Journey of Obedience: Embracing Truth and Servanthood

Summary

In the discourse by Pastor Kathleen Nevarez, the central theme revolves around the Christian life as a journey of obedience, service, and truth in the midst of a spiritual battle. The message begins with an emphasis on the importance of coming to God in all circumstances, whether one has made a mistake or is in need of healing and provision. The assurance is that through Jesus, individuals can find cleansing, healing, and provision.

The narrative then transitions to the parable of the servant in Luke 17:7-10, where Jesus teaches about the attitude of a true servant. After completing their work, servants do not immediately relax and eat; instead, they prepare a meal for their master. This parable is used to illustrate the Christian's responsibility to God, especially in response to answered prayers and miracles. Believers are reminded that they are mere servants, undeserving of special praise, and that their duty is to give glory back to Jesus by being obedient to His word and fighting the battle of truth.

The message underscores the importance of being vessels of honor and glory, capable of declaring Jesus as the way and the truth. The speaker encourages listeners to overcome every situation by surrendering and being obedient to the word of God. The narrative further explores the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19, emphasizing the significance of gratitude and worship towards Jesus after receiving miracles.

Pastor Nevarez also quotes Jack Hibbs, who speaks about the Christian's role in spiritual warfare, with Jesus as the commander-in-chief. The outcome of this war is determined by obedience to the word and truth. The speaker stresses the need for spiritual development and the pursuit of a vision of joyful expectation for the year ahead. This vision is to be grounded in healing, deliverance, and a foundation of prayer and the word, fostering a relationship with the truth.

The message addresses the current battle against truth in the world, where misinformation and conflicting versions of truth abound. The speaker asserts that Jesus is the truth, and when His truth is revealed to individuals, they will not be shaken by the world's chaos. The speaker warns against being led by emotions, which can be deceptive, and instead encourages adherence to Jesus' teachings.

The discourse also touches on the concept of betrayal, defining it as a lack of loyalty that can manifest in various forms, such as breaking promises, being disloyal, infidelity, spreading rumors, or gossip. The speaker admits that everyone is guilty of betrayal at some point, either as the betrayer or the betrayed. The message calls for repentance and forgiveness, as well as the need to confront and forgive repeatedly, in obedience to God's command.

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the necessity of prayer and the word in every believer's life. The message encourages individuals to examine everything through the light and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, comparing it to verifying the integrity of a $100 bill by holding it up to the light. The speaker assures that God is on the side of believers, empowering them with authority and inviting them to a higher level of maturity and expectation.

Key Takeaways:

- True servanthood in the Christian life is characterized by an attitude of humility and a readiness to serve God before oneself. This is exemplified in the parable of the servant, teaching that after receiving God's blessings, one's first response should be to offer thanks and worship, acknowledging that we are merely fulfilling our duties as servants. [34:01]

- The battle for truth in a world filled with misinformation is a central aspect of the Christian journey. Believers are called to anchor themselves in Jesus, who is the truth, and to build their lives on the solid foundation of His word. This ensures stability and soundness of mind amidst the chaos of the world. [15:34]

- Betrayal is a reality that all individuals face, whether as the perpetrator or the victim. The Christian response to betrayal is to seek forgiveness and to forgive, as instructed in the Lord's Prayer. This act of obedience to God's command is crucial for maintaining a right relationship with Him and others. [30:26]

- Prayer and engagement with the word of God are non-negotiable elements of the Christian life. They are the means by which believers can discern truth and exercise their God-given authority. Just as one would verify the authenticity of currency, so should Christians examine every situation in the light of God's word. [20:21]

- The Christian's role in spiritual warfare is underscored by the need for obedience to God's word. This obedience is not only a defensive measure but also a way to advance and grow in spiritual maturity and authority. As believers engage in this battle, they are promised victory through their relationship with Jesus Christ. [13:22]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 17:7-10 - "After a servant has finished his work in the field or with the livestock, he doesn’t immediately sit down to relax and eat. No, a true servant prepares the food for his master and makes sure his master is served his meal before he sits down to eat. Does a servant expect to be thanked for doing what is required of him? So learn this lesson: after doing all that is commanded of you, simply say, ‘We are mere servants, undeserving of special praise, for we are just doing what is expected of us, fulfilling our duties.’"
2. Luke 17:11-19 - The story of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and worship.
3. Luke 6:46-49 - "Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the servant in Luke 17:7-10, what is the servant's attitude after completing his work? How does this reflect the Christian's responsibility to God? ([34:01])
2. What was the reaction of the one leper who returned to thank Jesus in Luke 17:11-19? How does this emphasize the importance of gratitude? ([37:02])
3. According to Luke 6:46-49, what is the difference between the two builders, and what does this signify about obedience to Jesus' words? ([07:36])
4. How does Pastor Kathleen describe the current state of the world and the Christian's role in it? ([02:42])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the parable of the servant in Luke 17:7-10 teach us about humility and our role as Christians? How does this relate to our daily lives and service to God? ([34:01])
2. Why is it significant that only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus? What does this teach us about the importance of gratitude in our spiritual journey? ([37:02])
3. How does building a house on a solid foundation, as described in Luke 6:46-49, relate to our spiritual lives and the importance of obedience to God's word? ([07:36])
4. Pastor Kathleen mentions the battle for truth in a world filled with misinformation. How can Christians anchor themselves in Jesus to remain stable amidst chaos? ([15:34])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you received a blessing or answered prayer. How did you respond? Did you take time to thank and worship God, or did you move on quickly? How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily life? ([34:01])
2. In what ways can you demonstrate humility and servanthood in your current roles and responsibilities? How can you ensure that your actions give glory back to Jesus? ([34:01])
3. Think about the current state of the world and the misinformation that abounds. How can you ensure that you are building your life on the solid foundation of Jesus' truth? What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God's word? ([15:34])
4. Pastor Kathleen talks about the importance of prayer and the word in discerning truth. How can you incorporate more prayer and Bible study into your daily routine to strengthen your spiritual foundation? ([20:21])
5. Betrayal is a reality that everyone faces. Reflect on a time when you either betrayed someone or were betrayed. How did you handle it? How can you seek forgiveness and offer forgiveness in obedience to God's command? ([30:26])
6. Pastor Kathleen emphasizes the need for spiritual development and maturity. What specific areas of your spiritual life do you feel need growth? How can you take steps to develop these areas in the coming weeks? ([21:04])
7. How can you guard your heart against becoming bitter or cynical in a world filled with chaos and misinformation? What practices can you adopt to ensure you are led by the Holy Spirit and not by your emotions? ([15:34])

