Embracing Bodily Redemption Through Spiritual Transformation

 

Summary

Reflecting on Holy Week, we delve into the profound significance of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, which mark the pinnacle of divine love and the turning point of human history. This week invites us to contemplate the bodily nature of these events, emphasizing that God incarnate in Jesus affirms the goodness of physical existence. The resurrection is not just a spiritual event but a bodily one, underscoring that our bodies are integral to God's redemptive plan. This truth challenges the notion that spiritual life is separate from our physical selves. Instead, it highlights that our bodies are central to our spiritual transformation.

As we journey through Dallas Willard's "Renovation of the Heart," we explore the role of our bodies in spiritual life. Often, we overlook the body, mistakenly viewing it as an obstacle to spirituality. However, true redemption involves the transformation of our physical selves, including our habits. Our bodies are where our personal kingdoms begin, and they are the instruments through which we express our will. Therefore, spiritual transformation necessitates the reformation of our habits, as they largely govern our behavior.

James Clear's insights on habit formation offer practical guidance. Motivation alone is insufficient; clarity and planning are crucial. The concept of habit stacking—adding new habits onto existing ones—can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth. By integrating spiritual practices into our daily routines, we can foster a deeper connection with God and facilitate the redemption of our bodies.

The early church exemplified this through their devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer—practices that involved their bodies. As we seek to follow Jesus, we are invited to consider what habits we can stack onto our existing routines to enhance our spiritual journey. In doing so, we open ourselves to God's transformative power, allowing Him to redeem our bodies and renew our habits.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Bodily Nature of Redemption: Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection affirm the goodness of physical existence, challenging the notion that spirituality is separate from our bodies. Our bodies are central to God's redemptive plan, and true spiritual transformation involves their renewal. [01:36]

2. Habits and Spiritual Transformation: Our habits largely govern our behavior, and spiritual transformation requires their reformation. By changing our habits, we align our physical actions with our spiritual goals, allowing God's power to work through us. [03:50]

3. The Power of Habit Stacking: Integrating new spiritual practices into existing routines can enhance our spiritual growth. Habit stacking allows us to seamlessly incorporate spiritual disciplines into our daily lives, fostering a deeper connection with God. [08:47]

4. Practical Steps for Habit Formation: Motivation alone is insufficient for habit change. Clarity and planning are crucial. By setting specific plans and stacking habits, we can effectively incorporate new practices into our lives, facilitating spiritual growth. [07:14]

5. Reflective Listening to God: Taking moments to listen to God and reflect on our habits can lead to spiritual insights and growth. By pausing to hear God's voice, we open ourselves to His guidance and the renewal of our bodies and habits. [11:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - The Significance of Holy Week
- [01:08] - The Birth of a Movement
- [01:36] - The Bodily Nature of Redemption
- [02:02] - Invitation to Good Friday
- [02:48] - Dallas Willard on the Body
- [03:10] - The Role of Habits in Transformation
- [04:04] - Character and Habits
- [05:26] - Incarnation and Redemption
- [06:08] - Practical Habit Formation
- [07:29] - The Diderot Effect
- [08:47] - Habit Stacking
- [09:55] - Acts 2 and Habit Stacking
- [11:02] - Listening to God
- [12:03] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body."
2. Acts 2:42-47 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 say about the nature of the resurrection body? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the bodily nature of redemption? [01:36]
2. According to Acts 2:42-47, what practices did the early church devote themselves to, and how did these involve their physical bodies? [10:08]
3. In the sermon, how does the speaker describe the role of habits in spiritual transformation? [03:50]
4. What is the concept of "habit stacking" as explained in the sermon, and how does it relate to spiritual growth? [08:47]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the bodily resurrection of Jesus challenge the notion that spirituality is separate from our physical existence? [01:36]
2. In what ways do the practices of the early church, as described in Acts 2, demonstrate the integration of physical actions with spiritual devotion? [10:08]
3. Why might the speaker suggest that motivation alone is insufficient for habit change, and what role does planning play in forming new habits? [07:14]
4. How does the concept of habit stacking provide a practical approach to integrating spiritual disciplines into daily life? [08:47]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any habits you could "stack" onto existing routines to deepen your spiritual life? [08:47]
2. Consider the role of your body in your spiritual journey. How can you affirm the goodness of your physical existence in your daily walk with God? [01:36]
3. Identify a habit that you feel is hindering your spiritual growth. What specific steps can you take to reform this habit in alignment with your spiritual goals? [03:50]
4. The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Which of these practices could you incorporate more intentionally into your life? [10:08]
5. Think about a time when you felt disconnected from God. How might integrating a new spiritual habit into your routine help you foster a deeper connection with Him? [11:16]
6. What is one specific way you can listen to God and reflect on your habits this week? How might this practice lead to spiritual insights and growth? [11:16]
7. How can you use the concept of habit stacking to incorporate gratitude or prayer into your daily routine? What existing habit could you attach these practices to? [09:25]

Devotional

Day 1: The Incarnation Affirms Our Physical Existence
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are not merely spiritual events; they affirm the goodness of our physical existence. By becoming incarnate, God in Jesus Christ demonstrates that our bodies are integral to His redemptive plan. This challenges the common misconception that spirituality is separate from our physical selves. Instead, it highlights that our bodies are central to our spiritual transformation. The resurrection, being a bodily event, underscores that redemption involves the renewal of our entire being, including our physical form. This truth invites us to embrace our bodies as part of our spiritual journey, recognizing that they are not obstacles but essential components of our relationship with God. [01:36]

"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you begin to view your body as an integral part of your spiritual life, rather than a separate or lesser aspect of your existence?


