Embracing Childlike Faith in Spiritual Encounters
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound and often challenging concept of faith, particularly through the lens of childlike belief. We began by considering our initial reactions to a child's testimony of a spiritual encounter. This led us to question how God desires us to respond to such experiences. The Bible emphasizes the value of children and warns against causing them to stumble, highlighting the importance of nurturing their faith. This reflection invites us to examine our own skepticism and to strive for a faith as pure and trusting as that of a child.
We delved into the biblical accounts of supernatural encounters, such as Samuel hearing God's voice and Elisha's servant witnessing the heavenly army. These stories remind us that the spiritual realm is real and active, challenging us to embrace a faith that acknowledges the unseen. The Bible is not merely a historical document but a living guide that encourages us to seek and experience God actively.
The sermon also touched on the concept of the temple, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament context. While the physical temple was a place where God's glory was manifest, the New Testament teaches that we, as believers, are now the temple of God. This profound truth calls us to unity and love, as our collective faith and love for one another create a dwelling place for God's Spirit.
Finally, we were encouraged to pursue a faith that is not just intellectual but experiential. The promise of God manifesting Himself to those who love and obey Him is a treasure we are invited to seek. This pursuit requires a childlike faith, a willingness to believe and trust in God's promises, and a commitment to love one another deeply.
Key Takeaways:
- Childlike Faith: Embrace a faith that is as pure and trusting as a child's. Jesus emphasized the importance of children and their faith, urging us to protect and nurture it. Our skepticism can hinder our spiritual growth, and we are called to approach God with the same openness and trust as a child. [04:36]
- The Reality of the Spiritual Realm: The Bible is filled with accounts of supernatural encounters, reminding us that the spiritual realm is real and active. Our faith should acknowledge and embrace the unseen, understanding that our struggles are not merely physical but spiritual. [09:17]
- We Are the Temple: In the New Testament, believers are described as the temple of God, where His Spirit dwells. This truth calls us to unity and love, as our collective faith creates a dwelling place for God's presence. Our relationships within the church are sacred and should reflect this divine reality. [19:07]
- Experiential Faith: Our faith should not be limited to intellectual understanding but should be an active pursuit of experiencing God. The Bible is a guide that leads us to seek and encounter God, encouraging us to step out in faith and trust in His promises. [10:44]
- The Promise of Manifestation: Jesus promised that He would manifest Himself to those who love and obey Him. This promise invites us to seek a deeper relationship with God, where His presence is tangible and transformative. Our love for one another is a key component in this divine encounter. [30:51]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:36] - Initial Reactions to Faith
- [04:23] - The Value of Childlike Faith
- [05:24] - Wrestling with Doubt
- [07:04] - Biblical Discernment
- [08:13] - Supernatural Encounters in Scripture
- [09:33] - Entertaining Angels Unaware
- [10:26] - True Biblical Faith
- [12:02] - The Glory of the Lord
- [13:43] - God's Desire for Fellowship
- [16:42] - We Are the Temple
- [18:51] - Unity and Love in the Church
- [23:32] - The New Testament Temple
- [25:03] - Abiding in Love
- [30:51] - The Promise of Manifestation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 18:6 - "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
2. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 - The story of Samuel hearing God's voice.
3. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 - "Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?"