Devotional

Day 1: Humility in Servanthood
True servanthood is marked by humility and a readiness to serve God's will before our own desires. After receiving God's blessings, it is essential to express gratitude and worship, recognizing that we are simply fulfilling our roles as His servants. This humility is the foundation of a life lived in service to the Kingdom of God. [34:01]

Luke 17:10 - "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"
Reflection: How can you demonstrate a servant's heart in your daily interactions, putting others' needs before your own?

Day 2: Anchored in Truth Amidst Chaos
In a world rife with misinformation, anchoring oneself in Jesus, the truth, is vital for maintaining stability and soundness of mind. Building life on the foundation of His word allows believers to stand firm against the chaos and confusion that pervade society. This steadfastness is a testament to the transformative power of living in truth. [15:34]

Ephesians 4:14-15 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your life is built on the truth of Jesus, and how can you resist the influence of misinformation?

Day 3: Forgiveness in the Face of Betrayal
Betrayal is an unfortunate reality, but the Christian response is to seek and extend forgiveness, following the Lord's Prayer's guidance. This act of obedience is crucial for maintaining a right relationship with God and others, and it reflects the grace that has been bestowed upon us. [30:26]

Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Reflection: Can you identify someone you need to forgive, and how can you take steps towards reconciliation today?

Day 4: Discernment Through Prayer and the Word
Prayer and engagement with the word of God are essential for discerning truth and exercising God-given authority. Just as one verifies the authenticity of a banknote, Christians are called to examine every situation in the light of God's word, ensuring integrity and alignment with His will. [20:21]

Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more dedicated time for prayer and Scripture reading into your daily routine to enhance your spiritual discernment?

Day 5: Obedience in Spiritual Warfare
The Christian's role in spiritual warfare is to obey God's word, which serves as both a shield and a strategy for growth in spiritual maturity and authority. Victory is promised through a relationship with Jesus Christ, who empowers believers to stand firm and advance in their faith. [13:22]

2 Timothy 2:3-4 - "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you need to practice greater obedience to God's word, and how can you actively work on those areas starting today?

Quotes

1) "The world will say well that's my truth but your truth is not my truth. It's Jesus who is the truth and when Jesus the truth reveals His truth to you, you will not be shaken." [15:34]

2) "You have God on your side; he's already won. He has all power, all authority over Heaven and Earth, and he abides in you." [20:21]

3) "We build and fight for our destiny. Each and every one of you have God's will inside of you of a destiny that you're to fulfill." [09:16]

4) "God wants to take you to another level that means another level of authority, another level of where you've been, but it's going to take your obedience to him to get to that next level." [12:07]

5) "Miracles are coming. It's our responsibility that when this glory comes, when answered prayer comes, it is your responsibility to bow down and say thank you Jesus, give you all the glory." [37:49]

6) "God's kingdom realm does not come simply by obeying principles or by waiting for signs. The kingdom is not discovered in one place or another, for God's kingdom realm is already expanding within you." [38:33]

7) "We are in a battle and God wants you to win. He wants you to overcome but you're going to have to live it out just by surrendering and being obedient to the word." [35:28]

8) "When you're spending time with God, he will actually be imparting his desires for you and you'll know them. You'll feel it and you'll see it and you say, I've got an assignment I need to fulfill." [10:42]

9) "We can't stay in the bondage of our bitterness because Jesus says it separates you from me and my love. I want to heal you, I want to fill you, I want to make you everything that you're supposed to be." [31:04]

10) "God doesn't want you tormented, he doesn't want you oppressed, he doesn't want you in chaos. He wants to give you a full revelation of what the answer is to your situation." [18:22]

Chatbot

Transcript

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