Transformative Worship: Seeking God Through the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: The Role of the Holy Spirit

Nothing in your life will be accomplished apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. Whether it be your conversion, sanctification, or joy, everything comes down to the Holy Spirit. This is why we must cast ourselves upon God and not rely on human efforts. The Holy Spirit is the divine agent who brings about transformation in our lives. Without Him, our efforts are futile, and our spiritual growth is stunted. We must recognize our dependence on the Holy Spirit and seek His guidance and power in every aspect of our lives.

The Holy Spirit is not just a helper; He is essential for our spiritual journey. From the moment of our conversion to our ongoing sanctification and ultimate joy in Christ, the Holy Spirit is at work. We must cast ourselves upon God, acknowledging that human efforts alone are insufficient. This reliance on the Holy Spirit is a fundamental aspect of our faith, and it requires us to continually seek His presence and power in our lives. [02:05]

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 areas of your life are you relying on your own strength instead of the Holy Spirit? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to take control of these areas today?

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Day 2: Transformation Through Urging

Paul urges us to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice. This is not just about acquiring knowledge or following doctrines but about a deep, transformative act that requires us to lay down every aspect of our being for God. The call to present our bodies as a living sacrifice is a call to total surrender. It is an invitation to allow God to transform us from the inside out, making us holy and acceptable to Him.

This transformation is not a passive process; it requires our active participation. We must be willing to lay down our desires, ambitions, and even our very lives as a sacrifice to God. This is our spiritual service of worship, and it is a response to the mercies of God. By doing so, we allow God to work in us and through us, bringing about a transformation that glorifies Him. [05:51]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life that you need to surrender to God as a living sacrifice? How can you take a step towards doing that today?

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Day 3: Desperation as a Catalyst

True transformation begins with desperation. When everything else fails, we must look for Jesus. This desperation drives us to seek a greater view of Christ, which in turn fuels our spiritual growth and commitment. Desperation is a powerful catalyst for change. When we reach the end of ourselves and realize that we cannot do it on our own, we are driven to seek Jesus with all our hearts.

This desperation is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of our need for Christ. It is in our moments of greatest need that we often experience the most profound encounters with God. By seeking Jesus in our desperation, we open ourselves up to His transformative power, allowing Him to work in us in ways we never thought possible. [22:26]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt desperate for God's intervention. How did that experience draw you closer to Him? How can you cultivate a sense of desperation for God in your daily life?

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Day 4: Holiness and Love

Holiness is not just about obeying rules; it is about recognizing God's infinite worth and laying down our lives as a rational service to Him. This recognition should drive us to seek a deeper relationship with God, motivated by His infinite love and worth. Holiness is a response to the worthiness of God. It is not merely about following a set of rules but about living a life that reflects the character and glory of God.

When we recognize God's infinite worth, we are compelled to lay down our lives as a rational service to Him. This is the highest motivation for any rational being. Our pursuit of holiness is driven by our love for God and our desire to honor Him in all that we do. By seeking a deeper relationship with God, we grow in holiness and become more like Christ. [50:03]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: How does recognizing God's infinite worth change your perspective on holiness? What practical steps can you take to grow in holiness and deepen your relationship with God?

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Day 5: A Greater Vision of God

Our greatest need is a greater vision of God in Christ, especially through the gospel. This vision should drive us to seek Christ in the Word and in prayer, both doctrinally and experientially. A greater vision of God is essential for our spiritual growth. When we see God for who He truly is, we are drawn to seek Him more earnestly in His Word and in prayer.

This vision of God is not just about acquiring knowledge but about experiencing Him in a deep and personal way. By immersing ourselves in the gospel, we gain a greater understanding of God's character and His work in our lives. This drives us to seek Him more fervently, both doctrinally and experientially, leading to a deeper and more intimate relationship with Christ. [28:31]

Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater vision of God in your daily life? What specific practices can you incorporate to seek Christ more earnestly in the Word and in prayer?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

When I look at this room, I am reminded of the absolute impotence of human speech to meet the diverse needs of everyone present. This is why preaching is an act of faith, believing that Christ can take our humble offerings and use them to feed a multitude with different needs and desires. We are cast upon God, not upon a preacher, and we need the Holy Spirit to work among us. Nothing in your life will be accomplished apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, whether it be your conversion, sanctification, or joy.

