Episode 891
The Radical Nature of Divine Identity: Lessons from Jesus
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 podcast delves into the profound themes of divine identity and the sacred connections we share as individuals, particularly through the lens of the Gospel of John 10:31-42. The discussion centers on a critical confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities, illuminating the radical nature of divine identity. Jesus boldly asserts his divinity, citing scriptures that affirm humanity's connection to the divine, thus challenging traditional hierarchical views that separate humanity from God. This discourse invites listeners to reflect on their own divine potential, encouraging a deeper understanding of the sacred spark within each individual. The speaker emphasizes that recognizing this connection is not about aspiring to divinity, but rather acknowledging the inherent divine nature that resides in all of us, which in turn can transform our interactions with the world.
Takeaways:
- This episode delves into the concept of divine identity, emphasizing our inherent connection to the sacred.
- We explore how Jesus challenges traditional notions of divinity and humanity, asserting the divine potential within us all.
- The dialogue highlights the significance of actions over mere words in demonstrating one's faith and beliefs.
- Religious authority often resists expansive understandings of the divine, prompting a discussion on breaking spiritual gatekeeping.
- The episode encourages listeners to reflect on aligning their actions with their spiritual values and beliefs.
- A call to action is presented, urging individuals to show compassion and create inclusive spaces in their communities.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Brad Mellor.
Speaker A:Hello my good friend.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:This is the daily visit into the New Testament of the Bible.
Speaker A:Every single day we take a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:We're in year C of a three year cycle and we present it to you in a way that is understandable.
Speaker A:We use the message version of the Bible relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder and applicable you give you a question to help you to apply it to your life.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that is the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:We have a prayer to boot.
Speaker A:Hope that you'll join me on my mission to get the audible word of God into two millionaires.
Speaker A:A million people by 20.
Speaker A: he day for the gospel of John: Speaker A:Reading from the message again.
Speaker A:The Jews picked up rocks to throw at him and Jesus said, I have made a present to you from the Father of a great many actions.
Speaker A:For which of those acts do you stone me?
Speaker A:The Jews said, we're not stoning you for anything good you did, but for what you said.
Speaker A:This blasphemy of calling yourself God.
Speaker A:Jesus said, I'm only quoting your inspired scriptures where God said, I tell you you're Gods.
Speaker A:If God called your ancestors gods and scripture doesn't lie, why do you yell blasphemer?
Speaker A:Blasphemer.
Speaker A:At the unique one the Father consecrated and sent into the world.
Speaker A:Just because I said I am the Son of God.
Speaker A:If I don't do the things my Father does well and good, don't believe me.
Speaker A:But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes.
Speaker A:Then perhaps things will come together for you and you'll see that not only are we doing the same thing, we are the same father and son.
Speaker A:He is in me, I am in him.
Speaker A:They tried again yet to arrest him, but he slipped through their fingers and he went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized and stayed there.
Speaker A:A lot of people followed him over.
Speaker A:They were saying John did no miracles, but everything he said about this man has come true.
Speaker A:Many believed in him then and there.
Speaker A:Hmm.
Speaker A:What an incredible reading of scripture.
Speaker A:We're talking here today about divine identity, understanding our Sacred connection We're going to explore this fascinating confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities that really speaks to the deeper truths about divine identity and human potential.
Speaker A:So let's talk about some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first, indeed, is the radical nature of divine or God like identity.
Speaker A:Jesus quotes scripture saying, you are gods to make a profound point about human potential and divine nature.
Speaker A:This challenges traditional hierarchical relationships between humanity and divinity, suggesting that the divine spark exists within all of us.
Speaker A:This isn't about becoming deity, but recognizing our profound connection to the sacred.
Speaker A:Number two.
Speaker A:His Actions speak Louder than Labels Jesus points to his actions as evidence of his identity, saying, put aside what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions.
Speaker A:In our world of performative spirituality and religious labels, this reminds us that authentic faith is demonstrated through transformative action, not mere claims or titles.
Speaker A:The third point to ponder has to do with breaking religious gatekeeping.
Speaker A:The religious authority's reaction demonstrates how institutional power often resists expansive understandings of the divine.
Speaker A:Jesus challenges their monopoly by defining God and relationships with the divine.
Speaker A:This speaks to contemporary struggles against religious exclusivity and spiritual gatekeeping.
Speaker A:Let's talk for a moment about an action step that you can take.
Speaker A:Reflect on how your actions align with your values, your spiritual values.
Speaker A:Choose an area where you can demonstrate your faith through concrete action.
Speaker A:This week, maybe it's by just showing compassion to someone who is in some way different than you, or in some way working for justice, or creating space for marginalized voices in your community.
Speaker A:We're going to come back and have a closing prayer here.
Speaker A:Just a moment.
Speaker A:I did want you to know that we have a resource just for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guidelines.
Speaker A:It will help you to study your Bible in your own right, to help you to journal and other things of that nature that will help you with your Bible study and makes it just pretty straightforward.
Speaker A:A, b, c 1, 2, 3.
Speaker A:Just like it says.
Speaker A:So you go over to voiceofgoddaily.com that's where our show notes for all of our shows are at and you can find information there.
Speaker A:But how to get that?
Speaker A:It's a simple email that we send your way.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are the source of all being.
Speaker A:Help us recognize the sacred within ourselves and in others.
Speaker A:Free us from the need to put you in boxes or limit how you can work in the world.
Speaker A:Give us courage to act in our convictions, knowing that our deeds speak louder than our words when we encounter those who would build walls around your love help us respond with grace and truth.
Speaker A:May our lives be evidence of your transformative presence in the world.
Speaker A:Guide us to create communities where everyone's divine spark is honored and celebrated.
Speaker A:Well, my friends, it's good to be with you here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Always is.
Speaker A:Love to be with you.
Speaker A:I'm going to see you tomorrow morning.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6am and what I ask of you is this, is to go to someone in your life and invite them to check out Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:We're on all the podcast directories you can find us there, but the most important place you can find us is at our website, voiceofgod daily.com.
Speaker A:so check us out.
Speaker A:Till tomorrow, friends.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A: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 morning.
