Amplifying God's Voice Amid Life's Challenges

 

Summary

The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual practices amidst the cacophony of life's problems. The speaker urges listeners to consciously choose to focus on God's voice over the din of their issues. By doing so, they can find the simple answers to complex problems within the Word of God. The speaker shares personal experiences and biblical narratives to illustrate the transformative power of tuning into God's word and promises. They highlight the story of Jesus in Luke chapter 4, where His mission to preach the gospel, heal the broken-hearted, and set captives free stirred excitement among the people. This serves as a reminder of the impact that the Word of God can have when it is allowed to resonate above our troubles.

The sermon also addresses the role of believers as representatives of Christ on earth. The speaker encourages the congregation to walk in the empowerment provided by the Word, to be the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus, and to edify others. The importance of individuality is underscored through a metaphor involving shoes, suggesting that everyone has a unique journey and that we should be mindful of the paths others have walked. The speaker further discusses the sovereignty of God as defined by His word, which contains divine absolutes that shape our understanding of the world and our faith.

The speaker stresses the significance of starting each day with prayer, worship, and reading the Word of God. This daily practice "flavors" believers with the character of Jesus, making them a beacon of truth that can lead others to seek God. The power of repetition in reinforcing the Word in our lives is also highlighted, with the speaker noting that consistent exposure to the Word builds our spiritual "saltiness."

Aligning words and actions with the Word of God is another key point of the sermon. The speaker shares a story of a woman healed by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of hearing, speaking, and acting according to the Word. They remind listeners that they are connected to God's power and should identify with the solution rather than the problem.

Lastly, the sermon likens the Holy Spirit to an artist and the Word of God to paint, with faith allowing the Holy Spirit to create a masterpiece in the lives of believers. The speaker concludes by encouraging the congregation to meditate on the Word, allowing it to shape their lives and to turn down the volume of their problems while amplifying the voice of Jesus and the Word.

Key Takeaways:

- The cacophony of life's problems can drown out the voice of God if we let it. By intentionally reducing the "volume" of our issues and amplifying the Word of God, we can access divine solutions and maintain our spiritual focus. This practice is not just about quieting external noise, but about an internal decision to prioritize God's voice above all else. [43:22]

- Our identity as Christians is not passive; we are called to actively embody the character of Jesus. By starting our day with God and consistently immersing ourselves in His Word, we become equipped to reflect His love and truth to those around us. This daily commitment to prayer and scripture reading shapes us into effective witnesses of Christ's transformative power. [14:44]

- The sovereignty of God is not a doctrine of predestination that excludes human choice, but rather a framework within which our responses to God's Word determine our experiences. Understanding this empowers us to seek and receive God's blessings actively, rather than passively waiting for divine intervention. [21:04]

- Faith is not deterred by the passage of time. True faith remains steadfast, even when circumstances seem unchanging. The story of the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years exemplifies this, as her determination to touch Jesus for healing was undiminished by the lengthy duration of her suffering. This teaches us that our faith should be resilient and persistent, regardless of how long we have been waiting for a breakthrough. [37:23]

- The Holy Spirit desires to create a masterpiece in our lives, using the Word of God as His palette. When we walk in faith and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, we can expect to see the manifestation of God's promises in ways that exceed our expectations. This creative process requires our active participation in faith and a willingness to let the Holy Spirit guide our steps. [01:05:31]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 5:25-34 - The story of the woman with the issue of blood.
2. Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' mission statement.
3. Psalms 119:89 - "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven."

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the different elements of the woman's problem in Mark 5:25-34? How did these elements affect her life? ([35:23])
2. According to Luke 4:18-19, what are the specific missions Jesus was anointed to accomplish? ([46:27])
3. How does Psalms 119:89 describe the nature of God's word? How does this relate to the concept of divine absolutes mentioned in the sermon? ([23:58])
4. What did the woman with the issue of blood do after she heard about Jesus? What was the sequence of her actions? ([53:32])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the woman with the issue of blood illustrate the importance of persistent faith despite long-term suffering? ([37:23])
2. In what ways does Jesus' mission in Luke 4:18-19 reflect the transformative power of the Word of God? How can this mission be seen in the lives of believers today? ([46:27])
3. How does understanding the sovereignty of God as defined by His word (Psalms 119:89) empower believers to actively seek and receive God's blessings? ([23:58])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between hearing, speaking, and acting on the Word of God? How does this process lead to receiving God's promises? ([53:32])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when the "cacophony of life's problems" drowned out God's voice in your life. What steps can you take to intentionally reduce the "volume" of your issues and amplify the Word of God? ([49:54])
2. The sermon emphasizes starting each day with prayer, worship, and reading the Word of God. How can you incorporate the "first 15" (five minutes of the word, five minutes of prayer, and five minutes of worship) into your daily routine? ([11:11])
3. Think about a situation where you felt spiritually depleted. How can you align your words and actions with the Word of God to reconnect with His power and promises? ([55:34])
4. The speaker mentioned the importance of being "salty" with the Word of God to make others thirsty for it. How can you be a beacon of truth and reflect the character of Jesus in your interactions this week? ([12:38])
5. The sermon likens the Holy Spirit to an artist and the Word of God to paint. What specific area of your life do you want the Holy Spirit to create a masterpiece in? How can you actively participate in this creative process through faith? ([01:01:30])
6. How can you identify if you are focusing more on the problem rather than the solution? What practical steps can you take to shift your focus to God's promises and solutions? ([51:37])
7. The story of the woman with the issue of blood shows the power of persistent faith. Is there a long-term issue in your life where you need to renew your faith and persistence? How can you do this practically? ([37:23])

