True understanding of scripture is not achieved through intellectual study alone but through revelation by the Holy Spirit, which requires a humble heart. The Pharisees and scribes, despite their extensive knowledge of the scriptures, failed to recognize Jesus because they lacked this revelation. Jesus taught that God reveals His truths to those with childlike humility, not to the clever and intelligent. A humble heart is open to the transformative power of God's word, allowing it to change our lives profoundly. This humility is the key to unlocking the deeper meanings of scripture and experiencing the fullness of God's revelation. [03:44]
"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to practice humility to better receive God's revelation? How can you cultivate a childlike openness to God's truths today?
Day 2: Transparency Invites Cleansing
Walking in the light is essential for the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus to be effective in our lives. This means living transparently, without hiding or blaming others for our shortcomings. The story of the thief on the cross illustrates the power of honesty and humility. Unlike Adam, who blamed others for his sin, the thief acknowledged his guilt and was welcomed into paradise. By acknowledging our sins and living honestly before God, we invite His cleansing and transformative power into our lives. [12:25]
"If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are not being fully transparent with God or others? How can you take a step towards honesty and invite God's cleansing today?
Day 3: Renewing the Mind for Transformation
Our transformation into the likeness of Christ begins with the renewing of our minds. This is achieved through the Holy Spirit, who enables us to think like God and align our lives with His will. The renewing of our minds involves a deep engagement with God's word, allowing it to shape our thoughts and actions. This is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual transformation that aligns our lives with God's will. By allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, we become more like Christ and reflect His character in our lives. [51:12]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What specific thought patterns or beliefs do you need to surrender to God for renewal? How can you engage more deeply with God's word to facilitate this transformation?
Day 4: Daily Bread for Spiritual Growth
Just as the Israelites gathered manna daily, we must seek fresh revelation from God each day. This daily engagement with God's word is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. It is through this process that we become more like Christ, fulfilling our true destiny as His followers. By prioritizing daily time with God and His word, we open ourselves to His guidance and allow His truths to shape our lives. [44:49]
"And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a consistent routine for engaging with God's word daily? What steps can you take to ensure you are receiving fresh revelation from God each day?
Day 5: Christlikeness as Our Ultimate Goal
Our ultimate destination is not merely heaven but becoming like Christ. This transformation is a continuous process that involves growing in humility, purity, and love, reflecting the character of Christ in our lives. By focusing on becoming more like Christ, we fulfill our true destiny as His followers. This journey requires intentionality and a commitment to align our lives with God's will, allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out. [48:09]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally pursue Christlikeness in your daily life? How can you grow in humility, purity, and love to reflect the character of Christ more fully?
Sermon Summary
Understanding the profound significance of the blood of Jesus is foundational to our faith. In the New Testament, we find revelations that even the prophets of the Old Testament longed to comprehend. Jesus emphasized the importance of revelation by the Holy Spirit, which transcends mere intellectual understanding. This revelation is not accessible through human wisdom or study alone but requires humility and openness to the Spirit's guidance.
The Pharisees and scribes, despite their extensive study of the scriptures, failed to recognize Jesus because they lacked this revelation. Jesus taught that God reveals His truths to those with childlike humility, not to the clever and intelligent. Therefore, the key to understanding scripture is humility. A humble heart is open to the transformative power of God's word, which can change our lives profoundly.
Walking in the light is essential for the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus to be effective in our lives. This means living transparently, without hiding or blaming others for our shortcomings. The story of the thief on the cross illustrates the power of honesty and humility. Unlike Adam, who blamed others for his sin, the thief acknowledged his guilt and was welcomed into paradise.
The renewing of our minds is crucial for transformation into the likeness of Christ. This transformation begins with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, enabling us to think like God. The renewing of our minds involves a deep engagement with God's word, allowing it to shape our thoughts and actions. This is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual transformation that aligns our lives with God's will.
Finally, the importance of daily receiving God's word is emphasized. Just as the Israelites gathered manna daily, we must seek fresh revelation from God each day. This daily engagement with God's word is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. It is through this process that we become more like Christ, fulfilling our true destiny as His followers.
Key Takeaways
1. Revelation through Humility: True understanding of scripture comes not from intellectual study but through revelation by the Holy Spirit, which requires humility. A humble heart is open to God's truths, allowing His word to transform our lives. [03:44]
2. Walking in the Light: The cleansing power of the blood of Jesus is contingent upon walking in the light, which means living transparently and honestly before God. This involves acknowledging our sins without blaming others, as exemplified by the thief on the cross. [12:25]
3. Transformation through the Renewing of the Mind: Our transformation into the likeness of Christ begins with the renewing of our minds. This is achieved through the Holy Spirit, who enables us to think like God and align our lives with His will. [51:12]
4. Daily Engagement with God's Word: Just as the Israelites gathered manna daily, we must seek fresh revelation from God each day. This daily engagement with God's word is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. [44:49]
5. The True Goal of the Christian Life: Our ultimate destination is not merely heaven but becoming like Christ. This transformation is a continuous process that involves growing in humility, purity, and love, reflecting the character of Christ in our lives. [48:09] ** [48:09]
Matthew 11:25 - "At that time Jesus said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.'"
