Embracing New Life Through Biblical Meditation

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unwavering Presence

As we begin a new school year, we are reminded of God's unwavering presence in our lives. Regardless of our circumstances, God is always with us, reigning over all the earth. This assurance allows us to place our trust in Him and celebrate His sovereignty. Our gathering is a testament to His reign and our commitment to follow Him. This truth is a source of comfort and strength, especially in times of uncertainty and change. Knowing that God is with us, we can face any challenge with confidence and hope. [10:41]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge or change in your life. How can you remind yourself of God's unwavering presence and sovereignty in this situation today?

Day 2: Focus on Heavenly Things

Colossians 3:1-3 calls us to set our hearts and minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This shift in focus transforms how we live, reminding us that we are already living in eternal life. Our old ways are behind us, and we are called to embrace the new life in Christ. This heavenly focus helps us to prioritize what truly matters and to live in a way that reflects our eternal destiny. By keeping our eyes on Christ, we can navigate the distractions and temptations of this world with a clear sense of purpose and direction. [36:45]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one earthly distraction that often takes your focus away from Christ? How can you intentionally set your mind on heavenly things today?

Day 3: Biblical Meditation

Unlike Eastern practices that focus on emptying oneself, biblical meditation is about filling oneself with Christ. It involves murmuring or lovingly rehearsing God's truths, allowing them to shape our thoughts and actions. This practice helps us focus on God's Word and His presence, transforming our lives. By meditating on Scripture, we allow God's truths to permeate our hearts and minds, leading to a deeper understanding and a more intimate relationship with Him. This form of meditation is an active engagement with God's Word, seeking to internalize and live out His teachings. [46:11]

Psalm 1:2 (ESV): "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Reflection: Choose a specific verse or passage from the Bible. How can you meditate on this Scripture throughout your day, allowing it to shape your thoughts and actions?

Day 4: Unlearning and Relearning

Meditation helps us unlearn the patterns of this world and relearn the ways of Christ. This process involves detaching from old habits and embracing new ones that align with God's will. It is a journey of becoming Christian in character, both individually and corporately. By consistently meditating on God's Word, we are transformed and better equipped to live out our faith in practical ways. This transformation is not just about personal growth but also about contributing to the growth and health of the Christian community. [55:25]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Identify one worldly pattern or habit you need to unlearn. What new habit or practice can you adopt that aligns with the ways of Christ?

Day 5: Practical Application of Meditation

Meditation is about hearing God's voice and obeying His Word. It is a practice that helps us focus on God's truths, allowing them to guide our actions and decisions. By meditating on God's Word, we are better equipped to live out our faith and become the people God has called us to be. This practical application of meditation involves not just understanding God's truths but also putting them into practice in our daily lives. It is about allowing God's Word to shape our decisions, actions, and interactions with others. [56:07]

James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you need to apply God's Word. How can you take a concrete step today to obey and live out this truth?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

As we embark on a new school year, we are reminded of God's unwavering presence and His reign over all the earth. This morning, we gather to celebrate and place our trust in Jesus Christ, reaffirming our commitment to Him. Our focus today is on the spiritual discipline of meditation, as part of our ongoing series "In the Way." This series explores various spiritual practices that help us align our lives with Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life."

In Colossians 3:1-3, Paul urges us to set our hearts and minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This call to focus on heavenly things is a reminder that our lives are now hidden with Christ in God. We are living in eternal life right now, and this should transform how we live and think. Paul contrasts this with the old life we have left behind, urging us not to return to it but to embrace the new life in Christ.

Meditation, from a biblical perspective, is not about emptying oneself but about filling oneself with Christ. It involves focusing our minds and hearts on God's Word and His presence. The Hebrew words for meditation, "haggah" and "siyak," convey the idea of murmuring or lovingly rehearsing God's truths. In the New Testament, the Greek word "logitsomai" means to think, consider, or dwell on these truths.

This practice of meditation helps us unlearn the patterns of this world and relearn the ways of Christ. It is about becoming Christian in character, both individually and corporately. As we meditate on God's Word, we are transformed and better equipped to live out our faith in practical ways. The goal is to hear God's voice and obey His Word, allowing His truths to shape our lives.

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Key Takeaways

1. Go&t=641s'>[10:41]
2. Focus on Heavenly Things: Colossians 3:1-3 calls us to set our hearts and minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This shift in focus transforms how we live, reminding us that we are already living in eternal life. Our old ways are behind us, and we are called to embrace the new life in Christ.

3. Biblical Meditation: Unlike Eastern practices that focus on emptying oneself, biblical meditation is about filling oneself with Christ. It involves murmuring or lovingly rehearsing God's truths, allowing them to shape our thoughts and actions. This practice helps us focus on God's Word and His presence, transforming our lives.

4. Unlearning and Relearning: Meditation helps us unlearn the patterns of this world and relearn the ways of Christ. This process involves detaching from old habits and embracing new ones that align with God's will. It is a journey of becoming Christian in character, both individually and corporately.

5. Practical Application: Meditation is about hearing God's voice and obeying His Word. It is a practice that helps us focus on God's truths, allowing them to guide our actions and decisions. By meditating on God's Word, we are better equipped to live out our faith and become the people God has called us to be.

