Transformative Teachings: Faith, Revival, and Spiritual Growth
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Parables
Jesus' parables, such as the parable of the unjust steward, are not just simple stories but profound teachings that challenge us to examine our values and priorities. These parables reveal the wisdom of God and invite us to align our lives with His kingdom principles. By engaging deeply with these teachings, we can experience significant personal and spiritual growth. The parable of the unjust steward, in particular, encourages us to reflect on how we manage the resources and opportunities God has entrusted to us, urging us to act with wisdom and integrity. [01:39]
Luke 16:10-11 (ESV): "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?"
Reflection: Consider a resource or opportunity in your life that you may be taking for granted. How can you use it more faithfully and wisely in alignment with God's kingdom principles today?
Day 2: The Journey from New Age to Christianity
The stories of Doreen Virtue and Melissa Doherty illustrate the transformative power of the gospel to bring true spiritual enlightenment. Their transition from the New Age movement to Christianity underscores the importance of seeking truth in Jesus Christ, who offers genuine spiritual knowledge and freedom. These journeys remind us that no matter where we start, God's grace is sufficient to lead us to the truth and freedom found in Christ. Their testimonies encourage us to explore and deepen our understanding of the Christian faith, recognizing the profound impact of the gospel in our lives. [03:19]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on any beliefs or practices in your life that may not align with the truth of the gospel. How can you seek a deeper understanding of Christ's teachings to guide you towards true spiritual freedom?
Day 3: Revival and Spiritual Awakening
Dr. J. Edwin Orr's work on revival emphasizes the importance of spiritual renewal and awakening. His insights remind us that true revival begins with a deep surrender to God and a commitment to living out our faith with authenticity and passion. Revival is not just a historical event but an ongoing process that requires us to continually seek God's presence and guidance in our lives. By embracing a posture of full surrender, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, allowing God to renew and awaken our hearts to His purposes. [05:24]
Isaiah 57:15 (ESV): "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you need spiritual renewal. What steps can you take to surrender this area to God and invite His revival in your heart?
Day 4: Understanding Salvation
The discussion on monergism and synergism highlights the complexity of salvation. While salvation is ultimately God's work, our response of faith is essential. This balance encourages us to rely on God's grace while actively participating in our spiritual journey. Understanding the dynamics of salvation helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the responsibility we have to respond to His call. It challenges us to live out our faith with intentionality, recognizing that our journey with God is both a gift and a calling. [09:03]
Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: Reflect on your personal response to God's gift of salvation. How can you actively participate in your spiritual journey today, acknowledging both God's grace and your responsibility?
Day 5: The Role of Prophecy in the Church
Prophecy, when exercised with humility and discernment, can be a powerful tool for guidance and encouragement in the church. It requires a balance of openness to the Spirit's leading and accountability to the church community, ensuring that it edifies and strengthens the body of Christ. Prophecy is not just about predicting the future but about speaking God's truth into the present, offering hope and direction. By embracing the role of prophecy, we can foster a community that listens to God's voice and responds with faith and obedience. [25:55]
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (ESV): "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good."
Reflection: Consider how you can be open to the Spirit's leading in your life and community. How can you discern and respond to prophetic words with humility and accountability today?
Sermon Summary
In this session, I shared some personal updates and reflections on the work God is doing in my life and ministry. I began by discussing my recent speaking engagement at Refuge Calvary Chapel in Huntington Beach, where I spoke on the parable of the unjust steward. This parable, often considered one of Jesus' more challenging teachings, provided a rich opportunity to explore the depths of Jesus' wisdom and the transformative power of His words. I also shared about my upcoming trip to a pastors and leaders conference in upstate New York, expressing my anticipation for the fellowship and learning that will take place there.
I highlighted a recent interview with Doreen Virtue and Melissa Doherty, two women who have transitioned from the New Age movement to Christianity. Their journey is a testament to God's grace and the power of the gospel to bring true spiritual enlightenment. I encouraged listeners to explore their content, which offers valuable insights into the Christian faith.
Additionally, I discussed the profound impact of Dr. J. Edwin Orr, a scholar and evangelist known for his work on revival and spiritual awakenings. His writings, particularly "Full Surrender" and "The Second Evangelical Awakening," have been republished by my ministry, Enduring Word, to ensure that his insights continue to inspire and educate.
In addressing questions from the audience, I touched on theological topics such as monergism versus synergism, the role of prophecy in the church today, and the nature of sin as idolatry. These discussions emphasized the importance of understanding our faith deeply and living it out authentically.
Finally, I encouraged the practice of self-denial and fasting as a means of discerning God's will, sharing personal experiences of how these disciplines have brought clarity and guidance in my own life. This time of interaction and reflection was a reminder of the richness of our faith and the ongoing work of God in our lives.
