Bright & True Fellowship
Notes
Transcript
We are going to do something a bit different. For those of you who like to garden, you know the importance of preparing the soil so that when the seed is planted, it is able to grow. Today, we are going to cultivate our hearts and minds so that the seed planted, which is God’s Word, may grow and flourish in our lives.
To do that, we are going to practice a spiritual discipline. One helpful definition that I found of a spiritual discipline is “a regularly repeated practice that can, both personally and communally enrich our attentiveness to the Holy Spirit, cultivate the life and character of Jesus Christ in us, and strengthen our love for God and others.” The spiritual disciplines help us develop into spiritually mature Christians. For example, prayer is a spiritual discipline, fasting is one, so is practicing radical generosity.
A practice I want us to try this morning is called Lectio Divina [Lex-she-o De-veno] (Latin for Divine Reading). It dates back to the early church and was first introduced by St. Gregory of Nyssa in the 4th Century. This is a practice you can do at home on your own, but we are going to try it corporately. We are going to invite the Holy Spirit to speak to us by listening to God’s Word and reflecting on it.
According to Elizabeth Mannah, “It’s a way of developing a closer relationship with God by reflecting prayerfully on His words. In Lectio Divina, the chosen spiritual text is read four times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply about it and respond thoughtfully.”
The four readings are like four levels - each one drawing you in deeper communion with God:
The first reading is simply named Lectio (reading) - as the passage is read, you listen carefully for any words or phrases that seem to jump out to you or speak to you.
The second reading is Meditatio (meditation) - as the passage is read again, you medidate or reflect on what you believe God is saying to you in this moment. Ponder what the phrase or passage that jumps out to you means.
The third reading is Oratio (Oh-ratio) (prayer) - this is where we respond to God. At home, you may take time to journal your thoughts, but here, you are simply invited to pray and let God know what you are hearing him say.
The final reading is Contemplatio - to contemplate or rest in His Word. On your own, you would spend about 10 minutes contemplating on what you have received from God. We won’t contemplate that long this morning.
You can use this method whenever you pray or read the scriptures - it will help you develop your relationship with Jesus.
Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, Contemplatio.
Read, Meditate, Pray, Rest.
This is how we cultivate the garden of our mind with God’s Word.
I’m going to start the first reading and it is a portion of our text we heard this morning from 1 John. You may choose to close your eyes if it helps you to listen. Remember, the first reading you are listening for words or phrases that jump out to you.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ok, I’m going to read it again. Meditate on what you think the Spirit is bringing to your attention as you listen. (Read)
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Now for the third reading. Listen again and then respond to God in prayer - let him know what insight you have received and ask what are you to do with it. (Read)
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[Pause]
The last reading followed by a time of silence. Rest in his word. Just be silent. If you mind begins to wander - bring it back into silence. (Read)
1 John 1:5–9 (ESV)
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[Pause]
Would anyone like to share any insight or impression they received through these readings?
The verse that jumped out to me was “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
To me, that means when I walk with God in the light, when I walk according to the teachings and example of Jesus, with my focus on pleasing him, then I am going to, as a consequence, have true fellowship with others who are walking with Jesus. I see that as “iron sharpening iron” - that my actions are going to strengthen and encourage another Christian in their walk and their actions and behavior are going to have an impact on my walk. I will experience the love and forgiveness of Christ through my fellowship and interactions with others.
As I meditate on that, I ask myself - do I truly enjoy “bright fellowship” with others? That is my term for fellowship in the light. And my answer is, yes, but I can do a better job at it. I know how often I prefer to pull back and be alone. There is room there for increased fellowship while still enjoying some solitude.
A few chapters later in John’s letter, we read:
Those who say, “I love God” and hate their brothers or sisters are liars. After all, those who don’t love their brothers or sisters whom they have seen can hardly love God whom they have not seen! This commandment we have from him: Those who claim to love God ought to love their brother and sister also.
My response then, my prayer, is that the Holy Spirit will convict me in those moments where my desire is to pull away, when in fact, I need to lean in and be present.
This is spiritual discipline is one way we can allow the Word of God to penetrate us and bring about spiritual development.
I encourage you to practice this at home. You can start with the first four verses of this chapter. There is a lot packed in there as John speaks to the mystery of Jesus being both a man they knew personally as well as the eternal God who has always been.
Or you can just use Lectio Divina on one verse - like 1 John 2:1
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Really spend time in that verse. Think of all the implications. John sets a high bar for us. We are not to sin. Most of us, I think it is fair to say, have the mindset - I am a fallen human being and so I am going to sin. Thank goodness for God’s grace!
And while it is true that God’s grace can and will cleanse us - that Jesus is advocating for us - we can also use that as an excuse. We need to ask ourselves, am I really pursuing holiness? Am I desiring to live each day bring glory to God, or do I pull away?
This is the work of a disciple. To follow Jesus and be transformed by Him. The Spiritual Disciplines (such as lectio divina, prayer, fasting, solitude, worship, Bible Study, giving, service, gratitude) - they are resources for us to use as we draw closer to God.
Over the next few weeks (not counting next week) we will be spending some time in 1 John. I encourage you to spend some time in this book of the Bible in your own private reading and study. Practice this spiritual discipline each week as a complement to the sermon. I know the Lord will strengthen you as you do so.
Amen.