Understanding God: The Journey of Faith and Transformation

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often encounter the profound question of existence and the nature of God. Everything in our world, from trees to rocks to our very bodies, owes its existence to something else. This chain of causation cannot be infinite; it must have a beginning. This is where the concept of God as a self-sufficient being comes into play. God is not like anything else in creation; He is spirit, existing out of His own nature, without needing anything else to exist. This understanding of God as the "I Am" is foundational to our faith, as it reveals a being whose existence is independent and eternal.

The nature of God as spirit was emphasized in Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4, highlighting that true worship is not about location but about spirit and truth. This understanding challenges us to see God not as a distant force but as a personal being who desires a relationship with us. The will, or the power to choose, is a reflection of the spirit within us, and it is through this will that we can reach out to God and draw spiritual life into our existence.

In today's world, there is a tendency to reject the concept of spirit, often reducing everything to causation and law. However, the will is essential for personal transformation and spiritual growth. It is through our will that we can choose to follow Christ and experience the kingdom of God, which is not a distant future event but a present reality available to us through faith in Jesus.

God's hiddenness is not a sign of His absence but a space for us to seek Him. He desires a relationship with us that is based on trust and love, not coercion. By choosing to trust Him, we open ourselves to His presence and power in our lives, allowing us to become the kind of people He can empower to do His will. This journey of faith is about becoming more like Christ, embracing the transformation that comes from living in the kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways:

- The concept of God as a self-sufficient being challenges our understanding of existence. Unlike anything else in creation, God exists out of His own nature, independent and eternal. This foundational truth invites us to see God not as a distant force but as a personal being who desires a relationship with us. [19:22]

- The will, or the power to choose, is a reflection of the spirit within us. It is through our will that we can reach out to God and draw spiritual life into our existence. This choice is essential for personal transformation and spiritual growth, allowing us to experience the kingdom of God. [23:45]

- God's hiddenness is not a sign of His absence but a space for us to seek Him. He desires a relationship with us based on trust and love, not coercion. By choosing to trust Him, we open ourselves to His presence and power in our lives, allowing us to become more like Christ. [37:39]

- The kingdom of God is not a distant future event but a present reality available to us through faith in Jesus. By embracing this truth, we can live in the kingdom now, experiencing the transformation that comes from following Christ and living in His will. [32:28]

- God's intention for us is to become the kind of people He can empower to do His will. This journey of faith is about character transformation, becoming more like Christ, and embracing the life He offers. It is a choice to live in the kingdom and experience the fullness of God's presence. [47:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [17:48] - The Chain of Existence
- [19:22] - God as Self-Sufficient Being
- [20:21] - Understanding God as Spirit
- [23:45] - The Power of Will
- [25:20] - Intelligent Choice and Creation
- [27:44] - The Nature of the World
- [30:12] - Experiencing God
- [32:28] - The Present Kingdom of God
- [35:41] - The Hiddenness of God
- [37:39] - Seeking and Finding God
- [40:52] - Becoming Like Christ
- [47:05] - Empowered by God
- [50:01] - Knowing God is a Choice
- [51:14] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Reading:

1. John 4:24 - "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
2. Exodus 3:14 - "God said to Moses, 'I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I am has sent me to you.'"
3. Matthew 4:17 - "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'"

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 4:24, what does it mean that God is spirit, and how does this affect the way we worship Him? [20:21]

2. How does the concept of God as "I Am" in Exodus 3:14 challenge our understanding of existence? [20:33]

3. According to Matthew 4:17, what is the significance of Jesus proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven is near? [31:09]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of the will in reaching out to God and drawing spiritual life into our existence? [23:45]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding God as a self-sufficient being change the way individuals perceive their relationship with Him? [19:22]

2. What implications does the nature of God as spirit have for personal transformation and spiritual growth? [21:40]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's hiddenness is an opportunity for individuals to seek Him? [37:39]

4. How does the present reality of the kingdom of God, as described in the sermon, influence the way believers live their daily lives? [32:28]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with the concept of God's existence. How did you reconcile this with the idea of God as a self-sufficient being? [19:22]

2. In what ways can you actively choose to reach out to God and draw spiritual life into your daily routine? Consider specific actions you can take this week. [23:45]

3. How do you perceive God's hiddenness in your life? What steps can you take to seek Him more intentionally? [37:39]

4. The sermon suggests that the kingdom of God is a present reality. How can you live in this reality today, and what changes might you need to make in your life to align with this truth? [32:28]

5. Think about a decision you need to make. How can you ensure that your choice reflects the will and spirit within you, as discussed in the sermon? [23:45]

6. How can you cultivate a relationship with God based on trust and love rather than coercion? What practical steps can you take to deepen this relationship? [37:39]

7. Consider the transformation journey to become more like Christ. What specific character trait do you feel called to develop, and how will you work on this in the coming weeks? [47:05]

Devotional

Day 1: God as the Self-Sufficient Source of Existence
God is the ultimate source of all existence, existing independently and eternally, unlike anything else in creation. This understanding challenges us to see God not as a distant force but as a personal being who desires a relationship with us. The concept of God as "I Am" is foundational to our faith, revealing a being whose existence is not contingent upon anything else. This truth invites us to deepen our relationship with God, recognizing His presence in our lives and His desire for us to know Him intimately. [19:22]

Isaiah 40:28-29 (ESV): "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength."

