Transformative Prayer and Spiritual Growth in Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of spiritual growth and the transformative power of prayer. We began by reflecting on the example of Jesus, who, even in the face of betrayal and impending suffering, gave thanks. This act of gratitude, despite brokenness, serves as a powerful reminder that our own brokenness does not disqualify us from approaching God with thanksgiving. We are invited to remember Christ's sacrifice through communion, acknowledging that only through dying can we be raised to new life.

We delved into the four pillars that have shaped our community: belong, hope, grow, and become. These pillars remind us that we are invited into God's family as sons and daughters, anchoring our lives in the unshakable hope of Jesus. From this foundation, we are called to grow continuously, embracing the journey of transformation until we reach eternity. This growth is not just for personal fulfillment but to become the individuals God has envisioned, walking in our authority and discovering our unique purpose.

We also discussed the importance of making ourselves known within the community, taking steps to connect and serve. Whether through volunteering or joining small groups, these actions are vital for being pastored and discipled effectively. We emphasized the need to transform our prayer lives, using the SOAP method—Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer—to engage deeply with God's Word and allow it to transform us from the inside out.

Finally, we explored Paul's prison prayers, particularly his prayer for spiritual growth in Ephesians 3. This prayer highlights the necessity of being empowered by the Holy Spirit, rooted in God's love, and experiencing the fullness of Christ's love. Our spiritual growth is not about gaining recognition or responsibility but about becoming complete and whole in Christ. We are encouraged to approach God with humility, allowing Him to be the master of our hearts and lives.

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Key Takeaways:

1. Gratitude in Brokenness: Jesus' act of giving thanks before His suffering teaches us that our brokenness does not disqualify us from approaching God with gratitude. In our moments of pain, we can still find reasons to thank God, recognizing that His presence and grace are constant. [30:09]

2. Belong, Hope, Grow, Become: These four pillars remind us of our identity as God's children, anchored in the hope of Jesus. Our journey of growth is continuous, leading us to become the individuals God has envisioned, walking in our authority and purpose. [38:25]

3. Transforming Prayer Life: Engaging with Scripture through the SOAP method—Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer—allows us to deepen our prayer life and invite God's transformative power into our hearts. This practice helps us move beyond superficial reading to a life-changing encounter with God's Word. [45:39]

4. Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Our spiritual growth is fueled by the Holy Spirit's power, working from the inside out. This empowerment enables us to overcome struggles and live out our faith authentically, reflecting Christ's love and strength in our lives. [01:00:21]

5. Christ as Master: Inviting Christ to be the master of our hearts means surrendering control and allowing Him to lead every aspect of our lives. This posture of humility and trust is essential for experiencing the fullness of Christ's love and becoming complete in Him. [01:08:04]

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YouTube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [28:18] - Gratitude in Brokenness
- [30:09] - Communion Reflection
- [31:50] - New Covenant in Christ
- [32:39] - Examining Our Hearts
- [35:09] - Community Connection
- [38:25] - Belong, Hope, Grow, Become
- [42:01] - Transforming Prayer Life
- [45:39] - SOAP Method Explained
- [48:20] - Personalizing Prison Prayers
- [51:05] - Paul's Prayer for Growth
- [52:58] - Posture for Growth
- [54:48] - Power for Growth
- [59:26] - Priority for Growth
- [01:10:37] - Purpose for Growth
- [01:13:59] - Perspective for Growth
- [01:19:36] - Inviting Christ as Master

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- Ephesians 3:14-21

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Observation Questions:

1. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, what does Jesus do on the night He was betrayed, and why is this significant? [30:09]

2. According to Ephesians 3:14-21, what are the key elements of Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, and how does he describe the love of Christ? [51:05]

3. What are the four pillars mentioned in the sermon that shape the community, and how do they relate to spiritual growth? [38:25]

4. How does the SOAP method help in transforming one's prayer life according to the sermon? [45:39]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' act of giving thanks before His suffering challenge our understanding of gratitude in times of personal brokenness? [30:09]

2. What does it mean to belong to God's family as sons and daughters, and how might this identity influence one's spiritual journey? [38:25]

3. In what ways does the empowerment by the Holy Spirit, as described in Ephesians 3, enable believers to grow spiritually? [51:05]

4. How does inviting Christ to be the master of our hearts differ from merely treating Him as a guest, and what implications does this have for spiritual growth? [01:08:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt broken. How can you practice gratitude in similar situations, following Jesus' example of giving thanks before His suffering? [30:09]

2. Consider the four pillars: belong, hope, grow, and become. Which of these areas do you feel most challenged in, and what steps can you take to strengthen that aspect of your spiritual life? [38:25]

3. How can you incorporate the SOAP method into your daily routine to deepen your prayer life and engage more meaningfully with Scripture? [45:39]

4. Identify an area of your life where you have not fully surrendered control to Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to invite Him to be the master of that area? [01:08:04]

5. Think about your current posture for spiritual growth. How can you physically or metaphorically "fall to your knees" to seek God's guidance and strength in your life? [52:58]

6. Reflect on the love of Christ described in Ephesians 3. How can you experience this love more fully in your daily life, and what changes might this require in your relationships with others? [51:05]

7. What specific actions can you take to ensure that your spiritual growth is not just about gaining recognition but about becoming complete and whole in Christ? [01:11:28]

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude Amidst Brokenness
In moments of deep pain and brokenness, gratitude can seem elusive. Yet, the example of Jesus, who gave thanks even as He faced betrayal and suffering, teaches us that our brokenness does not disqualify us from approaching God with thanksgiving. This act of gratitude is a powerful reminder that God's presence and grace remain constant, even in our darkest times. By embracing gratitude, we acknowledge that God is with us, working through our circumstances to bring about His purposes. [30:09]

Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Reflection: Think of a recent moment of pain or brokenness in your life. How can you find a reason to thank God in that situation today?


