Embracing Death to Self for True Transformation
Summary
On this beautiful day in California, I want to explore the concept of "death to self" and how it leads to a fuller, more vibrant life. This might seem like an odd topic for such a lovely day, but it's actually quite fitting. To be dead to self is to be alive to life in all its dimensions. When we deny ourselves, setting aside our immediate desires for something greater, we open ourselves to transformation. This is true in art, athletics, and especially in our spiritual lives.
Dallas Willard, in his book "Renovation of the Heart," emphasizes the importance of self-denial as a path to spiritual growth. Initially, we must consciously reject our immediate wants and look for God's grace to guide us. A practical way to practice this is the "15-minute rule." When you feel an urge to do something that might not be beneficial, pause for 15 minutes, talk to God, and then decide if you still want to proceed. This small practice helps us exercise the muscle of self-denial.
Being dead to self means not being surprised or offended when we don't get what we want. It means not letting our desires control us. Dietrich Bonhoeffer speaks of the "ministry of interruptions," where God crosses our paths with unexpected events or people. The Bible is full of such divine interruptions, from Abraham to Esther. The Good Samaritan is a prime example of someone who was open to being interrupted, showing compassion and generosity.
Dallas Willard also discusses how those who are dead to self are less affected by social slights or discomforts. They are free from the need for approval and the enslavement of vanity. This freedom allows us to love more fully and live with a lightness of spirit. As we grow in this practice, we become more alive to God and the life He offers.
Key Takeaways:
- Death to Self as Life's Gateway: Embracing death to self is not about deprivation but about opening oneself to a richer, more meaningful life. By setting aside immediate desires, we align ourselves with a higher purpose and experience true transformation. [02:02]
- The 15-Minute Rule: This simple practice of pausing for 15 minutes before acting on an impulse can help us exercise self-control and discernment. It allows us to consult with God and make choices that honor Him. [03:51]
- Embracing Divine Interruptions: Being open to God's interruptions in our lives can lead to unexpected blessings and growth. Like the Good Samaritan, we should be ready to set aside our plans to help others. [06:48]
- Freedom from Vanity: True freedom comes from being less concerned with others' opinions and more focused on God's view of us. This liberation allows us to live with joy and authenticity. [09:46]
- Living for God's Approval: As we practice self-denial, we become less governed by vanity and more attuned to God's will. This shift brings a deeper sense of peace and purpose. [10:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - A Beautiful Day in California
- [00:46] - Introduction to Death to Self
- [01:11] - The Artist's Journey
- [01:50] - Transformation Through Self-Denial
- [02:14] - Dallas Willard's Insights
- [03:03] - The 15-Minute Rule
- [04:04] - Being Dead to Self
- [05:08] - The Ministry of Interruptions
- [06:23] - Biblical Examples of Interruptions
- [06:48] - The Good Samaritan
- [07:30] - Recognizing the Dear Self
- [08:38] - Freedom from Vanity
- [09:46] - Spiritual Growth and Vanity
- [10:53] - Living Alive to God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 10:25-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan)
2. Matthew 16:24-25 (Jesus on Denying Self)
3. Romans 12:1-2 (Living Sacrifices and Transformation)
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Observation Questions:
1. In the sermon, how does the speaker describe the concept of "death to self"? What are some examples given from art and athletics? [01:50]
2. What is the "15-minute rule" mentioned in the sermon, and how is it suggested to be used in daily life? [03:03]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the idea of "divine interruptions" using the story of the Good Samaritan? [06:48]
4. According to the sermon, what are some signs that someone is "dead to self"? How does this affect their response to social slights or discomforts? [07:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "death to self" in Matthew 16:24-25 relate to the idea of living a fuller life as discussed in the sermon? [02:02]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that practicing self-denial can lead to spiritual growth and transformation? [02:14]
3. How does the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 exemplify the idea of being open to divine interruptions? What might this look like in modern life? [06:48]
4. Romans 12:1-2 talks about being transformed by the renewing of the mind. How does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on freedom from vanity and living for God's approval? [09:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt the urge to act impulsively. How could the "15-minute rule" have changed your response? [03:03]
2. Think of a time when you were interrupted by an unexpected event or person. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in the future to embrace these "divine interruptions"? [06:48]
3. Identify an area in your life where you seek approval from others. What steps can you take to focus more on God's view of you rather than others' opinions? [09:46]
4. Consider a personal desire or habit that you feel controls you. How can you practice self-denial in this area to align more closely with God's will? [04:41]
5. The sermon mentions being less affected by social slights. How can you cultivate a mindset that is less concerned with others' opinions and more focused on living authentically? [07:01]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt offended because you didn't get what you wanted. How can embracing "death to self" change your perspective in similar situations? [04:55]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of pausing and consulting with God before making decisions in your daily routine? What impact do you think this could have on your spiritual life? [03:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Self-Denial for Transformation
Setting aside immediate desires is not about deprivation but about aligning oneself with a higher purpose and experiencing true transformation. This concept of "death to self" is a gateway to a richer, more meaningful life. By consciously rejecting our immediate wants, we open ourselves to God's grace and the possibility of spiritual growth. This practice is not limited to spiritual life but is evident in art and athletics, where discipline and self-denial lead to mastery and fulfillment. Embracing this mindset allows us to be more alive to life in all its dimensions. [02:02]
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25, ESV)
Reflection: What immediate desire can you set aside today to align more closely with God's purpose for your life?
