From Tragedy to Transformation: A Journey of Faith
Summary
In my recent sermon, I shared a deeply personal and transformative journey that began with a devastating tragedy and led to a profound spiritual awakening. The journey unfolded through four pivotal moments: a devastating day, a nefarious night, a miracle morning, and a really bright light.
The devastating day was June 4th, 2019, when my son River tragically drowned in our pool. Despite my lifelong identification as a Christian, I realized that my faith was more cultural than genuine. I had built a life on self-reliance and self-discipline, which ultimately proved futile in the face of such immense grief.
In the aftermath, I attempted to control my grief through a rigorous routine of self-help practices and therapy. However, on a nefarious night in Boise, Idaho, after a night of drinking, I was confronted with the stark reality of my son's loss and my own helplessness. In a moment of utter despair, I contemplated ending my life but instead cried out to Jesus for salvation. That night, I experienced a peace that surpassed understanding and awoke with a new purpose: to truly know who Jesus is.
The miracle morning of March 1st, 2020, marked a turning point. I was listening to a sermon on John 14, where Jesus speaks about manifesting Himself to those who love Him and keep His word. This message struck me to the core, as I realized that although I was loved by God, I did not truly know His word. My wife and I began to read the Bible earnestly, starting with the Gospel of Matthew, and I discovered that keeping God's word was not about earning salvation but an expression of gratitude for the salvation already given.
The really bright light came from understanding Jesus as the light of the world, as stated in John 1 and Psalm 119. The unfolding of God's word brings light to our paths, and it is through His word that we come to know Him and are equipped for every good work.
Key Takeaways:
- The true measure of our love for Jesus is reflected in our obedience to His word. It is not enough to claim a cultural attachment to Christianity; we must actively engage with Scripture to demonstrate our love for Him and to be transformed by His teachings. [29:28]
- The Bible is not just a book; it is the living word of God that has the power to pierce our hearts and reveal our true intentions. Regular engagement with Scripture is essential for a meaningful prayer life, worship, and relationship with Jesus. Without it, we risk being deceived and turning to idols. [47:22]
- The parable of the treasure in the field (Matthew 13) illustrates the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven. When we truly grasp the worth of knowing Christ, we are willing to give up everything else in pursuit of that treasure. [06:42]
- The loss of a loved one can lead to a profound spiritual crisis, but it can also be a catalyst for a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and love. In our darkest moments, we are reminded of our need for a Savior who has conquered death and offers us eternal hope. [11:38]
- Our response to the gospel should be a life of good works, not as a means to earn God's favor, but as a natural outflow of the grace we have received through faith in Christ. These works are prepared by God for us to walk in, and we are equipped for them through the study and application of Scripture. [42:22]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 14:21 - "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."
2. Matthew 13:44 - "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
3. Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus promise to those who love Him and keep His word according to John 14:21?
2. In the parable of the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44), what does the man do after finding the treasure, and why?
3. How does Psalm 119:105 describe the role of God's word in our lives?
4. What were the four pivotal moments in Granger Smith's journey as described in the sermon? [07:24]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise in John 14:21 challenge the idea of cultural Christianity that Granger Smith mentioned? [13:06]
2. What does the parable of the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44) suggest about the value of the Kingdom of Heaven compared to earthly possessions? [06:42]
3. How can Psalm 119:105 be applied to the concept of Jesus being the light of the world, as discussed in the sermon? [40:55]
4. How did Granger Smith's understanding of keeping God's word change after his "miracle morning"? [29:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Do you see any areas where your faith might be more cultural than genuine? How can you actively engage with Scripture to deepen your relationship with Jesus? [13:06]
2. Granger Smith described a moment of utter despair where he cried out to Jesus for salvation. Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt completely helpless and turned to God? How did that experience change you? [24:51]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of regular engagement with Scripture. What specific steps can you take to incorporate daily Bible reading into your routine? [45:53]
4. Granger Smith mentioned that his response to the gospel should be a life of good works, not to earn God's favor but as a natural outflow of grace. What are some good works you feel called to do, and how can you start or continue them this week? [42:22]
5. The loss of Granger's son led to a profound spiritual crisis but also a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and love. How can you find hope and purpose in your own dark moments by trusting in God's plan? [11:38]
6. Granger Smith's journey involved a significant shift from self-reliance to reliance on God's word. Are there areas in your life where you rely more on your own strength than on God's guidance? How can you shift that reliance? [16:45]
7. The sermon highlighted the incomparable value of knowing Christ. What are some things in your life that you might need to give up to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus? [06:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience Reflects Love
True love for Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His word. This obedience is not a burdensome task but a joyful affirmation of the relationship with Christ. It is a conscious decision to align one's life with the teachings of Scripture, recognizing that every commandment is an opportunity to express gratitude for the love and salvation already received. This obedience is a daily journey, one that requires a heart willing to be molded and a spirit eager to follow the path laid out by the Savior.
"Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." (John 14:21 ESV)
Reflection: What is one commandment of Jesus that you find challenging to obey, and how can you take a step today to follow it more faithfully? [29:28]
Day 2: Scripture: The Living Word
The Bible is not merely a historical document or a moral guidebook; it is the living and active word of God. Engaging with Scripture is essential for spiritual growth and discernment. It has the power to cut through pretense and reveal the true intentions of the heart. By immersing oneself in the word of God, one can cultivate a rich prayer life, authentic worship, and a personal relationship with Jesus. The Bible serves as a mirror, a lamp, and a sword, equipping believers to face life's challenges and to discern truth from deception.
"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." (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a consistent routine of engaging with Scripture, and what changes might you need to make to prioritize this spiritual discipline? [47:22]
Day 3: The Incomparable Treasure of the Kingdom
The Kingdom of Heaven is a treasure of such immense value that everything else pales in comparison. Recognizing the worth of knowing Christ compels one to reevaluate life's priorities and to willingly relinquish lesser pursuits. This parable challenges believers to consider what they are holding onto that might be hindering their full embrace of the Kingdom. It is an invitation to experience the joy and fulfillment that come from seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:45-46 ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you value that might be competing with your pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven, and how can you begin to let go of it? [06:42]
Day 4: Grief as a Catalyst for Spiritual Awakening
The loss of a loved one can shatter the illusion of control and reveal the depths of one's need for a Savior. It is in the darkest valleys that the light of God's sovereignty and love shines brightest, offering hope and comfort. This profound spiritual crisis can become a catalyst for a deeper understanding of the eternal hope found in Christ, who has conquered death and promises eternal life to those who trust in Him.
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!" (Psalm 30:11-12 ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your experience of loss or grief as a means to deepen your reliance on God and to help others who are walking through similar valleys? [11:38]
Day 5: Good Works as a Response to Grace
The gospel calls for a response that goes beyond mere words; it beckons a life of good works. These works are not a means to earn favor with God but are the natural outflow of the grace received through faith in Christ. Believers are created for good works, which God has prepared in advance for them to do. Through the study and application of Scripture, one is equipped to walk in these works, serving as a testament to the transformative power of the gospel.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)
Reflection: What is one good work that you feel God has prepared for you, and how can you take a step towards fulfilling it this week? [42:22]
Quotes
1) "I built a system; grief would not control me. I would defeat it with self-discipline. Even though I was secretly crippled by what I call the slideshow... That's how I survived until the nefarious night." [17:27] ()
2) "I cried out the one thing I only knew how to do said Jesus save me please Jesus please save me Jesus please save me... woke up that next morning embarrassed hung over still on the floor but after that night I had a new goal, a new purpose." [25:32] ()
3) "I'm one of them and I don't know his word. I don't know it and suddenly all I wanted to do was was know it... My keeping God's word was not earning my way to Salvation instead it was an overflow of gratitude from the Salvation that was already earned for me." [31:04] ()
4) "Jesus and let me tell you Believers here this evening everything that you do in your coming in your going in your joy in your suffering in your worship revolves around knowing who he is and you can only really know who he is as he has revealed himself through his word." [33:07] ()
5) "The Bible says by him all things were created in heaven and on Earth... He's Got The Whole World in His Hands that's who the Bible says he is but that's not all even with all of this power our great God the King of Kings seeks to have an intimate relationship with his people." [35:48] ()
6) "The unfolding of the word which is the light that awakened me the lamp to my feet is also God's way to equip you too... read it listen to it pray it memorize it sing it discuss it wrestle with it teach it sit under faithful preaching of it and don't replace it with other things of this world." [44:33] ()
7) "The only good standing you have with him talking to Christians here the only good standing you have with him has been accomplished by Jesus on the cross and his righteousness is transferred to you in exchange for your faith in him." [41:36] ()
8) "The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field that a man found and covered up then in his Joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field... I found a treasure and to have it is worth giving up everything." [06:42] ()
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