Intimacy with Jesus: The Power of Obedience
Summary
In this sermon, we delve into the profound truth that Jesus desires an intimate relationship with each of us. This relationship is not based on our merits or achievements but on our willingness to obey His commandments and to love Him genuinely. The essence of the Gospel is simple and clear: God is not interested in a distant, formal association with us; He yearns for a close, personal friendship.
We explored the concept of obedience not as a means to salvation but as a manifestation of our love for God. True obedience leads to intimacy with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This intimacy is not a result of our efforts but a response to God's love for us. When we obey God's commandments, we invite Him to make His home within us, and this is where transformation begins.
The sermon highlighted that God's desire to dwell within us and to have a relationship with us is consistent throughout the Bible. From the story of Adam and Eve to the teachings of Jesus, God's consistent message is that He wants to be involved in the minutiae of our lives. He wants to converse with us, to be our confidant, and to guide us through life's journey.
We were reminded that the Gospel is not complicated. It is the simplicity of the Gospel that is its power. Jesus' words are direct and to the point: He wants to reside in us, but He will only do so if we obey Him and love His name. This obedience is not burdensome; it is the natural outcome of a loving relationship with God.
The sermon concluded with a call to decision. We were encouraged to let Jesus into our hearts fully, to allow Him to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is not superficial; it changes everything about us—our relationships, our perspectives, and our character. As we grow closer to Jesus, we begin to resemble Him more and more, and this is the ultimate goal of the Christian life: to become like Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Obedience to God's commandments is the gateway to intimacy with Him. When we obey, we are not earning His love; we are responding to it. This obedience is a sign of our love for God and opens the door for Him to reveal Himself to us and make His dwelling within us. [12:33]
- The simplicity of the Gospel is its power. Jesus' desire for us is straightforward: He wants to be our friend. This friendship is the foundation of our faith and the source of our transformation. As we spend quality time with Jesus, we invite His presence into every aspect of our lives. [25:51]
- God's interest in us is personal and relational. From the beginning, God's interactions with humanity have been about relationship, not ritual. He walked with Adam in the garden, and He seeks to walk with us today. Our relationship with God is meant to be dynamic and conversational, not static and distant. [18:40]
- The decision to follow Jesus is a decision to let Him transform us. When we invite Jesus into our lives, we must be prepared for the profound changes that will follow. This transformation is a process, and as we grow in our friendship with Jesus, our lives will increasingly reflect His character and love. [29:42]
- The ultimate expression of our friendship with Jesus is becoming more like Him. As we walk with Jesus, we will naturally start to adopt His ways and His heart for others. This transformation is the most powerful testimony we can have, as it demonstrates the reality of God's love and presence in our lives. [31:06]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 14:21-23 (NIV): "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. Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, 'But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?' Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 14:21, what is the relationship between obedience and love for Jesus?
2. What promise does Jesus give to those who love Him and obey His commandments? ([06:53])
3. How does Jesus describe the manifestation of His presence in the lives of those who obey Him? ([08:30])
4. What does Jesus say about the role of the Father and the Holy Spirit in this relationship? ([05:13])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize obedience as a sign of love rather than a means to earn salvation? ([06:00])
2. How does the concept of Jesus making His home within us change our understanding of intimacy with God? ([10:46])
3. What does it mean for our daily lives that God desires a personal and relational connection with us, as opposed to a distant, formal association? ([18:40])
4. How can the simplicity of the Gospel be both powerful and transformative in our lives? ([12:33])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What steps can you take to invite Jesus to make His home within you? ([10:46])
2. How can you demonstrate your love for Jesus through obedience in your daily life? Identify one specific commandment you can focus on this week. ([06:53])
3. Think about your current relationship with God. How can you make it more dynamic and conversational rather than static and distant? ([18:40])
4. Jesus wants to be involved in the minutiae of our lives. What is one area of your life where you can invite Jesus to guide you more closely? ([11:38])
5. The sermon mentioned that true transformation begins when we let Jesus into our hearts fully. What is one specific change you need to make to allow this transformation to happen? ([29:42])
6. How can you cultivate a friendship with Jesus that mirrors the simplicity and power of the Gospel? What practical steps can you take to spend quality time with Him this week? ([12:33])
7. Reflect on the idea that becoming more like Christ is the ultimate goal of the Christian life. What is one characteristic of Jesus that you want to embody more in your life, and how can you work towards that? ([31:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience as Love's Response
Obedience to God is often misunderstood as a burdensome set of rules, but in truth, it is a heartfelt response to His overwhelming love for us. When one chooses to obey God's commandments, it is not about earning His love; rather, it is an act of love itself. This obedience is a sign that one values the relationship with God above all else, and it opens the door for a deeper connection with the Divine. As one walks in obedience, they invite God to reveal Himself more fully and to make His dwelling within their heart, leading to a transformation that is both personal and profound. This is the essence of spiritual intimacy, where the divine and the human meet in a sacred dance of love and submission. [12:33]
"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people." - Jeremiah 31:33
Reflection: How does your obedience to God reflect your love for Him, and what is one step you can take today to demonstrate this love through obedience?
