Transformative Apprenticeship: Abiding in Jesus Daily

 

Summary

Starting our week in the house of the Lord is a powerful way to set the tone for the days ahead. As we continue our series, "Practicing the Way," we delve into the importance of being apprentices of Jesus. This journey is not about quick fixes or resolutions that often fail, but about developing lasting rhythms and habits that align us with God's will. Our annual 21 days of prayer and fasting is a testament to this commitment, encouraging us to cultivate holy habits and godly rhythms.

To be effective apprentices of Jesus, we must follow three essential steps: be with the Master, become like the Master, and do what the Master did. This progression is not a mere program but a transformative journey that begins with a deep desire to be with Jesus. The story of Richard Wurmbrand, a man who exuded peace and grace despite enduring severe persecution, illustrates the power of spending time with Jesus. His life teaches us that the secret to such anointing lies in prioritizing time with Christ, regardless of circumstances.

Jesus invites us to abide in Him, as described in John 15. The Greek word "meno," meaning to remain or dwell, emphasizes the importance of making our home in His presence. This abiding is not about choosing between spiritual and physical realms but learning to overlap them, allowing God to become a habit in our daily lives. Our minds, often prone to chaos, can be retrained to focus on Jesus, transforming our default settings to align with His love and presence.

The practice of solitude and silence, as exemplified by Jesus, is vital for our spiritual growth. It requires intentionality, sometimes saying no to other things to prioritize time with God. This rhythm of retreat and return, modeled by Jesus, is essential for nurturing our relationship with Him. As we carve out time for Jesus, we find that our lives are enriched in every area.

Ultimately, the reward of following Jesus is Jesus Himself. It's not about what we can gain but about experiencing His love and presence. By developing holy habits and spending intentional time with Him, we can have the best spiritual year ever. Let us be inspired to seek these holy moments daily, allowing them to transform our lives and draw us closer to God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Developing Rhythms Over Resolutions: True transformation comes from cultivating lasting habits rather than relying on quick fixes. By establishing godly rhythms, such as prayer and fasting, we align ourselves with God's will and experience deeper spiritual growth. [30:28]

2. The Power of Abiding in Jesus: Abiding in Jesus means making His presence our home, allowing His love to permeate every aspect of our lives. This practice transforms our minds and hearts, enabling us to bear fruit and live in the flow of God's love. [39:34]

3. Retraining Our Minds: Our minds can be retrained to focus on Jesus, moving away from chaos and negativity. Through practices like contemplation and meditation on God's love, we can experience profound changes and a deeper connection with Him. [43:20]

4. The Rhythm of Retreat and Return: Following Jesus' example, we must develop a rhythm of retreating to be with God and returning to fulfill our calling. This practice of solitude and silence is essential for spiritual vitality and growth. [56:35]

5. The Reward of Being with Jesus: The ultimate reward of following Jesus is experiencing His presence and love. By prioritizing time with Him and developing holy habits, we can have a transformative spiritual journey that enriches every area of our lives. [55:18]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [30:28] - Developing Rhythms Over Resolutions
- [33:05] - The Story of Richard Wurmbrand
- [34:54] - The Call to Abide in Jesus
- [36:21] - The Progression of Apprenticeship
- [37:15] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
- [38:05] - Understanding Alos Parakletos
- [39:34] - The Parable of the True Vine
- [40:49] - Making Jesus Our Home
- [41:47] - Abiding in Two Places
- [42:26] - Overlapping Heaven and Earth
- [43:20] - Retraining Our Minds
- [44:54] - Turning God into a Habit
- [46:00] - Developing a Routine with God
- [47:54] - The Challenge of Consistency
- [49:18] - The Desire to Be with Jesus
- [50:31] - Contemplation and Transformation
- [51:40] - Experiencing God's Love
- [53:13] - Vulnerability Before God
- [54:35] - The Reward of Following Jesus
- [55:18] - The Secret Place of Prayer
- [56:35] - The Rhythm of Retreat and Return
- [58:09] - The Necessity of Solitude
- [59:01] - Intentional Time with Jesus
- [01:00:18] - Closing and Contemplation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 15:4 - "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me."
2. Luke 10:39 - "She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said."
3. Matthew 6:6 - "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the three essential steps mentioned in the sermon for becoming effective apprentices of Jesus? [36:21]

