Reverence and Transformation Through God's Word

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound reverence we should hold for the Word of God, recognizing it as sacred and exalted above all else. Reflecting on the awe-inspiring moment when the disciples witnessed Jesus transfigured on the mountaintop, we considered how we might react if we were in their place, hearing the voice of God. This led us to question how we perceive the Bible—are these truly the words of God, and do we treat them as such? We are called to differentiate these holy words from the common things of this world, understanding that God has exalted His name and His word above all else.

We delved into the Book of Job, particularly the moment when God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind. This powerful imagery serves as a reminder of the majesty and authority of God's word. Job's response to God's questioning was one of repentance and humility, acknowledging the greatness of God and the limitations of human understanding. This narrative challenges us to approach the Scriptures with a similar attitude of reverence and submission.

In our church, we aim to restore the Word of God to its rightful place, treating it with the holiness it deserves. We must repent for the times we have treated God's word as common or boring, and instead, embrace it as living and active, capable of transforming our lives. By doing so, we honor God and align ourselves with His will.

As we listened to the reading from Job 38 to the end, we were reminded of the power and majesty of God, who laid the foundations of the earth and commands the forces of nature. This passage calls us to humility and worship, recognizing that we are small in comparison to the Almighty. Let us be a church that delights in hearing the Word of God, allowing it to shape and guide us in all things.

Key Takeaways:

1. Reverence for God's Word: We must treat the Bible as sacred, recognizing it as the exalted Word of God. This requires differentiating it from the common things of this world and approaching it with the reverence it deserves. [19:57]

2. Humility Before God: Like Job, we are called to humility and repentance when confronted with the majesty of God. Acknowledging our limitations and God's greatness leads us to a deeper understanding of His sovereignty. [26:06]

3. The Power of Scripture: God's Word is living and active, capable of transforming lives. We must repent for treating it as boring or ineffective and embrace its power to work in us and through us. [23:17]

4. Restoring the Word's Place: As a church, we are called to restore the Word of God to its rightful place, treating it with the holiness it deserves. This involves repenting for past neglect and committing to honor God's Word in our gatherings. [28:50]

5. Worship and Awe: The reading from Job reminds us of God's power and majesty, calling us to worship and awe. We are small in comparison to the Almighty, and this realization should lead us to a posture of humility and reverence. [41:54]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [19:10] - The Mountaintop Experience
- [19:37] - Hearing God's Voice
- [20:20] - Sacred Words
- [21:47] - Exalting God's Word
- [22:22] - Human Pride and Doubt
- [23:37] - The Book of Job
- [24:51] - God Speaks to Job
- [25:30] - Brace Yourself
- [26:26] - Job's Humble Response
- [27:07] - Reading from Scripture
- [28:32] - The Power of God's Word
- [29:09] - Listening to Job 38
- [41:54] - Job's Repentance
- [45:22] - Prayer and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Job 38:1-7
2. Psalm 138:1-2

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Observation Questions:

1. In Job 38:1-7, how does God choose to speak to Job, and what is the significance of this method of communication? [25:09]

2. According to Psalm 138:1-2, what has God exalted above all things, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the Word of God? [21:18]

3. How did the disciples react when they heard the voice of God on the mountaintop, and what does this reveal about their understanding of God's presence? [19:37]

4. What was Job's response after God spoke to him, and how does this reflect his attitude towards God's majesty and authority? [26:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the imagery of God speaking out of the whirlwind in Job 38 suggest about His power and authority, and how should this influence our view of Scripture? [25:09]

2. How does the sermon suggest we should differentiate the Word of God from common things, and why is this distinction important for believers? [20:20]

3. In what ways does the sermon challenge us to restore the Word of God to its rightful place in our lives and church communities? [28:50]

4. How does the reading from Job 38 to the end of the book call us to humility and worship, and what does this teach us about our relationship with God? [41:54]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you may have treated the Word of God as common or boring. What steps can you take to approach Scripture with renewed reverence and awe? [23:17]

2. How can you incorporate a practice of humility and repentance in your daily life, similar to Job's response to God's questioning? [26:06]

3. What practical changes can you make in your personal Bible study or group discussions to ensure that the Word of God is treated with the holiness it deserves? [28:50]

4. Consider the power and majesty of God as described in Job 38. How can this understanding influence your worship and prayer life? [41:54]

5. Identify one area in your life where you need to align more closely with God's will as revealed in Scripture. What specific actions will you take to make this change?

6. How can you encourage others in your church community to delight in hearing and studying the Word of God, fostering a culture of reverence and submission to His Word? [27:58]

7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to repentance for neglecting God's Word. What is one specific way you can commit to honoring God's Word in your daily routine? [29:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Reverence for the Sacred Word
The Bible is not just a collection of ancient texts; it is the sacred and exalted Word of God. It stands apart from the common things of this world, demanding our utmost reverence and respect. When we approach the Scriptures, we should do so with a heart that recognizes their divine origin and authority. This means treating the Bible as holy, not as a mundane or ordinary book. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's perspective, acknowledging that His Word is exalted above all else. This reverence is not just about how we read the Bible, but also how we allow it to influence our lives and decisions. [19:57]

Psalm 119:160 (ESV): "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever."

Reflection: How can you create a daily habit that reflects a deeper reverence for God's Word in your life?