### [10:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:41] - Opening Prayer and Announcements
[11:27] - Online Worship Welcome
[12:10] - Upcoming Events
[12:56] - Special Announcements
[13:55] - Grief Share Introduction
[14:51] - Birthday Celebrations
[19:59] - Financial Stewardship Campaign
[21:06] - Offering Prayer
[34:30] - Call to Meditation
[36:10] - New School Year Reflections
[36:45] - Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-3
[37:33] - Introduction to Meditation
[38:10] - Spiritual Disciplines Series
[39:42] - Paul's Message to the Colossians
[43:02] - Setting Hearts and Minds on God
[46:11] - Biblical Meditation Explained
[55:25] - Unlearning and Relearning
[56:07] - Practical Application of Meditation
[58:43] - The Cost of Discipleship
[60:03] - Temple and Table: A Church's Rhythm
[65:20] - Communion Invitation
[70:36] - Communion Instructions
[72:13] - Communion Service

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul mean when he says our lives are "hidden with Christ in God" in Colossians 3:3?
How does the sermon describe the difference between Eastern meditation and biblical meditation? ([50:27])
What are the two Hebrew words for meditation mentioned in the sermon, and what do they mean? ([46:11])
According to the sermon, what is the purpose of setting our hearts and minds on things above? ([43:02])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize setting our hearts and minds on things above rather than on earthly things? How does this shift in focus impact our daily lives? ([43:02])
How does the practice of biblical meditation help us unlearn the patterns of this world and relearn the ways of Christ? ([55:25])
What does it mean to "hear God's voice and obey His Word" as described in the sermon? How does this definition of meditation differ from common perceptions? ([56:07])
How does the concept of living in eternal life now, as mentioned in the sermon, change our perspective on our current life and actions? ([44:35])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt God's unwavering presence in your life. How did that experience impact your trust in Him? ([10:41])
What are some practical ways you can set your heart and mind on things above in your daily routine? ([43:02])
How can you incorporate the practice of biblical meditation into your life this week? What specific steps will you take to focus on God's Word and His presence? ([50:27])
Identify one old habit or pattern of this world that you need to unlearn. What new habit or practice will you replace it with to align more closely with Christ's teachings? ([55:25])
Think about a recent decision or action. How might it have been different if you had meditated on God's truths beforehand? ([56:07])
How can you lovingly rehearse God's truths in your mind throughout the day? What specific scripture or promise will you focus on this week? ([46:11])
Consider the idea of living in eternal life now. How does this perspective influence your interactions with others and your approach to challenges? ([44:35])

Sermon Clips

1. "We are used to in life, different rhythms associated around different things. And what we want to do in spiritual disciplines is they're like doorways that lead us into the presence of God. And so In the Way comes from this idea that Jesus is, his followers were called followers of the way. Jesus says in John's gospel, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. So he was the way to the father. And so his followers were called followers of the way." [38:10] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If we are adopting spiritual practices, if we are trying to follow Christ, it is going to get in the way of other things. It is inevitable. It is going to cause inconveniences for our normal rhythms of life. It might even challenge us to give up things in order to more fully follow Christ. Yes. It's in the way as it's supposed to do, as it's supposed to do." [38:53] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Paul there is telling us two things, telling us two things to do. To set our hearts on the things of God and to set our minds on the things of God. Our affections. Our focus. In Deuteronomy 6, the Israelites were told, Hear, O Israel, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord with all your heart, with all your might, with all your strength. Meaning every part of your will, every part of what it means to be human is to be fixed upon and focused upon following after the Lord." [43:02] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are in eternal life, now, you right now, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, have entered into eternal life. Right now, in this moment, you are living in eternity for all time. And because of that, Paul tells the Colossians that you should live as if that is a reality. And if you are living in eternal life, you will not live the ways that you used to. You will not adopt the rhythms and the patterns of life, that you used to. But instead, you will be focused on Christ." [44:35] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Meditation, from a biblical standpoint, is not simply the absence of everything and sitting in calm. It's not even lighting candles, sitting on a rug, listening to relaxing music. That might... as appealing as that might be... that's not what meditation means from a biblical perspective. You see, Eastern meditation is concerned with the emptying of oneself. With being in a place where you are no longer mindful... that you are not distracted in any way by outside influences... that you are trying to get to a state of nothingness. That's kind of the goal of Eastern meditation." [50:27] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The practice, from a biblical standpoint, is the emptying of oneself and the filling of oneself with Christ. It's the... it's the pursuit of not mindlessness, but mindfulness. And the mindfulness is around the things of God. Focusing and considering and thinking about the things of God. That's why Paul says, keep seeking... and set or fix your mind on heavenly things. It means that our perspective and our focus and the thing which governs how we behave... is based not on... is based not on external circumstances, but rather our fixation or focus on Jesus Christ." [51:29] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Discipleship is something like this. Learning how to detach ourselves... from one master... to serve a better one. Learning how to do things... not the old way, but in a new way. And the old practices and the old patterns... we have to let go of. And when they knock on the door... and when they ring the doorbell... we need to turn off the lights and not answer. And not go back to how things were. But step into how things are." [55:25] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Meditation is about actually becoming... Christian in character. Fully human beings who learn... how to live the Christian life... individually and corporately. I want to say that again. Meditation is about... actually becoming Christian in character. Fully human beings who learn... how to live the Christian life... individually and corporately. It helps us to recognize... that the world is ruled by God... not nations." [57:31] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The political task of the church... is the formation of people... who see clearly the cost of discipleship... and are willing... to pay the price. Our only political concerns... are in becoming the people... God has called us to be. To be formed into the image of His Son. To live life in such a way... that we understand... what the cost is... and we're willing to pay the price. That's the agenda of meditation. That's the purpose of it." [58:06] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "May the Lord Jesus Christ make us a people... who lovingly meditates on Him and His words. Every day. Every week. Every month. Every year. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." [01:02:16] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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