Key Takeaways
1. The Transformative Power of Parables: Jesus' parables, like the unjust steward, challenge us to think deeply about our values and priorities. They reveal the wisdom of God and invite us to align our lives with His kingdom principles. Engaging with these teachings can lead to profound personal and spiritual growth. [01:39]
2. The Journey from New Age to Christianity: The stories of Doreen Virtue and Melissa Doherty highlight the power of the gospel to bring true spiritual enlightenment. Their transition from the New Age movement to Christianity underscores the importance of seeking truth in Jesus Christ, who offers genuine spiritual knowledge and freedom. [03:19]
3. Revival and Spiritual Awakening: Dr. J. Edwin Orr's work on revival emphasizes the importance of spiritual renewal and awakening. His insights remind us that true revival begins with a deep surrender to God and a commitment to living out our faith with authenticity and passion. [05:24]
4. Understanding Salvation: The discussion on monergism and synergism highlights the complexity of salvation. While salvation is ultimately God's work, our response of faith is essential. This balance encourages us to rely on God's grace while actively participating in our spiritual journey. [09:03]
5. The Role of Prophecy in the Church: Prophecy, when exercised with humility and discernment, can be a powerful tool for guidance and encouragement in the church. It requires a balance of openness to the Spirit's leading and accountability to the church community, ensuring that it edifies and strengthens the body of Christ. [25:55] ** [25:55]
What are the main themes of the parable of the unjust steward as discussed in the sermon? How does this parable challenge our understanding of values and priorities? [01:39]
How did Doreen Virtue and Melissa Doherty's transition from the New Age movement to Christianity illustrate the power of the gospel? [03:19]
What contributions did Dr. J. Edwin Orr make to the understanding of revival and spiritual awakening, and why are his works being republished? [05:24]
What theological topics were addressed in the sermon, and how do they contribute to a deeper understanding of faith? [09:03]
---
Interpretation Questions:
How does the parable of the unjust steward encourage believers to align their lives with kingdom principles, and what might this look like in practical terms? [01:39]
In what ways does the journey of Doreen Virtue and Melissa Doherty from the New Age to Christianity highlight the importance of seeking truth in Jesus Christ? [03:19]
How does Dr. J. Edwin Orr's emphasis on "full surrender" relate to the concept of spiritual renewal and awakening in the life of a believer? [05:24]
What are the implications of the discussion on monergism versus synergism for understanding the role of human responsibility in salvation? [09:03]
---
Application Questions:
Reflect on a parable of Jesus that has challenged your values and priorities. How can you apply its lessons to align more closely with kingdom principles in your daily life? [01:39]
Have you ever encountered beliefs or practices that seemed spiritually enlightening but were not rooted in Christ? How did you discern the truth, and what steps can you take to ensure you remain grounded in the gospel? [03:19]
Consider a time when you experienced a personal revival or spiritual awakening. What role did surrender play in that experience, and how can you cultivate a lifestyle of surrender to God? [05:24]
How do you understand the balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in your own spiritual journey? What practical steps can you take to rely more on God's grace while actively participating in your faith? [09:03]
In what ways can you practice self-denial and fasting to seek God's guidance in your life? Share a personal experience where these disciplines brought clarity or direction. [31:14]
How can you contribute to a church environment where prophecy is exercised with humility and discernment, ensuring it edifies and strengthens the body of Christ? [25:55]
Identify an area in your life where you might be placing something or someone above God, leading to idolatry. What steps can you take to re-center your focus on God? [19:49]
Sermon Clips
I just love what God is doing in these two ladies who came out of the New Age movement and God has moved upon their heart in such a one voice listen they were seeking spiritual truth and they began by seeking it in the New Age movement and very graciously and wonderfully God led them to true spiritual knowledge true spiritual truth what we have revealed to us in Jesus Christ. [00:02:58]
The late Dr. Jay Edwin Orr was a remarkable man, a scholar, an evangelist, a preacher, a man of great influence and a confidant of spiritual leaders from a generation or two ago. But one of the things he was most noted for was being the 20th century's most outstanding scholar on revival and spiritual awakenings. [00:04:19]
I recommend his ministry to everybody. What a remarkable man. And by the way, I believe so much in his ministry that I have republished two of his books. My ministry, Enduring Word, has republished two of Jay Edwin Orr's books. The first one is, I think, perhaps his most impactful book, Full Surrender. [00:05:10]
The discussion on monergism versus synergism highlights the complexity of salvation. While salvation is ultimately God's work, our response of faith is essential. This balance encourages us to rely on God's grace while actively participating in our spiritual journey. [00:09:03]
I think you're putting your finger on something that is very powerful, that at its root every sin is idolatry because every sin is in the sense taking God off his throne and of course we're only speaking symbolically here because in actuality it is impossible to take God off his throne. [00:19:56]
I think that prophecy has a potentially wonderfully where I can't get away from a description that the third or maybe it was at the fourth since I think the 3rd century church leader Tertullian describes Tertullian describes an exercise of prophecy in his writings that I think is remarkable. [00:25:55]
Listen, God never gave spiritual gifts to be a display for like a talent show for somebody to stand up and say okay, everybody look at me as I exercise this gift. And so the gift of prophecy does not have to be exercised in a way where the entire intention of the congregation is on that person who's a prophet. [00:26:14]
I believe that so many of us we long to see a real legitimate move and work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. We want to stay away from the false, the phony, the ginned up, the manipulated. We have no stomach for that, but for the genuine move of the Holy Spirit we say Lord do more of it and not less in our midst. [00:27:18]
I don't think it's wrong, but I think a person has to be called to it first of all, and I don't know if a debate is always the best format for discovering truth because you know as well as I do that sometimes debate is merely the way where you discover who's the better debater. [00:27:38]
There have been times when we have fasted and prayed and God has brought us remarkable guidance and affirmation in the path and so there's really a place for this self-denial for being able to say no to the flesh is a way of saying yes to the Spirit. [00:31:14]
I think the idea behind grace for grace is really the idea of grace on top of grace. It's really a beautiful passage. Let me turn to that in the Gospel of John chapter 1 verse 16. It's such a beautiful opening that John has to that he says here and of his fullness we have all received and grace for grace. [00:29:58]
I've always believed it in regard to my own preaching and this would I believe it's always better to end a little bit early that it is to go too long. It's always better to leave people saying hey I wish that could have gone on a little bit longer then say oh when is this ever gonna end. [00:32:49]