Growing Closer to Jesus
Good morning, everyone!
Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
Good morning, everyone. Today, we gather to reflect on a deeply important aspect of our faith journey: growing closer to Jesus.
In a world filled with distractions, it’s essential that we anchor our lives in Christ, allowing His presence to guide us, strengthen us, and draw us nearer to Him.
Today I want to cover how to get closer to the Lord in our everyday life.
These are the five steps I am working on in my life and I am going to share them with you.
You might want to take notes.
1. Seek Him with All Your Heart
Jeremiah 29:13 tells us, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Our journey toward Jesus begins with a sincere desire to know Him. This requires us to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. Just as we invest time and effort into our relationships with family and friends, we must do the same with our Savior.
Prayer: Engage in heartfelt conversations with Jesus. Share your joys, burdens, and gratitude with Him.
Scripture Reading: Dive into the Bible daily. It is through His Word that we understand His character, His promises, and His will for our lives.
Let me share with you the story of a woman named Sarah.
Sarah felt lost and distant from God. One day, she decided to dedicate the first hour of her day to prayer and Bible reading. Initially, it felt challenging, but as days turned into weeks, she began to experience a profound sense of peace and clarity. Her relationship with Jesus deepened, and she found comfort and guidance in His presence.
Sarah's journey reminds us that when we seek Jesus earnestly, He reveals Himself to us in beautiful and transformative ways.
2. Embrace His Teachings
Jesus said in John 14:23, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." To grow closer to Jesus, we must not only hear His words but also live by them.
Obedience: Follow His commandments and teachings. Let His words shape your actions and decisions.
Transformation: Allow His teachings to transform your mind and heart. Seek to be more like Him in every aspect of your life.
Consider the story of John, a businessman who found himself compromising his values for success.
After attending a Bible study on Jesus' teachings, John felt convicted to change his ways. He started to implement biblical principles in his business, prioritizing integrity and kindness. Though it wasn't always easy, John witnessed a transformation in his workplace environment and his personal life. His obedience to Jesus' teachings not only brought him closer to Christ but also positively impacted those around him.
3. Live in Community
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another."
Community plays a vital role in our spiritual growth. Surround yourself with fellow believers who will support, challenge, and uplift you in your walk with Christ.
Fellowship: Participate actively in church and small groups. Share your faith journey with others and learn from their experiences.
Service: Serve alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ. Through service, we emulate Jesus' love and humility.
Emily moved to a new city and struggled with loneliness. She decided to join a local church group. Initially shy and hesitant, Emily soon found herself embraced by a loving community. Through fellowship and service, she built deep, meaningful relationships. Her new friends encouraged her faith and supported her through challenging times.
Emily's story illustrates the power of community in drawing us closer to Jesus and each other.
4. Practice Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines are practices that help us grow closer to God. These include prayer, fasting, meditation, and worship. By incorporating these disciplines into our daily lives, we create space for Jesus to work within us.
Fasting: Deny yourself certain comforts to focus more intently on God.
Meditation: Spend quiet moments reflecting on His Word and listening for His voice.
Worship: Engage in regular worship, both corporately and individually, expressing your love and adoration for Jesus.
David was a man who felt overwhelmed by life's demands. He decided to incorporate fasting and meditation into his routine. By setting aside regular times for these disciplines, David experienced a renewed sense of purpose and connection with God. He found that these practices helped him to hear God's voice more clearly and to align his actions with His will.
David's experience shows how spiritual disciplines can deepen our relationship with Jesus and bring clarity and peace to our lives.
5. Trust in His Promises
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Trust is
fundamental in our relationship with Jesus. Even when life is uncertain, we can have confidence in His promises.
Faith: Cultivate a deep trust in Jesus, believing that He is working all things for your good.
Surrender: Surrender your fears, anxieties, and plans to Him. Trust that His plans for you are perfect.
Rebecca faced a season of uncertainty after losing her job. Despite the challenges, she chose to trust in God's promises. Rebecca prayed for guidance and clung to Proverbs 3:5-6. Over time, she found a new job that was more fulfilling and aligned with her passions. Through this experience, Rebecca's trust in Jesus grew stronger, and she saw firsthand how He makes our paths straight when we submit to Him.
Her story encourages us to trust in Jesus, knowing that He is faithful and His plans are always for our good.
Growing closer to Jesus is a lifelong journey that requires intentionality, discipline, and faith. As we seek Him with all our hearts, embrace His teachings, live in community, practice spiritual disciplines, and trust in His promises, we will find ourselves drawing nearer to our Savior. Let us commit today to deepening our relationship with Jesus, allowing His love and grace to transform us from the inside out. May our lives be a testament to His goodness and glory.
As we close, I want to invite anyone who feels led to come forward for prayer. Our prayer team will be right up front here to spend time with you.
Whether you are seeking a closer relationship with Jesus, needing encouragement to embrace His teachings, looking for a community, or desiring to trust in His promises more fully, we are here to pray with you.
Before you do that, we do want to do a closing prayer. Please, let us pray together, inviting Jesus to work in our hearts and lives.
Let us pray..
