Understanding Our Divine Relationship with Jesus

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound nature of our relationship with Jesus and the importance of understanding the language we use to describe it. While Jesus is indeed our friend, the term "buddy" can carry connotations that diminish His divine authority and lordship. In the first-century context, being called a friend of Caesar was an honor, signifying a special relationship without implying equality. Similarly, Jesus is our friend, but He remains our Lord, deserving of reverence and worship.

We also delved into the depth and richness of Scripture, emphasizing that it is not a shallow text but one that is profound and life-changing. The Bible is a source of wisdom and guidance, offering insights that can transform our lives. It is essential to approach Scripture with a sense of awe and excitement, recognizing that it is far beyond our full comprehension.

Furthermore, we discussed the significance of God's presence in our lives. The presence of the living God is what brings true transformation, not our efforts or abilities. This is exemplified in the story of Moses, who learned that it was not about his capabilities but about God's authority working through him. The same applies to us; we are called to be agents of God's will, relying on His power rather than our own.

The message also highlighted the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. There is no such thing as a spiritless Christianity in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is integral to our faith, guiding us and empowering us to live as true disciples of Christ. We must not be afraid to talk about the Holy Spirit, as it is through Him that we experience the fullness of God's presence.

Finally, we touched on the concept of autonomy and the call to be disciples of Christ. True freedom is not about doing our own thing but about following Jesus and taking up our crosses. In a culture obsessed with self, we are reminded that our lives are not about us but about putting Yahweh at the center.

Key Takeaways:

1. Language Matters in Our Relationship with Jesus: While Jesus is our friend, the term "buddy" can undermine His divine authority. In the first-century context, being a friend of Caesar was an honor, not an indication of equality. Similarly, Jesus is our friend, but He remains our Lord, deserving of reverence and worship. [01:22]

2. The Depth of Scripture: The Bible is not a shallow text but a profound source of wisdom and guidance. It offers insights that can transform our lives, and we should approach it with awe and excitement. Scripture is far beyond our full comprehension, and it is essential to recognize its depth and richness. [03:08]

3. God's Presence Brings Transformation: True transformation comes from the presence of the living God, not our efforts or abilities. Like Moses, we are called to be agents of God's will, relying on His power rather than our own. God's presence is what makes the church more than just a gathering; it is the source of true change. [06:47]

4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is integral to our faith, guiding us and empowering us to live as true disciples of Christ. There is no spiritless Christianity in the New Testament, and we must not be afraid to talk about the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we experience the fullness of God's presence. [08:31]

5. True Freedom in Discipleship: True freedom is not about doing our own thing but about following Jesus and taking up our crosses. In a culture obsessed with self, we are reminded that our lives are not about us but about putting Yahweh at the center. This is the path to true fulfillment and eternal life. [11:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:42] - Jesus as Friend, Not Buddy
- [01:22] - First-Century Friendship Context
- [02:30] - The Depth of Scripture
- [03:42] - Excitement in God's Word
- [04:10] - Moses' Lesson on Authority
- [05:23] - God's Transformative Power
- [06:12] - Humility and God's Presence
- [06:47] - The Importance of Presence
- [07:23] - Jesus as the Incarnation
- [08:00] - The Indwelling Holy Spirit
- [09:18] - Control and the Holy Spirit
- [10:12] - Yahweh's Deliverance
- [11:02] - Autonomy vs. Discipleship
- [12:18] - Self-Obsessed Culture
- [13:31] - The Significance of Names

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. John 15:15 - "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
2. Exodus 3:11-12 - "But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' And God said, 'I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.'"
3. Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the difference between Jesus being our "friend" and our "buddy"? ([01:22])
2. What lesson did Moses learn about God's authority and presence according to the sermon? ([04:41])
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer? ([08:31])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the concept of autonomy in relation to discipleship? ([11:34])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that language can impact our understanding of Jesus' authority and our relationship with Him? ([01:22])
2. How does the sermon illustrate the transformative power of God's presence in our lives, using the example of Moses? ([06:47])
3. What does the sermon imply about the necessity of the Holy Spirit for living a life of true discipleship? ([09:18])
4. How does the sermon challenge the cultural notion of autonomy with the biblical call to discipleship? ([12:18])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own language when describing your relationship with Jesus. Are there terms you use that might unintentionally diminish His authority? How can you adjust your language to reflect His lordship? ([01:22])
2. Consider a time when you relied on your own abilities rather than God's presence. How can you shift your focus to rely more on His power in your daily life? ([06:47])
3. How comfortable are you discussing the Holy Spirit in your faith journey? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit's role in your life? ([09:18])
4. In what ways do you see the cultural obsession with self impacting your walk with Christ? How can you actively put Yahweh at the center of your life? ([12:18])
5. Identify an area in your life where you seek autonomy. How can you surrender this area to Jesus and embrace the freedom found in discipleship? ([11:34])
6. Think of a specific situation where you can apply the lesson of being an agent of God's will, like Moses. What practical steps can you take to rely on God's authority in this situation? ([04:41])
7. How can you cultivate a sense of awe and excitement when approaching Scripture, recognizing its depth and richness? What changes can you make in your Bible study habits to reflect this attitude? ([03:08])