Let's read our text from Romans 12:1-2, which urges us to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God. This is our spiritual service of worship. Paul is not just asking for a collection of doctrines or right actions; he is urging us to do something far deeper and more costly. The purpose of information is transformation unto the glory of God, and that requires urging. Paul is imploring us to respond appropriately to the mercies of God, which are multifaceted and most clearly revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Paul's message in Romans is a systematic theology that begins with the radical depravity of the human race and its rightful condemnation, followed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. This leads to our victory and future glorification in Christ. The history of Israel demonstrates God's faithfulness, reinforcing that everything said about God in Christ is true and reliable.

The key to living a transformed life is desperation. When everything else fails, we must look for Jesus, not laws or ethics, but Him. Paul sets before us everything God has done for us in Christ and urges us to lay down our lives as a sacrifice to Him. This is not just about right knowledge but a continual relationship with the Holy Spirit. We have been robbed of our inheritance by false movements that borderline on blasphemy. We need the Holy Spirit to live a godly life unto God.

Holiness is not just about obeying rules; it is about recognizing God's infinite worth and laying down our lives as a rational service to Him. This is the highest motivation for any rational being. We need a greater vision of God in Christ, especially through the gospel. This vision should drive us to seek Christ in the Word and in prayer.

Our greatest need is a greater vision of God in Christ, especially through the gospel. This vision should drive us to seek Christ in the Word and in prayer. We need to know Him doctrinally and experientially. This is not just about intercession but about knowing Christ.

In conclusion, we are called to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, driven by the mercies of God. This is our spiritual service of worship, and it requires a continual relationship with the Holy Spirit. We need to seek Christ in the Word and in prayer, recognizing His infinite worth and laying down our lives as a rational service to Him.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Nothing in your life will be accomplished apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. Whether it be your conversion, sanctification, or joy, everything comes down to the Holy Spirit. This is why we must cast ourselves upon God and not rely on human efforts. [02:05]
2. Transformation Through Urging: Paul urges us to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice. This is not just about acquiring knowledge or following doctrines but about a deep, transformative act that requires us to lay down every aspect of our being for God. [05:51]
3. Desperation as a Catalyst: True transformation begins with desperation. When everything else fails, we must look for Jesus. This desperation drives us to seek a greater view of Christ, which in turn fuels our spiritual growth and commitment. [22:26]
4. Holiness and Love: Holiness is not just about obeying rules; it is about recognizing God's infinite worth and laying down our lives as a rational service to Him. This recognition should drive us to seek a deeper relationship with God, motivated by His infinite love and worth. [50:03]
5. A Greater Vision of God: Our greatest need is a greater vision of God in Christ, especially through the gospel. This vision should drive us to seek Christ in the Word and in prayer, both doctrinally and experientially. This is not just about intercession but about knowing Christ deeply. [28:31]
### [28:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:05] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[05:51] - Transformation Through Urging
[22:26] - Desperation as a Catalyst
[50:03] - Holiness and Love
[28:31] - A Greater Vision of God

