Embracing God's Presence Through Community and Humility
Summary
### Summary
Happy Father's Day! Today, we explored the concept of the "third heaven" as described by Paul, which is the realm where God resides. This isn't a distant place but rather a manifestation of God's ever-present nature. When Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father who is in heaven," He was emphasizing that God is always with us, bringing heaven wherever He is. This understanding of God's omnipresence should shape our daily lives and prayers, reminding us that we are always in His presence.
We then delved into the practical teachings of the Book of James, focusing on the importance of community within the Kingdom of God. James emphasizes that living in community is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. He warns against favoritism and highlights the conflicts that arise from selfish desires. True community, according to James, is built on peace, humility, and mutual support.
James uses the analogy of sowing and reaping to describe how peace and righteousness can flourish in a community. He calls us to be peacemakers, sowing seeds of peace to reap a harvest of righteousness. This requires active participation and a commitment to living in harmony with others. James also stresses that real transformation happens in community, not in isolation. Our Western culture's focus on individualism often conflicts with this biblical model of community.
We are reminded that our relationships profoundly shape us, both positively and negatively. Being part of a church community means more than just attending services; it involves actively engaging in "one-anothering" activities like loving, honoring, and serving each other. This kind of community life reflects the upside-down values of the Kingdom of God, where the first are last, and the greatest are those who serve.
James also addresses the barriers to community, primarily selfishness and pride. He calls us to humility, which involves focusing less on ourselves and more on others. True humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. It is about serving others selflessly, just as Jesus did. By embracing humility and community, we can experience real transformation and reflect the love of Christ to the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Ever-Present Nature: Understanding that God is always with us transforms our daily lives and prayers. When Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father who is in heaven," He was emphasizing God's omnipresence. This means that wherever we are, God is there, bringing heaven with Him. This should encourage us to live with a constant awareness of His presence. [27:56]
2. The Importance of Community: James teaches that living in community is essential for spiritual growth. Real transformation happens not in isolation but through active participation in a harmonious community. This involves sowing seeds of peace and reaping a harvest of righteousness. Our relationships within the church community help us become more like Christ. [42:00]
3. Overcoming Selfishness and Pride: The main barriers to community are selfishness and pride. James calls us to humility, which involves focusing less on ourselves and more on others. True humility is about serving others selflessly, just as Jesus did. By embracing humility, we can build a strong, loving community that reflects the love of Christ. [56:01]
4. Active Engagement in Church Life: Being part of a church community means more than just attending services. It involves actively engaging in "one-anothering" activities like loving, honoring, and serving each other. This kind of community life reflects the upside-down values of the Kingdom of God, where the first are last, and the greatest are those who serve. [45:33]
5. The Upside-Down Kingdom: The values of the Kingdom of God are often contrary to those of the world. In God's Kingdom, the first are last, and the greatest are those who serve. Jesus demonstrated this by laying down His life for us. By following His example, we can build a community that turns the world upside down with love and selflessness. [01:06:48]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:56] - Understanding the Third Heaven
[29:39] - The Ever-Present Heavenly Father
[37:48] - The Importance of Community
[39:17] - Conflicts in Community
[42:00] - Sowing Peace, Reaping Righteousness
[45:33] - One-Anothering in Church Life
[49:58] - Welcoming Newcomers
[51:26] - Serving One Another in Love
[54:30] - Barriers to Community
[56:01] - Overcoming Selfishness and Pride
[01:01:01] - True Humility
[01:04:00] - God's Love and the Upside-Down Kingdom
[01:06:48] - Following Jesus' Example
[01:09:22] - Closing Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. James 3:18-4:12: "Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.' Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?"
