Jeremy Utley & Suren - Seeking A Revolution In Devotion To Christ

Jeremy UtleyNovember 27, 201936mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley & Suren Title: Seeking A Revolution In Devotion To Christ Date: 11-24-2019 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that true devotion to Christ is not merely an academic pursuit of knowledge, but rather a deep, personal enjoyment and intimacy with Jesus. The speaker challenges the tendency to treat knowing Christ as a subject to be studied, urging instead a focus on the sweet, desirable experience of His presence. He suggests that the Song of Solomon offers a better model for this heart-level devotion than intellectual study.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

To live is ChristThe speaker shares how Philippians 1:21 challenged him regarding whether departing to be with the Lord is truly better to him than anything else.Philippians 1:21

Knowing Christ personally, not academicallyBelievers in intellectual environments can easily approach Paul's statements of devotion in Philippians 3 as an academic study rather than knowing Jesus as a person.Philippians 3:7–8

Song of Solomon as a guide to devotionThe language of Song of Solomon helps intellectually-minded believers focus on the sweetness and desirability of the Lord rather than academic knowledge.

Living with Him throughout the dayUsing an illustration of a young child who truly knows a person's daily life, the speaker emphasizes that knowing Jesus requires living with Him all day long, not just during morning devotion times.

Being at home with the LordA defining mark of someone who longs to be with the Lord is having the ambition to be pleasing to Him in every circumstance.2 Corinthians 5:8

Why did Jesus pray three times in Gethsemane?Jesus prayed repeatedly with agony in the garden to learn what was pleasing to His Father, ultimately finding satisfaction and strength in His Father's approval.

The true source of Jesus's strengthExamining the timeline in Luke 22 shows that Jesus sweat drops of blood even after an angel strengthened Him, because He needed the direct assurance of His Father's pleasure.

Two points of applicationBelievers should examine whether anything less than the Father's approval moves them to action, and whether the assurance of His pleasure is entirely enough to sustain them.

Seeking the presence of God instead of a trouble-free dayBelievers often search fruitlessly for a day without trouble, but Jesus promised each day has its own trouble and offers His grace to face it.Matthew 6:34

Trusting God instead of fearing evil tidingsA person who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments does not need to fear bad news because their heart is steadfast and trusting in God.

Our citizenship is in heavenBelievers should live like temporary residents or foreign visitors on a mission, avoiding excessive entanglement in the politics and affairs of this world.Philippians 3:20

Keeping lamps burning for the Lord's returnBelievers must purify themselves and keep their lamps burning with extra oil so they are ready to welcome the Lord when He comes.Revelation 22:14

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Jeremy Utley & Suren - Seeking A Revolution In Devotion To Christ

Jeremy Utley · November 27, 2019 · 36m

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