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul urge believers to do in Romans 12:1-2?
According to the sermon, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life? [02:05]
How does Paul describe the relationship between presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice and our spiritual service of worship? [04:11]
What does the sermon suggest is the key to living a transformed life? [22:26]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize presenting our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice rather than just our hearts or minds? [06:50]
How does the sermon explain the concept of desperation as a catalyst for spiritual transformation? [22:26]
What does it mean to have a greater vision of God in Christ, and how does this vision impact our spiritual growth? [28:31]
How does the sermon connect the idea of holiness with recognizing God's infinite worth and love? [50:03]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt the need for the Holy Spirit's work in your life. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [02:05]
Paul urges us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. What practical steps can you take this week to offer every aspect of your being to God? [04:11]
The sermon mentions that true transformation begins with desperation. Are there areas in your life where you feel desperate for change? How can you seek Jesus in those moments? [22:26]
How can you cultivate a greater vision of God in Christ through your daily practices of reading the Word and prayer? [28:31]
The sermon highlights the importance of knowing Christ both doctrinally and experientially. What specific actions can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ in both these areas? [30:03]
Holiness is described as recognizing God's infinite worth and laying down our lives as a rational service to Him. What changes can you make in your life to better reflect this understanding of holiness? [50:03]
The sermon suggests that we have been robbed of our inheritance by false movements. How can you ensure that your understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit are grounded in biblical truth? [46:23]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We're not strong because we know what God is going to do. We're strong because we know who God is and whatever he does with our lives is going to be right. Even now, after all these years, something will pop up in my life and I'll say to myself, that can't be right. And then here it comes again. When have you ever been right about it can't be right? Never, never. Painful, yes, frightening, absolutely. But he's always been right. So the more I know him, the more I know him, what's going to happen? The stronger. And more confident I become in life." [35:56](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "You can't make yourself love God more. You can't. No matter how many worship songs you listen to. You're not going to be able to do it. Will you say, then how do I do it? I, I've been married for getting close to 30 years. I'm not the guy she married. We were so young. Batman and Robin, that's who we were. Oh, I'm in a homeschool convention. I can't say that. I'm sorry. We were something in the jungles and the mountains and man, she is a beauty. Now we're slower, grayer. I left her today. At home, and I was sad." [39:47](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "When you see a man with an extraordinary love for his wife, maybe the man's just normal. Maybe it's his wife who's extraordinary and she draws out his affections, even though his heart is is almost like a stone or a piece of clay. But her virtue, her beauty, her godliness can even draw affections out of that clod of dirt. When you see someone who loves God with, you know, it just seems like they're on fire and not just when they're preaching, but I mean, they're just going and going and going and going. What do you automatically think? Oh, what a wonderful person. There you go again. You're wrong again." [40:42](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "Years ago, I was out in the Pacific and was trying to surf in Peru. There's a red flag day. You don't go out in the water on a red flag day. And so. I was out there and I got very afraid. Very afraid. I was caught in current. I wasn't a good surfer. I was scared. I heard something behind me, something sound. It sounded like a sea lion. Then I got really afraid because they can be pretty angry sometimes. And I turned around and it wasn't. It was a young man on a boogie board. Small surfboard. His eyes were about this big around. He was only about this big. He was terrified. He was drowning." [20:20](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Nothing will ever be accomplished in your life apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, whether it be your conversion and regeneration, your sanctification. You're strengthening your joy. Christlike character, everything comes down to this, this person. The Holy Spirit." [02:05](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "Paul is urging. The Romans to do something. And he's urging you to do something. It's not just the reception of knowledge. It's not just a collection of doctrines. It's not just wearing the right clothes or speaking the right speech. It's not just marrying the right person or acting the right way, something far deeper, far deeper and far more costly. He's urging them to do something, he's pleading with them to do something." [04:11](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "Never having great confidence. Never being moved by a power greater than myself. All those people that I've talked about that laid down their life. didn't happen because of their strength of will. It happened because of desperation. That's the first step. The second step was this. When everything else failed. They went and looked for Jesus. Not laws. Although. The law is holy. And good. Not a certain way of life. Or an ethic. Even though Christianity has a certain way of life. And an ethic. That's not what they went for. They went for him. I must see the master." [23:51](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "Our greatest. Need. Is a greater. Vision. Of God. In Christ. And. Above that. A greater. Vision. Of God. In Christ. Through. The gospel. And if I want. To take it. Another step. Further. A greater. Vision. Of God. In Christ. In the gospel. In Gethsemane. And on the cross. And in the tomb. And on Easter. Morning. And then seated. At the right. Hand. Of God. That's. What. Need. That's. What. We. Need. We. Need. It. Doctrinally." [28:31](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

5. "Holiness begins. With recognizing who God is and the greatest revelation of who God is, is in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The more you know the gospel, the more you know who God is, the more you know who God is. If you are a believer, you will recognize that he is infinitely above all other categories. He is worthy of all esteem. He is worthy of all your love. And then everything else flows out of that." [54:58](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

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