Guarding the Divine Treasure Within Us
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that what's inside truly matters. Using the metaphor of a hot dog, we delved into the idea that just as we often overlook the contents of a hot dog, we can sometimes neglect the spiritual treasures within us. God has placed His Spirit and truth inside each of us, and it is our responsibility to guard and nurture this divine deposit. This is not merely about acquiring information but experiencing transformation through the Holy Spirit's work in us.
We are called to be vessels of honor, filled with God's presence and purpose. Just as a bowl can be used for good or bad, we have the choice to be vessels for God's glory or for lesser things. The challenge is to remember the fire that God has ignited within us, to fan it into flame, and to let it spread, impacting our families, communities, and beyond. This fire is not just for personal revival but for a collective awakening that can transform our nation.
The essence of our faith is not in the external but in the internal work of God. We are reminded of the importance of treasuring the truth and guarding the deposit of the Holy Spirit. This involves a conscious effort to remain loyal to God's word and His work in us, resisting distractions and the temptation to wander from the truth. Our lives should reflect the reality of God's presence within us, living as if the God of the universe truly resides in our hearts.
In conclusion, we are encouraged to treasure the work of God in us, to guard it diligently, and to live in a way that reflects His transformative power. This is a call to action, to be faithful with what we have been given, and to allow God's fire to burn brightly within us, spreading His love and truth to the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
- Guard the Treasure Within: God has entrusted us with His Spirit and truth, a precious deposit that requires our diligent care. This is not just about acquiring knowledge but experiencing transformation through the Holy Spirit's work in us. We must guard this treasure, nurturing it and allowing it to grow within us. [05:21]
- Be a Vessel of Honor: We are called to be vessels for God's glory, filled with His presence and purpose. Just as a bowl can be used for good or bad, we have the choice to be vessels for God's glory or for lesser things. Our lives should reflect the reality of God's presence within us. [06:28]
- Fan the Flame: The fire that God has ignited within us is not just for personal revival but for a collective awakening. We must fan it into flame, allowing it to spread and impact our families, communities, and beyond. This fire is a symbol of God's transformative power in our lives. [08:40]
- Treasure the Truth: The essence of our faith is not in the external but in the internal work of God. We must treasure the truth and guard the deposit of the Holy Spirit, resisting distractions and the temptation to wander from the truth. Our lives should reflect the reality of God's presence within us. [21:09]
- Live as a Temple of the Holy Spirit: We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and our lives should reflect this reality. We must live as if the God of the universe truly resides in our hearts, allowing His transformative power to shape our actions, thoughts, and relationships. [29:43]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:23] - The Treasure Within
[03:03] - Life's Like a Hot Dog
[04:21] - What's Inside Matters
[05:21] - Guard the Fire
[06:28] - Be the Vessel
[07:26] - A Bowl's Purpose
[08:40] - Fan the Flame
[10:05] - Remember the Fire
[11:28] - Revival and Fire
[12:26] - Treasure the Gift
[14:07] - Familiarity and Value
[16:53] - The True Treasure
[18:29] - The Work of God in You
[20:06] - Perspective and Gratitude
[21:09] - Attend to His Revelation
[22:24] - Loyalty to His Word
[23:23] - What Are You Treasuring?
[24:23] - Living for What Matters
[25:09] - Guard and Grow
[26:29] - God's Work and Our Response
[27:32] - Death by Distraction
[28:30] - Guard the Deposit
[29:43] - Fire and Truth
[33:15] - Transformational Truth
[34:01] - Truth vs. Opinions
[35:26] - The Liar's Deception
[36:22] - Preach to Yourself
[37:19] - Stay on Course
[38:09] - Loyalty and Fire
[38:59] - Abide in the Truth
[40:53] - Treasure His Work
[41:37] - Guard the Spirit
[42:26] - Renew the Right Spirit
[43:01] - Loyalty to His Heart
[44:15] - Faithful with the Fire
[44:39] - Treasure Him
[45:22] - Start the Fire
[46:18] - Light the Fire
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 - "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
2. 2 Timothy 2:21 - "Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."
