Transforming Affections: Embracing True Satisfaction in Christ
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound transformation that occurs when we come to faith in Jesus Christ. Just as my taste buds changed from craving fast food to savoring fine cuisine, our spiritual appetites are transformed when we encounter the goodness of God. We begin to love what we once ignored and despise what we once cherished. This transformation is a testament to the work of Jesus in our lives, changing our affections and desires.
We delved into James chapter four, where James addresses the internal conflict that arises when our affections are divided between God and the world. He warns against becoming friends with the world, which leads to hostility toward God. This friendship with the world is not about enjoying creation or engaging with society, but about adopting the world's values and seeking its approval over God's. James calls this spiritual adultery, a betrayal of our first love, which is God.
The internal war we experience is a result of our divided affections. We desire things that cannot truly satisfy us, leading to restlessness and conflict both within ourselves and with others. James urges us to resist the temptation to find fulfillment in worldly things and instead submit to God, drawing near to Him. The Spirit of God within us is jealous for our affections, longing for us to find our satisfaction in Him alone.
To resolve this internal conflict, James provides a path of repentance: turning from our sin and turning to our Savior. This involves resisting the devil, cleansing our hands and hearts, mourning over our sin, and humbling ourselves before God. By doing so, we align our affections with God, who alone can quench our deepest longings.
As we partake in communion, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, who gave His body and shed His blood for our sins. This act of remembrance calls us to leave behind the things of this world and embrace the new life we have in Christ. Let us continually turn from our sin and turn to our Savior, finding true satisfaction in Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Transformation of Affections: When we come to faith in Jesus, our spiritual appetites change. We begin to love what we once ignored and despise what we once cherished, reflecting the profound transformation that Jesus brings into our lives. [20:00]
- Internal Conflict and Spiritual Adultery: James warns against becoming friends with the world, which leads to hostility toward God. This friendship is about adopting the world's values over God's, resulting in spiritual adultery and internal conflict. [24:06]
- The Spirit's Jealousy for Us: The Spirit of God within us is jealous for our affections, longing for us to find satisfaction in Him alone. This divine jealousy is a reminder of God's deep love and desire for us to be close to Him. [32:21]
- Path of Repentance: James provides a path of repentance, urging us to turn from our sin and turn to our Savior. This involves resisting temptation, cleansing our hearts, mourning over sin, and humbling ourselves before God. [40:24]
- Communion as a Reminder: Communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. It calls us to leave behind worldly pursuits and embrace the new life we have in Christ, continually turning from sin and turning to our Savior. [46:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Childhood Cravings and Transformation
- [05:30] - Spiritual Taste Buds
- [08:45] - Affections Changed by Jesus
- [12:00] - Study in James Chapter 4
- [15:20] - Internal War and Desires
- [20:00] - Pursuing Worldly Things
- [24:06] - Spiritual Adultery
- [27:32] - Friendship with the World
- [32:21] - Living as a Christian in the World
- [35:22] - The Spirit's Jealousy
- [38:42] - Personal Testimony
- [40:24] - Path of Repentance
- [42:42] - Turning to the Savior
- [46:50] - Communion and Reflection
- [53:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- James 4:1-10
#### Observation Questions
1. What does James identify as the source of wars and fights among us? How does this relate to our internal desires? [20:00]
2. According to the sermon, what are the two options we have for our affections, and what does James warn against? [24:06]
3. How does the sermon describe the Spirit's jealousy for us, and what does this mean for our relationship with God? [32:21]
4. What steps does James outline for resolving the internal conflict caused by divided affections? [40:24]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "spiritual adultery" help us understand the seriousness of divided affections between God and the world? [24:06]
2. In what ways does the Spirit's jealousy for us reflect God's love and desire for our satisfaction in Him alone? [32:21]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the transformation of our spiritual appetites when we come to faith in Jesus? [20:00]
4. What does it mean to "submit to God" and "resist the devil" in the context of James 4, and how can this lead to peace within us? [40:24]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your affections were divided between God and the world. How did this affect your relationship with God and others? [24:06]
2. The sermon mentions that the Spirit of God within us envies intensely for our affections. How can you cultivate a deeper affection for God in your daily life? [32:21]
3. Consider the steps of repentance outlined in James 4. Which step do you find most challenging, and how can you take practical steps to overcome this challenge? [40:24]
4. How can the act of communion serve as a reminder for you to leave behind worldly pursuits and embrace the new life in Christ? [46:50]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you have been seeking fulfillment in worldly things. What changes can you make to seek satisfaction in God instead? [20:00]
6. The sermon uses the analogy of changing taste buds to describe spiritual transformation. What are some "spiritual fast foods" you need to let go of, and what "fine cuisine" of God's goodness can you savor more? [20:00]
7. How can you support others in your small group who may be struggling with divided affections, and what role can community play in helping each other draw near to God? [40:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation of Spiritual Appetites
When we come to faith in Jesus, our spiritual appetites undergo a profound transformation. Just as one's taste buds can change from craving fast food to savoring fine cuisine, our desires and affections shift when we encounter the goodness of God. This transformation is not merely a change in behavior but a deep-rooted change in what we love and cherish. We begin to love what we once ignored and despise what we once cherished, reflecting the profound work of Jesus in our lives. This change is a testament to the power of Christ, who reorients our hearts towards what truly satisfies. [20:00]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What is one desire or affection in your life that has changed since coming to faith in Jesus? How can you nurture this new spiritual appetite today?
