Embracing Wholeness Through Grace and Union with Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: The Futility of Self-Reliance

Paul’s rebuke to the Galatians highlights the futility of trying to perfect ourselves through the flesh after beginning in the Spirit. This underscores the curse of a "do-more" Christianity, which relies on human effort rather than God's grace. True transformation comes from living by the Spirit, not by our own works. Paul’s message is a reminder that our spiritual journey begins and ends with God’s grace, not our own efforts.

When we rely on our own strength, we fall into the trap of self-reliance, which leads to frustration and burnout. The Christian life is not about striving to meet a set of standards through our own power but about surrendering to the Spirit and allowing God to work in and through us. This is a call to abandon the "do-more" mentality and embrace the freedom that comes from living by the Spirit. [57:11]

Galatians 3:3 (ESV): "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than God's grace? How can you begin to surrender these areas to the Spirit today?

Day 2: The Two Trees of Eden

The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represent two paths—one of communion with God and the other of independence. Choosing independence leads to pride, shame, and fragmentation, while communion with God through Jesus offers wholeness and harmony. The story of Eden is a powerful illustration of the choices we face daily: to live in dependence on God or to seek autonomy.

The fall of humanity introduced shame and self-reliance, distancing us from the harmonious life we were created for. However, Jesus' redemptive work offers us a way back to wholeness, a re-creation into the Shalom of Eden. This path of communion with God is marked by trust, surrender, and a deep relationship with Him. [01:01:31]

Genesis 2:9 (ESV): "And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did it stem from a place of communion with God or from a desire for independence? How can you choose the path of communion in your next decision?

Day 3: The Process of Reintegration

Our spirits are made new in Christ, but our souls are still on a journey of healing. God promises to heal our broken hearts and bind up our wounds, transforming our fragmented selves into a beautiful masterpiece. This reintegration is available through union with Jesus, who is the integrating force of all creation.

The journey of soul healing is a process that requires patience and trust in God's timing. It involves allowing Jesus to surface the broken parts of our souls and letting His healing presence bring us into wholeness. This process is not about self-effort but about surrendering to Jesus and trusting Him to complete the good work He has begun in us. [01:07:35]

Psalm 147:3 (ESV): "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Reflection: What broken parts of your soul need healing today? How can you invite Jesus into these areas and trust Him to bring wholeness?

Day 4: The Ineffectiveness of Self-Effort

No amount of self-effort, rules, or religiosity can achieve the healing and wholeness we seek. Our self-management tools and behavioral techniques often isolate our broken parts further. True healing comes only through Jesus, who accepts us as we are and transforms us through His grace.

Self-effort can lead to a cycle of striving and failing, leaving us feeling more fragmented and isolated. Jesus invites us to come to Him as we are, with all our brokenness, and to allow His grace to transform us. This is a call to let go of our self-reliance and to embrace the transformative power of Jesus' love and grace. [01:18:41]

Isaiah 64:6 (ESV): "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."

Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on self-effort to achieve healing and wholeness? How can you begin to rely on Jesus' grace instead?

Day 5: Union with Jesus

The soul is healed through union with Jesus. This involves moving towards Him, allowing Him to surface the broken parts of our souls, and letting His healing presence bring us into wholeness. This process is available to everyone, anytime, anywhere, and is the essence of the gospel's good news.

Union with Jesus is about an intimate relationship with Him, where we allow Him to work in our lives and transform us from the inside out. It is a journey of trust, surrender, and deep communion with Him. This union is the source of true healing and wholeness, and it is available to all who seek it. [01:29:01]

John 15:4 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your union with Jesus? How can you create space in your life for His healing presence to work in you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This morning, we delved into the profound truth of God's grace and the ongoing battle between living by the Spirit and living by the flesh. We began by reflecting on Paul's letter to the Galatians, where he chastises them for trying to perfect themselves through the flesh after beginning in the Spirit. This sets the stage for understanding the futility of self-reliance and the curse of a "do-more" Christianity. We then turned to Colossians and Hebrews to emphasize that Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God, the creator, and sustainer of all things, including our very lives.

We explored the story of Eden, focusing on the two trees: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. These trees symbolize two paths—one of communion with God and the other of independence from Him. The fall of humanity introduced shame, self-reliance, and a fragmented existence, far from the harmonious life we were created for. Yet, Jesus' redemptive work offers us a way back to wholeness, a re-creation into the Shalom of Eden.

