Empathy and Understanding: Discovering God Through Jesus
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of empathy and the human longing for connection and understanding. Empathy, unlike sympathy, allows us to truly feel and understand the experiences of others, creating a shared sense of humanity. This idea is beautifully captured in the lyrics of the song "Calling All Angels" by Train, which resonates with the universal desire for assurance and connection with God. We often find ourselves seeking signs that God is present and attentive to our lives, especially in times of uncertainty and confusion.
This longing for divine connection is not new. Even the disciples of Jesus, like Philip, sought assurance of God's presence. In a moment of uncertainty, Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, to which Jesus responded by emphasizing that knowing Him is knowing the Father. Jesus came to demonstrate what God is like, to remove the mystery and bring clarity to our understanding of God. He is the embodiment of God's character, showing us who God is, what He values, and how much He loves us.
The message also highlighted the importance of not relying solely on our circumstances or traditions to understand God. Instead, we are encouraged to look to Jesus, who provides the clearest representation of God. The disciples, despite their initial confusion, eventually understood this truth after the resurrection, ensuring that Jesus' teachings would endure through the ages.
As we reflect on this season, we are reminded that we are the reason for the season. Jesus came to bless the world and to reveal the Father to us. By focusing on Jesus, we gain a deeper understanding of God's love and presence in our lives. This Christmas, let us seek to know the Father through the Son, embracing the clarity and assurance that Jesus provides.
Key Takeaways:
1. Empathy and Connection: Empathy allows us to truly understand and share in the experiences of others, creating a profound connection. This shared understanding is a reflection of our longing for divine assurance and presence in our lives. [02:08]
2. Jesus as the Revelation of God: Jesus came to demonstrate what God is like, providing clarity and reducing the mystery surrounding God's nature. By knowing Jesus, we come to know the Father, as He is the perfect representation of God. [23:38]
3. Beyond Circumstances and Traditions: We should not rely solely on our circumstances or traditions to understand God. Instead, we are encouraged to look to Jesus, who provides the clearest representation of God's character and love. [32:12]
4. The Disciples' Journey to Understanding: Despite their initial confusion, the disciples eventually understood the truth of Jesus' identity and mission after the resurrection. Their journey reminds us of the importance of seeking understanding through Jesus. [31:25]
5. The Reason for the Season: We are the reason for the season, as Jesus came to bless the world and reveal the Father to us. By focusing on Jesus, we gain a deeper understanding of God's love and presence in our lives. [34:08]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:09] - The Power of Empathy
[02:24] - Finding Words for Our Feelings
[03:51] - A Song That Resonates
[05:00] - Seeking Assurance from God
[06:02] - Philip's Moment of Doubt
[07:47] - Reasons for the Season
[09:29] - Jesus Demonstrates God
[11:01] - Paul's Transformation
[13:48] - Shadows and Reality
[15:27] - God Accommodates Our Capacity
[17:15] - Jesus' Final Teachings
[21:07] - The Way, the Truth, and the Life
[23:38] - Knowing the Father Through the Son
[29:23] - The Reason for the Season
[34:08] - Challenge: Discovering the Father Through the Son
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 14:8-9 - "Philip said, 'Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.' Jesus answered: 'Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?'"
2. Colossians 2:17 - "These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ."
3. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Observation Questions:
1. What was Philip's request to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to it? ([06:41])
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between empathy and sympathy? ([02:08])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of Jesus in revealing the nature of God? ([09:40])
4. According to the sermon, how did the disciples' understanding of Jesus' identity change after the resurrection? ([31:25])
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Philip have felt the need to ask Jesus to show them the Father, and what does this reveal about human longing for assurance? ([06:41])
2. How does the sermon explain the concept of Jesus being the "shadow caster" and the reality of God? ([14:49])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' life and teachings provide clarity about God's character and intentions? ([24:09])
4. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "the reason for the season" in relation to Jesus' mission and purpose? ([08:23])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you sought assurance of God's presence in your life. How did you find that assurance, and what role did Jesus play in it? ([05:00])
2. The sermon emphasizes empathy as a way to connect with others. How can you practice empathy in your daily interactions, especially during this Christmas season? ([02:08])
3. Consider the idea that Jesus came to demonstrate what God is like. How does this understanding impact your relationship with God and your faith journey? ([09:40])
4. The sermon suggests not relying solely on circumstances or traditions to understand God. What are some ways you can focus more on Jesus to gain a clearer understanding of God's love and presence? ([32:12])
5. How can you incorporate the teachings of Jesus into your life to better reflect God's character to those around you? ([24:09])
6. The sermon challenges us to read the Gospel of John with the question, "What do I learn about the Father from the Son?" How might this practice change your perspective on your faith? ([34:18])
7. In what ways can you be a source of blessing to others this Christmas, reflecting the reason for the season as described in the sermon? ([08:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Empathy as a Pathway to Connection
Empathy is more than just understanding; it is a shared experience that connects us deeply with others. It allows us to step into another's shoes and feel their joys and sorrows, creating a profound bond that reflects our innate desire for divine assurance and presence. In a world filled with uncertainty, empathy becomes a bridge that not only connects us to each other but also to the divine, as we seek signs of God's presence in our lives. This longing for connection is universal, echoing the sentiments expressed in the song "Calling All Angels" by Train, which speaks to our desire for assurance and connection with God. [02:08]
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." (Romans 12:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a person in your life who is going through a difficult time. How can you practice empathy today to connect with them on a deeper level?
