Embracing Kenosis: The Journey of True Servanthood
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound journey of becoming a true servant of God, emphasizing the necessity of being emptied out to be filled with His Spirit. We began by acknowledging the attacks of the enemy and the power of prayer in rebuking these attacks in Jesus' name. This set the stage for a deeper exploration of our spiritual journey, where we are called to be vessels of God's glory, filled with His Spirit, and empowered to overcome obstacles.
We delved into the concept of kenosis, the Greek term for self-emptying, which is essential for anyone who desires to be a minister of the gospel. This process involves dying to oneself, letting go of personal desires, and allowing Christ to live through us. We are reminded that as bond servants of Christ, our identity is rooted in humility, holiness, and surrender. These attributes are not just ideals but are necessary for effective ministry and leadership.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of being filled with the Word of God. By meditating on scripture, we replace the sinful chatter of our minds with divine truth, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in prayer and action. This spiritual discipline equips us to wield the Word as a sword, enabling us to combat the enemy and command prosperity and healing in our lives.
Furthermore, we explored the significance of being presence-driven rather than purpose-driven. God's presence births new things in our lives, bringing power, passion, and purpose. This divine presence is the catalyst for transformation, enabling us to fulfill God's plans and purposes, which are always abundant and never limited by our failures.
In closing, we were encouraged to embrace our calling as ministers and servants, understanding that our lives are not about us but about serving others and glorifying God. We are to be vessels of honor, continually emptied and filled with His Spirit, ready to be used for His glory.
Key Takeaways:
1. Embrace Kenosis: To be effective ministers, we must practice kenosis, the self-emptying process that allows Christ to live through us. This involves humility, holiness, and surrender, enabling us to be true servants of God. [47:37]
2. Power of the Word: Meditating on scripture replaces our sinful thoughts with divine truth, equipping us to wield the Word as a sword against the enemy. This spiritual discipline is crucial for commanding prosperity and healing. [53:43]
3. Presence-Driven Life: God's presence births new things, bringing power, passion, and purpose. By being presence-driven, we align ourselves with God's plans, which are always abundant and never limited by our failures. [02:46:40]
4. Holiness and Humility: These are foundational attributes for any servant of God. Holiness separates us from worldly attachments, while humility allows us to be devoid of self, making room for Christ to dwell within us. [01:14:12]
5. Servant Leadership: Our calling as ministers is to serve others and glorify God. This requires us to be vessels of honor, continually emptied and filled with His Spirit, ready to be used for His glory. [01:09:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [31:51] - Prayer and Healing
- [40:17] - Identity in Christ
- [47:37] - Embracing Kenosis
- [53:43] - Power of the Word
- [58:05] - Personal Testimony
- [01:00:40] - God's Provision
- [01:02:57] - Holiness and Humility
- [01:06:12] - Trust and Faith
- [01:09:59] - Servant Leadership
- [01:14:12] - Surrender and Exaltation
- [01:22:36] - God's Timing and Provision
- [01:29:45] - Divine Intervention
- [01:47:56] - Resources and Books
- [02:46:40] - Presence-Driven Life
- [03:00:48] - Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 2:5-8
2. Galatians 2:20
3. Ephesians 6:17
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the term "kenosis" mean, and how is it significant in the context of being a servant of God? [47:37]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Word of God in combating the enemy and commanding prosperity and healing? [53:43]
3. What is the difference between being presence-driven and purpose-driven according to the sermon? [02:46:40]
4. How does the sermon define the attributes of holiness and humility for a servant of God? [01:09:59]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of kenosis relate to the idea of being a bond servant of Christ, as discussed in the sermon? [47:37]
2. In what ways does meditating on scripture help replace sinful thoughts with divine truth, according to the sermon? [53:43]
3. How does the sermon suggest that God's presence can transform our lives and align us with His plans? [02:46:40]
4. What are the implications of being a vessel of honor, continually emptied and filled with His Spirit, as described in the sermon? [01:09:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the concept of kenosis. What personal desires or aspects of self might you need to let go of to allow Christ to live through you more fully? [47:37]
2. How can you incorporate the discipline of meditating on scripture into your daily routine to replace negative thoughts with divine truth? [53:43]
3. Consider a time when you felt God's presence in your life. How did it bring about new power, passion, or purpose for you? [02:46:40]
4. In what ways can you practice holiness and humility in your daily interactions to be a more effective servant of God? [01:09:59]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel called to serve others. How can you approach this calling with a mindset of servant leadership? [01:09:59]
6. Think about a recent challenge or obstacle you faced. How did prayer and reliance on God's Word help you overcome it? [53:43]
7. How can you ensure that your life is more presence-driven rather than purpose-driven, focusing on God's presence to guide your actions and decisions? [02:46:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Self-Emptying Process
To truly serve God, one must undergo kenosis, the self-emptying process that allows Christ to live through us. This involves a conscious decision to let go of personal desires and ambitions, making room for Christ's presence to fill and guide us. By embracing humility, holiness, and surrender, we align ourselves with God's will, becoming effective ministers of the gospel. This transformation is not just about personal growth but about becoming vessels through which God's glory can be revealed to the world. [47:37]
Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV): "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
Reflection: What personal desires or ambitions do you need to let go of to allow Christ to live more fully through you today?
