The Transformed Life | Week 3: Disciplines | John 15 1-11 - Clint Leavitt

At Midtown Presbyterian Church, our mission is to invite people into a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ. We borrow this language of transformation from the scriptures, where we are encouraged as Christians to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds" (Romans 12:1-2). Being a Christian isn’t simply about information - it is about transformation, becoming people whose entire beings embody the way and work of Jesus in every part of our lives. With this goal in mind, we at Midtown have developed an introductory curriculum, alongside a library of resources, events, sermons, and podcasts, designed to help transform our community into Christlikeness. Listen as Pastor Clint explores the subject of disciplines, the ancient practices Christians have embraced to abide in the love and character of Jesus and embody it to the world. While they may sound intimidating at first, a deeper understanding of their history and application reveals how important they are to our own spiritual journey, and how they can actually shape us into the people we are made to be. Sermon Resources: 1. Study on the average amount of advertisements Americans are exposed to per day: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/08/25/finding-brand-success-in-the-digital-world/?sh=388cf9f626e2 2. Study on the shrinking of human attention spans: https://time.com/3858309/attention-spans-goldfish/ 3. "“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” -Richard Foster, "Celebration of the Disciplines" 4. Rich Villodas - Example of "dippers" vs. "dwellers" 5. "Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom." -Soren Kierkegaard 6. “In the conduct of one’s own life it is soon obvious, as many have learned the hard way, that empty freedom is a snare and a delusion. In following what comes naturally or easily, life simply ends in confusion, and in consequent disaster. Without discipline of time, we spoil the next day the night before, and without the discipline of prayer, we are likely to end by having practically no experience of the divine-human encounter...We have not advanced very far in our spiritual lives if we have not encountered the basic paradox of freedom, to the effect that we are most free when we are bound. But not just any way of being bound will suffice; what matters is the character of our binding." -Elton Trueblood Join us below: Facebook: www.facebook.com/midtownpreschurch Instagram: www.instagram.com/midtown.pres Website: www.midtownpres.org Community Groups: www.midtownpres.org/community-groups Sunday Services: www.midtownpres.org