Transformative Encounters: Embracing Our Divine Mission

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Divine Encounter

When we encounter God, we are transformed from the inside out. This transformation is not merely a personal change but a call to join God in His mission to reach the world. Our desires shift, and our priorities realign as we become new creations, empowered to live out our God-given purpose. This change is profound and holistic, affecting every aspect of our lives. It is a reminder that a genuine encounter with God is life-altering, setting us on a path to fulfill our divine calling. [05:45]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to change. How can you actively participate in this transformation today?

Day 2: Embracing a Heavenly Vision

A heavenly vision involves seeing God in His glory, understanding our need for His cleansing, and recognizing our mission to others. This vision aligns us with God's purpose and empowers us to live as His representatives. It is a comprehensive perspective that begins with an upward vision of God's majesty, moves inward to our personal need for sanctification, and extends outward to our mission in the world. Embracing this vision compels us to say "yes" to God's call, trusting Him to empower us for the work He has prepared for us. [22:08]

Isaiah 6:1-8 (ESV): "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 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 an upward, inward, and outward perspective in your daily life? What steps can you take to align your vision with God's purpose?

Day 3: The Path to Holiness

Holiness is essential for receiving God's power and walking in His purpose. To fulfill our heavenly calling, we must be sanctified and purified. This process involves submitting to the Spirit's work in our lives, allowing God to cleanse and prepare us for His mission. Holiness precedes empowerment, and it is through this sanctification that we are equipped to carry out the work God has set before us. It is a journey of surrender and transformation, leading us to a deeper relationship with God and a greater impact in the world. [29:57]

1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What areas of your life need purification and sanctification? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in these areas today?

Day 4: Representing God in the World

As kingdom people, we are called to carry God's nature and testify to His goodness. Our mission involves seeing others as God sees them and sharing the hope of the gospel. This calling requires us to be active participants in God's mission, empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of Jesus wherever we go. Our response to God's call is to say "yes" and trust Him to empower us for the work ahead. It is a commitment to live out our faith in tangible ways, representing God in every aspect of our lives. [33:36]

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the love and hope of the gospel? How can you be an ambassador for Christ to them today?

Day 5: Our Inheritance as Co-Heirs

Through faith in Christ, we become co-heirs in the kingdom of God, sharing in the triumph and reward of the saints. This inheritance motivates us to invest in God's kingdom, knowing that our contributions have eternal significance. As co-heirs, we are invited to participate in the triumph and reward of the saints, living with the assurance that our efforts in God's kingdom are not in vain. This perspective encourages us to live with purpose and intentionality, investing in what truly matters and leaving a lasting impact for eternity. [19:31]

Romans 8:17 (ESV): "And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Reflection: How does knowing you are a co-heir with Christ influence your daily decisions and priorities? What steps can you take to invest more fully in God's kingdom today?

Sermon Summary

Summary:

In Acts 26, the Apostle Paul recounts his transformative encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, a moment that forever changed his life and set him on a mission to spread the gospel. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of how a heavenly vision can alter the course of our lives. Just as Paul was called to be a minister and witness, we too are invited to experience a divine encounter that propels us into our God-given purpose. My personal testimony echoes this truth, as I recall the day I surrendered my life to Christ, experiencing a profound change that filled me with joy, peace, and a new sense of purpose.

When we encounter God, we are transformed from the inside out. Our desires shift, our priorities realign, and we become kingdom people, called to represent God in the world. This transformation is not just about personal change but about joining God in His mission to reach the world. From the beginning, humanity was created in God's image to carry His kingdom into the world. As Christians, we are called to be active participants in this mission, empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of Jesus wherever we go.

A heavenly vision involves an upward, inward, and outward perspective. It begins with seeing God in His glory, which leads to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our need for His cleansing. This vision compels us to go on mission, seeing others as God sees them, and sharing the hope of the gospel. Our response to this vision is to say "yes" to God's call, trusting Him to empower us for the work He has prepared for us. As we embrace this vision, we become co-heirs with Christ, participating in the triumph and reward of the saints.

Key Takeaways

1. given purpose. This transformation is not just for personal benefit but to join God in His mission to reach the world. [05:45]
2. A Heavenly Vision Involves Three Perspectives: A heavenly vision includes an upward vision of God's glory, an inward vision of our need for cleansing, and an outward vision of our mission to others. This comprehensive vision aligns us with God's purpose and empowers us to live as His representatives.

3. Holiness Precedes Empowerment: To fulfill our heavenly calling, we must be sanctified and purified. Holiness is essential for receiving God's power and walking in His purpose. This process involves submitting to the Spirit's work in our lives, allowing God to cleanse and prepare us for His mission.

