Internalizing God's Word: The Essence of True Faith

 

Summary

In the third chapter of the book of Ezekiel, we find a profound lesson about the nature of true Christian experience. God instructs Ezekiel to eat a scroll, symbolizing the internalization of God's word. This act is not just for prophets but is a universal principle for all believers. In today's world, where attending church is less common, the responsibility of living and sharing the Gospel falls on each Christian. Every believer is called to be an evangelist, living out and sharing their faith in their daily lives.

True Christian experience is not about external rituals or traditions but about an internal transformation. It's not enough to hold the scroll, or the word of God, in our hands; we must consume it, allowing it to penetrate our hearts and become part of our very being. This internalization leads to a life that is controlled and dominated by the principles of the Gospel. It is not a mere backdrop to our lives but the central, driving force.

False religion, on the other hand, is characterized by external adherence without internal change. It is a religion that overshadows rather than penetrates, leading to a joyless and repressive experience. True religion, however, is experimental and experiential. It is something that must be tasted and proved, leading to a profound change in the individual. It is not about intellectual knowledge alone but about a living experience of God.

When God's word is truly internalized, it becomes a wellspring of life within us, influencing every aspect of our being—our thoughts, will, and emotions. It leads to a life of joy and rejoicing, even in the face of trials and tribulations. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is a result of the indwelling presence of Christ.

To achieve this true Christian experience, we must fully embrace God's word, taking it in its entirety, and allowing it to transform us from the inside out. This involves a deliberate and thorough engagement with the Scriptures, allowing them to penetrate our hearts and shape our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- True Christian experience requires internalizing God's word, allowing it to penetrate our hearts and become part of our very being. This internalization leads to a life that is controlled and dominated by the principles of the Gospel. [24:42]

- False religion is characterized by external adherence without internal change. It overshadows rather than penetrates, leading to a joyless and repressive experience. True religion, however, is experimental and experiential, leading to profound personal transformation. [19:49]

- The internalization of God's word results in a life of joy and rejoicing, even in the face of trials and tribulations. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is a result of the indwelling presence of Christ. [43:54]

- To achieve true Christian experience, we must fully embrace God's word, taking it in its entirety, and allowing it to transform us from the inside out. This involves a deliberate and thorough engagement with the Scriptures. [45:06]

- True religion is not about intellectual knowledge alone but about a living experience of God. It is something that must be tasted and proved, leading to a profound change in the individual. [25:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Ezekiel's Call
- [01:08] - Symbolism in Ezekiel's Vision
- [02:32] - The Universal Call to Evangelism
- [03:40] - The Example of John Bunyan
- [05:07] - The Nature of True Christian Experience
- [07:03] - Characteristics of False Religion
- [10:19] - Religion as an External Influence
- [14:50] - The Vague Influence of False Religion
- [19:49] - The Perpetual Brake of False Religion
- [24:42] - Characteristics of True Religion
- [28:26] - Internalization of God's Word
- [33:41] - True Religion as a Controlling Force
- [39:01] - The Comprehensive Control of True Religion
- [45:06] - Embracing God's Word Fully

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ezekiel 3:1-3

---

Observation Questions:

1. What specific action does God command Ezekiel to take with the scroll, and what does this symbolize? [00:09]

2. How does the sermon describe the difference between holding the scroll and consuming it? [08:10]

3. What example from history is used in the sermon to illustrate the impact of living out one's faith in everyday life? [03:40]

4. According to the sermon, what is the main characteristic of false religion? [08:25]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the act of Ezekiel eating the scroll relate to the concept of internalizing God's word in a believer's life? [24:42]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that true Christian experience differs from false religion? [24:42]

3. How does the sermon explain the role of joy in the life of a believer who has internalized God's word? [43:54]

4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of personal transformation in the Christian faith? [27:43]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with God's word. Do you find yourself merely holding it, or are you truly internalizing it? What steps can you take to deepen this internalization? [08:10]

2. Consider a time when your faith felt more like an external obligation rather than an internal joy. What changes can you make to shift this perspective? [22:33]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being an evangelist in daily life. Identify one person in your life who you can share your faith with this week. How will you approach this conversation? [03:21]

4. Think about the role of joy in your Christian experience. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of joy that is not dependent on your circumstances? [43:54]

5. The sermon discusses the importance of allowing God's word to transform us from the inside out. What specific area of your life do you feel needs transformation, and how can you invite God's word into that area? [45:06]

6. Reflect on the idea of religion being a controlling force in your life. Is your faith something that guides your decisions and actions, or is it more of a background influence? How can you make it more central? [33:41]

7. The sermon mentions the joy of the Lord as a source of strength. How can you remind yourself of this joy during challenging times? [43:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Internalizing God's Word for Transformation
True Christian experience is marked by the internalization of God's word, allowing it to penetrate deeply into one's heart and become an integral part of one's being. This process is not merely about reading or hearing the word but involves a profound engagement that leads to transformation. When believers internalize the Scriptures, they allow the principles of the Gospel to dominate and control their lives, making the word of God the central driving force rather than a mere backdrop. This transformation is essential for living out a genuine Christian life, as it moves beyond external rituals and traditions to a heart-centered faith. [24:42]

Ezekiel 3:1-3 (ESV): "And he said to me, 'Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.' So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, 'Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.' Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to internalize God's word more deeply, allowing it to transform your heart and life?


