Building a Spiritual Life in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Living as Temples of God's Spirit

In Christ, we are given a new identity that transcends our past and redefines our present. As temples of the Holy Spirit, we carry within us the divine presence of God. This profound truth is not merely symbolic but demands a transformation in how we live daily. Our actions, decisions, and interactions should reflect the holiness and purity expected of someone in whom God's Spirit dwells. This identity should guide us in making choices that honor God and build up our spiritual lives, rather than those that tear down or defile our temple. [01:02:04]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Reflection: How can you honor God today through your body and actions, knowing that you are His temple?

Day 2: Nurturing Spiritual Growth

Just as a child grows slowly and needs nourishment, so does our spiritual life require continuous nurturing through God's Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This process of being built up spiritually is not instantaneous but requires patience, commitment, and active participation in spiritual disciplines. Engaging regularly with scripture, prayer, and community helps us grow and strengthens our faith, enabling us to withstand the trials and temptations of life. [01:18:12]

Ephesians 4:15-16, "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: What spiritual disciplines can you practice this week to foster growth in your relationship with God?

Day 3: The Significance of Our Choices

Every day, we make choices that act as the building materials for our spiritual lives. These choices, whether they are actions, thoughts, or decisions, can either be valuable like gold and withstand the fires of trial, or they can be perishable like straw and easily destroyed. Our daily decisions reflect our values and our trust in God, shaping not just our present but our eternal legacy. [01:27:52]

1 Peter 1:6-7, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What choice can you make today that will serve as a precious material in building your spiritual life?

Day 4: Building with Durable Materials

Our responses to life's challenges reveal the quality of materials we use in building our spiritual lives. True faith is demonstrated by steadfastness during persecution and challenges, reflecting the inner strength and value of our spiritual construction. This resilience is cultivated by making choices grounded in faith and by relying on the enduring word of God as our foundation. [01:44:39]

James 1:2-4, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: How can you respond to a current challenge in a way that demonstrates the durability of your faith?

Day 5: Accountability Before God

Ultimately, our lives and the choices we make will be examined by God. This divine scrutiny will test not just our actions but the very substance of our spiritual construction. It is crucial, therefore, to focus on building a life that can withstand God's inspection, prioritizing internal spiritual strength over external appearances. [01:31:41]

1 Corinthians 3:13-15, "Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward."

Reflection: In what ways can you prepare your spiritual life to stand firm and true under God's examination?

Sermon Summary

在今天的讲道中，我从罗马书第八章开始，强调在耶稣基督里，我们已经被释放，不再受罪和死亡的律法束缚。这是一个基本的真理，提醒我们每个人，无论过去如何，都有机会在基督里成为新造的人。

接着，我转向讨论我们作为基督徒的身份——我们是神的殿，神的灵住在我们里面。这不仅是一个荣耀的身份，也是一个巨大的责任。我们被召唤来建造自己，不仅仅是外在的，更重要的是内在的灵性生活。

我提到了生命的成长和建造需要时间和耐心，就像小孩子慢慢长大一样。我们每个人都在建造中，无论是通过个人的属灵操练，还是通过社区和教会的互相扶持。每一天，我们都在做出选择，这些选择要么建造，要么破坏我们的灵性生命。

在讲道的后半部分，我强调了选择正确的建造材料的重要性。保罗在哥林多前书中提到，我们可以选择用金银宝石或草木秸秆来建造。这是一个比喻，指我们的行为和决定可以是有价值的，能经受火的试炼，也可以是无价值的，最终被火焚烧。

最后，我以呼吁大家在基督里找到真正的安全感和平安结束了讲道。在这个动荡的世界中，唯有在神的爱和保护中，我们才能真正地站立得稳。

###

Key Takeaways

1. 我们在基督里的新身份不仅是一个象征，它要求我们活出圣洁，因为我们是神的殿，神的灵住在我们里面。这种身份的认知应当影响我们的每一个决定和行为。[01:02:04] [61:49]
2. 生命的成长需要我们不断地被建造和塑造。就像孩子需要食物和关爱才能成长一样，我们的属灵生命也需要不断地通过神的话语和圣灵的引导得到喂养。[01:18:12] [77:57]
3. 每天，我们都在通过我们的选择来建造自己的生命。这些选择就像是建造材料，可以是坚固的金银宝石，也可以是易烧的草木秸秆。我们的选择反映了我们的价值观和我们对神的信任。[01:27:52] [87:37]
4. 在基督徒的生活中，面对试炼和困难时，我们的反应显示了我们建造的材料的质量。真正的信仰在于能够在逼迫和挑战中依然保持坚定，显示出我们内在的强度和价值。[01:44:39] [104:24]
5. 最终，我们的生命建造将会经过上帝的审查。这不仅是对我们行为的检验，也是对我们心灵建造的验证。我们应当追求的是在神面前站立得住的生命，而不仅仅是在人前看起来光鲜。[01:31:41]
### [91:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[51:28] - Introduction to Spiritual Growth
[61:49] - Identity as God's Temple
[77:57] - Importance of Building Spiritual Life
[87:37] - Choices We Make in Building Our Lives
[104:24] - The Materials We Build With
[91:26] - Final Judgment and Our Construction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

