Embracing Our Union with Christ: A Call to Action

Devotional

Day 1: Constant Awareness of God's Presence

In every moment of worship, whether through song, listening to the Word, or partaking in communion, the focus should remain on Jesus. This is not about adhering to a routine or ritual but about cultivating a genuine relationship with Him. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we acknowledge His presence and minister to Him with sincerity. This constant awareness transforms our worship from mere actions to heartfelt expressions of love and devotion. It is through this intentional focus that we experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells among us and guides us in our spiritual journey. [02:21]

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you cultivate a constant awareness of God's presence in your daily routine, especially during moments of worship?

Day 2: The Bride and Groom Imagery

The imagery of a bride walking down the aisle, eyes locked on the groom, serves as a powerful metaphor for our relationship with Jesus. As His bride, we are seen as radiant and beautiful in His eyes. This relationship calls us to remain focused on Him, undistracted by the world around us. Jesus has pursued us and called us into a union with Him, and it is our privilege to respond with love and devotion. By understanding our identity as His beloved, we can approach our spiritual journey with confidence and joy, knowing that we are cherished by Him. [08:02]

"For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you." (Isaiah 62:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally "lock eyes" with Jesus today, ensuring that your focus remains on Him despite the distractions of the world?

Day 3: Being Doers of the Word

True religion is not about empty words but about action. The book of James calls us to be doers of the Word, not merely hearers. This means being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. It involves caring for those in need, such as orphans and widows, and allowing God's Word to transform us into people of genuine obedience. By acting upon the Word, we demonstrate our faith in tangible ways, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ to those around us. This active faith is what sets true believers apart and brings glory to God. [15:57]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." (James 1:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one specific action you can take today to live out your faith and be a doer of the Word, especially in serving those in need.

Day 4: Trembling at God's Word

Approaching God's Word with humility and a contrite spirit is essential for true spiritual growth. It is not enough to merely hear the Word; we must act upon it and allow it to change us. True reverence for God's Word means living it out in our daily lives, allowing it to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions. By trembling at His Word, we acknowledge its authority and power, inviting it to transform us from the inside out. This posture of humility opens the door for the Holy Spirit to work in us, leading us to deeper obedience and faithfulness. [23:13]

"But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66:2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to approach God's Word with humility and allow it to transform your life today?

Day 5: Assurance of Being Loved by God

Believing that we are a beautiful bride in God's eyes, loved and cherished by Him, is foundational to our spiritual identity. We do not work to make ourselves beautiful; we work because we are already loved. This assurance of God's love should guide our actions and our relationship with Him. By embracing this truth, we can live with confidence and purpose, knowing that we are valued and treasured by our Creator. This understanding empowers us to love others as we have been loved, reflecting the heart of God to the world around us. [27:10]

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of being loved by God change the way you view yourself and your actions today? What is one way you can reflect this love to others?

Sermon Summary

In our gathering tonight, we have come together to worship Jesus, acknowledging His beautiful, wonderful, and powerful name. We join the angels and saints in heaven, proclaiming Jesus as Lord and King. It is a profound honor to be in His presence, to fellowship and commune with Him, and to be brought to the Father through Him. We are grateful for the Holy Spirit, who dwells among us, transforming us as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Throughout our time together, I have been reminded of the importance of maintaining a constant awareness of God's presence. Whether in worship, listening to the Word, or partaking in communion, our focus should remain on Jesus. This is not about routine or ritual; it is about a genuine relationship with a real person—Jesus Christ. We are here to minister to Him, to exalt His name above all else, and to ensure that our worship is heartfelt and sincere.

Reflecting on the imagery of a wedding, I am reminded of the moment when a bride walks down the aisle, eyes locked on the groom. This is how we should approach our relationship with Jesus, as His bride, radiant and beautiful in His eyes. We must not be distracted by the world around us but remain focused on Him, knowing that He has pursued us and called us into a union with Him.

As we delve into the Word of God, particularly from the book of James, we are called to be doers of the Word, not merely hearers. True religion is not about empty words but about action—bridling our tongues, being quick to listen, slow to anger, and caring for those in need, such as orphans and widows. We must tremble at God's Word, allowing it to transform us and lead us to genuine obedience.

