Hearing God: Reigning in Life Through Christ
Summary
In our time together, we explored the profound concept of hearing God in the context of real life, emphasizing that the kingdom of God is not confined to religious settings but is intricately woven into the fabric of our everyday existence. The essence of our discussion was rooted in Romans 5:17, which speaks of reigning in life through Jesus Christ. This reign is not about dominion in the worldly sense but about governing for good under God's guidance, being the salt and light in the world.
We delved into the idea that the kingdom of God is the range of God's effective will, where what He desires is accomplished. Human beings, in their natural state, often attempt to run their kingdoms independently, leading to the reign of death. However, through Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light, we are invited to reign in life by receiving the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. Grace, as we discussed, is God acting in our lives to accomplish what we cannot achieve on our own, and righteousness is not just about being justified but living a life that aligns with God's kingdom.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of hearing God as a continuous, intimate relationship rather than an occasional event. God desires to communicate with us, guiding us in our daily lives. This communication is not just about receiving instructions but involves understanding and aligning our lives with His will. We are encouraged to seek God earnestly, as hearing Him is part of a life devoted to Him.
Furthermore, we examined the contrast between living according to the flesh and living by the Spirit, as outlined in Romans 8. The flesh represents our natural abilities, while the Spirit is the unbodily personal power of God. Living by the Spirit means setting our minds on things above, where Christ is, and allowing God's Spirit to guide and empower us.
Finally, we touched on the significance of careful listening to God's word, as emphasized in Luke 8:18. A life of hearing God requires attentiveness and a heart devoted to seeking His voice. As we cultivate this life, we grow in our understanding and ability to reign in life through Christ, impacting every area of our existence.
Key Takeaways:
- Reigning in Life Through Christ: Reigning in life is about governing for good under God's guidance, being the salt and light in the world. It involves receiving the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, which empowers us to live in alignment with God's kingdom. [02:54]
- Grace and Righteousness: Grace is God acting in our lives to accomplish what we cannot achieve on our own. Righteousness is not just about being justified but living a life that aligns with God's kingdom, impacting every area of our existence. [08:53]
- Hearing God as a Lifestyle: Hearing God is a continuous, intimate relationship rather than an occasional event. It involves understanding and aligning our lives with His will, seeking Him earnestly, and being attentive to His voice. [17:58]
- Living by the Spirit: The contrast between living according to the flesh and living by the Spirit is crucial. The Spirit is the unbodily personal power of God, and living by the Spirit means setting our minds on things above and allowing God's Spirit to guide and empower us. [22:58]
- Careful Listening to God's Word: A life of hearing God requires attentiveness and a heart devoted to seeking His voice. As we cultivate this life, we grow in our understanding and ability to reign in life through Christ, impacting every area of our existence. [46:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Hearing God in Real Life
- [01:08] - Theological Foundation
- [01:42] - Romans 5:17 Meditation
- [02:54] - Reigning in Life by Christ
- [04:09] - Kingdom of God Explained
- [06:20] - Jesus Abolished Death
- [07:33] - Abundance of Grace
- [09:12] - Gift of Righteousness
- [11:01] - By Jesus Christ
- [13:09] - God Speaking to Us
- [16:19] - Isaiah 30:20-21
- [19:23] - Living a Life of Hearing God
- [22:40] - Romans 8: Life in the Spirit
- [29:08] - Setting Our Minds on Things Above
- [33:59] - Trinity and Communication
- [38:08] - Thy Kingdom Come
- [42:25] - The With God Life
- [46:02] - Take Care How You Listen
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 5:17
- Romans 8:1-2
- Luke 8:18
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 5:17, what is the result of receiving the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness?
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "reigning in life" through Jesus Christ? [02:54]
3. What is the contrast between living according to the flesh and living by the Spirit as discussed in Romans 8? [22:58]
4. In Luke 8:18, what does Jesus emphasize about listening, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message on hearing God? [46:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the idea of "reigning in life" in a way that differs from worldly views of power and dominion? [03:15]
2. What role does grace play in our ability to live a life aligned with God's kingdom, according to the sermon? [08:53]
3. How does the sermon suggest we can cultivate a lifestyle of hearing God, and what challenges might arise in doing so? [17:58]
4. What does it mean to live by the Spirit, and how does this impact our daily decision-making and mindset? [22:58]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of "reigning in life." How does this align with the sermon’s perspective of governing for good under God's guidance? [02:54]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel you need more of God's grace. How can you actively seek His grace in that area this week? [08:53]
3. Consider your daily routine. How can you incorporate practices that help you hear God more clearly and consistently? [17:58]
4. Think about a recent decision you made. Was it influenced more by your natural abilities (flesh) or by seeking guidance from the Spirit? How can you shift towards the latter? [22:58]
5. What steps can you take to ensure you are listening carefully to God's word, as emphasized in Luke 8:18? [46:02]
6. How can you be more intentional about setting your mind on things above, as encouraged in the sermon? What practical changes can you make in your thought life? [29:08]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt God was speaking to you. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply this learning to future situations? [17:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Governing for Good Under God's Guidance
Reigning in life through Christ is not about exerting power in a worldly sense but about being a force for good under God's guidance. This involves being the salt and light in the world, influencing others positively by living in alignment with God's kingdom. By receiving the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, believers are empowered to live lives that reflect God's will and purpose. This reign is characterized by a life that is deeply connected to God's desires, allowing His effective will to be accomplished in and through us. [02:54]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you be a positive influence in your community today, reflecting God's kingdom values?
Day 2: Grace as God's Active Presence
Grace is more than just a theological concept; it is God actively working in our lives to achieve what we cannot accomplish on our own. It is through grace that we are empowered to live righteously, aligning our lives with God's kingdom. Righteousness, therefore, is not merely about being justified but about living a life that impacts every area of our existence, reflecting God's character and purposes. This understanding of grace and righteousness invites us to rely on God's strength rather than our own, allowing His transformative power to shape our lives. [08:53]
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you need God's grace to accomplish what you cannot do on your own. How can you invite His active presence into this area today?
Day 3: Cultivating a Lifestyle of Hearing God
Hearing God is not an occasional event but a continuous, intimate relationship. It involves understanding and aligning our lives with His will, seeking Him earnestly, and being attentive to His voice. This lifestyle of hearing God requires a heart devoted to seeking His guidance and wisdom in every aspect of life. As we cultivate this relationship, we grow in our ability to discern His voice and align our actions with His purposes, leading to a life that is deeply connected to His kingdom. [17:58]
"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for God's voice and guidance? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this habit?
Day 4: Living by the Spirit's Power
The contrast between living according to the flesh and living by the Spirit is crucial for a life aligned with God's kingdom. The Spirit is the unbodily personal power of God, and living by the Spirit means setting our minds on things above, where Christ is. This involves allowing God's Spirit to guide and empower us, leading to a life that reflects His character and purposes. By living by the Spirit, we are able to overcome the limitations of our natural abilities and experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. [22:58]
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on the Spirit's power rather than your own strength? How can you invite the Spirit to guide you in this area today?
Day 5: Attentiveness to God's Word
A life of hearing God requires careful listening and a heart devoted to seeking His voice. As we cultivate this attentiveness, we grow in our understanding and ability to reign in life through Christ, impacting every area of our existence. This involves being intentional about listening to God's word and allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions. By prioritizing God's voice, we align our lives with His kingdom and experience the transformative power of His presence in our daily lives. [46:02]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be more intentional about listening to God's word today? What specific steps can you take to ensure His word dwells richly in your life?
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