Engaging with the Real God: Communion and Transformation
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound significance of communion and the importance of engaging with the real, living God rather than a manufactured version of Him. We began by reflecting on the story of David's mighty warriors who risked their lives to fetch water for him, only for David to pour it out as an offering to God. This act symbolized the deep respect and honor for the sacrifices made. Similarly, when we partake in communion, we are not merely consuming bread and juice; we are honoring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore our sins and poured out His blood for our salvation.
We then transitioned to discussing the discomfort of dealing with the real versus the manufactured, using an episode from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as an analogy. The episode highlighted how easy it is to create a comfortable, yet false, reality that reflects our desires rather than confronting the challenging truths of real relationships. This mirrors our approach to God and Scripture, where we often prefer a version of God that aligns with our desires rather than the true, sometimes uncomfortable, God revealed in the Bible.
The sermon emphasized that true transformation comes from engaging with the real God, who challenges and changes us. The Apostle Paul warned that people would seek teachers who tell them what they want to hear, rather than sound doctrine. This is a caution against creating a fantasy version of God that doesn't challenge us. Instead, we are called to let God transform us by changing the way we think, as Paul wrote to the Romans.
Finally, we were reminded that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Embracing the real God means accepting His plans and timing, which are often different from our own. The sermon concluded with an invitation to enter into a real relationship with Jesus, encouraging us to submit our lives to Him and be transformed by His love.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Significance of Communion: Communion is not just a ritual; it is a profound act of remembrance and honor for Jesus' sacrifice. When we partake, we are acknowledging the immense price paid for our salvation and the grace poured out upon us. This act should inspire us to live lives of service and sacrifice, reflecting the love and commitment of Jesus. [13:58]
2. The Discomfort of the Real: Engaging with the real God and the real Scriptures can be uncomfortable because it challenges our preconceived notions and desires. Just as Geordi LaForge in "Star Trek" had to confront the reality of Dr. Brahms, we must confront the true nature of God, which may not always align with our expectations. This discomfort is essential for genuine spiritual growth. [28:08]
3. Avoiding Manufactured Faith: It is tempting to create a version of God that aligns with our desires and cultural norms. However, this leads to a shallow and unchallenging faith. True transformation requires us to engage with the real, living God who challenges us to grow and change. The Apostle Paul warned against seeking teachers who tell us what we want to hear, urging us instead to seek sound doctrine. [42:23]
4. Transformation Through Renewal: True transformation comes from allowing God to change the way we think. This involves a continuous process of renewal and growth, as we submit to God's will and allow His Word to shape us. The writer of Hebrews describes the Word of God as a sharp, two-edged sword that exposes our innermost thoughts and desires, leading to genuine change. [45:57]
5. God's Higher Ways: God's plans and timing are often different from our own, but they are always higher and better. Embracing the real God means trusting in His greater wisdom and submitting to His will, even when it doesn't align with our own plans. This trust leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling spiritual journey. [49:35]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:40] - David's Mighty Warriors
[13:18] - The Sacrifice of Communion
[13:58] - Symbols of Jesus' Sacrifice
[14:40] - Breaking Through the Stronghold
[15:26] - Living Sacrifices
[15:56] - Overflowing into Others
[16:33] - Blessing the Elements
[17:18] - One Body in Christ
[17:48] - Proclaiming the Lord's Death
[24:49] - Favorite TV Shows
[26:42] - The Discomfort of Real
[28:08] - Manufactured Friendships
[29:41] - Star Trek: Booby Trap
[31:11] - Geordi LaForge's Dilemma
[33:08] - The Fantasy of AI
[35:31] - The Real Dr. Brahms
[37:01] - The Danger of Manufactured Reality
[39:21] - Reflecting Ourselves
[40:22] - False Expectations
[41:18] - Scripture's Challenge
[42:23] - Sound Doctrine
[43:17] - Challenging Teachings
[45:15] - Transformation Through Renewal
[45:57] - The Living Word
[46:45] - Revealing God Through Jesus
[47:54] - Embracing the Real God
[49:35] - God's Higher Ways
[54:04] - Real Transformation
[57:21] - Invitation to Relationship
[58:15] - Prayer of Commitment
[59:33] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
> "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
2. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)
> "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
3. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
> "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
### Observation Questions
1. What did David do with the water that his mighty warriors fetched for him, and why did he do it? ([13:18])
2. According to the sermon, what does the bread and juice in communion symbolize? ([13:58])
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between engaging with the real God and a manufactured version of God? ([28:08])
4. What does the Apostle Paul warn about in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, and how does it relate to the sermon’s message? ([42:23])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the act of David pouring out the water symbolize respect and honor for the sacrifices made by his warriors? How does this relate to our understanding of communion? ([13:18])
2. How can the discomfort of engaging with the real God lead to genuine spiritual growth, according to the sermon? ([28:08])
3. What are the dangers of creating a manufactured version of God that aligns with our desires, as discussed in the sermon? ([42:23])
4. How does Romans 12:1-2 describe the process of transformation and renewal? How does this align with the sermon’s message about true transformation? ([45:15])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own experience with communion. How can you make this act more meaningful in your spiritual life, acknowledging the sacrifice of Jesus? ([13:58])
2. Have you ever found yourself preferring a version of God that aligns with your desires rather than the true God revealed in the Bible? How can you confront this tendency? ([28:08])
3. In what ways can you ensure that your faith is not shallow or unchallenging? How can you seek sound doctrine and avoid teachers who only tell you what you want to hear? ([42:23])
4. Think about a time when you felt uncomfortable with a teaching from the Bible. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? ([43:17])
5. How can you allow God to transform you by changing the way you think, as described in Romans 12:1-2? What specific steps can you take this week to renew your mind? ([45:15])
6. Reflect on a situation where God’s plans and timing were different from your own. How did you respond, and what did you learn about trusting in God’s higher ways? ([49:35])
7. Identify one area of your life where you need to submit to God’s will and allow His Word to shape you. What practical steps can you take to embrace this transformation? ([45:57])
Devotional
Day 1: Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice
Description: Communion is a profound act of remembrance and honor for Jesus' sacrifice. When we partake, we are acknowledging the immense price paid for our salvation and the grace poured out upon us. This act should inspire us to live lives of service and sacrifice, reflecting the love and commitment of Jesus. Just as David's mighty warriors risked their lives to fetch water for him, only for David to pour it out as an offering to God, we too should honor the sacrifices made for us. This act of communion is not just a ritual; it is a deep expression of gratitude and reverence for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. [13:58]
1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Reflection: How can you honor Jesus' sacrifice in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to reflect His love and commitment to others today?
Day 2: Embracing the Discomfort of the Real
Description: Engaging with the real God and the real Scriptures can be uncomfortable because it challenges our preconceived notions and desires. Just as Geordi LaForge in "Star Trek" had to confront the reality of Dr. Brahms, we must confront the true nature of God, which may not always align with our expectations. This discomfort is essential for genuine spiritual growth. It is through this process of confronting and embracing the real God that we are transformed and our faith deepens. The real God challenges us, pushes us out of our comfort zones, and leads us to a more authentic and fulfilling relationship with Him. [28:08]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: What aspects of your faith make you uncomfortable? How can you lean into this discomfort to grow closer to the real God?
Day 3: Avoiding Manufactured Faith
Description: It is tempting to create a version of God that aligns with our desires and cultural norms. However, this leads to a shallow and unchallenging faith. True transformation requires us to engage with the real, living God who challenges us to grow and change. The Apostle Paul warned against seeking teachers who tell us what we want to hear, urging us instead to seek sound doctrine. This means being open to teachings that may be difficult to accept but are essential for our spiritual growth. By avoiding a manufactured faith, we allow God to truly transform us and lead us into a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him. [42:23]
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
Reflection: Are there areas in your faith where you have created a comfortable, yet false, version of God? How can you seek out sound doctrine and allow God to challenge and transform you?
