Category — Quest

Quest’s second paradigm states, God’s passion is for our spiritual transformation!

Tragically, many Christians view coming to Christ more like “fire insurance” than a growing relationship with our Lord in which he transforms us to become more like him. If we call ourselves Christians—followers of Jesus Christ—then spiritual transformation is not optional. Life change in Christ is not the “deluxe tour” as opposed to the “basic tour” of following Jesus.

If we truly know Christ as Savior, then we want to change! We want to be like him! In fact, Paul describes this longing in terms of our “groaning inwardly as we eagerly wait for” God’s transforming work to be complete in us (Romans 8:18-25). [Read more →]

Look again at these two misconceptions: God is honored by what I do for him. I must contribute to his kingdom. This is my duty. And, God is glorified as I am dedicated to him. I must prove myself faithful. Again, these two misconceptions may sound good, but they are both “me-centered.”

After Linda and I were married, for thirteen years I toiled tirelessly pastoring two small churches in the US, going to school full-time, working a second job, preparing to go to Austria as missionaries and eventually helping plant two church in Austria. During those years these two misconceptions described me to a “T”! I was determined to prove myself faithful. I was duty-bound, dedicated, and hard-working. Obviously, these are not bad or wrong things! On the contrary, they are good. The problem is that I was preoccupied with and dependent on my own efforts. [Read more →]

Remember, this first paradigm states that God designed us to enjoy him fully! A third stifling misconception prevents us from enjoying him by thinking, God asks me to give up everything for him. When I was a teenager, I remember being afraid to surrender my life fully to Christ for fear that he would ask me to give up things that I wanted to have and experience in life.

The things I didn’t want to miss in life were for the most part good and worthy desires like getting married and having children. Why in the world would anyone think that God would withhold good things like these from us? And yet many of us falsely picture God as the great cosmic kill-joy! Actually, this false view of God should not surprise us since that was Satan’s lie to Adam and Eve in the Garden. [Read more →]

The second stifling misconception for this first paradigm states, obedience is the key to spiritual transformation. Some Christians find this second stifling misconception troubling. For we can point to many passages in the Old and New Testament in which God tells us to obey him. And I heartily agree that we should and must obey him! So how can this statement be a stifling misconception?

Go back to the older brother in Luke 15 again. Remember what he threw in his father’s face when his dad begged him to come in and celebrate the return of his younger brother? “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.” (Luke 15:29 emphasis mine) The older brother took pride in the fact that he had always obeyed his father, yet he rejected his father—and his father’s son—his brother. Even though he had always obeyed his father, he is angry, disrespectful and self-righteous. In his obedience he was alienated from his father. [Read more →]

The Quest for a Joy-Filled Life in Christ, Paradigm 1—God designed us to enjoy him fully! The first stifling misconception is that God wants to be my highest commitment. This stands in contrast to the liberating truth: God wants to be my greatest love. What’s the difference between these two statements and why bother with the distinction?

The parable of the lost son in Luke 15:11-32 graphically displays the difference between making God our highest commitment and making him our greatest love. Before we look at Luke 15 it’s important to note why Jesus told this parable. Luke 15:1-3 (NLT) provides the backdrop, “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! So Jesus told them this story…” And Jesus proceeds to tell the Pharisees and teachers of the law three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. [Read more →]

Quest

Welcome to The Quest blog! Over the summer I will be posting some complementary articles to The Quest book. By posting them on this website, you’ve got the opportunity to comment on the articles and what you’ve read in The Quest.

Following each posting (article on this site) is a link “Comments” to click on. You can post your comments there. It may take a few hours before your comment appears on the site as I must review them for security reasons.

I would also encourage you to subscribe to heapofstones.com by entering your email address and clicking on the “Subscribe me!” button on the upper right-hand corner of this web page. When you subscribe, you will receive an automatic email update every time I post a new article.

Finally, as you read The Quest and the supplemental articles, I encourage you to let the Holy Spirit speak to you. He may challenge some unbiblical paradigms about God that you and I have adopted. Above all, my hope is that each of us is enthralled with God! Grasp how much he loves you and desires deep relationship with you. Love him with all your being! Experience the joy that is only found in relationship with your heavenly Father through Jesus Christ!

Rob Fischer

Quest Summary

Quest was originally a sermon series designed by Karl Clauson, Dan Jarrell and Rob Fischer at ChangePoint church in Anchorage, Alaska. Thousands found the message of Quest dramatically life-changing as it propelled them forward in their walk with Christ. Now Quest is available in book format.

You will find Quest ideal for personal spiritual enrichment or as an interactive small group experience. (Each chapter includes personal projects and small group discussion questions.) With nine short chapters under a hundred pages Quest is easy to read yet spiritually challenging! Expect to meet with God and let him change you!

[Read more →]