Transforming Lives: The Journey of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unfinished Work in Us

God's faithfulness ensures our spiritual growth and completion. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that the work God began in us will be carried to completion. This ongoing process of spiritual formation is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to our growth. It is not about instant transformation but a lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ. This journey involves various stages and experiences, each designed to mold us into the image of Christ. We are encouraged to trust in God's timing and process, knowing that He is faithful to complete the work He started in us. This assurance gives us hope and perseverance as we navigate the ups and downs of our spiritual journey. [25:25]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is still working on you? How can you trust His process and timing in this area today?

Day 2: The Role of Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual disciplines create space for God's transformative work. Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, scripture study, and meditation are essential tools in our journey of faith. These practices disrupt our normal rhythms and create space for God to work in our lives. They are not the end goal but the means through which we enter into the presence of God and are transformed by His grace. By consistently engaging in these disciplines, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, allowing God to shape and mold us into the image of Christ. These practices help us to stay connected to God, grow in our faith, and become more attuned to His voice and guidance. [30:36]

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: Which spiritual discipline do you find most challenging to maintain? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine this week to create more space for God?

Day 3: Apprenticing to Christ

Discipleship is a lifelong journey of learning from Jesus. Discipleship is akin to apprenticing ourselves to Christ. Just as an apprentice learns from a master, we must immerse ourselves in the teachings and life of Jesus. This involves a commitment to learning, adapting, and growing in our faith, recognizing that it is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and perseverance. By studying Jesus' life and teachings, we learn how to live in a way that reflects His love, grace, and truth. This process of apprenticing to Christ helps us to develop a deeper relationship with Him and equips us to navigate the challenges of life with faith and wisdom. [32:01]

Matthew 11:29 (ESV): "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Reflection: What is one specific teaching or aspect of Jesus' life that you want to learn more about? How can you start studying and applying it in your life today?

Day 4: The Metaphor of the Sculptor

God shapes us by removing what hinders our true potential. God is like a sculptor, chipping away at the excess in our lives to reveal the image of Christ within us. This process is gradual and requires our cooperation. It is a beautiful reminder that God sees our potential and is committed to shaping us into the people He created us to be. This transformation involves removing the things that hinder our spiritual growth, such as sin, distractions, and unhealthy habits. As we submit to God's shaping process, we become more aligned with His will and purpose for our lives, reflecting His character and love to the world around us. [35:00]

Isaiah 64:8 (ESV): "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is "chipping away" at something? How can you cooperate with His shaping process today?

Day 5: Living for the Sake of Others

Our transformation is meant to serve and bless others. The ultimate purpose of our spiritual formation is not just for our benefit but for the sake of others. Just as Jesus came to serve, we are called to live our lives in a way that reflects His love and grace to the world. Our transformation is meant to be a testimony to the power of the gospel and a source of hope for those around us. By living out our faith in practical ways, we can impact the lives of others and contribute to the transformation of our communities. This outward focus helps us to stay grounded in our mission as followers of Christ and reminds us that our spiritual growth is not just for our own sake but for the glory of God and the good of others. [47:39]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can serve or bless this week? What specific action can you take to reflect Christ's love to them today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's sermon focused on the profound journey of spiritual formation and discipleship, emphasizing the importance of being molded into the image of Christ for the sake of others. We began by reflecting on the end goal of our spiritual journey, as highlighted in Philippians 1:6 and Hebrews 12:1-3. These scriptures remind us that God, who began a good work in us, will carry it to completion, and that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on in our race of faith.

The process of spiritual formation requires a disruption of our normal rhythms and the adoption of new spiritual disciplines such as prayer, scripture study, and meditation. These disciplines are not the end but the means to an end, serving as doorways into the presence of God. We discussed the concept of discipleship as apprenticing ourselves to Christ, much like an apprentice learns from a master electrician. This lifelong process involves being exposed to various circumstances and learning to adapt and grow in our faith.