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus say about the importance of children and their faith in Matthew 18:6? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on childlike faith? [04:36]
2. In 1 Samuel 3, how does Samuel respond to hearing God's voice, and what does this teach us about recognizing spiritual encounters? [08:13]
3. According to 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, what does it mean for believers to be the temple of God? How does this concept challenge our understanding of community and unity in the church? [19:07]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of supernatural encounters in the Bible, and what examples are given to illustrate this? [09:17]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6 about causing children to stumble influence the way we approach and nurture childlike faith in our communities? [04:36]
2. What can we learn from Samuel’s experience in 1 Samuel 3 about being open to hearing God’s voice today? How does this story challenge our skepticism? [08:13]
3. In what ways does understanding ourselves as the temple of God, as described in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, impact our relationships within the church? How does this shape our collective faith and love? [19:07]
4. The sermon suggests that the Bible is more than a historical document but a guide to experiencing God. How does this perspective change the way we read and apply scripture in our lives? [10:44]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your initial reactions to spiritual experiences, especially those shared by children. How can you cultivate a more open and trusting faith like that of a child? [04:23]
2. Consider a time when you felt skeptical about a spiritual encounter. What steps can you take to embrace a faith that acknowledges the unseen and the spiritual realm? [09:17]
3. How can you actively contribute to the unity and love within your church community, knowing that you are part of God’s temple? What practical steps can you take this week to strengthen these relationships? [19:07]
4. The sermon encourages an experiential faith. What is one way you can seek to experience God more deeply in your daily life? How can you move beyond intellectual understanding to a more active pursuit of God’s presence? [10:44]
5. Jesus promises to manifest Himself to those who love and obey Him. What specific actions can you take to deepen your love for God and others, thereby inviting His presence into your life? [30:51]
6. Reflect on the concept of being hospitable to others, as mentioned in Hebrews 13:2. How can you practice hospitality in a way that acknowledges the possibility of entertaining angels unaware? [09:33]
7. How can you encourage and nurture the faith of children in your life, ensuring that you do not cause them to stumble but rather help them grow in their relationship with God? [04:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Childlike Faith
Faith is often seen as a journey of growth and maturity, yet Jesus calls us to embrace a faith that is as pure and trusting as that of a child. This kind of faith is not naive but is marked by openness, wonder, and a deep trust in God's goodness. Children naturally believe in the unseen and are quick to trust those they love. In the same way, we are invited to approach God with a heart that is open and willing to believe in His promises, even when they seem beyond our understanding. Our skepticism can often hinder our spiritual growth, and we are encouraged to let go of doubt and embrace a faith that is simple yet profound. [04:36]
Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): "And he said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"
Reflection: Think of an area in your life where skepticism has taken root. How can you approach this area with the openness and trust of a child today?
Day 2: Acknowledging the Spiritual Realm
The Bible is filled with accounts of supernatural encounters, reminding us that the spiritual realm is real and active. Stories like Samuel hearing God's voice and Elisha's servant witnessing the heavenly army challenge us to embrace a faith that acknowledges the unseen. Our struggles are not merely physical but spiritual, and recognizing this reality can transform how we approach life's challenges. By understanding that the spiritual realm is active, we can better align our lives with God's purposes and seek His guidance in all things. [09:17]
2 Kings 6:17 (ESV): "Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.' So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
Reflection: Consider a current struggle you are facing. How might acknowledging the spiritual realm change your perspective and approach to this situation?
Day 3: We Are the Temple
In the New Testament, believers are described as the temple of God, where His Spirit dwells. This profound truth calls us to unity and love, as our collective faith creates a dwelling place for God's presence. Our relationships within the church are sacred and should reflect this divine reality. As the temple of God, we are called to live in a way that honors His presence within us, fostering an environment of love, unity, and holiness. This understanding challenges us to examine how we interact with others and how we contribute to the spiritual health of our community. [19:07]
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."
Reflection: Reflect on your relationships within your church community. How can you contribute to creating a dwelling place for God's Spirit through unity and love?
Day 4: Pursuing Experiential Faith
Our faith should not be limited to intellectual understanding but should be an active pursuit of experiencing God. The Bible is a guide that leads us to seek and encounter God, encouraging us to step out in faith and trust in His promises. Experiential faith involves engaging with God in a way that goes beyond mere knowledge, allowing His presence to transform our lives. This pursuit requires a willingness to believe and trust in God's promises, stepping out in faith to experience His love and power in tangible ways. [10:44]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: Identify one area where you can step out in faith this week. What practical steps can you take to actively pursue experiencing God in this area?
Day 5: The Promise of Manifestation
Jesus promised that He would manifest Himself to those who love and obey Him. This promise invites us to seek a deeper relationship with God, where His presence is tangible and transformative. Our love for one another is a key component in this divine encounter, as it reflects the love of Christ and creates an environment where His Spirit can dwell. Pursuing this promise requires a commitment to love deeply and to live in obedience to God's commands, trusting that He will reveal Himself to us in profound ways. [30:51]
John 14:21 (ESV): "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."
Reflection: Reflect on your love for others and your obedience to God's commands. How can you deepen your relationship with God by loving others more fully and living in greater obedience today?
