Embracing Spiritual Growth Beyond Crisis Experiences
Summary
In our journey of faith, crisis experiences play a significant role, yet they should not be mistaken as substitutes for the ongoing process of spiritual growth and discipline. These experiences, such as the filling or baptism of the Holy Spirit, are powerful and transformative, but they do not inherently develop character. Instead, character is cultivated through the fruit of the Spirit, which emerges as the Spirit works within us to renew our inner selves. This renewal is a continuous process that requires dedication and discipline.
The tradition of revivals, particularly within the conservative wing of Protestantism, highlights the importance of these experiences. However, revivals alone cannot replace the need for steady spiritual growth and discipline. The term "revival" has often been diluted, losing its original significance and becoming synonymous with mere special meetings. In the past, revivals were anticipated events, marked by extended gatherings with the hope of genuine spiritual awakening. Today, they often lack the depth and impact they once had.
While experiences are crucial, they should not be the primary focus of our spiritual journey. Instead, we should seek God and remain open to the experiences He provides, which often come unexpectedly. The story of Isaiah in the year King Uzziah died serves as a poignant example. Isaiah's vision of the Lord was a profound experience, yet it occurred when he was ready to receive it. This readiness is cultivated through a life of seeking God and being open to His presence.
In our churches, we should pray and hope for a vibrant spiritual life, where experiences with God are welcomed and embraced. These experiences, while not the end goal, are vital components of a dynamic and growing faith.
Key Takeaways:
1. Crisis experiences are significant but should not replace the ongoing process of spiritual growth and discipline. They are transformative but do not inherently develop character, which is cultivated through the fruit of the Spirit. [01:24]
2. Revivals have historically played a crucial role in spiritual awakening, but they cannot substitute for steady growth and discipline. The term "revival" has often lost its depth, becoming synonymous with mere special meetings. [02:21]
3. Spiritual experiences should not be the primary focus of our journey. Instead, we should seek God and remain open to the experiences He provides, which often come unexpectedly. [02:52]
4. The story of Isaiah illustrates the importance of being ready to receive God's presence. His vision of the Lord came when he was prepared, highlighting the need for a life of seeking God. [03:04]
5. Churches should pray and hope for a vibrant spiritual life, where experiences with God are welcomed and embraced. These experiences are vital components of a dynamic and growing faith. [03:16]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Role of Crisis Experiences
[00:31] - Importance of Spiritual Books
[00:43] - Fear of Experiences
[00:54] - Discipline vs. Experiences
[01:07] - Gifts of the Spirit
[01:24] - Fruit of the Spirit
[01:40] - Renewal of the Inward Person
[01:53] - Revivalist Tradition
[02:07] - Steady Growth and Discipline
[02:21] - Modern Revivals
[02:36] - Expecting Experiences
[02:52] - Seeking God
[03:04] - Isaiah's Vision
[03:16] - Vibrant Church Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 6:1-8 - Isaiah's Vision of the Lord
2. Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit
Observation Questions:
1. What role do crisis experiences play in the process of spiritual growth according to the sermon? [00:20]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit? [01:07]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the current state of revivals compared to the past? [02:21]
4. How is Isaiah's readiness to receive God's vision described in the sermon? [03:04]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 relate to the development of character as discussed in the sermon? [01:24]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern revivals have lost their original significance? How does this impact spiritual growth? [02:21]
3. How does Isaiah's experience in Isaiah 6:1-8 illustrate the importance of being prepared for spiritual experiences? [03:04]
4. What does the sermon imply about the balance between seeking God and expecting spiritual experiences? [02:52]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a crisis experience in your own life. How did it impact your spiritual growth, and what steps can you take to ensure it complements ongoing discipline? [00:20]
2. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit you would like to cultivate more in your life. What specific actions can you take this week to develop this trait? [01:24]
3. Consider the role of revivals in your spiritual journey. How can you engage in steady growth and discipline beyond special meetings or events? [02:21]
4. How can you prepare yourself to be open and ready for unexpected spiritual experiences, similar to Isaiah's readiness? [03:04]
5. What practical steps can you take to seek God more intentionally in your daily life, while remaining open to the experiences He provides? [02:52]
6. Think of a time when you felt a vibrant spiritual life in your church. What contributed to that vibrancy, and how can you help foster it in your current church community? [03:16]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church to focus on both spiritual experiences and steady growth in their faith journey? [02:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Crisis Experiences and Spiritual Growth
Crisis experiences, such as the filling or baptism of the Holy Spirit, are significant moments in our faith journey. They are powerful and transformative, yet they should not be mistaken as substitutes for the ongoing process of spiritual growth and discipline. These experiences do not inherently develop character; instead, character is cultivated through the fruit of the Spirit, which emerges as the Spirit works within us to renew our inner selves. This renewal is a continuous process that requires dedication and discipline. It is through this steady growth that we truly embody the character of Christ. [01:24]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Identify a recent crisis experience in your life. How can you use this experience as a catalyst for ongoing spiritual growth and discipline?