We also explored the metaphor of God as a sculptor, chipping away at the excess in our lives to reveal the image of Christ within us. This process is not instantaneous but a gradual transformation that requires our cooperation and dedication. The author of Hebrews uses the imagery of a race to describe our spiritual journey, urging us to remove every hindrance and sin that entangles us so we can run with perseverance.

Finally, we acknowledged that the work God is doing in us is ultimately for the sake of others. Just as Jesus came to serve and not to be served, we are called to live our lives in a way that reflects His love and grace to the world. This vision of discipleship is not just for our benefit but for the transformation of the world through the gospel.

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Key Takeaways

1. God's Unfinished Work in Us: Philippians 1:6 assures us that God, who began a good work in us, will carry it to completion. This ongoing process of spiritual formation is a testament to God's faithfulness and commitment to our growth. It reminds us that our journey is not about instant transformation but a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. [25:25]
2. The Role of Spiritual Disciplines: Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, scripture study, and meditation are essential tools in our journey of faith. These practices disrupt our normal rhythms and create space for God to work in our lives. They are not the end goal but the means through which we enter into the presence of God and are transformed by His grace. [30:36]
3. Apprenticing to Christ: Discipleship is akin to apprenticing ourselves to Christ. Just as an apprentice learns from a master, we must immerse ourselves in the teachings and life of Jesus. This involves a commitment to learning, adapting, and growing in our faith, recognizing that it is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and perseverance. [32:01]
4. The Metaphor of the Sculptor: God is like a sculptor, chipping away at the excess in our lives to reveal the image of Christ within us. This process is gradual and requires our cooperation. It is a beautiful reminder that God sees our potential and is committed to shaping us into the people He created us to be. [35:00]
5. Living for the Sake of Others: The ultimate purpose of our spiritual formation is not just for our benefit but for the sake of others. Just as Jesus came to serve, we are called to live our lives in a way that reflects His love and grace to the world. Our transformation is meant to be a testimony to the power of the gospel and a source of hope for those around us. [47:39]
### [47:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - Special Announcements
[08:23] - Morning Offering and Prayer
[23:09] - Opening Prayer and Scripture Reading
[24:41] - Philippians 1:4-6 and Hebrews 12:1-3
[26:06] - Reflection on the Scriptures
[27:37] - Beginning at the End
[28:04] - Encouragement from Philippians
[29:04] - Recap of the Series
[30:36] - Importance of Spiritual Disciplines
[31:33] - Vision of Discipleship
[32:01] - Apprenticing to Christ
[35:00] - The Sculptor Metaphor
[36:12] - Hebrews 12 and the Hall of Faith
[45:43] - Running the Race of Faith
[47:39] - Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Others
[56:35] - Vision of Discipleship for All Generations
[57:11] - Closing Prayer and Communion
[63:17] - Invitation to the Lord's Table
[65:40] - Communion Instructions
[62:44] - Final Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Philippians 1:6, what is the promise given to believers about the work God has started in them?
In Hebrews 12:1-3, what are believers encouraged to do in their spiritual race?
What metaphor does the sermon use to describe God's work in our lives, and how does it relate to spiritual formation? [35:00]
How does the sermon describe the role of spiritual disciplines in our journey of faith? [30:36]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean for God to "carry on to completion" the good work He began in us, as mentioned in Philippians 1:6? How does this shape our understanding of spiritual growth?
How can the imagery of a race in Hebrews 12:1-3 help us understand the challenges and perseverance required in our spiritual journey?
The sermon compares discipleship to apprenticing with a master. How does this analogy deepen our understanding of what it means to follow Christ? [32:01]
The sermon mentions that spiritual disciplines are doorways into the presence of God. How do these practices facilitate our transformation into the image of Christ? [31:03]