Day 2: The Power of Gospel Simplicity
The Gospel's power lies in its simplicity; it is not a complex theological puzzle to solve but a straightforward invitation to friendship with Jesus. This friendship is the bedrock of faith, where one finds the strength and guidance for life's journey. As one spends time with Jesus, they open their life to His presence, allowing Him to influence every aspect, from the mundane to the monumental. This relationship is transformative, changing not only the individual but also how they interact with the world around them. The simplicity of the Gospel is its power to change lives, one heart at a time. [25:51]
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" - Matthew 4:19
Reflection: What does spending quality time with Jesus look like for you, and how can you make that time more meaningful today?
Day 3: God's Personal Interest in Us
God's interest in humanity has always been deeply personal and relational. From the very beginning, He has sought to be involved in the details of our lives, desiring a dynamic and conversational relationship with each of us. This is not a God who is satisfied with mere ritual or distant admiration; He is a God who walks with us, talks with us, and shares in the joys and sorrows of our daily existence. To live in relationship with God is to recognize His voice in the quiet moments and to see His hand in the chaos of life. It is to know that we are never alone, for God is with us, guiding, comforting, and loving us every step of the way. [18:40]
"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." - Zephaniah 3:17
Reflection: In what ways do you recognize God's presence in the minutiae of your daily life, and how can you cultivate a more conversational relationship with Him?
Day 4: Transformation Through Decision
Deciding to follow Jesus is the first step in a transformative journey that reshapes every aspect of one's life. This transformation is not superficial; it is a radical reorientation of one's values, relationships, and character. As one grows closer to Jesus, they begin to reflect His love, His grace, and His truth. This process of transformation is ongoing, requiring a daily decision to let Jesus work within. It is a journey marked by grace, as one becomes more like Christ, the ultimate goal of the Christian life. [29:42]
"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
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need Jesus' transformative power, and how can you actively invite Him into that area today?
Day 5: Becoming Like Christ
The ultimate expression of our friendship with Jesus is the transformation of our lives to become more like Him. As we walk with Jesus, we naturally start to adopt His ways, His love, and His compassion for others. This transformation is the most powerful testimony to the world, as it demonstrates the reality of God's love and presence in our lives. To become like Christ is to live a life of love, service, and sacrifice, showing the world the hope and grace that is found in following Jesus. [31:06]
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." - Colossians 3:12
Reflection: How is your life reflecting the character of Christ, and what is one change you can make today to more closely resemble Him?
Quotes
"O que eu mais amo do Evangelho é a simplicidade dele... Jesus foi a pessoa mais concisa da Bíblia... ele tá deixando claro eu quero morar em vocês mas eu não vou morar se você não me obedecer." [12:33] (Download | Download cropped video)
"Deus não queria que eu fosse famoso, Deus queria que eu fosse amigo dele... a única coisa que Jesus quer com você... é ser teu amigo porque só quando é amigo que é poderoso que pode mudar a vida de alguém." [16:31] (Download | )
"O relacionamento com Jesus... Jesus nunca fez algo para que eu fosse um pregador conhecido, tudo o que ele fez foi porque ele queria ser o meu amigo e isso... desde o Éden Deus não estava preocupado com... Deus nunca desceu para falar com animal... Deus desceu no Jardim foi para falar com o homem." [18:03] (Download | )
"Jesus só quer ser teu amigo, nada mais, porque se ele for o teu amigo todas as áreas da sua vida [serão transformadas]... é você que vai decidir se isso vai acontecer." [28:05] (Download | )
"Tomar a decisão de deixar Jesus entrar é morrer pro mundo... é deixar ele entrar de maneira completa porque é isso que ele quer... Isso muda tudo... é uma loucura quando ele entra começa uma faxina dentro da gente." [29:42] (Download | )
"Ele quer ser o seu amigo, quer se manifestar a você e morar dentro de você e isso é o evangelho claro como a luz... é a decisão e o resto é o fruto da sua amizade com ele." [30:21] (Download | )
"Tempo de qualidade... o que mais faz Jesus se manifestar, se revelar a você, ter espaço em todos os cômodos do teu coração é quando você separa tempo com ele." [25:51] (Download | )
"Se vocês me amam, me obedecem, eu amarei vocês, o meu pai vai os amar e nós nos manifestaremos a vocês... Jesus quer que você o conheça melhor." [06:53] (Download | )
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