Fostering Spiritual Growth Through Revelation and Reflection

 

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, CBC! Today, we explored how to foster spiritual growth, especially during the summer when routines often change. We delved into Psalm 19, which is divided into three sections, each offering a unique reflection to help us grow spiritually. The first section focuses on natural revelation, the truth about God that can be discerned by observing the world around us. David describes how the heavens declare the glory of God, emphasizing that everyone has access to this revelation and is accountable for their response to it.

The second section shifts to special revelation, which is the truth about God revealed directly through Scripture. David highlights the perfection, trustworthiness, and righteousness of God's Word, describing it as more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. This special revelation provides us with knowledge that we couldn't obtain through natural revelation alone, such as the concepts of the Trinity and justification by faith.

The third section is about self-examination. After reflecting on God's natural and special revelations, David turns inward to evaluate his own heart. He acknowledges his struggle with both willful and unintentional sins and prays for God's help in overcoming them. David's prayer is a model for us to seek God's cleansing and to strive for our words and meditations to be pleasing to Him.

In conclusion, the sermon encourages us to take a mid-summer spiritual check-in by reflecting on God's natural and special revelations and examining our own hearts. This process helps us grow closer to God and align our lives with His will.

### Key Takeaways

1. Natural Revelation: The world around us constantly declares the glory of God. By observing the heavens and the earth, we can discern God's power, wisdom, and creativity. This natural revelation is accessible to everyone, making humanity without excuse for not recognizing God's existence and attributes. [46:48]

2. Special Revelation: God's Word, the Bible, provides us with specific truths about His character and His plans for humanity. Unlike natural revelation, special revelation offers insights that we couldn't deduce on our own, such as the nature of the Trinity and the concept of justification by faith. This revelation is described as more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey. [01:00:38]

3. Self-Examination: After understanding God's natural and special revelations, we must turn inward to examine our own hearts. David's prayer in Psalm 19 serves as a model for us to seek God's help in overcoming both willful and unintentional sins. This self-examination is crucial for spiritual growth and aligning our lives with God's will. [01:09:04]

4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: We are not left to struggle with our sins on our own. The Holy Spirit works within us, convicting us of sin and helping us to grow in righteousness. This divine assistance allows us to transform from the inside out, making our hearts more pleasing to God. [01:13:07]

5. Cultural Contrast: Our culture often tells us to follow our hearts and find our own truth, but this can lead us away from God. True freedom and spiritual growth come from aligning our lives with God's revelations and adjusting our hearts to His truth. This counter-cultural approach leads to genuine transformation and a deeper relationship with God. [01:14:31]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[43:40] - Introduction and Summer Reflections
[44:27] - Question of Spiritual Growth
[45:18] - Introduction to Psalm 19
[46:04] - Natural Revelation
[46:48] - The Heavens Declare God's Glory
[47:37] - Definition of Natural Revelation
[48:42] - Three Levels of Heaven
[49:59] - Paul's Teaching on Natural Revelation
[52:38] - Humanity Without Excuse
[54:05] - Personal Impact of Natural Revelation
[55:25] - Experiencing God's Presence
[56:37] - Chainsaw Story and God's Power
[01:00:38] - Special Revelation
[01:02:01] - God's Word and Its Value
[01:09:04] - Self-Examination
[01:13:07] - Role of the Holy Spirit
[01:14:31] - Cultural Contrast
[01:16:05] - Prayer and Conclusion
[01:21:08] - Final Song and Reflection

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Psalm 19:1-14 (CSB)
- Romans 1:18-23 (CSB)

### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 19, how do the heavens declare the glory of God? What specific imagery does David use to describe this? [46:48]
2. In Psalm 19, what attributes of God's Word does David highlight in verses 7-10? How does he describe its value and impact? [01:00:38]
3. What are the two types of sins David acknowledges in Psalm 19:12-13, and how does he pray for help regarding these sins? [01:09:04]
4. How does Paul in Romans 1:18-23 describe humanity's response to natural revelation, and what are the consequences of this response?

