Transformative Encounters: Trusting God Beyond Self-Righteousness

Summary

This morning, the invitation is to step into a deeper encounter with God—a kind of encounter that can change the trajectory of our lives. We reflected on how even a single, seemingly random meeting can alter a person’s story, as seen in the story of Paul Ninson and the birth of Ghana’s first photography library. If a human encounter can have such impact, how much more can an encounter with the living God transform us? Throughout the summer, we are seeking these transformative moments with God, learning from the stories in Scripture where people’s lives are forever changed by meeting Jesus.

Today, we looked at a moment in Mark 3 where two groups encounter Jesus: the Pharisees, who are so entrenched in their convictions and self-righteousness that they miss the heart of God, and a man with a withered hand, who, though unnamed and silent, is open to Jesus’ invitation and experiences healing. The Pharisees’ story is a warning—deeply held convictions are not inherently bad, but when they become rigid and self-justifying, they can blind us to God’s work and keep us from the life we were made for. Self-righteousness traps us, making us unwilling to consider that we might be wrong, and ultimately causes us to miss God’s heart and His invitations.

In contrast, the man with the withered hand models a posture of openness and trust. Jesus invites him to step forward and expose what he would rather keep hidden—his source of shame and limitation. Though it is risky and uncomfortable, the man responds in faith, not knowing what will happen, but trusting Jesus’ goodness. On the other side of his obedience is healing and freedom. This is a picture for all of us: often, the change and healing we long for are found when we bring our hidden places into the light and trust Jesus, even when we don’t have all the answers or guarantees.

The invitation is threefold: to surrender self-righteousness, to bring hidden things into the light for healing, and to trust and obey God’s invitations even when we can’t see the whole picture. God’s heart is always for our good, and He is present, ready to meet us with transforming love if we are willing to respond.

Key Takeaways

- Self-Righteousness as a Barrier to Encounter
Deeply held convictions can be good, but when they harden into self-righteousness, they become a barrier to encountering God. The Pharisees in Mark 3 were so committed to their paradigm that they could not rejoice in a miracle or even consider that God might be working outside their expectations. True spiritual growth requires holding our beliefs before God with humility, open to correction and transformation. [16:06]

- The Risk and Reward of Vulnerability
Jesus often invites us to bring into the light what we most want to keep hidden—our shame, wounds, or failures. Like the man with the withered hand, stepping forward in vulnerability can feel risky, but when we trust Jesus with our hidden places, He meets us with healing, not condemnation. Freedom and transformation are found on the other side of honest exposure before God. [26:18]

- Obedience Without Full Understanding
Sometimes God’s invitations come without a full explanation or guarantee of the outcome. The man in the synagogue did not know what would happen when he obeyed Jesus’ call to stand and stretch out his hand, but his willingness to trust and act led to his healing. Faith often means moving forward in obedience, trusting that God’s intentions are good even when we cannot see the whole picture. [31:00]

- The Subtlety of Missing God’s Heart
It is possible to be deeply religious, to know Scripture, and to pursue a moral life, yet still miss the heart of God. The Pharisees’ story warns us that spiritual pride and a refusal to be challenged can blind us to God’s presence and activity. We must continually ask God to reveal any areas where we are missing His heart, so we do not become resistant to His transforming work. [13:07]

- Transformation Through Surrender and Trust
The path to life change is not through striving or self-improvement, but through surrender—laying down our self-righteousness, exposing our hidden wounds, and trusting God’s goodness. When we respond to Jesus’ invitations with open hands and hearts, we position ourselves for the kind of encounters that bring true freedom and lasting transformation. [35:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Chatham Serve Sunday Recap
[02:30] - Kingdom Partnerships: Serving Local Nonprofits
[04:34] - The Power of a Life-Changing Encounter
[08:21] - Setting: Jesus in the Synagogue on the Sabbath
[11:52] - The Pharisees’ Missed Opportunity
[13:07] - The Danger of Missing God’s Heart
[16:06] - The Trap of Self-Righteousness
[18:16] - A Story About Paradigms and Board Games
[19:43] - Recognizing Self-Righteousness in Ourselves
[21:33] - Surrendering Convictions in Humility
[22:26] - The Man with the Withered Hand
[24:49] - Jesus’ Invitation to Vulnerability
[26:18] - Healing on the Other Side of Exposure
[29:35] - Obedience Without Guarantees
[31:00] - Trusting God When the Picture Isn’t Clear
[35:16] - Three Invitations to Encounter God
[36:51] - Closing Prayer and Response