Devotional

Day 1: The Reverence of Friendship with Jesus
In our relationship with Jesus, language plays a crucial role. While it is comforting to think of Jesus as a friend, it is important to remember that He is not merely a "buddy." The term "buddy" can imply a casualness that undermines His divine authority and lordship. In the first-century context, being called a friend of Caesar was a significant honor, indicating a special relationship without suggesting equality. Similarly, Jesus is our friend, but He remains our Lord, deserving of reverence and worship. This understanding helps us maintain a balance between intimacy and respect in our relationship with Him. [01:22]

John 15:14-15 (ESV): "You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

Reflection: How can you honor Jesus as both your friend and Lord in your daily interactions and decisions today?

Day 2: The Profound Depth of Scripture
The Bible is not a shallow text but a profound source of wisdom and guidance. It offers insights that can transform our lives, and we should approach it with awe and excitement. Scripture is far beyond our full comprehension, and it is essential to recognize its depth and richness. By engaging with the Bible, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's Word, which can guide us through life's challenges and joys. This requires a commitment to study and meditate on Scripture, allowing it to shape our thoughts and actions. [03:08]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your engagement with Scripture and allow it to transform your life?

Day 3: Transformation Through God's Presence
True transformation comes from the presence of the living God, not our efforts or abilities. Like Moses, we are called to be agents of God's will, relying on His power rather than our own. God's presence is what makes the church more than just a gathering; it is the source of true change. When we invite God's presence into our lives, we experience His transformative power, which enables us to live out our calling and purpose. This requires humility and a willingness to surrender our own agendas in favor of God's will. [06:47]

Exodus 33:14 (ESV): "And he said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's presence and power rather than your own efforts?

Day 4: The Integral Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is integral to our faith, guiding us and empowering us to live as true disciples of Christ. There is no spiritless Christianity in the New Testament, and we must not be afraid to talk about the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we experience the fullness of God's presence. The Holy Spirit equips us with spiritual gifts and enables us to bear fruit in our lives, reflecting the character of Christ. Embracing the Holy Spirit's role in our lives leads to a deeper, more vibrant faith. [08:31]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance in your daily life?

Day 5: True Freedom in Following Christ
True freedom is not about doing our own thing but about following Jesus and taking up our crosses. In a culture obsessed with self, we are reminded that our lives are not about us but about putting Yahweh at the center. This is the path to true fulfillment and eternal life. By surrendering our autonomy and embracing discipleship, we find freedom in living according to God's will. This requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that true freedom comes from aligning our lives with God's purposes. [11:34]

Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender your own desires to follow Jesus more closely?