Day 2: Practicing the 15-Minute Rule
The 15-minute rule is a practical tool for exercising self-control and discernment. When faced with an impulse that may not be beneficial, pausing for 15 minutes allows us to consult with God and make choices that honor Him. This small practice helps us develop the muscle of self-denial, enabling us to resist the pull of immediate gratification. By taking this time to reflect and pray, we can better align our actions with our spiritual values and long-term goals. [03:51]
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (Psalm 37:7, ESV)
Reflection: Next time you feel an impulse to act, can you pause for 15 minutes and seek God's guidance before deciding?
Day 3: Welcoming Divine Interruptions
Being open to God's interruptions in our lives can lead to unexpected blessings and growth. The concept of the "ministry of interruptions" suggests that God often crosses our paths with unexpected events or people. The Good Samaritan is a prime example of someone who was open to being interrupted, showing compassion and generosity. By embracing these divine interruptions, we can experience growth and blessings that we might otherwise miss if we rigidly stick to our plans. [06:48]
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven." (Acts 9:3, ESV)
Reflection: Can you recall a recent interruption in your life? How might God be using it to bring about growth or blessing?
Day 4: Finding Freedom from Vanity
True freedom comes from being less concerned with others' opinions and more focused on God's view of us. Those who are dead to self are less affected by social slights or discomforts, freeing them from the need for approval and the enslavement of vanity. This liberation allows us to love more fully and live with a lightness of spirit. As we grow in this practice, we become more alive to God and the life He offers. [09:46]
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways are you seeking approval from others? How can you shift your focus to seeking God's approval instead?
Day 5: Living for God's Approval
As we practice self-denial, we become less governed by vanity and more attuned to God's will. This shift brings a deeper sense of peace and purpose, allowing us to live with joy and authenticity. By focusing on God's approval rather than the opinions of others, we can experience a more profound connection with Him and a more meaningful life. This practice of living for God's approval is a journey that leads to spiritual growth and fulfillment. [10:23]
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to focus more on God's approval rather than the world's? How can you begin to make that shift today?
Quotes
To be dead to self is to be alive to life in any sphere of life actually when we deny ourselves that is when we're willing to put aside what we would just feel like doing in pursuit of something nobler we come alive to something greater. [00:49:28]
At the first we must very self-consciously deny ourselves, reject the preeminence of what we want when and as we want it and we must look to quite specific motions of God's grace in and around us to guide and strengthen us in our occasions of self-denial. [00:54:52]
When you find yourself with an urge or an impulse or a desire to do something and it strikes you that it might not be a good or healthier god-honoring thing to do, like I want a drink of alcohol so that my anxiety can be quelled, just pause wait 15 minutes. [00:57:36]
Being dead to self is the condition where the mere fact that I do not get what I want does not surprise or offend me and has no control over me being dead to self is simply the condition in which the mere fact I don't get what I want doesn't surprise me. [01:04:40]
We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and cancelling our plans by sending people with requests and problems to us. Strange to say some people even some ministers get so busy with their own plans. [01:09:44]
The difference between him and the two people who thought they were quite religious was he was prepared to be interrupted, and when he saw somebody who had been beaten and was lying bleeding and needing on the side of the road he felt compassion. [01:15:19]
The one who is dead the self will certainly not even notice some things that other would, for example things like social slights, verbal put downs, innuendos, physical discomforts but many other rebuffs to the dear self as the philosopher Emmanuel Kant called it. [01:18:08]
A major part of my spiritual struggle in my late teens and early 20s was with vanity I wanted praise, in time by God's grace I became substantially not totally delivered through meditation on scripture general study solitude prayer service to others. [01:25:45]
Living for what others think about me or say about me or how I look to them is something that is still alive in me, but I found even the experience of the last couple years to bring a measure of freedom to it that I'm really grateful for. [01:30:21]
I look for signs of the dear self, I wait 15 minutes before I just blindly follow an impulse, I watch for God to interrupt my path so that I can be increasingly dead to myself so that I can be increasingly alive to God and life. [01:36:40]
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