Knowing God: Beyond Rules to Relationship
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Antegna Church! Today, we delved into Judges chapter 13, focusing on the birth of Samson and the profound lessons it holds for us. We began by emphasizing the importance of community and discipleship groups, which are essential for our spiritual growth and understanding of God's Word. These groups help us to live out our faith in community, fostering deeper relationships and accountability.
We then transitioned to the story of Samson's birth, highlighting the miraculous nature of his conception and the specific instructions given to his parents. This narrative is not just about rules but about understanding God's heart and His desire for a relationship with us. Samson's parents were given a Nazarite vow for their son, which included abstaining from wine, not cutting his hair, and avoiding unclean things. These rules were meant to set Samson apart for God's purposes.
However, the central theme of today's message is that our relationship with God is not merely about following rules but about truly knowing Him. Just as in any healthy relationship, knowing the heart of the other person is crucial. Similarly, knowing God's heart transforms our lives. We explored how Jesus, referred to as the "angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament, appears in various forms to guide and reveal God's presence to His people. This shows that God is always with us, even in our chaos and confusion.
We also discussed the importance of experiencing God's power and presence in our lives. Samson's parents didn't get all their questions answered, but they encountered God's glory, which led them to worship. This teaches us that while we may seek specific answers from God, what we truly need is to know Him and experience His grace and power.
In conclusion, our walk with God goes beyond rules and regulations. It's about a deep, abiding relationship with Him, experiencing His presence, and being transformed by His glory. As we continue to seek Him, may we find rest and assurance in His love and sovereignty.
### Key Takeaways
1. Community and Discipleship: Engaging in community and discipleship groups is vital for spiritual growth. These groups provide a space to unpack God's Word, share life experiences, and hold each other accountable. Discipleship happens in community, and it's essential for deepening our faith and understanding of God's will. [23:39]
2. Knowing God's Heart: Our relationship with God should not be based solely on following rules but on truly knowing His heart. Just as in any meaningful relationship, understanding what brings joy and sorrow to the other person is crucial. Similarly, knowing what pleases and grieves God transforms our walk with Him. [30:46]
3. Experiencing God's Presence: Samson's parents didn't receive all the answers they sought, but they encountered God's glory, which led them to worship. This teaches us that while we may seek specific answers from God, what we truly need is to experience His presence and power in our lives. [48:53]
4. God in Our Chaos: Jesus, referred to as the "angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament, appears in various forms to guide and reveal God's presence to His people. This shows that God is always with us, even in our chaos and confusion. He is sovereign and good, working in the midst of our struggles. [39:33]
5. Rest in Knowing God: While we may have many questions about our lives and future, God invites us to know Him and find rest in His presence. Knowing God and experiencing His grace provides the assurance and peace we need, even when we don't have all the answers. [55:08]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:39] - Importance of Community and Discipleship Groups
[24:28] - Guide to Leaving a Gospel Legacy
[25:28] - Prayer for the Church and Community
[26:26] - Introduction to Judges Chapter 13
[27:07] - Unspoken Rules in Relationships
[30:06] - Knowing God's Heart Beyond Rules
[31:45] - Samson's Birth and Miraculous Conception
[34:04] - Israel's Pattern of Idolatry and Oppression
[39:33] - Jesus as the Angel of the Lord
[41:08] - Nazarite Vow and Samson's Unique Calling
[44:15] - Manoah's Prayer for Guidance
[46:59] - The Angel's Identity as Wonderful
[48:53] - Experiencing God's Glory and Worship
[55:08] - Finding Rest in Knowing God
[59:12] - Deep Abiding Relationship with Christ
[01:00:31] - Prayer and Response to the Gospel
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Judges 13:1-25
- Isaiah 9:6
- 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions were given to Samson's parents regarding his upbringing? ([41:08])
2. How did Manoah and his wife react when they realized they were in the presence of the angel of the Lord? ([47:59])
3. What was the significance of the angel of the Lord's name being "Wonderful"? ([46:59])
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus in the Old Testament, particularly in the story of Samson's birth? ([39:33])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God gave such specific instructions to Samson's parents about his Nazarite vow? How does this reflect God's purpose for Samson? ([41:08])
