Transformative Journey: Practicing the Way of Jesus
Summary
As we step into this new year, we are reminded of the steadfast presence of God in our lives. Even when we falter, God remains unwaveringly committed to us, never leaving nor forsaking us. This year, we are encouraged to seek transformation in our lives, whether it be physical, spiritual, or relational. The key to this transformation lies in having a vision—a conviction of what could and should be. Vision is essential for change, and it requires us to look ahead and set goals for our personal growth.
We are beginning a series called "Practicing the Way," inspired by John Mark Comer's book, which explores the life and practices of Jesus. The closer we walk with Jesus, the more we become the best version of ourselves. Jeremiah 6:16 calls us to seek the ancient paths, the good way, and walk in it to find rest for our souls. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and following Him leads us to true rest and transformation.
Practicing the way of Jesus involves being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. It is an invitation to all who are weary and burdened, promising rest for our souls. This year, we aim to arrange our lives around the priorities and practices of Jesus, such as prayer, solitude, fasting, generosity, and community. Transformation is not instantaneous; it requires dedication and aligning our lives with Jesus' teachings.
As we partake in communion, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, who ushered in a new covenant through His life, death, and resurrection. This act of faith and agreement with Jesus is a celebration of our salvation and a commitment to live transformed lives. May we enter this new year with a desire to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do what He did, experiencing His grace and transformation in every area of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Vision for Transformation: To experience transformation, we must have a vision—a conviction of what could and should be. Vision helps us set goals for personal growth, whether physical, spiritual, or relational. It requires us to look ahead and plan for the changes we desire in our lives. [02:32]
2. Practicing the Way of Jesus: Following Jesus involves being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. This practice leads to transformation and rest for our souls. It is an invitation to all who are weary and burdened, promising peace and inner tranquility. [11:35]
3. The Ancient Path: Jeremiah 6:16 calls us to seek the ancient paths, the good way, and walk in it. This path is singular and not popular, but it leads to life and rest. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and following Him is the path to true transformation. [10:09]
4. Aligning with Jesus' Priorities: To practice the way of Jesus, we must arrange our lives around His priorities and practices. This includes prayer, solitude, fasting, generosity, and community. Transformation requires dedication and aligning our lives with Jesus' teachings. [20:30]
5. Communion as a Commitment: Communion is a celebration of Jesus' sacrifice and a commitment to live transformed lives. It is an act of faith and agreement with Jesus, reminding us of our salvation and the new covenant. As we partake, we commit to being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. [35:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:34] - New Year Reflections
- [02:32] - Vision and Transformation
- [04:09] - Journey to Steamboat Springs
- [05:16] - Practicing the Way Series
- [07:02] - Ancient Paths and Rest
- [08:31] - Jesus: The Way and Invitation
- [10:09] - The Narrow Path
- [11:35] - Invitation to Rest
- [12:56] - Salvation and Transformation
- [15:18] - Longing for Rest
- [16:35] - Invitation for All
- [18:55] - Overcoming Spiritual Challenges
- [20:30] - Aligning with Jesus' Practices
- [23:40] - Learning from Jesus
- [26:25] - Practices of Jesus
- [31:33] - Deep Dive into Practices
- [33:16] - Resources and Reflection
- [35:13] - Communion and Commitment
- [40:46] - Communion Reflection
- [42:31] - Blessing and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Jeremiah 6:16 - "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.' But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
2. Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
3. John 14:6 - "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Observation Questions:
1. According to Jeremiah 6:16, what are the "ancient paths," and what promise is associated with walking in them? [07:02]
2. In Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus promise to those who come to Him, and what does He ask them to take upon themselves? [11:35]
3. How does Jesus describe Himself in John 14:6, and what does this imply about the exclusivity of the path to God? [08:31]
4. What are some of the practices of Jesus mentioned in the sermon that we are encouraged to incorporate into our lives? [26:25]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What might the "ancient paths" in Jeremiah 6:16 symbolize in the context of modern Christian life, and why might they be considered unpopular? [10:09]
2. How does the concept of taking Jesus' yoke upon oneself relate to the idea of discipleship and transformation? [21:38]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that practicing the way of Jesus can lead to personal transformation and rest for the soul? [12:56]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between having a vision for transformation and setting goals for personal growth? [02:32]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. What specific vision do you have for your transformation this year, and what steps can you take to pursue it? [02:32]
2. Consider the practices of Jesus mentioned in the sermon, such as prayer, solitude, and generosity. Which practice do you feel most drawn to incorporate into your life, and how will you start? [26:25]
3. How can you align your daily life with the priorities of Jesus, and what challenges might you face in doing so? [20:30]
4. Think about a time when you felt weary or burdened. How did you respond, and how might Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him change your approach in the future? [11:35]
5. In what ways can participating in communion serve as a reminder of your commitment to live a transformed life? How can this practice deepen your relationship with Jesus? [35:13]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to submit your will to God's. What practical steps can you take to align your desires with His will? [24:25]
7. How can you cultivate a sense of community and accountability in your spiritual journey, and who might you invite to join you in practicing the way of Jesus? [29:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Vision as a Catalyst for Change
To experience transformation, one must first have a vision—a clear conviction of what could and should be. Vision acts as a catalyst for change, guiding us to set goals for personal growth, whether physical, spiritual, or relational. It requires us to look ahead, plan, and take actionable steps toward the changes we desire in our lives. This vision is not just a fleeting thought but a deep-seated belief that propels us forward, even when challenges arise. By holding onto this vision, we align ourselves with a path of intentional growth and transformation. [02:32]
"For the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you feel called to grow this year? How can you create a vision for transformation in that area today?