Day 2: Jesus as the Clear Revelation of God
Jesus came to earth to reveal the true nature of God, providing clarity and reducing the mystery surrounding His character. By knowing Jesus, we come to know the Father, as He is the perfect representation of God. This understanding was emphasized when Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, and Jesus responded by affirming that seeing Him is seeing the Father. Jesus' life and teachings offer us a clear picture of God's love, values, and desires for humanity, inviting us to deepen our relationship with the divine through Him. [23:38]
"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you seek to know God more deeply by studying the life and teachings of Jesus this week?
Day 3: Beyond Circumstances and Traditions
Our understanding of God should not be limited to our circumstances or traditions. Instead, we are encouraged to look to Jesus, who provides the clearest representation of God's character and love. Traditions and circumstances can sometimes cloud our perception of God, but Jesus offers a direct and unfiltered view of who God is. By focusing on Jesus, we can transcend the limitations of our human experiences and gain a deeper understanding of God's true nature and His love for us. [32:12]
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a tradition or circumstance that has shaped your view of God. How can you shift your focus to Jesus to gain a clearer understanding of God's character?
Day 4: The Disciples' Journey to Understanding
The disciples, despite their initial confusion, eventually understood the truth of Jesus' identity and mission after the resurrection. Their journey reminds us of the importance of seeking understanding through Jesus. Like the disciples, we may face moments of doubt and uncertainty, but by persevering in our pursuit of truth, we can come to a deeper understanding of Jesus' teachings and His role in revealing the Father to us. This journey of discovery is a vital part of our spiritual growth and relationship with God. [31:25]
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced doubt or confusion in your faith journey. How can you seek clarity and understanding through Jesus today?
Day 5: The Reason for the Season
We are the reason for the season, as Jesus came to bless the world and reveal the Father to us. By focusing on Jesus, we gain a deeper understanding of God's love and presence in our lives. This Christmas, let us embrace the clarity and assurance that Jesus provides, recognizing that His coming was to demonstrate God's love and to invite us into a closer relationship with Him. As we celebrate this season, let us remember the profound impact of Jesus' life and teachings on our understanding of God. [34:08]
"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: As you celebrate this Christmas season, how can you focus on the true reason for the season and deepen your relationship with God through Jesus?
Quotes
"I need a sign to let me know you're here. I mean, sometimes it's like, God, I just need to know you're paying attention, right? 'Cause my TV set just keeps it all from being clear. When I see everything going on in the world, it's like, is anyone listening? Is anyone paying attention? Are you paying attention?" [00:04:24]
"Philip, who is one of Jesus' disciples, has a moment like this. It's the end of Jesus' ministry, they're about to celebrate Passover. Jesus is hours away from being arrested. And he's going, Jesus is trying to explain some things to him, and things are spinning outta control the best the disciples can tell." [00:06:04]
"Just show us the Father, and that will be enough for us. Just assure us that things aren't spinning outta control. Assure us that God is a part of this whole thing that we thought God was a part of, and now we're not so sure. Just show us the Father. I need a sign to let us know he's here, that he's paying attention, right?" [00:06:46]
"Jesus came to demonstrate what God is like, to demonstrate what God is like. This was a theme of his teaching and a theme of his ministry. But I'm telling you, I know for me at times, I forget this. I feel like as I listen to Christians and read what Christians say, what they complain about and how they respond to things, I think, wait, have you not been paying attention to Jesus?" [00:09:40]
"The apostle Paul actually wrote half the New Testament. But as you know, he steps onto the pages of history, not as the apostle Paul, but as Saul of Tarsus who hated Christians. And here's the interesting thing. Before he met Jesus, before he met Jesus, he was sure he was right about God, and he was sure he was right with God, absolutely sure." [00:10:48]
"Until the arrival of Jesus, and this is the reason for the season. Until the arrival of Jesus, everybody guessed. There was so much mystery. There were hints and shadows. Every world religion, every religion, every ancient pagan religion, all of them were trying to figure out something because they knew there was something beyond them, but they had to guess." [00:15:04]
"Jesus is like, 'Look, this isn't complicated. Just focus. I am the way. I'm the way to God, and I'm the truth about God, and I'm the life of God. No one understands, no one gets to, no one figures out, no one reasons their way, that no one gets God unless they come through me.'" [00:22:12]
"If you know me, you will know my Father as well. And from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him. And they're like, 'We do? We have?' Jesus is like, 'Yes, why do you think I stuck around? Why do you think I dragged you boys around?' The implication he's saying is this, you know what the Father is like." [00:23:38]
"Because after the resurrection, they were convinced Jesus and the Father are one. Like Father, like Son. They were convinced, this is important. They were convinced that Jesus didn't simply have the best explanation of God. They were convinced that Jesus is the best explanation of God our Father." [00:31:17]
"Don't draw conclusions about the love of God, the compassion of God, the mercy of God. Don't draw conclusions about the wisdom of God and especially about the unconditional love of God from your circumstances. That is a mistake. It's why we abandoned him in the end. And don't depend on your traditions." [00:32:12]
"If you wanna know what God is like, if you wanna know what God likes, if you wanna know how much God loves you, he says, you look to Jesus because God is like Jesus. The reason he came, what if this is true? The reason he came was to illustrate, and then demonstrate, and then communicate what God is like, who God is." [00:33:04]
"One of the best things you could do in this Christmas season, I wanna challenge you to do it. If you have a Bible, to find your Bible. If you don't have a Bible, you can download a Bible. There are Bible apps. To find a Bible and go to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, the fourth Gospel, and read the Gospel of John with this question in mind, with this question in mind." [00:34:08]
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