Embracing a Spirit-Led Life Together in Worship

 

Summary

In today's discourse, we delved into the profound reality of being Spirit-led, a calling that transcends mere human understanding and ventures into the divine orchestration of our lives. We explored the symbiotic partnership between the Father and the Son, where Jesus exemplifies a life so intertwined with the Father that He does nothing without this deep connection. This is the model for our lives as believers, to be so connected with God that our actions are a reflection of His will.

We addressed the challenges that come with striving to see beyond the physical realm, acknowledging the 'Dome' of spiritual blindness that can weigh heavily upon us. The Gospel, in its transformative power, seeks to shatter this Dome, but it is a task that cannot be accomplished in isolation. The necessity of agreement and permission-giving relationships within the body of Christ is paramount. We must move away from using Scripture as a boundary to limit us and instead embrace it as a springboard to liberation.

Furthermore, we discussed the current state of worship and the corporate gathering of believers. Worship must be an encounter that we cannot replicate alone; it should be a collective experience that propels us into the presence of God. The church must become a place where we support each other's spiritual breakthroughs, where leaders guide us into encounters with God, and where Scripture is not just read but encountered and lived.

We also touched on the importance of being kingdom revolutionaries, individuals who are curious, creative, and willing to make mistakes for the sake of innovation in the Spirit. This requires bravery and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Lastly, we spoke about the role of the church in spiritual warfare, emphasizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. We have been given both the authority and the power to confront these spiritual forces, and it is our mandate to understand the timing and strategy to engage in this battle effectively.

Key Takeaways:

1. Being Spirit-led is not a passive state but an active pursuit of divine connection. It requires a deep and intentional relationship with God, where our actions are a direct reflection of His will. This connection is not just for our benefit but for the edification of the entire body of Christ. [01:41:49]

2. The Gospel is powerful enough to break through the 'Dome' of spiritual blindness, but it requires the collective effort of the church. We must foster environments that encourage spiritual growth and freedom, using Scripture to liberate rather than to limit. [01:43:40]

3. Worship is not merely a personal experience but a corporate one that should lead us into the presence of God. The church must be a place where believers can encounter God together, supporting one another's spiritual journey and experiencing the fullness of Scripture. [01:51:49]

4. As kingdom revolutionaries, we are called to be agents of change, unafraid to ask questions and challenge the norms. This requires a boldness to innovate and a readiness to embrace the possibility of making mistakes in the pursuit of God's kingdom. [01:35:40]

5. Spiritual warfare is a responsibility of the church, and we must engage with the understanding that we have been given both the authority and the power to confront spiritual forces. Our engagement must be strategic, informed by Scripture, and led by the Spirit. [02:01:31]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 5:19 (NIV) - "Jesus gave them this answer: 'Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'"
2. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
3. Hebrews 5:14 (NIV) - "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 5:19, what is the relationship between Jesus and the Father? How does this relationship serve as a model for believers? [01:41:49]
2. In Ephesians 6:12, who are the true adversaries in our spiritual struggle? How does this passage redefine our understanding of spiritual warfare? [02:01:31]
3. Hebrews 5:14 speaks about maturity. What is the key to becoming mature according to this verse? How does this relate to being Spirit-led? [01:49:03]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' example of doing only what He sees the Father doing (John 5:19) challenge our daily decision-making and actions as believers? [01:41:49]
2. Ephesians 6:12 emphasizes that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. How should this understanding influence our approach to conflicts and challenges in our lives? [02:01:31]
3. Hebrews 5:14 mentions that maturity comes from constant practice. What are some practical ways we can train ourselves to distinguish good from evil in our daily lives? [01:49:03]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. How can you deepen this connection to ensure your actions reflect His will more accurately? What specific steps can you take this week to pursue a more Spirit-led life? [01:41:49]
2. The sermon mentioned the 'Dome' of spiritual blindness. Have you experienced moments where you felt spiritually blind or disconnected? What can you do to foster an environment that encourages spiritual growth and freedom in your community? [01:43:40]
3. Worship was described as a corporate experience that should lead us into the presence of God. How can you contribute to making your church's worship more impactful and communal? What changes can you suggest or implement? [01:51:49]
4. As kingdom revolutionaries, we are called to be agents of change. What is one area in your life or community where you feel called to innovate or challenge the status quo? How can you approach this with bravery and a willingness to make mistakes? [01:35:40]
5. Spiritual warfare requires both authority and power. How can you better understand and utilize the authority and power given to you by God to confront spiritual forces? What resources or practices can help you engage in this battle more effectively? [02:01:31]
6. Think about a recent worship service you attended. Did it feel like a personal or corporate encounter with God? What elements contributed to that experience, and how can you help enhance the collective worship experience in your church? [01:51:49]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of agreement and permission-giving relationships within the body of Christ. How can you build and nurture such relationships in your small group or church community? What practical steps can you take to support each other's spiritual breakthroughs? [01:43:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Connection: Our Active Pursuit
To be Spirit-led is to actively seek a profound connection with God, where our every action is a reflection of His will. This pursuit goes beyond passive spirituality; it is an intentional and continuous journey towards aligning our hearts, minds, and deeds with the divine. It is about cultivating a relationship with God that is so deep that it influences every aspect of our lives, guiding us in decisions, interactions, and our purpose. This connection is not solely for personal edification but serves as a beacon of God's presence within the community of believers, encouraging and strengthening the entire body of Christ. It is a call to live out our faith with authenticity and power, demonstrating the transformative effect of a life led by the Spirit. [01:41:49]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." - John 15:4 ESV

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper connection with God today, and what specific steps will you take to ensure your actions reflect His will?