Day 2: The Danger of External Religion
False religion is characterized by an external adherence to rituals and traditions without any internal change. It overshadows rather than penetrates, leading to a joyless and repressive experience. In contrast, true religion is experimental and experiential, requiring a personal encounter with God that leads to profound transformation. This transformation is not about intellectual knowledge alone but involves a living experience of God that must be tasted and proved. Believers are called to move beyond superficial practices and seek a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. [19:49]

Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."

Reflection: In what ways might you be relying on external religious practices rather than seeking a genuine internal transformation? How can you shift your focus to a more authentic relationship with God today?


Day 3: Joy in the Indwelling Presence of Christ
When God's word is truly internalized, it becomes a wellspring of life within believers, influencing every aspect of their being—thoughts, will, and emotions. This internalization leads to a life of joy and rejoicing, even in the face of trials and tribulations. The joy experienced is not dependent on external circumstances but is a result of the indwelling presence of Christ. This joy is a testament to the transformative power of God's word and the profound change it brings to the believer's life. [43:54]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of joy that is rooted in the presence of Christ, regardless of your current circumstances?


Day 4: Embracing God's Word Fully
To achieve a true Christian experience, believers must fully embrace God's word, taking it in its entirety and allowing it to transform them from the inside out. This involves a deliberate and thorough engagement with the Scriptures, allowing them to penetrate the heart and shape one's life. By fully embracing God's word, believers can experience the profound transformation that leads to a life controlled and dominated by the principles of the Gospel. This commitment to the word of God is essential for living out a genuine and authentic Christian life. [45:06]

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 specific actions can you take to engage more deeply with the Scriptures and allow them to transform your life from the inside out?


Day 5: Experiencing a Living Relationship with God
True religion is not about intellectual knowledge alone but about a living experience of God. It is something that must be tasted and proved, leading to a profound change in the individual. This living relationship with God is characterized by an ongoing encounter with His presence, resulting in a dynamic and transformative faith. Believers are called to move beyond mere knowledge and seek a deeper, more experiential relationship with God that impacts every aspect of their lives. [25:11]

Psalm 34:8 (ESV): "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

Reflection: How can you move beyond intellectual knowledge and seek a more experiential relationship with God today? What steps can you take to encounter His presence in a deeper way?

Quotes



True Christian experience is not about external rituals or traditions but about an internal transformation. It's not enough to hold the scroll, or the word of God, in our hands; we must consume it, allowing it to penetrate our hearts and become part of our very being. This internalization leads to a life that is controlled and dominated by the principles of the Gospel. [00:08:00]

The most fatal thing of all is to have a religion that is entirely external, outside ourselves. That is the emphasis and the thrust of this word that we're looking at this morning. Now I want to put it to you in this way: I was reading comparatively recently a book dealing with the subject of poetry and morality. [00:08:30]

Religion overshadowed the Victorians instead of penetrating them. Now I think that's a very profound and most illuminating remark. In a sense, religion overshadowed the Victorians instead of penetrating them. Now there, I think, is a perfect statement of the matter that is conveyed to us in this section that we're looking at this morning. [00:09:12]

The characteristic of false religion is that it's nothing but a background to a man's life. It's only the scenery, as it were; it's not the vital thing that's happening on the stage. It isn't an essential part; it's a sort of backdrop. It is there, yes, but in a sense, you know, you could do perfectly well without it. [00:15:22]

The essential thing is that a man has tasted it, he has masticated it, he's proved it, it's a part of him, he's experienced it. Something happens to him; there is a change in the man. This is surely the very central doctrine of the whole of the New Testament. It's not something outside me. [00:26:51]

True religion is something that is always at the center of a man's life. It's not only inside him; it's at the very center. Now these terms, of course, suggest all that, don't they? The bowels, son of man, cause thy belly to eat and fill thy bowels with this roll. [00:31:57]

A Christian is not a man who adds things to his life; he's a man who is expressing that which is within him. I think I've possibly used this comparison, this illustration before. The difference between the false religion and the true religion is this: it's the difference between your decorated Christmas tree and your fruit tree. [00:36:00]

The Apostle Paul describing himself puts it like this: he says, I'm now trying to apprehend that by which or of which I have been apprehended. What is a Christian? Well, Paul's favorite expression in describing himself is Paul, the bond slave of Jesus Christ, mastered by him. [00:38:17]

The Christian, when he's got this thing, is so gripped by it in her mind and will and heart that he rejoices at all times. Rejoice in the Lord always, yea, I say to you again, rejoice. Which is it we have, my friends? Is your religion something that just shadows you, or is it penetrated into you? [00:44:04]

How are you to get this true Christian experience? Well, you don't work it up. There's nothing more fatal than that, the spurious joy and happiness. It's carnal, it's worthless, it's artificial. You don't work it up. What do you do? Well, there's only one thing to do. God is holding out the scroll to you, his own word. [00:45:06]

You take it all. If you want this happy experience, this joy of the Lord, this truly Christian experience, you've got to take God's word as a whole, as it is. Lamentations, mourning, and woe, as well as success and happiness and joy. Take it all, take it as it is. [00:45:56]

Take time over it, chew it, masticate it. The old Ed puts it perfectly: read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. If you want to have the rich experience of the Saints, you've got to emulate their example, and you've got to take time with this word of God. [00:47:39]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?