Transformative Journey: Embracing the Spirit's Work

 

Summary

In our journey as disciples of Christ, we are called to put on the mind of Christ and embrace the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This transformation is not something we achieve through our own efforts but through the Spirit's action within us. The Holy Spirit brings new life, creating a shift in our inner being and surroundings. As we engage in this process, we must be mindful of the mind of the flesh and the importance of spiritual disciplines. Romans 8:10-13 reminds us that through the Spirit, we can mortify the deeds of the flesh, leading to true life. This mortification is not about legalistic self-denial but about training ourselves in dependence on the Spirit.

The ordinary events of life, often seen as trials or temptations, are opportunities for growth. James encourages us to count it all joy when we face various troubles, as these are moments where we witness the kingdom of God at work. This perspective is only possible when we are assured of God's presence in every situation. Planned disciplines, such as solitude, silence, and worship, are essential in cultivating a heart aligned with God's will. These disciplines are not burdens but means to experience the fullness of life in Christ.

The concept of "indirection" is crucial in our spiritual journey. Instead of striving to do what Jesus said directly, we engage in activities that enable us to live out His teachings. For some, this might mean getting more rest or practicing solitude to combat hurry and worry. Being busy often feeds our ego, but true spiritual growth comes from a place of humility and peace.

As disciples, we must have a vision of the goodness of living in God's kingdom. This vision fuels our intention and decision to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Without a strong vision, our efforts may falter. The means to achieve this vision include engaging in spiritual disciplines and being part of a church community. Church is not just a place to attend but a means to love and be loved, to minister and be ministered to.

In times of darkness and struggle, we are reminded that joy is not something we manufacture but a fruit of the Spirit. The Psalms teach us to bring our complaints and burdens to God, trusting in His presence even in the darkest moments. Our spiritual journey is about opening ourselves to God's action, experiencing His presence, and being transformed by His love.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Transformation into the likeness of Christ is a work of the Holy Spirit, not our own efforts. The Spirit brings new life and creates change within us, enabling us to mortify the deeds of the flesh and live in true freedom. [01:54]

2. Embracing Trials as Growth Opportunities: Ordinary life events, including trials, are opportunities to witness God's kingdom at work. By viewing these challenges as moments for growth, we can experience joy and peace, knowing God is present in every situation. [03:49]

3. The Power of Spiritual Disciplines: Disciplines like solitude, silence, and worship are means to cultivate a heart aligned with God's will. These practices are not burdens but pathways to experience the fullness of life in Christ. [07:19]

4. Vision, Intention, and Means: A strong vision of the goodness of God's kingdom fuels our intention and decision to follow Christ. Without this vision, our efforts may falter. Engaging in spiritual disciplines and being part of a church community are essential means to achieve this vision. [13:02]

5. Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit: Joy is not something we manufacture but a fruit of the Spirit. In times of darkness, we are encouraged to bring our burdens to God, trusting in His presence and experiencing His peace even in the midst of struggles. [22:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:23] - Moving into Method and Procedure
- [01:16] - The Action of the Holy Spirit
- [02:08] - Mortifying the Deeds of the Flesh
- [03:19] - Trials and Temptations
- [04:21] - God's Presence in Troubles
- [05:18] - Planned Disciplines
- [06:33] - Progression in Spiritual Growth
- [07:31] - Understanding Disciplines
- [08:33] - Indirection in Spiritual Growth
- [09:55] - Being a Disciple in the Kingdom
- [11:36] - Vision and the Gospel
- [13:02] - Intention and Decision
- [16:37] - Means to Achieve Vision
- [19:18] - Church as a Means to an End
- [22:31] - Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:10-13
2. James 1:2-4
3. Galatians 5:22-23

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 8:10-13, what role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us mortify the deeds of the flesh? How is this different from trying to do it through our own efforts? [02:22]

2. In James 1:2-4, what is the attitude we are encouraged to have towards trials and troubles? How does this perspective align with the sermon’s message about viewing ordinary life events as opportunities for growth? [03:49]

3. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit. How does the sermon describe the process of cultivating these fruits in our lives? [03:06]

