Experiencing God: The Journey of Faith and Obedience
Summary
In my sermon, I explored the profound journey of experiencing God through various stages of spiritual growth and obedience. I began by emphasizing the importance of knowing God personally, which is the foundation of our faith. This personal relationship is crucial because it's not just about knowing *of* God, but truly knowing Him in a way that transforms our lives. I shared how Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, prayed for us, highlighting His deep desire for us to truly know Him and the Father, which He described as the essence of eternal life.
I then transitioned into discussing the necessity of daily dependence on God. This daily surrender involves denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and following Jesus. This isn't just a one-time act but a daily commitment that reflects our ongoing dependence on God for strength, guidance, and sustenance.
The sermon also covered the lifelong process of sanctification. I explained that sanctification is about growing in holiness and purity in our attitudes, thoughts, and actions. This growth is not something we achieve on our own but is facilitated by God as we spend time with Him and allow Him to work in our lives.
A significant part of the sermon was dedicated to the theme of obedience. I stressed that obedience is an outward expression of our love for God. It's easy to say we love God, but true love is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. This obedience is not just about following rules; it's about living in a way that aligns with God's will and brings us closer to Him.
Finally, I discussed the costs and rewards of obedience. While obedience can sometimes lead to worldly losses—whether social, financial, or even physical—it brings us immeasurable spiritual benefits, including a deeper relationship with God and a clearer understanding of His love and grace. I shared stories from the Bible and Christian history, like that of George Mueller, to illustrate how trust and obedience to God's call can lead to miraculous provisions and blessings.
Key Takeaways:
1. Knowing God Personally: The foundation of our faith is not merely believing in God but having a personal relationship with Him. This relationship begins with understanding who Jesus is and accepting Him into our lives. It's about moving from knowledge to a heartfelt connection. ([02:31])
2. Daily Dependence on God: Living a Christian life requires daily commitment. Each day, we must choose to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus. This daily act of surrender is crucial for maintaining our connection with God and for spiritual growth. ([03:43])
3. Lifelong Sanctification: Sanctification is a continuous journey of becoming more like Christ. This process involves growth in holiness and purity across our thoughts, attitudes, and actions, driven by regular engagement with God's Word and presence. ([05:05])
4. The Cost and Reward of Obedience: Obedience to God is not without cost but it is always rewarding. True obedience often requires sacrifices but leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more profound understanding of His love and grace. ([09:38])
5. Experiencing God Through Obedience: As we obey God's commandments and align our lives with His will, we open ourselves to experiencing Him more fully. Obedience is not just about following rules; it's about engaging in a loving relationship with God, where He becomes more real and present in our lives. ([18:13])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 15:14 - "You are my friends if you do what I command you."
2. John 17:3 - "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
3. Luke 9:23 - "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 15:14, what is the condition for being considered a friend of Jesus?
2. In John 17:3, how does Jesus define eternal life?
3. What does Jesus instruct His followers to do daily in Luke 9:23?
4. How did the sermon describe the relationship between obedience and experiencing God? ([08:23])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus calls His followers friends if they obey His commands? How does this change our understanding of our relationship with Him?
2. How does knowing God personally, as described in John 17:3, impact a believer's daily life and decisions?
3. What might it look like in practical terms to "deny oneself and take up one's cross daily" as instructed in Luke 9:23? How does this daily act of surrender affect one's spiritual growth?
4. The sermon mentioned that obedience is an outward expression of our love for God ([06:14]). How does this perspective influence the way we approach God's commandments?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you deepen this relationship to move from merely knowing *of* God to truly knowing Him? ([02:31])
2. What are some practical steps you can take to cultivate daily dependence on God? Consider specific actions you can incorporate into your daily routine to deny yourself and follow Jesus. ([03:43])
3. Think about an area in your life where you struggle with obedience to God's commands. What steps can you take to align your actions with God's will, and how might this change your relationship with Him? ([06:14])
4. The sermon discussed the costs and rewards of obedience. Can you identify a recent situation where obedience to God required a sacrifice? How did this experience affect your faith and understanding of God's love and grace? ([09:38])
5. How can you actively engage in the process of lifelong sanctification? What specific practices or habits can you adopt to grow in holiness and purity in your thoughts, attitudes, and actions? ([05:05])
6. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence more fully through obedience. What was the situation, and how did it impact your faith journey? How can you seek similar experiences in the future? ([18:13])
7. Consider the story of George Mueller shared in the sermon. How does his example of trust and obedience inspire you to rely on God for provision and guidance in your own life? ([19:19])
Devotional
Day 1: Intimacy with God Begins with Knowing Him Personally
Knowing God personally is the cornerstone of a believer's faith. It transcends mere acknowledgment of His existence to a deep, transformative relationship. This relationship begins when one accepts Jesus Christ and strives to understand Him more profoundly, moving beyond knowledge to a heartfelt connection. This connection is vital as it shapes every aspect of life, influencing decisions, behaviors, and attitudes towards others and the world. It's about experiencing God in daily life, not just in moments of worship or prayer. Understanding who Jesus is and inviting Him into one's life marks the beginning of a true spiritual journey that is both personal and communal. [02:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1uw1AGEOHs&t=136s)
Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV: "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: What practical steps can you take this week to enhance your personal relationship with God beyond your current spiritual practices?
