Intentional Spiritual Growth: A New Year’s Journey
Summary
As we gather on this first Sunday of the new year, we are reminded of the profound opportunity to meet with God, to worship Him, and to set our hearts on a path of spiritual growth and transformation. This time is not just about hearing from pastors or enjoying fellowship meals, but about seeking a genuine encounter with God, who promises to meet us when we seek Him earnestly. Our focus today is on the importance of having a plan for spiritual growth, much like we have plans for our finances, health, or time management.
In John 15, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Him, illustrating that apart from Him, we can accomplish nothing. This abiding is not passive but requires intentionality and a structured approach, often referred to as a "rule of life." This concept, rooted in the early Methodist tradition, involves creating a trellis—a guide for our spiritual growth—so that we can bear fruit and become more like Christ.
The rule of life is not about adding more to our already busy schedules but about prioritizing our spiritual journey. It involves starting small, thinking about what we can subtract from our lives to make room for God, and recognizing that spiritual formation requires repetition and community. We are encouraged to develop a personal plan that aligns with our unique life circumstances and spiritual goals, understanding that transformation is possible but not inevitable without intentional effort.
As we embark on this new year, let us consider what our plan is to become more like Jesus. Whether it's through daily devotions, engaging with others in community, or setting aside time for prayer and reflection, the goal is to remain connected to Christ and allow His life to flow through us, producing the fruit of His Spirit in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Intentional Spiritual Growth: Just as we plan for financial or health goals, we must also have a plan for spiritual growth. This involves creating a "rule of life" that guides us in abiding in Christ and bearing fruit. [51:30]
2. Abiding in Christ: John 15 teaches us that we must remain in Christ to bear fruit. This abiding is active and requires us to be intentional about our spiritual practices and disciplines. [50:15]
3. Start Small and Subtract: Begin with small, manageable spiritual practices and consider what activities you can subtract from your life to make more room for God. [01:09:48]
4. Community and Repetition: Spiritual growth is not a solitary journey. Engage with others in community and understand that formation takes time and repetition. [01:16:18]
5. Transformation is Possible: While transformation into Christ-likeness is possible, it is not automatic. We must cooperate with God's grace and have a plan to be spiritually formed. [55:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [08:43] - Introduction and Purpose
- [10:01] - Seeking God Together
- [11:23] - Prayer and Worship
- [36:11] - Community and Service
- [37:35] - Financial Stewardship
- [46:46] - Scripture Reading in Dutch and English
- [47:50] - New Year's Resolutions and Spiritual Goals
- [49:01] - The Sinner's Prayer and Transformation
- [50:15] - Abiding in Christ
- [51:30] - Planning for Spiritual Growth
- [54:16] - Discipleship Goals
- [55:44] - Rule of Life Explained
- [58:12] - Motivation for Spiritual Practices
- [01:21:22] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 15:1-8
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the vine, you are the branches" in John 15:5? How does this imagery help us understand our relationship with Him?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of having a "rule of life" for spiritual growth? [55:44]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of abiding in Christ as active rather than passive? [50:15]
4. What examples were given in the sermon about starting small and subtracting activities to make room for God? [01:09:48]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In John 15, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Him. What might this look like in a believer's daily life, and why is it crucial for bearing fruit?
2. The sermon mentions the concept of a "rule of life" as a structured approach to spiritual growth. How might this differ from simply adding more activities to one's schedule? [55:44]
3. The sermon suggests that transformation is possible but not inevitable. What role does intentionality play in spiritual growth, according to the sermon? [55:44]
4. How does the sermon suggest community and repetition contribute to spiritual formation? [01:16:18]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any activities you could subtract from your life to make more room for God? What might those be? [01:09:48]
2. Consider the idea of a "rule of life." What small, manageable spiritual practices could you start implementing this week to help you abide in Christ more intentionally? [55:44]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community in spiritual growth. How can you engage more deeply with your church community to support your spiritual journey? [01:16:18]
4. Think about a time when you felt disconnected from Christ. What steps can you take to ensure you remain connected to Him, especially during challenging times? [50:15]
5. The sermon encourages us to have a plan for spiritual growth. What specific goals can you set for yourself this year to become more like Jesus? [51:30]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of repetition in your spiritual life to foster growth and transformation? What specific practice will you focus on repeating regularly? [01:14:18]
7. Identify one area of your life where you desire transformation. What intentional steps can you take to cooperate with God's grace in this area? [55:44]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Intentional Spiritual Planning
To grow spiritually, one must be as intentional as they are with other life goals, such as finances or health. This involves creating a "rule of life," a structured plan that helps guide one's spiritual journey. This plan is not about adding more to an already busy schedule but about prioritizing spiritual growth and making room for God. By starting small and focusing on what can be subtracted from daily life, individuals can create space for spiritual practices that lead to transformation. The journey of spiritual growth requires repetition and community, emphasizing that transformation is possible but not automatic. [51:30]
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one activity you can remove from your schedule this week to make more room for spiritual practices?