4. What are some examples of spiritual disciplines mentioned in the sermon, and how do they help align our hearts with God's will? [07:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "indirection" in spiritual growth challenge the traditional understanding of following Jesus' teachings? What might this look like in practical terms? [08:33]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a vision of the goodness of living in God's kingdom. How does this vision influence our intention and decision to follow Christ? [11:36]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that joy is a fruit of the Spirit rather than something we can manufacture? How does this understanding affect our approach to difficult times? [22:31]

4. How does being part of a church community serve as a means to achieve the vision of living in God's kingdom, according to the sermon? [19:18]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent trial or challenge you faced. How can you view it as an opportunity for growth and witness God's kingdom at work in that situation? [03:49]

2. Identify one spiritual discipline you are not currently practicing. How can you incorporate it into your routine to cultivate a heart aligned with God's will? [07:19]

3. Consider the concept of "indirection" in your spiritual journey. What is one indirect action you can take this week to help you live out Jesus' teachings more fully? [08:33]

4. Think about your vision of living in God's kingdom. How does this vision motivate your daily decisions and actions? What steps can you take to strengthen this vision? [11:36]

5. Joy is described as a fruit of the Spirit. How can you open yourself to experiencing this joy, even in times of darkness or struggle? [22:31]

6. Reflect on your involvement in your church community. How can you contribute to making it a place where love and ministry are actively practiced? [19:18]

7. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 to focus on this month. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [03:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through the Holy Spirit
The journey of becoming more like Christ is not one of self-effort but of allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us. This transformation is a divine act that brings new life and change, enabling us to overcome the desires of the flesh and live in true freedom. Romans 8:10-13 emphasizes that through the Spirit, we can mortify the deeds of the flesh, which is not about legalistic self-denial but about training ourselves to depend on the Spirit. This dependence leads to a life of true freedom and joy, as we are no longer bound by our fleshly desires but are guided by the Spirit's power. [01:54]

"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own strength?


Day 2: Trials as Opportunities for Growth
Life's ordinary events, including trials and temptations, are not just challenges to endure but opportunities to witness God's kingdom at work. James encourages believers to count it all joy when facing various troubles, as these are moments for spiritual growth and transformation. By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, we can experience joy and peace, knowing that God is present in every situation. This perspective shift allows us to see trials as a means to deepen our faith and trust in God's plan. [03:49]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you faced. How can you view it as an opportunity for growth and witness God's work in your life?


Day 3: The Power of Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines such as solitude, silence, and worship are essential practices that align our hearts with God's will. These disciplines are not burdensome tasks but pathways to experience the fullness of life in Christ. By engaging in these practices, we cultivate a heart that is receptive to God's presence and guidance. They help us to slow down, listen, and be transformed by God's love, leading to a deeper relationship with Him. [07:19]

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6, ESV)

Reflection: Which spiritual discipline do you feel most drawn to practice this week, and how can it help you align your heart with God's will?


Day 4: Vision, Intention, and Means
Having a strong vision of the goodness of living in God's kingdom fuels our intention and decision to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Without this vision, our efforts may falter. Engaging in spiritual disciplines and being part of a church community are essential means to achieve this vision. The church is not just a place to attend but a community where we love and are loved, minister and are ministered to. This vision gives purpose and direction to our spiritual journey, helping us to stay committed to following Christ. [13:02]

"Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is your vision of living in God's kingdom, and how does it influence your daily decisions and actions?


Day 5: Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit
Joy is not something we manufacture but a fruit of the Spirit that comes from trusting in God's presence, even in the darkest moments. The Psalms teach us to bring our complaints and burdens to God, trusting in His presence and experiencing His peace. This joy is a result of opening ourselves to God's action and being transformed by His love. It is a deep-seated sense of well-being that transcends circumstances and is rooted in our relationship with God. [22:31]

"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: In what area of your life do you need to experience the joy of the Spirit, and how can you invite God into that space today?