Day 2: The Danger of Divided Affections
James warns against the internal conflict that arises when our affections are divided between God and the world. This division leads to spiritual adultery, where we betray our first love, which is God, by adopting the world's values and seeking its approval over God's. Friendship with the world is not about enjoying creation or engaging with society but about allowing worldly values to take precedence in our lives. This internal war results in restlessness and conflict, both within ourselves and with others. James calls us to resist this temptation and submit to God, aligning our affections with Him. [24:06]
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Reflection: In what ways have you noticed your affections being divided between God and the world? What steps can you take today to realign your heart with God's values?
Day 3: The Spirit's Jealousy for Our Affections
The Spirit of God within us is jealous for our affections, longing for us to find satisfaction in Him alone. This divine jealousy is not a negative trait but a reflection of God's deep love and desire for us to be close to Him. The Spirit yearns for us to turn away from worldly pursuits that cannot truly satisfy and to draw near to God, who alone can quench our deepest longings. This jealousy serves as a reminder of the intimate relationship God desires with each of us, calling us to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. [32:21]
Exodus 34:14 (ESV): "For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."
Reflection: How does understanding God's jealousy for your affections change the way you view your relationship with Him? What is one way you can prioritize your relationship with God today?
Day 4: The Path of Repentance
James provides a clear path of repentance, urging us to turn from our sin and turn to our Savior. This involves resisting the devil, cleansing our hands and hearts, mourning over our sin, and humbling ourselves before God. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but actively turning away from them and seeking God's forgiveness and guidance. By aligning our affections with God, we find true satisfaction and peace, as He alone can fulfill our deepest desires. This path of repentance is a continual journey of drawing closer to God and experiencing His transformative power in our lives. [40:24]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? How can you take a step towards repentance today?
Day 5: Communion as a Call to New Life
Communion serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, calling us to leave behind worldly pursuits and embrace the new life we have in Christ. As we partake in communion, we remember the body and blood of Jesus given for us, and we are invited to continually turn from our sin and turn to our Savior. This act of remembrance is not just a ritual but a call to live out the new life we have in Christ, finding true satisfaction and fulfillment in Him alone. Communion is a time to reflect on our relationship with God and renew our commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly. [46:50]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: As you prepare to take communion, what worldly pursuits do you need to leave behind to fully embrace the new life in Christ? How can you make communion a meaningful time of reflection and commitment today?
Quotes
"And now, because we belong to him, he's changed our spiritual taste buds. He's changed our affections. Now we can still eat from the things of this world. They just don't taste as good as they used to." [00:20:00] (11 seconds)
"If you pursue something else in this world other than God, according to the scripture, the thing you're pursuing has become your God, your little G God. He's the only one true God." [00:24:06] (11 seconds)
"James is describing the war that wages within us when we aren't seeking after God, the one who really satisfies, and instead we're seeking things in this world to satisfy us." [00:25:55] (11 seconds)
"One of the reasons that many Christians are miserable is because God loves them. Maybe you're miserable today because God loves you so much that God's not allowing you to be comfortable in throwing yourself into the things of the world, which won't satisfy you anyway." [00:35:22] (13 seconds)
"Turn from your sin and turn to your Savior. In fact, scholars who look at these verses notice that I just read to you 10 commands. Some have called this the 10 steps to repentance, the 10 steps to turning away from your sin and turning towards your Savior, 10 steps." [00:40:48] (18 seconds)
"On the night that Jesus was gathered with his disciples before he would be arrested and then crucified for our sin and our shame, and then on the third day, walk out of the tomb, alive to give us life, he took communion with his disciples." [00:45:50] (17 seconds)
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