2. What does the reaction of Manoah and his wife to the angel of the Lord reveal about their understanding of God's presence and power? ([47:59])
3. How does the concept of Jesus as the "angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament enhance our understanding of His role in the New Testament? ([39:33])
4. In what ways does knowing God's heart, as opposed to merely following rules, transform our relationship with Him? ([30:46])
#### Application Questions
1. Community and Discipleship: How can you actively engage in a community or discipleship group to deepen your faith and understanding of God's will? What steps will you take this week to get involved? ([23:39])
2. Knowing God's Heart: Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there areas where you are more focused on following rules rather than knowing His heart? How can you shift your focus to truly understanding what pleases and grieves God? ([30:46])
3. Experiencing God's Presence: Think about a time when you sought specific answers from God but instead experienced His presence and power. How did that encounter change your perspective or actions? ([48:53])
4. God in Our Chaos: In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing chaos or confusion? How can you seek to recognize and trust in God's presence and sovereignty in those situations? ([39:33])
5. Rest in Knowing God: What are some questions or uncertainties you have about your life and future? How can you find rest and assurance in knowing God and experiencing His grace, even without having all the answers? ([55:08])
6. Parenting and Guidance: For parents, how can you apply the lesson of seeking God's presence rather than specific answers in raising your children? What practical steps can you take to trust God more in your parenting journey? ([51:18])
7. Personal Transformation: Identify one area in your life where you need transformation. How can you focus on beholding the glory of the Lord and experiencing His presence to bring about that change? ([58:03])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Community and Discipleship
Engaging in community and discipleship groups is vital for spiritual growth. These groups provide a space to unpack God's Word, share life experiences, and hold each other accountable. Discipleship happens in community, and it's essential for deepening our faith and understanding of God's will. In a world where individualism is often celebrated, the Bible calls us to live in community, supporting and encouraging one another in our walk with Christ.
When we gather in discipleship groups, we create an environment where we can be vulnerable, share our struggles, and celebrate our victories. This mutual support helps us to grow spiritually and stay grounded in our faith. Community is not just about socializing; it's about building each other up and spurring one another on toward love and good deeds. [23:39]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt spiritually supported by your community. How can you contribute to fostering that same sense of support for someone else in your discipleship group this week?
Day 2: Knowing God's Heart Beyond Rules
Our relationship with God should not be based solely on following rules but on truly knowing His heart. Just as in any meaningful relationship, understanding what brings joy and sorrow to the other person is crucial. Similarly, knowing what pleases and grieves God transforms our walk with Him.
God desires a relationship with us that goes beyond mere rule-following. He wants us to understand His character, His love, and His desires for our lives. When we know God's heart, we are motivated by love rather than obligation. This deeper understanding leads to a more authentic and fulfilling relationship with Him. [30:46]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there areas where you are more focused on following rules than knowing His heart? How can you shift your focus to deepen your understanding of God's character this week?
Day 3: Experiencing God's Presence
Samson's parents didn't receive all the answers they sought, but they encountered God's glory, which led them to worship. This teaches us that while we may seek specific answers from God, what we truly need is to experience His presence and power in our lives.
In our quest for answers, we often miss the importance of simply being in God's presence. Experiencing His glory and power can bring us to a place of worship and awe, even when our questions remain unanswered. God's presence provides the peace and assurance we need, reminding us that He is in control and that His plans are good. [48:53]
Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
Reflection: When was the last time you felt overwhelmed by God's presence? How can you create space in your daily routine to seek and experience His presence more intentionally?
Day 4: God in Our Chaos
Jesus, referred to as the "angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament, appears in various forms to guide and reveal God's presence to His people. This shows that God is always with us, even in our chaos and confusion. He is sovereign and good, working in the midst of our struggles.
