Transforming Faith: Deepening Your Relationship with God
Summary
In a sermon centered on the theme of deepening one's relationship with God, the speaker challenges the congregation to move beyond a stagnant faith and experience a spiritual super bloom. The speaker begins by emphasizing the importance of not just attending church but actively engaging in a relationship with God that transforms lives and impacts the world. They highlight the church's mission to continue Jesus' work of seeking and saving the lost, as well as the four core values of the church: helping people know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and change the world. The speaker underscores the significance of having a vision and mission statement, referencing Proverbs 29 to illustrate the importance of vision in guiding both individual lives and the church's direction.
The speaker shares personal stories and quotes from notable Christians like CT Stud to inspire the congregation to live with urgency and make a difference for Jesus Christ. They draw a distinction between knowing about God and truly knowing Him, citing Jesus' words in Matthew 7:21 to emphasize the necessity of a genuine relationship with God over mere religious activities. The speaker also discusses the joy and passion that should characterize one's relationship with God, using the analogy of Death Valley's transformation after rainfall to illustrate the potential for spiritual growth.
The sermon continues with an invitation for those who feel spiritually dead or are seeking Jesus to come forward and engage with the prayer team. The speaker expresses a desire for the church to be known for its passion in sharing the good news and for individuals to live on mission, being "Allin" for God. They also celebrate the church's success in baptizing new believers and highlight various ministries focused on helping people know God.
The speaker concludes by emphasizing the power of God and the opportunity to know Him through Jesus, inviting the audience to reflect on their relationship with God and take action. They assure that a sincere cry out to God can lead to a transformed heart and a spiritual rebirth. The sermon ends with a call to maintain a joyful and passionate attitude towards attending church and to be a part of a church that actively reaches out to help others know God.
Key Takeaways:
- A relationship with God is not static; it requires nurturing and effort, much like any meaningful relationship. The speaker challenges believers to not settle for a superficial understanding of faith but to strive for a spiritual super bloom, where one's faith is vibrant and growing. This growth is facilitated by the Holy Spirit and is reflected in the dedication of those who serve in the church, preparing for worship and ministry with passion and commitment. [45:51]
- The church's mission is to be laser-focused on helping people know God, which is the most important goal in life. The speaker emphasizes that while desires such as financial freedom, physical fitness, and successful careers are important, they pale in comparison to the ultimate aim of being close to God and pleasing Him. This mission is not just a hope but a deliberate effort to guide others to Jesus, the only way to God. [32:09]
- Knowing God is the foundation of the spiritual journey and is crucial for finding freedom, discovering purpose, and making an eternal difference. The speaker highlights that knowing God involves more than intellectual knowledge; it is about developing a deep, personal relationship with Him. Without this relationship, the other steps in the spiritual journey cannot be fully realized. [29:14]
- The speaker invites the congregation to consider the depth of their relationship with God, warning that a lack of action is a gamble with eternity. They extend an invitation to know God by confessing sins and acknowledging the need for a savior, promising that a sincere cry out to God can lead to a spiritual rebirth and transformation. This call is not only for those new to faith but also for those who may have once felt spiritually alive but now find themselves dry. [59:57]
- The speaker encourages the congregation to approach church with joy and passion, referencing David's gladness in Psalm 122:1. They argue that attending church should never be out of obligation or boredom but should be an expression of a zealous and passionate relationship with God. The transformation of Death Valley serves as a metaphor for the potential of spiritual vitality that can emerge even in barren times, urging believers to never lose their excitement for gathering together in worship. [43:01]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 29:18 (NIV): "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction."
2. Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV): "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"
3. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV): "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 29:18, what happens when there is no vision or revelation? How does this relate to the church's mission and vision as discussed in the sermon? [26:13]
2. In Matthew 7:21-23, what distinction does Jesus make between those who call Him 'Lord' and those who will enter the kingdom of heaven? How does this relate to the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him? [53:33]
3. What promise does God give in Jeremiah 29:13 about seeking Him? How does this promise encourage believers to deepen their relationship with God? [32:49]
4. The sermon mentioned the transformation of Death Valley after rainfall. How does this analogy illustrate the potential for spiritual growth in our lives? [43:01]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does having a clear vision or mission statement help guide both individual lives and the church's direction, according to the sermon? [26:13]
2. What does it mean to have a genuine relationship with God versus merely engaging in religious activities, as highlighted in Matthew 7:21-23? [53:33]
3. How can the promise in Jeremiah 29:13 about seeking God with all your heart be applied to someone who feels spiritually dry or distant from God? [32:49]
4. The sermon used the analogy of Death Valley's super bloom to describe spiritual growth. What are some practical steps believers can take to create an environment for a "spiritual super bloom" in their lives? [43:01]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Do you feel it is vibrant and growing, or has it become stagnant? What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God? [59:57]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of having a vision for your life. What is your personal vision or mission statement? How does it align with the church's mission to help people know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and change the world? [26:13]
3. Jesus warned against merely performing religious activities without truly knowing Him. Are there areas in your life where you are going through the motions rather than seeking a genuine relationship with God? How can you change this? [53:33]
4. The analogy of Death Valley's transformation was used to illustrate spiritual growth. What "living water" do you need in your life to experience a spiritual super bloom? How can you seek this out in your daily routine? [43:01]
5. The sermon mentioned the joy and passion that should characterize one's relationship with God. How can you cultivate a more joyful and passionate attitude towards attending church and engaging in spiritual practices? [38:54]
6. The speaker shared personal stories and quotes to inspire living with urgency for Jesus Christ. What is one practical way you can live with more urgency and intentionality in your faith this week? [51:39]
7. The sermon concluded with an invitation to reflect on one's relationship with God and take action. What specific action will you take this week to deepen your relationship with God or help someone else know Him? [59:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating a Vibrant Faith
A static faith is like untended soil; it cannot flourish. Believers are called to nurture their relationship with God, allowing it to grow and transform into a spiritual super bloom. This vibrant faith is not a passive state but an active pursuit, marked by a Holy Spirit-fueled passion for worship and service. [45:51]
Hosea 10:12 - "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can break up the 'unplowed ground' in your spiritual life to allow for new growth?