Day 2: Embracing the Practices of Jesus
Practicing the way of Jesus involves being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. This practice leads to transformation and rest for our souls. It is an invitation to all who are weary and burdened, promising peace and inner tranquility. By arranging our lives around the priorities and practices of Jesus, such as prayer, solitude, fasting, generosity, and community, we open ourselves to His transformative power. This journey is not about perfection but about progress, as we continually seek to align our lives with His teachings. [11:35]
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29, ESV)
Reflection: Which practice of Jesus do you feel most drawn to incorporate into your daily routine? How can you start integrating it into your life this week?
Day 3: Walking the Ancient Path
Jeremiah 6:16 calls us to seek the ancient paths, the good way, and walk in it. This path is singular and not popular, but it leads to life and rest. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and following Him is the path to true transformation. By choosing to walk this ancient path, we commit to a journey that may be counter-cultural but is deeply fulfilling and life-giving. It requires courage and faith to step away from the well-trodden paths of the world and embrace the narrow way that leads to eternal life. [10:09]
"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.'" (Jeremiah 6:16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel called to walk the ancient path? How can you take a step in that direction today?
Day 4: Aligning with Jesus' Priorities
To practice the way of Jesus, we must arrange our lives around His priorities and practices. This includes prayer, solitude, fasting, generosity, and community. Transformation requires dedication and aligning our lives with Jesus' teachings. By prioritizing these practices, we create space for God to work in our lives, shaping us into the people He created us to be. This alignment is not a one-time event but a continual process of realigning our hearts and minds with His will. [20:30]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one priority of Jesus that you feel called to focus on this month? How can you make it a central part of your daily life?
Day 5: Communion as a Commitment to Transformation
Communion is a celebration of Jesus' sacrifice and a commitment to live transformed lives. It is an act of faith and agreement with Jesus, reminding us of our salvation and the new covenant. As we partake, we commit to being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. This sacred act is a powerful reminder of the grace and transformation available to us through His life, death, and resurrection. By participating in communion, we renew our commitment to live in alignment with His teachings and embrace the transformative power of His love. [35:13]
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (Luke 22:19, ESV)
Reflection: As you prepare to take communion, what is one area of your life where you need to invite Jesus' transformative power? How can you commit to living out this transformation in the coming days?