We acknowledged that while our spirits are made new in Christ, our souls are still on a journey of healing. God promises to heal our broken hearts and bind up our wounds, transforming our fragmented selves into a beautiful masterpiece. This process of reintegration is available to everyone, anytime, anywhere, through union with Jesus. We emphasized that no amount of self-effort, rules, or religiosity can achieve this healing; only Jesus, the integrating force of all creation, can.

We concluded by inviting everyone to move towards Jesus, to let Him surface the broken parts of our souls, and to allow His healing presence to bring us into wholeness. Through communion and prayer, we sought to experience this reintegration, trusting that Jesus is committed to completing the good work He has begun in us.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Reliance**: Paul’s rebuke to the Galatians highlights the futility of trying to perfect ourselves through the flesh after beginning in the Spirit. This underscores the curse of a "do-more" Christianity, which relies on human effort rather than God's grace. True transformation comes from living by the Spirit, not by our own works. [57:11]
2. The Two Trees of Eden: The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represent two paths—one of communion with God and the other of independence. Choosing independence leads to pride, shame, and fragmentation, while communion with God through Jesus offers wholeness and harmony.

3. The Process of Reintegration: Our spirits are made new in Christ, but our souls are still on a journey of healing. God promises to heal our broken hearts and bind up our wounds, transforming our fragmented selves into a beautiful masterpiece. This reintegration is available through union with Jesus, who is the integrating force of all creation.

4. The Ineffectiveness of Self-Effort: No amount of self-effort, rules, or religiosity can achieve the healing and wholeness we seek. Our self-management tools and behavioral techniques often isolate our broken parts further. True healing comes only through Jesus, who accepts us as we are and transforms us through His grace.

5. Union with Jesus: The soul is healed through union with Jesus. This involves moving towards Him, allowing Him to surface the broken parts of our souls, and letting His healing presence bring us into wholeness. This process is available to everyone, anytime, anywhere, and is the essence of the gospel's good news.

### [57:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[55:52] - Introduction and Series Overview
[56:29] - Paul's Rebuke to the Galatians
[57:11] - The Curse of Self-Reliance
[58:11] - Prayer for Freedom from False Gospels
[59:03] - Jesus: Creator and Sustainer
[60:01] - The Two Trees of Eden
[61:31] - Paths of Life and Independence
[62:52] - The Introduction of Shame
[63:55] - Communion with God vs. Self-Reliance
[64:58] - Made for Eden
[67:04] - The Journey of Soul Healing
[69:23] - Fragmentation and Its Effects
[74:11] - Jesus: The Integrating Force
[76:52] - The Process of Reintegration
[78:41] - The Ineffectiveness of Self-Effort
[89:01] - Union with Jesus
[90:44] - Communion and Prayer
[92:53] - Letting Jesus Surface Broken Parts
[97:32] - Prayer for Unity and Healing
[103:42] - Closing Blessing and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul accuse the Galatians of in Galatians 3:1-3, and why is this significant? [56:29]
According to Colossians 1:15-17, what roles does Jesus play in creation and sustenance? [59:03]
In Genesis 3:6-7, what were the immediate consequences of Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? [01:02:52]
How does the sermon describe the two trees in the Garden of Eden and their symbolic meanings? [01:01:31]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize the futility of trying to perfect oneself through the flesh after beginning in the Spirit? How does this relate to the concept of "do-more" Christianity? [57:11]
How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus being the visible image of the invisible God, as stated in Colossians 1:15-17? [59:03]
What does the story of Adam and Eve's choice in Genesis 3:6-7 reveal about human nature and the consequences of seeking independence from God? [01:02:52]
How does the sermon describe the process of reintegration and healing through union with Jesus? What does this process involve? [01:07:35]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you relied on your own efforts rather than God's grace. How did that impact your spiritual journey? What steps can you take to rely more on the Spirit? [57:11]
The sermon mentions that Jesus is the integrating force of all creation. How can you invite Jesus to hold together the fragmented parts of your life? [01:14:11]
In what ways have you experienced shame or self-reliance similar to Adam and Eve after their fall? How can you seek communion with God to overcome these feelings? [01:03:55]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of moving towards Jesus for healing. What practical steps can you take this week to allow Jesus to surface and heal the broken parts of your soul? [01:29:01]
How can you cultivate a deeper union with Jesus in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you need His healing presence and make a plan to invite Him into that space. [01:30:08]
The sermon discusses the ineffectiveness of self-effort in achieving wholeness. What are some self-management tools or behaviors you rely on that you need to surrender to Jesus? [01:18:41]
Think of a person in your life who might be struggling with fragmentation or brokenness. How can you support them in moving towards Jesus for healing and reintegration? [01:37:32]