Day 2: Daily Dependence on God Shapes Our Spiritual Journey
Living a Christian life requires a daily commitment to deny oneself, take up one's cross, and follow Jesus. This act of surrender is not merely a ritual but a profound declaration of dependence on God for strength, guidance, and sustenance. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities to trust God more deeply. As believers, embracing this daily dependence helps maintain a vibrant connection with God and fosters continuous spiritual growth. This commitment is a journey of faith that unfolds each day, inviting believers to experience God's presence in every aspect of their lives. [03:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1uw1AGEOHs&t=208s)
Luke 9:23-24 ESV: "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: Today, identify one area where you can demonstrate greater dependence on God rather than relying on your own strength or understanding.
Day 3: Sanctification: A Lifelong Process of Spiritual Growth
Sanctification is the continuous process of becoming more like Christ, involving growth in holiness and purity across our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. This journey is not self-driven but is facilitated by God as believers engage regularly with His Word and His presence. It's about allowing God's spirit to refine and shape us, transforming us into His image from the inside out. This transformation is gradual and requires patience, commitment, and a willingness to submit to God's will. [05:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1uw1AGEOHs&t=290s)
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 ESV: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,"
Reflection: Reflect on an aspect of your life that needs more of God's transformative work. What are some specific ways you can cooperate with Him in this process?
Day 4: The Cost and Reward of Obedience to God
Obedience to God often comes with a cost, which might involve social, financial, or physical sacrifices. However, the spiritual rewards far outweigh these earthly losses. True obedience deepens our relationship with God and enhances our understanding of His love and grace. It's about aligning our will with God's and living out His commandments in everyday life. This alignment not only brings us closer to God but also opens doors to blessings that only come through obedience. [09:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1uw1AGEOHs&t=563s)
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 act of obedience God is calling you to this week, and what might be holding you back from fulfilling it?
Day 5: Experiencing God Through Obedience
Obedience is not merely about adhering to rules; it's a dynamic part of a loving relationship with God. As believers align their lives with God's will, they open themselves to experiencing Him more fully. This experience is transformative, making God more real and present in their lives. It's through obedience that believers truly come to know God and His purposes for them, leading to a richer, more fulfilling spiritual life. [18:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1uw1AGEOHs&t=1078s)
James 1:22-25 ESV: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: In what ways can you better align your daily actions with God's commandments to experience His presence more deeply?
Quotes
1. "Because obedience is the outward expression of your love for God. If you really say you love God, if you truly love God, you're going to obey Him. You can say it all day long, I love you, God, but if you ignore the Word of God, if you ignore the Spirit of God, if you ignore, okay, these things of God, you don't love Him." [06:14]
2. "When you obey God, he rewards you with himself. He gives you more wisdom and understanding and knowledge and insight and presence and power, and he gives you more of him the more you obey him." [08:23]
3. "Personally, I want to see a continuation of what we've seen God do recently. We've seen students after student after student. In the last three months, we've seen like nine or ten students say yes to Jesus." [09:38]
4. "The cost of this. So you must realize that when you truly disobey, and you truly obey God, there's a cost. First, let's talk about a cost of disobedience. I would say disobedience, because if you profess to use the Lord, and you proclaim him as the Savior of your life, and you disobey him, there is a penalty." [10:49]
5. "Our iniquities, our sins cause a distance between you and God. You ever been in a friendship where something went down? Something just happened, like there was a beef between you and this friend. Okay, we've all had it. We've all been there." [12:03]
6. "Consider what it could cost you not to obey the father. Just consider what it could cost you to disobey the father. It's just dumb. Secondly, I want you to consider or think about the cost of obedience." [14:22]
7. "The cost of following Jesus. And I just have three of them here. They're in your handout. It could cost you physically. For example, when the Israelites finally started crying out to God, God, deliver us from this punishment that the Egyptians are putting on us." [15:38]
8. "The example I want to give is just a guy named Jason. Did y'all know Jason's name was in the Bible? Some of y'all didn't know that was a biblical name, but it is. This guy, Jason, Acts chapter 17, I think." [16:51]
9. "And again, there's, there's so much more I could go here, but, but basically you can have a, a deeper love relationship with everybody and everything and a stronger relationship with him. When you truly obey his word, uh, love on another level." [18:13]
10. "George Mueller was a Christian who lived during the 1800s. God led him to begin a ministry to orphans in Bristol, England. Okay. Uh, with few financial resources to support his growing orphanage, George trusted in God to provide the means for what he had called him to do." [19:19]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?