Transformative Journey: Being with Jesus in Discipleship

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey of being in a living, transformative relationship with Jesus. This relationship is not just about learning or worshiping from a distance but about being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing the things He did. Jesus invites us into a life where we can experience His presence, hear His voice, and receive His love. This is not a distant or abstract concept; it is a tangible reality that can transform our lives.

We reflected on the journey of Jesus, from His baptism to His time in the desert, where He resisted temptation and chose the path of a suffering servant. This path is not about taking shortcuts or seeking power for personal gain but about laying down one's life and taking up the cross. Jesus calls us to follow Him in this way, to be with Him and to be like Him.

The journey of discipleship begins with being with Jesus. It is not about behaving, believing, and then belonging, but rather starting with being with Him. This is where we find our belonging, and through this relationship, our beliefs are formed, and our behaviors are transformed. This is a journey of contemplation, where we learn to be still and present with God, experiencing His healing and transforming presence.

We are invited to both the banquet and the battle. The banquet is where we hear God's voice affirming our identity as His beloved, and the battle is where we engage with the challenges within and around us. In this journey, we are called to inhale the love and presence of God before we exhale in ministry and service to the world.

The ultimate identity we are invited into is one of union with God, where we are not just servants or friends but one with Him, like branches connected to the vine. This union is the source of our fruitfulness and the foundation of our prayers being answered. It is an invitation to remain in His love and to experience the fullness of joy that comes from this relationship.

Key Takeaways:

1. Being with Jesus: The journey of discipleship begins with being with Jesus, not just learning about Him. This relationship is the foundation for our transformation and fruitfulness. It is about experiencing His presence and hearing His voice, which changes everything. [01:00:37]

2. The Order of Discipleship: The biblical way of discipleship is to start with being with Jesus, which leads to belonging, believing, and finally behaving. This order emphasizes the importance of relationship over rules and transformation over mere conformity. [01:05:09]

3. Union with God: We are invited into a radical union with God, where we are not just His servants or friends but one with Him. This union is the source of our identity and fruitfulness, as we remain in His love and allow His life to flow through us. [01:13:13]

4. The Banquet and the Battle: We are called to both the banquet, where we hear God's affirming voice, and the battle, where we engage with the challenges of life. This dual invitation requires us to inhale God's love before exhaling in service to the world. [01:11:29]

5. Contemplative Life: The contemplative life is about being present with God, experiencing His love, and allowing Him to transform us. It involves both the comfort of His presence and the challenge of His stretching, as we grow into the likeness of Christ. [01:18:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00:37] - Being With Jesus
- [01:02:48] - Hearing God's Voice
- [01:04:00] - Overcoming Evil
- [01:05:09] - The Order of Discipleship
- [01:06:55] - Belonging and Believing
- [01:08:01] - Listening to God
- [01:11:29] - The Banquet and the Battle
- [01:13:13] - Union with God
- [01:14:25] - Bearing Fruit
- [01:15:54] - Contemplative Life
- [01:18:19] - Challenges of Prayer
- [01:19:56] - Invitation to Contemplation
- [01:21:38] - Being Present Exercise
- [01:30:10] - Communion Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 15:5-10
2. Matthew 3:16-17
3. Matthew 4:1-11

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Observation Questions:

1. According to John 15:5, what is the relationship between the vine and the branches, and what does this imply about our connection with Jesus?
2. In Matthew 3:16-17, what significant event occurs at Jesus' baptism, and how does it affirm His identity?
3. How does Jesus respond to the temptations in the desert as described in Matthew 4:1-11, and what does this reveal about His character and mission?
4. The sermon mentions the importance of "being with Jesus" as the starting point of discipleship. How is this concept illustrated in the passages discussed? [01:05:09]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to "remain" in Jesus as described in John 15:5-10, and how does this affect our spiritual fruitfulness?
2. How does the voice from heaven during Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3:16-17 shape our understanding of God's love and affirmation for us?
3. In what ways does Jesus' resistance to temptation in Matthew 4:1-11 serve as a model for us in facing our own challenges and temptations?
4. The sermon emphasizes the order of discipleship as "being with Jesus" leading to belonging, believing, and behaving. How does this order challenge traditional views of spiritual growth? [01:05:09]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. How can you prioritize "being with Him" in your daily life to deepen your connection? [01:00:37]
2. Consider a time when you felt God's affirming voice in your life. How did it impact your sense of identity and purpose? How can you seek to hear His voice more regularly? [01:11:29]
3. Identify a specific temptation or challenge you are currently facing. How can Jesus' example in the desert guide you in overcoming it? [01:04:00]
4. The sermon invites us to both the banquet and the battle. How can you balance receiving God's love and affirmation with engaging in the challenges of life? [01:11:29]
5. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a contemplative life, being present with God and allowing His love to transform you? [01:18:19]
6. How can you create space in your life to experience the healing and transforming presence of God, as described in the sermon? [01:19:56]
7. Reflect on the concept of union with God as described in John 15. How does this understanding influence your approach to prayer and spiritual growth? [01:13:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Experiencing Jesus' Presence
The journey of discipleship begins with being in the presence of Jesus, not merely learning about Him. This relationship is foundational for transformation and fruitfulness. It is about experiencing His presence and hearing His voice, which changes everything. Being with Jesus means engaging in a living, transformative relationship where His presence becomes a tangible reality in our lives. This is not a distant or abstract concept but a profound experience that invites us to be still and present with God, allowing His healing and transforming presence to work within us. [01:00:37]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "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. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your day today to be still and experience the presence of Jesus?


