Embracing Gradual Spiritual Transformation Through Grace

 

Summary

In our conversation today, we explored the profound journey of spiritual transformation and the role of grace in our lives. The essence of this journey is not about instant change but rather a gradual, meaningful transformation that aligns us more closely with Christ. This process is akin to a birth into the kingdom of the heavens, where life begins anew, and we actively participate in our spiritual growth. It's important to understand that grace is not a passive force; it requires our active engagement and intelligent participation to truly transform us.

We discussed how society has drifted away from foundational principles over the decades, leading to a lack of understanding of good and evil. This societal shift highlights the importance of personal transformation, which is often slow and requires discipline. The journey of faith is not about reaching a specific destination but about pursuing a relationship with Christ, walking in His shadow, and allowing Him to guide us through life's challenges.

Our natural appetites and attractions often require divine intervention to manage, and this is where spiritual disciplines like fasting come into play. These practices help us train ourselves to respond with grace and kindness, even when we don't get what we want. This training is crucial for changing our desires and aligning them with God's will.

The conversation also touched on the importance of making conscious choices to walk away from temptation. Temptation doesn't leave us; we must choose to distance ourselves from it. This involves changing our attitudes and habits, recognizing that what we often claim to love, like chocolate cake, is more about desire than true love. Spiritual growth involves having a vision, setting intentions, and employing means to achieve those intentions, ultimately leading to a life not governed by our desires but by our commitment to Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Spiritual Transformation is a Gradual Process: True change in our spiritual lives is not instantaneous but occurs slowly and meaningfully. This process requires our active participation and engagement with God's grace, leading to deep character development. [01:52]

2. Societal Drift from Foundational Principles: Over the decades, society has moved away from a clear understanding of good and evil, leading to a lack of moral clarity. This highlights the need for personal transformation and adherence to unshakable principles. [02:25]

3. The Role of Spiritual Disciplines: Practices like fasting help us train ourselves to respond with grace and kindness, even when we don't get what we want. These disciplines are essential for managing our natural appetites and aligning our desires with God's will. [06:39]

4. Choosing to Walk Away from Temptation: Temptation doesn't leave us; we must make conscious choices to distance ourselves from it. This involves changing our attitudes and habits, recognizing that our desires often masquerade as love. [08:38]

5. Vision, Intention, and Means in Spiritual Growth: Spiritual growth involves having a vision of what is good, setting intentions to pursue it, and employing means to achieve those intentions. This approach helps us live a life not governed by our desires but by our commitment to Christ. [11:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - Introduction of Dallas Willard
- [00:54] - Personal Transformation Journey
- [01:40] - The Process of Change
- [02:25] - Societal Drift from Principles
- [03:09] - Relativity of Good and Evil
- [04:10] - The Role of Grace in Change
- [05:00] - Active Engagement in Growth
- [06:14] - Managing Natural Appetites
- [06:56] - The Importance of Training
- [08:06] - Transforming Desires
- [08:38] - Walking Away from Temptation
- [09:41] - The Nature of Habits
- [10:31] - Vision, Intention, and Means
- [11:49] - Resources and Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
2. Galatians 5:16-17 - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."
3. James 1:14-15 - "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how does the process of spiritual transformation differ from an instant change? [01:52]
2. What societal changes over the decades were highlighted in the sermon, and how have they affected our understanding of good and evil? [02:25]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of spiritual disciplines like fasting in managing our natural appetites? [06:39]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of temptation and our responsibility in dealing with it? [08:38]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Romans 12:2 relate to the idea of gradual spiritual transformation discussed in the sermon? What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind?
2. In what ways does Galatians 5:16-17 illustrate the conflict between our natural desires and spiritual growth as mentioned in the sermon? [06:39]
3. How does the concept of walking away from temptation, as discussed in the sermon, align with the message in James 1:14-15? [08:38]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of having a vision, intention, and means in spiritual growth, and how does this relate to the Bible passages? [11:05]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a gradual transformation in your spiritual life. What steps did you take to engage actively with God's grace during that process? [01:52]
2. How can you identify areas in your life where societal influences have blurred your understanding of good and evil? What steps can you take to realign with foundational principles? [02:25]
3. Consider your natural appetites and attractions. What spiritual disciplines can you incorporate into your life to help manage these desires and align them with God's will? [06:39]
4. Identify a temptation you currently face. What conscious choices can you make to distance yourself from it, and how can you change your attitudes and habits to support this decision? [08:38]
5. What vision do you have for your spiritual growth? How can you set intentions and employ means to achieve this vision, ensuring your life is governed by your commitment to Christ rather than your desires? [11:05]
6. Think of a specific situation where you need to respond with grace and kindness, even when you don't get what you want. How can you prepare yourself to handle this situation differently next time? [06:39]
7. How can you cultivate a mindset that sees the goodness in not being governed by your desires, as discussed in the sermon? What practical steps can you take to implement this mindset in your daily life? [11:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Gradual Spiritual Transformation Requires Active Participation
The journey of spiritual transformation is a profound and gradual process that requires active engagement. It is not about instant change but a meaningful transformation that aligns individuals more closely with Christ. This transformation is akin to a rebirth into the kingdom of the heavens, where life begins anew, and believers actively participate in their spiritual growth. Grace plays a crucial role in this journey, but it is not a passive force. It requires intelligent participation and active engagement to truly transform one's character and align with God's will. [01:52]

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can actively engage with God's grace to foster spiritual growth today?


