Transformative Practices: Embracing the Way of Jesus

 

Summary

In our journey to practice the way of Jesus, we explore the concept of the "Way of Life," which John Mark Comer describes as a set of spiritual disciplines or sacred rhythms. These practices are not about legalism or religious rules but are relational rhythms that create space for us to access the presence and power of the Spirit, transforming us from the inside out to look more like Jesus. Among the nine core practices Comer highlights, we delve deeper into three: generosity, prayer, and fasting, which Jesus discusses in the Sermon on the Mount.

Generosity is not just an act but an expectation for followers of Christ. Jesus teaches us to give without seeking recognition, emphasizing that our Father in heaven sees our acts of kindness and will reward us. This principle of giving reflects the nature of God, who is the ultimate giver. Our generosity should be a reflection of His character, and in doing so, we attract His blessings and grace.

Prayer, as taught by Jesus, is a personal and intimate conversation with God. It is not about impressing others or using many words but about connecting with our Father who knows our needs. The Lord's Prayer serves as a model, guiding us to seek God's will, provision, forgiveness, and protection. By aligning our prayer life with this model, we deepen our relationship with God and align ourselves with His purposes.

Fasting, though challenging, is a practice that draws us closer to God. It is not about public display but about a private discipline that God sees and rewards. Fasting can take various forms, from abstaining from food to disconnecting from social media, and it serves as a reminder of our dependence on God.

These practices, when integrated into our lives, help us build a strong foundation on the teachings of Jesus. They enable us to stand firm in the face of life's challenges, as we become more like Him and do as He did. As we consider the days and weeks ahead, let us reflect on the small shifts we can make to incorporate these practices into our daily lives, knowing that they hold the potential to transform our journey with Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

1. Generosity as a Reflection of God's Character: Generosity is not merely an act but a reflection of God's nature. Jesus expects us to give without seeking recognition, knowing that our Father sees and rewards our acts of kindness. This principle encourages us to live in a way that attracts God's blessings and grace. [09:56]

2. Prayer as Intimate Connection: Prayer is a personal conversation with God, not about impressing others or using many words. The Lord's Prayer guides us to seek God's will, provision, forgiveness, and protection, aligning our hearts with His purposes and deepening our relationship with Him. [19:02]

3. Fasting as a Private Discipline: Fasting is a challenging yet rewarding practice that draws us closer to God. It is not about public display but about a private discipline that God sees and rewards. Fasting reminds us of our dependence on God and can take various forms, from abstaining from food to disconnecting from distractions. [24:26]

4. Building a Strong Foundation: Integrating these practices into our lives helps us build a strong foundation on the teachings of Jesus. They enable us to stand firm in the face of life's challenges, as we become more like Him and do as He did. [16:45]

5. Small Shifts, Big Impact: As we consider the days and weeks ahead, reflecting on the small shifts we can make to incorporate these practices into our daily lives holds the potential to transform our journey with Jesus. These practices are not about legalism but about creating space for the Spirit to work in us. [13:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to the Way of Life
- [02:00] - The Concept of Rewards
- [03:45] - Spiritual Disciplines and Practices
- [05:31] - Community and Service
- [07:00] - Focus on Generosity
- [09:56] - Principles of Generosity
- [13:07] - Attracting God's Blessings
- [16:45] - Reflecting God's Image
- [19:02] - The Practice of Prayer
- [21:30] - The Lord's Prayer
- [24:26] - The Practice of Fasting
- [27:00] - Building a Strong Foundation
- [29:00] - Small Shifts for Big Impact
- [31:00] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:1-14
2. Matthew 6:16-18

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the three practices highlighted in the sermon that Jesus discusses in the Sermon on the Mount? [09:56]

2. According to the sermon, what is the expectation Jesus has for His followers regarding generosity? [09:56]

3. How does the sermon describe the way Jesus teaches us to pray, and what is the significance of the Lord's Prayer? [19:02]

4. What are the principles of fasting as discussed in the sermon, and how should it be practiced according to Jesus? [24:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that generosity reflects God's character, and why is it important for believers to give without seeking recognition? [09:56]

2. In what ways does the sermon describe prayer as an intimate connection with God, and how does this align with the model of the Lord's Prayer? [19:02]

3. What does the sermon imply about the rewards associated with fasting, and how does this practice draw believers closer to God? [24:26]

4. How does the sermon explain the concept of building a strong foundation on the teachings of Jesus through these practices? [16:45]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current practice of generosity. What is one specific way you can give more generously this week without seeking recognition? [09:56]

2. Consider your prayer life. How can you incorporate the Lord's Prayer into your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God? [19:02]

3. Fasting can take many forms. What is one distraction or habit you can fast from this week to focus more on your dependence on God? [24:26]

4. The sermon emphasizes small shifts for a big impact. What is one small change you can make in your daily routine to better practice the way of Jesus? [13:07]

5. How can you ensure that your acts of kindness and generosity are done in secret, as Jesus teaches, rather than for public recognition? [09:56]

6. In what ways can you create more space in your life for the presence and power of the Spirit to transform you from the inside out? [16:45]

7. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your foundation in the teachings of Jesus help you stand firm, and what can you do to strengthen this foundation further? [16:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Generosity Reflects God's Nature
Generosity is more than just an act of giving; it is a reflection of God's character. Jesus teaches that our giving should be done without seeking recognition, as our Father in heaven sees and rewards our acts of kindness. This principle encourages believers to live in a way that attracts God's blessings and grace. By embodying generosity, we mirror the nature of God, who is the ultimate giver. This practice not only blesses others but also transforms us, aligning our hearts with God's heart. [09:56]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent opportunity to give without recognition. How can you embrace this opportunity to reflect God's character in your life today?