Day 2: The Order of Discipleship
The biblical way of discipleship emphasizes starting with being with Jesus, which leads to belonging, believing, and finally behaving. This order highlights the importance of relationship over rules and transformation over mere conformity. It challenges the conventional approach of behaving, believing, and then belonging, by placing the relationship with Jesus at the forefront. Through this relationship, our beliefs are formed, and our behaviors are transformed, allowing us to truly belong in the community of faith. [01:05:09]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your relationship with Jesus today, allowing it to shape your beliefs and actions?


Day 3: Union with God
We are invited into a radical union with God, where we are not just His servants or friends but one with Him. This union is the source of our identity and fruitfulness, as we remain in His love and allow His life to flow through us. Being in union with God means being like branches connected to the vine, drawing life and sustenance from Him. This relationship is the foundation of our prayers being answered and the source of our joy and fulfillment. [01:13:13]

1 Corinthians 6:17 (ESV): "But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your sense of union with God and allow His life to flow through you?


Day 4: The Banquet and the Battle
We are called to both the banquet, where we hear God's affirming voice, and the battle, where we engage with the challenges of life. This dual invitation requires us to inhale God's love before exhaling in service to the world. The banquet is a place of rest and affirmation, where we are reminded of our identity as God's beloved. The battle, on the other hand, is where we face the challenges within and around us, equipped with the strength and love we have received from God. [01:11:29]

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

Reflection: How can you balance the need for rest and affirmation with the call to engage in the battles of life today?


Day 5: Embracing a Contemplative Life
The contemplative life is about being present with God, experiencing His love, and allowing Him to transform us. It involves both the comfort of His presence and the challenge of His stretching, as we grow into the likeness of Christ. This journey of contemplation invites us to be still and listen to God's voice, experiencing His healing and transforming presence. It is a call to embrace both the banquet and the battle, inhaling God's love before exhaling in service to the world. [01:18:19]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to cultivate a contemplative life, being present with God and open to His transforming work?

Quotes


The title of the message is Being With Jesus, Being Like Jesus, and the subtitle, if you only hear one thing this morning, as a disciple of Jesus, as a follower of God, it is possible to experience his presence. He was alive then, and he is alive now, longing to be with us, longing to speak. He is good, and he can be heard. He can be heard. He can be heard. He can be heard. He can be heard. gives good things. The question, friends, is whether we are taking the time to be still and to be with Him. [00:59:33] (39 seconds)


Jesus didn't call. He didn't call his disciples to learn about him, to think about him, to discuss him, or even to worship him. He's okay with us worshiping him as a Lord who stoops to wash our feet. But his call is that we would follow him, that we would be with him and become like him in at least these three ways. The first is hearing God's voice of delight at his baptism. [01:01:51] (32 seconds)


I want to highlight that for many of us, the road to following Jesus reads from left to right. Long before I was a Christian, I had this sense. That he wanted me to behave. And then I started going to a Mennonite Brethren and a Baptist church. And sure enough, they wanted me to behave, right? You're not coming in this building as long as you're smoking, drinking, swearing, and running around. How to behave first, then when you hang around here, we will teach you theology. We will teach you the truth. And once you can give us the right answers to these important questions, then we will give you membership class and you can belong. Behave first, believe, belong. [01:05:09] (45 seconds)


