Embracing the Adventure of Spiritual Awakening
Summary
Today, I want to share what I believe God has been stirring in my heart and what He is inviting our church into. This isn't about taking action today but about understanding the spiritual journey we're on together. I've been reflecting on the concept of creating "wake" in our spiritual lives, much like the wake created by boats in water sports. In the book of Acts, we see the early church creating waves of change and growth, with God adding to their numbers daily. This isn't just about numbers; it's about people coming to see God as the source of life and the positive impact that has on culture.
Our church has been experiencing growth, with increasing attendance and baptisms, which is a testament to the spiritual adventure we're on. A relationship with God is an adventure, filled with unpredictable and sometimes challenging experiences. This adventure mirrors the spiritual realm, where God calls us to step out in faith and embrace the unknown.
I long for an awakening, a movement of God's Spirit that transforms lives and communities. Historically, awakenings have brought about significant cultural and societal changes, as people become more spiritually weighty and committed to God. This isn't about being satisfied with where we are but having a vision for more—more of God's presence, more spiritual gifts, and more opportunities to impact the world.
Awakenings are often messy and require a capacity for difficult adventures. They involve stepping into the unknown, embracing unpredictability, and being willing to face challenges. But they also require organization and intentionality. God works through people and organizations, and we must be prepared to be used by Him.
As we look to the future, I invite you to consider what it means to be 100% committed to God. It's not about perfection but about giving all of ourselves to Him. This level of commitment sets the foundation for awakening and allows God to use us in powerful ways. Let's strive to be fully committed, embracing the adventure God has for us and seeking to create spiritual wake in our lives and communities.
Key Takeaways:
1. Creating Spiritual Wake: Just as boats create wake in water sports, our spiritual lives can create waves of change and growth. In the book of Acts, the early church's growth was a sign of people coming to see God as the source of life, impacting culture positively. We are called to create spiritual wake by living out our faith boldly and impacting those around us. [03:16]
2. The Adventure of Faith: A relationship with God is an adventure, filled with unpredictable and sometimes challenging experiences. God calls us to step out in faith, embrace the unknown, and trust Him in the journey. This adventure mirrors the spiritual realm, where God equips and empowers us to do His work. [06:10]
3. Longing for Awakening: An awakening is a movement of God's Spirit that transforms lives and communities. Historically, awakenings have brought about significant cultural and societal changes. We should desire more of God's presence, spiritual gifts, and opportunities to impact the world, not being satisfied with where we are. [12:56]
4. Embracing Messiness: Awakenings are often messy and require a capacity for difficult adventures. They involve stepping into the unknown, embracing unpredictability, and being willing to face challenges. This messiness is part of the process of God working through us to bring about change. [31:25]
5. 100% Commitment: Being fully committed to God means giving all of ourselves to Him. It's not about perfection but about surrendering every aspect of our lives to His lordship. This level of commitment sets the foundation for awakening and allows God to use us in powerful ways. [49:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:13] - Water Sports and Spiritual Wake
- [03:16] - Creating Wake in the Book of Acts
- [06:10] - The Adventure of Faith
- [08:43] - Baptism and Spiritual Growth
- [09:51] - Turning the World Upside Down
- [11:01] - Awakening and Revival
- [12:56] - Vision for More
- [14:22] - Characteristics of Awakening
- [15:53] - Spiritual Weight and Awakening
- [17:41] - Conversion and Cultural Impact
- [18:55] - Historical Examples of Awakening
- [20:20] - Personal Relationship with God
- [21:58] - Revolutionary Impact of Awakening
- [23:53] - Civil Rights Movement and Awakening
- [25:38] - Vision for More Spiritual Gifts
- [27:03] - Avoiding Complacency
- [29:58] - Capacity for Difficult Adventure
- [31:25] - Embracing Messiness in Ministry
- [34:15] - Azusa Street Revival
- [35:34] - Organizational Drive in Awakening
- [37:14] - The Role of Organization
- [39:03] - Embracing Unpredictable Messiness
- [40:48] - Organizational Impact on Awakening
- [42:48] - Future Vision and Resources
- [45:11] - Enhancing Church Facilities
- [46:02] - Total Eclipse and Spiritual Commitment
- [47:19] - 100% Commitment to God
- [48:22] - The Call to Full Commitment
- [49:14] - Living a 100% Committed Life
- [50:46] - The Adventure of Full Commitment
- [51:42] - Closing Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 2:41-47
2. Acts 17:6
3. Matthew 28:19-20
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Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 2:41-47, what were some of the key activities and characteristics of the early church that contributed to their growth and impact?
