Journey of Faith: Entering God's School of Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Entering Through the Narrow Gate of Faith

In our spiritual journey, entering the "School of God" requires us to strive through the narrow gate, which symbolizes a life of faith rather than reliance on our own works. Many people fail because they attempt to gain entry through their own efforts, rather than trusting in Christ's righteousness. This journey is about faith, not just knowledge or religious activity. The narrow gate is a challenge that requires us to let go of self-reliance and embrace a life of trust in God's promises. As we navigate this path, we must remember that it is not our deeds that secure our place, but our faith in the grace and mercy of God. [04:19]

"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." (Luke 13:24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are relying on your own efforts rather than trusting in Christ? How can you begin to shift your focus to faith in Him today?

Day 2: Persistence in Seeking God

Failure in spiritual pursuits is not the end. We are encouraged to persist in seeking God, continually asking, seeking, and knocking. This persistence is a demonstration of faith and trust in God's promises, and it is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. When we face setbacks or feel distant from God, it is crucial to remember that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Our persistence in prayer and devotion is a testament to our belief in His faithfulness and our desire to grow closer to Him. [14:15]

"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate persistence in your spiritual life this week? How can you make seeking God a daily habit?

Day 3: Growing Beyond the Basics of Faith

After entering God's school, we must grow beyond the elementary principles of faith. This involves adding virtues like self-control, patience, and brotherly kindness to our lives. These qualities are essential for spiritual maturity and effectiveness in God's kingdom. As we mature in our faith, we are called to embody these virtues, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions with others. This growth is not just for our benefit but serves as a witness to the transformative power of God's love in our lives. [16:28]

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness." (2 Peter 1:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Which virtue do you feel God is calling you to develop more fully in your life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this virtue?

Day 4: Embracing God's Discipline

God's discipline is an expression of His love, intended to correct and guide us. Unrepentant acceptance of failure leads to discipline, but this correction is for our benefit, helping us to share in His holiness and grow in righteousness. When we experience God's discipline, it is a reminder of His commitment to our spiritual growth and His desire for us to live in alignment with His will. Embracing this discipline with a repentant heart allows us to learn and grow from our mistakes, drawing us closer to God. [49:57]

"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." (Hebrews 12:6, ESV)

Reflection: How have you experienced God's discipline in your life? What lessons have you learned from these experiences, and how can they guide you in your current spiritual journey?

Day 5: Reflecting Christ's Likeness

The ultimate goal of our spiritual journey is to be like Jesus, reflecting His character in our daily lives. This transformation is a powerful witness to the world and a testament to the reality of our faith. It requires intentional effort and reliance on God's grace. As we strive to embody the love, compassion, and humility of Christ, we become living examples of His presence in the world. This reflection of Christ's likeness is not just a personal aspiration but a calling to impact those around us with His love and truth. [55:02]

"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: In what ways can you intentionally reflect Christ's character in your interactions with others today? How can you rely on God's grace to help you in this transformation?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, seeking purpose and direction. Our gathering today is a testament to our collective desire to draw closer to God, to be saved not just from sin, but from a life squandered on things that do not matter. We come with varied burdens—some of us are wounded, confused, or lost. Yet, we are united in our plea for God to cleanse us, to fill us with His Spirit, and to protect us from the enemy who seeks to steal the Word from our hearts.

The theme of our reflection is the "School of God," a spiritual journey that requires us to pass an entrance exam. This exam is not about works but about faith, as many fail because they rely on their own efforts rather than trusting in Christ. The narrow gate, as described in Luke 13:24, is a challenge that many attempt but few succeed in entering. The parable of the sower reminds us that the devil is quick to snatch away the Word, preventing it from taking root in our hearts.

Failure in this spiritual exam can lead to a retreat into darkness, but it is not the end. We are encouraged to persist, to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, as God promises to open the door to those who do not give up. The distinction between those who fail the entrance exam and those who struggle after entering is crucial. The latter are often seen as non-achievers, yet they are called to grow beyond the basics of faith, adding virtues like self-control, patience, and brotherly kindness to their lives.

The lessons in God's school are many, and they require us to exercise godliness, resist the devil, and bring every thought into captivity to Christ. We are reminded that failure is not final, for we have an advocate in Jesus Christ who intercedes for us. However, unrepentant acceptance of failure leads to discipline, as God corrects those He loves.

Ultimately, our goal is to be like Jesus, to reflect His likeness in our daily lives. This is not just a personal aspiration but a witness to the world. As we sing hymns and lift our voices in prayer, let us commit to this journey of transformation, seeking to be more like Christ in every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. control, patience, and brotherly kindness to our lives. These qualities are essential for spiritual maturity and effectiveness in God's kingdom. [16:28]
4. The Role of Discipline: God's discipline is an expression of His love, intended to correct and guide us. Unrepentant acceptance of failure leads to discipline, but this correction is for our benefit, helping us to share in His holiness and grow in righteousness.

5. Reflecting Christ's Likeness: The ultimate goal of our spiritual journey is to be like Jesus, reflecting His character in our daily lives. This transformation is a powerful witness to the world and a testament to the reality of our faith. It requires intentional effort and reliance on God's grace.

