Listening to Jesus: Embracing His Transformative Word

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound importance of truly listening to Jesus amidst the cacophony of voices and distractions in our world. We began by acknowledging the joy and camaraderie that sports can bring, but also the division it can cause, reminding us to be kind and loving regardless of our affiliations. This serves as a metaphor for our spiritual lives, where we must rise above worldly distractions to focus on our divine calling.

We are embarking on a new sermon series centered on Luke 9:28-36, a passage that invites us to experience the divine revelation of Jesus. This story, like many others in the Bible, challenges us to seek God's direction and listen to His voice. In a world filled with noise, we must pause and listen to Jesus, who calls us to be His witnesses and share the good news.

A startling statistic reveals that only 32% of self-identified Protestant Christians read the Bible daily. This lack of engagement with Scripture leaves many confused and spiritually malnourished. We are called to be different, to immerse ourselves in the Word, and to let it guide our actions and decisions. Listening to Jesus means more than just hearing; it requires obedience and transformation.

Hebrews 1 reminds us that Jesus is God's final word, the ultimate revelation of His will. We must filter everything through the lens of Christ, allowing His teachings to shape our lives. This means rejecting the partial truths of the world and embracing the full truth found in Jesus. Our political views, daily actions, and spiritual practices must all be informed by His example.

As we reflect on our spiritual journey, we recognize three groups among us: those who know Jesus and stand in awe of Him, those who are unsure and seeking, and those who have rejected Him. Each group is called to listen more closely, to open their hearts to the transformative power of the Word. We are challenged to be part of the 100% who engage with Scripture daily, allowing it to change our lives and draw us closer to God.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Call to Listen: In a world filled with distractions, we must intentionally pause and listen to Jesus. This involves more than just hearing; it requires us to act on His teachings and be His witnesses in the world. Listening to Jesus means allowing His words to transform our lives and guide our actions. [36:34]

2. Engagement with Scripture: The startling statistic that only 32% of Christians read the Bible daily highlights a spiritual deficiency. Engaging with Scripture is essential for understanding God's will and living a life that reflects His teachings. We are called to be part of the 100% who immerse themselves in the Word daily. [41:59]

3. Jesus as God's Final Word: Hebrews 1 reveals that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's will. We must filter everything through the lens of Christ, allowing His teachings to shape our lives. This means rejecting the partial truths of the world and embracing the full truth found in Jesus. [46:02]

4. The Challenge of Obedience: Listening to Jesus requires obedience and transformation. We must be willing to change our lives in response to His teachings, even when it challenges our comfort and desires. True listening involves aligning our actions with His will. [44:53]

5. The Importance of Spiritual Community: We are called to be part of a spiritual community that encourages and supports our growth in Christ. Engaging in Bible study and fellowship helps us listen more closely to God's voice and strengthens our faith. [01:22:23]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [34:03] - Embracing Unity and Kindness
- [35:30] - Sharing the Good News
- [36:34] - The Call to Listen
- [41:02] - Being Witnesses for Christ
- [41:59] - Engaging with Scripture
- [43:04] - The Consequences of Not Listening
- [44:13] - The Challenge of Obedience
- [46:02] - Jesus as God's Final Word
- [49:15] - Filtering Life Through Christ
- [52:04] - The Word Became Flesh
- [53:26] - Do We Want to Hear God?
- [54:56] - The Final Revelation
- [56:18] - Seeking New Revelations
- [58:07] - Political Views and Faith
- [01:00:00] - The Kingdom of God
- [01:02:11] - Awe of Jesus
- [01:03:08] - Addressing Doubts
- [01:04:47] - Invitation to Listen and Respond

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 9:28-36
- Hebrews 1:1-3

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 9:28-36, what significant event takes place, and who are the key figures involved?
2. According to the sermon, what startling statistic was shared about daily Bible reading among Protestant Christians? [41:59]
3. How does Hebrews 1:1-3 describe Jesus in relation to God's revelation to humanity?
4. What metaphor was used in the sermon to describe the distractions in our spiritual lives? [34:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the transfiguration of Jesus in Luke 9:28-36 reveal about His divine nature and mission?
2. How might the low percentage of daily Bible readers among Christians impact their spiritual growth and understanding of God's will? [41:59]
3. In what ways does Hebrews 1:1-3 emphasize the importance of Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God?
4. How can the metaphor of sports as a distraction be applied to other areas of life that may hinder one's spiritual focus? [34:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you create a habit of engaging with Scripture daily to ensure you are part of the 100% who immerse themselves in the Word? [41:59]
2. Consider the distractions in your life. What specific steps can you take this week to minimize these distractions and focus more on listening to Jesus? [36:34]
3. How can you actively filter your political views and daily actions through the teachings of Jesus, as suggested in the sermon? [58:07]
4. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with obedience to Jesus' teachings. What practical changes can you make to align your actions with His will? [44:53]
5. Think about your spiritual community. How can you contribute to fostering an environment that encourages daily engagement with Scripture and supports spiritual growth? [01:22:23]
6. Reflect on the three groups mentioned in the sermon: those who know Jesus, those who are unsure, and those who have rejected Him. Which group do you identify with, and how can you take steps to deepen your relationship with Jesus? [01:03:08]
7. How can you be a witness for Christ in your everyday interactions, such as at work or in your neighborhood, as encouraged in the sermon? [41:02]

Devotional

Day 1: The Art of Intentional Listening
In a world brimming with distractions, the call to listen to Jesus is more crucial than ever. This involves more than just hearing His words; it requires a deliberate pause to truly absorb and act upon His teachings. Listening to Jesus means allowing His words to transform our lives and guide our actions. As we navigate through the noise of daily life, we are reminded that our divine calling is to be His witnesses, sharing the good news with those around us. This intentional listening is not passive but active, demanding our full attention and commitment to living out His message. [36:34]

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one distraction in your life that often drowns out the voice of Jesus. How can you create space today to intentionally listen to Him?

