Embracing God's Presence: A Journey of Transformation
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound presence of God in our lives, emphasizing that His presence is not confined to specific places or moments but is always near, transforming our doubts into faith and reminding us of our identity as His beloved children. We are called to be His hands and feet, expressing His heartbeat in our actions and words. This call to discipleship is a journey of transformation, akin to the transfiguration of Jesus witnessed by His disciples on the mountain. This moment of divine revelation was a pivotal point, illustrating the glory and majesty of Christ, who is not just a prophet but God Himself, worthy of worship and adoration.
We delved into the book of Revelation, particularly chapter five, where the unique role of Jesus as the Lamb who was slain is highlighted. He alone is worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing God's plan to make all things right, to conquer sin, death, and darkness. This revelation assures us that despite the challenges and turbulence we face, there is hope and a divine plan at work. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection have purchased a people for God, empowering us to be part of His kingdom as priests, living lives that honor Him.
The journey of discipleship is about listening to Jesus, amidst the many voices that vie for our attention. It requires humility and a willingness to be still, to open His word, and to allow His Spirit to guide us. As we listen and apply His teachings, we are transformed, becoming more like Him, able to overcome evil with good, and to live as a new people in His kingdom. This transformation is not just for our benefit but for the world, as we become vessels of His love, peace, and grace.
Key Takeaways:
- God's presence is always near, transforming our doubts into faith and reminding us of our identity as His beloved children. We are called to express His heartbeat in our actions and words, living as His hands and feet in the world. [14:36]
- The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain reveals His divine glory and majesty, affirming that He is not just a prophet but God Himself, worthy of worship and adoration. This moment calls us to listen to Him and follow His lead. [23:52]
- Revelation chapter five highlights Jesus as the Lamb who was slain, the only one worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing God's plan to conquer sin, death, and darkness. This assurance gives us hope amidst life's challenges, knowing that there is a divine plan at work. [38:25]
- Discipleship is about listening to Jesus amidst the many voices that vie for our attention. It requires humility, stillness, and a willingness to open His word, allowing His Spirit to guide us and transform us into His likeness. [52:52]
- As we listen and apply Jesus' teachings, we are transformed, becoming vessels of His love, peace, and grace. This transformation empowers us to live as a new people in His kingdom, overcoming evil with good and bringing His light to the world. [55:00]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[14:36] - God's Presence and Our Identity
[23:52] - The Transfiguration of Jesus
[38:25] - Revelation and the Lamb
[41:46] - Listening to Jesus
[52:52] - The Journey of Discipleship
[55:00] - Transformation and Application
[57:13] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 17:1-9 (The Transfiguration of Jesus)
2. Revelation 5:1-14 (The Lamb Who Was Slain)
3. John 10:27 (Listening to Jesus)
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Observation Questions:
1. What significant event took place on the mountain with Jesus, Peter, James, and John, and what was its impact on the disciples? [23:52]
2. In Revelation 5, what is the significance of the scroll and who is found worthy to open it? [38:25]
3. How does the sermon describe the presence of God in our daily lives, and what effect does it have on our identity? [14:36]
4. What role does Jesus' transfiguration play in affirming His divine nature according to the sermon? [23:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain serve as a pivotal moment for the disciples in understanding His divine nature? [23:52]
2. What does the imagery of the Lamb in Revelation 5 convey about Jesus' role in God's plan for redemption? [38:25]
3. How does the sermon suggest we can discern Jesus' voice amidst the many voices in our lives? [52:52]
4. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the transformation that occurs through discipleship and listening to Jesus? [55:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in an unexpected place. How did it transform your understanding of His nearness? [14:36]
2. The sermon emphasizes listening to Jesus amidst life's noise. What practical steps can you take this week to create space for stillness and listening? [52:52]
3. Consider the call to be Jesus' hands and feet in the world. What specific action can you take this week to express His love and grace to someone in need? [14:36]
4. How does the assurance of Jesus' victory over sin and death in Revelation 5 provide hope in your current challenges? [38:25]
5. The sermon speaks of transformation through discipleship. Identify one area in your life where you desire transformation and discuss how you can invite Jesus into that process. [55:00]
6. Reflect on the concept of being part of God's kingdom as priests. How can you live out this identity in your daily interactions and decisions? [38:25]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of humility in discipleship. What is one area where you struggle with humility, and how can you seek God's help to grow in this area? [52:52]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Ever-Present Love Transforms Doubt into Faith
God's presence is not limited to specific places or moments; it is a constant in our lives, transforming our doubts into faith and reminding us of our identity as His beloved children. This understanding calls us to live as His hands and feet in the world, expressing His love and compassion through our actions and words. As we embrace this identity, we become conduits of His grace, impacting those around us with His divine love. [14:36]
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you express God's love and presence to someone in your life today, especially in moments of doubt or uncertainty?