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Encountering God for Life Change
*(Based on Mark 3:1-6 and the sermon summary above)*

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### Bible Reading

Mark 3:1-6 (NIV)
1 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.
2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.
3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Mark 3:1-6, what are the two different ways people respond to Jesus in the synagogue?
2. What does Jesus ask the man with the withered hand to do, and why might this have been difficult for him?
3. According to the sermon, what was the Pharisees’ main concern during this encounter? [[11:52]]
4. What is the outcome for the man who responds to Jesus’ invitation, and what is the outcome for the Pharisees?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Pharisees, who knew the Scriptures so well, missed the significance of Jesus’ miracle? What does this reveal about the danger of self-righteousness? [[13:07]]
2. The man with the withered hand is unnamed and silent, yet he becomes the example of openness and trust. What does his response teach us about vulnerability before God? [[24:49]]
3. The sermon says that deeply held convictions are not bad, but can become barriers when they harden into self-righteousness. How can someone tell the difference between healthy conviction and self-righteousness? [[16:06]]
4. Jesus invites the man to act without any guarantee of healing. What does this say about the nature of faith and obedience? [[31:00]]

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### Application Questions

1. The Pharisees were so sure of their convictions that they couldn’t see God at work in a new way. Are there areas in your life where you might be holding onto your own “right way” so tightly that you could miss what God is doing? What would it look like to hold your beliefs before God with open hands this week? [[16:06]]
2. The man with the withered hand had to bring his place of shame into the open to receive healing. Is there something in your life you tend to keep hidden—maybe a struggle, wound, or failure? What would it look like to bring that into the light with God or with a trusted friend? [[26:18]]
3. Jesus’ invitation to the man required him to act without knowing the outcome. Is there something you sense God is inviting you to do, but you’re hesitating because you want more certainty? What is one step you could take this week to trust and obey, even if you don’t have all the answers? [[31:00]]
4. The sermon warns that it’s possible to be religious and moral, yet still miss God’s heart. How can you regularly check your heart to make sure you’re not missing God’s invitations or becoming resistant to His work? [[13:07]]
5. The path to transformation is through surrender, not striving. What is one area of your life where you need to stop trying harder and instead surrender to God’s love and leading? [[35:16]]
6. Think about a time when you experienced freedom or healing after being honest with God or others about something hidden. What helped you take that step, and how did God meet you there?
7. Who in your life could benefit from hearing about the freedom and transformation that comes from encountering Jesus? How might you share your story or invite them to experience God’s love this week?

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to spend a few moments in silent prayer, asking God to reveal any areas of self-righteousness, hidden wounds, or invitations to trust and obey. Pray for courage to respond to Jesus’ invitations and for the group to experience God’s transforming love together.

Devotional

Day 1: Beware of Missing the Heart of God
It is possible to be deeply committed to religious practices and convictions, yet still miss the very heart of God when we become more focused on our own paradigms than on the living presence of Jesus. The Pharisees in Mark 3 were so entrenched in their understanding of righteousness and so determined to protect their traditions that they could not rejoice in the miraculous healing before them. Instead of celebrating the work of God, they left with hardened hearts, unable to see the goodness right in front of them. Let us be careful not to let our own certainty or self-righteousness blind us to the ways God is moving in our midst, lest we miss the life-changing encounters He offers. [13:07]

Mark 3:1-6 (ESV)
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

Reflection: Where in your life might you be holding so tightly to your own convictions or routines that you risk missing the heart of God and the new things He wants to do?