3. Luke 11:13 - "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
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Observation Questions:
1. What metaphor did the pastor use to illustrate the importance of what is inside us, and how does it relate to our spiritual lives? [03:03]
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be a "vessel of honor," and how can this concept be applied to our daily lives? [06:28]
3. How does the pastor describe the process of "fanning into flame" the gift of God within us? What are the steps involved? [05:21]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how God’s fire can spread beyond personal revival to impact families and communities? [08:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being a "vessel of honor" challenge the way individuals view their purpose and actions in life? [06:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can guard the treasure of the Holy Spirit within them? What practical steps are mentioned? [05:21]
3. The pastor mentions the importance of not becoming familiar with the presence of God. How might familiarity affect one's spiritual growth and relationship with God? [14:07]
4. How does the sermon interpret the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming believers from the inside out? What is the significance of this transformation? [18:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the fire of God in your life. What steps can you take to rekindle that fire and keep it burning? [10:05]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of guarding the deposit of the Holy Spirit. What are some distractions in your life that might be hindering you from doing this effectively? [27:32]
3. How can you actively choose to be a vessel for God's glory in your daily interactions and decisions? Identify one specific area where you can make a change. [06:28]
4. The pastor talks about the danger of "death by distraction." What are some practical ways you can minimize distractions and focus on nurturing your spiritual life? [27:32]
5. Consider the metaphor of life being like a hot dog. How can you ensure that what is inside you—your thoughts, beliefs, and values—aligns with God's truth? [03:03]
6. The sermon calls for a collective awakening. How can you contribute to this awakening in your community or church? What specific actions can you take this week? [08:40]
7. How can you treasure the truth of God's word in your life? Identify one truth from the Bible that you want to focus on and live out this week. [29:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Guarding the Divine Deposit
God has entrusted us with His Spirit and truth, a precious deposit that requires our diligent care. This is not just about acquiring knowledge but experiencing transformation through the Holy Spirit's work in us. We must guard this treasure, nurturing it and allowing it to grow within us. The essence of this call is to be vigilant and intentional in our spiritual journey, ensuring that the divine deposit within us is protected from the distractions and temptations of the world. This involves a conscious effort to remain loyal to God's word and His work in us, resisting distractions and the temptation to wander from the truth. Our lives should reflect the reality of God's presence within us, living as if the God of the universe truly resides in our hearts. [05:21]
2 Timothy 1:14 (ESV): "By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to guard the spiritual treasures God has placed within you from distractions and temptations?
Day 2: Choosing to Be a Vessel of Honor
We are called to be vessels for God's glory, filled with His presence and purpose. Just as a bowl can be used for good or bad, we have the choice to be vessels for God's glory or for lesser things. Our lives should reflect the reality of God's presence within us. This means making conscious choices that align with His will and purpose, allowing His presence to shape our actions, thoughts, and relationships. Being a vessel of honor involves a commitment to live a life that is pleasing to God, one that is marked by integrity, love, and service to others. It is about being intentional in our daily walk, choosing to reflect His glory in all that we do. [06:28]
2 Timothy 2:21 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to make changes to become a vessel of honor for God's glory?
Day 3: Fanning the Flame of God's Fire
The fire that God has ignited within us is not just for personal revival but for a collective awakening. We must fan it into flame, allowing it to spread and impact our families, communities, and beyond. This fire is a symbol of God's transformative power in our lives. It is a call to action, to be faithful with what we have been given, and to allow God's fire to burn brightly within us, spreading His love and truth to the world around us. This involves being proactive in our faith, seeking opportunities to share His love and truth with others, and being a catalyst for change in our communities. [08:40]
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (ESV): "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good."
Reflection: How can you actively fan the flame of God's fire in your life today, and what impact do you hope it will have on those around you?
Day 4: Treasuring the Truth Within
The essence of our faith is not in the external but in the internal work of God. We must treasure the truth and guard the deposit of the Holy Spirit, resisting distractions and the temptation to wander from the truth. Our lives should reflect the reality of God's presence within us. This involves a deep appreciation for the truth of God's word and a commitment to live by it. It means being intentional in our pursuit of truth, seeking to understand and apply it in our daily lives. Treasuring the truth is about valuing the work of God in us and allowing it to shape our identity and purpose. [21:09]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: What truth from God's word do you need to treasure more deeply in your heart today, and how can it transform your life?
Day 5: Living as a Temple of the Holy Spirit
We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and our lives should reflect this reality. We must live as if the God of the universe truly resides in our hearts, allowing His transformative power to shape our actions, thoughts, and relationships. This involves a conscious awareness of His presence in our lives and a commitment to live in a way that honors Him. It means being intentional in our daily walk, seeking to align our lives with His will and purpose. Living as a temple of the Holy Spirit is about being a living testimony of His love and grace, allowing His presence to shine through us in all that we do. [29:43]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Reflection: How can you better reflect the reality of being a temple of the Holy Spirit in your daily life, and what changes might this require?
