Embracing Change: Finding True Rest in Christ
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we delved into Judges chapter 13, focusing on the importance of change and growth in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. I began by sharing a nostalgic story about Blockbuster Video, illustrating how their refusal to adapt led to their downfall. This serves as a metaphor for our spiritual lives; we must be willing to change and grow, unlike the Israelites in the book of Judges who repeatedly fell into the same patterns of sin and disobedience.
The Israelites' story is a cautionary tale. Despite God's continuous warnings and the provision of judges to guide them, they repeatedly did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. These judges, including Samson, were not like modern-day judges but were military leaders and deliverers meant to restore order temporarily. However, the Israelites would always revert to their sinful ways once the judge's influence waned.
The core issue was that the Israelites sought rest and fulfillment in the wrong places, often turning to pagan gods and the comforts of the world rather than relying on God. This led to a cycle of rebellion, oppression, and temporary relief, but never lasting peace. This pattern is not unlike our own lives when we seek rest and satisfaction in worldly things rather than in Christ.
The story of the judges, including Samson, serves as a reminder that true rest and transformation come only through a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. Earthly solutions and temporary fixes are just band-aids over a gaping wound. We need to submit our lives fully to Christ to experience lasting change and rest.
As we continue this series, let us focus on not repeating the mistakes of the Israelites. Instead, let us seek to grow and change, relying on Christ for our ultimate rest and transformation.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Danger of Stagnation: Just as Blockbuster failed to adapt and change, we too can fall into spiritual stagnation if we resist growth and transformation. As believers, we should always strive to mature in our faith, seeking evidence of change and growth in our lives. [03:12]
2. The Cycle of Sin and Temporary Relief: The Israelites repeatedly fell into a cycle of sin, oppression, and temporary relief through judges. This pattern highlights the futility of seeking rest and fulfillment in anything other than God. True transformation requires a deep, abiding relationship with Christ. [10:58]
3. Misplaced Trust and Idolatry: The Israelites often turned to pagan gods and the comforts of the world, thinking they would find rest and satisfaction. This misplaced trust led to their downfall. We must be cautious not to seek rest in worldly things but in Christ alone. [15:33]
4. The Impermanence of Earthly Rest: Rest on this earth without Christ is only temporary. The story of the judges shows that earthly solutions are mere band-aids over a deeper issue. Lasting rest and peace come only through Jesus Christ. [20:33]
5. The Need for Continuous Surrender: True rest and transformation come from continuously surrendering our lives to Christ. This involves a process of sanctification and growth, constantly remembering and relying on God's provision and grace. [26:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:53] - Blockbuster and the Importance of Change
[02:28] - The Rise and Fall of Blockbuster
[03:12] - The Need for Spiritual Growth
[04:04] - Introduction to Judges and Samson
[05:03] - The Purpose of Judges
[06:42] - Israel's Repeated Sin
[07:40] - Modern Parallels to Israel's Disobedience
[09:30] - God's Response to Israel's Sin
[10:58] - The Cycle of Judges
[12:11] - Joshua and the Promised Land
[14:12] - Israel's Temptation by Canaanite Comforts
[16:16] - The Search for Rest in the Wrong Places
[19:58] - The Impermanence of Earthly Rest
[21:35] - True Rest in Christ
[23:18] - The Temporary Nature of Earthly Solutions
[26:10] - Continuous Surrender to Christ
[28:41] - Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Judges 13:1 - "And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years."
2. Judges 2:16-19 - "Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the repeated behavior of the Israelites as described in Judges 13:1? ([06:42])
2. According to Judges 2:16-19, what was the role of the judges in Israel, and how did the people respond to them? ([10:19])
3. How did the Israelites' behavior change after the death of a judge? ([10:58])
4. What modern parallels did the pastor draw between the Israelites' disobedience and our current culture? ([07:40])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Israelites repeatedly fell back into sin and disobedience despite the judges' efforts? ([10:58])
2. How does the story of Blockbuster serve as a metaphor for spiritual stagnation and the need for change in our lives? ([02:28])
3. What does the cycle of sin and temporary relief in the book of Judges teach us about seeking rest and fulfillment in worldly things? ([16:16])
4. How does the concept of "continuous surrender" to Christ differ from seeking temporary fixes for our spiritual struggles? ([26:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you see a pattern of sin and temporary relief similar to the Israelites? How can you break this cycle? ([10:58])
2. The pastor mentioned the danger of seeking rest and satisfaction in worldly things. What are some specific worldly comforts you might be relying on instead of Christ? ([15:33])
3. How can you cultivate a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ to experience true transformation and rest? ([20:33])
4. What are some practical steps you can take to continuously surrender your life to Christ and avoid spiritual stagnation? ([26:10])
5. Think about a time when you resisted change in your spiritual life. What was the outcome, and how might embracing change have led to growth? ([03:12])
6. Identify one specific area in your life where God is calling you to change or grow. What steps will you take this week to respond to that call? ([05:50])
7. How can you support others in your small group to avoid the pitfalls of spiritual stagnation and encourage continuous growth in Christ? ([03:12])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Spiritual Growth
Description: The danger of spiritual stagnation is akin to the downfall of Blockbuster Video, which failed to adapt to changing times. As believers, we must be vigilant against becoming complacent in our faith. Spiritual growth is not a one-time event but a continuous journey. We should always strive to mature in our faith, seeking evidence of change and growth in our lives. This involves being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and being willing to make necessary changes in our lives to align more closely with God's will. [03:12]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you feel stagnant? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you grow in this area today?