2. How does the description of Paul and Silas in Acts 17:6 reflect the idea of creating a "spiritual wake" in their community?
3. According to Matthew 28:19-20, what is the Great Commission, and how does it relate to the concept of spiritual adventure mentioned in the sermon? [06:10]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea of "embracing messiness" in the process of spiritual awakening? [31:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the early church's commitment to fellowship and prayer in Acts 2:41-47 serve as a model for creating spiritual wake in our own communities?
2. What does it mean to "turn the world upside down" as described in Acts 17:6, and how can this be applied to modern-day church activities? [09:51]
3. In what ways does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 challenge believers to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the adventure of faith? [06:10]
4. How can the concept of "embracing messiness" in spiritual awakenings help us understand the unpredictable nature of God's work in our lives? [31:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you feel called to create a spiritual wake? What steps can you take to begin this process? [03:16]
2. The sermon mentioned the importance of being 100% committed to God. What does this look like in your daily life, and are there areas where you might be holding back? [49:14]
3. Consider the idea of spiritual adventure. How can you embrace the unknown and trust God more fully in your current circumstances? [06:10]
4. The sermon highlighted the need for a vision for more of God's presence and gifts. What specific spiritual gifts or opportunities are you seeking, and how can you pursue them? [12:56]
5. How can you prepare yourself to embrace the messiness of spiritual growth and awakening in your life and community? What practical steps can you take to be ready for this adventure? [31:25]
6. Think about the role of organization in spiritual awakenings. How can you contribute to creating a supportive and organized environment for spiritual growth in your church or community? [37:14]
7. Reflect on the Great Commission. Who in your life might God be calling you to reach out to, and how can you take a step towards fulfilling this call? [08:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Creating Spiritual Wake in Our Lives
In our spiritual journey, we are called to create a "wake" that impacts those around us, much like the wake created by boats in water sports. This concept is rooted in the early church's experience as described in the book of Acts, where their faith and actions led to waves of change and growth, with God adding to their numbers daily. This isn't merely about increasing numbers but about people recognizing God as the source of life and the positive cultural impact that follows. As believers, we are invited to live out our faith boldly, creating spiritual wake that influences our communities and draws others to God. [03:16]
Acts 2:46-47 (ESV): "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally impact with your faith today? How can you create a spiritual wake that draws them closer to God?
Day 2: Embracing the Adventure of Faith
A relationship with God is an adventure filled with unpredictable and sometimes challenging experiences. This adventure mirrors the spiritual realm, where God calls us to step out in faith, embrace the unknown, and trust Him in the journey. Just as in any adventure, there are moments of uncertainty and risk, but these are opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. As we navigate this spiritual adventure, we are equipped and empowered by God to do His work, trusting that He will guide us through every twist and turn. [06:10]
Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you embrace this adventure with trust and courage today?
Day 3: Longing for a Spiritual Awakening
An awakening is a movement of God's Spirit that transforms lives and communities, bringing about significant cultural and societal changes. Historically, such awakenings have led to people becoming more spiritually weighty and committed to God. This longing for awakening is not about being satisfied with where we are but having a vision for more—more of God's presence, more spiritual gifts, and more opportunities to impact the world. As we seek this awakening, we are encouraged to desire a deeper connection with God and a greater influence on the world around us. [12:56]
Isaiah 44:3 (ESV): "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."
Reflection: What is one way you can actively seek more of God's presence in your life today? How can you prepare your heart for a spiritual awakening?
Day 4: Embracing the Messiness of Awakening
Awakenings are often messy and require a capacity for difficult adventures. They involve stepping into the unknown, embracing unpredictability, and being willing to face challenges. This messiness is part of the process of God working through us to bring about change. As we embrace the messiness, we must also be organized and intentional, allowing God to work through us and our communities. By being open to the unpredictable nature of spiritual growth, we can be part of a transformative movement that impacts lives and cultures. [31:25]
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (ESV): "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."
