Trusting Jesus: A Journey to Present Eternal Life
Summary
In our journey of faith, God seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. This call transcends traditional settings, as illustrated by the story of C.S. Lewis, who found faith not within the walls of a church but during a motorcycle ride. Similarly, many in East Africa and the Middle East are encountering Christ in unexpected ways, demonstrating that God reaches out to us wherever we are. This divine pursuit is rooted in the constant goodness of God, as Jesus emphasized in Matthew 6, urging us not to be anxious because God cares for us deeply. This care is the pathway to healing from the brokenness of human life.
It's important to understand that a relationship with God doesn't require perfect theological knowledge. You can be mistaken about many doctrines and still trust Him. The essential element is recognizing Jesus as the greatest and placing your confidence in Him. This trust initiates a transformative journey, where Jesus guides and corrects us, leading us to the fullness of life in Him. Salvation is not about having all the right answers; it's about calling on the Lord and turning away from self-reliance. This decision is practical and accessible to everyone, regardless of their current state or understanding.
When we choose to trust Jesus with our present circumstances, we enter into an interactive relationship with Him, which is the essence of eternal life. This eternal life is not a distant future promise but a present reality, much like the kingdom of God, which is already here. Jesus preached this message, inviting us to experience the kingdom through the new birth. By placing our confidence in Him, we are brought into this kingdom, experiencing its transformative power in our lives today.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Pursuit Beyond Boundaries: God seeks worshippers in spirit and truth, reaching out beyond traditional settings. This is evident in stories like C.S. Lewis's conversion and the experiences of many in East Africa and the Middle East, showing that God's reach is limitless. [00:42]
2. The Goodness of God as a Pathway to Healing: Jesus teaches us not to be anxious because of God's constant care, which is the avenue to healing from life's brokenness. Trusting in God's goodness allows us to find peace and restoration. [01:22]
3. Faith Over Perfect Doctrine: A relationship with God doesn't require perfect theological understanding. Trusting in Jesus as the greatest is what matters, as He will guide and correct us on our journey. [02:07]
4. Salvation Through Trust, Not Knowledge: Salvation comes from calling on the Lord and turning away from self-reliance. It's a practical decision accessible to everyone, regardless of their current state or understanding. [03:06]
5. Eternal Life as a Present Reality: Eternal life is an interactive relationship with Jesus, available now, not just in the future. By trusting in Him, we enter the kingdom of God and experience its transformative power today. [03:51]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
[00:42] - C.S. Lewis's Unexpected Conversion
[01:01] - Christ's Reach in Unexpected Places
[01:22] - God's Constant Goodness
[01:44] - Pathway to Healing
[02:07] - Faith Over Doctrine
[02:28] - Confidence in Jesus
[02:46] - Salvation Through Trust
[03:06] - Turning Away from Self
[03:30] - Trusting Jesus in the Present
[03:51] - Interactive Relationship with Christ
[04:06] - Eternal Life Now
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 4:23-24 - "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
2. Matthew 6:25-34 - Jesus teaches about not being anxious and trusting in God's care.
3. Romans 10:13 - "For, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does it mean to worship God in spirit and in truth according to John 4:23-24?
2. How does the story of C.S. Lewis's conversion illustrate the idea that God can reach us beyond traditional settings? [00:42]
3. In Matthew 6, what reasons does Jesus give for why we should not be anxious? How does this relate to God's goodness? [01:22]
4. According to Romans 10:13, what is the requirement for salvation?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of worshiping in spirit and truth challenge traditional views of where and how worship should occur? [00:18]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between theological knowledge and faith in Jesus? [02:07]
3. How does trusting in God's goodness serve as a pathway to healing from life's brokenness? [01:44]
4. What does it mean to have an interactive relationship with Jesus as a present reality, and how does this relate to the concept of eternal life? [03:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence outside of a traditional church setting. How did it impact your faith journey?
2. In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing anxiety? How can you apply Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6 to trust in God's care more deeply? [01:22]
3. Are there any theological doctrines you struggle with? How can you focus on trusting Jesus as the greatest, even amidst these uncertainties? [02:07]
4. Consider a situation where you have been relying on your own understanding. How can you turn away from self-reliance and call on the Lord for guidance? [03:06]
5. How can you cultivate an interactive relationship with Jesus in your daily life, recognizing eternal life as a present reality? [03:51]
6. Identify one way you can worship God in spirit and truth this week, beyond the walls of the church. What steps will you take to make this a reality?
