Embracing God: From Principles to Personal Relationship
Summary
The sermon explores the concept of God as a principle maker, contrasting it with the idea of God as a command giver. The speaker delves into the dangers of viewing God as distant and uninvolved, merely having set rules for humanity to follow. This perspective, akin to deism, suggests that people do not need God Himself but only His principles to navigate life. The speaker warns against this approach, emphasizing that it should not replace a genuine relationship with God.
Drawing from the book of Philippians, the speaker reflects on Paul's transformation from a high-ranking Jewish leader to a follower of Christ. Paul's life exemplifies the futility of building a resume of good deeds and following religious rules without a true understanding of God. The speaker points out that this can lead to viewing the Bible as an instruction manual rather than a revelation of God's character.
The sermon further discusses the human desire for flourishing and wholeness, which can lead to self-reliance and a belief that we do not need saving. The speaker uses Saul's story to illustrate that righteousness through the law is insufficient and that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ. The Christian life is not about striving for obedience but about surrendering to Jesus and allowing His Spirit to work within us.
Personal stories are shared, including the speaker's own experience of realizing their need for salvation despite a seemingly perfect life. They describe how God peeled away their facades, leading them to understand that they could not save themselves and needed Jesus as their Savior. The speaker quotes Romans chapter 8 to emphasize that Jesus fulfilled the law's requirements and is intimately involved in our lives.
The sermon concludes by reminding the congregation of God's deep love and involvement in their lives. The act of communion is presented as a way to remember Jesus' sacrifice. The speaker challenges the belief that God is distant and inactive, encouraging the audience to seek a relationship with Him and to remember His sacrifice through communion.
Key Takeaways:
- Viewing God as merely a principle maker can lead to a performance-based faith that lacks a personal relationship with Him. This approach, influenced by deism, risks treating God as distant and uninvolved, which is contrary to the biblical narrative that shows God as deeply engaged with His creation. [08:36] [10:50] [12:50]
- The story of Paul's transformation from Saul highlights the inadequacy of a life built on legalistic righteousness. It serves as a cautionary tale against the temptation to rely on our accomplishments and adherence to rules, which can distort our understanding of the Bible and God's purpose for us. [17:45] [18:50] [19:44]
- The human longing for wholeness and flourishing can become an idol that replaces our need for God. The sermon emphasizes that true fulfillment and righteousness cannot be achieved through self-reliance but only through faith in Christ, who offers a righteousness that is not our own. [24:34] [25:44] [27:06]
- The Christian life is not about bearing the weight of obedience on our own but about surrendering to Jesus and allowing His Spirit to transform us. Obedience is a fruit of this transformation, not the means to it. This perspective offers hope and comfort, especially during difficult seasons, reminding us that Jesus is present and active in our lives. [31:43] [32:58] [33:56]
- The sermon calls for a shift from seeing Jesus merely as an example to embracing Him as our Savior. This change in perspective is crucial for breaking the cycle of striving and failing, and for entering into a restful and transformative relationship with God. It invites us to reflect on our attitudes towards God and to seek a deeper understanding and interaction with Him. [13:59] [15:09] [16:37]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:4-9 (ESV)
> "Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Paul's background and how did he describe his adherence to the law before his conversion?
- Paul described himself as a high-ranking Jewish leader, a Pharisee, and blameless in righteousness under the law. [18:19]
2. What does Paul consider as loss compared to the worth of knowing Christ?
- Paul considers all his previous gains and accomplishments as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. [25:50]
3. What does the speaker say about the human desire for principles and how it relates to our view of God?
- The speaker mentions that principles are clean and predictable, which makes them appealing, but warns that relying solely on principles can lead to viewing God as distant and uninvolved. [10:32]
4. How does the speaker describe the transformation that occurs when we surrender to Jesus?
- The speaker describes that true transformation comes from surrendering to Jesus and allowing His Spirit to work within us, rather than striving for obedience on our own. [33:33]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the futility of his previous accomplishments and adherence to the law?