Application Questions

Reflecting on Philippians 1:6, what specific areas of your life do you feel God is still working on? How can you cooperate with His ongoing work?
Hebrews 12:1-3 encourages us to throw off everything that hinders. What are some specific hindrances or sins in your life that you need to address to run your spiritual race more effectively?
The sermon talks about the importance of spiritual disciplines like prayer, scripture study, and meditation. Which of these disciplines do you find most challenging, and what steps can you take to incorporate them more consistently into your daily routine? [30:36]
Considering the metaphor of God as a sculptor, what "excess" in your life might God be chipping away at right now? How can you embrace this process of transformation? [35:00]
The sermon emphasizes that our spiritual formation is ultimately for the sake of others. How can you live out this calling in your community or workplace this week? [47:39]
The concept of apprenticing to Christ involves learning, adapting, and growing. Identify one area in your spiritual life where you need to grow. What practical steps can you take to learn and adapt in this area? [32:01]
Reflect on the idea that our transformation is meant to be a testimony to the power of the gospel. How can you share your personal journey of faith with someone who might benefit from hearing it? [47:39]

Sermon Clips

1. "Sometimes it's good to begin at the end. To look to the end of where we're headed in things, right? As you plan for a project, you might look to the end of the project, what you hope to accomplish, and then plan accordingly. When you set goals, you'll say, I'd like to see this project, this happen in my life. What's it going to take to get me to that place? And so we order our lives many times by looking at the end and by working toward that." [27:37] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "In order for us to be in the presence of God, it will get in the way of other things. Which is the title of this series, 'In the Way.' And it's a double meaning, as we've talked about each week. That it means that we will be in the way of Christ, following after Christ, who the early Christians were called followers of the way before they were called Christians. And so to be in the way is to be in the way of Christ, living out our lives in Him and for Him." [29:04] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Spiritual formation is this lifelong process that we go through. Another word for it is sanctification. It's the process that God works in us to make us holy, to move us from who we were to who we are and who we will be. See, God sees in us the potential of what we could become, and he begins to work in that. He looks at the slab, marble slab of our lives, and he sees the image that we could be, and he begins to work toward that." [46:12] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Spiritual formation is the process of being formed into the image of Christ for the sake of others. Let me read that again. Spiritual formation is the process of being formed into the image of Christ for the sake of others. That means that work that God is doing in us isn't ultimately about us. It's about others. It's about the example that we have and that we set for others." [47:39] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God uses broken people to accomplish his purposes. And the church is filled with them. Broken, imperfect people who have been wounded and who wound others, who cause distrust, who are deeply troubled, who go through horrible circumstances. The church is populated by them. So that when people say, I could never be a part of a church because it's full of hypocrites, I say, you'd be welcome. You'd fit right in." [52:13] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The hope of the gospel is who we could become. The hope of the gospel is a place to begin, to become, to belong. A place where our imperfections do not disqualify us, but your grace raises us. As we come to this table, Lord, and as we're given the bread and the juice, the body and the blood of Christ for us, a picture is imparted to us of the return of our Lord to remake all things, to renew all things." [57:53] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The transformation that's needed to remake the world can only happen through the gospel. And who is it that has been entrusted with the gospel? The church. The church is messed up. Absolutely. The church has corruption in it. Absolutely. The church is filled with all kinds of terrible things and horrible things that we read about. Absolutely. And the reason for that is the church is populated by sinners." [51:13] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "God says, I'm not done. I'm going to continue to make you holy. I'm not only going to redeem your life, I'm not only going to give you what you don't deserve, but instead I'm going to remake you in the image of my son. I'm going to carve away, I'm going to remove all the debris of your life, and I'm going to give you a hope and a purpose, and you're going to see who I am. And when you do, you will obey me because you love me." [56:05] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "When people look at us, they're supposed to see Christ in us, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the ongoing work, the seed of life that is given to us in the gospel. That's what it's about. That's called spiritual formation. God says, I'm not done. I'm going to continue to make you holy. I'm not only going to redeem your life, I'm not only going to give you what you don't deserve, but instead I'm going to remake you in the image of my son." [55:07] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The witnesses of faith are in the stands as we walk in to run the race. They are cheering. They're applauding. Those who taught us about faith, those who passed that on to us. Not only those biblical characters, but the saints throughout the generations fill the stadium. And we're looking around for aunts and uncles and grandparents and parents or people or youth directors or pastors or different people in our lives who spoke into our life. And there they are, cheering us on as we prepare to line up to run the race." [41:20] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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