Quotes

1) "So part of the reason for this stuff coming at you is just to remind us that what we're dealing with is far beyond anything we can imagine. We get bits of it, but we never control it. So that's partly what I'm doing. Partly I'm also trying to say for those of us who think the Scripture's about this deep, it's profound. You can build your life on this stuff. It's deep and rich. And someone made the wonderful comment, Paul, I think it was. What was it that you liked? It was about you can't grow. Yeah, okay. And I think sometimes as preachers we do a disservice by making the Scripture thin. It's not thin. It's profound and deep." [03:08] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "Building the church is not our responsibility. Jesus said, I will do that. He'll use us, but he's the one who does it. But this word carries within it its own power. Jesus tells a parable of this farmer who sows his seed and goes to sleep. Tell me what farmer in BC does that with their crops. You've got to check them. You've got to weed them. You've got to take care of them. So what's Jesus talking about? He uses an unusual Greek word that actually describes undomesticated grain. What's he doing? He's saying, what I'm doing actually contains within it its own transformative power. It will do its own work." [05:23] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "And because of that, a little more open about our failings. So maybe Moses can be the most humble man in all the earth because actually he's just realized, you know what? It's not about me actually. All right. So it's not about you, but I will be with you. And a little point, this is in Hebrew. You get this verb introduced. Sorry about that. But it's the verb to be. Now that's critical because that's going to become a major part of who Yahweh is. But it just starts with, I will be with you. So there's that little echo from which actually Yahweh's own name will come. The key thing about this is the presence." [06:12] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "If you want to know what God looks like when he's present among us, look at Jesus. That's the great thing in the Gospels. Someone says, what does God look like? Go and read John. Read Luke. Read Matthew. You're going to see what God looks like in Jesus. It's wonderful stuff. Now, what does that mean for us? Well, I would say the great thing for New Testament folks is that we have something that most Israelites never had. And that is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit." [07:23] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "So my question is, who benefits from making so many Christians afraid of talking about the Holy Spirit? You think that's Jesus? Who actually thinks behind that? Who's going to want to make you afraid of the Holy Spirit? Exactly. Think about that. Right? Wow. All kinds of. All kinds of stuff that can come out of this. We've already talked about it. Moses is not in control of this. Yet he gets to respond. But this is Yahweh's thing. So if you really want to know the Holy Spirit, you have to give up being in control. Doesn't mean you just accept anything that comes down the drainpipe. Not at all. You're meant to discern. But we're not in charge when that happens. It's really about the Spirit blowing very well." [09:18] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "The point, again, is God does not set us free so I can achieve a fulfilled life. Where does Jesus say that? That's not what this is about. The core thing of this is to put Yahweh at the center. And that's the sign of the deliverance. So, again, in my Pentecostal background, I'll sometimes say to some of these guys, you talk a lot about the Spirit, but you hardly ever talk about Scripture. How does that work? If you're filled with the Spirit, wouldn't you expect that's going to take you to Scripture? Because you know that's from Him. And what does the Spirit do? The Spirit exalts Jesus. Points to Him. So that's what this is all about." [11:02] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "And what's going on in the Exodus is you've not been redeemed, Rick, to do your own thing. That's not what God has committed Himself to. What He's committed Himself to is calling us to be His disciples. And to teach us what it means to look like Him. And for the New Testament, what does that mean? Taking up our crosses and following Him. Which in itself is an act of denying the fact that I am, you know, the center of the universe. That's what that's saying. I'm not. It's actually about the Lord. Now, that's a bit of a problem in our selfie-obsessed culture." [11:34] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "So you have the Canadian ambassador. He goes to the United Nations. What's his job? To speak for Canada. What's her job? To speak for Canada. If she gets up and starts doing her own thing, she's gone. That's what the language of praying for something in Jesus' name is about. It's stuff that reflects who he is. We're his ambassadors. As some of us talked a bit, we can't go into that. But I think taking the Lord's name in vain, what I think that means is not swearing, but it's to say I'm a Christian and I don't live like it. I think that's to desecrate the sanctum. Technical language, but it's one of the most serious crimes there is in Israel's scriptures." [26:19] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "And Jesus himself says, which we Pentecostals have to sometimes listen to, many will come to me on that day saying, did we not cast out unclean spirits in your name? Do many mighty deeds of power, da, da, da. And Jesus will say, I never knew you. They're the things that come from the authority of Jesus. That's what he does. They don't actually testify to us being his follower. This will be the sign you worship me on this mountain. Okay. Now here's what he's going to do because he really can. It's more about his faithfulness to act. It's grounded in the I am, but it comes all of it because of who Yahweh is." [31:04] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10) "What does that mean for us? What it means for us, folks, is what we face is the sure and certain hope of the life of the world to come. No matter what. What happens? Because Yahweh's reputation depends on it. Jesus' reputation depends and will be demonstrated by his faithfulness in resurrecting every one of us. So you don't know this. I'm still watching the clock. When you put your trust in Jesus, a spiritual exercise happened. And they're called bungee ropes. And they were attached. They're already attached to Jesus' ankles. And now they're attached to yours. And the time's going to come. You're going to be lying in your grave. And those are going to snap tight. And baby, you're going to pop out of there. And there's nothing you can do to stop it." [39:19] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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