Day 2: Surrendering Self-Righteousness to God
Self-righteousness can be a subtle trap, convincing us that our way is best and closing us off to the transforming work of God. Jesus does not call us to simply try harder to be less self-righteous, but to surrender our convictions and perspectives to Him in humility. This means holding our beliefs with open hands, inviting God to shape, correct, or even change them as He sees fit. True freedom and spiritual growth come not from rigid certainty, but from a willingness to let God lead us beyond our own understanding and into deeper life with Him. [21:33]

James 4:6-7 (ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Reflection: What is one conviction or opinion you hold that you need to bring before God today with open hands, asking Him to shape it as He wills?


Day 3: Bringing Hidden Things into the Light
Many of us carry things—wounds, shame, secrets, or struggles—that we would rather keep hidden from others and even from God. Yet, Jesus invites us to bring these hidden places into the light, not to shame or condemn us, but to bring healing and freedom. The man with the withered hand was asked to stand before everyone and expose what he likely wanted to hide, and in doing so, he found restoration. When we trust Jesus enough to let Him see and touch our most vulnerable places, we open ourselves to the possibility of transformation and wholeness that only He can bring. [26:18]

Ephesians 5:13-14 (ESV)
But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life you have kept hidden out of fear or shame? Can you take a step today to bring it into the light with Jesus, trusting Him for healing?


Day 4: Trusting and Obeying Without Knowing the Outcome
Sometimes God asks us to take steps of faith without giving us all the details or guarantees we desire. The man in Mark 3 did not know what would happen when Jesus told him to stand and stretch out his hand—he simply had to trust and obey. Often, the change and breakthrough God wants to bring in our lives is on the other side of obedience, even when we cannot see the full picture. God’s invitations are always for our good, and He calls us to trust His heart, even when the path is unclear. [31:00]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: What is one step of obedience God is inviting you to take today, even if you don’t know how it will turn out? Will you trust Him enough to say yes?


Day 5: Encountering God Leads to Life Change
Every encounter with Jesus holds the potential for transformation, whether we come seeking Him or simply find ourselves in His presence. The man with the withered hand was not expecting healing that day, but his openness to Jesus’ invitation led to a life-changing miracle. God is always at work, inviting us to deeper encounters that can reshape our lives, free us from what binds us, and restore what is broken. Today, be open to the possibility that God wants to meet you in a new way, bringing change, healing, and freedom beyond what you could imagine. [24:49]

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Reflection: Are you open to a fresh encounter with God today, even if it is unexpected? What would it look like to say “yes” to His invitation for life change?

Quotes

It just goes to show you that you can check all the boxes, whether it's the religious boxes or the boxes of what you think it takes to live a good life, but you can still miss the heart of God. You can still miss the heart of God. [00:13:07] (00:00:17 seconds) Edit Clip

Why does it end like this? Because they refuse to let Jesus stretch their paradigm, their understanding for how things ought to be. They have convictions that they're holding on to so tightly that not even the obvious work of God is enough for them to loosen their grip. Not even the obvious work of God is enough for them to loosen their grip. [00:16:17] (00:00:24 seconds) Edit Clip

All he can do is trust and obey or not. All he can do is follow through believing that Jesus has good for him or not. He doesn't know what's going to happen ahead of time, but on the other side of him answering whether he's willing to trust and obey, whether he's willing to follow through believing that Jesus' intentions are good. He doesn't know that on the other side of that is his healing, that on the other side of that question is life change. And sometimes the change God wants to work in us is on the other side of following through on something we can't see the whole picture for. [00:30:26] (00:00:43 seconds) Edit Clip

Friends, God's will is always good. His invitations to us are always for our better. And we can. We can trust. We can obey. We can follow through with what he asks, even if we don't fully understand, even if we can't see the picture. [00:34:55] (00:00:21 seconds) Edit Clip

Friends, the invitation today is to encounter God. To encounter God if you're trapped in self -righteousness by releasing that self -righteousness. To encounter God if you've got something hidden by bringing it into the light and letting him bring freedom and healing. To encounter God by following through even if you don't have the full picture with that thing that God has asked and you've been postponing, waiting for the full explanation, that frankly is not going to come. Because the invitation is to trust. To trust in his goodness. [00:35:16] (00:00:36 seconds) Edit Clip