Forgotten God Ch 5: A Real Relationship
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INTRO
I. Opening questions
A. What comes 2 mind when u think about rel.’s?
a. Do u think o having long conversations?
b. Spending time w/ some1?
c. Going out o ur way 2 make some1 happy?
B. Maybe ur mind goes straight 2 a specific person & how much he/she means 2 u.
a. Who is that person? (go ahead & type that in the chat)
C. Perhaps ur view o relationships isn’t so warm & cozy.
a. Maybe every time u’ve opened ur heart & life 2 some1 u’ve been disappointed & burned.
1. If that’s the case, the thought of rel.’s might b associated w/ insecurity.
2. Illust. My dad’s not in my life & the effect that had
II. Bringing it Hm
A. 2night we’re going 2 discuss what all these discussions about the H.S. really boil down to:
a. H.S. empowering, leading, helping, & indwelling all come down to 1thing
1. Relationship
In a moment we’re going 2 watch a vid. frm Frances Chan
go ahead & click on the link in the chat now as we cont. 2 talk
A. Most believers understand & affirm that Christianity is about a rel. w/ God.
a. But we don’t always recognize the Spirit’s critical role in that rel.
b. To complicate matters:
1. the rel.’s in our life can effect (positively & negatively) how we understand our rel. w/God
i. As u consider what u think ur rel. w/God is like let’s listen 2 a msg frm Frances Chan
III. Video
A. watch video
B. What stuck out to u?
C. Frances Chan says he knows that he knows that he knows God loves him…is that ur story?
a. My struggle understanding my rel. w/God
b. 1 pnt Frances is trying 2 make:
1. though we’re all children o God when we accept Jesus as Lord & savior & Jesus sends H.S. to live in us…
i. that rel. is unique & personal 4 ea. o us.
-How Papa’s frnd related his rel. w/God (look knuckle head)
2. When it comes to a rel. w/ God, there is nothing worse than insecurity &...
i. nothing better than enjoying an ongoing closeness & confidence in ur rel.
IV. The Great Debate
A. There’s this big debate in Christian circles about eternal security
a. the problem w/this focus is it’s asking “r we secure in where we’re going 2 spend eternity”
1. What if we stoped focusing on eternal security & focused on relational security
i. Do I know God as daddy?
ii. Do I experience H.S.’s critical role in my rel. w/our heavenly daddy
-let’s take some time 2 consider Paul’s words in...
BODY
BODY
I. Slaves vs Sons
1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,
2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.
3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
A. In the book of Galatians, Paul teaches about the role o the Law 4 the Jewish people in the O.T.
a. The Law was meant as a TEMPORARY manager & guardian
1. That wasn’t the end game:
i. God’s goal wasn’t the subjugation o a people
b. He says that the Law was given 2 watch over & guide the nation of Israel until Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came 2 set 'em (& us) free.
2. God’s desire is 2 create 4himself a family…a people as HIS sons & daughters
i. Adoption is something very near & dear 2 the Bell household & values
ii. In order 2 explain this, Paul contrasts 2 types of people: slaves & sons.
-Think about this imagery.
iii. What is the diff. btwn a slave & a son?
-ex: what treatment does ea. receive?
-What privileges does ea. have?
-How does ea. feel?
-What confidence does ea. have?
B. The difference
a. Slaves
1. can b cast out
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
2. fear & punishment
16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.
i. fear o punishment comes frm a performance based rel.
-This is the nature o the “Master - Servant” relationship
*perform or else
*follow the rules or else
*Do u know what that feels like?
-There is no confidence for the servant…only fear
~Frances Chan says in his book:
Serving God and living faithfully can become a constant guilt trip of “trying harder” & “doing better next time.” Maybe you can relate. I have spent much of my Christian life battling insecurity, never quite feeling sure of my salvation, living out of fear and a desperate determination to earn acceptance.
ii. God changed the foundation o our rel. w/ God through Jesus
-Now we don’t have to try 2 perform / follow the rules 2 earn acceptance
-Now we r free 2 live as children o God…adopted by his will
a. Sons experiences
1. Sons experience the Father’s Love
16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
i. consider the relational nature o this vs
-We r invited 2 live in loving fellowship w/God
-When Jn rights “Know God’s love” he’s not talking about studying & accepting facts as true, he’s talking about experiential knowledge; knowing through experience
ii. When Jn rights, “Believe the love that God has 4 us” He’s calling 4 a confident trust in God’s love for u! for me! for us as his children!!
-we live relationally in close connection w/God who loves us as a Father 2 a son
2. Sons experience the Father’s Patience
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
i. Our Father in Heaven is not hot tempered as u might have heard
-instead he is slow to anger…patient w/us as we grow in him
3. Sons experience the Father’s Mercy
i. He treats us mercifully when we sin against him
4. Sons experience the Father’s Discipline
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
i. hey wait, I thought u said our rel. wasn’t performance based — IT’S NOT!!
-He disciplines & corrects us that we would become more loving
*God is not punishing us like in a Master - Servant rel.