Day 2: The True Meaning of Revival
Revivals have historically played a crucial role in spiritual awakening, particularly within the conservative wing of Protestantism. However, they cannot substitute for steady growth and discipline. The term "revival" has often lost its depth, becoming synonymous with mere special meetings. In the past, revivals were anticipated events, marked by extended gatherings with the hope of genuine spiritual awakening. Today, they often lack the depth and impact they once had. It is important to remember that true revival involves a deep, personal renewal and commitment to spiritual growth. [02:21]
Hosea 6:1-2 (ESV): "Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him."
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of revival. How can you seek a personal revival that leads to steady spiritual growth and discipline?
Day 3: Seeking God Beyond Experiences
While spiritual experiences are crucial, they should not be the primary focus of our journey. Instead, we should seek God and remain open to the experiences He provides, which often come unexpectedly. The story of Isaiah in the year King Uzziah died serves as a poignant example. Isaiah's vision of the Lord was a profound experience, yet it occurred when he was ready to receive it. This readiness is cultivated through a life of seeking God and being open to His presence. [02:52]
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: Consider your current spiritual practices. How can you cultivate a heart that is open and ready to receive unexpected experiences from God?
Day 4: Readiness to Receive God's Presence
The story of Isaiah illustrates the importance of being ready to receive God's presence. His vision of the Lord came when he was prepared, highlighting the need for a life of seeking God. This readiness is not a passive state but an active pursuit of God through prayer, study, and obedience. It is through this pursuit that we position ourselves to encounter God in profound ways. [03:04]
Isaiah 6:1-5 (ESV): "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"
Reflection: What steps can you take today to actively seek God and prepare your heart to receive His presence?
Day 5: Embracing a Vibrant Spiritual Life
In our churches, we should pray and hope for a vibrant spiritual life, where experiences with God are welcomed and embraced. These experiences, while not the end goal, are vital components of a dynamic and growing faith. A vibrant spiritual life is marked by a balance of experiences and steady growth, where believers are continually seeking God and open to His work in their lives. [03:16]
Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering a vibrant spiritual life in your church community? What role can you play in welcoming and embracing experiences with God?
Quotes
"the question is what role do crisis experiences play in this process i think they play tremendous roles the problem is they often are substituted for everything else deeper experiences one of the books that have been most important in my life is book called deeper experiences of famous christians by j gilchrist lawson and a man gave that to me when i was in undergraduate school" [00:12:38]
"i i think it has done more than anything else to save my life because i was in a system which actually was very frightened of crisis experiences and and just experiences generally but then some happened to me and it made all the difference in the world to me on the other hand they never took the place of discipline" [00:39:31]
"crisis experiences including what we would properly describe as the filling of the holy spirit baptism in the holy spirit which are different things uh in the gifts of the spirit generally speaking do not develop character that's not their function now we do have the category of fruit of the spirit and that is character" [00:60:04]
"that is something where the spirit has worked through us to transform us so that the fruit comes out of us is actually the fruit of the spirit see that's the renewal of the inward person once again so they're tremendously important but they are misleading another is revivals i see america is a revivalist tradition on the side of" [00:89:55]
"most of the conservative wing of protestantism they believe in revivals but revivals will not take the place of steady growth and steady discipline and in fact you know now you have revivals and nothing happens because the word itself has been downgraded and revival doesn't mean much of anything except special meetings" [01:17:55]
"when i was younger we had protracted meetings and we hoped for a revival now you just have a revival you don't even protract it you just quit when the days are over so i mean it's it's a very different scene now but but experiences are very very important we should not seek experiences in my opinion but we should expect them" [01:41:12]
"we should expect them we should seek the lord and expect experiences and often they will come at the most unexpected moment a wonderful isaiah 6 is a beautiful illustration the year that king uzziah died i saw also the lord well the lord had been there all the time you know but now then isaiah was ready for it" [01:68:31]
"and that's this was a great moment so they're very very important and we should pray and hope that our churches would be alive with" [01:95:04]
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