In February 2013, Dallas participated in his final conference, "Knowing Christ," with his long-time friend John Ortberg. Hosted by the Dallas Willard Center in Santa Barbara, California, this event sought to exhort pastors (spokespeople for Christ) to fully enter into the joy, power, and dignity of the role assigned to them by Christ, to be the teachers of the nations.
Because Dallas believed that the primary responsibility to teach falls upon those who self-identify as spokespeople for Christ, the conference focused on knowledge for living and the disastrous effects of divorcing the teachings of Jesus Christ and his people from the domain of human knowledge. The goal was to help pastors and other Christian leaders present a clearer picture of how to live well and how people who are leading churches can do church.
According to Dallas, "teachers of the nations...
...are the most important people in society. It's because they bring knowledge of what time and eternity are about. They bring knowledge upon which people can base their lives. They bring knowledge that can be communicated to others, on the basis of experience, and reason, and scripture, and grace, and work, and everything else you want to put in the bag. Knowledge. And what I want to say to you this evening, is that you as a spokesperson for Christ, have the dignity of bringing that knowledge to everyone around you."
The recordings of the sessions were released in DVD and audio, and transcribed in book form under the title "Living in Christ's Presence." In addition, Gary W. Moon created a DVD Leader's Guide, which can be downloaded here.
We are pleased to make 4 of the 7 sessions available to you here. The complete set is available in the Logos Bible Study Platform.
Published by InterVarsity Press as Living in Christ’s Presence. Copyright (c) 2014 by InterVarsity Press. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press, P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426. www.ivpress.com. All rights reserved. For permission to reproduce or otherwise use content from the video(s), please contact permissions@ivpress.com.
Dallas begins the conference by acknowledging that the Church has been going through tough times, where the dominant theology has had nothing to do with discipleship, but has been more about proper beliefs that will get us into heaven. This disconnection over time has become increasingly burdensome to the church. But, he says, “I try never to criticize the church because I know who's in charge of it.” The Church is at a pivotal moment where it needs to focus on discipleship and transformation into Christlikeness, reclaiming the teachings of Jesus as genuine knowledge that transforms lives.
Dallas emphasizes the accessibility and invitation of Jesus's Kingdom, underscoring that the Kingdom of God is present and available to all who seek it. He explains that living in the Kingdom involves embodying the teachings and spirit of Christ, moving beyond mere legalistic adherence to embodying the deeper righteousness of heart and mind. In the Q&A session, Dallas discusses practical aspects of seeking the Kingdom in various life contexts, stressing the importance of joy, dignity, and continuous seeking in our work, play, and relationships.
Dallas emphasizes the accessibility of Jesus' deep truths and the transformation that is available through discipleship. He explains the importance of intentional spiritual practices, explaining that genuine change will not take place without our attention to the different dimensions of our self—heart, mind, body, soul, and social relationships. Afterward, John Ortberg digs deeper with Dallas about the challenges of personal transformation, highlighting the need to understand the roots of behavior and the role of grace and community in fostering change. Practical application is included throughout, including discussion of the practices of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Dallas discusses the profound nature of blessing, describing it as the intentional projection of good into another's life under the invocation of God. He emphasizes that true blessing goes beyond words, requiring a heartfelt, generous outpouring of one's whole being. Dallas encourages a thoughtful approach to blessing others, highlighting its transformative potential in personal and communal life.
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The Church's Crucial Decisions: Dallas discusses the pivotal moment the church is facing. "I think that we are coming into a time when many churches and leaders and Christians who aren't in leadership positions will say, it's all about discipleship, and transformation, into Christlikeness."
Pastors as Spokespeople for Christ: These "teachers of the nations" are tasked with dwelling in and making available to others the knowledge of Christ and His Kingdom. There is no greater responsibility among men and women on earth.
Kingdom of God and Discipleship: Explore how the New Testament guides us towards discipleship and transformation into Christlikeness.
Knowledge vs. Faith: Understand the vital relationship between knowledge and faith, and how secular views have impacted this understanding.
Role of Spiritual Formation: Learn about the process of spiritual formation and its significance in transforming behavior by changing its sources.
Easy Yoke of Christ: Discover what it means to live in the easy yoke of Christ and how it leads to a joyful and strong life.