*Our heavenly father is disciplining us 4 the purpose o training, guiding, & molding us…it’s 4 our good out o his great love 4 us
-consider
19 We love because he first loved us.
-how we act is based on how God 1st treated us!!
*our performance isn’t about maintaining our rel.
-we pay forward what we rec.
*loved people love people
*forgiven people forgive people
*c what I mean?
-God doesn’t say, “If you act like this You’ll b my child”
-God says, “since u r my children I teach, guide, & discipline u 2 act loving”
*It is by the presence, direction, & guidance of H.S. that we learn 2 act lovingly
-Illust. Karchasey boys (I will not have lazy sons, I will not have disrespectful sons”
he’s saying, “u r a Karchasey…Karchasey’s work hard, and respect others”
C. Summing up the idea
a. The incredible truth is that in Christ we have been adopted by God.
1. Whether / not we feel like children of God, this is reality.
i. But God wasn’t satisfied w/ simply adopting us;
II. Know that we Know
A. He wanted 2b sure that we would feel like children of God....that we would Know that we Know
a. Paul says that God gave us the H.S. 4 that very reason:
6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
1. What is the significance of Paul’s statement here?
2. That term “Abba” was the most endearing way 2 address a father.
i. It’s like saying “Daddy.”
-Let the significance of this hit you.
ii. It’s incredible enough that we can call almighty God our Father.
-But then He sends the H.S. in2 our hearts & prompts us 2 cry out 2 Him, “Daddy!”
*But look, the Spirit cries, “Abba”— why?
~Is it 4 God’s good that He cries daddy??
~No it’s for our good…sometimes we need a reminder o our rel. to God
-God wants us 2 know that we know that we know we’re his kids
3. How should it affect ur rel. w/ God 2 know that He sent the H.S in2 ur heart 2 cry out “Abba!”?
i. Illust. When Caleb gets hurt
-1st word out o his mouth is “daaadddddyyyyy”
-There is nothing like hearing my son call for me.
-When he calls out he KNOWS I’m there 4 him…I scoop him up & snuggle him
-I comfort him, encourage him, & help him get ready to continue on
ii. when we r relationally secure we can b stable in uncertain times
-Paul writes in...
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
B. Let me say it again, We r Children o God
a. In this passage, Paul makes basically the same statement.
1. The H.S. lives w/in us in order 2 convince us that we r God’s children:
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
2. In this case, Paul adds the thought that we should not fall back in2 fear as though we were slaves.
i. Because we r not yet perfected, we all sin on a regular basis.
ii. For many o us, falling in2 sin can cause us insecurity in our rel. w/ God.
-We begin to feel unworthy & afraid.
3. Our response is just like that of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11–32) :
—Tell The Story—
i. In shame, he crawled back 2 the father, believing that he could not b accepted as a son, but hoping that he might b able 2 serve as a slave.
ii. I personally wrestle w/Have i sinned 1 too many times? is that it…is he casting me out?
iii. Imagine the son’s shock & eventually overwhelming joy when the father came running 2 embrace him as a son!
-This is Jn’s point when he writes:
17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
b. Most of us experience situations where our guilt/ perfectionism keeps us from enjoying intimacy w/ God.
1. what if, when we sin, we turn 2 God rather than away from him?
i. Like a child turning 2 daddy for help
-So often we read Jesus words in...
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
*& think, He’s saying, u better get right w/God or else!!
2. What if He’s saying, “Turn to God while he’s near”
i. repent: turn frm our old ways & thinking 2ward God
-not enough just 2 turn frm something
3. what if KOG is at hand isn’t a threat/ warning alarm, but it’s a celebration bell?
c. In times o rel. insecurity, how should the truth of Romans 8:15–17 & 1 Jn 4:16-19 restore our intimacy w/ God?
1. What’s ur response 2 this truth?
C. Can I just say this: God wants a close rel. w/u!!
a. God’s not like, “ahhh man, that Dustin, he accepted Jesus, I guess I’ll have to adopt him”
1. NO!! -God strongly desires a relationship w/ us
i. so much so that He sent His Spirit in2 our hearts so that we could have constant fellowship w/ HIM.
2. God’s like, “YAY!!! It’s Tim…Tim accepted my son Jesus!! Finally I get 2 adopt him…I’ve been waiting 4 this for so long
b. When we fall away God’s response is like the father 2ward the prodigal son!
1. Yay, My son has returned to me!!
2. The dad’s not asking 4 a return on the $$ he borrowed He spends even more on him (slaughtering the fatten calf)
i. No repayment necessary
-Jesus payed it all
c. To some extent, we all know what it’s like to feel close to another person:
1. whether it b a parent, a spouse, a child, a sibling, a good friend.
2. Whatever it is, there’s nothing like sharing a close personal rel.
i. Most of us tend 2 take our rel.’s 4 granted, but what is it that makes close personal rel.’s so incredible?
-No matter how close u may feel w/ another human being, the potential 4 intimacy w/ the H.S. is always greater.