Reflection: How can you embrace the messiness of spiritual growth in your life? What challenges are you willing to face for the sake of God's transformative work?
Day 5: Living a 100% Committed Life
Being fully committed to God means giving all of ourselves to Him. It's not about perfection but about surrendering every aspect of our lives to His lordship. This level of commitment sets the foundation for awakening and allows God to use us in powerful ways. As we strive to be fully committed, we open ourselves to the adventure God has for us, seeking to create spiritual wake in our lives and communities. This commitment is a daily choice to prioritize God's will and purpose above all else. [49:14]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one area of your life that you need to surrender to God today? How can you live a life that is 100% committed to His purpose and calling?
Quotes
God wants to use you and me. He wants to use our church to create wake. Over there, my favorite genre of reading is history. I just love history, history. I love biographies, autobiographies, especially American history. I find that fascinating. And then when you get into kingdom history, church history, that's even better for me. And so I've been consuming and learning all that I can, dusting off things I started to learn decades ago to get a fresh take on what happens when there is an awakening that comes to a region or a revival that comes to a region. Revival meaning, normally meaning, reviving the faith of people because it's basically when death, dead. I like the word awakening better because it's awakening you to a world of possibility, awakening you to the presence of God. Awakening happens when a wake boat of the presence of God passes over your life or in your region and people around feel it. [00:10:52] (68 seconds)
The reason why we have so many people deconstructing the faith, walking away from the faith, is because we have had so many weak, light Christians. People who haven't been having a regular conversation with God. People who don't do the spiritual disciplines. People who don't read their Bible. People who aren't on a mission, feeling like they're gifted by God to do something. People who don't say, I need God. Instead, I need money. I need insurance. I need America to be the way I want it. That's why people have been flocking from Christianity in droves. It hasn't been because there's a problem with Christianity. We have too many lightweights. Too many people who don't want an awakening. Too many people who aren't playing for bigger stakes. Too many people who play victim. And in an awakening, there's a weightiness. a weightiness to us. [00:15:09] (50 seconds)
I want more people at Crossroads to say, I love Jesus with all of my heart. When that happens, there's a spiritual weight that comes. And when one person feels that, it cascades to another and another and another. And before you know it, you're looking at an awakening. Tim Keller said this, revival is an avalanche. We have a few CP Christians waking up, a few nominal Christians getting converted, and a few really interesting dramatic conversions from the community. And there's a real support of extraordinary prayer. And those first little pebbles can turn into an avalanche. We don't even like to use the word converted anymore. Like the world is full of certain words that are core to my faith are evil words. Oh, you're just trying to get converts, converted, convert. That's what Jesus does. He comes to save us. [00:16:58] (54 seconds)
There's conversions when there is an awakening happening, when there's people of depth that happen. There's also, number two, there's cultural and societal impact. There's ripples and wakes that go across all of culture and society. Now, as I talk about this, I'm not here talking about philosophically. There's been a number of these. in the last couple thousand years. And when you look at those and stitch them together, it starts to make sense that the pieces start to come together. The first person who was a Christian and used advertising was a guy by the name of George Whitefield. He actually used drama in his preaching. He would, instead of preaching monotone from a script like some people did, like Jonathan Edwards, if you know that old name, George Whitefield would do these big gestures and he would command the stage and he would go into a town ahead of time and he would put advertising up on bulletin boards and all that kind of letting people know that he was coming. [00:18:14] (60 seconds)
For God to have his way in your life, for you to have a peace, the past is all understanding. For you to have a joy that can't be squelched with a bad economy. For you to have hope when someone you don't like gets elected. For you to have hope. For you to have a purpose in the future, even when you don't feel like you can last another day, it happens because Jesus has a hundred of you and you just love him with all your heart. All of it. And until we do, no one has any reason to look into our God because we're no different than anybody else. We just got a veneer of religiosity on us and a habit of going to church. Big freaking deal. God wants you. He wants all of you. Because he gave all of himself for us. The adventure's coming. He's worthy. He's worthy. He's worthy. [00:50:29] (64 seconds)
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