Life can often feel chaotic and confusing, but we can take comfort in knowing that God is with us through it all. He reveals Himself in our moments of need, guiding us and providing the assurance that we are not alone. God's sovereignty means that He is in control, even when our circumstances seem out of control. [39:33]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Think about a current situation in your life that feels chaotic or confusing. How can you invite God into that situation and trust in His sovereignty and goodness?
Day 5: Rest in Knowing God
While we may have many questions about our lives and future, God invites us to know Him and find rest in His presence. Knowing God and experiencing His grace provides the assurance and peace we need, even when we don't have all the answers.
In a world full of uncertainties, finding rest in God is essential. He invites us to come to Him with our burdens and find peace in His presence. Knowing God deeply and experiencing His grace allows us to rest in His love and sovereignty, trusting that He holds our future in His hands. [55:08]
Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Reflection: What are the burdens you are carrying today? How can you intentionally lay them down at Jesus' feet and find rest in His presence?
Quotes
1. "Discipleship happens in community. And so if you're not in one of those, talk to somebody outside. I'll be out in the welcome tent outside. We'd love to meet you. We'd love to help you get plugged into one of those. And then the other thing that starts up even this week, we have something called dGroups. And dGroups are discipleship groups that are for members of Integrity Church that want to grow even deeper in a smaller group of three to five people that unpack this stuff together, pray for one another's challenge, and encourage each other to grow." [23:39] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There are rules, but rules are not the relationship. Are you tracking? Are you tracking? Okay, good. All right. So for many of us, for many people who ascribe to Christianity, there's often this belief that following Jesus means following a set of rules. But I want to tell you this morning that following Christ is so much more than that. And that's what we're going to see this morning." [31:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus is here at the center of the judges. Jesus is here when the center of chaos and disorder and the center of moral and political decay, it's Jesus. And friends, that is good news for us this morning because who's at the center of our chaos and disorder? Who's at the center of our moral decay in our country? Who's at the center of our political division? Friends, I want to tell you that Christ is here in the form, in human history, and he is working, and he is moving, and he is sovereign, and he is good. He's still working, friends." [40:20] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What we rarely need is more information. What we really need is to know who God is and experience his goodness and his grace and his mercy in our life. I mean, we can immediately look at this passage, and we can apply it to parenting, right? We can go, Okay, here's two parents, and they're asking God for help. Genuine question. They're asking God, How do we raise this son? What am I supposed to do next? And instead, God just displays his power." [51:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Maybe for some of us, you want to make sense of the pain, the loss, the grief in your life. And perhaps you're going before God right now, and you're asking for clarity. You're asking, God, why? Why is my loved one sick? Why is there brokenness in my life? Why is there brokenness in my family? Why is there disunity in our country? And you're asking the Lord, why? And friend, God might not ever give us all the answers to the complex questions that this world will often beg us or even force us to ask. We might not ever get those questions, at least on this side of heaven." [55:08] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Application is important and even necessary, but at the same time, application is secondary to knowing God. So what does it mean to know God? Well, it's not just having all of the information. It's not just having systematic theology. Those things are important. But it's about knowing God's heart and to really experience Him in a deep, abiding way, meaning you are walking with the Lord and you're talking with the Lord, that you're aware of His presence in your life, that you experience His power and provision and you thank Him, that you trust that God is sovereign." [56:19] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You and I, as believers in Jesus Christ, we can experience the presence of God. At the same time, we cannot be destroyed because Christ was crucified on our behalf. And we can actually have a deep, abiding relationship with God, and we can actually know God, and that's what changes us. And so, friends, if you come this morning and you want a set of rules so that you can know what to do next, and maybe even try to follow the rules because that's how you believe that the relationship with God works and operates, friends, I want to tell you, your relationship with God goes far beyond rules." [59:12] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "It's about reminding ourselves of who he is and experiencing his grace in our life. We have much to celebrate too in church." [01:02:06] (6 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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