Rooted in Truth: Beyond Spirituality to Faith

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the concept of being "spiritual but not rooted," drawing from Judges chapters 17 and 18. This phrase describes individuals who may have spiritual beliefs or symbols of faith but lack a foundation in absolute truth. We examined the story of Micah and the Levite, which serves as a cautionary tale about creating a religion that fits personal priorities rather than adhering to God's truth. This narrative from Judges illustrates how easily people can drift into a form of spirituality that is disconnected from genuine faith and truth.

The story of Micah, who created his own religion with household gods and a self-appointed priest, reflects a broader tendency in society to design spiritual practices that align with personal desires rather than divine truth. This mirrors the modern phenomenon where many claim spirituality but lack a deep-rooted connection to the teachings of Christ. The challenge for us today is to anchor our lives in the unchanging truth of God's Word, rather than being swayed by personal ambitions or societal trends.

We also discussed the importance of being connected to a community of faith. Isolation can lead to spiritual drift, as seen in the story of the Levite who wandered aimlessly and became part of Micah's false religion. In contrast, being part of a church community helps us stay rooted in truth and provides accountability and support. The church is not just a place for sermons but a community where we can grow together in faith.

Ultimately, the call is to move beyond being merely spiritual to being deeply rooted in Christ. This involves asking God what He wants us to do and being willing to follow His lead, even when it challenges our personal desires or ambitions. By staying connected to the church and anchored in God's Word, we can live lives that are truly reflective of His truth and love.

Key Takeaways:

1. Designing Personal Religion: The story of Micah illustrates how easily we can create a religion that fits our priorities, rather than aligning with God's truth. This tendency is prevalent today, where many adopt spiritual practices that suit personal desires rather than divine commands. We must be vigilant to ensure our faith is rooted in the absolute truth of Scripture. [37:47]

2. Assuming God's Blessing: Micah's assumption that God would bless him because he had a Levite as a priest highlights a common misconception. We often assume God's blessing on our plans without seeking His will first. True blessing comes from aligning our desires with God's purposes, not from manipulating spiritual symbols for personal gain. [46:12]

3. The Danger of Isolation: The Levite's aimless journey and subsequent involvement in false religion underscore the dangers of spiritual isolation. Disconnection from a faith community can lead to spiritual drift. Being part of a church provides the support and accountability needed to stay rooted in truth. [56:08]

4. Personal Ambition vs. God's Will: The narrative of the Danites and the Levite priest reveals how personal ambition can overshadow genuine faith. When we prioritize our desires over God's will, we risk worshipping ambition rather than God. True faith requires surrendering our ambitions to God's greater plan. [53:01]

5. Staying Rooted in Community: Remaining connected to a church community is essential for spiritual growth. Isolation leads to being spiritual but not rooted, while community provides the environment for deepening our faith. The church is a place for connection, growth, and mutual encouragement in our walk with Christ. [58:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:30] - Spirituality in America
- [27:13] - Transition in Judges
- [28:45] - Spiritual but Not Rooted
- [29:43] - Overview of Judges 17-18
- [30:59] - Anchoring in Truth
- [32:24] - Micah's False Religion
- [33:25] - The Levite's Role
- [35:00] - The Danites' Quest
- [35:52] - Personal Ambition
- [37:47] - Designing Personal Religion
- [46:12] - Assuming God's Blessing
- [53:01] - Ambition vs. God's Will
- [56:08] - The Danger of Isolation
- [58:09] - Staying Rooted in Community
- [01:00:26] - Call to Connection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Judges 17-18
- 2 Timothy 4:3-4
- Proverbs 16:2

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Observation Questions:

1. What actions did Micah take to create his own religion, and how did his mother contribute to this process? [32:24]
2. How did the Levite's journey lead him to become part of Micah's false religion, and what does this suggest about his spiritual state? [33:25]
3. What was the response of the Danites when they encountered the Levite priest, and how did this reflect their own spiritual priorities? [35:52]
4. How does the story of Micah and the Levite illustrate the concept of being "spiritual but not rooted"? [29:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the story of Micah and the Levite reveal about the dangers of creating a religion that fits personal desires rather than adhering to God's truth? [37:47]
2. How does the assumption of God's blessing without seeking His will first manifest in modern spiritual practices, as seen in Micah's story? [46:12]
3. In what ways does isolation from a faith community contribute to spiritual drift, as demonstrated by the Levite's aimless journey? [56:08]
4. How can personal ambition overshadow genuine faith, as seen in the actions of the Danites and the Levite priest? [53:01]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual practices. Are there areas where you might be prioritizing personal desires over God's truth? How can you realign these practices with Scripture? [37:47]
2. Have you ever assumed God's blessing on your plans without seeking His will first? What steps can you take to ensure your desires align with God's purposes? [46:12]
3. Consider your connection to a faith community. Are you actively engaged, or do you find yourself isolated? What steps can you take to deepen your connection and accountability within the church? [56:08]
4. How do personal ambitions influence your spiritual journey? Are there areas where you need to surrender your ambitions to God's greater plan? [53:01]
5. Think about a time when you felt spiritually adrift. What role did community play in helping you find your footing again? How can you ensure you remain rooted in a supportive faith community? [58:09]
6. Identify one specific way you can anchor your life more deeply in God's Word this week. What practical steps will you take to make this a reality? [30:59]
7. How can you lovingly approach and support those around you who may be spiritual but not rooted, helping them find a deeper connection to Christ? [29:43]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Designing a Faith Aligned with God's Truth

In the story of Micah from Judges 17-18, we see a man who creates his own version of religion, complete with household gods and a self-appointed priest. This narrative serves as a warning against the temptation to mold our spiritual beliefs to fit personal desires rather than aligning with the absolute truth of Scripture. In today's world, many people claim spirituality but lack a deep-rooted connection to the teachings of Christ. The challenge is to ensure that our faith is not a reflection of our priorities but is anchored in the unchanging truth of God's Word. [37:47]

Judges 17:5-6 (ESV): "And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you might be tempted to shape your beliefs to fit your desires. How can you realign this area with the truth of Scripture today?


