The Self-Giving God
John 3
Nicodemus Visits Jesus
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Philippians 2
Imitating Christ's Humility
4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The Self-Giving God
- Re-Born
- Spirit as breath of wind
- Always moving
- Always life giving
Kenosis (Self-emptying)
- God's Character
- Pattern
- Consistency
Real Power
- With not Over
- Surrender
Self-Emptying Life
- Listening when you want to speak
- Serving without recognition
- Giving up the last word
- Winning isn't everything
- Sacrificial giving/helping
- Shared table
- Pride aside/ apologize /own up
- Forgiveness
1 Thessalonians 5
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
Matthew 18
19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Pattern for Life
- Rejoice always
- Pray continually
- Give thanks
Not Doctrine - Practice
- God is where love is shared not hoarded
Two or Three
- God dwells in relationship
"The mystery of the Trinity is the template for al reality." - Richard Rohr
Or Four
- Community
- Vulnerability
- Forgiveness
- Shared Presence
Communal Living
- Journal
- Testify
- Worship
- Pray without ceasing...
- Inhale: "God you are here."
- Exhale: "Help me to notice."
- Gather (Matthew 18:20)
- Speak Life
- Sabbath
- Fend off
- Bitterness
- Resentment
- Frustration
- Jealousy
- Disappointment
- Mutual Submission
- Confession
- Collaboration
Resist
- Rugged individualism
- Emotional withdraw
- Power plays
- Domination
- Gossip
- Division
- Unforgiveness
- Oversimplified Theology
- Shrinking God (faithlessness)
- Cynicism
- Apathy
- Disconnecting from the world's pain
- Passive religion
Practice
- Vulnerable Relationships
“Let us love one another, for love is from God…” (1 John 4:7)
- Sharing Power
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)
- Reconciliation
“Blessed are the peacemakers…” (Matthew 5:9)
- Embracing Mystery and Wonder
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty…” (Revelation 4:8)
- Silence / Prayer
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness… intercedes for us…” (Romans 8:26)
- Justice, Mercy & Creation Care
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly…” (Micah 6:8)
- Submission to the will and mission of God
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
Questions to Consider
- Have you ever sensed Jesus speaking through the Spirit?
- How do you recognize the voice of the Spirit pointing you toward truth?
- In what ways has the Spirit helped you understand more about who God is?
- Have you ever felt the Spirit drawing you closer to the heart of the Father?
- Do you experience the Trinity as a relationship, not just a doctrine?
- What does it feel like when the Spirit glorifies Christ in your life?
- How has your view of the Holy Spirit changed over time?
- When you pray, do you imagine addressing the Father, the Son, or the Spirit—or all three?
- Are there moments when you’ve sensed the Spirit giving you words or wisdom beyond yourself?
- How do you make space to listen to the Spirit in your daily life?
- How can you intentionally enter the Divine conversation today?
Liturgies
Pentecost Prayer
May we live like your Spirit is alive in us,
even when we feel powerless or afraid.
May we be more moved by holy fire than held back by fear.
Let courage rise in us, like wind through a banquet hall.
And may we carry your Spirit, not as a secret,
but as a living flame that ignites love, truth,
and holy disruption
everywhere we go.
Amen
Resurrection Prayer:
May we live like resurrection is real,
even in the places that still feel like death.
May we be more surprised by hope than overcome by despair.
Let joy find us, like morning light breaking through clouds.
And may we carry your rising, Jesus, not as a trophy,
but as a burning truth that changes everything.
Amen
Wayfinders Family Blessing
Gracious God,
We gather before You as a family, grateful for Your loving presence with us.
Bless our children:
Guide them in Your truth and lead them in Your ways.
Help them to walk in faithfulness, seeking Your will in all that they do.
May Your Spirit empower them to love one another deeply,
to forgive as You have, and to extend grace and mercy to all.
May the lessons they learn and the stories they share grow their love for you.
Help them to know how deeply loved they are by you and this church.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen.