Quotes
"I want you to think what what's your first response when you see that like the first thing that comes to your mind because I think there's different responses in this room I think there's some that you see that and you just the thought is okay kids they have an imagination and maybe she got mixed up with her dream um or maybe she heard something and she's just making it up and then there's others that your first thought is wow I think that's real I think she really saw something and that very well could have been the Holy Spirit." [00:03:21]
"The Bible talks about how precious the children are to God and one of the most terrifying passages is if you cause one of these little ones to some stumble it's better for you to tie a millstone around your neck and then just jump into the ocean with it those are the words of Christ and so you know there's this this part of me I I'll tell you years ago I would have been a one of those that just said okay come on let's get back to the Bible we're a Bible teaching Church." [00:04:31]
"Wait a second that happened to Samuel Ember for Samuel 3 when Samuel wakes up because you know we hear someone calling him and so he runs over to to the to the priests and it's like hey did you call me he goes no go back to bed and then he hears the voice again so he goes running like hey hey did you call me he goes and then he realizes wait a second maybe God is speaking to you when you go back if you hear that voice." [00:07:58]
"Elisha is with his servant and they're afraid because his army's coming towards them and Elisha prays that God would you open his eyes and suddenly his servant sees like whoa this Mountainside is full of angels and these Chariots of Fire like you know suddenly you realize I don't have to fear anything because his eyes were open to this invisible Realm that's real everything we say we believe in is that this wrestle that we have is not flesh and blood." [00:08:43]
"Some have entertained angels unaware that's why he said you should be hospitable to whoever you meet because some people have actually entertained angels and they didn't even know it so this is scripture and I think the reason why I've wrestled with some of these things was that term Bible Church or biblical church is a term that's been hijacked by people who don't believe in Supernatural events you know it's like no just study the Bible but what if the Bible actually causes us to believe in these things." [00:09:36]
"Do we believe that happened that at the completion of the Temple the glory of the Lord actually filled the temple so much so that the priests couldn't even enter it's terrifying you read about it more in a I think the second chronicles 7. um where you know in fact let me turn there no you just read it on your own time okay but it's this whole idea of they put these sacrifices in the temple and fire comes down from heaven consumes these sacrifices the glory of the Lord fills the temple." [00:12:25]
"Know that those words you know want to see you they're like do you not know that's the plural form of you so we don't say it out here but it's y'all okay um or all y'all so to all y'all not know that all y'all are God's Temple singular okay so so there's this in scripture it's saying that all of us together form one Temple which this passage you know this is why we need to be so honoring to one another and that's why division in the church is so ugly." [00:18:57]
"Jesus saying this is my new commandment now that you've seen the way I love you I gave my life for you I want you to love one another that way that we are to love one another with the love of Christ and God says then I'll abide with you and then here's uh just uh I love this John 14. 21-23 Whoever has my Commandments and keeps them he it is who loves me and he who loves me Will Be Loved by my father and I will love him and manifest myself to him." [00:26:56]
"Judas is understanding what Jesus is saying is what are you saying you're gonna show up what are you gonna be white and gold outside my window you know like what what what is this manifestation what's it going to be you know he says how are you going to do this and then the next verse um Jesus answer if anyone loves me he'll keep my word and my father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him there's some way this is so fascinating you guys." [00:30:34]
"That's a big part of what we want to go after tonight is this faith that says God all through history this is what we've been studying in this book you keep coming down and encountering people and then in the New Testament you make it sound like it's available to all of us who are in Christ and that this Glory should far exceed what we see in the Old Testament and I want us to be an absolute Bible believing Church but I believe what that means is that we study this book and we believe it." [00:33:05]
"I want you to think what what's your first response when you see that like the first thing that comes to your mind because I think there's different responses in this room I think there's some that you see that and you just the thought is okay kids they have an imagination and maybe she got mixed up with her dream um or maybe she heard something and she's just making it up and then there's others that your first thought is wow I think that's real I think she really saw something and that very well could have been the Holy Spirit." [00:03:21]
"Whether he shows up in a way you can see him touch him experience him or if the spirit does something in you inwardly he brings a conviction or gives you a gift or a word of knowledge this is our only hope is that the spirit reveals God to us and that Jesus manifests in some way tonight Holy Father as we pray to you as we sing to you we believe that you hear us from heaven we believe we can come before your throne of grace and that will receive Mercy and find Grace in our time of need because your word says so." [00:35:20]
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