Day 2: Immersing in Scripture for Spiritual Nourishment
The startling statistic that only 32% of Christians read the Bible daily highlights a significant spiritual deficiency. Engaging with Scripture is essential for understanding God's will and living a life that reflects His teachings. Without regular immersion in the Word, we risk becoming spiritually malnourished and confused. We are called to be part of the 100% who immerse themselves in the Word daily, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions. This daily engagement with Scripture is not just a routine but a lifeline that connects us to the heart of God and His purposes for our lives. [41:59]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: What specific time and place can you set aside each day to engage with Scripture, ensuring it becomes a consistent part of your routine?

Day 3: Embracing Jesus as the Ultimate Revelation
Hebrews 1 reveals that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's will, the final word through which we must filter everything. This means rejecting the partial truths of the world and embracing the full truth found in Jesus. Our political views, daily actions, and spiritual practices must all be informed by His example. By allowing His teachings to shape our lives, we align ourselves with God's ultimate plan and purpose. This requires a conscious effort to view every aspect of our lives through the lens of Christ, ensuring that His truth is the foundation upon which we build. [46:02]

"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Consider one belief or opinion you hold that may not align with Jesus' teachings. How can you begin to reshape this belief through the lens of Christ?

Day 4: The Transformative Power of Obedience
Listening to Jesus requires obedience and transformation. We must be willing to change our lives in response to His teachings, even when it challenges our comfort and desires. True listening involves aligning our actions with His will, which often means stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing change. This obedience is not about following rules but about allowing His love and truth to transform us from the inside out, leading to a life that reflects His character and purpose. [44:53]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to change? What steps can you take today to begin this transformation?

Day 5: The Strength of Spiritual Community
We are called to be part of a spiritual community that encourages and supports our growth in Christ. Engaging in Bible study and fellowship helps us listen more closely to God's voice and strengthens our faith. This community provides a space where we can share our struggles, celebrate our victories, and grow together in our spiritual journey. Being part of a spiritual community is not just about attending church but about building relationships that nurture our faith and help us stay grounded in God's truth. [01:22:23]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your spiritual community can you reach out to this week for encouragement or to offer support? How can you actively contribute to the growth of your community?

Quotes

1) "Hope you're excited about worshiping God and the things that we do and hope that they are an encouragement to you and kind of put you in that mood that allows you to really jump out into the world and be that group that is sharing the good news and transforming lives. We really want you to do that. We want to push that. We want to give you some ways in which that can happen and not feel like the burden is all on you. But we over the... We're going to do that in the next few months and then especially kicking into the new year, we're going to be laying out some pretty specific things that will help you along that way of sharing the good news, transforming lives." [34:03] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "We live in a world that is bombarding us with noise, with messages, with directions, with guidance, at least that's what they want us to believe. And I wonder how often we really just pause and listen to him instead of everything else. So the next slide is share the good news, transform lives. If you want to listen to him, Jesus says five different times in all the four gospels and in the book of Acts, your job, your role, you're to be my witnesses. You're to go into all the world and make disciples. You're to go teach. You're to go baptize. You are to be the ones who are telling the story." [41:02] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "So when we jump into this idea of listening to him, I think we also need to define what is it we're listening to him for? Are we listening? Are we listening to him to just validate that what I'm doing is okay and I'm just going to continue what I'm doing so I look for a way and listen so that he tells me I'm good or are we looking and are we listening for him to tell us how much more we need to be like him in our everyday lives?" [43:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "If we start listening to Jesus, we're going to realize that we're not good enough. We are going to fall short. We're going to need to listen more in depth and guess what we are going to need to make some changes in our lives. But. Just like liking to be right. I don't like to change most of the time. I like to do what I'm doing. I like to make it needs to make sense unless that change benefits me. Then I'm ready to make the change and then sometimes when we listen and we know we look at Scripture now listen to this." [44:13] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "What really gives us direction is are we listening to the son are we spending time in the word trying to figure out and look and have the spirit speak to us and work in us so that everything we do is filtered through Jesus even in our daily activities here what we do in worship do we filter that through the lens of Christ or are we comfortable with something and so we just keep doing it because we think that's right that's what they always did or we're going to be different for the sake of being different. Or are we filtering what we do through the lens of Christ that says everything I'm doing here is to your honor and glory not to my liking and it's not just in worship it's in everyday life." [50:41] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Jesus is the final revelation and the final word from God. So. If somebody comes and says I got a new word from God I'm going to venture to say they've not read scripture. He used to speak through prophets and others and now he speaks through his son. Are we willing to take that strong of a stand on who Jesus is and why Jesus is the word and then live by that die by that and realize that we are called because of the word which is Christ." [54:56] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "We need to basically write again. We need to write against the tide of 32% of people who read their Bibles daily. And this church is a place where 100% of us daily go to the word of God to get what is needed to make it through the day. That's my challenge to you. Be one of those that goes to the word daily. So it can change your life today as we sing." [01:08:00] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?