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Devotional 2: Grace for the Naked and Exposed (Hebrews 4:12-16)We are all in need of God’s grace if we are to live for his glory. In our next lesson, we will beconsidering the ways in which we don’t live for God’s glory. For this to happen, we must have heartsopen to what the Spirit will show us but also know how to respond when we are “naked andexposed.” This devotional time will prepare you to receive both conviction and grace withconfidence.Read Hebrews 4:12-16.1) Verses 12-13 can be terrifying verses. What are the results of God’s word according to thispassage?2) This passage says that we cannot hide our hidden stuff from God; we are all naked and exposed.What is your initial reaction when you think of the thoughts and intentions of your heart beingexposed before God?3) If you are like most men, your initial reaction is to want to hide and protect yourself from Godand others. Read the paragraph below to see if you can relate.“What keeps most of us in the prison of self-protection, never admitting to God or anyone elsethe state of our hearts, is our unbelief that we have a heavenly Father who has all the goods onus and yet extends mercy and compassion to us anyway! Knowing our miserable records, wehave ceased to believe—or maybe never believed in the first place—that God cares more aboutus personally than he does our performance records as men We know we stand condemned,and we don’t believe God wants to or can do anything other than judge us and find us guilty. But,this is a skewed view of God that only keeps us stuck in our hopelessness. Our belief that God ismore interested in condemning us than helping us is what ultimately causes us to hide fromhim.” John Freeman, Hide Or Seeka. When you think of being naked and exposed before God, can you relate to this skewedview of God? If so, how?b. How does a better understanding of God’s grace give you freedom and courage to behonest about the thoughts and intentions of your heart?9

4) We don’t have to guess how God wants us to approach him when we find ourselves naked andexposed. In verses 14-16, we see how we can respond to God because of Jesus.a. What does this passage say about Jesus that gives you confidence before God? (Note: ahigh priest in one who goes into the holy place before God on behalf of another to offersacrifices.)b. Because of Jesus as our great high priest, how should we approach God and what can weexpect to receive from him (see v 16)?c. How does motivate you to be real with God?5) Read the comment on this passage below. Hopefully it will help you see how you are to approachGod, even when you are naked and exposed.“Did you get an idea from these verses about the mindset we’re to have as we approach thethrone? What does it say? Does is say ‘draw near’ when we’ve got it all together? No. Whenwe’re repentant enough? No. When we can see, after self-analysis, just where and why we didwhat we did, where we stumbled? No. It says draw near, with confidence, at the time of yourneed. When you’re the most undone over yourself, your heart, or your actions. When you’re amess in all of your fear, doubt, double-mindedness, anger, guilt, and shame. Why? Because tocome to God, all you need is your need. What qualifies you to do business with Jesus is a sense ofyour own neediness. Again, this is not natural for men. It is supernatural!” Freeman, Hide or Seek6) With this understanding of God’s grace in Jesus, go to the throne of grace in prayer right now.Pray for God to convict you where you need to be convicted. Pray for the courage to be honestwith yourself and God. Pray for the grace of God to be real as we get ready for our next lesson. Ifyou want, use the space below to record your thoughts.10

Lesson 2: Wayward Desires and Wasted Dreams (1 John 2:15-17)For a Girl: Recapping Where We AreWhat is the craziest thing you have ever done for a girl? (If this was for someone other than yourwife, your secret is safe as long as it was before you were married!)Whatever you did, I am sure it required some type of sacrifice. However, the reward was worth itbecause you were motivated by something greater than whatever you had to give up.That is the case for our lives. We were created to live by God’s grace and for God’s glory. But thereare things in our life that hinder us from living for God’s glory, therefore sacrifice will be required insome way. In this lesson, we are going to focus on those hindrances, asking God to reveal thethoughts and intentions of our heart.1 John 2:15-17“[15] Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of theFather is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of theeyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. [17] And the world is passingaway along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”The Choice: Love the World vs Love of the Father (v 15)To understand how this applies, we have to see the stark reality we are presented with. There is away to love the world that shows the Father’s love is not in us. This should give us pause.What does John mean when he says to not love the world? Does he mean that we should not loveanything that is in this world (kids, spouse, food, etc.) or does he mean something else? Keep inmind, John 3:16 tells us that God in fact does the love the world so what does this verse mean?Hint 1: John tells us what he considers to be in the world in this context in verse 16.Hint 2: He also tells us where the things of this world come from in verse 16.In this context, John is not talking about the things of this world but is insteadreferring to a way of , , and being (desires).11

