Embracing God's Voice: The Journey of Discipleship

In today's message, we explored the profound question, "How long, O Lord?" This question resonates deeply with many of us as we navigate life's uncertainties and challenges. We often find ourselves asking God for answers, much like a child asking a parent, "How long until we get home?" The essence of our faith lies in the belief that God is living and active, and He speaks to us. Unlike the silent idols of other religions, our God responds, and we must be prepared to listen and act upon His words.

The heart of our discussion centered on the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. This covenant is not about rituals or sacrifices but about a transformed life, a life where our selfish will is surrendered to God. Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the Father, waits for His enemies to become His footstool. Among these enemies is our own selfish will, which we must crucify daily. This is not a one-time event but a continuous process of laying down our desires, ambitions, and preferences on the altar, allowing God to shape us into His likeness.

We also delved into the concept of true discipleship, where Jesus is not just a part of our lives but the only one who truly matters. This level of commitment requires us to prioritize purity over quantity, focusing on the quality of our relationship with God and our community. The church, as the body of Christ, holds the unique power to overcome the gates of hell, but this power is contingent upon unity and purity within the body.

Finally, we touched on the importance of humility, not as a response to sin, but as a reflection of the humility of Jesus. This humility is rooted in the recognition that we can do nothing apart from God. It is a call to live a life fully surrendered to His will, seeking His approval above all else.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Expecting God's Response: When we ask God, "How long, O Lord?" we must expect an answer. Our faith is built on the belief that God is living and speaks to us. Unlike the silent idols of other religions, our God responds, and we must be prepared to listen and act upon His words. [03:20]
• 2. The New Covenant Life: The new covenant established through Jesus is about a transformed life, where our selfish will is surrendered to God. Jesus waits for His enemies, including our selfish will, to become His footstool. This requires a continuous process of laying down our desires and allowing God to shape us. [08:32]
• 3. True Discipleship: True discipleship means that Jesus is not just a part of our lives but the only one who truly matters. This commitment requires us to prioritize purity over quantity, focusing on the quality of our relationship with God and our community. [30:20]
• 4. The Power of the Church: The church, as the body of Christ, holds the unique power to overcome the gates of hell. This power is contingent upon unity and purity within the body. Personal ministry is secondary to the collective power of a united church. [33:00]
• 5. Humility Like Jesus: True humility is not just a response to sin but a reflection of the humility of Jesus. It is rooted in the recognition that we can do nothing apart from God. This humility calls us to live a life fully surrendered to His will, seeking His approval above all else. [52:34]
  ** [52:34]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:20] - Opening Prayer
• [01:08] - Introduction and Background
• [02:16] - The Question: How Long, O Lord?
• [03:44] - God's Response and Expectation
• [06:07] - The New Covenant Explained
• [08:32] - Jesus Waiting for His Enemies
• [10:07] - The Enemy Within: Selfish Will
• [12:21] - Crucifying the Flesh
• [16:15] - The Call to Do God's Will
• [19:13] - God's Guarantee of Spiritual Health
• [22:39] - Jesus as Our Example
• [30:20] - True Discipleship and Commitment
• [33:00] - The Power of the Church
• [52:34] - Humility Like Jesus
• [58:54] - Closing Reflections and Prayer

1. Hebrews 10:12-13
2. Romans 8:7
3. John 6:38

1. According to Hebrews 10:12-13, what is Jesus currently doing at the right hand of God, and what is He waiting for? [08:32]
2. In the sermon, what is identified as an enemy of God that He cannot defeat by Himself? How is this enemy described in Romans 8:7? [10:07]
3. How does the speaker describe the difference between the silent idols of other religions and the living God we worship? [03:44]
4. What example does the speaker give to illustrate the expectation of God's response when we ask, "How long, O Lord?" [03:20]

1. How does the concept of the new covenant, as described in Hebrews 10, change the way believers should approach their relationship with God? [07:28]
2. What does it mean for Jesus to be the only one who truly matters in our lives, as discussed in the sermon? How does this relate to the idea of true discipleship? [30:20]
3. The sermon mentions that the church has the unique power to overcome the gates of hell. How is this power contingent upon unity and purity within the body? [33:00]
4. How does the speaker describe the humility of Jesus, and how is it different from humility that is merely a response to sin? [52:34]

1. Reflect on a time when you asked God, "How long, O Lord?" Did you expect an answer? How can you cultivate a heart that is ready to listen and act upon God's response? [03:20]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need to crucify our selfish will daily. What specific desires or ambitions do you need to lay down on the altar this week? [10:07]
3. In what ways can you prioritize purity over quantity in your relationship with God and your community? How can this focus impact your daily life? [30:20]
4. Consider the unity and purity of your local church. What steps can you take to contribute to a more united and pure body of Christ? [33:00]
5. How can you model the humility of Jesus in your daily interactions, recognizing that you can do nothing apart from God? What practical steps can you take to live a life fully surrendered to His will? [52:34]
6. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to make Jesus the only one who truly matters. What changes can you make to align your priorities with this level of commitment? [30:20]
7. The sermon discusses the importance of expecting God's response. How can you actively seek and recognize God's voice in your life this week? [03:20]