Day 2: Prioritizing the Knowledge of God
The pursuit of knowing God surpasses all earthly desires. While financial stability, physical health, and career success have their place, they are secondary to the ultimate goal of a close relationship with God. This pursuit is intentional, guiding others to Jesus, the only way to truly know the Father. [32:09]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 - "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord."
Reflection: How can you reorient your daily priorities to ensure that knowing God is at the forefront of your life?
Day 3: Deepening Our Personal Relationship with God
Knowing God is more than an intellectual exercise; it is about cultivating a deep, personal relationship with Him. This relationship is the cornerstone of our spiritual journey, leading to freedom, purpose, and eternal impact. Without it, we cannot fully experience the life God has for us. [29:14]
Psalm 42:1-2 - "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"
Reflection: What does your daily pursuit of God look like, and how can you deepen this relationship starting today?
Day 4: Embracing Spiritual Rebirth
Apathy towards our spiritual condition is a risky gamble with eternity. The invitation to know God is open to all, promising that a sincere cry out to Him can lead to a spiritual rebirth. This call is for both the seeker and the believer who has grown dry, reminding us that transformation is always within reach. [59:57]
Ezekiel 36:26 - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you've become complacent or dry? How can you invite God to bring about a new heart and spirit within you today?
Day 5: Joyful Participation in Church Life
Attending church should be a joyful and passionate expression of our relationship with God. Like Death Valley after the rain, our spiritual lives can burst into vibrant life, even in barren times. This joy should fuel our excitement for worship and fellowship, as we gather together to celebrate and know God. [43:01]
Isaiah 35:1-2 - "The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy."
Reflection: How can you approach your next church service with a renewed sense of joy and expectation, and how can this attitude transform your experience?
Quotes
"You're not going to end up there on accident; you will not accidentally find success, a Godly marriage, become financially free, or get in shape. All of these things take work, effort, time, and investment, and most importantly, you won't accidentally find yourself in a great relationship with God either." [32:49] (Download)
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"God isn't hiding; He's taking the guesswork out of who He is and He's told us who He is. He wants you to understand that He loves you no matter what, that even though you're going to mess up every single day, He still loves you anyway." [33:28] (Download)
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"Our mission to help people know God begins right here in this room because if I'm being honest, my fear is that we've got churches that are full of people who know about God but they don't actually know God." [53:33] (Download)
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"You can come to church every single Sunday and still miss Jesus; you can memorize the entire New Testament and still miss Heaven because God is not after religion, He is after a relationship." [54:15] (Download)
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"Today through the power of the Holy Spirit, through coming to know God, you can come in today like this but you can leave today like this with this spiritual Super Bloom that can take place in your life." [57:06] (Download)
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"The Bible says that if you cry out for salvation, it's not about a magical prayer, it's about a posture of the heart, and in this moment, you can have a spiritual rebirth as the Holy Spirit enters your life." [59:57] (Download)
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"We're never done dreaming how we can reach more and more people with the message of Jesus because we are a people and we are a church that relentlessly pursues people like God relentlessly pursues us." [49:48] (Download)
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"If you're ready to be Allin, if you're ready to live on Mission, now is your chance, this is your opportunity as the worship team leads us in one final song, respond." [01:02:20] (Download)
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"I want to be a church that never loses our passion to make our Sunday motto what David said in Psalm 122 verse1 when he said I was glad when they said to me let us go into the house of the Lord." [41:16] (Download)
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"Death Valley wasn't dead, it was just dormant. There were seeds in the dry cracks in the ground, and all those seeds needed was a little bit of water... the same is true with you because maybe right now that first picture describes your spiritual life." [43:01] (Download)
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