Quotes


"if you through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the flesh you will live and again we can do a whole sermon on that because you do not want to mortify the deeds of the flesh by the deeds of the flesh and that the practice of that is why we don't talk much about mortification anymore is because it was done in a brutal way a legalistic way if you through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the flesh then you live see that's discipline that's training independence on the spirit" [00:02:22]

"the ordinary events of life those are sometimes called temptations trials temptations not in the sense necessarily of solicitation to sin but trials that put you to the test and if you don't take those rightly they can turn into temptations in the other sense this is just ordinary life this is what i've been saying where do we learn this ordinary life at work at home and the community and so forth at play ordinary events and so we have james talking about that count it all joy when you fall call in all kinds of troubles" [00:03:17]

"disciplines are activities that we choose to engage in we have to be able to undertake them things like going into solitude or silence worship is a discipline some of the things like prayer is more than a discipline but it is also a discipline and the key now to understanding a discipline is it's an activity that we can engage in disciplines are not the answers for everyone some people can't do them when we get to this point we're talking to people who are really in relatively good position spiritually" [00:07:04]

"you stop trying to do the things that jesus said and you do the things that will enable you to do the things that jesus said for some of us more sleep would be a spiritual discipline right for some of us a practice of solitude might enable us to stop hurrying hurry is not good you can work hard without hurrying hurrying always involves an attitude of worry of fear of pride that's what drives worry being busy is often an ego thing if i'm busy i'm important" [00:08:31]

"you need a vision of the goodness of what you're thinking about now that's where we go back to our gospel our gospel is what creates the vision if you want to make disciples you have to communicate a vision of the goodness of living in the kingdom of god you have to create that vision you do that by preaching the gospel of jesus you present the kingdom of god in a winsome way and you present jesus in his loveliness as a person and his availability so you have to communicate that" [00:11:32]

"now if the vision is strong you can form the intention to be that way and if that intention is there you can make a decision to do it all of that has to happen you cannot slide into that you do not become a disciple by accident you have to decide that's what i'm going to do now if your vision is not strong you will not be able to do that and it may lead you to getting a bunch of means which you'll never use think of all those programs of learning french that sit on shelves unused" [00:12:57]

"you have to have means that's again is a part of god's plan for people with free will free people with free will have the option of where they're going and that involves steps and taking those steps and realizing that if you choose to be conversant in french you can't just do that so your choice then is in terms of the steps that will lead to that right so you do certain things that's the means you do them because you have the intention and you have the intention because you see the goodness of the vision" [00:16:33]

"i go to church because it is a wonderful means to a wonderful end it's a wonderful means to a wonderful end now i've had to train myself how to go to church for that because among other things i don't go to inspect a preacher i go to love the preacher and i love to pray for the preacher and i visualize christ standing back of him with his hands on his shoulders blessing him as he preaches or she as she preaches see that's a means it's a means to the end but you need to go to church to love people and be loved" [00:18:24]

"joy is a fruit not a something you do by effort it comes as a fruit and the psalms are especially good because they cry out of the darkness out of the depths have i cried unto thee lord hear my voice let your ear be attentive to the voice of my supplication so the psalms are especially good because they go the whole range of emotions and suffering as well as joy so i'm not sure what i can say to that except you want to don't you do not have an obligation to be joyful" [00:22:50]

"joy is a is a profound and pervasive sense of well-being closely related to peace it does not come by effort it comes by indirection and you you can learn how to take the times when there's no consolation if you have the broader vision that god is there too god is in the dark and when you're in the dark you want you don't want to doubt in the dark what you saw in the light so if you are doubting it then you just say well this will god will take care of me" [00:23:56]

"i think the essential thing is to put yourself in a position where you will know the presence of god with you that need not be in solitude and silence it can be on the run for example i find that fasting is more effective when i'm engaged in ministry not when i'm not doing something because of the peculiar nature of fasting i think it works better with action and you experience the difference and then you go back and maybe you read john 4 again and you look at jesus saying to the guys who brought food back out i have me to eat you no not all" [00:28:31]

"you want to encourage them to do specific things and to come to experience the presence of god that's what i would recommend i hope i hit the question" [00:29:36]

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Transcript
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