Day 2: Seeking God's Will Before Assuming His Blessing

Micah's assumption that having a Levite as a priest would automatically bring God's blessing highlights a common misconception. Many people assume that God will bless their plans without first seeking His will. True blessing comes from aligning our desires with God's purposes, not from manipulating spiritual symbols for personal gain. This calls for a deeper understanding of what it means to seek God's will and to be open to His guidance, even when it challenges our personal ambitions. [46:12]

Proverbs 16:2-3 (ESV): "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Reflection: Think about a plan or decision you are currently pursuing. Have you sought God's will in this matter? What steps can you take today to ensure your plans align with His purposes?


Day 3: The Perils of Spiritual Isolation

The Levite's aimless journey and subsequent involvement in Micah's false religion underscore the dangers of spiritual isolation. Disconnection from a faith community can lead to spiritual drift, as seen in the Levite's story. Being part of a church provides the support and accountability needed to stay rooted in truth. The church is not just a place for sermons but a community where believers can grow together in faith and support one another in their spiritual journeys. [56:08]

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: Reflect on your current level of connection with your faith community. What is one step you can take this week to deepen your involvement and accountability within your church?


Day 4: Surrendering Personal Ambition to God's Greater Plan

The narrative of the Danites and the Levite priest reveals how personal ambition can overshadow genuine faith. When we prioritize our desires over God's will, we risk worshipping ambition rather than God. True faith requires surrendering our ambitions to God's greater plan, trusting that His purposes are far greater than our own. This involves a willingness to let go of personal desires and to embrace the path that God has set before us, even when it is challenging. [53:01]

James 4:13-15 (ESV): "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'"

Reflection: Identify an area where your personal ambition might be taking precedence over God's will. How can you begin to surrender this ambition to God today?


Day 5: The Importance of Staying Rooted in Community

Remaining connected to a church community is essential for spiritual growth. Isolation leads to being spiritual but not rooted, while community provides the environment for deepening our faith. The church is a place for connection, growth, and mutual encouragement in our walk with Christ. By staying connected to the church and anchored in God's Word, we can live lives that are truly reflective of His truth and love. [58:09]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the growth and encouragement of your church community this week? What specific actions can you take to foster deeper connections with fellow believers?

Quotes

In those days, there was no king in Israel. And this next phrase could be the statement phrase for the entire book of Judges and maybe America. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. [00:33:00] (13 seconds)


Micah ordained the Levite, and the young man became his priest. He was in the house of Micah, and then Micah says, he just out and out says it. Now I know the Lord will prosper me because I have a Levite as a priest. It's not just one of my kids. This ain't just like a family religion anymore. I've got a Levite as my priest. God is going to bless me. [00:45:52] (19 seconds)


When I'm spiritual but not rooted, I will design a religion that fits my priorities and tells me what I want to hear. But when I'm rooted, I get to be part of God's enduring church that isn't threatened by death. I get to be part of God's enduring church that isn't threatened by death. Changing opinions and cultures. [00:45:00] (14 seconds)


We see this principle again in chapter 18 when the people of Dan came to the priest, and they said, inquire of God. We may know whether the journey on which we're setting out will succeed. They're laughing because they're asking a guy to ask God in his made up religion. And the priest said, yeah, yeah, yeah, go and peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord. Like, who's he speaking for? Right? I went and looked in my made -up crystal ball and said, yeah, yeah, you're good. [00:46:32] (29 seconds)


Disconnection was the beginning. Each person in the story and judges went out and found people who would affirm their desires and their prideful desires. Disconnected from absolute truth. People will do this. They will go find other people who have similar grievances, feelings, desires, opinions, or whatever. They will coalesce. They will affirm one another. [00:57:44] (22 seconds)


He said it wasn't good for us to be alone. It wasn't good for us to go solo. It wasn't good for us to do that. So he instituted today the church to serve this purpose, a place to be rooted, to be connected. When you're rooted, you might face pruning, might lose a few toes in a sermon on a Sunday. You might go through some droughts, but that's where you dig deeper and get more rooted. But it happens in connection, not in isolation. [00:58:49] (28 seconds)


You need to be connected, not just attending or watching, but connected. And we're here to help. This is literally what the church exists for. If the church was just for sermons, you could all go home. We'd send you, you know, videos. No, the church is for us, plural, together, connection. [00:59:41] (23 seconds)


How are you going to do that? Right? Can you step into some connection so we're not spiritual and unrooted or just religious? Right? How can I step into that? We can help you. If you need some help, we can help you. Right? Megan's here to help you. Growth Track tonight. It's a good step for that. It's a place to come get connected, place to have questions answered, find out more, take next steps. It's a place for that. [00:59:44] (28 seconds)


My biggest fear as a shepherd and as a pastor is that you'd come, hear, leave, and never get into a relationship. Because that's the quickest path to eventually becoming a spiritual person who has some vestiges, but not a relationship rooted in Christ and to his word. My biggest desire is to see the church integrated with one another in relationship. [01:00:56] (29 seconds)


So we have a goal this year to help more of you get connected. We're going to have a big goal this year to help more of you get plugged in and connected. we believe it's not just a good strategy. We think it's what God created for us. Being rooted and experiencing real life together in Christ. [01:01:02] (15 seconds)


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Transcript
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