Episode 979
What Are You Willing to Release for Love?
This episode elucidates the profound implications of discipleship as articulated in the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing the necessity of evaluating the cost of transformative love. Dr. Brad Miller navigates the challenging text, which speaks to the radical priorities of Jesus, urging us to reassess our attachments and commitments in light of our pursuit of justice and love. The discussion reveals that true discipleship may require the relinquishment of what we hold most dear, thereby fostering liberation and a more inclusive existence. Through thoughtful reflections and actionable insights, we are encouraged to undertake a personal inventory of our lives, identifying elements we must release to fully engage in meaningful justice work. Ultimately, this episode serves as a clarion call to embrace the transformative journey of faith with courage and intentionality.
The discourse presented within this audio segment delves deeply into the profound theme of discipleship as articulated in the Gospel of Luke, specifically focusing on the cost associated with one's commitment to following the teachings of Jesus. The speaker, Dr. Brad Miller, introduces the subject matter by emphasizing the necessity for individuals to engage in a rigorous examination of their priorities and the sacrifices that may be required on the spiritual journey. This exploration is underpinned by a reading from the Message version of the Bible, which poignantly articulates the call to discipleship through the metaphor of construction and the planning requisite for undertaking substantial commitments. The narrative unfolds the concept that true discipleship necessitates a radical reordering of one's priorities, often demanding the relinquishment of familial ties and personal ambitions in favor of a higher call to justice and love. Such sacrifices, while daunting, are framed as essential for the cultivation of a transformative love that aligns with the values of progressive Christianity.
As the episode progresses, the speaker elaborates on the metaphorical implications of building and planning, drawing parallels to personal experiences that illuminate the challenges inherent in transformative endeavors. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, contemplating what they might need to release in order to fully embrace a commitment to justice and love. This introspection is supported by practical action steps, inviting individuals to take an honest inventory of their attachments and privileges that may hinder their spiritual growth and commitment to societal equity. The call to action is clear: listeners are urged to confront their comforts and make deliberate choices that align with their values, thereby fostering both personal and communal transformation.
In conclusion, the episode encapsulates a powerful message about the intersection of faith, sacrifice, and social justice, culminating in a prayer that seeks divine guidance for the journey of discipleship. This prayer serves as a poignant reminder of the uncertainties that accompany the path of following Jesus, yet instills a sense of hope and commitment to building a more just and compassionate world. Dr. Miller's articulate exposition and earnest appeal for introspection resonate deeply, leaving the audience with a profound understanding of the cost of discipleship and the transformative power of love.
Takeaways:
- In this episode, we explore the profound implications of prioritizing love and justice in our lives.
- The necessity of calculating the costs associated with transformative love and commitment is emphasized.
- Jesus calls us to release our attachments, which may hinder our journey towards true discipleship.
- We are reminded that building something worthwhile requires careful planning, commitment, and readiness to embrace challenges.
- The importance of letting go of privilege and comfort in order to fully engage in justice work is discussed.
- Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps towards embracing change by identifying what to release.
Links referenced in this episode:
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.
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Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lesson selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the Message version Relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading.
Speaker B: ng is from the Gospel of Luke: Speaker B:Reading from the Message version of the Bible Figure the Cost One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters, yes, even one's own self can't be my disciple.
Speaker B:Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.
Speaker B:Is there anyone here who planning to build a new house doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it?
Speaker B:If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to be looking pretty foolish.
Speaker B:Everyone passing by will poke fun at you.
Speaker B:He couldn't start at something he couldn't finish.
Speaker B:Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible, with his 10,000 troops, to face the 20,000 troops of the other?
Speaker B:And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce?
Speaker B:Simply put, if you are not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss a goodbye, you can't be my disciple.
Speaker B:Some profound, profound passage of scripture here in this episode, we were talking about the cost of transformative love.
Speaker B:So my friends, My name is Dr. Brad Miller and here to help you to unpack this a little bit as we explore a challenging passage about what it really means to follow Jesus Way of love Reminds me when my wife and I first decided to start out on some of the things we work on, we had to count the cost of opening ourselves up to others.
Speaker B:Pain and struggle.
Speaker B:Here's some points to ponder the first has to do with radical priorities.
Speaker B:Jesus isn't actually telling us to hate our families.
Speaker B:He's using hyperbole to make a point about about priorities and systems.
Speaker B:Just like when I'm watching my beloved Pacers play, sometimes you gotta be willing to completely change your strategy to win a game.
Speaker B:Jesus is calling us to prioritize the work of justice and love over maintaining comfortable systems, even when those systems benefit us personally.
Speaker B:Another point to ponder is about the cost of transformation.
Speaker B:The construction metaphor here hits home for me.
Speaker B:After 33 years of marriage, I learned that building anything worthwhile, whether it's a relationship, a movement of justice, or a home or a more inclusive world, requires careful planning and total commitment.
Speaker B:When my wife and I plan our hiking trips, we don't just start walking.
Speaker B:We prepare and we count the cost.
Speaker B:We prepare and take water and other things with us.
Speaker B:We know what we're getting into.
Speaker B:Another point to ponder is liberation through release.
Speaker B:There's something powerful about Jesus calling to kiss goodbye what's dearest to us.
Speaker B:It reminds me of watching my three adult children kind of forge their own paths in their life.
Speaker B:And sometimes love means to let them go go out of our control.
Speaker B:In progressive Christianity, this might mean releasing privileged positions, comfortable theologies, or traditional power struggles to embrace a more just and inclusive way.
Speaker B:Here's your action step this week.
Speaker B:Take an honest inventory of what you might need to kiss goodbye to fully embrace justice work.
Speaker B:Maybe it's a privilege that you've had in your life, or something you've hung onto that you need to let go of, or a comfortable silence in the face of injustice.
Speaker B:Choose one thing and create a concrete plan to let it go.
Speaker B:Remember, like a dad telling jokes to his granddaughter, sometimes the hardest things become easier when we approach them with honesty and love.
Speaker B:We'll come back with a closing prayer here in just a minute.
Speaker B:Just want to remind you again that if you like what we do here on the Daily Bible Refresh, then you really need to be studying the Bible on your own as well.
Speaker B:You know that.
Speaker B:So here's a helpful tool for you to use.
Speaker B:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker B:It's our free gift to you.
Speaker B:So please go over to our website, voiceofgoddaily.com there's a link there.
Speaker B:We'll help you with that.
Speaker B:So go there and pick it up.
Speaker B:Let's pray.
Speaker B:Oh God, you are the divine challenger.
Speaker B:And we confess that counting the cost of following you often leaves us trembling like a parent watching a child take their first step.
Speaker B:Help us trust the journey, even when it feels uncertain.
Speaker B:Give us courage to release what holds us back from full commitment to your way of love and justice.
Speaker B:When we're tempted to claim the comfort, remind us of the freedom found in letting go.
Speaker B:Help us build something beautiful for future generations, just as we hope our own children and grandchildren will build on the foundations we lay.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