7. Think of someone in your life who might be encountering Christ in unexpected ways. How can you support or encourage them in their faith journey?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Boundless Reach
In our journey of faith, God seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth, transcending traditional settings. This is evident in the story of C.S. Lewis, who found faith not within the walls of a church but during a motorcycle ride. Similarly, many in East Africa and the Middle East are encountering Christ in unexpected ways, demonstrating that God reaches out to us wherever we are. This divine pursuit is rooted in the constant goodness of God, showing that His reach is limitless and not confined to any specific place or circumstance. [00:42]
John 4:23-24 (ESV): "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Reflection: Think of a place outside of church where you have felt God's presence. How can you create more opportunities to encounter God in unexpected places this week?
Day 2: Healing Through God's Goodness
Jesus teaches us not to be anxious because of God's constant care, which is the avenue to healing from life's brokenness. Trusting in God's goodness allows us to find peace and restoration. This care is the pathway to healing from the brokenness of human life, as Jesus emphasized in Matthew 6, urging us not to be anxious because God cares for us deeply. By trusting in His goodness, we can experience peace and restoration in our lives. [01:22]
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV): "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel anxious. How can you actively trust in God's goodness to bring healing and peace to that area today?
Day 3: Faith Beyond Doctrine
A relationship with God doesn't require perfect theological understanding. You can be mistaken about many doctrines and still trust Him. The essential element is recognizing Jesus as the greatest and placing your confidence in Him. This trust initiates a transformative journey, where Jesus guides and corrects us, leading us to the fullness of life in Him. Salvation is not about having all the right answers; it's about calling on the Lord and turning away from self-reliance. [02:07]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: What is one theological question or doubt you have been struggling with? How can you trust Jesus to guide you through it, even if you don't have all the answers right now?
Day 4: Salvation Through Trust
Salvation comes from calling on the Lord and turning away from self-reliance. It's a practical decision accessible to everyone, regardless of their current state or understanding. This decision is about placing our confidence in Jesus and allowing Him to lead us. By doing so, we enter into a transformative relationship with Him, experiencing the fullness of life He offers. [03:06]
Romans 10:13 (ESV): "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"
Reflection: In what ways are you relying on your own strength instead of trusting in Jesus? What practical steps can you take today to shift your reliance from yourself to Him?
Day 5: Experiencing Eternal Life Now
Eternal life is an interactive relationship with Jesus, available now, not just in the future. By trusting in Him, we enter the kingdom of God and experience its transformative power today. This eternal life is not a distant future promise but a present reality, much like the kingdom of God, which is already here. Jesus preached this message, inviting us to experience the kingdom through the new birth. [03:51]
John 17:3 (ESV): "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper, interactive relationship with Jesus today, experiencing the reality of eternal life in your daily routine?
Quotes
God is looking for people who will worship Him in spirit and in truth and you know many of the people that have been most holy and powerful in the life of Christ have been people who didn't find God in church. [00:15:36]
In many countries in especially East Africa and the Middle East many Muslims are finding Christ because Christ is appearing to them. See, Christ is able to reach out. God is looking for people to worship Him in spirit and in truth. [00:64:10]
The constant general goodness of God that Jesus spoke so much about, for example in Matthew 6, when he says don't be anxious because God cares for you, God loves you, and that is the Avenue towards healing as we find our way out of the brokenness of human life. [00:87:02]
You can be wrong about a lot of things about God and still trust him. You don't have to have all your doctrines straight. Really the only thing is required is you have to have in your thought the idea Jesus is really it, Jesus is the greatest. [00:119:51]
If you have that confidence in him and you call out to him and you begin to act in that confidence, no matter how wrong you may be or uninformed you may be about doctrines, he will pull you straight. [00:145:27]
You're not saved because you're right in your doctrine. If anything, you're right in your doctrine because you're saved. It's only the living relationship to Jesus that can actually pull us straight and begin to help us find our way in him towards the fullness that is in Christ. [00:164:27]
Whosoever shall call on the Lord shall be saved. That's what it takes. See, that's the turn away from oneself, and it's very practical. It's not mainly theological. It is something where you can begin where you are, no matter where you are, who you are, no matter who you are. [00:189:51]
Begin to say I will trust Jesus Christ at this point with what is now, what I'm now dealing with, and when one does that then God finds you, Christ finds you, and there begins the interactive relationship which is eternal life. [00:215:63]
The eternal life is now in session. It isn't future, it's now. It's like the kingdom of God. It isn't coming into existence. There will be some changes and some advances, but basically it's here now, and that's what Jesus preached. [00:237:23]
When we put our confidence in him then he brings us into the kingdom of God through the new birth. [00:251:11]
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