Listening to God's Voice Amidst Life's Noise
Summary
In today's world, we are surrounded by countless voices vying for our attention, from family and friends to media and influencers. Yet, amidst this cacophony, there is one voice that stands out—the voice of God, which desires nothing from us but offers everything for us. On this Transfiguration Sunday, we reflect on the moment when God declared Jesus as His chosen Son, urging us to listen to Him. This pivotal event, witnessed by Peter, James, and John, reveals the true glory of Jesus, not just in His divine radiance on the mountain but ultimately in His suffering and sacrifice on the cross.
The Transfiguration account in Luke 9 reminds us of the importance of listening to Jesus, the one who holds the words of eternal life. As Jesus converses with Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, we see the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ. Despite the disciples' initial confusion and desire to remain in the glory of the mountaintop experience, they are called to follow Jesus into the valley, where His true glory will be revealed through His death and resurrection.
As we enter the Lenten season, we are invited to pause, reflect, and recalibrate our lives, ensuring that God's Word is the foundation upon which we build. This season is an opportunity to listen more intently to Jesus, to immerse ourselves in His Word, and to recognize His voice amidst the noise of the world. By doing so, we prepare ourselves to hear His call, not just in this life but ultimately into eternal life with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The Voice of God: In a world filled with competing voices, God's voice stands out as the one that desires nothing from us but offers everything for us. It calls us to listen to Jesus, the chosen Son, who holds the words of eternal life. [12:00]
- The Glory of Jesus: The true glory of Jesus is not just in His divine radiance on the mountain but in His suffering and sacrifice on the cross. This is where God's love and redemption are fully displayed, calling us to follow Him into the valley of life. [17:03]
- Listening to Jesus: The Transfiguration reminds us of the importance of listening to Jesus, who fulfills the Law and the Prophets. As we enter Lent, we are invited to immerse ourselves in His Word, ensuring it is the foundation of our lives. [20:53]
- The Lenten Journey: Lent is a time to pause, reflect, and recalibrate, focusing on God's Word and recognizing His voice amidst the world's noise. It is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Jesus and prepare for His call to eternal life. [24:50]
- Peace in Christ: In the midst of life's chaos, Jesus offers us peace and stillness. By listening to His voice, we find rest and assurance, knowing that He is God and that His promises are true. [05:34]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:34] - Voices in Our Lives
- [12:00] - The Transfiguration Event
- [17:03] - The Glory of Jesus
- [20:53] - Listening to Jesus
- [24:50] - The Lenten Journey
- [30:00] - Peace in Christ
- [35:00] - Invitation to Reflect
- [40:00] - Encouragement for Lent
- [45:00] - Conclusion and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 9:28-36
- John 6:68-69
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Observation Questions:
1. What significant event does Luke 9:28-36 describe, and who were the key figures present during this event? [05:34]
2. In the sermon, what was the reaction of Peter, James, and John to the Transfiguration, and how did they initially respond to the experience? [12:00]
3. According to the sermon, what does the voice from the cloud declare about Jesus during the Transfiguration? [12:00]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of Moses and Elijah's presence during the Transfiguration? [05:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the Transfiguration reveal about the nature and mission of Jesus, as discussed in the sermon? [17:03]
2. How does the sermon explain the disciples' desire to remain on the mountain, and what does this reveal about human nature? [12:00]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Transfiguration prepares the disciples for the events of Jesus' suffering and resurrection? [17:03]
4. How does the sermon connect the voice of God during the Transfiguration to the importance of listening to Jesus in our lives today? [20:53]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the voices in your life that compete for your attention. How can you prioritize listening to God's voice amidst the noise? [05:34]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of following Jesus into the valley of life. What are some "valleys" you are currently facing, and how can you seek Jesus' guidance through them? [17:03]
3. During Lent, we are encouraged to immerse ourselves in God's Word. What specific steps can you take to make God's Word the foundation of your daily life? [20:53]
4. The sermon mentions the peace that Jesus offers. In what areas of your life do you need to experience this peace, and how can you actively seek it? [24:50]
5. Consider the idea of recalibrating your life during Lent. What distractions or habits might you need to adjust to focus more on your relationship with Jesus? [24:50]
6. How can you create a habit of listening to Jesus' voice, especially when faced with difficult decisions or challenges? [20:53]
7. The sermon encourages us to recognize Jesus' voice amidst the world's noise. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are attuned to His voice in your daily routine? [24:50]
Devotional
Day 1: The Distinctive Voice of God
In a world filled with competing voices, God's voice stands out as the one that desires nothing from us but offers everything for us. It calls us to listen to Jesus, the chosen Son, who holds the words of eternal life. The Transfiguration event is a powerful reminder of this truth, as God declares Jesus as His chosen Son and urges us to listen to Him. This divine endorsement highlights the importance of prioritizing Jesus' teachings and guidance in our lives. By tuning into His voice, we can navigate the complexities of life with clarity and purpose, knowing that His words lead us to eternal life. [12:00]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What are the voices in your life that compete for your attention? How can you intentionally create space to hear God's voice more clearly today?