** [16:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Seeking Salvation and Purpose
[01:22] - Cleansing and Anointing
[02:30] - Protection from the Enemy
[03:30] - The School of God
[04:19] - The Narrow Gate
[06:26] - Counting the Cost
[08:08] - The Parable of the Sower
[09:57] - Dangers of Failing the Exam
[12:49] - Renewed Attempts
[14:15] - Persistence in Seeking
[16:28] - Growth Beyond Basics
[18:32] - Brotherly Kindness and Love
[22:04] - Essential Lessons
[23:05] - Resisting the Devil
[33:53] - Exercising Godliness
[43:05] - Advocate in Christ
[49:57] - Discipline and Correction
[55:02] - Reflecting Christ's Likeness
[56:59] - Closing Hymn and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Luke 13:24 - "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."
2 Peter 1:5-7 - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."
Hebrews 12:5-6 - "And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, 'My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.'"

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Observation Questions:

What does the "narrow gate" symbolize in Luke 13:24, and why is it challenging for many to enter? [04:19]
According to the sermon, what are some reasons people fail the entrance exam into the "School of God"? [06:26]
How does the parable of the sower illustrate the challenges of keeping the Word in our hearts? [08:08]
What virtues are mentioned in 2 Peter 1:5-7 that believers are encouraged to add to their faith? How are these related to spiritual maturity? [17:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

In what ways does striving to enter through the narrow gate require faith rather than reliance on personal efforts? How does this relate to the concept of salvation by grace? [06:01]
How does the sermon describe the role of persistence in seeking God, and why is it essential for spiritual growth? [14:15]
What is the significance of God's discipline in the life of a believer, and how should one respond to it according to Hebrews 12:5-6? [49:57]
How does the sermon suggest believers can reflect Christ's likeness in their daily lives, and why is this important for their witness to the world? [55:02]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you relied on your own efforts rather than faith in Christ. How did that impact your spiritual journey, and what can you do differently in the future? [06:01]
Persistence in seeking God is emphasized in the sermon. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate persistence in your spiritual life this week? [14:15]
Consider the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Which one do you find most challenging to cultivate, and what steps can you take to develop it further? [17:14]
How have you experienced God's discipline in your life, and how did it lead to growth or change? Share a specific example and how it shaped your faith. [49:57]
The sermon encourages believers to reflect Christ's likeness. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to do this and discuss a specific action you can take to improve. [55:02]
Think about a recent failure or setback in your spiritual journey. How can you use this experience to grow and move forward rather than retreat into darkness? [09:33]
How can you intentionally create opportunities to share your faith and reflect Christ's character to those around you this week? [55:02]

Sermon Clips

In Luke 13 verse 24, we read, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate," that is, the narrow door, the difficult door, literally. Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many will seek, many will seek to enter in and shall not be able. Many will seek and shall not be able to enter in. [00:04:24]

The seeds that fell by the wayside are they that hear. Then cometh the devil and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Satan cometh immediately, Mark 4 verse 15 adds, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. [00:08:13]

Ask, and it shall be given you. God promises, seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth, he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. [00:14:03]

Add to your faith, to your saving faith, virtue, and to virtue, knowledge, and to knowledge, temperance, that is, self-control. You will essentially need to pass this exam to retrain, to retain credibility in the school. Self-control, someone who's not easily provoked. [00:17:23]

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. I repeat, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Neither give place to the devil, Ephesians 4 verse 27. For he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. [00:23:05]

Exercise thyself unto godliness. Bodily exercise profiteth little. Exercise thyself rather unto godliness. In John 17 verse 15, Jesus made this plea to God the Father for us all: I pray not that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil. [00:33:53]

We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, contextually for Christian sins or failures. He is the way to God for mercy. His verse comes from Leviticus 17, where the high priest would come and sprinkle blood. [00:43:05]

Unrepentant acceptance and resignation to continual failure will result in being subject to severe discipline and fearful correction. Psalm 39 verse 11: When thou with rebukes dost correct a man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth. [00:49:57]

For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons. For what son is he whom a father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. [00:50:06]

I have one deep supreme desire that I may be like Jesus. To this I fervently aspire, that I may be like Jesus. I want my heart his throne to be so that a Watts world may see his likeness shining forth through me. [00:55:02]

If that is not your daily longing from the moment you get out of bed to the moment you go back into bed and throughout the day, you are a failure in the school of God in everyone's eyes that witness, beginning with your family, your work, your enemies that could have been won to God. [00:55:13]

There is no reality in Christianity, sir, apart from Christ's likeness. So I have seen many lovely hymns, and I was thinking now perhaps the loveliest would be "Take Time to Be Holy." Is another one, "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord," in the school of God. [00:56:59]

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Journey of Faith: Entering God's School of Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Entering Through the Narrow Gate of Faith

Day 2: Persistence in Seeking God

Day 3: Growing Beyond the Basics of Faith

Day 4: Embracing God's Discipline

Day 5: Reflecting Christ's Likeness

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Journey of Faith: Entering God's School of Growth

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