Maintaining Spiritual Freshness in Our Faith Journey

In our journey of faith, we often encounter the challenge of keeping spiritual truths fresh and vibrant in our lives. The manna from heaven, which spoiled when kept outside the Ark of the Covenant, serves as a metaphor for how divine truths can become stale if not preserved in the right spirit. This freshness is a foretaste of heaven, where even the simplest truths, like Jesus dying for our sins, should feel as if we are hearing them for the first time. The Holy Spirit's role is to bring this heavenly freshness into our hearts, transforming our attitudes and thoughts to align more closely with God's will.

The New Covenant, as explained in Hebrews, offers us a new and living way into God's presence, symbolized by the tearing of the veil. This path requires us to crucify our self-will, just as Jesus did, to enter into a deeper relationship with God. The journey through the outer court, holy place, and most holy place of the Tabernacle illustrates the progression from receiving salvation to serving God, and finally, to intimate fellowship with Him. This intimate relationship is characterized by a desire for God above all else, echoing the psalmist's cry, "Whom have I in heaven but thee?"

To maintain this freshness, we must continually die to ourselves, allowing the life of Christ to manifest in us. This involves a daily commitment to walk the new and living way, crucifying the flesh and its desires. The race of faith is about enduring in this pursuit, fixing our eyes on Jesus, who exemplified overcoming self-will to sit at the Father's right hand. Our ultimate goal is not earthly rewards but closeness to Christ, both now and in eternity.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Heavenly Freshness: Spiritual truths can become stale if not kept in the right spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us experience these truths as fresh and new, much like a foretaste of heaven. This freshness transforms our attitudes and aligns us with God's will. [01:50]
• 2. New and Living Way: The New Covenant offers a path into God's presence, requiring the crucifixion of self-will. This journey is about moving from salvation to service, and ultimately to intimate fellowship with God, where He becomes our sole desire. [06:42]
• 3. Crucifying the Flesh: Victory over sin involves a daily commitment to crucify the flesh and its desires. This is a progressive journey, akin to conquering the land of Canaan, where each victory leads to deeper intimacy with God. [22:49]
• 4. Endurance in Faith: The race of faith requires endurance, focusing on Jesus as our example. By looking away from distractions and fixing our eyes on Him, we can overcome the challenges of self-will and draw closer to God. [24:23]
• 5. Ultimate Goal: Our ultimate goal is not earthly rewards but closeness to Christ. This desire for God above all else leads to a fulfilling relationship with Him, both now and in eternity, where we will experience the fullness of His presence. [28:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Freshness of Heaven
• [00:34] - Manna and Staleness
• [01:14] - Truths Becoming Stale
• [02:11] - Holy Spirit's Role
• [03:26] - Singing About the Cross
• [05:30] - New Covenant Insights
• [06:42] - Entering God's Presence
• [08:38] - Tabernacle's Symbolism
• [10:09] - Intimacy with God
• [12:21] - New and Living Way
• [14:09] - Dying with Christ
• [16:27] - Staleness in Faith
• [19:23] - Purifying Ourselves
• [22:49] - Crucifying the Flesh
• [24:23] - Endurance in Faith
• [28:07] - Ultimate Goal
• [31:31] - Practicing God's Presence
• [35:21] - Knowing God Intimately
• [38:36] - Fresh Revelation of the Cross
• [41:32] - Joy Set Before Us
• [44:46] - Closing Prayer

1. Hebrews 10:19-20
2. Psalm 73:25
3. Galatians 5:24

1. What does Hebrews 10:19-20 say about the new and living way into God's presence? How is this path described in the sermon? [06:42]
2. In Psalm 73:25, the psalmist expresses a deep desire for God above all else. How does this verse relate to the sermon’s emphasis on intimacy with God? [10:48]
3. According to Galatians 5:24, what is required of those who belong to Christ? How does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on crucifying the flesh? [22:49]
4. The sermon mentions the manna from heaven and its symbolism. What lesson does the sermon draw from the manna that was kept in the Ark of the Covenant? [00:53]

1. How does the tearing of the veil, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:19-20, symbolize the crucifixion of self-will in the sermon? What does this mean for believers today? [06:42]
2. The sermon discusses the concept of "heavenly freshness." How does the Holy Spirit contribute to keeping spiritual truths fresh in our lives, according to the sermon? [02:11]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the journey from the outer court to the most holy place in the Tabernacle represents a believer's spiritual progression? [08:38]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of enduring in faith. How does fixing our eyes on Jesus help us overcome self-will and draw closer to God? [24:23]

1. Reflect on a time when a spiritual truth became stale for you. What steps can you take to keep these truths fresh and vibrant in your life? [00:53]
2. The sermon talks about crucifying the flesh daily. Identify one area in your life where self-will is strong. What practical steps can you take this week to surrender that area to God? [22:49]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper desire for God, similar to the psalmist's cry in Psalm 73:25? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine to prioritize this desire? [10:48]
4. The sermon describes the race of faith as requiring endurance. What are some distractions in your life that prevent you from fixing your eyes on Jesus? How can you minimize these distractions? [24:23]
5. Consider the concept of the "new and living way" into God's presence. How can you incorporate this understanding into your prayer life or worship practices this week? [06:42]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of intimate fellowship with God. What is one practical way you can spend more time alone with God this week, away from other distractions? [10:09]
7. The ultimate goal, according to the sermon, is closeness to Christ. How does this perspective change your view of earthly rewards and achievements? What adjustments can you make to align your goals with this ultimate desire? [28:07]