Day 2: The True Glory of Jesus
The true glory of Jesus is not just in His divine radiance on the mountain but in His suffering and sacrifice on the cross. This is where God's love and redemption are fully displayed, calling us to follow Him into the valley of life. The Transfiguration reveals Jesus' divine nature, but it is through His journey to the cross that we see the depth of His love and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that true glory often involves sacrifice and humility, and we are called to follow Jesus' example in our own lives. [17:03]
Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV): "But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace humility and sacrifice in your daily life to reflect the true glory of Jesus?
Day 3: The Importance of Listening to Jesus
The Transfiguration reminds us of the importance of listening to Jesus, who fulfills the Law and the Prophets. As we enter Lent, we are invited to immerse ourselves in His Word, ensuring it is the foundation of our lives. Jesus' conversation with Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration signifies the fulfillment of God's promises, and we are called to listen to His teachings as the ultimate authority. By prioritizing His Word, we can build a solid foundation for our lives, allowing His truth to guide our decisions and actions. [20:53]
Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV): "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."
Reflection: How can you make listening to Jesus a daily practice, and what changes might you need to make to ensure His Word is the foundation of your life?
Day 4: The Lenten Journey of Reflection
Lent is a time to pause, reflect, and recalibrate, focusing on God's Word and recognizing His voice amidst the world's noise. It is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Jesus and prepare for His call to eternal life. This season invites us to examine our lives, identify areas that need realignment with God's will, and commit to spiritual growth. By intentionally setting aside time for reflection and prayer, we can draw closer to Jesus and experience the transformative power of His presence in our lives. [24:50]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take during this Lenten season to pause, reflect, and recalibrate your life in alignment with God's Word?
Day 5: Finding Peace in Christ
In the midst of life's chaos, Jesus offers us peace and stillness. By listening to His voice, we find rest and assurance, knowing that He is God and that His promises are true. The peace that Jesus provides is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in His unchanging nature and faithfulness. As we learn to trust in Him and surrender our anxieties, we can experience a profound sense of peace that transcends understanding, allowing us to navigate life's challenges with confidence and hope. [05:34]
John 14:27 (ESV): "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to experience Christ's peace? How can you actively seek His peace and stillness in that area today?
Quotes
"You know, before cell phones and before caller ID, you simply picked up the phone and the voice just started talking. And depending on that voice that it was talking to you, sometimes they would identify themselves or sometimes they would just talk assuming you knew who it was because you had talked to them so many times before." [00:00:08] (23 seconds)
"Nowadays, with caller ID, we usually know who's calling, except in my office. Normally, Peggy or Linda, they answer the phone, but sometimes they're busy and doing other things and I'll hear the phone ring a number of times and so I'll pick it up from my desk, which doesn't have the caller ID on it, and the individual will start talking as if they know the pastor knows who this is that's talking to them." [00:00:31] (24 seconds)
"Voices they're all around us all of them usually wanting something from us we hear lots of voices each and every day some of the voices we want to hear like our family and friends our loved ones we love to hear their voice we love to to cherish their voice in fact if you've had a loved one who is who has passed away and you have voicemails left of them or their their voice recordings you might even still listen to them because those voices they mattered so much to you in your life but yet we also have a lot of other voices competing for our attention and for our ears voices that sometimes just deliver the news to us like a newscaster voices that want us to feel a certain way like the talking heads on television or politicians voices that come to us that are that are on movies or television programs or or songs that we listen to or things we see on social media voices that simply want us to listen to them because their job is to be influencers and if they don't have anybody to influence then they can't do their job there is a lot of voices in the world around us and so many of those voices want something from us but today on transfiguration sunday we get to focus on the voice the one voice that only wants something for us that wants nothing really in return except that which we do not want our brokenness our sin our burdens that we confessed even this morning here and that we'll once again breathe see forgiveness at his table later on the voice that the father comes from the cloud and says this is my son the chosen one listen to him what would it have been like to have been there that day along with peter james and john on that mount of transfiguration." [00:02:33] (120 seconds)
"And remember, Luke, he wasn't one of the original 12. He wasn't one of the disciples of Jesus, but tells us he carefully investigated this account and all the accounts of Jesus's life and put it together in the testimony that we have in his gospel. And he begins it in Luke 9, verse 28, by telling us this, about eight days after this conversation." [00:04:00] (25 seconds)
"And now here he is about ready to head up to a mountain, and Luke continues with his narrative. He says, Jesus took along Peter and John and James, and he went up onto the mountain to pray. I mean, this is normal Jesus behavior, going up on the mountain, sometimes by himself, sometimes with a few of the disciples. He picks three to go up with him, kind of the inner circle of Jesus' kind of closest disciples, and they're going to pray as we see him do over and over again in his ministry." [00:05:34] (31 seconds)
