Embracing Change: A Journey of Spiritual Growth
Summary
In this sermon, I emphasized the importance of having an active spiritual life, where we are in constant communication with God, responding to His guidance and movements in our lives. I stressed that while human energy alone cannot accomplish God's work, God also does not accomplish His purposes without our cooperation. This harmonious relationship between God's divine power and our human effort is both comforting and sobering. I also highlighted the importance of being open to change, as God often uses change to shape and form us into His image. I shared my personal testimony of how God led me to transition from my previous role as a pastor to my current ministry, emphasizing that this change was not easy or comfortable, but it was necessary for my spiritual growth and alignment with God's purpose for my life.
In the second part of the sermon, I discussed the concept of a disruptive gospel, which challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones and defaults. I explained that being a disruptive thinker means being open to God's movement in our lives, even when it's uncomfortable or goes against the status quo. I also emphasized that change is inevitable and necessary for our spiritual growth, and that we have a responsibility to participate in the change that God is initiating in our lives. I concluded the sermon by encouraging the congregation to embrace the change that God is working in their lives, trusting that God will not leave them hanging but will work in them to fulfill His good purposes.
Key Takeaways:
- We must maintain an active spiritual life, constantly communicating with God and responding to His guidance and movements in our lives. ([19:28])
- Change is often a sign of God's work in our lives, and we must be open to it, even when it's uncomfortable or challenging. ([21:10])
- We have a responsibility to participate in the change that God is initiating in our lives, cooperating with His divine power to accomplish His purposes. ([24:11])
- Embracing change and trusting in God's guidance can lead us to new opportunities and spiritual growth. ([25:47])
- The gospel is disruptive, challenging us to move beyond our comfort zones and defaults, and to live out our faith in a way that brings glory to God.
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 1:6 #!!19:28!!#
2. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 #!!21:10!!#
Observation Questions:
1. In Philippians 1:6, what does it mean when it says "the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ"?
2. In 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, what does it mean to be transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of a "disruptive gospel" relate to the idea of being transformed into His image as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18?
2. How does the promise in Philippians 1:6 of God completing the good work He started in us relate to the idea of a "disruptive gospel"?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a time when you felt God was disrupting your life to bring about change? How did you respond?
2. What are some areas in your life where you feel God might be calling you to change or grow? How can you cooperate with God in this process?
3. How can you apply the concept of a "disruptive gospel" in your daily life? Can you think of a specific situation where this might be applicable?
4. How can you demonstrate your faith in God's promise to complete the good work He started in you, especially during times of disruption and change?
5. How can you encourage others in your life to embrace the "disruptive gospel" and trust in God's transformative work in their lives?
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Disruptive Change
God often uses disruption to move us from our comfort zones, pushing us towards growth and transformation. This disruption, though uncomfortable, is a divine invitation to participate in the change God is orchestrating in our lives. It's a call to move beyond the status quo and embrace the new things God is doing in and through us ([19:28]).
Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent disruption in your life. How might God be using this disruption to invite you into a new season of growth and transformation?
Day 2: Active Participation in God's Work
God initiates the work in us, but we have a responsibility to respond and cooperate. This is not a passive process, but an active participation in the transformative work God is doing in us. It's a divine collaboration where we work out our salvation as God works within us ([21:10]).
Philippians 2:12 - "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
Reflection: In what areas of your life is God inviting you to actively participate in His transformative work? How can you respond and cooperate with God's work in these areas?
Day 3: The Gift of Discontentment
Sometimes, feelings of discontentment can be a gift from God, signaling that it's time for change. These feelings can be the Holy Spirit nudging us towards growth and transformation, inviting us to investigate the areas of our lives where we're not fully satisfied ([12:49]).
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you're feeling discontent? How might these feelings be an invitation from God to investigate and embrace change?
Day 4: The Power of God Working in Us
As we work out our salvation, God is working in us. This divine power at work within us enables us to live in a way that brings God glory and honors Him. It's a divine partnership where God's power and our responsibility work in harmony ([15:10]).
2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's power working in you as you work out your salvation? How can you lean into this divine power more in your daily life?
Day 5: Trusting God in the Midst of Change
Change can be unsettling, but we can trust that God will not leave us hanging. As we step out in faith, embracing the change God is orchestrating in our lives, we can trust that God is working in us to fulfill His good purposes ([25:47]).
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: How can you lean into trust as you navigate the changes God is orchestrating in your life? How might trusting God change your perspective on the disruptions you're experiencing?
Quotes
1. "A disruptive thinker is somebody who is willing to go beyond the status quo, a disruptive thinker is somebody who does not continuously go along with the herd mentality. Disruptive does mean that I am open to moving beyond my own comfort zone, that I am open to allowing God's space in my life to move me beyond where I am to where God desires me to be." - 08:20
2. "The gospel of Jesus Christ is a disruptive gospel. Jesus Christ our Savior our Lord was one who disrupted the status quo. He said no, I'm gonna go against the culture and when I become disruptive when I begin to understand that the change that I'm looking for that I desire in my life is me, I begin to challenge not only the culture but I get to begin to challenge my own thinking." - 10:14
3. "We have a responsibility in working out our own salvation and living in a way that brings God glory and being in a way that honors him. And so in that obligation and our responsibility we also understand that as we are working out our salvation as we take on the responsibility, the honest for change is on us. God has already done the work but in order for me to move forward in the work that God has done I have to choose to participate." - 15:10
4. "Change is necessary, we can see that in our bodies, we can see that in our life as we move from one season of life to another. Change is also inevitable, the only thing that's constant in life is change. The question is do I choose to participate in the change that God is allowing in my life?" - 12:49
5. "Don't fight the change that you feel like God is trying to do in your life. It is going to be uncomfortable, it is going to feel as though you're losing your footing, you are going to feel as though you don't know what's coming next. But the last time I check we don't walk by our feelings in our emotions, we walk by faith, we don't walk by sight and that's what makes this gospel so disruptive." - 25:47
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