Quotes
1. "Guard with greatest care. Keep and keep unchanged. Don't change it. The treasure, the precious truth which has been entrusted to who? To you. That is the good news about salvation through the personal faith in Jesus Christ, through the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Guard it. If you're faithful with this, you will be given more. How many guys want more? Be faithful with this and you will be given more. It's like fire. Timothy says, Paul says to Timothy, fan into flame. You want more fire? You want a greater outpouring? Want more passion? Want God to consume you? Then be faithful with what you got and fan. Fan it to flame and it will grow." [02:23] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God wants to bring a river to the desert, but rivers of living water will start here. God wants to bring life to this world, but guess where the life starts? It's an inside job. It's inside out." [03:03] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What's inside matters. Right? What's inside really matters. Today, my title today is Life's Like a Hot Dog. What's inside matters. Why don't you turn to your neighbor and just get it in your brain. What's inside matters. Because I believe that God is saying, I believe I hear in my spirit, the spirit of God is saying this. I put a deposit in you. I put my spirit in you. I put my truth in you. And I'm working revelation, not information, but transformation in and through and out of you." [05:21] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God has done something beautiful in you. When I look at this last couple weeks, I'm so proud of you guys for the heart of worship and prayer with the well, the prayer room, and the worship nights. I'm so proud of the hunger in the house, and I feel it's one of those things that you kind of go through it and think it's beautiful, but then you can easily go, huh? Guard it. Guard. God is doing something deep inside. Do you remember when God did something inside of you?" [08:40] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Do you remember when God lit you on fire? Like, do you remember? It's, it's fire. It's, oh, this is, this is the push. Do you, do you remember that? Because a couple weeks ago, you'd be like, where did Pastor Nathan go? My wife and I, a couple weeks ago, just got to go hang out with him. He was like, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. It's the same spirit there. Did you know that? It's beautiful." [11:28] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God is doing, and it's not just the, the personhood of this Holy Spirit that lives inside of you. Did you know that you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you? If you believe in Jesus, live like he's inside of you. Just try it for a day. God is inside of me, and I'm gonna live like it. It'll be amazing." [12:26] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God is a good, good father. We just sang the song. God, you're a good, good father. Who you are. You know what, you know where we get that passage, you only get that line from? It's right here, that our God is a good father, and he wants to give you good gifts, because he's so good, and so loving. How could, how could he give you bad things? He wants to pour out the best things for you. You know what he says? You just got to ask, and I'll give you the best gift. You know what it is? It's the Holy Spirit. It's good, man. This is the best." [14:07] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "He is the treasure and he is the reward we start using him to get rewards we start using him to get treasure we start asking god to bless our circumstance and bless us indeed and enlarge me so that i can have circumstances and stuff that can satisfy my soul when really the satisfaction of my soul is in him god bless my soul is in him he's not the means to the end he is the end he's the gift he's the treasure he is the reward he's the he is all that you need for this life and godliness did you forget i think we do look at how we live our lives just look at our actions look at our conversations look at it because your life will tell you whether what you're living for he is the gift you are the temple of holy spirit you are the temple of holy spirit you are the temple of holy spirit and he loves you he is the treasure and we get this if you can hear me say anything he is the treasure run to him take refuge in him hide in him live and move and have your being in him in him in him it's him it's always been him it's nothing else do you hear me it's him It's always been him. It always will be him. Nothing else. When we get this, he's the treasure." [16:53] (83 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "A work of God in you. Did you know that God is working inside of you? That God is starting a fire inside of you. That God is working you from death to life. That God is sanctifying, redeeming your work and progress. Bringing you from glory to glory. He's not done with you. There's a work of God. Ugh. Like, are we catching this? He's going, man, you've got to understand the God of the universe is working. He's going, man, you've got to understand the God of the universe is working. He's going, man, you've got to understand the God of the universe is working. He's going, man, you've got to understand the God of the universe is working. inside of you. Don't you dare get familiar. Don't you dare. Don't, don't, don't just get used to that. Don't forget that." [18:29] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "God is going to move, but are you moving with him? Oh, it's kind of like this. As a kid, we played kick the can. How many of you guys ever played capture the flag or kick the can, right? Kick the can. It was a fun game, and because I was a little bit chubby when I was a kid, they usually made me the goalie. I was the goalie for soccer. I was the goalie for hockey, and I just think it's because, not because I was a good goalie. I was just big, so I could take up more of the net, you know? So I just got made goalie, right? And sometimes I just got made goalie, right? And sometimes I just got made goalie, right? So I was like, who? We're going to play kick the can. Nathan, you guard the can. Me. I'm like, I can do this. First mistake. I get distracted easily, you know? So I can be like, you sit there and guard the can. I'm looking, I'm looking, guarding the can, making sure people don't come kick the can, because if they kick my can, the game is over. They win, I lose, right? That's how it works. So you get bored. They're going to come. They're not coming. I heard a rustle in the trees. Oh, it's a squirrel. Hey, that's a squirrel." [27:32] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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