2. How does the story of Richard Wurmbrand illustrate the power of spending time with Jesus? [33:05]

3. According to the sermon, what does the Greek word "meno" mean, and how is it significant in John 15? [39:34]

4. What practice did Jesus model that is essential for nurturing our relationship with Him, as mentioned in the sermon? [56:35]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "abiding in Jesus" challenge the way believers typically view their spiritual and physical lives? [41:47]

2. In what ways can the practice of solitude and silence, as exemplified by Jesus, impact a believer's spiritual growth? [58:09]

3. How does the sermon suggest believers can retrain their minds to focus on Jesus, and what might be the challenges in doing so? [43:20]

4. What does the sermon imply about the ultimate reward of following Jesus, and how does this perspective shift the focus of a believer's spiritual journey? [55:18]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual habits. Are there any quick fixes you rely on instead of developing lasting rhythms? How can you begin to cultivate more godly rhythms in your life? [30:28]

2. Consider the story of Richard Wurmbrand. How can you prioritize spending time with Jesus in your daily routine, regardless of your circumstances? [33:05]

3. What are some practical ways you can make Jesus' presence your "home" throughout the day, even amidst your daily tasks and responsibilities? [40:49]

4. Identify a specific time in your day when you can practice solitude and silence. How can you ensure this becomes a regular part of your routine? [56:35]

5. Think about a recent situation where your mind defaulted to chaos or negativity. How can you intentionally redirect your thoughts to focus on Jesus in similar situations in the future? [43:20]

6. How can you create a "secret place" for prayer in your home or schedule, and what steps will you take to make this a consistent practice? [55:18]

7. Reflect on the idea that the reward of following Jesus is Jesus Himself. How does this change your perspective on what you seek from your spiritual journey? [55:18]

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating Lasting Rhythms of Faith
Developing rhythms over resolutions is about creating sustainable spiritual habits that align with God's will. Instead of relying on quick fixes or temporary resolutions, true transformation comes from establishing godly rhythms, such as prayer and fasting. These practices help us grow deeper in our spiritual journey and align our lives with God's purposes. By committing to these rhythms, we open ourselves to experience profound spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God. [30:28]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: What is one spiritual habit you can commit to developing this week that will help you align more closely with God's will?


Day 2: Making Jesus Our Dwelling Place
Abiding in Jesus means making His presence our home, allowing His love to permeate every aspect of our lives. This practice is transformative, as it reshapes our minds and hearts to bear fruit and live in the flow of God's love. By dwelling in His presence, we learn to overlap the spiritual and physical realms, allowing God to become a habit in our daily lives. This abiding is not a choice between two worlds but a harmonious integration of both. [39:34]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to dwell in Jesus' presence and allow His love to transform you?


Day 3: Retraining Our Minds for Christ
Our minds can be retrained to focus on Jesus, moving away from chaos and negativity. Through practices like contemplation and meditation on God's love, we can experience profound changes and a deeper connection with Him. This transformation requires intentionality and discipline, as we learn to shift our default settings to align with His love and presence. By focusing our thoughts on Jesus, we can overcome the chaos of the world and find peace in His presence. [43:20]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What negative thought patterns do you need to surrender to God, and how can you replace them with thoughts that reflect His truth and love?