2. John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
3. Matthew 6:9-13: "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to James, what are the causes of fights and quarrels among people? ([39:17])
2. What does Jesus emphasize about God's presence when He teaches us to pray "Our Father who is in heaven"? ([27:56])
3. How does James describe the characteristics of a true community in the Kingdom of God? ([42:00])
4. What are some of the "one-anothering" activities mentioned in the sermon that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God? ([45:33])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding God's omnipresence change the way we approach our daily lives and prayers? ([27:56])
2. In what ways does living in community contribute to spiritual growth and transformation according to James? ([42:00])
3. How can selfishness and pride act as barriers to building a strong, loving community? ([56:01])
4. What does it mean to actively engage in "one-anothering" activities within the church, and why is this important? ([45:33])
### Application Questions
1. How can you cultivate a constant awareness of God's presence in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself that God is always with you? ([27:56])
2. Reflect on your current involvement in your church community. Are there ways you can be more actively engaged in "one-anothering" activities? ([45:33])
3. Think of a recent conflict you had within your community. How could you have approached it differently to sow peace and reap righteousness? ([42:00])
4. Identify an area in your life where selfishness or pride might be hindering your relationships. What steps can you take to embrace humility and serve others selflessly? ([56:01])
5. How can you make newcomers feel more welcomed and included in your church community? Share a specific action you can take this week to reach out to someone new. ([49:58])
6. Reflect on the upside-down values of the Kingdom of God. How can you practice putting others first in your daily interactions? ([01:06:48])
7. What is one specific way you can demonstrate the love of Christ to someone in your community this week? ([51:26])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Ever-Present Nature
Understanding that God is always with us transforms our daily lives and prayers. When Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father who is in heaven," He was emphasizing God's omnipresence. This means that wherever we are, God is there, bringing heaven with Him. This should encourage us to live with a constant awareness of His presence. [27:56]
God's omnipresence is a profound truth that can reshape how we live each day. When Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, "Our Father who is in heaven," He wasn't pointing to a distant, unreachable place. Instead, He was highlighting that heaven is wherever God is, and since God is always with us, heaven is near. This understanding should transform our daily lives, making us more aware of His presence in every moment.
Living with the awareness that God is always with us can change how we approach our daily tasks, our relationships, and our prayers. It means that we are never alone, and we can draw on His strength and guidance at all times. This constant presence should bring us comfort and encourage us to live in a way that honors Him, knowing that He is always by our side.
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's constant presence throughout your day today? What practical steps can you take to live with a greater awareness of Him?
Day 2: The Importance of Community
James teaches that living in community is essential for spiritual growth. Real transformation happens not in isolation but through active participation in a harmonious community. This involves sowing seeds of peace and reaping a harvest of righteousness. Our relationships within the church community help us become more like Christ. [42:00]
Community is a cornerstone of spiritual growth and transformation. James emphasizes that true spiritual growth happens not in isolation but within the context of a loving and supportive community. He uses the analogy of sowing and reaping to illustrate how peace and righteousness can flourish when we actively participate in building harmonious relationships. This means that our spiritual journey is deeply intertwined with our relationships with others.
Being part of a church community involves more than just attending services; it requires active engagement and participation. By sowing seeds of peace and working towards harmony, we can create an environment where everyone can grow spiritually. Our relationships within the church help us to become more like Christ, as we learn to love, honor, and serve one another. This communal life reflects the values of the Kingdom of God and helps us to grow in our faith.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community this week? What steps can you take to sow seeds of peace and build harmonious relationships?
Day 3: Overcoming Selfishness and Pride
The main barriers to community are selfishness and pride. James calls us to humility, which involves focusing less on ourselves and more on others. True humility is about serving others selflessly, just as Jesus did. By embracing humility, we can build a strong, loving community that reflects the love of Christ. [56:01]
Selfishness and pride are significant barriers to building a strong and loving community. James calls us to embrace humility, which means focusing less on ourselves and more on others. True humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. It involves serving others selflessly, following the example of Jesus, who laid down His life for us.
By embracing humility, we can overcome the barriers that hinder community and build relationships that reflect the love of Christ. This requires a shift in focus from our own desires and needs to the needs of others. When we serve others selflessly, we create an environment where love and support can flourish, leading to real transformation and growth within the community.
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with selfishness or pride? How can you practice humility and serve others selflessly this week?
Day 4: Active Engagement in Church Life
Being part of a church community means more than just attending services. It involves actively engaging in "one-anothering" activities like loving, honoring, and serving each other. This kind of community life reflects the upside-down values of the Kingdom of God, where the first are last, and the greatest are those who serve. [45:33]
Active engagement in church life goes beyond merely attending services. It involves participating in "one-anothering" activities, such as loving, honoring, and serving each other. This kind of community life reflects the values of the Kingdom of God, where the first are last, and the greatest are those who serve. By actively engaging in these activities, we can build a strong and supportive community that helps us grow in our faith.
Engaging in church life means being intentional about building relationships and serving others. It requires a commitment to living out the values of the Kingdom of God, where selflessness and service are highly valued. By participating in "one-anothering" activities, we can create an environment where everyone feels loved, honored, and supported, leading to spiritual growth and transformation.
