Transformative Power of Alone Time with God

 

Summary

The most important lesson I could ever teach is the significance of spending time alone with God and His Word. This lesson, which I learned in high school, has been foundational in my spiritual journey. It is about learning to study the Bible for oneself, to hear directly from God, and to live out His teachings. This personal engagement with Scripture is crucial because it is the only time when we cannot deceive ourselves or others. Alone with God, we are confronted with the truth of our hearts and intentions, and it is here that genuine transformation occurs.

Peter, in 2 Peter 1:12-15, emphasizes the importance of remembering and living out the truths of Scripture, especially as he nears the end of his life. He knew his time was short, yet his focus was on ensuring that others could recall and live by these truths after his departure. This is a powerful reminder for us to prepare others to follow God independently, just as parents should aim to raise children who are independently dependent on God.

Peter's experience on the mountain, witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus, was a profound moment that confirmed the truth of Christ's majesty. Yet, he states that we have something even more sure—the prophetic word of Scripture. This underscores the reliability and authority of the Bible, which has stood the test of time and proven itself through fulfilled prophecies.

In our culture, there is a tendency to seek new ideas and opinions, often valuing the voices of celebrities or popular figures over the timeless truths of Scripture. However, Peter's unwavering commitment to the truth he witnessed and the prophetic word challenges us to hold fast to the Bible as the ultimate source of truth.

As we reflect on our lives, especially as we age, there should be an increasing urgency to prepare for the moment we will stand before God. This involves letting go of earthly pursuits and focusing on serving and honoring Him. We must tremble at His Word, recognizing it as the very words of God, and allow it to transform our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Spending time alone with God and His Word is essential for spiritual growth and authenticity. It is in these moments that we confront the truth of our hearts and align our lives with God's will. [01:50]

- Peter's focus on ensuring others can recall and live by the truths of Scripture after his departure highlights the importance of preparing others to follow God independently. This is a vital aspect of discipleship and parenting. [10:57]

- The reliability of Scripture is affirmed by Peter's eyewitness experience of Christ's transfiguration and the prophetic word. This challenges us to hold fast to the Bible as the ultimate source of truth. [27:19]

- Our culture often values the opinions of popular figures over the timeless truths of Scripture. We must resist this tendency and remain committed to the truth of God's Word, which has proven itself over time. [31:31]

- As we age, there should be an increasing urgency to prepare for the moment we will stand before God. This involves letting go of earthly pursuits and focusing on serving and honoring Him, recognizing the brevity of life. [18:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - The Most Important Lesson
- [01:01] - Learning to Study the Bible
- [02:06] - The Importance of Personal Study
- [03:39] - Being Real with God
- [05:27] - Peter's Urgency
- [07:04] - Jesus' Prophecy to Peter
- [09:18] - Following Jesus Despite Hardships
- [10:57] - Preparing Others to Follow God
- [14:37] - The Reality of Life's Brevity
- [18:41] - Urgency in Preparing for Eternity
- [20:32] - The Reliability of Scripture
- [23:25] - Peter's Eyewitness Experience
- [27:19] - The Prophetic Word
- [31:31] - Holding Fast to Truth
- [34:00] - The Authority of Scripture

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Peter 1:12-15
- Matthew 17:1-9
- Isaiah 66:2

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does Peter emphasize in 2 Peter 1:12-15 about the importance of remembering and living out the truths of Scripture? [05:27]

2. How does Peter describe his experience on the mountain during the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17? [23:56]

3. According to Isaiah 66:2, what qualities does God look for in a person, and how does this relate to our attitude towards His Word? [37:21]

4. What does the pastor suggest is the significance of spending time alone with God and His Word? [01:50]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Peter consider the prophetic word of Scripture to be more certain than his own eyewitness experience of Christ's transfiguration? How does this affect our view of the Bible's authority? [27:19]

2. In what ways does the pastor suggest that our culture's tendency to value new ideas and opinions over Scripture can impact our spiritual growth? [05:13]