Devotional

Day 1: Amplify God's Voice Above the Noise
In a world filled with distractions and challenges, it is vital to consciously lower the volume of life's problems and attune one's heart to the voice of God. By doing so, one can discern the divine solutions offered in the Word, which often provides simple answers to complex issues. This intentional focus on God's voice is a daily choice that requires discipline and commitment. [43:22]

Isaiah 30:21 - "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
Reflection: What distractions are currently preventing you from hearing God's voice, and how can you minimize them to better focus on His guidance?

Day 2: Reflecting Christ in Daily Life
Believers are called to actively embody the character of Jesus, which is cultivated through daily spiritual disciplines. Starting each day with prayer, worship, and scripture reading equips individuals to reflect His love and truth. This commitment flavors one's life with the character of Christ, enabling them to be a beacon of truth to others. [14:44]

Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the character of Jesus into your daily interactions with others?

Day 3: Sovereignty and Human Response
The sovereignty of God provides a framework for believers to actively engage with His Word, shaping their experiences and outcomes. It is not a doctrine of predestination that negates human choice but rather empowers individuals to actively seek and receive God's blessings. [21:04]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him."
Reflection: In what ways can you more actively respond to God's Word to shape your life experiences?

Day 4: The Resilience of Faith
True faith remains steadfast, even when circumstances seem unchanging. The story of the woman with the issue of blood teaches that faith should be resilient and persistent, regardless of the duration of one's struggles. [37:23]

Hebrews 10:36 - "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
Reflection: What situation in your life requires persistent faith, and how can you demonstrate that perseverance today?

Day 5: The Holy Spirit's Masterpiece
Faith allows the Holy Spirit to use the Word of God as a palette to create a masterpiece in the lives of believers. This creative process requires active participation in faith and a willingness to let the Holy Spirit guide one's steps. [01:05:31]

Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection: How can you open yourself up to the Holy Spirit's guidance to become a living expression of God's masterpiece today?

Quotes

"When it comes to the voice of your problem, you have no choice; it's going to communicate with you. But when it comes to the voice of your answer, you have to make a choice to turn down the volume of the problem and turn up the volume of the answer." [50:41] (Download)

"In my own life, I've learned by the word how to make a decision of I'm not going to let my problems bother me like this. Yes, they try and yes they do get loud, but I've learned through the study of the word how to turn it down and turn the volume of the word up." [47:14] (Download)

"When we can be the salt of the earth and we allow people to see the word through us, it's gonna make them thirsty and they're gonna want some of what we have." [12:59] (Download)

"The repetition of the message of faith... will solidify the Word of God in your heart and make the Word of God a part of who you are." [16:29] (Download)

"We were empowered by your word to be able to walk like Jesus on this earth and I thank you father that we are his hands and his feet and his mouth with the word to be able to recite to encourage to build up to edify people." [01:38] (Download)

"Each and every one of us is different and just like those shoes, we never know the miles that somebody walked in in their shoes." [10:03] (Download)

"The Holy Spirit wants to take his paintbrush and dip it into the paint and paint a picture of your deliverance, your financial prosperity, your healing. He wants to hand you in faith this word that produces that which is taken in the painting, and make that painting a reality in your life." [01:03:36] (Download)

"Your problem does not dictate you unless you allow it to. Whatever it is that you're facing, expose yourself to the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to paint on your canvas what the Word says." [01:05:31] (Download)

"The sovereignty of God is defined by his word, and his word releases divine absolutes. There are absolutes that can never be changed, and the good thing we can do is to continually expose ourselves to the revelations of the Word of God on a repetitive basis so that the revelation will become a part of who we are." [25:22] (Download)

"Just because something in your life has been going on a long time doesn't mean it's an impossibility with God. Just because you've been believing God for something for a long time doesn't mean you're not going to receive it because you think the time element has outrun God." [35:23] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?