Journeying Deeper: Embracing God's Love and Intimacy

 

Summary

Taking a journey through my spiritual life, I reflect on the profound transformation that began in my teenage years. Although I didn't experience a dramatic physical or emotional change, something significant was rooted in my soul when I first heard the gospel. This deep-seated change is evident in my enduring love and desire to serve God, which has only grown stronger over the past 40 years. Despite the challenges and hiccups in ministry, my passion for God's work remains undiminished. I find myself continually asking God where He wants to lead me, echoing the same prayer I had at 16. This longing for a deeper connection with God is a testament to the spiritual foundation laid by my youth pastor, who encouraged me to spend time alone with God and His Word. This practice has not only sustained me but has also deepened my understanding and love for God.

Reflecting on the apostles, I have always admired Peter for his boldness and willingness to act, even if it meant making mistakes. However, my perspective on John has evolved. Initially, I found John's self-description as "the one whom Jesus loved" to be arrogant. But now, I am captivated by the intimacy John shared with Jesus, symbolized by laying his head on Jesus' chest. This act represents a profound security and understanding of God's holiness and love. It is a reminder that knowing God's love allows us to rest in His presence with confidence and peace. This revelation has shifted my desires from seeking miraculous acts to longing for the deep, personal relationship with God that John experienced.

Key Takeaways:

1. Enduring Love and Service: A genuine encounter with God can plant a seed of love and service that grows over a lifetime. Despite life's challenges, this love can deepen, leading to a continuous desire to serve and follow God's will. This enduring passion is a testament to the transformative power of a relationship with God. [01:07]

2. The Importance of Solitude with God: Spending time alone with God and His Word is crucial for spiritual growth. This practice, instilled in me as a teenager, has been a source of strength and joy throughout my life. It allows for a deeper understanding of God's character and fosters a love that never grows old. [02:11]

3. Security in God's Love: Understanding and experiencing God's love provides a profound sense of security. Like John, who rested his head on Jesus' chest, we can find peace and confidence in God's presence, knowing that His love is unwavering. [06:25]

4. Reevaluating Spiritual Heroes: Our spiritual journey may lead us to reevaluate the figures we admire in scripture. While bold actions like Peter's are admirable, the quiet intimacy and security in God's love, as demonstrated by John, can become a more profound aspiration. [07:08]

5. The Holiness and Love of God: Keeping God's holiness and love at the forefront of our minds is essential for spiritual endurance. This awareness helps us navigate life's challenges, ensuring that we remain grounded in our faith and relationship with God. [03:38]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - A Teenager's Encounter with the Gospel
[00:33] - The Unseen Transformation
[01:07] - A Growing Love for God
[01:23] - Seeking God's Direction
[01:53] - The Importance of Solitude
[02:28] - Understanding God's Character
[03:08] - Gratitude for Spiritual Mentors
[03:38] - The Holiness and Love of God
[03:54] - Admiration for the Apostles
[04:46] - John's Unique Relationship with Jesus
[05:18] - The Security in God's Love
[06:25] - A New Spiritual Aspiration
[07:08] - The Desire for Intimacy with God
[07:51] - Closing Reflections

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 13:23 - "One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him."
2. John 21:20 - "Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them."
3. Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the speaker describe the transformation that began in their teenage years? What evidence do they provide for this change? [01:07]

2. What role did the speaker's youth pastor play in their spiritual journey, and what practice did they instill in the speaker? [02:11]

3. How does the speaker's view of the Apostle John change over time, and what specific act of John's does the speaker find significant? [06:25]

4. What does the speaker identify as the key to enduring through life's challenges in their spiritual journey? [03:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What might the speaker mean by saying that their love for God has grown stronger over 40 years, despite challenges in ministry? How does this reflect the concept of enduring love and service? [01:07]

2. In what ways does spending time alone with God and His Word contribute to spiritual growth, according to the speaker's experience? [02:11]

3. How does the speaker's evolving admiration for John illustrate a deeper understanding of security in God's love? What does this suggest about the nature of spiritual aspirations? [06:25]