Day 2: Transforming Habits for Spiritual Growth
Our habits play a significant role in governing our behavior, and true spiritual transformation requires their reformation. Often, we overlook the importance of our physical actions in our spiritual journey, mistakenly viewing them as separate. However, by changing our habits, we align our physical actions with our spiritual goals, allowing God's power to work through us. This transformation involves a conscious effort to reform our habits, recognizing that they are the instruments through which we express our will and personal kingdoms. By doing so, we open ourselves to a deeper connection with God and a more profound spiritual transformation. [03:50]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one habit that does not align with your spiritual goals. What steps can you take today to begin transforming this habit?


Day 3: The Practice of Habit Stacking
Integrating new spiritual practices into existing routines can significantly enhance our spiritual growth. The concept of habit stacking involves adding new habits onto existing ones, making it easier to incorporate spiritual disciplines into our daily lives. This method allows us to seamlessly integrate practices such as prayer, meditation, or scripture reading into our routines, fostering a deeper connection with God. By doing so, we create a rhythm of spiritual growth that becomes a natural part of our daily lives, facilitating the redemption of our bodies and habits. [08:47]

"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: What is one spiritual practice you can add to an existing daily routine to enhance your spiritual growth?


Day 4: Planning for Habit Formation
Motivation alone is insufficient for habit change; clarity and planning are crucial. By setting specific plans and stacking habits, we can effectively incorporate new practices into our lives, facilitating spiritual growth. This involves creating a clear plan for how and when to implement new habits, ensuring that they align with our spiritual goals. By doing so, we create a structured approach to spiritual growth, allowing us to consistently engage in practices that deepen our relationship with God. [07:14]

"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty." (Proverbs 21:5, ESV)

Reflection: What specific plan can you create today to incorporate a new spiritual habit into your life?


Day 5: Listening to God's Guidance
Taking moments to listen to God and reflect on our habits can lead to spiritual insights and growth. By pausing to hear God's voice, we open ourselves to His guidance and the renewal of our bodies and habits. This practice involves setting aside time to be still and attentive to God's presence, allowing Him to reveal areas of our lives that need transformation. By doing so, we invite God's transformative power into our lives, enabling us to align our habits with His will and purpose. [11:16]

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)

Reflection: Set aside a few minutes today to be still and listen for God's guidance. What insights do you receive about your current habits and their alignment with your spiritual journey?

Quotes


and somehow god himself took on human flesh in jesus he died bodily in pain blood on a cross and then he was resurrected bodily and part of what that means is it's a reaffirmation that physical existence is good that the earth is not just an accident it was made by god and it will be redeemed by god and our bodies are at the center they are key players in this process of redemption [00:01:30]

often when people think about spiritual life the body is the last thing they think of sometimes people think that bodies flesh is a bad thing or that it gets in the way of spiritual life but actually there is no redemption that does not involve the redemption of our bodies and we're not going to live someday in heaven with little disembodied ghosts like casper we will have resurrected bodies [00:02:54]

mostly our behavior including our thoughts and our words get farmed out to our habits so very central to being redeemed to becoming a different kind of person to spiritual transformation is the change of our habits because it's real good that we live by habits but sin gets into our habits [00:03:44]

most of what is called character good and bad normal human life consists in what our bodies are or are not at the ready to do in the specific situations where we find ourselves habits that just get elicited these readinesses enter our consciousness mostly if at all through how we feel about things that we're directly moved by things and events around us [00:04:06]

we wear our souls on our sleeve even when we are oblivious to them and that governs the quality of our relations to others so there is no way to move towards being transformed that plows around the reality of our bodies and that's part of why jesus came in the body incarnation is a central truth of the christian message [00:05:19]

now this largely happens through the reformation of our habits so i want to talk in a very practical way for a couple of moments about habits this is from an author james clear a book that he writes atomic habits really good on habit formation which we want to do not as a human self-improvement project but where we invite god into the redemption of our body at the level of new habits [00:06:01]

interestingly the people that got motivated didn't exercise any more than the control group did but the people that had a specific plan were more than twice as likely as the others to exercise in other words james says often we think what we need is motivation but really we need clarity [00:07:10]

the tendency for one purchase to lead to another one has the name the dittero effect that obtaining one new possession often creates a spiral of consumption that leads to additional purchases and that's not just true when it comes to purchasing most many human behaviors follow this cycle you often decide what to do based on what you have just finished doing [00:07:31]

and you can use that to your advantage and do what he calls habit stacking that is if there's a habit that i want to add to my life the simplest way to do it is simply add it on to a habit that's already a part of my life for example prayer and meditation after i pour my cup of coffee every morning i will meditate for one minute [00:08:41]

the way of following jesus has always involved habit stacking though not always by that name so what's one habit that you want to add that would help as god brings you power to redeem your little body [00:10:54]

instead of rushing on to the next thing take 30 seconds to listen to god to reflect together with god jesus what did i just hear about my body and my habits is there anything that you are saying to me anything you want me to do differently today if there's not don't worry about it if something comes to mind then simply agree with him i will do that [00:11:16]

for the renewal of your habits and the redemption of your body [00:11:49]

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Transcript
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