Tonight, let us respond to God's Word with humility and a contrite spirit. Let us not deceive ourselves by merely hearing the Word but let us act upon it, allowing it to change us. May the Holy Spirit guide us in practicing true religion, moving us to care for others and live out our faith authentically. We are honored to be in God's presence, and we pray for the assurance that we are His beautiful bride, loved and cherished by Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Constant Awareness of God's Presence: In every aspect of worship, whether singing, listening, or partaking in communion, maintain a focus on Jesus. This is not about routine but about a genuine relationship with Him. Keep your eyes on Jesus, acknowledging His presence and ministering to Him with sincerity. [02:21]
2. The Bride and Groom Imagery: Like a bride walking down the aisle, lock eyes with Jesus, your groom. Understand that He sees you as beautiful and radiant. Do not be distracted by the world but remain focused on Him, knowing He has pursued you and called you into a union with Him. [08:02]
3. Being Doers of the Word: True religion is not about empty words but about action. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Care for those in need, such as orphans and widows, and allow God's Word to transform you into a doer, not just a hearer. [15:57]
4. Trembling at God's Word: Approach God's Word with humility and a contrite spirit. Do not deceive yourself by merely hearing it; act upon it and let it change you. True reverence for His Word means living it out in your daily life. [23:13]
5. Assurance of Being Loved by God: Believe that you are a beautiful bride in God's eyes, loved and cherished by Him. Do not work to make yourself beautiful; work because you are already loved. Let this assurance guide your actions and your relationship with God. [27:10]
** [27:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Worship and Proclamation
[00:58] - Fellowship with the Father
[01:19] - Invitation to the Holy Spirit
[02:21] - Keeping Focus on Jesus
[03:52] - Ministering to Jesus
[06:02] - Wedding Imagery
[08:02] - The Bride's Perspective
[09:08] - Avoiding Distractions
[10:03] - Interaction with God's Word
[11:01] - Example from James
[14:19] - Receiving the Implanted Word
[15:57] - Being Doers of the Word
[19:27] - Pure and Undefiled Religion
[23:13] - Trembling at God's Word
[24:52] - Call to Action and Assurance

Sermon Clips

"Keep your eyes on Jesus. I've been trying all night asking God, don't let me lose sight of you tonight. That God, everything may I just be interactive with you through the entire night. I don't want to transition now that I've been in his presence, worshiping him, enjoying him to suddenly just be focused on you and just try to, I just want to be cognizant of his presence this entire night." [00:16:00]

"We have come to minister to you, to a person, a real person who is here, who is with us. We did not come for ourselves. We came to minister to you, to tell you that no matter how people use your name outside of these walls, we as your church, we say what a beautiful name it is, the name of Jesus, what a wonderful name it is, what a powerful name it is, and we bow before that name and we exalt that name and your word about Above All Things." [00:03:52]

"Don't lose sight of him. We can start singing in autopilot. We're just saying words and you're not really singing them to a person. You can just routinely come up, take a piece of bread and dip it in the blood and just throw it in your mouth and chew on it because you know you're supposed to rather than really fellowshipping, communing with him." [00:04:40]

"I was thinking about how I've done so many weddings and how I'll be standing here with the groom. Gosh, I remember being the groom and you know the moment those doors swung open, I remember literally like this gasp as I saw Lisa, like oh my gosh, just stunning, just like radiant, and as she's walking up as I've seen so many brides do, they just lock eyes on the groom." [00:06:02]

"God, the way I looked at Lisa that day, give me the faith to believe that I'm the one walking through that door and you see me as beautiful, radiant. For some of us, that is such a battle to go, God, you look at me as your bride, you look at us collectively as your bride as we come here." [00:08:02]

"He's the one that created the tent of meeting. He's the one that says I want to meet with you. He's the one that's pursued you. He's the one that says will you marry me, will you enter cuz I see you as beautiful. I made you, I cleansed you, I beautified you. Stare at him." [00:08:42]

"Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror, for he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." [00:15:57]

"But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of Liberty and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his going. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not Bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless." [00:18:03]

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world. I believe God is going to tell us what to do about this. I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking to you personally about what to do about this passage." [00:19:54]

"When we say we want to tremble at God's word because of Isaiah 66, this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and who trembles at my word. It's great and it is good and it is fitting for you to come here, hear the word of God and tremble at it with reverence." [00:23:13]

"True trembling reverence for his word means you go and you do it. There's action. We're doers of the words, otherwise we just deceive ourselves going I went to a very sacred Gathering and I heard His holy word and what James says is okay but did you do anything, otherwise you're deceiving yourself." [00:23:56]

"Give us that assurance so we don't work to make ourselves beautiful but we work because we're loved by you and you see it is beautiful. Actually give us things to do. It's a joy to be one with you tonight, Lord. Praise You, King Jesus." [00:27:10]

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