The ExaminationNow that we better understand what John is talking about, let’s walk through the 3 categories ofworldly living, asking the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts.Desires of the flesh Pleasure and comfortare keys to life. If it feels good, do it. Carpe Diem (maybe)Desires of the Eyes Flesh wants it, you justcan’t get it. All-consuming pursuit(that isn’t Jesus)Pride of Life My accomplishmentsdefine me. I will make a name formyself.Examples inthe Bible Solomon (Eccl 2:1-11)If the dead are notraised, ‘Let us eat anddrink, for tomorrow wedie.’” (1 Cor. 15:32) Samson (Judges14:1-3,7, 16:21) How it maylook in yourlife Comfort/Entertainment Porn/Lust Work as an idol Security (playing it safe) Jealousy and coveting,accompanied withresentment to God Failure has kept youfrom being faithful Sex and sensualityWhat is it?Rich, young ruler (Luke18:18-25) Nebuchadnezzar(Daniel 4:28-33) James and John’srequest (Matt. 20:2021)In what ways do you see yourself being motivated or tempted by these worldly desires?12

The PromiseJohn leaves us with one promise that helps us respond to the temptations we have from the world. No matter how great the experience and how good it feels, living for the things of this worldis short-lived.But those who follow the Father with their desires and motivations are promised to abideforever.Remember, this is all because of Jesus, not because we can get good at being good. Consider Moses (Hebrews 11:24-26)[24] By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,[25] choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasuresof sin. [26] He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for hewas looking to the reward. He could have had anything his heart desired. No desire of his flesh or eye would have beenwithheld from him.In terms of the pride of life, as the prince of Egypt he would have been one of the mostpowerful men in the world.But he knew the pleasures of sin were fleeting and all that God promises us in Christ isincomparable with what the world offers.The choice we all face is clear:1) Live for the passing things of this world while rejecting the love of the Father.2) Follow our crucified Savior down the road of sacrificial service for the glory of God.13

Group Discussion 2: Refocusing Our Dreams and DesiresSpend time discussing the questions below and spend a few minutes praying for each other. Youhave about 30 minutes so don’t feel rushed but try to stay on task. Leave time to pray.1) Recall the devotional time in Hebrews 4. When your sin is exposed, do you tend to find yourselfhiding from God or going to his throne of grace through Jesus?a. How would your response to your sins be different if you approached God in the waydescribed in Hebrews 4:14-16?2) As we considered the 3 ways we can be motivated by the world, in what areas did you realize youstruggle with the most? (Don’t feel obligated to share if you are not comfortable at first.)a. How do these things keep you from living by God’s grace and for his glory?(For example, do they make you hide from God and others? Do they keep you from caringabout the things of God? Do they keep your conscience weighed down so you areparalyzed from serving? Do they keep you out of fellowship with God? etc.)3) How can you apply what you studied in the devotional time to this area of struggle?4) How would your life, your tiny dash, change and if you were freed from worldly motivations tolive by God’s grace and for his glory?5) Based on this lesson and discussion, God may be leading you to sacrificially address an area ofyour life that is motivated by the desires of this world. If that is the case, how can you completethe sentence below as your main application point from this retreat?a. By God’s grace and for his glory, I will sacrificially .14

Lesson 3: Sacrificial Service: Following a Crucified SaviorWords from a MartyrJim Elliot was a Christian missionary to an unreached tribe in Ecuador. In 1956, after he and four ofhis friends made contact with this group, they were tragically speared to death. He was 28 years oldwith a wife and 4 kids. Here are a few quotes from him to stir your heart.“I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you Lord Jesus.”“Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”As you read these, what are some initial thoughts you have as they relate to ‘real motivation?’How does the third quote fit into what we have been discussing this weekend?Now What? (Hebrews 12:1-2, Matthew 16:21-28)Now is the time to start working towards concrete application. Everything we have discussed so far isgreat but we want more than motivated and convicted men; we want sacrificial servants whoactually live by God’s grace and for his glory. This means we must see what it means and what itcosts to follow Jesus.Hebrews 12:1-2“[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside everyweight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,[2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before himendured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”As we prepare to run the race before us, we are going to do what the author of Hebrews says. Weare going to look to Jesus.15

