Transformative Journey: Knowing God Through Worship and Devotion

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the profound journey of getting to know God intimately. This journey is not just about acquiring knowledge but about experiencing a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ. We began by acknowledging the power of worship and how it opens our hearts to God's presence, allowing us to be transformed by His Spirit. Worship is not just an act but a lifestyle that invites God's blessings into our lives.

We explored the concept of the Kingdom of God, emphasizing that it is not a distant reality but a present experience for believers. As we walk in God's presence, we are called to live out our faith consistently, allowing our spiritual nature to guide our physical actions. This consistency is crucial in making powerful decisions and overcoming temptations. We were reminded of the importance of guarding our hearts and aligning our desires with God's will, rather than being led astray by fleeting emotions.

The adventure of knowing God begins with a personal decision to come to Jesus, as He invites us to find rest in Him. This decision is not to be postponed but embraced today, as it leads to a life of purpose and fulfillment. We are encouraged to hide God's Word in our hearts, meditating on it to strengthen our faith and resist sin. This meditation is not a passive act but an active engagement with God's truth, allowing it to shape our thoughts and actions.

To truly know God, we must be devoted to Him, making it a priority to deepen our relationship with Jesus. This devotion involves being consistent in prayer, fellowship, and the study of His Word. As we grow in our knowledge of Jesus, we also come to know the Father, for Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Our relationship with Him is likened to being branches connected to the vine, where we draw life and bear fruit for His glory.

Ultimately, knowing God is an adventure that transforms our lives, enabling us to walk in His presence and experience His love and guidance. It is a journey that requires commitment and a willingness to let go of our own desires to embrace His will. Today, we are invited to make a decision to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, allowing Him to be the Lord of our lives and to lead us into a deeper understanding of His love and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

1. Worship as a Lifestyle: Worship is more than a Sunday activity; it's a lifestyle that invites God's presence and blessings into our lives. By focusing on Jesus, we open ourselves to transformation and spiritual growth. Worship aligns our hearts with God's will, allowing us to experience His love and guidance daily. [46:42]

2. The Present Kingdom of God: The Kingdom of God is not a distant future but a present reality for believers. As we walk in God's presence, we are called to live out our faith consistently, allowing our spiritual nature to guide our actions. This consistency is crucial in making powerful decisions and overcoming temptations. [48:28]

3. Guarding Our Hearts: Our hearts can be easily misled by emotions and desires. To align with God's will, we must guard our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to pour into us. This involves making decisions based on God's values rather than our own fleeting desires. [55:23]

4. The Power of God's Word: Hiding God's Word in our hearts strengthens our faith and helps us resist sin. Meditation on Scripture is an active engagement with God's truth, shaping our thoughts and actions. This practice is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. [01:04:35]

5. Devotion to Knowing God: To truly know God, we must be devoted to Him, prioritizing our relationship with Jesus. This involves consistent prayer, fellowship, and study of His Word. As we grow in our knowledge of Jesus, we also come to know the Father, for Jesus is the image of the invisible God. [01:11:31]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[46:42] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[48:28] - The Kingdom of God is Here
[55:23] - Guarding Your Heart
[56:33] - Overcoming Temptation
[01:01:13] - The Call to Know God
[01:02:12] - Making Jesus Lord
[01:04:35] - Meditating on God's Word
[01:05:58] - The Importance of Devotion
[01:08:32] - Walking with Jesus
[01:11:31] - Knowing the Father through Jesus
[01:16:37] - Bearing Fruit in the Vine
[01:18:24] - The Adventure of Knowing God
[01:20:37] - Invitation to Commitment
[01:23:55] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 3:10 - "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."
2. Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
3. Psalm 119:11 - "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Philippians 3:10 reveal about Paul's desire to know Christ? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on knowing God as an adventure? [01:05:58]

2. In Matthew 11:28, what invitation does Jesus extend to those who are weary and burdened? How does this invitation connect to the sermon’s call to come to Jesus for rest? [01:01:13]

3. According to Psalm 119:11, what is the purpose of hiding God's Word in our hearts? How was this concept discussed in the sermon? [01:04:35]

4. How does the sermon describe the Kingdom of God as a present reality for believers? What does it mean to walk in God's presence consistently? [48:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between worship and experiencing God's presence? Why is worship described as a lifestyle rather than just an act? [46:42]

2. What does it mean to guard our hearts according to the sermon, and why is this important for aligning with God's will? [55:23]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of being branches connected to the vine? What does this metaphor teach about our relationship with Jesus? [01:16:37]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that knowing God requires commitment and devotion? How can believers prioritize their relationship with Jesus? [01:08:32]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current worship practices. How can you incorporate worship as a lifestyle in your daily routine to invite God's presence and blessings? [46:42]

2. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with consistency in living out your faith. What steps can you take to align your actions with your spiritual nature? [48:28]

3. Consider a recent decision you made based on emotions or desires. How can you better guard your heart and make decisions rooted in God's values? [55:23]

4. What specific scripture can you meditate on this week to strengthen your faith and resist temptation? How will you actively engage with this scripture? [01:04:35]

5. How can you deepen your devotion to knowing God this month? What practical steps will you take to prioritize prayer, fellowship, and study of His Word? [01:08:32]

6. Think of a time when you felt weary and burdened. How did you respond to Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him? How can you apply this invitation to your current challenges? [01:01:13]

7. Reflect on your relationship with Jesus as a branch connected to the vine. What fruit are you currently bearing, and how can you cultivate more fruit for His glory? [01:16:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Worship as a Transformative Lifestyle
Worship is not merely a Sunday ritual but a transformative lifestyle that invites God's presence and blessings into our daily lives. By focusing on Jesus, we open ourselves to spiritual growth and transformation. Worship aligns our hearts with God's will, allowing us to experience His love and guidance consistently. It is through this lifestyle of worship that we become more attuned to God's voice and His desires for our lives. Worship is an ongoing journey that requires intentionality and dedication, as it shapes our character and draws us closer to God. [46:42]

Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."

Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine beyond Sunday services, and what specific changes can you make to ensure it becomes a lifestyle?


Day 2: Experiencing the Present Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God is not a distant future but a present reality for believers. As we walk in God's presence, we are called to live out our faith consistently, allowing our spiritual nature to guide our actions. This consistency is crucial in making powerful decisions and overcoming temptations. By recognizing the Kingdom of God as a present experience, we are empowered to live with purpose and intentionality, reflecting God's love and truth in our daily interactions. It is through this understanding that we can fully embrace our identity as citizens of God's Kingdom, living out our faith with conviction and courage. [48:28]

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the Kingdom of God today, and how can you allow your spiritual nature to guide your decisions and actions?


Day 3: Guarding Our Hearts with Intentionality
Our hearts can be easily misled by emotions and desires. To align with God's will, we must guard our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to pour into us. This involves making decisions based on God's values rather than our own fleeting desires. By intentionally guarding our hearts, we create space for God's truth to take root, leading us to a life of integrity and purpose. It is through this intentionality that we can resist the temptations and distractions that seek to pull us away from God's path, ensuring that our hearts remain aligned with His will. [55:23]

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to guard your heart against distractions and temptations, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your desires and decisions?


Day 4: The Power of God's Word in Our Lives
Hiding God's Word in our hearts strengthens our faith and helps us resist sin. Meditation on Scripture is an active engagement with God's truth, shaping our thoughts and actions. This practice is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. By immersing ourselves in God's Word, we gain wisdom and understanding, equipping us to navigate life's challenges with confidence and grace. It is through this deep engagement with Scripture that we can experience the transformative power of God's truth in our lives, leading us to a deeper relationship with Him. [01:04:35]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: How can you make Scripture meditation a regular part of your daily routine, and what specific passages can you focus on to strengthen your faith and resist sin?


Day 5: Devotion to Deepening Our Relationship with God
To truly know God, we must be devoted to Him, prioritizing our relationship with Jesus. This involves consistent prayer, fellowship, and study of His Word. As we grow in our knowledge of Jesus, we also come to know the Father, for Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Our relationship with Him is likened to being branches connected to the vine, where we draw life and bear fruit for His glory. This devotion requires commitment and a willingness to let go of our own desires to embrace His will, leading us to a life of purpose and fulfillment. [01:11:31]

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: What specific practices can you implement to deepen your relationship with Jesus, and how can you ensure that your devotion to Him remains a priority in your life?

Quotes



"anyway the point is is that we so many times we live on the edge and we see how far we can stretch it and we do that sometimes in our spiritual life we we try to see how far away we can get from god just to see whether he will rescue us you know sometimes i think it is but the the thing is is that we've got to move the line get back off of the edge you've got to resist the temptation to go where you know that it's not safe to be so you you draw the line that's this is this this is where i i'm going and i'm not going any farther and sometimes you got to move that back and you have to say no to those things that you'd like to do that you know are tempting you to fall into sin and to do wrong things and she also mentioned to us the importance of magnifying the cost sin is expensive you think you have a hard time buying food today did everybody hear how high priced eggs are now rachel i couldn't believe it we get eggs but then you know it's all in that one big combination when you pay that you don't realize how much you've paid today on yesterday on on the news eggs now are costing ten dollars a dozen i said my goodness" [00:53:51] (89 seconds)