Sermon Clips

1. "All who rely on the works of a do-more Christianity are under a curse. It actually says that if you carry on reading. So let's pray, eh? Okay. Just in the name of Jesus, I revoke the curse of believing in any false gospel this morning. Lord, we submit ourselves to your pure, your unadulterated, your untainted, your freeing, gorgeous gospel of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We submit ourselves to him crucified on our behalf and for our redemption. You alone, Jesus, are the author and the perfecter. And we silence every other voice in Jesus' name." [58:11] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Creation itself is a manifestation of God's will and purpose. Where everything is complete, is whole, is free, is interconnected through him. When we look at Eden. We see a world that was designed to function in harmony. With the essence of that being Shalom. There was freedom in harmony. Sorry, freedom in Eden. This freedom we had to choose. Freedom to choose. We had a volition to self-determine our own will. Or we could yield that same faculty in harmony to the will of God." [01:00:01] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The tree of life represents communion with God, which is made fully available to us through His new covenant of grace. And the tree of knowledge, on the other hand, represents choosing independence from God. It leads to pride. And it leads to legalism. A self-reliance on human reasoning. Or religion, if you want to put it that way. See, the fall. The fall dehumanized us. It took a humanity that was very good. Created in the image and likeness of God. And initiated a dehumanization. A de-creation effect. But we were made for Eden." [01:04:58] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God's original intent was for creation to be a harmonious reflection of His nature. With Jesus at the center. That we would just walk in the cool of the garden. In the beauty of Eden. The radiance of that word, Shalom. And we would just be naked and unashamed. As we know, God initiated a redemption plan. Right? Revelations 13, 8 says Jesus. This is at the end of the story. Says Jesus at the beginning of the story was slain before the foundations of the world. That Jesus would redeem us of our past. That He would redeem us of our sin. That He would redeem us of our prideful sinful nature." [01:05:47] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The soul is healed through union with Jesus. He accepts you as you are. Broken pieces and all. You are accepted because of the grace of our Lord Jesus. Do not move on from the acceptance grace of God. See, if you dive too quickly into His empowering grace without having been transformed by His acceptance, without having received His acceptance in every piece of you, then you'll just launch off. Perhaps even feeling empowered by God until you find yourself that suddenly I've actually left that grace behind. And I'm striving again. I'm just climbing up my own tree." [01:21:27] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Your healing, your maturity, it depends entirely on your willingness to turn everything over to Jesus. To receive His acceptance grace. All the ways that you seek stability and control, all of those self-management tools are filthy rags. Filthy rags. And so we can preach a message of grace all we like, and you can even start to comprehend it, and you can read Joseph Prince books. You can even listen to Andrew Womack and Andrew Farley until the cows come home. But, you can start to understand it, and yet you can still default to the same internal narratives, those same thought patterns, the do better, those mechanisms." [01:23:42] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Transformation back into His image comes from encountering Him. Unveiled without fig leaves. Naked. Exposed. Every broken part of us. Every piece to Jesus. See, people will spend years in learning until they can tell you about their, their, I don't know, you pick a piece. Their, their food addiction part. And they can explain the whole thing about how it's about self protection and comfort and abandonment and body control but they'll explain their situation but that, it's not the same as being reintegrated. See, we're not after understanding, we're after wholeness. We're after having wholeheartedness." [01:20:20] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You can self-manage. You can strive. You can work harder. You can try and be good. You can do all that self-management tools. You can develop solutions. You can upkeep behavioral management techniques. But no amount of self-anything is going to heal you. It's not going to reintegrate those pieces. It's not going to unburden those wounded parts of you so that they become part of that whole again. In fact our management tools, our rules, our law keeping, our religiosity, well they just they actually tend to isolate those parts further." [01:18:06] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The soul is healed through union with Jesus. It's that simple. The soul is healed. It's reintegrated through union with Jesus. And these places, okay, any time, anywhere you need him, the soul is healed through union with Jesus. So when you wake up at 2 in the morning and your soul is crying out for attention and well you've got a choice in that moment. Suddenly Jesus is like, hey. And so you move toward him. That's it. That's all it takes. You walk into it instead of running from it. You surrender instead of fighting." [01:29:01] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Jesus is the integrating force of all creation who heals shattered hearts. He literally holds all things together right now or the whole world would just fly into pieces. Ourselves included. Okay, so what I want to leave with you today is that we're going to walk through a process that's available to every person on the face of the planet anytime, anywhere, because that's God. And God is available anytime, anywhere. And He really committed to the integration of His image bearers. He is deeply committed to reintegration, right?" [01:16:20] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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