Quotes
"Vision is looking out into the future and seeing the future before it happens. One person put it this way, that vision is a conviction of what could and should be. So you got to look out ahead and see and have vision. To have transformation physically, you got to set some goals. To have transformation spiritually, to have our character transformed, we need vision. You are a married couple, and maybe your marriage is kind of in neutral or even struggling. You need a vision for your marriage. What does a good marriage look like for you and your spouse? You got to have a vision. You got to come together and say, what is a good marriage going to look like for both of us? And then you pursue that vision." [00:02:45] (48 seconds)
"Scott Sauls, I read this quote by him last week, and I've been meditating on it. He said, the closer you get to Jesus, the more likely you are to become the very best version of yourself. The closer you and I are walking with Jesus, the better husband, father, grandfather, wife, mom, person, friend, we're all going to ultimately be as we walk with Jesus." [00:05:16] (30 seconds)
"In the book of Jeremiah, Jeremiah the prophet was prophesying during the time when Israel and Judah were getting ready, to be sent into captivity in Babylon. And he's prophesying to them to repent because they were breaking covenant with God in worshiping other idols and other gods and all these things that God said, don't do that. Don't have other gods before me. Let me be your one and only God. And they continued to break that covenant. And God is, through Jeremiah, telling them, come back to me. Repent. It says in Jeremiah 6, 16, thus says Yahweh, stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths where the good way is and walk in it. And you will find rest for your souls. That last line is pretty key." [00:06:26] (56 seconds)
"Jesus said, I'm the way. The truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but through me. The way is Jesus. The way is a person. He's not one of possible ways. He said exclusively, I am the way. And I love that about Jesus. He took the guesswork out of, how do I get to God? How do I know God? He said, you want to know God? Look at me. When you've seen me, you've seen the Father. If you want to come to the Father, you've got to come through me. So he's the exclusive way. He's the way. He's the way. He's the exclusive Savior. But what I love about Jesus is he's also the all-inclusive Savior. Come one, come all. No matter where you've been, what you've done, come to him, the exclusive Savior." [00:08:06] (48 seconds)
"Salvation is more than just forgiveness. It's not a get out of jail free card. Salvation is transformation from the inside out. We believe, and that is the starting point, we're saved by faith. Alone, and that's the starting point, but we were saved unto good works. We were saved to do good works, not saved by good works, but unto good works, to live a life that's transformed. Romans 8, the Apostle Paul says that we were predestined to be transformed into the image of Jesus. That means we learn how to think, act, and speak like Jesus. I want that. I want to learn to think like Jesus, speak like Jesus, and act like Jesus. So that invitation is to be with Him, become like Him, and then do what He did." [00:12:56] (54 seconds)
"There is an ache in each one of our hearts. Every human heart has a longing for peace, a longing for inner tranquility, a longing for rest. And I know myself that I don't rest very easy. That's not something that comes natural for me. Some of you, maybe you're at that place in life where you're not thinking about the future. You're not worried about tomorrow. You're not restless. But for the rest of us, restlessness is something we all struggle with. And Jesus says, come to me and you'll find rest. That longing that's in each one of our heart is, we're longing for Eden. We're longing for paradise." [00:14:01] (47 seconds)
"Following Jesus is the very best thing any of us can do. It's not easy. It goes against most of our intuitions because we're selfish by nature to be unselfish, to be others-centered versus self-centered. To have that transformation in our life, it takes work. But it's worth it. It's worth it. Practicing the way is worth it. So how do we practice the way? How do we practice the way? We arrange our lives around the same priorities and practices that marked the life of Jesus. You want to go into this new year right. You want to practice the way. You want to see transformation. Arrange your life. Arrange your day. Arrange your week around what were the priorities of Jesus and what were the practices of Jesus." [00:20:00] (59 seconds)
"Jesus said, take my yoke upon you and learn from me. That's important. There's two meanings to the word yoke. One, it would have been a visual illustration for his audience. You would have two oxen would be yoked together. And then they would have a stronger power to plow a field, to work a field, so that you'd put them together. You would yoke them together. But in the day of Jesus, to take on the yoke of your rabbi meant a lot more than just that visual illustration. It means walking with your rabbi. But there were thousands of rabbis during the time of Jesus. But Jesus is saying, listen, take my yoke. And what is his yoke? The yoke of a rabbi was their teaching, was their interpretation of Scripture. It was their interpretation of life. It was their very way of life. And you would follow in the dust of your rabbi." [00:21:38] (64 seconds)
"Serving marked the life of Jesus. He said the Son of Man didn't come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in the upper room and said, hey, I've given you the example, do likewise. Jesus practiced rest, or what we will call Sabbath. And Jesus said that the command to take a day of rest was not for God, it was for us. It was out of God's love. He knows that we can work too hard and that we can be so busy that we don't stop and rest. It's a principle and a practice of Jesus. Prayer, obviously, was a practice of Jesus. He prayed." [00:27:09] (46 seconds)
"Fasting. Fasting. Jesus fasted. He fasted from food for 40 days. Now, Jesus said, when you fast in the Sermon on the Mount, assuming that people fast. Can I let you in on a little secret? I suck at fasting. I'm terrible at fasting. But for some people, fasting food, maybe for health reasons, you can't do that. But you can fast social media. It's probably a good idea. Fast from TV. Whatever it is, you can fast from something, and it's a willingly giving up something to say, Lord, I'm hungry for you. Lord, I want to hunger for you, not all these other things. Because I think sometimes we've been offered this amazing banquet table of the choicest foods, and we get hungry, and we settle for a Snickers. And then we get to the banquet table, and we're not hungry." [00:28:24] (62 seconds)
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