Day 2: Meditate on Scripture for Spiritual Strength
The power of the Word of God is transformative, replacing sinful thoughts with divine truth. By meditating on scripture, we equip ourselves with the spiritual discipline necessary to combat the enemy and command prosperity and healing in our lives. This practice allows the Holy Spirit to guide us in prayer and action, making the Word a powerful sword against spiritual attacks. As we immerse ourselves in scripture, we become more attuned to God's voice and direction, enabling us to live victoriously. [53:43]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: What specific scripture can you meditate on today to replace a negative thought pattern with divine truth?
Day 3: Live a Presence-Driven Life
Being presence-driven means allowing God's presence to birth new things in our lives, bringing power, passion, and purpose. This divine presence is the catalyst for transformation, enabling us to fulfill God's plans, which are always abundant and never limited by our failures. By prioritizing God's presence over our own purposes, we align ourselves with His will, experiencing the fullness of His blessings and guidance. This shift in focus from purpose-driven to presence-driven living opens the door to a deeper relationship with God and a more impactful ministry. [02:46:40]
Exodus 33:14 (ESV): "And he said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"
Reflection: How can you prioritize God's presence in your daily routine to experience His power and purpose more fully?
Day 4: Cultivate Holiness and Humility
Holiness and humility are foundational attributes for any servant of God. Holiness separates us from worldly attachments, allowing us to focus on God's will, while humility enables us to be devoid of self, making room for Christ to dwell within us. These qualities are not just ideals but are essential for effective ministry and leadership. By cultivating holiness and humility, we become more like Christ, reflecting His character to those around us and drawing others to Him. [01:14:12]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility today to make more room for Christ in your life?
Day 5: Embrace Servant Leadership
Our calling as ministers is to serve others and glorify God. This requires us to be vessels of honor, continually emptied and filled with His Spirit, ready to be used for His glory. Servant leadership is about putting others' needs before our own, following Christ's example of selfless love and service. By embracing this calling, we become effective instruments of God's grace, impacting lives and advancing His kingdom. This mindset shift from self-centered leadership to servant leadership transforms our approach to ministry and life. [01:09:59]
Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "But 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 slave of all. For even 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 practice servant leadership in your interactions with others today, putting their needs before your own?
Quotes
The only way you can keep from sinning as a believer is to continually pray in the spirit, pray with heavenly language, meditate on the word of God so that everything that has come in you from God can flow out of you because that's what you were created to do, to be a vessel overflowing with the spirit of God. [00:56:50] (34 seconds)
Three characteristics of every servant if they are going to be used and effective by God. One, holiness. To be holy, kadosh, literally means to be separated. That you're not attached to anything of this world. You have been set apart like the vessels in the tabernacle and in the temple. [01:03:39] (39 seconds)
And to get possessed, you have to be emptied. And then you are wholly set apart. You're a vessel wholly set apart for God. That's the first attribute. Second attribute of a servant. Now, we are defining the word minister, leader. You are all ministers of God in the church as well as in the world. [01:04:45] (30 seconds)
Therefore as a result as a result of kenosis of you being emptied of you being humbled of you being completely surrendered therefore God has highly exalted me say that you're on the right hand of God in Christ and given me. [01:16:44] (31 seconds)
He gives you the desires of your heart, which means that God has placed his birth, his desire in your heart. So when you have a desire, it's from God to do what he wants, not what you want. He gives you the desires of his heart. And of course, he puts them in there. He gives you desire. [02:53:57] (25 seconds)
If God is in it and you don't quit, you will succeed. You will become a victor and not a victim. Now, there's a little bit more. So, the plans, oh, the devil comes. He gives you a plan. The five lies of the devil, he got those memorized at the beginning of his book. [02:56:06] (24 seconds)
Plans birth productivity, a lot of hard work, a lot of perseverance, a lot of patience, all those P words. But at the end, the plans of God will always prosper, will always bless. Now, you've got a whole book in a summary or a whole retreat in a summary. That's the presence-driven given life. [02:57:41] (32 seconds)
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