4. How does the speaker's reflection on the holiness and love of God serve as a foundation for their spiritual endurance? [03:38]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Can you identify a moment or period when you felt a significant transformation in your relationship with God? How has this impacted your life today? [01:07]

2. The speaker emphasizes the importance of solitude with God. How can you incorporate more time alone with God and His Word into your daily routine? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this practice? [02:11]

3. Consider the speaker's admiration for John's intimacy with Jesus. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of security and peace in God's love in your own life? [06:25]

4. The speaker mentions reevaluating spiritual heroes. Are there figures in scripture or in your life whose qualities you admire and aspire to emulate? How can you incorporate these qualities into your spiritual journey? [07:08]

5. The speaker talks about keeping God's holiness and love at the forefront of their mind. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's holiness and love daily? [03:38]

6. How do you respond to challenges in your spiritual life? What strategies can you adopt to ensure that your faith remains strong during difficult times? [03:38]

7. Reflect on the speaker's enduring passion for serving God. What motivates you to serve God, and how can you nurture this passion in your own life? [01:07]

Devotional

Day 1: Enduring Love and Service
A genuine encounter with God can plant a seed of love and service that grows over a lifetime. This enduring passion is a testament to the transformative power of a relationship with God. Despite life's challenges, this love can deepen, leading to a continuous desire to serve and follow God's will. The journey of faith is not always marked by dramatic changes but by a steady, growing commitment to God's work. This commitment is often nurtured by early spiritual influences and continues to flourish as one seeks God's direction throughout life. [01:07]

1 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV): "Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Who in your life has been a spiritual influence, and how can you honor their impact by continuing to grow in your love and service to God today?


Day 2: The Importance of Solitude with God
Spending time alone with God and His Word is crucial for spiritual growth. This practice, instilled in many during their formative years, becomes a source of strength and joy throughout life. It allows for a deeper understanding of God's character and fosters a love that never grows old. Solitude with God is not just about being alone but about being in His presence, listening, and learning. This time of reflection and prayer is essential for maintaining a vibrant and enduring faith. [02:11]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: How can you create a dedicated time and space for solitude with God this week, and what specific steps will you take to ensure this time is meaningful?


Day 3: Security in God's Love
Understanding and experiencing God's love provides a profound sense of security. Like John, who rested his head on Jesus' chest, we can find peace and confidence in God's presence, knowing that His love is unwavering. This security allows believers to navigate life's uncertainties with a sense of peace and assurance. It is a reminder that God's love is not dependent on our actions but is a constant, unchanging force in our lives. [06:25]

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rest in the security of God's love, and how can you remind yourself of His unwavering presence today?


Day 4: Reevaluating Spiritual Heroes
Our spiritual journey may lead us to reevaluate the figures we admire in scripture. While bold actions like Peter's are admirable, the quiet intimacy and security in God's love, as demonstrated by John, can become a more profound aspiration. This shift in perspective encourages believers to seek a deeper, more personal relationship with God, rather than focusing solely on outward expressions of faith. It is a call to value the quiet moments of connection with God as much as the bold acts of service. [07:08]

1 John 4:16 (ESV): "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

Reflection: Who are your spiritual heroes, and how might you learn from their quiet moments of faith as much as their bold actions?


Day 5: The Holiness and Love of God
Keeping God's holiness and love at the forefront of our minds is essential for spiritual endurance. This awareness helps us navigate life's challenges, ensuring that we remain grounded in our faith and relationship with God. Recognizing God's holiness inspires reverence and awe, while His love invites us into a personal and intimate relationship. Balancing these aspects of God's character is key to a mature and enduring faith. [03:38]

Isaiah 6:3 (ESV): "And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of both God's holiness and love in your daily life, and what practices will help you maintain this balance?

