Embracing Spiritual Life: A Journey of Discipleship

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we are reminded that we are unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God's vast universe. This profound truth challenges us to reconsider our understanding of life and spirituality. Life, as Jesus teaches, is not merely about natural existence but about an interactive relationship with God. This relationship transcends the boundaries of activity and passivity, inviting us into a life of grace where God's actions complement our own.

The essence of spiritual life is found in the teachings of Jesus, who offers us a master class in living. To be a disciple of Jesus is to learn from Him how to live our lives as He would if He were in our place. This apprenticeship is the greatest opportunity we have, akin to discovering the pearl of great price. It is about embracing a life that is self-initiating, self-sustaining, and self-directing, yet deeply rooted in the divine.

Spirituality, in the Christian tradition, is not just a peculiar way of being human but a way of being more than human. It is about identity and empowerment that go beyond mere human capabilities. We are invited to partake in the divine nature, to live a life that is intertwined with God's life, making moral goodness not just possible but natural.

This spiritual life is contagious, spreading from person to person, much like an infection of divine love and grace. It transforms us, enabling us to bless rather than curse, to live in joy rather than sorrow, and to act in righteousness without effort. This transformation is not achieved through sheer willpower but through training and discipleship, allowing God's life to permeate every aspect of our being.

As we embrace this life, we become the light of the world, reflecting the life of Christ in us. Our good works, born out of this divine life, point others to God, not to ourselves. We are called to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, allowing His life to exalt us in due time. This is the essence of spiritual life—a life lived in the light of God's eternal purpose for us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Interactive Relationship with God: Our spiritual journey is about cultivating an interactive relationship with God, where His actions complement our own. This relationship transcends mere activity and passivity, inviting us into a life of grace and divine partnership. [02:14]

2. The Cost of Discipleship: Embracing discipleship means recognizing the cost of non-discipleship. It is about understanding that the greatest opportunity in life is to learn from Jesus how to live as He would in our place, akin to discovering the pearl of great price. [06:33]

3. Spiritual Life as Contagious: The spiritual life we receive from Christ is contagious, spreading from person to person like an infection of divine love and grace. This life transforms us, enabling us to bless rather than curse and to live in joy rather than sorrow. [25:39]

4. Identity and Empowerment Beyond Human: Christian spirituality offers an identity and empowerment that go beyond mere human capabilities. We are invited to partake in the divine nature, living a life that is intertwined with God's life, making moral goodness natural. [33:52]

5. Transformation Through Discipleship: True transformation is not achieved through sheer willpower but through training and discipleship. By submitting our bodies as living sacrifices and transforming our minds, we allow God's life to permeate every aspect of our being. [52:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Introduction to Jesus College
- [00:42] - Understanding Knowledge and Faith
- [01:34] - Interactive Relationship with God
- [03:08] - Life of Grace and Faith
- [05:14] - Spiritual and Non-Spiritual Life
- [06:33] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [07:33] - Understanding Life and Death
- [12:15] - Life in Jesus
- [14:25] - Exploring Spirituality
- [17:34] - Identity in Christ
- [19:20] - Partaking in Divine Nature
- [25:39] - Spiritual Life as Contagious
- [33:52] - Identity and Empowerment Beyond Human
- [52:12] - Transformation Through Discipleship

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 5:25-26 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself." [07:33]
2. 2 Peter 1:2-4 - "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature." [18:16]
3. John 8:51 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death." [37:24]

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says that the dead will hear His voice and live, according to John 5:25-26? [07:33]
2. How does 2 Peter 1:2-4 describe the process of becoming partakers of the divine nature? [18:16]
3. In John 8:51, what promise does Jesus make to those who keep His word? [37:24]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God's actions and our own in the context of spiritual life? [02:14]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the concept of having life "in Himself" as described in John 5:26 relate to the idea of spiritual life being self-initiating, self-sustaining, and self-directing? [08:48]
2. What does it mean to partake in the divine nature, and how does this concept challenge our understanding of human identity and empowerment? [19:20]
3. How does the promise in John 8:51 that believers will never see death influence a Christian's perspective on life and mortality? [37:24]
4. The sermon suggests that spiritual life is contagious, spreading like an infection. How does this metaphor help us understand the impact of living a life intertwined with God's life? [25:39]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. How interactive is it, and what steps can you take to deepen this relationship, allowing God's actions to complement your own? [02:14]
2. Consider the cost of discipleship in your life. What sacrifices have you made, or are willing to make, to learn from Jesus how to live as He would in your place? [06:33]
3. Think of a time when you felt empowered beyond your natural capabilities. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of identity and empowerment through your spiritual life? [33:52]
4. In what ways can you allow the spiritual life you receive from Christ to be contagious, spreading love and grace to those around you? [25:39]
5. How can you practice humility by submitting to God's mighty hand, allowing His life to exalt you in due time? What practical steps can you take to humble yourself in your daily life? [22:35]
6. Identify an area of your life where you struggle to bless rather than curse. What training or discipleship practices can you implement to transform this aspect of your life? [48:08]
7. Reflect on the idea that you are the light of the world. How can you let your light shine in your community, pointing others to God through your good works? [25:04]

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating an Interactive Relationship with God
In our spiritual journey, we are called to cultivate an interactive relationship with God, where His actions complement our own. This relationship is not about mere activity or passivity but invites us into a life of grace and divine partnership. It is a dynamic interaction that transcends the mundane aspects of life, allowing us to experience a deeper connection with the divine. By engaging in this relationship, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace, which works in tandem with our efforts to live a life that reflects His love and purpose. [02:14]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to listen and respond to God's presence in your life today?