Day 2: Active Abiding in Christ
Abiding in Christ is an active process that requires intentionality in spiritual practices and disciplines. According to John 15, remaining in Christ is essential for bearing fruit. This abiding is not passive but involves a conscious effort to stay connected to Christ through daily devotions, prayer, and community engagement. By doing so, individuals allow Christ's life to flow through them, producing the fruit of His Spirit. This connection is vital for spiritual growth and transformation. [50:15]
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: What specific spiritual practice can you commit to this week to strengthen your connection with Christ?
Day 3: Simplifying for Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth often requires simplifying one's life to make room for God. This involves starting with small, manageable spiritual practices and considering what activities can be subtracted to prioritize the spiritual journey. By focusing on what truly matters, individuals can create a life that is more aligned with their spiritual goals and open to God's presence. This simplification is not about doing more but about being more intentional with one's time and energy. [01:09:48]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your life that feels cluttered. How can you simplify it to focus more on your spiritual growth?
Day 4: Community and Repetition in Spiritual Formation
Spiritual growth is not a solitary journey but one that requires community and repetition. Engaging with others in a spiritual community provides support, accountability, and encouragement. Repetition of spiritual practices helps to solidify habits and deepen one's relationship with God. By participating in a community and committing to regular spiritual practices, individuals can experience meaningful growth and transformation. [01:16:18]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your spiritual community can you reach out to this week for encouragement or accountability in your spiritual journey?
Day 5: Cooperating with God's Grace for Transformation
Transformation into Christ-likeness is possible but requires cooperation with God's grace. This involves having a plan for spiritual formation and being intentional about one's spiritual journey. While transformation is not automatic, it is achievable through a commitment to spiritual practices and openness to God's work in one's life. By aligning one's life with spiritual goals and seeking God's guidance, individuals can experience profound transformation. [55:44]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to cooperate more with God's grace for transformation? How can you take a step towards this today?
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Quotes
As God's people and to meet with him and to worship him and to honor him. And so I pray as we gather in this place that we just would be mindful of that purpose. If you're new with this, we have restrooms on the sides and then following the service, we've got a meal that we'll be together with. But for this time together, if we could just set aside the distractions and give our attention to God. [00:09:20]
And better than hearing from Pastor Andy or Pastor Josh or anything else that we have to offer, whatever food they might have next door, better than all that is meeting with God. And I just want to encourage you to just pause for a moment here with me and let's start off this new year right by seeking God. [00:10:06]
And so it's his desire that we not just believe that he is the son of God or believe in our head that, that he is the Messiah, but his desire for us is that we would follow him as his disciples, that we would strive to become like our leader, that we would do what our leader did, that we would love the way that he loved. [00:48:29]
What is it that causes us to actually become different? Well, we know that it's a work of God, right? We know that this is a supernatural work of God to cause our hard heart to be removed and to put within us a new heart, a fleshly heart that's alive, that's not dead and stone cold. [00:49:57]
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preaches the greatest sermon ever preached. And at the end of that Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 7, he said, those of you who heard my words, you have a responsibility now to put them into practice, to do them. Don't just listen to them, but do them. [00:50:56]
And that's what we read here in John 15. It says, That's what we read in John 15, that we are intimately joined in life union with God, that we are instructed to abide or to remain in him. Now, there is nothing that we can accomplish apart from God. Zilch. Zero nada. There's nothing that we can accomplish apart from God. [00:51:30]
But what is it that God is calling you in particular to do as far as a plan for walking with Him and becoming more like Him? Transformation is possible. But it's not inevitable. Holiness, Christ -like living is possible, but it's not inevitable. [00:55:09]
A rule of life is a schedule or a set of practices, and we're going to be able to do that. And so what is our plan to be spiritually formed? Rhythms that create space to be with Jesus and to become like Jesus and to do what Jesus did. [00:55:44]
The motivation for the rule of life is not duty. It's desire. So as we start 2025, what is your desire to become like Jesus? You might have plans like Tom. You want to lose some weight. You might have those plans. I'm going to eat differently. I'm going to exercise. You might have those particular plans for 2025 in your physical life. [00:58:12]
And the fourth tip is there's no formation without repetition. Formation is slow, but the practices have a cumulative effect in our life. Several years ago, there was a movie called The Karate Kid. I'm a Nazarene, so I never watched movies, but they came out on TV and then I'd watch them. [01:14:07]
And the fifth tip is to do this in community. Historically, the rule of life has been expected to be done together. You know, only in America do we have the Lone Ranger Christians. Only in America do we have this idea that we can serve God. It's me and Jesus. We got a good thing worked out, Tom T. Hall. Wrong. [01:15:50]
Father, I pray for Hernando Church of Nazarene that we wouldn't be just a church that believes in you, but we would be a church that puts into practice and obeys everything that you direct us to do, everything that you command us to do. You have set forth the good way for us to live. I pray that we would be passionate about our desire to live that good way, that abundant life. [01:21:22]
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