- Paul emphasizes this to show that true righteousness and fulfillment come through faith in Christ, not through self-reliance or adherence to the law. [25:50]
2. How does the speaker's personal story illustrate the need for a Savior despite living a seemingly perfect life?
- The speaker shares how God peeled away their facades, revealing their deep need for Jesus as a Savior, despite having lived a life that appeared perfect on the outside. [28:57]
3. What are the dangers of viewing the Bible as merely an instruction manual according to the speaker?
- Viewing the Bible as merely an instruction manual can lead to missing the deeper purpose of Scripture, which is to reveal God's character and foster a relationship with Him. [20:12]
4. How does the speaker challenge the belief that God is distant and uninvolved?
- The speaker challenges this belief by emphasizing that Jesus is intimately involved in our lives, having fulfilled the law's requirements and actively working within us through His Spirit. [31:23]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Do you find yourself relying more on principles and rules rather than seeking a personal relationship with God? How can you shift your focus towards knowing Christ more deeply?
- [10:32]
2. Paul counted all his achievements as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. What are some accomplishments or areas of self-reliance in your life that you need to surrender to Jesus?
- [25:50]
3. The speaker shared a personal story of realizing their need for salvation. Have you had a similar experience where God revealed your need for Him? How did it change your perspective?
- [28:57]
4. When you face difficult seasons, do you tend to rely on your own strength and principles, or do you surrender to Jesus and allow His Spirit to work within you? How can you practice surrendering more in your daily life?
- [33:33]
5. The speaker mentioned that obedience is a fruit of transformation, not the means to it. How can you cultivate a heart of surrender and allow the Spirit to produce obedience in your life?
- [33:33]
6. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's active involvement in your life, especially during challenging times? How can you incorporate these reminders into your daily routine?
- [36:17]
7. Communion is a way to remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can you make this practice more meaningful in your life, and how does it help you remember God's deep love and involvement?
- [38:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Intimacy Over Principle
God desires a personal relationship, not just adherence to rules. Treating God as a distant principle maker leads to a hollow faith, missing the essence of His love and presence in our lives. Embrace the closeness of God, not just the concepts He represents. [08:36]
James 4:8 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a closer relationship with God today, beyond just following principles?
Day 2: Righteousness Beyond the Law
Legalistic righteousness is insufficient; it's about the heart, not just actions. Paul's transformation teaches us that true righteousness is found in a relationship with Christ, not in a resume of good deeds or strict adherence to the law. [17:45]
Romans 10:3 - "Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness."
Reflection: In what ways might you be trying to establish your own righteousness instead of seeking God's?
Day 3: Faith Over Self-Reliance
Our longing for wholeness can lead us away from God. True fulfillment and righteousness come not from our own efforts but through faith in Christ, who offers a righteousness that is not our own. [24:34]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 - "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you rely on your own strength instead of God's?
Day 4: Transformation Through Surrender
Obedience is the fruit of surrendering to Jesus and allowing His Spirit to work within us. The Christian life is about transformation through His power, not about the weight of our own efforts to obey. [31:43]
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
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?
Day 5: Embracing Jesus as Savior
Jesus is not just an example to follow; He is our Savior to embrace. This shift in perspective is essential for breaking the cycle of striving and entering into a restful relationship with God. [13:59]
Colossians 2:6-7 - "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeing Jesus merely as an example to fully embracing Him as your Savior today?
Quotes
"Every single human being on the face of the earth has an idea of what God is like." [00:45]
"Maybe God feels distant most of the time, especially in the mundane or painful parts of life." #!!15:09!!#
"But whatever I gained, I counted it as loss. I counted it as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of what? Of knowing Christ, Jesus my Lord, for his sake." #!!24:34!!#
"Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." #!!25:44!!#
"One of the main problems with this posture is that it blinds us to our need of a Savior because either we're doing a good job following the principles, or we're really good at faking it, but either way we actually deceive ourselves into thinking that I don't really need saving as much as the next guy." #!!27:06!!#
"Do you think that he would go through all of that just to leave you now? It's a resounding no." #!!35:53!!#
"At its foundation, Christianity is not a set of doctrines, though it includes that. It's not a set of practices or lifestyles, though it will produce that. It's not a tradition or a history, though it has that. It is not a philosophy or even a theology, though it teaches the most profound of all philosophies and theologies." #!!31:43!!#
"But your obedience gets you nothing outside of Jesus. And really, it's Jesus and His work through His Spirit in us that produces the fruit of obedience." #!!32:58!!#
"Sometimes this posture looks like this, that when we're in that season of pain, we automatically think, well, Jesus isn't helping me. Jesus isn't here. In fact, it's hard. It's hard to sense the presence of God with us, especially in seasons of pain." #!!33:56!!#
"I need saving. I can't do it. I've tried. I've tried really hard, and I thought I was doing a pretty good job, but Jesus, I need You more than just as an example. I need You as a Savior." #!!29:06!!#
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