3. How does the pastor's personal story about learning to study the Bible for himself highlight the importance of personal engagement with Scripture? [01:01]

4. What does the pastor mean when he says we should "tremble at His Word," and how does this concept challenge our current approach to reading the Bible? [38:10]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current practice of spending time alone with God and His Word. What changes can you make to deepen this practice and ensure it is a time of genuine transformation? [01:50]

2. How can you prepare others, such as your children or those you mentor, to follow God independently? What steps can you take to ensure they can recall and live by the truths of Scripture? [10:57]

3. In what ways have you been influenced by cultural voices or popular opinions that contradict the timeless truths of Scripture? How can you refocus on the Bible as your ultimate source of truth? [31:31]

4. As you consider the brevity of life, what earthly pursuits might you need to let go of to focus more on serving and honoring God? How can you cultivate a sense of urgency in preparing for eternity? [18:41]

5. Think about a time when you have read the Bible but did not tremble at its words. How can you cultivate a deeper respect and reverence for God's Word in your daily life? [38:10]

6. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to align your actions with God's Word. What practical steps can you take this week to make that change? [39:08]

7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to engage with Scripture personally and not rely solely on teachings from others? What role can you play in fostering a culture of personal Bible study? [12:51]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Solitude with God
Spending time alone with God and His Word is essential for spiritual growth and authenticity. In these moments of solitude, individuals are confronted with the truth of their hearts and intentions, allowing for genuine transformation. This personal engagement with Scripture is crucial because it is the only time when self-deception is impossible. By studying the Bible for oneself, one can hear directly from God and align their life with His teachings. This practice, learned early in life, can become a foundational aspect of one's spiritual journey, leading to a deeper understanding and relationship with God. [01:50]

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."

Reflection: What specific time each day can you set aside to be alone with God, free from distractions, to allow His Word to speak into your life?


Day 2: Preparing Others for Independent Faith
Peter's focus on ensuring others can recall and live by the truths of Scripture after his departure highlights the importance of preparing others to follow God independently. This is a vital aspect of discipleship and parenting, where the goal is to raise individuals who are independently dependent on God. By instilling a deep understanding and love for Scripture, one can equip others to navigate their spiritual journeys with confidence and faith. This preparation is not just about imparting knowledge but also about modeling a life that reflects the teachings of Christ, encouraging others to do the same. [10:57]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally invest in to help them grow in their faith? How can you begin this process today?


Day 3: The Unshakeable Foundation of Scripture
The reliability of Scripture is affirmed by Peter's eyewitness experience of Christ's transfiguration and the prophetic word. This challenges believers to hold fast to the Bible as the ultimate source of truth. Despite cultural tendencies to seek new ideas and opinions, the timeless truths of Scripture have proven themselves over time through fulfilled prophecies and the testimony of those who have witnessed its power. By grounding one's life in the authority of the Bible, one can navigate the complexities of life with confidence and clarity, knowing that God's Word is a steadfast guide. [27:19]

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

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize Scripture in your daily routine to ensure it remains the foundation of your beliefs and decisions?


Day 4: Resisting Cultural Influences with Biblical Truth
In a culture that often values the opinions of popular figures over the timeless truths of Scripture, believers are called to resist this tendency and remain committed to the truth of God's Word. Peter's unwavering commitment to the truth he witnessed and the prophetic word serves as a powerful example of holding fast to biblical truth. By valuing Scripture above all else, one can discern the difference between fleeting cultural trends and the enduring wisdom of God's Word. This commitment requires intentionality and courage, as it often goes against the grain of societal norms. [31:31]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: What cultural influences are currently challenging your commitment to biblical truth, and how can you actively counteract them with Scripture?


Day 5: Living with Eternal Perspective
As individuals age, there should be an increasing urgency to prepare for the moment they will stand before God. This involves letting go of earthly pursuits and focusing on serving and honoring Him, recognizing the brevity of life. By living with an eternal perspective, one can prioritize what truly matters and invest in things of lasting significance. This shift in focus encourages believers to evaluate their lives in light of eternity, making choices that reflect their commitment to God and His kingdom. [18:41]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What is one earthly pursuit you need to let go of to focus more on serving and honoring God? How can you begin to make this change today?