Day 2: The Divine Majesty of Christ Calls Us to Worship
The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain was a moment of divine revelation, showcasing His glory and majesty. This event affirmed that Jesus is not merely a prophet but God Himself, deserving of our worship and adoration. As we reflect on this truth, we are called to listen to Him and follow His lead, allowing His divine nature to guide our lives and decisions. [23:52]
"And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to worship and listen to Jesus, acknowledging His divine majesty?
Day 3: Hope in the Lamb Who Conquers Darkness
Revelation chapter five highlights Jesus as the Lamb who was slain, the only one worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing God's plan to conquer sin, death, and darkness. This assurance provides hope amidst life's challenges, reminding us that there is a divine plan at work. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection have purchased a people for God, empowering us to be part of His kingdom as priests, living lives that honor Him. [38:25]
"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'" (Revelation 5:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing, and how can the assurance of Jesus' victory over darkness bring you hope and strength today?
Day 4: Listening to Jesus Amidst Competing Voices
The journey of discipleship involves listening to Jesus amidst the many voices that vie for our attention. It requires humility, stillness, and a willingness to open His word, allowing His Spirit to guide us and transform us into His likeness. As we listen and apply His teachings, we are transformed, becoming more like Him and able to overcome evil with good. [52:52]
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one voice or distraction in your life that competes with your ability to listen to Jesus. How can you minimize this distraction to better hear His guidance?
Day 5: Transformation for the Sake of the World
As we listen and apply Jesus' teachings, we are transformed, becoming vessels of His love, peace, and grace. This transformation empowers us to live as a new people in His kingdom, overcoming evil with good and bringing His light to the world. Our transformation is not just for our benefit but for the world, as we become agents of His love and grace. [55:00]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you be a vessel of God's love and grace in your community, bringing His light to those around you?
Quotes
"Sometimes you speak to us on the mountaintops or on the lowly plains, sometimes in classrooms, sometimes in hospital beds, sometimes on our drive, sometimes in our homes or our churches, in the silence of nature or in the sounds of the city. Your presence is always near. It pushes past our fears. It reminds us that your touch, your word, transforms our doubts into faith." [00:13:22] (41 seconds)
"Time and time again, you break into our lives and remind us that we are yours. We are loved. We're forgiven. We're called. To be your hands and your feet. To allow for your heartbeat to be expressed in who we are and what we do. In those moments where we hear, you grant us the faith we're able to walk on water. Thank you." [00:14:03] (34 seconds)
"We come before you to celebrate your goodness, to focus on your light, to offer you all the praise, honor, and thanksgiving, for you are our God. We are your people, now and always. God of mercy and forgiveness, facing the light of your goodness, we confess all that keeps us from sharing that goodness." [00:14:36] (39 seconds)
"Transfigure us by your grace and shape us into disciples who follow Christ's leading each day. Amen. I love the passage that says his mercies are new every morning. It's a time to be reset. And I often feel that on a Sunday morning that we need to be reset. Things happen in the week that can discourage us." [00:15:34] (27 seconds)
"And we come with a pile of guilt. And I love it that when we confess that we're human and that we fail from time to time Christ is faithful to forgive us and have an amazing reset within our souls reminding us that we are indeed loved and forgiven and we are his. May his Holy Spirit reset you fill you and remind you of the deep and profound love in which the Lord holds each one of you with. Amen." [00:16:08] (33 seconds)
"Then one of the elders said to me, weep no more. Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered so he can open the scroll and its seven seals. And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain and with seven horns and with seven eyes that are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth." [00:43:08] (32 seconds)
"And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, sing. Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seal. For you were slain and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." [00:43:45] (33 seconds)
"And you have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God and they will reign over the earth. Then I looked and I heard around the throne the living creatures and all the elders the voice of many angels numbering myriad of myriads and thousands and thousands saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." [00:44:48] (31 seconds)
"And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them saying to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. And the four living creatures said amen and the elders fell down and worshipped. Amen. Amen." [00:45:18] (31 seconds)
"And in that moment of humility I felt like I had that moment Where God said listen to Jesus And there is a couple of things That came to my mind Like get rid of my library And the second thing is Have some quiet time With the Lord Like get my mind still And then open up his book And just ask him to teach me Pray for the people That I am in charge to care for." [00:51:43] (29 seconds)
"And as he begins to speak to you, ask him for the grace to begin to apply what he's giving you. And watch as you walk on water. Watch as your life gets transfigured. Watch as people begin to see him in you and hear his heart alive in you. That you are indeed a priest. You are indeed one who's worthy of reigning. He's transforming you." [00:56:05] (32 seconds)
"And then when turmoil comes as it will, you know who your rock is, who your refuge, who your strength, who your supply is. Whatever happens, you know all will be well. Spirit, come. Move our hearts and minds to Jesus." [00:57:13] (24 seconds)