Day 2: Embracing Humility Before God
In the Book of Job, we find a powerful example of humility and repentance. When God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, Job is confronted with the majesty and authority of God. His response is one of humility, acknowledging his limitations and the greatness of God. This narrative challenges us to approach God with a similar attitude, recognizing that our understanding is limited and that God's ways are higher than ours. By embracing humility, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God, one that is marked by awe and reverence for His sovereignty. [26:06]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your limitations and submit to God's greater wisdom today?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of Scripture
God's Word is not static; it is living and active, capable of transforming lives. However, there are times when we may treat it as boring or ineffective. This calls for repentance and a renewed commitment to embrace the power of Scripture. When we allow God's Word to work in us and through us, it has the potential to bring about profound change. This transformation is not just about personal growth but also about aligning our lives with God's will and purpose. By embracing the power of Scripture, we invite God to shape and guide us in all things. [23:17]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to invite God's Word to transform today?


Day 4: Restoring the Word's Rightful Place
As a church, we are called to restore the Word of God to its rightful place, treating it with the holiness it deserves. This involves repenting for past neglect and committing to honor God's Word in our gatherings and personal lives. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and create an environment where His Word can flourish. This restoration is not just about public worship but also about how we prioritize the Bible in our daily lives. It is a call to action, inviting us to make God's Word central in all that we do. [28:50]

Nehemiah 8:8 (ESV): "They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in restoring the Word of God to its rightful place in your community and personal life?


Day 5: Worship and Awe in the Presence of God
The reading from Job reminds us of God's power and majesty, calling us to worship and awe. We are small in comparison to the Almighty, and this realization should lead us to a posture of humility and reverence. Worship is not just about singing songs or attending church services; it is about recognizing God's greatness and responding with our whole lives. This awe-inspiring view of God invites us to live in a way that honors Him, acknowledging His authority and majesty in all things. [41:54]

Psalm 95:3-5 (ESV): "For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land."

Reflection: What specific action can you take today to cultivate a deeper sense of worship and awe in your relationship with God?

Quotes


What if you went up to a Mountaintop and Jesus was there and he starts shining like the sun and then the glory Cloud shows up and you hear a voice from the glory Cloud wouldn't every bit of you just shake in fear wouldn't you just collapse I I just can't imagine being able to stand through that I would just fall like the disciples did and be terrified because I'm hearing the voice of God. [00:19:10]

Are these the words of God so we need to learn to treat these words as sacred and differentiate them from everything else on this Earth that's common you can put that down God says Psalm 138 I give you thanks O Lord with my whole heart before the gods I sing your praise I bow down toward your Holy Temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness. [00:20:20]

For you have exalted above all things your name and your word you have exalted above all things your name and your word God has exalted Above All Things his name and his word God if God exalts his word Above All Things what should we do with his word as human beings picture God on his throne what does he want to see in this room. [00:21:47]

Doesn't he want to see people who when his word is read they exalt that over their own opinions their own insights and I again I just want to apologize just for the pride in my life the doubt where I would doubt the word of God was living and active but I actually thought that it would bore people rather than believing there's a power in his word. [00:22:22]

I want to try to structure our Gatherings almost like The Book of Job if you look at the Book of Job it's pretty interesting because you know in the beginning it talks about that interesting conversation that God and Satan have about job and God tests job and now suddenly job loses his family his kids are are dead he loses everything that he owns he's left with nothing. [00:23:37]

Every time I read through the Book of Job I can't wait to get to chapter 38 because in chapter 38 God speaks right and suddenly it's like okay all these guys are talking all these guys were talking all this noise you know some of it was true some of it was off at the end you realize they were they were off and God was not happy with them. [00:24:51]

But it says in chapter 8 that God answers job out of the Whirlwind like a tornado picture a tornado and a voice coming out of a tornado and he says brace yourself brace yourself like a man I'm about to question you and you're going to answer me it is so intense can you imagine if you were whining about your life where this is so hard. [00:25:30]

Job's response is I'd always heard of you but now that I've seen you I'm just going to repent like there was just something about God's word when God speaks yet Peter James and John they fall on their faces when God speaks job and his friends are just silent I would love to see us bring this back to the church where when we read from this book we treat it as holy. [00:26:26]

These are not ordinary words and we want to show God in heaven that we believe that so for the last half of my message I'm just going to have Lisa read from scripture The Living Word and I believe this is going to affect us more than anything I could say that we can trust rust communion and the word of God you want to read from here Lisa CU it's the Bible. [00:27:07]

I believe that this could be a season where the church in America repents for treating the word of God as common and treating common people as sacred and that we can turn it back and that would honor the Lord so let's just enjoy hearing the word of God then the Lord answered job out of the Whirlwind and said who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge. [00:28:32]

Father forgive me for thinking too highly of myself and my thoughts for not treating your word as sacred forgive us Lord for ever seeing your word as boring thank you for your word thank you that we get to see what a powerful God you are we have have no right to question you please Lord help us help us to restore your word to its rightful place. [00:45:22]

Holy are you God worthy are you we exalt your name and your word because you do blessed be the name of the Lord Worthy is the Lamb who was slain holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come thank you Jesus for your sacrifice that we could be forgiven today for our lack of reverence towards you and all of our pride. [00:46:22]

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Transcript
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