Day 4: Embracing the Rhythm of Retreat and Return
Following Jesus' example, we must develop a rhythm of retreating to be with God and returning to fulfill our calling. This practice of solitude and silence is essential for spiritual vitality and growth. By intentionally carving out time for God, we nurture our relationship with Him and find that our lives are enriched in every area. This rhythm allows us to recharge spiritually and return to our daily lives with renewed purpose and strength. [56:35]

"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." (Mark 1:35, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate moments of solitude and silence into your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God?


Day 5: The Reward of Experiencing Jesus' Presence
The ultimate reward of following Jesus is experiencing His presence and love. By prioritizing time with Him and developing holy habits, we embark on a transformative spiritual journey that enriches every area of our lives. This journey is not about what we can gain but about the joy of being with Jesus and experiencing His love. As we seek these holy moments daily, we draw closer to God and find fulfillment in His presence. [55:18]

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to prioritize time with Jesus and experience the fullness of joy in His presence?

Quotes



"To be able to have the best year ever, we need to start with the desire of being with Jesus. This is the most important goal of apprenticeship to Jesus, to be with him. Following Jesus, I want you to just hear my heart, is not a three-step program. It's not be with Jesus, be like Jesus, do what Jesus did. In my opinion, it's not a program, it's a progression." [00:36:21] (30 seconds)


"Jesus gave us such a clear instruction how to do this. In the parable of the true vine. And you can read the whole parable. I really encourage you to read it. It's found in John, Gospel of John, chapter 15. But in verse 4, Jesus is saying this. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me." [00:39:34] (33 seconds)


"Our minds do not have to live in a negative spiral. Our minds can be retrained to abide in Jesus, to abide in the vine, who he is. To live in the presence of God. Dallas Willard said this. The first and most basic thing we can and must do, is to keep God before our minds. This is a fundamental secret of caring for our soul." [00:43:20] (33 seconds)


"Sometimes we have to sit there in our sin and let God love on us. I'm not saying stay there and keep sinning and feel no guilt. That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is that when we sin, and I will, and I have no doubts you will, don't hide it from God. Hold it before God. No excuses, no blame shifting, no denial, just utter vulnerability." [00:53:13] (29 seconds)


"Contemplative prayer is not looking to get something from God, is not looking to get something from Jesus. Jesus, it's looking at Him, just like the old man said. I'm looking at Him, He's looking at me, and we are happy. Just being in His presence. The reward of following Jesus is Jesus." [00:54:35] (28 seconds)


"Jesus said something about prayer that I find surprising, which actually is not surprising. So, His first piece of advice was not about, not what to pray, but where to pray. Think about it. Matthew 6, verse 6 is saying this. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." [00:55:18] (34 seconds)


"If you study the life of Jesus, you will discover this rhythm in His life of retreat, and return. He was retreating to be with the Father, to spend time with the Father, and then He was returning to do what God called Him to do. It's this rhythm that He developed in His life, retreat, and then return." [00:56:35] (25 seconds)


"This practice from the life of Jesus has come to be called the spiritual discipline of solitude, silence, or stillness. No matter your personality type, you might be a thinker or more of a doer, an introvert craving time alone, or an extrovert ready to party. All day, baby. Right? This practice of being with Jesus is absolutely necessary. It is absolutely vital to your spiritual life." [00:58:09] (32 seconds)


"We need to be intentional in pursuing time with Jesus, in being with Jesus. Sometimes it is going to require us to say no to other things. When Jesus said to the disciples, to His apprentices, said, come follow me, that implies they had to leave something behind. And this is a battle that we have in today's world. Because let's, be honest, it's only 24 hours in a day." [00:59:01] (30 seconds)


"The more time I spend with Him, the more I'm blessed in the other areas of my life. So we have to be intentional in carving time, in our calendar, to be with Jesus. Henry Nowen, a Dutch Catholic priest, once asked Mother Teresa for spiritual direction. And Mother Teresa said this, spent one hour each day in adoration of your Lord. She said, and never do anything you know is wrong. Follow this, and you will be fine." [01:00:18] (41 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?