"many times out in the country who has had meals with his disciples who has done very human things now gets an image of the glory of Jesus as well fully God and and fully man but not just that this isn't here what Luke also tells us verse 30 suddenly two men were talking with him Moses and Elijah and they appeared in glory and they were speaking of his departure literally that word's exodus Jesus's exodus which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem Moses and Elijah Moses representing the the law of God the the Torah of God and Elijah as a representative of all of the prophets and it's significant that it's two of them because two people are are needed in order for a testimony to be counted as trustworthy and who could be more trustworthy than these greats of old Moses and Elijah Moses and Elijah who had been on mountains during their ministry with God Moses most famously on Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments from God himself Elijah who was on a mountain with God as well at first represent of the Aurora of the one of the думаю of the the sending him at Mount Carmel against the prophets of Baal whom he summarily defeated but whom coming down that mountain goes into a bit of depression and sadness and thinks he's the only one until God sends him on another journey up another mountain and not in the earthquake or fire or anything like that but in a still small voice God speaks to Elijah these are prophets of old who have heard the voice of God and now they are here because a greater prophet has arisen a prophet that Moses and Elijah foretold would be coming this is the Christ the Messiah God's anointed one in the person and work of Christ Jesus a coming coming to accomplish an even greater work than Moses or an Elijah could ever accomplish and Luke continues and he tells us and Peter in verse 32 and Peter and those who were with him were in a deep sleep and when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who were there standing with him apparently that that these disciples who were with Jesus were in such a state of shock they couldn't believe what they were seeing and you kind of you can kind of understand it I mean Peter James and John that the there's Moses there's Elijah Elijah and there's just Jesus, their rabbi, shining gloriously, this is an overwhelming scene." [00:06:25] (159 seconds)
"it's messy and it's yucky and it's hard let's stay in the glory of this mountaintop experience but the glory of Jesus is not seen here on the mountain the glory of Jesus is going to be seen in the suffering in his death in his crucifixion that's where the glory of God is going to be on full display where the lamb of God will take away the sins of the world the disciples don't yet know that Peter speaking for them says let's just stay here because it's so great here because I'm so filled with God's presence and his word and everything I just want to be here and maybe you've had those experiences sometimes in your life I know every time we go to the holy land I get that experience as well when you go to the places where Jesus walked and talked and you go to the sea of Galilee and you think about all the things that happened on that place and sometimes you just want to stay there but that's not the place that God has called us to be the work is in the valley the valley of the shadow of death yes but that valley of the shadow of death is not the final destination for Jesus nor is it for those who call on his name." [00:10:22] (80 seconds)
"the chosen one listen to him the voice the voice of the father declaring that this is who he says he is this is the very son of god this is the chosen one this is the plan since the foundations of the world this was the way that god would seek to save the world to redeem what was lost to buy it back with the incredible price of his own son's body and blood given for you for the forgiveness of sins therefore listen to him listen to him he's got the words of life and luke tells us that that's exactly what they did they didn't say anything to anyone at that time and it was good probably because they wouldn't have even fully understand what they have seen until they see what they're about to see these next few days in the gospel of luke with the arrest the with the betrayal the arrest and the crucifixion of jesus and three days later the resurrection of jesus that they become the eyewitnesses too you know these words that you that the Father speaks to Jesus. This is my chosen one, my son, listen to them. This response is great." [00:14:14] (89 seconds)
"And it's a reminder that even though Peter, James, and John, they don't have everything all figured out yet, they're going to spend and they're going to stay with Jesus because they have come to see and know who Jesus is. They don't understand it fully yet, not by any means, but they know they've got to stay with Jesus, even in the confusion, even in some of their doubts." [00:15:34] (23 seconds)
"And as we see this scene unfold on the Mount of Transfiguration, the same kind of attitude of Jesus' disciples that says, Lord, we're going to follow you. We don't have it all figured out. We don't have it all straight in our minds yet. But we know we got to be with you if we're going to understand you. Because your voice is a voice that is for us and has something for us." [00:17:42] (26 seconds)
"You know, these eyewitnesses there on the Mount of Transfiguration, it's not until Easter that they really get how it all plays together, and even then they still have some questions and some doubts, as Matthew admits at the end of his gospel. But I love what happens to the disciples in the locked upper room that Luke records for us. That when Jesus comes to them that Easter evening, and he appears to them, and he invites them to touch his body, to feel that he's a real person, he actually has a meal with him and begins to teach them again. But as he appears to them in that locked upper room, the first words out of his mouth are, peace, be still. Peace, be still." [00:22:42] (46 seconds)
"When we hear the voice of our Lord God in the midst of the voices that clamor at us for our attention and for our devotion, hear the voice who calls to you this season to peace and to be still. The Psalms talk about that in beautiful ways. You need a place to be in the Word, be in the book of the Psalms. Psalm 46 says it wonderfully. Psalm 46 verse 10 says it, be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." [00:23:12] (36 seconds)
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