Experiencing the Transformative Power of the Gospel
Summary
In my sermon today, I emphasized the profound difference between merely knowing the Gospel and truly experiencing it. I drew parallels between our spiritual journey and the Israelites' crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The Israelites were instructed by Joshua to consecrate themselves, which was a spiritual preparation, not a physical one. They were not facing a battle in crossing the river; God had already made the path clear for them. The real challenge was to prepare their hearts for what God was about to do.
I pointed out that many of us have grown up with knowledge of the Gospel, but we haven't fully experienced its transformative power. We know intellectually that God has saved us and given His life for us, but we may not have let this truth change us from the inside out. When we truly grasp this, we become part of the family line of Jesus, and our lives are redefined.
During a prayer time with our staff, we discussed the need for more volunteers in various ministries. We realized that the lack of volunteers is not a physical issue but a spiritual one. It's not enough to physically fill positions; we need a spiritual transformation that compels us to serve.
I also addressed the burdens we carry, such as addictions and bitterness, which we find difficult to lay down at the altar. Instead of repeating the call to leave these burdens behind, I wanted us to experience the Gospel in a new way. I shared the story of Rahab, who knew the stories of God and acted on them, ultimately experiencing the fullness of the Gospel when she and her family were saved during the fall of Jericho.
I challenged the congregation to consider what spiritual steps they are willing to take to be ready for what God wants to do in their lives. It's about surrendering to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to ignite a passion for His Word and prayer. Each person must decide what they are willing to give up to be fully committed to God's plan.
Finally, I reminded everyone that our response to God is crucial. It's not about the music or the sermon; it's about responding to the Holy Spirit. We must consecrate ourselves, which means to be cleansed and set apart for a holy purpose. This process involves both internal and external actions, like washing our clothes and avoiding distractions, but it's ultimately about the heart.
Key Takeaways:
- True consecration involves a spiritual readiness that goes beyond physical preparations. It's about cleansing our hearts and setting ourselves apart for God's holy purposes. This readiness allows us to witness and participate in the amazing works God has planned for us. [56:25]
- The presence of God is more critical than any process or plan we could devise. Like the Israelites who followed the Ark of the Covenant, we must learn to move when God moves and stay when He stays, trusting in His guidance over our own strategies. [49:02]
- Experiencing the Gospel means allowing it to transform us completely. Like Rahab, who went from knowing about God to being saved by Him, we must move from intellectual assent to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. [01:04:39]
- Spiritual growth requires us to think deeply about our feelings and how we sense the Holy Spirit within us. It's not just about physical attendance at church but about a heartfelt pursuit of God and His will for our lives. [01:09:56]
- Our response to God is the most important aspect of our worship. It's not about the external elements but about how we answer the call of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This response is personal and requires a commitment to follow wherever God leads. [01:12:55]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 3:1-5 (NIV)
> Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
2. Exodus 33:15 (NIV)
> Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
3. James 4:8 (NIV)
> Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did Joshua give to the Israelites before crossing the Jordan River? (Joshua 3:1-5)
2. According to the sermon, what does the Ark of the Covenant represent for the Israelites? [46:28]
3. What was the significance of the Israelites keeping a distance from the Ark of the Covenant? [52:45]
4. How did Rahab's knowledge of God transform into an experience of His saving power? [01:01:46]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for the Israelites to follow the Ark of the Covenant rather than a detailed plan? How does this apply to our spiritual journey today? [47:32]
2. What does it mean to consecrate oneself, and why is this necessary for witnessing God's work? [56:25]
3. How does the story of Rahab illustrate the difference between knowing about God and experiencing His transformative power? [01:04:39]
4. In what ways can the presence of God be more critical than our own strategies and plans? [49:02]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are you more focused on following God's presence or your own plans? How can you shift your focus to be more aligned with God's guidance? [47:32]
2. What steps can you take this week to consecrate yourself and prepare spiritually for what God wants to do in your life? Consider both internal and external actions. [56:25]
3. Think about a time when you knew about God's promises but struggled to experience them. What can you do to move from intellectual knowledge to a life-changing encounter with Jesus? [01:04:39]
4. Are there any burdens, such as addictions or bitterness, that you find difficult to lay down? What practical steps can you take to surrender these to God? [01:00:12]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of the Holy Spirit's presence in your daily life? What specific practices (e.g., prayer, Bible reading) can help you in this pursuit? [01:09:56]
6. In what ways can you respond to the Holy Spirit's call in your life this week? Identify one specific area where you feel God is leading you to act. [01:12:55]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church community to experience the Gospel more fully? What role can you play in helping them move from knowledge to transformation? [01:07:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Heartfelt Consecration Transforms Lives
True consecration is not about the outward actions one takes, but rather the inward transformation that occurs when one prepares their heart for God's work. It is a process of spiritual readiness that goes beyond physical preparations, akin to the Israelites who had to consecrate themselves before crossing the Jordan River. This readiness is not just about being clean on the outside, but being pure in heart, setting oneself apart for the holy purposes God has planned. It is a call to cleanse one's heart and to be willing to witness and participate in the amazing works God has in store. [56:25]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me." - Psalm 51:10-11
Reflection: What does consecrating your heart to God look like in your daily life, and how can you practice this spiritual readiness starting today?