Day 2: Identity and Purpose in Christ
The four pillars of belong, hope, grow, and become remind us of our identity as God's children, anchored in the hope of Jesus. This journey of growth is continuous, leading us to become the individuals God has envisioned, walking in our authority and purpose. As we embrace this identity, we are called to live out our faith authentically, reflecting Christ's love and strength in our lives. Our growth is not just for personal fulfillment but to fulfill the unique purpose God has for each of us. [38:25]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: What is one way you can live out your identity as a child of God today, reflecting His love and purpose in your interactions with others?


Day 3: Deepening Prayer through Scripture
Transforming our prayer life involves engaging deeply with Scripture, allowing it to shape and guide our prayers. The SOAP method—Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer—provides a framework for moving beyond superficial reading to a life-changing encounter with God's Word. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we invite God's transformative power into our hearts, enabling us to grow in our relationship with Him and align our lives with His will. [45:39]

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: Choose a passage of Scripture to meditate on today. How can you apply the SOAP method to deepen your understanding and prayer life?


Day 4: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Our spiritual growth is fueled by the Holy Spirit's power, working from the inside out. This empowerment enables us to overcome struggles and live out our faith authentically, reflecting Christ's love and strength in our lives. As we rely on the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to face challenges with courage and grace, knowing that we are not alone in our journey. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live in a way that honors God and fulfills His purposes for our lives. [01:00:21]

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment today? How can you invite Him to work in and through you?


Day 5: Surrendering to Christ's Lordship
Inviting Christ to be the master of our hearts means surrendering control and allowing Him to lead every aspect of our lives. This posture of humility and trust is essential for experiencing the fullness of Christ's love and becoming complete in Him. By surrendering to His lordship, we acknowledge that His plans and purposes are greater than our own, and we trust Him to guide us on the path of spiritual growth and transformation. [01:08:04]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes

"All that I am, all that I think I am, all that I have, all that I hope to be, all that I've aspired to be, I just set it at your feet and ask that you would make yourself at home in my heart today by the power of the Holy Spirit." [00:29:34] (15 seconds)


"Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that on the night that Jesus was betrayed, he took some bread and he gave thanks to God for it. Has it ever stood out to you that Jesus, knowing full well that it was his body that was about to be broken, he still thanked God?" [00:29:49] (20 seconds)


"And that's actually good news for somebody in the room or somebody watching or listening from home today where you feel broken. It doesn't disqualify you from running to the presence of the Father and thanking him for the gift of life. We see that modeled in Jesus that he thanked God for bread as he broke it." [00:30:09] (21 seconds)


"There's four pillars that we've seen God use to build this house over the last six and a half years, and simply put, it's this, belong, hope, grow, and become, and I'm so encouraged and reminded, even as we're taking new territory this week as a church and launching on campus at the University of Alberta." [00:37:54] (17 seconds)


"He invites us in, not as servants, not as slaves, but as sons and as daughters. And you might struggle with that analogy because of your family of origin or your biology and the home that you grew up in, and I just want to say that's an area of your heart and life that God wants to redeem." [00:38:25] (16 seconds)


"And SOAP, if you're new to that acronym, means Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. It's a way to read the Bible and invite the transforming power of Jesus into reading. Sometimes we read the Bible just so that we're able to read the Bible. Sometimes we read the Bible just so that we can check a box and say, I read something." [00:45:46] (14 seconds)


"I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources, He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Here's this truth presented one more time. We were in it last week. We sat in this picture of what it means to be heirs of Christ. You and I are heirs. You and I are heirs to the mighty resurrection power of Jesus." [01:00:21] (22 seconds)


"That according to the riches of His glory, He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being. Be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being. In Luke 4, we read that after He was baptized and went into the desert to be tempted, that Jesus returned to Galilee filled with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit's power." [01:00:34] (27 seconds)


"May you experience the love of Christ, though it's too great to understand. I love Paul's language here. He's like, you have power so that you can understand. Oh, by the way, it's too great to understand. Right? Yeah. Checked ya. But what's sandwiched in the middle of understand and too great to understand is this word, experience." [01:10:37] (21 seconds)


"Our priority for spiritual growth is that Jesus Christ becomes master. Everything in our home, everything in our inner life revolves around Christ as master. And we invite him. We invite him to take his rightful place. And we pay attention to keeping him in his rightful place as we trust in him." [01:10:49] (22 seconds)


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Transcript
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