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively engage in "one-anothering" activities within your church community this week? What specific actions can you take to love, honor, and serve others?
Day 5: The Upside-Down Kingdom
The values of the Kingdom of God are often contrary to those of the world. In God's Kingdom, the first are last, and the greatest are those who serve. Jesus demonstrated this by laying down His life for us. By following His example, we can build a community that turns the world upside down with love and selflessness. [01:06:48]
The Kingdom of God operates on values that are often contrary to those of the world. In God's Kingdom, the first are last, and the greatest are those who serve. Jesus demonstrated this upside-down nature of the Kingdom by laying down His life for us, showing that true greatness comes from selfless service. By following His example, we can build a community that reflects these values and turns the world upside down with love and selflessness.
Living according to the values of the Kingdom of God requires a radical shift in perspective. It means valuing humility, service, and selflessness over power, status, and self-interest. By embracing these values and following Jesus' example, we can create a community that stands out in the world and reflects the love of Christ. This kind of community has the power to bring about real transformation and make a significant impact on the world around us.
Matthew 20:26-28 (ESV): "It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: How can you embody the upside-down values of the Kingdom of God in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to serve others selflessly and reflect the love of Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So Paul was lifted not to this, but then the second heaven is the universe. The third heaven is where God is. So wherever God is, is heaven. So is he far off? No. So when Jesus prayed our father, happy father's day, by the way, our father who's in heaven doesn't mean he's, doesn't mean he's past the universe away from us because he's not. It means that he is the ever present heavenly father." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We experienced the reality. He says, if you will gather in my name, if two or three gathered in my name that I'll be there. I'll be in the midst. So father, the greatest father of all fathers who are in heaven, holy worshiped, hallowed is your name. We pray that your kingdom, your will, your reign would come and your will would be done exactly here as it is where you are." (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "James tells us that community is essential and that there are going to be difficulties. And he gives us some strategies, some ideas on how we do it. James chapter 3, 18 through 412. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Do they not come from your desires that battle within you? You want something, but you don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So community, James is saying, is this spiritual journey that brings out, encourages this being in community, helps us move towards Christ-likeness to be more like Jesus. And it works in relationally and thus being right with God and right with each other. The way it works is that we're right with God and right with others. So James is using both. And so he uses this analogy of sowing and reaping to be peacemakers." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We want to be warm and affectionate. We're going to be, we're going to give each other attention and love. We're going to notice people who walk in. We're not going to be a closed little cloister of people that don't recognize there's people around us that are walking in for the first time. And when we see people walking in for the first time, we want to do everything we do can to make them feel comfortable. We want them to feel welcomed." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Real transformation doesn't really take place by yourself. Real transformation takes place in community, active participation in a God community, in a Christ community, in a harmonious community. That's trouble for us. That's problems for us. Because the culture that we grew up in, the Western culture that we've all been immersed in our whole lives is very individualistic and focuses on the need and desires, not of the community, but of the individual." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see, what James is saying, there's a big difference between going to church and being the church. As the church, we're supposed to do church stuff. And what is that? We're supposed to do all this. There's, there's more, and I'm not going to give you every Bible verse about this, but John 13, 34, there's this whole list of one anothering things that he calls us to do as the body of Christ, this community of Christ." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So the secret to building a strong community with satisfying life of self-sacrifice, we show it through loving one another, forgiving each other, volunteering, serving each other. Working together, the solution, Jonathan Edwards is saying, James is saying, the solution to this community breakdown is humility, and it includes being patient with other people's flaws, sticking with them through difficult relationships, and not feeling sorry for yourself." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "True humility is not seeing ourselves as less, but about focusing less on ourselves. You get the difference? True humility is not seeing ourselves as less, but focusing less on ourselves. And it goes hand in hand with bravery and confidence. It's about realizing how much God loves us, admitting our weaknesses, and accepting Christ's forgiveness. It allows us to serve others without expecting anything in return." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We live in an upside-down kingdom. James 3, humble yourselves before the Lord, and he'll lift you up. Jesus, Matthew, Matthew 20, 16, so the last will be first, and the first will be last. Luke 14, everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. He who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 16, 25, whoever wants to be a slave save his life, whoever wants to save his life will lose it. Whoever loses his life for me will save it, will find it." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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