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does David consider natural revelation (the heavens and the earth) as a significant way to understand God's glory and power? How does this align with Paul's teaching in Romans 1:18-23? [46:48]
2. What does David mean when he says God's Word is "more desirable than gold" and "sweeter than honey"? How should this influence our view of Scripture? [01:00:38]
3. How does David's prayer for cleansing from hidden faults and willful sins reflect a deeper understanding of human nature and sin? What does this teach us about self-examination? [01:09:04]
4. How does the role of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in the sermon, assist believers in overcoming sin and growing in righteousness? [01:13:07]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence through natural revelation. How did it impact your faith and understanding of God? [55:25]
2. David describes God's Word as renewing, trustworthy, and radiant. How can you incorporate more of God's Word into your daily routine to experience these benefits? [01:00:38]
3. David prays for help with both willful and unintentional sins. Identify a willful sin you struggle with and an unintentional sin you might not be fully aware of. How can you seek God's help in overcoming these? [01:09:04]
4. The sermon mentioned the cultural contrast between following our hearts and aligning with God's truth. How can you discern and resist cultural messages that conflict with biblical teachings? [01:14:31]
5. The Holy Spirit works within us to convict us of sin and help us grow. What specific steps can you take to be more receptive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life? [01:13:07]
6. How can you use the summer season, with its change of pace and routine, to foster spiritual growth and deepen your relationship with God? [44:27]
7. Reflect on the meditations of your heart. Are there areas where your thoughts and attitudes need to be more aligned with God's will? What practical steps can you take to address this? [01:11:47]

Devotional

Day 1: The Heavens Declare God's Glory
The world around us constantly declares the glory of God. By observing the heavens and the earth, we can discern God's power, wisdom, and creativity. This natural revelation is accessible to everyone, making humanity without excuse for not recognizing God's existence and attributes. David, in Psalm 19, emphasizes that the heavens declare the glory of God, and this truth is evident to all who take the time to observe the natural world. The beauty and complexity of creation point to a Creator who is powerful and wise. This natural revelation serves as a universal testimony to God's existence and His attributes, leaving humanity without excuse for not acknowledging Him. [46:48]

Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV): "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."

Reflection: Take a moment today to step outside and observe the natural world around you. How does the beauty and complexity of creation speak to you about God's power and wisdom? What specific aspects of nature remind you of God's glory?


Day 2: The Value of God's Word
God's Word, the Bible, provides us with specific truths about His character and His plans for humanity. Unlike natural revelation, special revelation offers insights that we couldn't deduce on our own, such as the nature of the Trinity and the concept of justification by faith. David describes God's Word as more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey, highlighting its immense value and importance in our lives. This special revelation is essential for understanding God's will and growing in our relationship with Him. [01:00:38]

Psalm 19:7-8 (ESV): "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific passage of Scripture that has been particularly meaningful to you. How has this passage helped you understand God's character or His plans for your life? How can you prioritize spending more time in God's Word this week?


Day 3: Examining Our Hearts
After understanding God's natural and special revelations, we must turn inward to examine our own hearts. David's prayer in Psalm 19 serves as a model for us to seek God's help in overcoming both willful and unintentional sins. This self-examination is crucial for spiritual growth and aligning our lives with God's will. By acknowledging our sins and seeking God's cleansing, we can strive for our words and meditations to be pleasing to Him. [01:09:04]

Psalm 19:12-13 (ESV): "Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression."

Reflection: Spend some time in prayer today, asking God to reveal any hidden or willful sins in your life. How can you seek His help in overcoming these sins and aligning your heart with His will? What steps can you take to ensure your words and meditations are pleasing to God?


Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Role in Our Lives
We are not left to struggle with our sins on our own. The Holy Spirit works within us, convicting us of sin and helping us to grow in righteousness. This divine assistance allows us to transform from the inside out, making our hearts more pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit's role is crucial in our spiritual growth, as He empowers us to live according to God's will and to overcome the challenges we face. [01:13:07]

John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt the Holy Spirit's guidance or conviction. How did you respond to His leading? How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's work in your life and rely on His strength to grow in righteousness?


Day 5: Aligning with God's Truth
Our culture often tells us to follow our hearts and find our own truth, but this can lead us away from God. True freedom and spiritual growth come from aligning our lives with God's revelations and adjusting our hearts to His truth. This counter-cultural approach leads to genuine transformation and a deeper relationship with God. By seeking to align our lives with God's truth, we can experience the freedom and growth that comes from living according to His will. [01:14:31]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you have been following your own understanding rather than God's truth. What changes can you make to align this area with God's will? How can you trust in the Lord more fully and acknowledge Him in all your ways?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The universe sings. It sings a song of worship to the Creator God, the Glorious One. And then He provides His special revelation, God's Word for us, so that we can get to know His character, that He is a God of covenant love and faithfulness. And out of that, we should be evaluating our hearts. As we get to know Him, then we can evaluate our hearts and adjust our lives from there." [01:21:08] (24 seconds) ( | | )