Day 2: Prayer as Intimate Connection
Prayer is a personal and intimate conversation with God, not about impressing others or using many words. Jesus provides the Lord's Prayer as a model, guiding believers to seek God's will, provision, forgiveness, and protection. By aligning our prayer life with this model, we deepen our relationship with God and align ourselves with His purposes. This practice of prayer is about connecting with our Father, who knows our needs and desires to be in relationship with us. [19:02]

"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your current prayer habits. How can you simplify your prayers to focus on genuine connection with God rather than the length or eloquence of your words?


Day 3: Fasting as a Private Discipline
Fasting is a challenging yet rewarding practice that draws believers closer to God. It is not about public display but about a private discipline that God sees and rewards. Fasting serves as a reminder of our dependence on God and can take various forms, from abstaining from food to disconnecting from distractions like social media. This practice helps believers focus on their spiritual needs and reliance on God, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. [24:26]

"But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one distraction in your life that you can fast from this week. How can this act of fasting help you focus more on your relationship with God?


Day 4: Building a Strong Foundation
Integrating spiritual practices like generosity, prayer, and fasting into our lives helps build a strong foundation on the teachings of Jesus. These practices enable believers to stand firm in the face of life's challenges, as they become more like Him and do as He did. By committing to these disciplines, we create space for the Spirit to work in us, transforming us from the inside out. [16:45]

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual practices. What is one area where you can strengthen your foundation in Christ, and what steps can you take to do so?


Day 5: Small Shifts, Big Impact
As believers consider the days and weeks ahead, reflecting on the small shifts they can make to incorporate spiritual practices into their daily lives holds the potential to transform their journey with Jesus. These practices are not about legalism but about creating space for the Spirit to work in us. By making intentional changes, even small ones, believers can experience significant growth in their spiritual lives. [13:07]

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin." (Zechariah 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one small change you can make in your daily routine to create more space for spiritual growth. How can this change impact your relationship with Jesus?

Quotes



"Jesus is speaking to a bunch of people who would have been used to giving. They know the idea and the concept of giving. Their giving would have been contributions towards the parties and the celebrations that they would have had as a community. Their giving would have been towards the priests and the work of the temple. Their giving would have been to bless the poor." [00:09:04] (21 seconds)


"There's one who sees your giving. There's one who sees your generosity. There's one who sees it. And actually, he's the only one who needs to know and who needs to be aware of what you're doing. But God sees your generous heart, your heart to give, your heart to respond to the needs around you. He sees the generosity that you have in your heart." [00:10:46] (22 seconds)


"Paul says, It will be credit to your account. It's a principle that our generosity attracts something of the blessings of God. Another principle when it comes to generosity is that when we give, we recognize that everything that we have, we're giving from the one who's provided for us. That our source is from him and from him alone." [00:15:04] (28 seconds)


"God loves a cheerful giver. It's all his. I think another thing when we practice generosity is that we reflect the one in whose image we are made in. Don't know what the picture of God that you have, but the picture that I have is one of generosity, of kindness. The God that keeps on giving and giving and giving, giving of himself, giving of love and grace and mercy and of provision, on making a way." [00:15:56] (32 seconds)


"When we practice generosity, we build our lives on the words of Jesus and we're able to stand. When the rain came and the streams rose and the wind blew. Because we practice generosity, we are able to stand. I wonder what are the one or two shifts that you want to make today that enables you to be able to practice generosity." [00:16:59] (25 seconds)


"The principles remain the same. It's no acting. No trying to impress people. No trying to impress ourselves. No trying to impress others. And no trying to impress God. Jesus says don't be like the hypocrites who try, who are trying to be seen and to be impressed by others. Don't be like the pagans who are babbling on, thinking that their many words will be heard." [00:19:02] (23 seconds)


"And Jesus teaches us to pray and he says we can pray our father, daddy, God. Yeah, we can pray to the son. We can pray to the Holy Spirit. But he teaches us to pray our father. Our father. Now, calling God daddy and calling God father can be tricky for some of us. Some of us, the word father is okay. It comes natural. For some of us, it can be a little bit tricky." [00:19:53] (31 seconds)


"We want the father's name to be honoured and worshipped here in Colchester and to beyond. We want the loving character of the father to be known. We want God to be known. We're in our workplaces, in our communities, all around us. We want his name to be glorified. We want the father to be honoured. Hallowed be your name. Praise be to your name." [00:21:02] (23 seconds)


"Jesus leads us to pray in a way that says says and forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors that we can just keep short accounts with God each day release mercy receive mercy and we can give mercy away help us Lord each day just to come before you and just pour out the things that we thought done said the wrong and receive your mercy know that your mercy is available because of the finished work of the cross." [00:24:26] (38 seconds)


"Building our lives centered on the practices of Jesus enables us to become like him to do as he did and to be able to stand and to be able to stand the words of Jesus says therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice it's like a wise man who built his house on a rock the rain came down the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against the house yeah it did not fall because it had his foundations built on the rock." [00:31:00] (46 seconds)


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Transcript
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