Day 2: Breaking the Cycle of Sin
Description: The Israelites repeatedly fell into a cycle of sin, oppression, and temporary relief through judges. This pattern highlights the futility of seeking rest and fulfillment in anything other than God. True transformation requires a deep, abiding relationship with Christ. Just as the Israelites experienced temporary relief but never lasting peace, we too can fall into the trap of seeking temporary fixes for our spiritual struggles. Lasting change comes only through a committed relationship with Jesus Christ. [10:58]
Judges 2:18-19 (ESV): "Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them."
Reflection: Identify a recurring sin or struggle in your life. How can you seek lasting transformation through a deeper relationship with Christ rather than temporary solutions?
Day 3: Avoiding Misplaced Trust
Description: The Israelites often turned to pagan gods and the comforts of the world, thinking they would find rest and satisfaction. This misplaced trust led to their downfall. We must be cautious not to seek rest in worldly things but in Christ alone. When we place our trust in anything other than God, we set ourselves up for disappointment and failure. True rest and satisfaction can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who provides for all our needs. [15:33]
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
Reflection: What are some things in your life that you might be placing your trust in instead of God? How can you shift your focus to rely more on Christ for your rest and satisfaction?
Day 4: The Impermanence of Earthly Rest
Description: Rest on this earth without Christ is only temporary. The story of the judges shows that earthly solutions are mere band-aids over a deeper issue. Lasting rest and peace come only through Jesus Christ. Earthly comforts and solutions may provide temporary relief, but they cannot address the deeper spiritual needs we have. Only through a relationship with Christ can we find true and lasting peace. [20:33]
Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."
Reflection: Think about a time when you sought rest or peace in something other than Christ. How did it fall short? How can you seek true rest in Jesus today?
Day 5: Continuous Surrender to Christ
Description: True rest and transformation come from continuously surrendering our lives to Christ. This involves a process of sanctification and growth, constantly remembering and relying on God's provision and grace. Surrendering to Christ is not a one-time event but a daily commitment. It requires us to continually lay down our own desires and trust in God's plan for our lives. Through this ongoing process, we experience true transformation and rest. [26:10]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
1. "If you're a believer in Jesus Christ, you should always want to be changing and always want to be growing. And I hope for you in your life, when you think about your life, that there's evidence of change, that there's evidence of growth, that there's evidence of maturity. And this is why the book of Judges, was written because the people of God, the Israelites, they refused to change. They kept falling into the same pattern of sin over and over again." [03:12] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What is God telling you right now in your life about change? What is God pressing on your heart right now that needs to change, that needs to mature in your life? And then even with that, what are the warning signs that he's showing you? What's the conviction or pull on your heart to stop doing the same things over and over? And that's what I hope that you can have from the Lord clarity on this morning." [05:50] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Does that sound maybe a little bit like our culture today? Where we disregard the truth of God's word? Where perhaps we define what is right and wrong based on our own judgment? We do it with gender. We say, I get to be called wherever I want. We do it with pronouns. I get to be called whatever I want. We do it with right and wrong. We do it with who belongs and who doesn't. We make that choice versus what God states." [07:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Friends, that's nearly 100% who wanted to terminate their child because of DS. Not seeing the humanity, not seeing that they are made in the image of God. And friends, that is tragic. That's not just politics. That's us doing what is right. Right in our own eyes. Not holding to a standard that is higher where God says we're created in his image. And this is a problem today, and it was a problem then." [09:30] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Rest on this earth without Christ is only temporary. It's not lasting. And that's the point of the judges. That's going to be the point of this series. And Samson, Samson is a really imperfect judge. And he's there to restore order for a moment. But they go right back. Why? Because Israel's looking for rest. And friends, these judges are band-aids to a massive, caping hole. And this is why we need Christ." [20:33] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We find it in the finished work of a Savior who came and lived the life that we should have lived and died the death that we were condemned to die and resurrected from the grave and now reigns and who's sitting at the right hand of God. He's at the right hand of the Father and he reigns over all things. That is where we find rest. And let me tell you why this story exists. This story exists to show us that you weren't designed to find rest fully here." [21:35] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Samson and the judges are gonna remind us that anything that we try to do and anything that we try to change in our life without Christ is only gonna be temporary. And some of you have come here this morning because you want to see your life fixed. You wanna have a better life. And what happens if we do that without Christ, we end up doing this religious practices. Well, I came to church and I sang songs and I gave and I took communion and I served and I was nice to people." [23:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The true rest is found when we submit our life and our heart to Christ fully. And that was the problem of Israel. We looked for heavenly restoration and change and transformation, not earthly. A.W. Tozer says, the restless troubled soul is one of the greatest barriers for finding peace in Christ. He says, we must learn, we must learn to rest in the assurance of his love and of his grace. Friends, I hope that's you this morning." [24:34] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Perhaps you are relying on your own strength or you're relying on the amenities that we have in this world to comfort you. And friends, I gotta tell you this morning, don't repeat the same idolatry and the same sin as the Israelites. Perhaps you would just be fully reliant on Christ this morning. And so the change that you experience is not being like Samson. It's not being like Israel. It's running to the savior who promises you rest. It's my hope that you would do that this morning." [26:43] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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