Spiritual Depth In A Godless Society
Sermon Notes
“Love has its speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice or not, at three miles an hour. It is the speed we walk and therefore the speed the love of God walks.”
- Kosuke Koyama, Three Mile and Hour God
“One sign that I am violating my own nature in the name of nobility is a condition called burnout. Though usually regarded as the result of trying to give too much, burnout in my experience results from trying to give what I do not possess — Burnout is a state of emptiness, to be sure, but it does not result from giving all I have: it merely reveals the nothingness from which I was trying to give in the first place.
- Parker Palmer, Let your life Speak
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
- Psalm 23:1-6
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
- John 10:9-11
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‘Neighborly’ - Daily Devotional
To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.
In the 10/4/22 entry, Software Updates Are Important, DJ Brennan reminds us of the importance of “updating” our faith life. We are like our phones; we need to be connected to a source that has information that needs to override the current information on [our minds]. How does this relate to Romans 12:2? What needs to be overridden in your mind so that your faith can operate optimally?
In the 10/7/22 entry, What Is A Daily Devotional?, Pastor Sean said that daily devotional time is not about what you can do, but more about what God can do. What have you noticed happening in your spirit as you move from just doing a devotional to really allowing God to move in you? What has God done for your faith? How does it benefit your interaction with the world around you?
Sermon Questions
Scriptures: Psalm 23; John 20:9-11. Quotes by Kosuke Koyama (Three Mile An Hour God) and Parker Palmer (Let Your Life Speak) are located in the Sermon Notes tab.
What impacted or challenged you in today’s message about Spiritual Depth?
Author Kosuke Koyama tells us that our God walks with us and talks with us at a leisurely human pace. In the Garden, Adam and Eve walked with God. Write down what your typical routine looks like from the time you awaken until you leave your house in the morning. How does the rest of your day progress? How do you feel by the end of the day? What is God showing you about your walk with Him, and your walk with others?
Pastor Jared drew our attention to the dwindling of spiritual depth in a Godless society - where interactions are transactional. What did he mean by transactional, and what are some ways you might be transactional in your relationships?
How does John 10:9-11 show that Jesus was not transactional? How did his going to the cross illustrate that he is “the gate”? Why does his example matter to becoming Go First leaders?
In Psalm 23, David writes about the example God sets as a leader. He is 1) personal, 2) present, and 3) preparatory. Describe how Psalm 23 demonstrates each of these. Give examples from your own life of how you see God being personal, present, and preparatory.
Author Parker Palmer gives an alternative definition of burnout - trying to give what was never possessed, resulting in a feeling of nothingness. Share a time when you experienced burnout - either giving too much, or giving out of a deficit. How does Psalm 23 provide, not just solace, but instructions for us so we can avoid burning out?
Would you like a fresh start this week? Are you willing to Go First by seeking out spiritual depth? What step/s will you take? Pastor Jared provided a framework to help us up-and-coming Go First leaders get started (fill in the blanks): In the ____, engage in ____ prayer and ____ reading of scripture.
Serve
Trunk or Treat is Saturday, Oct 29 this year, 4-6pm. We would LOVE IT if you, or your group, could lend us a hand to make this event a blast! We need people to provide the Trunks - decorate your trunk and pass out candy. Or volunteer with us for set up, run the event, and/or tear down. Follow these links:
Pray
Pray Psalm 23 as a personal conversation with God this week, noting how each verse is relevant to you. Here’s a start:
You Lord ARE my shepherd! You . I honor You!
You’ve shown me that I lack nothing. You have given me and I am thankful.
I can’t seem to slow my pace down, and I’m tired. Lord, lead me to rest in your green pastures and quiet waters. Only there will I find .
My soul needs Your refreshment, Lord.
This [thing] leaves me feeling , but with You, I know .
(Now you continue!)
