July 7th Recap & Application of Pastor Kevyn’s Sermon Notes: Jesus Taught We Need “Spiritual Transformation”
Ezekiel 36:24-28: "For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances."
Action to Consider: God promises to cleanse and transform us, giving us a new heart and His Spirit. Daily, we should seek to align our hearts with God's, allowing His Spirit to guide our actions and decisions. This means being open to change and letting go of old habits that don't align with God's will.
Jeremiah 31:31-34: "Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the Lord, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
Action to Consider: Embrace the new covenant where God's law is written on our hearts. This involves internalizing God's teachings and living them out in our daily interactions. Reflect on God's forgiveness and strive to live in a way that reflects His love and mercy.
John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."
Action to Consider: Understand and accept the power and right to be children of God. This identity should influence all aspects of our life, giving us confidence and purpose. Remember that our transformation is through God's will, not human effort, and live as a testament to His power.
John 4:10-14: Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." She said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?" Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."
Action to Consider: Seek the "living water" that Jesus offers, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit. This involves daily communion with God through prayer, reading Scripture, and allowing the Spirit to work within us, bringing us eternal satisfaction and spiritual vitality.
John 7:37-39: Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Action to Consider: Actively seek and receive the Holy Spirit in your life. Believe in Jesus and let the Spirit flow through you, bringing life and transformation not only to yourself but also to those around you.
Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:3-20, Luke 8:4-15 (Parable of the Sower) | Summary of Verses: Jesus tells a parable about a sower who sows seeds on different types of soil, representing different responses to God's Word.
Action to Consider: Prepare your heart to be good soil for God's Word. This means being receptive, understanding, and applying God's teachings in your life. Reflect on your spiritual condition regularly and remove obstacles that hinder your growth.
Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4: But He answered and said, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’"
Action to Consider: Prioritize spiritual nourishment through God's Word over physical needs. Incorporate regular Bible study and meditation into your daily routine, letting God's Word sustain and guide you.
John 6:51: "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."
Action to Consider: Embrace Jesus as the source of eternal life. Participate in the Lord's Supper with reverence, remembering His sacrifice, and live in a way that honors His gift of life.
John 8:31-32: So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
Action to Consider: Continue steadfastly in Jesus' teachings. Let His truth liberate you from sin, falsehood, and fear. Regularly seek His truth and allow it to transform your life.
John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."
Action to Consider: Acknowledge Jesus as the exclusive way to God. Align your life with His teachings, trusting in His guidance and provision for every aspect of your life.
John 14:17: "That is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you."
Action to Consider: Recognize and welcome the Spirit of truth within you. Cultivate a close relationship with the Holy Spirit, seeking His guidance and wisdom daily.
John 15:1-8 | Verse Summary: Jesus uses the analogy of the vine and branches to illustrate the importance of remaining in Him to bear fruit.
Action to Consider: Stay connected to Jesus as your source of life and strength. Regularly evaluate your relationship with Him and make adjustments to stay close, ensuring your life bears fruit for His glory.
John 17:17: "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth."
Action to Consider: Seek sanctification through God's truth. Allow His Word to purify and set you apart for His purposes. Engage in regular study and application of Scripture.
John 18:37-38: Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
Action to Consider: Listen to and follow Jesus, who testifies to the truth. Make a conscious effort to hear His voice through Scripture and prayer, aligning your life with His teachings.
John 20:22: And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Action to Consider: Embrace the Holy Spirit in your life. Open yourself to His presence and power, allowing Him to work in and through you daily.
The Spirit’s Work in Us
John 14:16-26: "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. ... But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."
Action to Consider: Depend on the Holy Spirit as your teacher and guide. Regularly seek His help in understanding and applying Jesus' teachings. Trust that He is with you forever, providing constant support and insight.
John 15:26-27: "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning."
Action to Consider: Be a witness to Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Allow the Spirit of truth to testify about Jesus in your life and share your experiences and knowledge of Him with others.
John 16:13-15: "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you."
Action to Consider: Follow the Spirit of truth as He guides you into all truth. Be attentive to His voice and revelations, allowing Him to glorify Jesus in your life. Trust in His guidance for future decisions and directions.
Managing Our Minds with the Spirit
John 3:7-21 | Verses Summary: Jesus explains the need to be born again and understand the spiritual truths He teaches. He speaks of eternal life, God's love, and the light versus darkness.
Action to Consider: Seek the Holy Spirit's help to renew your mind and understand Jesus' teachings. Embrace being born again and live in the light of God's truth. Reflect on God's love and the gift of eternal life, letting it transform your mindset and actions.
The Mind Informed by Jesus
Recognize the need for the Holy Spirit to understand who Jesus is and His mission.
Embrace Jesus' life and death as a profound gift from God.
Live free from fear of judgment and death, knowing Jesus has overcome these for you.
Overall Application
Internalize and live out the teachings of Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and transform you.
Prioritize spiritual nourishment, understanding, and truth in your daily walk.
Stay connected to Jesus, continually seeking His guidance and the Spirit's work in your life.