"unbelievable how well you think that's expensive sin is way more expensive sin will cost you your soul sin will you a relationship with God. And some people say, well, it doesn't make any difference. It's just a little sin. There's no little sin because a little sin leads to a bigger sin. And it just keeps going and going and going and going. So you can't do that. You can't look at just a little thing. Oh, I'll just cheat right here. Nobody will ever know the difference that I just" [00:55:23] (39 seconds)


"We have the escape route of Jesus. Jesus has promised us that there's no temptation that comes against us that we're not able to bear because he gives us a way of escape. Amen? We can escape into the presence of the Lord and know that he gives us the ability to resist the temptations and the trials that come into our lives." [00:56:33] (22 seconds)


"put your hope in that a man pastor mark talk to us about deciding now to be consistent our problem a lot of times is the inconsistency and he told you the only thing I'm consistent at is being inconsistent you know so let's let's turn that around the other way and somehow work it so that we are consistent in a relationship with the Lord and he said to be consistent in talk consistent in action consistent in prayer so very important what does it mean to know God what does it mean to know God vines expository dictionary tells us that the word no organ no school I think that's the way you pronounce it signifies to be taking in knowledge you know when you read a book or you are studying for test you could study for tests" [00:56:33] (55 seconds)


"take in knowledge and see our problem when we're teenagers is that knowledge who cares let me just have fun although the life is about is just having fun well you gotta take in knowledge you gotta make that knowledge part of who you are so we were taking in knowledge to become to coming to know something recognize understand or to understand completely Paul in Philippians 3 10 makes this statement and it's one that has been a favorite of mine for years Paul cries out before the Lord and says I want to know Christ I want to know him I desire to know him I am wrapped up in one thing and that is discovering who Jesus is knowing him not knowing about him but knowing him having that one relationship with him and he goes on in that verse and says yes to know the power of his resurrection knowing that we have been raised to newness in life we are no longer living to ourselves we are now living to Jesus Christ we are filled with his spirit and his powers within us is what he's saying in that and he goes on and says and the participation in his sufferings becoming like him in his death are you willing to die for your faith in Jesus Christ" [00:57:01] (91 seconds)


"we can say that but when the time comes are we really willing to do it I'm so thankful that right now here in the United States we don't have to do that but you do have to die to yourself sometimes for certain principles that people are saying forget that that's okay you don't have to live that way anymore you can live the way you think it's okay and sometimes we're willing to sacrifice our faith in God for some other simple things of of of life we need to learn that this is a big cost to even walk with Jesus Christ and be faithful to him so discovering Jesus is an adventure let's see if we can't walk through this quickly so I don't keep you forever but I want to get the message into your hearts that God is saying to us this morning first of all this adventure with Jesus begins with coming to him you've got to give it all to him right you got to come to him and it says in Matthew 11 28 come to me Jesus is speaking he's saying come to me all you are are weary and burdened and I will give you rest along with coming to him his invitation to come he's also saying you come to me yeah yeah something you're gonna be blessed you're gonna be able to rest in me come to me and I will give you rest you don't have to be burdened down with all the struggles of life I will give you rest in my presence 2nd Corinthians 6 2 for he says in the time of my favor I heard you and in the day of salvation I helped you that's an Old Testament prophecy out of Isaiah" [00:59:20] (104 seconds)


"Hide it in your heart. So I said in myself, meditate. That's something that we as Christians may not be totally familiar with. Even though it's in the Bible constantly. I've gone back through, and I don't know how many times that the word of God tells us to meditate on the word. Paul, I mean David, in his Psalms, wrote constantly about meditating on the word of God. Meditating on him. Well, we think it is going around like New Age movement people." [01:04:35] (33 seconds)


"It has the meaning to ponder, to think about it, to put one thing with another in considering circumstances. It's what you do when you plan or whatever it is that you do, you're pondering, you're pondering. Putting together the thoughts that need to be put together so you can accomplish whatever you want to do. So meditating isn't really strange. It's something that we get to do in our own minds. When hiding the word in your heart, meditate. Say it over and over again. Memorize the word. Get it into your heart and into your life. Psalm 119 .27, David says, cause me to understand the way of your precepts that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. Wow. All you got to do is think about what God is doing and what he's done as far as this world is concerned. And you can begin to meditate on the glory of God. And there's nothing more rich and fulfilling in your life than to be able to see what God is doing in your life and in those around you. Thirdly, be devoted to knowing God. Know him. Paul again there in that verse in Philippians 3 said, I want to know God. I want to know him. I want to know him. I want to know him. I want to know him." [01:06:58] (75 seconds)


"Acts chapter 2 verse 42 he says, they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship and to the breaking of bread and to prayer. I use that verse not so much because of what it says as far as what they did, but again getting to that word devotion. To know God, you've got to be devoted to him. Get devoted. Make it a purpose of your life to know him and to be in him. The word devoted means to be strong towards something." [01:11:31] (33 seconds)


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Transcript
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