4. Our Mission is to Represent God: As kingdom people, we are called to carry God's nature and testify to His goodness. This mission involves seeing others as God sees them and sharing the hope of the gospel. Our response to God's call is to say "yes" and trust Him to empower us for the work ahead.

5. We Are Co-Heirs with Christ: Through faith in Christ, we become co-heirs in the kingdom of God, sharing in the triumph and reward of the saints. This inheritance motivates us to invest in God's kingdom, knowing that our contributions have eternal significance. [05:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:20] - Personal Testimony of Transformation
[05:45] - Encountering God Changes Everything
[07:06] - Becoming a Kingdom Person
[08:17] - Representing God in the World
[09:31] - God's Original Plan for Humanity
[10:58] - Jesus' Mission and Our Role
[11:54] - The Call to Walk in God's Purpose
[12:48] - Works and Salvation
[13:54] - Our Value in God's Kingdom
[14:47] - Trusting God and Saying Yes
[15:21] - Joining God's Mission
[16:39] - Receiving Power for Our Purpose
[17:09] - Embracing the Heavenly Vision
[17:46] - Living as Jesus Would
[18:16] - Our Inheritance as Co-Heirs
[19:31] - Investing in God's Kingdom
[20:14] - Isaiah's Vision and Our Response
[21:15] - The Pattern of a Heavenly Vision
[22:08] - Components of a Heavenly Vision
[24:32] - The Awe of God's Presence
[25:47] - The Need for Cleansing
[26:39] - Submitting to God's Purification
[28:08] - Preparing for God's Promise
[29:57] - Embracing Holiness
[31:10] - The Prodigal Son's Realization
[31:52] - The Father's Love and Acceptance
[32:41] - The Power of Holiness
[33:36] - Going on God's Mission
[34:44] - Seeing People as God Sees Them
[35:48] - Responding to God's Call
[36:27] - The Love of God Lifts Us
[38:02] - Learning the Ways of Royalty
[39:13] - Seeking a Heavenly Vision
[39:55] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Sermon Clips

"When you receive an encounter from God, it shifts your citizenship. It shifts your allegiances. It shifts your priorities. And today, I want to talk to you about that. When we encounter God and become kingdom people, what we need to understand is with that, God is inviting us. God is expecting us to represent him. Because now we're being sent back out into the world to carry his nature, to carry his name, to testify, to share of the new life you have." [00:07:57] (31 seconds)

"Jesus said it this way in Matthew 28, 18 through 20. It says, and Jesus came and spoke to them saying, all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. And lo, I'm with you always, even to the end of the age." [00:11:31] (23 seconds)

"Why do we receive power? We receive power for our purpose. What is our purpose? To be witnesses wherever we go. Does that make sense? Like if you don't have purpose, do you need power? Do you? What's the point of gas in your car if you're never going to drive it? Right? And we're wanting God to give us gas and God's like, you ain't even got your keys out." [00:16:00] (29 seconds)

"God calls us and empowers us. Why? Why does he do that? It's because our calling is to be joint heirs with Christ in the kingdom. I love that. Romans 8, 17 says, if he delivered us, it says, if he saved us, then we're heirs and joint heirs with him. What does an heir get? They get the inheritance, don't they? Think about that. Jesus, by saving you, you, by surrendering him, get to be an heir to the kingdom of heaven." [00:18:00] (27 seconds)

"And in his heavenly vision, we see kind of a pattern of all visions, I would say. We saw it in Paul's, and we see it here, that a heavenly vision has three components. An upward vision, an inward vision, and an outward vision. And when we respond to these things in faith, we're actually positioning ourselves, we're partnering with God so we can fulfill his plan for our lives, so that we can walk in the heavenly vision God has for us." [00:22:08] (27 seconds)

"Your sin has been removed. Now you're ready to enter into the promise. See, you and I have a high calling from God, a heavenly calling from God to make a difference in this world, to be kingdom ambassadors wherever we go and whatever job we have and whatever career we have, whatever task is before us. But we will never have the power of God. We will never fulfill that purpose until we get holy, until we're purified." [00:29:15] (24 seconds)

"A heavenly vision is an invitation to join Jesus in his efforts to seek and save the lost. It's a call to join him in bringing the gospel to everyone. It's a call to join him in bringing the gospel to everyone. Every creature, so they might not perish, but have everlasting life. Response to the heavenly vision is to say yes. It's join Jesus on the mission he's sending you on." [00:35:11] (19 seconds)

"Ultimately, these things lead you to go on the mission that God's sending you. A heavenly vision will lead you into a greater vision of God, yourself, and others. A heavenly vision will prompt change in you that will have a significant impact on other people's lives. So commit to draw near to God. This is the only way it works. Ask Him for a heavenly vision." [00:39:13] (18 seconds)

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