Episode 909
Transformative Suffering: A Path to Authentic Engagement
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The discussion revolves around the profound theme of authentic faith, transcending the confines of comfort and societal conventions. A meticulous examination of Luke 9:18-27 is undertaken, wherein Jesus engages His disciples in a pivotal dialogue concerning His identity. The episode elucidates the varying perceptions of Jesus held by the crowds—some seeing Him as John the Baptist, others as Elijah or a prophet. However, it is Peter's declaration of Jesus as the Messiah that becomes the fulcrum of the conversation. This moment is juxtaposed against Jesus's subsequent admonition regarding the necessity of suffering, thereby inviting listeners to contemplate the implications of discipleship and the cost associated with true faith. The episode further invites reflection on the transformative nature of suffering, challenging the audience to embrace discomfort as an integral component of spiritual growth and social justice advocacy. Thus, it becomes evident that an authentic expression of faith necessitates a departure from mere societal acceptance, urging individuals to engage deeply with the tenets of love and justice, even amidst adversity.
Takeaways:
- Authentic faith transcends mere comfort and societal conventions, challenging us to embrace deeper truths.
- In the exploration of Luke 9:18-27, we encounter profound reflections on identity and purpose.
- Jesus explicitly invites his followers to engage actively with suffering, emphasizing its transformative nature.
- The call to self-sacrifice is paramount, as it leads to the discovery of our true selves.
- We must reject the temptation to conform to social expectations, embracing authentic engagement with justice.
- Finding liberation requires courage, as it often entails discomfort in standing with marginalized communities.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Authentic faith beyond comfort and convention.
Speaker A: ,: Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello my good friend.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the New Testament.
Speaker A:We read the Revised Common Lectionary selection for the day.
Speaker A:We're in year C of a three year cycle.
Speaker A:We're still in the Eastertide season.
Speaker A:We make the reading of the Bible understandable.
Speaker A:We use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action step to have.
Speaker A:We have a prayer and we do all of that in under 10 minutes or so.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A:Go over there and pick that up.
Speaker A: ,: Speaker A:And they said, john the baptizer.
Speaker A:Others say Elijah.
Speaker A:Still others say that one of the prophets from long ago has come back.
Speaker A:Then he asked, and who?
Speaker A:And you?
Speaker A:What are you saying about me?
Speaker A:Who am I?
Speaker A:Peter answered, the Messiah of God.
Speaker A:Jesus then warned them to keep it quiet.
Speaker A:They were to tell no one of what what Peter had said.
Speaker A:And he went on it is necessary that the Son of man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, the high priests and religion scholars be killed and on the third day be raised up alive.
Speaker A:Then he told them what they could expect for themselves.
Speaker A:Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead.
Speaker A:You're not in the driver's seat.
Speaker A:I am.
Speaker A:Don't run from suffering.
Speaker A:Embrace it.
Speaker A:Follow me and I'll show you how.
Speaker A:Self help is no help at all.
Speaker A:Self sacrifice is the way, my way to find yourself your true self.
Speaker A:What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?
Speaker A:If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels.
Speaker A:This isn't you realize, high in the sky, by and by, some of you have taken their stand right here, are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker A:Some powerful things that Jesus says there.
Speaker A:And this is a challenging passage where Jesus invites his disciples and us to think hard, to really think and rethink about what it means to follow a path of authentic faith and transformative love.
Speaker A:Here's some points to ponder.
Speaker A:It's about going beyond labels and categories.
Speaker A:When Jesus asked about his identity, the crowds try to fit him into familiar categories.
Speaker A:John Elijah, one of the prophets of old.
Speaker A:The tendency is to categorize and contain the divine or God stuff happens.
Speaker A:Today.
Speaker A:Progressive faith invites us to move beyond rigid definitions in predetermined boxes, recognizing that the sacred often shows up in unexpected ways and places.
Speaker A:Another point is about transformative suffering.
Speaker A:Jesus speaks of suffering not as punishment or divine plan, but as a natural consequence of challenging unjust systems and standing with the marginalized.
Speaker A:When we work for justice and inclusion, we often face resistance from established powers, both religious and secular.
Speaker A:This suffering isn't something to seek out, but rather to accept as a part of transformative work.
Speaker A:One more point to ponder.
Speaker A:It's about the authentic self versus the social self.
Speaker A:Jesus warning about losing our true self speaks powerfully to our current culture of carefully curated social media Personas and performance based spirituality.
Speaker A:True liberation comes not through self promotion, but through or self preservation, but through authentic engagement with the work of love and justice, even when it cost us social capital or comfort.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Identify an area where you've been choosing comfort over authentic engagement with justice work.
Speaker A:Perhaps it's staying silent about racism to keep peace with some group of people or family gathering, or avoiding advocacy for LBGTQ persons to maintain religious acceptance.
Speaker A:Take some concrete step towards an authentic expression of your values, even if it creates discomfort.
Speaker A:We're going to pray in just a moment, but I want you to know that we do have a Bible study resource for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:You just head on over to voiceofgoddaily.com you click the link there and it's a download.
Speaker A:It'll come right to your inbox and you'll find it helpful.
Speaker A:You'll find it helpful.
Speaker A:You just pick it up.
Speaker A:Voiceofgoddaily.com the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method let's pray God you are divine Love and we confess.
Speaker A:We often choose comfort over conviction, security over solidarity, and acceptance over authenticity.
Speaker A:Help us to find the courage to live our truth even when it disrupts the status quo.
Speaker A:When we face resistance or rejection for standing with the marginalized, remind us that this is part of the journey toward collective liberation.
Speaker A:Guide us to find our authentic selves not in the approval of others, but in alignment of your expansive love.
Speaker A:Give us strength to embrace the holy discomfort of that comes with growth and transformation.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:So good to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A: ionaires, a million people by: Speaker A:You help that out by subscribing to this podcast, inviting someone else to join us here@voiceofgoddaily.com and all the other podcast directors.
Speaker A:I'll see you tomorrow.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6am here@voiceofgoddaily.com until then, remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new.
Speaker A:Every.