1 John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Observation Questions:
What does Jesus mean when he says that God has hidden things from the wise and revealed them to little children in Matthew 11:25? How does this relate to the concept of humility discussed in the sermon? [01:48]
According to 1 John 1:7, what is the condition for the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from all sin? How does this relate to the idea of walking in the light? [09:17]
In Romans 12:2, what does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind? How is this transformation connected to the Holy Spirit as mentioned in the sermon? [51:12]
Interpretation Questions:
How does the sermon explain the difference between intellectual understanding and revelation by the Holy Spirit? Why is humility essential for receiving this revelation? [03:44]
The sermon mentions the story of the thief on the cross. How does his honesty and humility contrast with Adam's response to sin, and what does this teach about walking in the light? [12:25]
What role does daily engagement with God's word play in spiritual growth and transformation, according to the sermon? How is this similar to the Israelites gathering manna daily? [44:49]
Application Questions:
Reflect on your approach to understanding scripture. Do you rely more on intellectual study or seek revelation through humility? How can you cultivate a more humble heart to receive God's truths? [03:44]
Consider a time when you might have blamed others for your shortcomings. How can you practice walking in the light by acknowledging your own faults and seeking God's forgiveness? [12:25]
What steps can you take to renew your mind and align your thoughts with God's will? Are there specific areas in your life where you need to invite the Holy Spirit to transform your thinking? [51:12]
How can you incorporate daily engagement with God's word into your routine? What practical changes can you make to ensure you are receiving fresh revelation from God each day? [44:49]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of becoming like Christ as our ultimate goal. What specific character traits of Christ do you feel called to develop in your life, and how can you work towards this transformation? [48:09]
Reflect on the concept of spiritual pride. Are there areas in your life where you might be unconsciously proud? How can you address this and cultivate a spirit of humility? [26:07]
Identify one person in your life who you can encourage or support in their spiritual journey. How can you be intentional about being a source of light and encouragement to them this week? [34:26]
Sermon Clips
"Revelation is by the Holy Spirit, and he shows us things which we can't understand with our natural mind no matter how much we study, no matter how much we meditate. In fact, Jesus once said in Matthew 11:25, I thank you, Father, that you have hidden these things from the clever and the intelligent and you have revealed them." [00:01:25]
"The fundamental requirement to understand scripture is humility. The humbler you are, the more you'll understand scripture. It's got nothing to do with how many hours you read the Bible or how many times you've gone through the Bible or how clever you are or any of these things. It's all got to do with how humble you are." [00:03:38]
"The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. Christians have a habit of quoting half a verse or a promise without the condition. Do you know that it's wrong to say the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin because that's half a verse? There's a condition attached to it." [00:07:23]
"If we walk in the light as God himself is in the light, then we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. So does that mean that any Tom, Dick, and Harry can have his sins cleansed in the blood of Christ? No, he's got to walk in the light." [00:09:21]
"The big difference between Adam, who got kicked out of paradise, and the thief on the cross, who went to paradise, is who walked in the light. Adam put the blame on his wife and indirectly put the blame on God. God, this wife gave me the fruit, and you gave me this wife." [00:12:20]
"Honesty is one of the most important things of Walking In The Light. Don't put the blame on somebody else. Say, 'Lord, I see my fault. I see where I've gone wrong.' I'll tell you, it's very difficult for Christians to acknowledge that they're wrong, particularly after they have built up a reputation for being holy." [00:14:41]
"When we come into God's light, we see our own need, and if we walk in this light, we have fellowship with God, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. It's very easy for such a man to be broken. He trembles at God's word." [00:18:41]
"Walking In The Light Fellowship with God in his presence, there is fullness of joy. There is tremendous joy in God's presence, but that comes through cleansing in the blood, not the sins that we got light on 20 years ago, but God's continuously showing us new and new areas." [00:33:07]
"Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. You know that verse. It's the first spoken word of Jesus' Earthly Ministry after his baptism, and he was anointed with the Holy Spirit. The very first words of his that are recorded in scripture are these words." [00:36:30]
"Every day you got to get the Mana from Heaven. You can't live on yesterday's Mana because it stinks. You got to get it fresh from God, every word that proceeds from God's work. So what I learned from that is whether it's from Genesis 1 where every day the word of God came and changed the Earth." [00:44:47]
"Predestination means God is already determined what your destination is to be. It's like if you got an air ticket to come here, it would be being written on that ticket, Denver, and that was your destination. And if you got into the right plane, every minute you'd be coming closer to Denver." [00:48:09]
"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Now, how do my mind gets renewed? The renewing of my mind is where my mind begins to think like God thinks. This is the greatest privilege in the New Covenant that the Holy Spirit can give me the very thoughts of God." [00:51:12]