Day 2: Societal Drift Highlights the Need for Personal Transformation
Over the decades, society has drifted away from foundational principles, leading to a lack of understanding of good and evil. This societal shift underscores the importance of personal transformation, which is often slow and requires discipline. The journey of faith is not about reaching a specific destination but about pursuing a relationship with Christ. Walking in His shadow and allowing Him to guide us through life's challenges is essential in a world where moral clarity is diminishing. [02:25]

"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." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you noticed societal influences affecting your understanding of good and evil, and how can you counteract this by aligning more closely with Christ's teachings?


Day 3: Spiritual Disciplines Align Desires with God's Will
Spiritual disciplines, such as fasting, play a vital role in managing natural appetites and attractions. These practices help train individuals to respond with grace and kindness, even when they don't get what they want. This training is crucial for changing desires and aligning them with God's will. By engaging in spiritual disciplines, believers can cultivate a heart that seeks God's desires above their own, leading to a more fulfilling and Christ-centered life. [06:39]

"But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:27, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual discipline can you incorporate into your life this week to help align your desires with God's will?


Day 4: Conscious Choices to Distance from Temptation
Temptation is a constant presence, and it requires conscious choices to distance oneself from it. This involves changing attitudes and habits, recognizing that desires often masquerade as love. Spiritual growth involves having a vision, setting intentions, and employing means to achieve those intentions. By making conscious choices to walk away from temptation, believers can live a life not governed by desires but by a commitment to Christ. [08:38]

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific temptation you face regularly. What practical steps can you take today to distance yourself from it?


Day 5: Vision, Intention, and Means in Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth involves having a vision of what is good, setting intentions to pursue it, and employing means to achieve those intentions. This approach helps individuals live a life not governed by their desires but by their commitment to Christ. By cultivating a clear vision and setting intentional goals, believers can navigate life's challenges with purpose and direction, ultimately leading to a deeper relationship with God. [11:05]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific vision or goal you have for your spiritual growth, and what steps can you take this week to move towards it?

Quotes


"Progressive change is often times far more meaningful absolutely in character development than what we call this instant f that's right human beings both individually and in groups over history only change slow slowly in a meaningful way well in a meaningful way in the sense of deep change." [00:01:40]

"Process away from God that's right process away from what we would call sound unshakable foundational principles we we're moving away from it it's almost into what it looks like a system of insanity as well as instability and insecurity I think it's true but then you ask yourself why do not people recognize that progression." [00:02:25]

"Many people have trouble with that because they misunderstand Grace and they think Grace makes you passive but the only way you grow is of course by the grace of God but by intelligent engagement of your own activities and you've gone through a lot of that in your life and you have changed not just because Grace fell on you but because you did some things to receive Grace that has led to a transformation of the whole person." [00:05:00]

"The function of fasting is to teach you how to be sweet and kind when you don't get what you want right murch people never heard that well I'm afraid not some of you get their place in the Pew or their parking place or you don't let them off the parking lot you could have a riot but see that's that's where training comes in." [00:06:56]

"Temptation will not walk away from us we must by choice walk away from it that's right it seems that you know you by choice you quit shooting the street lights now you don't care anything about shooting the street lights and the whole neighborhood's glad and the thing is that that really you still begin that process of by choice walking away." [00:08:38]

"Now you you have in spiritual growth you have three things V Vision mhm intention and means you have to see the goodness of not being the victim of chocolate cake that's a good thing you have to decide you will not be the victim of that and then you have to take the means by which you implement that intention to enjoy the vision." [00:11:05]

"When you get saved that's the beginning of a process that's why one reason why it's called a birth a birth into the kingdom of the heavens so life initiates itself and now then we have a part in what happens after that many people have trouble with that because they misunderstand Grace and they think Grace makes you passive." [00:04:10]

"Human beings both individually and in groups over history only change slow slowly in a meaningful way well in a meaningful way in the sense of deep change uh not it's also true in going in the wrong direction like where we are today in our society let's say not just Northern North American but European that is a process that that has taken 75 80 years." [00:03:09]

"See I you have changed a lot over the years in your desires now I for example when I was young I used to like I had a BB gun and I used to like to Street out shoot out street lights but I no longer have any inclination now it's a helpful illustration deliv brother but it's a helpful illustration when you see what's working there." [00:08:06]

"Christmas Evans an old uh uh Welsh evangelist once said when I was a drunkard I got in a fight and knocked my eye out and when the Lord saved me he didn't give me back my eye and the truth of the matter is when you get saved that's the beginning of a process that's why one reason why it's called a birth a birth into the kingdom of the heavens." [00:04:10]

"Now individuals change slowly too and so for example if you come to a genuine experience of Christ um that's G that's not going to change you uh automatically Christmas Evans an old uh uh Welsh evangelist once said when I was a drunkard I got in a fight and knocked my eye out and when the Lord saved me he didn't give me back my eye." [00:04:10]

"Well I began to apply the grace that was in me to specific of my life and I really don't think I've arrived I still feel like I'm on a journey our friend John wi used to say the goal the journey is the goal and I feel like i' I've not I'm not looking at some Target like I'm going to reach this place I'm pursuing a person." [00:05:00]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?