Matthew 16:21-28[21] From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer manythings from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. [22]And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall neverhappen to you.” [23] But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance tome. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”[24] Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take uphis cross and follow me. [25] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life formy sake will find it. [26] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come with hisangels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.[28] Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Sonof Man coming in his kingdom.”At the Intersection of Life and Grace We Find a Bloody CrossPeter’s response to Jesus’ foretelling of his crucifixion is just how we would respond. Peter had justidentified Jesus as the Messiah and his heart was set on ruling the world with Jesus. He may have haddreams of having all that Solomon had and more, with God-ordained blessings and pleasureabounding. A bloody cross with a crucified savior did not fit into this plan.But when we look close at the intersection of our life with God’s grace, we must find a bloody crosswith a beaten and betrayed Savior. We may be like Peter and want something else but such thinkingis satanic. For us to live for the glory of God, the good news of Jesus must be at the very heart of allwe do and who we are.We Find Our Own CrossNot only do we find a bloody cross with a bloody Savior, but Jesus tells us to pick up our own bloodycross and die. For Jesus to command this, he must either be a demented mad-man or he mustknow that something we don’t. He must know that living for oneself is the quickest and easiest way to waste the life you havebeen given. He must know that living for yourself will keep you from living for the glory of God. He must know that a reward beyond anything you could get for yourself is promised to thosewho are willing to take up their cross and follow him.16

Remember at the beginning of the retreat. We talked about great things we have accomplished ortried and the sacrifices involved. Even more, we realized that nothing worthwhile comes withoutsacrifice. The key is when the reward is worth the sacrifice.We Find Our LifeJesus quickly tells us why we must pick up or cross; it is so we can find our life (v 25). We can fulfillevery dream and desire we have in this life (gain the world) but living for ourselves comes at the costof our soul, both in this life and the life to come. So to live this life the way it was meant to be lived,for God’s glory, we must deny ourselves and live for others.As we follow Jesus in this life of self-denial and sacrifice, let’s acknowledge that it is not easy ornatural. However, it is full of joy and is worth the cost. Look back to Hebrews 12:2. Jesus endured thecross and despised its shame for the joy set before him. We must trust that this is true for us as well;that a greater joy awaits each man who is willing to deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Jesus.What Does This Look Like?Let’s spend some time thinking through what this may look like for different situations. We willconsider ways we must deny ourselves, as well as how living sacrificially will joyfully glorify God. Ifyou have not come to a point where you know what your main application should be, now is a greattime to really be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.By God’s grace and for his glory, I will sacrificially .17

Addressing Your MarriageThis could be any number of things that need to be addressed. It could be constant conflict or acoldness that has developed in your relationship. Maybe you need to ask for forgiveness or orifying Joy:“[25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her [28] In thesame way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loveshimself [31] ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and thetwo shall become one flesh.’ [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying it refers to Christ andthe church.” Ephesians 5:25, 28, 32We have the privilege to showthe world a small picture of thelove Jesus has for the church.In sacrificially loving our wives,we find the joy of living inharmony with the one God hasjoined us together with. Puttingyourself first in your marriage islike the gym rat who constantlyskips leg day.18

Parenting IssuesI believe being a faithful father is one of the most difficult things in the world. Our kids bring usunspeakable joy and yet can bring us to anger, frustration, and exhaustion. Is God leading you toaddress some specific area with your kids?Sacrifice:Entertainment/HobbiesPride of life you get from workComfort and TimeGod-glorifying Joy:Children a gift from God (Psalm 127). However, our selfishness will turn God’s blessings intoburdens. The true joy of fatherhood will only come if we are willing to die to ourselves andsacrificially love our kids.19

Dealing with Porn and ImpurityPornography and self-indulgence rule the day in our society. Few things will wreak havoc on your lifelike porn and impurity. Your walk with God will be short-circuited, your marriage (current or future)will suffer, and God will not be glorified in your life as he should be. And it will always you leave youempty.Sacrifice:Whatever it takes[27] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [28] But I say to you thateveryone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her inhis heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is betterthat you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30] And ifyour right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose oneof your members than that your whole body go into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30PrideGod-glorifying Joy:“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8“For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters,and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:1320

Godly DisciplinesIt is easy for us to know the things we are supposed to be doing; things like reading our Bible,praying, and fasting. The hard part is actually doing them. We must realize that each requiressacrifice but has the promise of God-glorifying joy.Sacrifice:Entertainm

LIVING Y GOD’S GRAE, FOR HIS GLORY “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God th