Quotes


something did happen to me when I was a teenager and imperfect theology, obviously, but I heard the gospel, and something was rooted in me and now I didn't fall over and start chewing on the rug and I mean but some that's great if you did I'm just saying that when I say hey something happened to me I'm saying it wasn't like physical like I could feel it and you know I almost wish it was you you know in some ways cuz I just think that's that's amazing you know if you're physically healed or you're you know something is man I believe in those stories but for me something happened I didn't feel it physically emotionally but I know it happened [00:00:04]

and you know how I know because 40 years later I love him more than I did and I desire serving him even more I'm not bummed out about Ministry sure there's little things little hiccups here there but I'm like God I want to I want to do something on this Earth You know where you want to take me when you you're telling us pray God may be sending I'm like God here I am again where do you want me to go like like I just want to be used by you man same prayer I prayed when I was 16 and so now at 56 and and now I still love like I'm just going God when can I get away to where just you and me like for a long time like because I I I got to I got to have more of that [00:01:07]

I'm still praying God don't let me lose sight of the Holiness and the love every day and it's just been in increasing measure for 40 years so that's how I know something happened and got rooted in my soul and I thank God because I had a youth pastor who said hey get alone with the word of God get alone with God every day get alone with God he taught me that when I was 15 16 years old and I'm doing it now at 56 and I'm loving it more it's not gotten old it's just you understand him more and you're going God how did I miss that side of you this is ridiculous okay I thought I loved you before this is just out of control now I mean I I really love you [00:01:53]

and I was thinking God what did you impart to me through Pastor Stan whatever you did there thank you yes because I I've seen so many walk away so many just deny him so many of my friends that are no longer with me in this journey very very few who still are God thank you that I still you're my shepherd and I I don't really want anything else I don't care about other stuff just make sure I don't lose sight of your Holiness and your love for me every day and I'm good and I told God I go if you just keep that on the Forefront of my mind I know I can make it through anything it's just when I lose sight of who you are and your love for me [00:03:08]

I love the Apostle Paul I mean just things he writes I love and and I always gravitated towards Peter the Apostle Peter cuz I thought that guy is awesome like yeah yeah he started drowning in the water but he got out of the boat you know he took a couple steps so he's the only human outside of Jesus that got to walk on top of water at least he got to do it you know and he's screwed up and he's you know ready to kill people with the sword and everything you know but I I like that you know and uh I I just gravitate towards I'm so tired of people doing nothing he does something he tries he messes up blah blah blah blah I love that [00:03:54]

and I never really got into John just I'm just I'm just being honest I mean yeah it's it's and and I only saw this recently it's like oh I always thought it was weird that John would call himself the Beloved he goes this is or no worse when you know some scriptures say uh he's the one you know this is from the one whom Jesus loved if I'm one of the other disciples I'm like oh my gosh you arrogant you know right that's just so weird I would just go wait you're the one that he loved you're the Beloved and uh and and he says you know Peter was trying to figure out who the traitor was and he motioned to me so I laid my head on Jesus his chest [00:04:46]

and then later at the end of his his gospel he he writes this is from the one he loved the one who laid his head on Jesus's chest like that's the way he describes himself and so for many years I'm just like that's just weird and then he brags about how he outran Peter to the T it's just like this guy's arrogant I don't know what he really did you know in my mind then I'm just telling you those are my simple thoughts I go through this head I want to walk on water I want to cut someone's ear off you know and John oh he loves you you know cute you laid your head on his but I but God's just opening my eyes where I'm going [00:05:18]

wow I'm at the point now where I go I became fascinated with the thought of John laying his head on the chest of almighty God the judge so the one on the throne that we the angels are crying holy holy holy John's going I laid my head on his chest the one that Jimmy was describing from Revelation 5 on that Throne opening up John goes I I laid my head on his chest imagine the security of knowing the Holiness of God and then knowing he wants you because he loves you and and he goes he's actually going to like this watch that's awesome and I now I look at the scriptures where I used to want to be Elijah like calling down fire or you know just different awesome Miracles [00:06:25]

and now I go if there's one act from scripture that I wish I could do is to look at that holy God take the form of a man and then I am so secure in him I know he loves me and I could just lay my head on his chest [00:07:08]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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