I'm saying this is backwards, backwards, backwards. Do not read this left to right. I'm saying the biblical way that Jesus ways to read this right to left, which funny enough is how Hebrew is written. Okay, so the journey begins with be with. You've heard that Jesus is doing stuff. John the Baptist kind of pointed to him, and Jesus says, come, come and see. Follow me. Be with me. This is where I'm staying. This is where we're walking. Here's what we're having for dinner tonight. This is the be with, which is the beginning. [01:06:03] (34 seconds)


In the box in the yellow here and there, a wonderful quote from Henry Nouwen. The great movement of the spiritual life is from a deaf, non -hearing life to a life of listening. From a life in which we experience ourselves as separated and isolated and lonely, to a life in which we hear the guiding and healing voice of God, a God who is with us, Emmanuel, and will never leave us alone. [01:08:01] (34 seconds)


You see what Henry's saying here? He's closing the distance. He's saying, if you're imagining that God is great and high and holy and up there in heaven and looking down, and he'll sprinkle some blessing on you if you do things right, and he'll email you a speeding ticket if he sees you doing something wrong, get rid of that idea. It's not true. He is. up in heaven that part's true but he's also right here with us there is no distance there is no separation the amazing thing about God is how great he is what else is it right here with us seeing what you're seeing knowing what you're thinking and feeling there is no separation there is no gap he's here the kingdom of heaven is right here upon you so the words in red after 20 years of talking with people about their walk with God this is what spiritual directors do this is what Petra and I do full -time we meet with people and create the space to pay attention so where's God in this after 20 years of doing that I am absolutely convinced along with Jesus the Apostles the desert fathers and mothers Teresa of Avelia st. John of the cross st. Francis brother Lawrence John Wesley Thomas Burton J I Packer I would never name drop Dallas Willard rest Richard Foster John Wimber Brendan Manning Henry now and Eugene Peterson Tim Keller Ruth Haley Barton Daniel Strickland and John Mark Comfort those people would agree with me Oh better said I'm agreeing with them on this fact that the inner experience of a healing transforming presence of God is available to every believer every believer who's willing to be still and to be present put away the distractions just pause the busyness slow down in the snow just be present he's here he's actually longing to meet with us the question is will we stop and be present I'm not a particularly spiritual person this doesn't come easily to meet either so I'm saying if I can do it you can do it you just have to want to do it what's not in doubt is whether God wants to meet with us that's given that's for sure he came a long way to be with us the The next box in gray. [01:08:34] (139 seconds)


So like Jesus, we are invited to both the banquet and the battle. The banquet is like the baptism where we hear God speaking, you are loved, you are my precious. I see you, I know you, I treasure you, I value you, I am with you, keep going. That's the banquet. And we are also, like Jesus, invited to the battle. And there is a battle. There's a battle in here and there's a battle out there. And what I am saying is inhale before you exhale. [01:10:53] (35 seconds)


There's no point arguing about whether inhaling is more important than exhaling. You gotta have both. But I would suggest that most of the time, it's good to breathe in before you breathe out. And the breathe in is the banquet of the pause of hearing that you are loved and that God is with you before you exhale the ministry out in the world. [01:11:29] (24 seconds)


We're not just children and parents. We're one. I am the vine. You are the branches. What flows through me flows through you. So, the ultimate identity in the New Testament is a union, oneness with God. We could go so far to say that you, yes, you, are the fourth member of the Trinity. Whoa. This is wonderful. This is radical union language. And it starts here. John 15, verse 5. I am the vine. You are the branches. [01:13:13] (33 seconds)


If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing. So, it's kind of a fork in the road. Be one with me or be absolutely dead and fruitless. If you do not remain or dwell or abide, make your abode, your dwelling, your house. If you do not abide in me, you're like a branch. It's thrown. It's thrown away and withers. And such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. [01:13:50] (27 seconds)


I'm sure you'd be interested in the secret to having your prayers answered, wouldn't you? Yes. Here it is. Spend time with him. Be filled and formed so that you're praying the prayers that the Holy Spirit is praying. And yes, then, they will be answered. This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. [01:14:25] (25 seconds)


The first one on the left is there's a pattern. The pattern when we come into his presence in general, we first experience God's unconditional love, acceptance, understanding, empathy, and solidarity. So no matter where we are, if we're full of praise and joy and we're happy that we're so close to him, he'll meet us there. But if we're like the prodigal son in the pig poo in the ditch and that's all we can bring to him today, he meets us there too. [01:16:13] (30 seconds)


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Transcript
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