2. "So the idea is, is every day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, anyone can walk outside and look up and they can see the sky. They can see the first heaven, which declares there is a God. And even at night, we can go outside and we can look up and we can see the stars and the planets and what's going on in outer space. And we can know there is a God. There is a God who's glorious. There's a God who's creator. There's a God who's powerful. There's a God who is wise." [50:42] (27 seconds) ( | | )

3. "When I experience his presence, it's usually in two different environments. One environment is, when the family of God is gathering and we're doing corporate worship, this is just me. This might not be true for you, but I love coming into a space like this and being able to worship with God's people. The second place, and probably happens even more often, is when I'm outside. There's something about creation for me. And again, this might not be true for you. God is individual. He's got a personal relationship with all of us." [55:25] (24 seconds) ( | | )

4. "How many come in here tired, carrying a heavy burden, and you say, boy, I would just love for my life to be renewed. God's word can do that. The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced, wise. If you've been around here any length of time, you know, you know, and I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I mean, second grade was two of the best years of my life. And not that smart. I don't know what my IQ is. I don't think I want to know. But you know what I would rather be than smart? I have nothing against you guys that have a high IQ. That's awesome. Okay. I don't. But all of us can be wise. How? Through God's word." [01:03:21] (44 seconds) ( | | )

5. "The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one's life. The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad. The command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold, than the abundance of pure gold, and sweeter than honey dripping from the honeycomb. In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them, there is abundant reward." [01:00:38] (39 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "David recognizes that he struggles against two types of sin. And they're the same two types of sin that you and I struggle with. There's a sin that we know about, right? Sin is anything that we do that displeases God. And there's sin that we know about. There's sin in our lives that we struggle with. And we struggle, and it's a temptation, and it's a struggle over and over and over again. And David's saying, keep me from those willful sins. Keep me from those things that I know are sin. If you're sitting here, and you're a follower of Christ, and you say, man, I'm really struggling with sin. Good. Good. Fathers of Christ struggle with sin. People who don't know Christ are enslaved to it." [01:10:28] (34 seconds) ( | | )

2. "David's saying, listen, the issue isn't the words, as it is the heart. And he's saying, man, I get the meditations of my heart right. And then he says, Yahweh, my rock and my redeemer. And in that word redeemer there, David is looking forward to something. He's looking forward to God taking care of his sin. He knows he cannot pay for his own sin. And he's looking forward to God taking care of it. The good news for us is we don't look forward to it. We live out of that. Because since David's time, Jesus has come. He's lived a perfect life. He was crucified on a Roman cross. He was buried for three days. And then he rose again victorious over sin and death. And then we have access to that forgiveness when we place our faith and trust in him." [01:13:07] (47 seconds) ( | | )

3. "What brings us freedom is when we look at God in natural revelation, see that there is a God. He's glorious and powerful and creator and wise. And then we get to know him in God's word and we see that he's a God of covenant love and faithfulness. And then we adjust our lives based on that. That's what leads us to freedom. That's the exact opposite of what our culture says. And be careful because our culture can impact our thinking way more than we would like to think. So how's your heart this morning? Midsummer, spiritual check-in. How's your heart?" [01:14:31] (32 seconds) ( | | )

4. "So David now switches his attention. From natural revelation, that which we can see in the sky 24 hours a day, to special revelation. Special revelation. He turns his attention to God's Word. He turns his attention to God's Word. So you might say, what's special revelation? Special revelation is that which comes directly from God and is recorded in the inspired scriptures. So he's talking about God's Word, what we have here in the Bible. The content of this revelation is truth that we could not know about God. Unless God told us directly. For instance, the Trinity and justification by faith through faith in Christ would be impossible to figure out on our own." [01:00:38] (46 seconds) ( | | )

5. "So David says that this unintentional sin, this sin I'm not even aware of, would you cleanse me from that? And so that I may be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion. And then in verse 14, he says, may the words of my mouth, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you. Some versions say pleasing to you. How many of you struggle with the words of your mouth? I mean, I do. I'm not sure I've ever gotten to the end of a day when all the words of my mouth were pleasing to him. I think I've come, I don't mean to brag, I think I've come really close. Like, I've had days when I've been by myself the whole day. And I think I've, I think then I might've come close. But this is a struggle for all of us, isn't it? Like the words of our mouth, isn't that such a struggle to get them, get them right? That's, that's huge." [01:11:47] (52 seconds) ( | | )

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Transcript
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