Day 4: Transformation Through Renewal
Description: True transformation comes from allowing God to change the way we think. This involves a continuous process of renewal and growth, as we submit to God's will and allow His Word to shape us. The writer of Hebrews describes the Word of God as a sharp, two-edged sword that exposes our innermost thoughts and desires, leading to genuine change. This process of renewal is not always easy, but it is essential for our spiritual growth. By submitting to God's will and allowing His Word to penetrate our hearts, we can experience true transformation and become more like Christ. [45:57]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What areas of your life need renewal? How can you allow God's Word to transform your thinking and lead to genuine change?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Higher Ways
Description: God's plans and timing are often different from our own, but they are always higher and better. Embracing the real God means trusting in His greater wisdom and submitting to His will, even when it doesn't align with our own plans. This trust leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling spiritual journey. By recognizing that God's ways are higher than our ways, we can find peace and assurance in His perfect plan for our lives. This trust requires faith and surrender, but it ultimately leads to a more profound and meaningful relationship with God. [49:35]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's timing and plans? How can you surrender these areas to Him and trust in His higher ways?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What has been poured out to us, poured into our lives, is meant to overflow into the lives of others. And so lest we think that this is just some sort of thing that we just quickly do on a Sunday morning and then we're done, this is about sacrifice. This is about remembrance. This is about service." [15:56] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you're not being challenged in your communication with Jesus, chances are you've traded the person for a fantasy. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." [44:31] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Because here's the thing, it can be really uncomfortable to deal with the real. But when we get caught up in falsehood, we not only minimize God, but we minimize the greatness of what he can do in us and through us. Because the reality of God is so much greater than you can dream. So much greater." [48:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so then he brought me into ministry and I was like, I want our church to be this. And he was like, that's not what I have for you. I want this to happen in this timing. That's not what I have for you. And then we come to this place here and we see that God is blessing us. He's blessing you. He's blessing the community and out towards Hillspring and Glenwood." [53:33] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And isn't that the message that we preach every week? That this world is so broken, that every one of us is so shattered within ourselves. And you look at society and what do you see? These people that are so hurting, these people that recognize that something's not right, that they want more. And so as they pursue things to try to ease this sense of brokenness, all they do is feel good for a time and get snapped right back into it, maybe even more." [54:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Now, whenever we partake of the Philistine lines of communion together, we have before us symbols of a sacrifice. We see more than just a piece of bread. We see Jesus crucified, the one who, according to the apostle Peter, bore our sins in his body. We see more than juice in a cup. We see Jesus' blood, quote, poured out for the forgiveness of sins." [13:58] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In communion, we see ourselves as those who are no longer in bondage to sin. But we need to understand that when we partake together, we do not demean Jesus' sacrifice by eating and drinking the symbols of communion. Instead, we honor him as we do what he commanded us to do in remembrance of me, he said." [14:40] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you are not challenged in your communication with Jesus, chances are you've traded the person for a fantasy. If you're not challenged by Jesus, if you don't look at him and think about some of the things that he says that we're to do, or to look at some of the hard teachings that he gives us, if you're not like, ooh, how can I do that? How can I manage that? Then you may have been shuffling things around because listen, none of us is perfect." [42:23] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But the fact is, is that if you're coming to scripture and you're reading it and you're just like, yeah, right on, that's good. Oh yeah, that's fantastic. I want to meet you. Because whenever I read the Bible, I go, that's great. Ow, right? Don't you ever have that? You're reading the Bible. You're like, God, please just impact me today. And you open the Bible. You start reading. You start praying. You go, not that way, God. didn't want you to say that, right?" [43:17] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "But we have done the same with God for centuries. We have. We get uncomfortable with the real God who pushes us and challenges us and makes us uncomfortable with the expectations that he has and the way that he doesn't always align with our cultural realities. He says, yeah, culture. Culture says that thing's okay, but it's wrong. It's not the way I designed you." [41:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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