Day 2: Breaking the 'Dome' of Spiritual Blindness
The Gospel holds the power to break through the barriers of spiritual blindness, a 'Dome' that often prevents us from seeing the fullness of God's reality. This breakthrough, however, is not a solitary endeavor but one that requires the collective effort and unity of the church. As believers, we are called to create environments that foster spiritual growth and freedom. Scripture should be used as a tool for liberation, challenging us to expand our understanding and application of God's Word. It is about moving from a place of restriction to one of empowerment, where the truth of the Gospel enables us to live in the freedom for which Christ has set us free. [01:43:40]

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." - Acts 2:42 ESV

Reflection: What steps can you take to contribute to a church environment that encourages spiritual growth and freedom for yourself and others?

Day 3: Corporate Worship: Encountering God Together
Worship is an experience that transcends individual expression; it is a corporate encounter that unites believers in the presence of God. The church must be a place where worship is not just a routine but a profound experience that draws us closer to God and to one another. It is in the gathering of believers that we find strength, encouragement, and the manifestation of God's presence in ways that cannot be replicated in solitude. This collective worship is a catalyst for spiritual breakthroughs and a deeper understanding of Scripture, as we encounter and live out the Word of God together. [01:51:49]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

Reflection: How can your participation in corporate worship lead to a deeper encounter with God and support the spiritual journey of others?

Day 4: Kingdom Revolutionaries: Bold Agents of Change
As kingdom revolutionaries, we are called to be curious, creative, and courageous, willing to step out in faith and challenge the status quo for the sake of God's kingdom. This calling requires a boldness to innovate and a readiness to embrace the possibility of making mistakes. It is about being agents of change who are not afraid to ask difficult questions and pursue God's vision with passion and determination. Being a kingdom revolutionary means taking risks for the advancement of the Gospel, fostering an environment where the Spirit's creativity can flourish, and where new paths for ministry and worship can be forged. [01:35:40]

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

Reflection: What is one way you can be a bold agent of change in your community, and what is the first step you will take to initiate this transformation?

Day 5: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare with Authority and Power
The church's role in spiritual warfare is to engage with the understanding that we have been given both the authority and the power to confront spiritual forces. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers that seek to oppose the purposes of God. As believers, we must be strategic in our engagement, informed by Scripture, and led by the Spirit. It is our mandate to discern the timing and strategy to effectively battle these forces, standing firm in the victory Christ has already won. This engagement is not just for our own sake but for the liberation and advancement of God's kingdom on earth. [02:01:31]

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." - 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 ESV

Reflection: What area of your life requires strategic spiritual warfare, and how can you apply the authority and power you have in Christ to confront it?

Quotes

1) "The call now is to be curious, to create, to break things, to ask why, to experiment, to understand that you're catalyzers not organizers. The call is to be kingdom of God revolutionaries under God to throw grenades, to challenge, to provoke, to innovate." [01:35:40] (Download | )

2) "The good news gospel wants to smash the 'Dome'. It's almost impossible to do it in isolation... you need agreement and the agreement has got to be very permission giving." [01:43:40] (Download | )

3) "Worship for me is adoration and encounter corporately that I can't do by myself... the corporate gathering does nothing for me that I don't get actually more enhanced from staying behind my computer." [01:51:49] (Download | )

4) "The name of the Lord is a strong tower... Can I live that scripture? Can I encounter that scripture? Can that scripture become more than information to me? Can that scripture become my lived experience?" [01:55:04] (Download | )

5) "Our wrestle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers... we are the only beings in the world apart from God with power and authority both delegated to us." [01:58:06] (Download | )

6) "Solid food is for the mature who by virtue of practice have learned to distinguish what is God and what is not God, what is good and what is evil." [01:50:12] (Download | )

7) "I would rather manage you in the excesses of life than manage you in the excesses of your death. It's a choice of a leadership style." [01:46:22] (Download | )

8) "You need to be in Joshua 5:10 and you need to be in Ephesians because you need to be able to understand how I put my foot on the neck of the principalities and powers that run this nation." [02:00:56] (Download | )

9) "Spirit filled and spirit led... every numbness comes off, every shut-downness is destroyed in Jesus' name, every coffin of emotional stagnation is broken that you may feel and see and taste and touch and know the fullness of the encountering spirit of God." [02:08:06] (Download | )

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Feb 18, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?