Encountering Jesus: The Heart of Our Worship
Summary
As we embark on a new year, we are reminded of the importance of meeting Jesus, not just as a tradition but as a living encounter with our Savior. Our gatherings at the church are not about preserving rituals but about experiencing the presence of Jesus Christ. The most crucial question after any service is whether we have met with Jesus, whether He has enlightened our minds, strengthened our souls, and deepened our faith. This is the essence of our worship and the purpose of our community.
The Gospel of John is a profound place to meet Jesus, as it was written to help us believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, we may have life in His name. This year, we aim to invite others, especially those unfamiliar with church, to join us in this journey of discovery. John's Gospel offers a direct encounter with the Son of God, revealing His life and words.
In a world filled with diverse beliefs, the statement "no one has ever seen God" is crucial. It challenges the notion that we can know God through intuition or personal experience alone. Instead, Jesus, the only God at the Father's side, has made Him known. Jesus is the Eternal, personal, Divine, creating, life-giving, incarnate Son of God. He is the Word made flesh, who dwelt among us, revealing the Father to us.
This truth challenges the agnosticism prevalent in our culture, which claims we cannot know God. It also challenges the belief that we all know God through our hearts. True knowledge of God comes through Jesus Christ, who has made the Father known. As we begin this journey through John's Gospel, we are invited to trust in Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life. In Him, we find the highest way, the most reliable truth, and the greatest life.
Key Takeaways:
- Meeting Jesus is the central purpose of our gatherings, not just learning or socializing. It's about experiencing His presence, which enlightens, strengthens, and deepens our faith. [01:30]
- The Gospel of John is a direct encounter with Jesus, written to help us believe in Him and have life in His name. It invites us to explore who Jesus is and what He has done. [03:52]
- In a world of diverse beliefs, the statement "no one has ever seen God" is crucial. It challenges the idea that we can know God through intuition or personal experience alone. [09:57]
- Jesus, the Eternal, personal, Divine, creating, life-giving, incarnate Son of God, has made the Father known. He is the Word made flesh, revealing God to us. [15:03]
- True knowledge of God comes through Jesus Christ, not through intuition or personal feelings. We are invited to trust in Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life. [36:00]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - New Year Reflections
- [00:22] - Meet Jesus Series Introduction
- [00:43] - Purpose of Gathering
- [01:30] - Encountering Jesus
- [02:21] - Inviting Others to Meet Jesus
- [03:23] - The Gospel of John
- [04:10] - Believing in Jesus
- [05:13] - Opening the Bible
- [07:46] - Knowing God
- [09:57] - No One Has Seen God
- [15:03] - Jesus Reveals God
- [23:25] - Cultural Challenges
- [27:49] - Intuition vs. Revelation
- [35:00] - Foundation for Faith
- [39:22] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 1:18
- John 20:31
- Isaiah 55:8
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 1:18, who has made God known to us, and how does this challenge the idea that no one has ever seen God? [08:08]
2. What is the stated purpose of the Gospel of John as mentioned in John 20:31, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on meeting Jesus? [03:52]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus in revealing God to us, and what are the key attributes of Jesus mentioned? [15:47]
4. What cultural challenges does the sermon identify regarding the belief that we can or cannot know God? [23:39]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the statement "no one has ever seen God" in John 1:18 challenge the belief that we can know God through personal intuition or experience? [09:57]
2. In what ways does the Gospel of John invite us to explore who Jesus is and what He has done, according to the sermon? [03:23]
3. How does the sermon suggest that Jesus being the "Word made flesh" impacts our understanding of God’s revelation to humanity? [15:03]
4. What implications does Isaiah 55:8 have for those who believe they can understand God through their own thoughts and feelings? [30:10]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal experiences at church. How often do you leave a service feeling that you have truly met with Jesus? What might help deepen this encounter? [01:30]
2. The sermon emphasizes inviting others to meet Jesus. Who in your life might benefit from an invitation to explore the Gospel of John with you, and how can you extend that invitation? [02:51]
3. Consider the cultural belief that we can know God through intuition. How can you ensure that your understanding of God is rooted in Scripture rather than personal feelings? [27:49]
4. The sermon challenges us to trust in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your trust in Jesus? [36:00]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of reading the Bible into your daily routine to ensure you are listening to God’s Word rather than just your own thoughts? [31:26]
6. Reflect on the idea that Jesus is the joy of His people in heaven. How can this perspective change the way you view your relationship with Jesus now? [38:48]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel uncertain about God’s presence or guidance. How can the truths from this sermon help you find clarity and assurance? [23:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing Jesus' Presence in Worship
Meeting Jesus is the central purpose of our gatherings, not just learning or socializing. It's about experiencing His presence, which enlightens, strengthens, and deepens our faith. Our church gatherings are not merely about maintaining traditions or rituals; they are about encountering Jesus Christ in a living and transformative way. Each service is an opportunity to meet with Jesus, allowing Him to enlighten our minds, strengthen our souls, and deepen our faith. This encounter is the essence of our worship and the purpose of our community. As we gather, the most crucial question we should ask ourselves is whether we have truly met with Jesus. [01:30]
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek to experience Jesus' presence in your next church gathering, rather than just attending out of routine?