根据罗马书 8:1-2，保罗说在基督里我们得到了什么样的释放？这对我们的生活有何影响？ [01:06:25]
哥林多前书 3:10-15 中提到的“根基”是什么？我们在这个根基上建造的材料有哪些？ [01:30:44]
哥林多前书 3:16-17 提到我们是神的殿，神的灵住在我们里面。这个身份对我们的生活有何要求？ [01:02:04]

Interpretation Questions

保罗在罗马书 8:1-2 中提到的“赐生命圣灵的律”如何帮助我们脱离罪和死亡的律？这对我们的日常生活有何启示？ [01:06:25]
在哥林多前书 3:10-15 中，保罗提到建造材料的选择。为什么选择金银宝石比选择草木秸秆更重要？这些材料象征着什么？ [01:30:44]
哥林多前书 3:16-17 中提到我们是神的殿，这意味着我们在生活中需要做出哪些改变来反映这个身份？ [01:02:04]

Application Questions

你如何在日常生活中体现你在基督里的新身份？有哪些具体的行为可以展示你是神的殿？ [01:02:04]
你在过去的一周中做了哪些选择，这些选择是用金银宝石还是草木秸秆来建造你的灵性生活？ [01:27:52]
面对生活中的试炼和困难时，你是如何反应的？这些反应是否显示了你建造材料的质量？ [01:44:39]
你如何在日常生活中通过神的话语和圣灵的引导来喂养你的属灵生命？有哪些具体的属灵操练可以帮助你成长？ [01:18:12]
在你的人际关系中，如何通过你的选择和行为来建造他人的灵性生活？你是否有意地在社区和教会中互相扶持？ [01:18:12]
你是否在生活中找到了在基督里的真正安全感和平安？如果没有，你认为是什么阻碍了你？ [01:11:33]
你如何在日常生活中避免选择那些最终会被火焚烧的无价值行为？有哪些具体的步骤可以帮助你做出更有价值的选择？ [01:30:44]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "我们每一天都在通过我们的选择来建造自己的生命。这些选择就像是建造材料，可以是坚固的金银宝石，也可以是易烧的草木秸秆。我们的选择反映了我们的价值观和我们对神的信任。" [01:27:52]( | | )

2. "在这样的一个环境当中，我们如何能够按着圣经的教导，我们不光是得胜，不光是只是站立得住而已，我们不光是得胜，满有平安。" [01:11:33]( | | )

3. "每一天，我们都在通过我们的选择来建造自己的生命。这些选择就像是建造材料，可以是坚固的金银宝石，也可以是易烧的草木秸秆。" [01:27:52]( | | )

4. "在主的爱中，在主的保护里面，那一切的事情不是外面不会有事，而是我里面知道有人保护我。" [01:11:33]( | | )

5. "我们每一天的日子，满有意义跟使命。今天我要来跟大家分享，在这样子的一个环境当中，我们如何能够按着圣经的教导，我们不光是得胜，不光是只是站立得住而已，我们不光是得胜，满有平安。" [01:00:29]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "我们在基督里的新身份不仅是一个象征，它要求我们活出圣洁，因为我们是神的殿，神的灵住在我们里面。这种身份的认知应当影响我们的每一个决定和行为。" [01:02:04]( | | )

2. "生命的成长需要我们不断地被建造和塑造。就像孩子需要食物和关爱才能成长一样，我们的属灵生命也需要不断地通过神的话语和圣灵的引导得到喂养。" [01:13:58]( | | )

3. "每天，我们都在通过我们的选择来建造自己的生命。这些选择就像是建造材料，可以是坚固的金银宝石，也可以是易烧的草木秸秆。我们的选择反映了我们的价值观和我们对神的信任。" [01:27:52]( | | )

4. "在基督徒的生活中，面对试炼和困难时，我们的反应显示了我们建造的材料的质量。真正的信仰在于能够在逼迫和挑战中依然保持坚定，显示出我们内在的强度和价值。" [01:44:39]( | | )

5. "最终，我们的生命建造将会经过上帝的审查。这不仅是对我们行为的检验，也是对我们心灵建造的验证。我们应当追求的是在神面前站立得住的生命，而不仅仅是在人前看起来光鲜。" [01:31:41]( | | )

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?