Making Disciples: John Ortberg and Dallas emphasize the importance of making disciples in everyday life and how it leads to a world revolution.
Handling Pressure in Ministry: Dallas observes, "the easy yoke is to lay aside your project and mine, and to take on God's projects. I'll say that, again, taking the easy yoke, is to lay aside your projects or my projects, which are crushing."
Invitation to the Easy Yoke: Dallas emphasizes that Jesus's invitation to the easy yoke is based on His dignity and unique knowledge, urging believers to follow the Great Commission for a life of ease and joy in the Kingdom.
Kingdom Accessibility: Dallas highlights that the Kingdom of God is not just near but available now to anyone who identifies with Christ and becomes His disciple, stressing the immediacy of this divine reality.
Ministry for All: He points out that ministry is not limited to official roles but is for every follower of Christ, who is called to live and proclaim the Kingdom in a loving and attractive manner.
Role of the Trinity: Living in the easy yoke is made possible through Trinitarian fellowship, where the work is done by the Trinity, and believers participate by leading others into obedience.
Grace as the Foundation: Grace is fundamental to stepping into the Kingdom, as it brings life and allows believers to live in the interactive presence of God, transforming their character.
Seeking the Kingdom: Dallas explains that seeking the Kingdom is a continuous process, vital for spiritual growth, and involves looking for God's presence and action in every aspect of life.
Joy in the Kingdom: Joy, according to Dallas, is a pervasive sense of well-being, rooted in the realization of God's presence and the ultimate goodness of His creation.
Dignity of the Believer: Every person has inherent dignity, a worth that has no substitute, and recognizing this helps believers live confidently and share the Kingdom message with others.
Freedom from Legalism: True righteousness goes beyond legalistic actions, focusing instead on the transformation of the heart and mind, aligning with the deeper teachings of Jesus.
Practical Kingdom Living: In response to questions, Dallas describes practical ways to seek the Kingdom in daily life, including work, play, and relationships, emphasizing the importance of creativity, honesty, and continuous seeking in all activities.
Understanding the Person: Including the Invisible Parts
Highlights:
Roots of Behavior: Dallas emphasizes the necessity of understanding the underlying reasons for actions to achieve true change, rather than merely focusing on surface behaviors.
Importance of Community: Both speakers stress that transformation often requires the support and fellowship of a community, where individuals can help each other understand and address the roots of their behaviors.
Grace and Human Activity: Dallas clarifies that spiritual disciplines, though human activities, are designed to engage the grace of God, which empowers real change.
Transformation of the Whole Person: True change involves addressing all parts of a person—heart, mind, body, and soul—rather than relying solely on willpower to modify behavior.
Practical Steps for Change: John and Dallas discuss practical ways to encourage change, such as focusing on specific habits, engaging in spiritual disciplines, and understanding personal motivations.
Role of Confession: Confession is highlighted as a crucial practice for restoring the soul and integrating the self, breaking the cycle of pretense and allowing genuine transformation.
Realistic Expectations for Change: Dallas assures that with the grace of God, believers are capable of walking in all the things Jesus taught, provided they address the roots of their behaviors.
Integration of Soul and Actions: The speakers discuss the soul's role in unifying a person's experiences and actions, suggesting that spiritual disciplines help reveal and heal the soul, leading to a more integrated and whole life.
The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
Highlights:
Nature of Blessing: Dallas defines blessing as the projection of good into another's life, emphasizing that it is more than just words but an act that involves willing the good of another under God's invocation.
Blessing as a Personal Act: He explains that true blessing requires a generous outpouring of one's whole being, making it a profoundly personal and powerful act that should not be hurried or performed thoughtlessly.
Receiving Blessings: Dallas highlights the importance of being able to receive blessings, noting that it requires calmness of soul and the grace to accept without feeling indebted.
The Aaronic Blessing: He explores the depth of the Aaronic blessing, breaking down its phrases and illustrating how each part projects God's presence, protection, and peace onto the recipient.
Role of the Church: Dallas envisions the church as a place of blessing, where members come to receive and give blessings, creating an atmosphere of God's reality and love within the community.
Living as a Person of Blessing: He challenges us to make blessing a constant way of life, suggesting that it can transform our interactions and environments, making us points of light and love in the world.