Day 2: Discovering Jesus Through the Gospel of John
The Gospel of John is a direct encounter with Jesus, written to help us believe in Him and have life in His name. It invites us to explore who Jesus is and what He has done. John's Gospel is a profound resource for those seeking to understand and believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. It offers a direct encounter with the life and words of Jesus, inviting us to explore His identity and mission. This year, we are encouraged to invite others, especially those unfamiliar with church, to join us in this journey of discovery through John's Gospel. [03:52]
"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person you can invite to explore the Gospel of John with you, and how can you make this invitation meaningful and welcoming?
Day 3: Knowing God Through Jesus
In a world of diverse beliefs, the statement "no one has ever seen God" is crucial. It challenges the idea that we can know God through intuition or personal experience alone. In today's world, many believe that God can be known through personal intuition or experience. However, the truth that "no one has ever seen God" challenges this notion, emphasizing that true knowledge of God comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus, the only God at the Father's side, has made Him known to us. This understanding challenges the agnosticism prevalent in our culture and invites us to trust in Jesus as the way to know God. [09:57]
"No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." (John 1:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you relied on personal intuition to know God, and how can you shift your focus to knowing God through Jesus?
Day 4: Jesus Reveals the Father
Jesus, the Eternal, personal, Divine, creating, life-giving, incarnate Son of God, has made the Father known. He is the Word made flesh, revealing God to us. Jesus is the embodiment of God's revelation to humanity. As the Word made flesh, He dwelt among us, revealing the Father to us in a personal and tangible way. This truth challenges the belief that we can know God through our hearts alone, emphasizing that Jesus is the one who makes the Father known. By trusting in Jesus, we gain access to the highest way, the most reliable truth, and the greatest life. [15:03]
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the Word made flesh change your perception of who God is and how He relates to you?
Day 5: Trusting in Jesus for True Knowledge of God
True knowledge of God comes through Jesus Christ, not through intuition or personal feelings. We are invited to trust in Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life. In a culture that often values personal intuition and feelings as sources of truth, the message that true knowledge of God comes through Jesus Christ is both challenging and liberating. Jesus invites us to trust in Him as the way, the truth, and the life, offering us the most reliable foundation for our faith. By placing our trust in Jesus, we find the highest way, the most reliable truth, and the greatest life. [36:00]
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
The most important question when you move away from a service of worship, whether it be here or anywhere else, is this: did you meet with Jesus? That's the question. Did you draw near to him? Did he draw near to you? Did you find that he gave light to your mind? Did you find that he gave Faith to your heart? Did you find that he gave strength to your soul? [00:01:30]
John actually tells us why he wrote the Gospel, and this is what he says. The Gospel of John, why was it written? He says these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. [00:03:52]
No one has ever seen God. Now, friends, these words are of huge importance in our culture today. Earlier generations in this country grew up in a culture that was frankly so dominated by Christianity that there really only was one decision to make, and that was do you believe it or not? [00:09:57]
Jesus Christ is the Eternal, personal, Divine, creating, lifegiving, incarnate Son of God. All of that is in the first 18 verses of John's gospel in chapter 1. Jesus Christ is the Eternal, personal, Divine, creating, lifegiving, incarnate Son of God. [00:15:03]
The Son of God came into the world to make him known. Now, some of us who are Christians, you will have the opportunity of speaking with a friend, a colleague, a neighbor this week. There'll be folks in your family who are in that position, haven't made up their mind, and so forth. [00:36:00]
The Gospel, thank God, does not say in verse one and of chapter one, in the beginning were our hearts, and our hearts were with God, and our hearts were God. It does not say that. What does it say? It says in the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [00:31:00]
You will not find ever in life a higher way than you find in him. You will not find a more reliable truth any place in the world than you can find in Jesus Christ, and you certainly will not find a better life than you find in him. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. [00:36:00]
The greatest life and the greatest joy that we can ever know in this world is to get to meet and to know him. Let's pray together. Father, we are asking that these may be days in which we come to meet and to know Jesus Christ, your son. [00:39:22]
The only God who is at the Father's side has made him known. No one has ever seen God, but the only God who is at the Father's side has made him known. Now, John, of course, is referring here to Jesus Christ, who is the subject not only of the whole gospel but indeed of the whole Bible. [00:15:03]
In the beginning was the word. By the way, isn't it wonderful that it doesn't say in the beginning was God, and no one has ever seen him or made him known? I'll go home if that was the case. In the beginning was God, no one's ever seen him and made him known. [00:15:03]
The reason that the creation, the world, makes gives us some knowledge of God, the reason that the creation pours forth words about speech about God is that it is the creation of this second person of the Trinity, this word of God. Therefore, it is a reflection of him. [00:15:03]
Jesus Christ is the joy of his people in heaven, and everything that God's people enjoy forever is from him, and no joy that is given to God's people is without him. Every joy and wonder that we will experience with Jesus Christ then is in him already. [00:39:22]
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