Reflection: How does understanding God as self-sufficient and eternal change the way you approach your relationship with Him today?


Day 2: The Power of Will in Spiritual Growth
The will, or the power to choose, is a reflection of the spirit within us. It is through our will that we can reach out to God and draw spiritual life into our existence. This choice is essential for personal transformation and spiritual growth, allowing us to experience the kingdom of God. By exercising our will, we can choose to follow Christ and embrace the spiritual life He offers, leading to profound personal change and a deeper connection with God. [23:45]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to exercise your will to choose spiritual growth today?


Day 3: Seeking God in His Hiddenness
God's hiddenness is not a sign of His absence but a space for us to seek Him. He desires a relationship with us based on trust and love, not coercion. By choosing to trust Him, we open ourselves to His presence and power in our lives, allowing us to become more like Christ. This journey of faith involves seeking God earnestly, trusting that He is present even when He seems hidden, and allowing His presence to transform us. [37:39]

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally seek God today, even when He feels hidden or distant?


Day 4: Living in the Present Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is not a distant future event but a present reality available to us through faith in Jesus. By embracing this truth, we can live in the kingdom now, experiencing the transformation that comes from following Christ and living in His will. This understanding invites us to see our daily lives as opportunities to experience God's kingdom, allowing His presence to shape our actions, thoughts, and relationships. [32:28]

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"

Reflection: How can you live out the reality of God's kingdom in your daily life today?


Day 5: Becoming Empowered by God
God's intention for us is to become the kind of people He can empower to do His will. This journey of faith is about character transformation, becoming more like Christ, and embracing the life He offers. It is a choice to live in the kingdom and experience the fullness of God's presence. By allowing God to transform us, we become empowered to fulfill His purposes and reflect His love and grace to the world around us. [47:05]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (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, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to allow God to transform and empower you to do His will?

Quotes



"god is spirit right god is spirit and now that was being given to a woman in john 4 to try to help her understand why it didn't matter where you worshiped but the point of it is to make a statement about the nature of god and of course it's it's an old statement exodus 3 14." [00:20:14]

"the element of spirit in us is primarily will or power to choose and that is precisely something that exists out of itself it is not caused by anything else now that scares the bajibers out of people who think they can reduce everything to law because it says there are some things that are not derived from anything else." [00:21:46]

"because it is only by making the will the executive center of the self that anyone can pull their life together and make something out of it and the primary function of the will is to reach out to god and to begin to draw spiritual life into this system that we have that we call the human system." [00:23:42]

"and when jesus came he preached that the kingdom of god is available and we mustn't miss the point about the statement for example matthew 4 17 repent for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand that's not saying that something is about to happen and then suddenly it got called off that's not the teaching." [00:30:50]

"and what jesus comes to announce now is that since he is present the kingdom of god is present and that anyone can live in it by simply trusting him now not something he did nor something he said trusting him the person see that's what it means to say he's lord that's what it means to say messiah anointed one." [00:32:24]

"god's intention is to bring out of human history a community of people who are like jesus christ that's what it's about that's what human history is about is to bring out of human history a community of free beings who are like his son jesus now you know that that's true don't you because you you've read the bible." [00:38:36]

"god leaves room for us to choose or to reject him and that is why he is a hidden god that's why he doesn't come right down on the earth and make his presence fully known you'll remember that when he did that on sinai the mountain just sort of chugged away like a volcano it was jumping up and down there was so much energy on it." [00:39:56]

"thank god that he has approached us in a way that allows us to trust him through jesus christ and begin to say yes this is what my life is about it is learning to do the things and be the kind of person that jesus wants and then going back to those four questions you see who is well all who's a really good person how do you get to be." [00:40:39]

"and all that is required is a will which is prepared to say yes i give myself to jesus christ um i mentioned in the notes here bertrand russell and norwood hanson there are a couple of famous cases of people who said well you know i'm ready to believe if god would just give me more evidence right." [00:41:12]

"god's intention for each one of us for every human being in fact is that that human being should become the kind of person now that's character transformation the kind of person that he can empower to do what they want imagine yourself being given the power to do anything you wanted." [00:47:05]

"and that if we want to know god the evidence is there and in particular it is there at the level of his presence in human affairs in the form of the kingdom of god and that if we want to live in a knowledgeable interactive relationship with jesus christ which we can recommend to anyone with any degree pedigree whatever." [00:50:05]

"and say test it and you'll find it to be true that is where we turn is precisely to the grace of god that is present and active in jesus christ and through him in us and anyone who says i really want to know and those are the people who are on the path of growth that leads to the place where god can empower them to do what they want." [00:51:14]

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Transcript
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