-Close friends may stick by ur side no matter what, but the H.S. actually lives inside o u!
*Think about it, every second o every day the Spirit o the living God is w/in u
d. The psalmist who was Isr. King, David wrote
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
1. At this point, u might start to wonder, “If this is true, why don’t I feel close to Him?”
III. Reasons 4 a lack o intimacy
A. I think that most of us become distanced from the Spirit for 2 primary reasons: comfort & noise.
a. Comfort
1. In John 14, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Helper” / “Comforter”.
2. Though it is a reassuring thought 2 have a Helper & Comforter on hand, many o us have made our lives so comfortable & “safe” that we don’t need 2b comforted.
i. Usually, it’s not until we’re in desperate situations like
-an unexpected tragedy strikes
-having 2 answer tough questions o the faith
-serving when it hurts
*that we feel uncomfortable.
ii. Illust. (missionaries held captive 4 their faith in Afghanistan)
-they were held in extreme circumstances & facing their death
-In reflection they said that they had never felt closer 2 God than in that time & @ some level wished they were back
*What’s ur initial reaction when u heard this?
iii. Is it hard to believe that when we need him the most is when we find him?
-I mean, who needs a comforter when our life is so comfortable
Karl Barth said, “When we are at our wits’ end for an answer, then the Holy Spirit can give us an answer. But how can He give us an answer when we are still well supplied with all sorts of answers of our own?”
-Paul writes:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
*it is by the H.S. that we experience God’s comfort
*It’s in our affliction we need the comfort, not in our easy chair
*Maybe it’s in our comfort we need the affliction?
iv. Have u ever found yourself in a place where u absolutely needed the Spirit 2 help / comfort u?
-What was it like & how did the Spirit comfort u?
-Have some1 share
-Illust. during deployment
-If u answered no 2 that question (/ if u had 2 think about it awhile)...
*do u think u should consider living a more radical life where u need the Spirit 2 come through?
*Why/why not?
~If ur life isn’t too comfortable, it’s probably too noisy.
b. volume
1. One o the most observed & bemoaned aspects o life in the 21st century is the rapid pace o everything.
i. When was the last time u had an uninterrupted 1-on-1 conversation where u were able 2 just look a person in the eye.
ii. Illust. my home life at times
-there r times as a pastor that I’ve caught myself:
-watching a show w/Rebekah, while having a conversation w/her, while checking my email & texting about Church stuff
*Even inanimate objects demand our attention—televisions, iPods, radios, newspapers, computers, books (like this one), and so on.
2. When was the last time u sat quietly w/ nothing at all 2 distract u?
i. What was that like?
-Ur life may have become so busy & noisy that u haven’t sat alone w/ God 4 weeks
*maybe even yrs.
3. Jesus’ example
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,
37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”
i. Jesus recognized the need r close connection w/God the Father
c. Bringing it home
1. What r some of the things that distract U frm a real rel. w/ God.
i. Which o those things do u need 2 get rid o /back off on in order 2 pursue intimacy w/ God
Wrapping It Up
Wrapping It Up
I. The Point
A. I hope this section doesn’t come across as harsh / accusing.
a. You may have an incredible relationship w/ God.
1. Maybe He’s more real 2 u than the people around u.
2. If that’s true, then praise God!
i. That’s the goal we’re all headed 2ward.
B. The Point is to help you maintain that rel. through the power of the Spirit...
a. & to remove some of the things that inhibit intimacy w/ God.
b. The most important reason 2 pursue a rel. w/ the Spirit o God is that Jesus gave His life so that u could pursue 1.
1. As Paul explained in...
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
i. At times, u may b tempted 2 feel that the Spirit is keeping Himself distant from u / that u’re trying 2 find God, but He doesn’t want 2b found.
-When that thought enters your mind, remember the truth of
14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
- Jesus died so that you could receive the Spirit.
*He purchased that intimacy for you at the greatest possible price.
ii. A rel. w/u is so important that:
-God the Father sent God the Son to die on the cross...
*so that God the Spirit might draw u ever closer in rel. w/Him
C. Prayer:
a. LORD empower us by ur H.S. 2 approach U as our Daddy.
1. May we stand secure in our rel. w/ u...
2. & may that overflow into the intimacy that comes through obediently walking in the Spirit.
HomeWork
HomeWork
I. Spend some time in prayer.
A. Ask God to draw you closer to Himself.
a. Pray that His Holy Spirit would increase ur intimacy as a child of the living God.
II. Answer these Questions:
A. honestly describe your relationship with God.
a. Be descriptive—
1. Is this enought? is the H.S. drawing u closer?
B. How do u draw closer to H.S. & how do u maintain it?
III. Read Jn 14-16.
A. Invite the H.S. into the time
B. Disconnect from ur devices & people (this might b the most important part of this exercise)
C. Soak in Jesus’ words
D. Record anything that stood out to you
E. ask the Holy Spirit to teach you what Jesus is saying in these Chapters