter, a life of encounter is only supposed to create a life of seeking." [00:15:02] (33 seconds)
"Usually when you encounter him, in a moment of encounter, what you realize is all it is doing is humbling you and overwhelming you, and it is making you grateful for everything he did in the seeking. A moment of encounter is usually a revelation to say, I was here. I was there. I did this. I moved this mountain. I chopped this down. I killed this enemy. I brought this to your life, and only the things of encounter are usually a large, broad picture of highlighted moments where God came through in your life." [00:15:39] (36 seconds)
"It's moments of being so thankful for a revelation that God was always there all along. I love this verse. It says, taste and see that the Lord is good. When you encounter Jesus, it is nothing more than a taste that is trying to get you to live a life where you're running to see the light." [00:16:15] (24 seconds)
"There is something you must do after encounter to set yourself in order and set yourself up to reach the next places God has for you in your life or you live disappointed because you really made God the encounter and you made nothing about your life about seeking the one that created the encounter." [00:17:16] (18 seconds)
"Sometimes we become so distracted with religion or with legalism or with where we're supposed to be, what's supposed to be going on, that we miss even seeking. We miss seeking the one who's got all the answers already wrapped up for you, just setting them aside, waiting for you to get up and move toward him in the next thing, shepherds. And when you arrive, you re-find the light, and he will unveil all these things to you." [00:21:06] (27 seconds)
"Your promise as being a seeker. Is that even if you need to be blinded, you will find the light." [00:24:48] (9 seconds)
"Just so you know, your next encounter with Jesus should be greater than your first encounter, your last encounter, your last, last encounter, the 50 encounters before. Praise God, I hope you've had those. It should be greater and greater and greater and greater. Can I tell you what measures your next encounter and the greatness that it is?" [00:25:35] (21 seconds)
"The measure of your seeking will determine the measure of your next encounter." [00:26:04] (5 seconds)
"What you're wanting, what you need, what you woke up today for, what you came today for, it's all wrapped up in the fact that you choose to seek God every single day. And as you seek, it turns into reaping. If you read that in Galatians, that when you sow, then you also reap. And your life begins to overlap itself that as I seek, then I find. And as I seek, and then I find. But I want to set us up for this Christmas season that is about the light of the world. And if you want to experience and encounter the greatness of the light of the world, it is all dependent. It is all dependent on the measure in which you are willing to realign your life to begin to seek the one." [00:36:17] (46 seconds)
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