Quotes



The most important lesson I ever learned, um in fact if this were the only lesson I ever learned it would be enough it's it's the lesson that that In this passage you'll see Peter is saying himself he goes I'm going to die soon but you got to get this so in in some ways it's it's it's a the thing that he felt like I've got to impart this before I die. [00:00:27]

Once I figured out how to read this book which it's really not hard especially nowadays with all the helps and everything I got on the internet once I figured that out and once I began to study and learn this for myself I was okay that's really all I I I needed because now I could open up this book and just know what God has to say to me and just do what it says. [00:01:59]

It's the only time when I can't lie I I can lie to you you know I I I very easily can lie to you I I I believe I have the ability to lie to anyone okay I'm that good great quality to have in your pastor um I I can it's it's really not that hard to deceive someone I can pretend that I'm humble I know the way to say it and the looks on my face and just the the right words to make you think that I'm humble or to think that I'm close to God. [00:02:37]

Peter says I know that the putting off of my body will be soon as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me and I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things now I I don't know what jumps out to you at in that passage but one of the things when I was reading it for the first time you know I'm I'm looking at this going W that's really weird but Peter says I know that the putting off of my body will be soon. [00:05:29]

Peter says I'm not going to be here to remind you hey this is how you're supposed to live this is this is what God Said to do he goes I want to I want to set you up I want to make sure that once I'm gone you're still following God you'll be able to recall these things you'll know what God says and you'll be able to figure that on your own it's uh it's one of those things that really ought to be us as parents this should be our goal. [00:11:02]

I just see fewer and fewer people rev rever this word this book that has stood for centuries and how quick we are to run to some of these cleverly devised myths some of them aren't even clever you you know like like we just love to listen to the opinions of people um you you notice that you know like every time a lection comes we want to know what do the actors think the actors yeah you know that's what we want to hear. [00:28:22]

Peter goes I don't really care what everyone thinks I was on the mountain I saw it I heard that voice so you can crucify me upside down I'm not denying this thing go ahead take me cruci ify me in fact don't do it the way you did put me upside down I I don't really care anymore I know what I saw I know what I heard and I'm not going to back off of this thing I've got something absolutely sure it's a prophetic word of God. [00:31:08]

The Bible says the church is the pillar of truth that we're the ones to uphold it and go no this is it this is it's always been this and we've never deviated from this why are you running these other philosophies oh this clever teaching that clever teaching oh The Da Vinci Code oh and you just run oh the answer oh you're going to hear so many things in your lifetime and I want to be one of those last ones standing go man I'm going to die for this thing. [00:32:34]

I read a verse this week um I think it was Tuesday or whatever and I just alone reading this verse and I just that was Monday and I just started balling and I I couldn't get it out of my head it was uh Isaiah 66: 2 it says this all these things my hand has made this is God speaking and so all these things came to be declares the Lord but this is the one to whom I will look he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. [00:36:13]

Do I tremble at his word on that mountain I would have trembled as I heard the words coming out that cloud and you would have also but do I carry that same type of respect for his word do I believe that's really his word to where it would be just like me on the mountain and him telling me like we've been studying the last few weeks make every effort to pursue this brotherly love to pursue this perseverance and steadfastness to pursue this self-control make it that those are the words of God I ought to tremble at that. [00:38:08]

I noticed myself you know I uh I read it I study it I memorize it but do I tremble at it and really take it literally as the words of God to where my life is going to change because of it that's my prayer for us is that we wouldn't be so dependent um on podcast or whatever else or or a certain person speaking but that each of you when I'm gone it's really not that big a deal you can read the word of God for yourself you can recall these things and you tremble at his word no matter who teaches it. [00:39:22]

Let's just look at his word and let's tremble at it. [00:41:42]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 04, 2014. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?