Day 2: Following God's Presence Over Plans
The presence of God is paramount, surpassing any human-devised process or plan. Like the Israelites who followed the Ark of the Covenant, we must learn to be attentive to God's movements and guidance. This means trusting in His timing and direction over our own understanding and strategies. It is a call to move when God moves and to stay when He stays, recognizing that His presence is the key to our journey. [49:02]
"And they commanded the people, saying, 'When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it.'" - Joshua 3:3
Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's presence in your life, and what might you need to change to follow His lead more closely?
Day 3: Transformation Through Gospel Encounter
Experiencing the Gospel means allowing it to transform us completely, moving from intellectual assent to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. It is about letting the truth of God's salvation and sacrifice change us from the inside out. This transformation is exemplified by Rahab, who went from knowing about God to being saved by Him. It is a journey from head knowledge to heart experience, where one's life is redefined by becoming part of the family line of Jesus. [01:04:39]
"And she said, 'According to your words, so be it.' Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window." - Joshua 2:21
Reflection: In what ways has your understanding of the Gospel remained intellectual, and how can you invite a deeper, transformative encounter with Jesus today?
Day 4: Pursuing God Beyond Attendance
Spiritual growth is not just about physical attendance at church but involves a heartfelt pursuit of God and His will for our lives. It requires deep contemplation of our feelings and how we sense the Holy Spirit within us. This pursuit is about more than just showing up; it's about engaging with God on a personal level, seeking to understand His will, and allowing the Holy Spirit to ignite a passion for His Word and prayer. [01:09:56]
"But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand." - Job 32:8
Reflection: What are some ways you can deepen your personal engagement with God this week, beyond attending church services?
Day 5: Personal Response to God's Call
Our response to God is the most crucial aspect of our worship. It is not about the external elements of worship but about how we answer the call of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This response is personal and requires a commitment to follow wherever God leads. It involves consecrating ourselves, which means being cleansed and set apart for a holy purpose, both internally and externally. [01:12:55]
"And Samuel said, 'Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" - 1 Samuel 15:22
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to respond more fully to God's call in your life, and how can you begin to implement that step?
Quotes
1) "It's not just about knowing the gospel, it's about experiencing the gospel. It's not just about knowing the story, it's about actually experiencing the story... Rahab knew the stories... she knows how to be saved... she knows what father's done... she hides these spies... and then she says to them hey since I've protected you here's what I need you to do I want you to save me and my family." [01:01:15]
2) "We need to consecrate ourselves we need to allow the father to Circ cze our hearts and cut out anything that's in us... we need to start immediately thinking God what else can I do how much more can I Surrender how much more can I give how much more can you take away so that I can be exactly what you want me to be." [01:08:50]
3) "It's about the presence of God and you and I have got to figure that out in our own lives because we're processed people we're systems people... but the truth is that it's more important for me to get with God than it is for me to get my plan done." [51:06]
4) "Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you... to clean and set apart for a holy purpose... they were to wash themselves and their clothes and stay away from anything that could distract them from the miracle that they were about to see." [56:25]
5) "When those spies came into her home... and took her and her family out of that battle and back to their home camp and made her part of the family then she experienced the fullness of the gospel... we might have even shared the story but we've not yet experienced the story of the Gospel." [01:04:39]
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