Day 2: Embracing the Cost of Discipleship
Embracing discipleship involves recognizing the cost of non-discipleship. It is about understanding that the greatest opportunity in life is to learn from Jesus how to live as He would in our place. This journey is akin to discovering the pearl of great price, where the value of following Christ surpasses all else. Discipleship requires a willingness to let go of our preconceived notions and embrace the teachings of Jesus, allowing them to shape our lives in profound ways. It is a commitment to live a life that reflects the values and principles of the Kingdom of God. [06:33]

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:27-28, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you feel the cost of following Jesus? How can you embrace this cost as part of your discipleship journey today?


Day 3: The Contagious Nature of Spiritual Life
The spiritual life we receive from Christ is contagious, spreading from person to person like an infection of divine love and grace. This life transforms us, enabling us to bless rather than curse and to live in joy rather than sorrow. It is a life that naturally overflows into the lives of others, drawing them into the same transformative experience. As we live out this spiritual life, we become conduits of God's love and grace, impacting those around us in profound ways. This contagious nature of spirituality invites us to be intentional in how we share our faith and love with others. [25:39]

"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 2:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally share God's love and grace with today? How can you be a source of encouragement and joy to them?


Day 4: Identity and Empowerment Beyond Human Capabilities
Christian spirituality offers an identity and empowerment that go beyond mere human capabilities. We are invited to partake in the divine nature, living a life that is intertwined with God's life, making moral goodness natural. This identity is not limited by our human frailties but is empowered by the divine presence within us. As we embrace this identity, we find strength and purpose that transcend our limitations, allowing us to live in alignment with God's will. This empowerment calls us to live boldly and confidently, knowing that we are supported by the divine. [33:52]

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you see God's empowerment in your life today? How can you lean into this divine strength to overcome a current challenge?


Day 5: Transformation Through Discipleship
True transformation is not achieved through sheer willpower but through training and discipleship. By submitting our bodies as living sacrifices and transforming our minds, we allow God's life to permeate every aspect of our being. This process of transformation is a journey of becoming more like Christ, where our thoughts, actions, and desires align with His. Discipleship involves intentional practices that shape our character and deepen our relationship with God, leading to a life that reflects His love and grace. It is through this ongoing process that we experience true spiritual growth and transformation. [52:12]

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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 12:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific practice you can incorporate into your daily routine to foster spiritual growth and transformation? How can this practice help you become more like Christ?

Quotes


In the interactive relationship with God, with His kingdom, with Christ, and the eternal life that Jesus speaks of is actually an interactive relationship. That is to say, it's not entirely passive and it's not entirely active. There are things that we do and God is not going to do those for us. [00:19:36]

When we count the cost of discipleship, we want to count the cost of non-discipleship, and how we don't want to just consider if we're buying something the money we pay out, but what we get in return, and we also have to consider what we're going to pay if we don't buy it. [00:05:40]

To say I am a disciple of Jesus is to say that I'm learning from Him how to lead my life as He would lead my life if He were I. So now I'm learning that and I approach it as the best deal that I will ever have in life, the greatest opportunity. [00:06:14]

In Jesus, there was an additional kind of life than the natural. So, if you look candidly at His activities, you will see that there were some that you could describe as self-initiating, self-sustaining, self-directing. He did them, and that clearly it was not the kind of thing that you would find in just everyone. [00:12:48]

Christian spirituality means a way of being more than human. It means a way of having an identity that is not just human, and that brings in the second thing that is always involved in talk of spirituality, and that is empowerment. Identity and empowerment are the two marks of spirituality. [00:33:40]

The life that comes now is the spiritual life of God that begins to move in you, and that's how the life that is in Him is in fact the light of the world. The light of the world that means in the presence of that life, people know what to do and that's what light does. [00:20:11]

Life has the power to communicate itself. We catch it from Jesus. It is catchable, it's infectious. It has the capacity to leap from organism to organism, if you are comfortable with that way of talking about it. The God of life is the God of a kind of life that is suited to you as a spiritual being. [00:25:47]

The spiritual person then is someone that has advanced in that life. We know from reading Paul and others in the scripture that even those who are identified with Christ can still be carnal. A carnal Christian is someone whose life is still dominated by the merely natural tendencies of life. [00:27:26]

The transformation of the will or I call it the renovation of the heart, is not just willpower. It's not just a matter of clinching down and trying real hard, and in general we just have to say trying is not the way forward. We have to put forth some effort, but not trying. [00:52:12]

The primary instrument for example of evangelization is the human body, it's the transformed human body. It's the human body in which righteousness and the spirit dwell as a living principle, and that would mean simply that we're ready to do the right thing without thinking about it. [00:44:38]

The person who is increasingly spiritual, and a spiritual person is a person who is leading a life that is largely intermingled with and dependent upon the action of God and His kingdom. So now back to our theme about spirituality that we touched on a while ago. [00:31:44]

The teaching of Jesus is you are first of all God's creation in God's world, and you are invited to become something with His same nature. We are invited to take on the divine nature. Are you comfortable with that? Here's what Peter says in II Peter: grace and peace be multiplied to you. [00:19:20]

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Transcript
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