Embracing Hope Through Self-Denial and Restoration

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we are gifted with a mind and body that allow us to focus our thoughts and emotions. This ability to focus is crucial as we explore the concept of hope, which is not a soft or easy path. Hope, as Jesus offers, is a life under the easy yoke with a rested soul, yet it requires great effort and sometimes agony. The Apostle Paul speaks of radical evil in the ruined soul, but also of the possibility of restoration through Christ. This restoration can make us more magnificent than before, much like a bone that becomes stronger at the point of healing after a break.

Dallas Willard, in his book "Renovation of the Heart," emphasizes that true restoration involves every dimension of the self: the will, mind, body, social relationships, and soul. John Calvin's insight that obeying oneself leads to destruction is a critical thought. Instead, we are called to abandon our own will and wisdom to follow the Lord. This is not just about outward conformity but involves a transformation of the mind, as Paul describes in Romans 12:2.

Self-denial, a term used by Calvin to summarize the Christian life, is not self-rejection. It is an overall settled condition of life in the kingdom of God, characterized by death to self. This concept is daunting but essential. Self-denial is not about occasional acts of resistance but about deep self-acceptance and preparation to do what is noble and good. It involves replacing the ruined life with a new one, as Jesus teaches that those who lose their life for His sake will save it.

The worth of the soul is immense, and self-denial is a path to realizing that worth. Today, take a step in self-denial by doing something you do not want to do. This practice is not about mere resistance but about discovering the deeper meaning of self-denial. Keep working on understanding this concept, as it is a journey of discovery and growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Hope and Effort: Hope is not a passive state but requires active effort and sometimes agony. It is a life under Jesus' easy yoke, which involves great strenuous effort to achieve a rested soul. This paradox of hope and effort is a profound aspect of the Christian journey. [01:24]

2. Restoration and Magnificence: The human capacity for restoration is remarkable, and through Christ, we can become more magnificent than before our ruin. This restoration involves every dimension of our being, leading to a life that reflects God's glory. [02:03]

3. Self-Denial vs. Self-Rejection: Self-denial is not about rejecting oneself but about embracing a life in the kingdom of God. It is a settled condition of life that involves deep self-acceptance and preparation to do what is noble and good. [06:07]

4. Transformation of the Mind: True transformation involves a renewal of the mind, as described in Romans 12:2. This transformation is not just about outward conformity but about a deep, internal change that aligns us with God's will. [05:10]

5. The Worth of the Soul: The soul's worth is immense, and self-denial is a path to realizing that worth. Jesus' teachings challenge us to lose our old, ruined life to gain a new one, emphasizing the soul's value over worldly gains. [10:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - The Gift of Focus
- [00:56] - The Nature of Hope
- [01:24] - Hope and Effort
- [01:50] - Restoration Through Christ
- [02:20] - Magnificence After Ruin
- [03:00] - Dimensions of Restoration
- [03:38] - The Danger of Self-Obedience
- [04:21] - True Service to God
- [05:10] - Transformation of the Mind
- [06:07] - Understanding Self-Denial
- [07:21] - The Ego's Struggle
- [08:57] - Self-Denial and Restoration
- [09:23] - Replacing the Ruined Life
- [10:15] - The Worth of the Soul
- [12:01] - Practicing Self-Denial

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 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."
2. 1 Corinthians 6:11 - "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
3. Matthew 16:25 - "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 12:2 suggest about the process of transformation in a believer's life? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the renewal of the mind? [05:10]
2. In 1 Corinthians 6:11, Paul speaks of being washed, sanctified, and justified. How does this passage connect to the sermon’s theme of restoration and becoming more magnificent after ruin? [02:03]
3. How does the concept of self-denial, as discussed in the sermon, differ from self-rejection? What examples were given to illustrate this difference? [06:07]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the paradox of hope requiring both effort and rest? What does this suggest about the nature of Christian hope? [01:24]
2. The sermon mentions that self-denial is a settled condition of life in the kingdom of God. How might this understanding of self-denial challenge common perceptions of self-sacrifice? [08:07]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the worth of the soul is realized through self-denial? How does this align with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 16:25? [10:15]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced hope that required effort and rest. How did you navigate this paradox, and what did you learn from it? [01:24]
2. Consider an area of your life where you might be obeying yourself rather than following God’s will. What steps can you take to align more closely with God’s direction? [03:38]
3. Identify a specific aspect of your life that needs restoration. How can you invite God into this process to become more magnificent after a period of ruin? [02:03]
4. Think about a situation where you might confuse self-denial with self-rejection. How can you practice deep self-acceptance while still embracing self-denial? [06:07]
5. What is one practical step you can take this week to practice self-denial, as suggested in the sermon? How might this step help you realize the worth of your soul? [12:01]
6. How can you work on transforming your mind to align with God’s will, as described in Romans 12:2? What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to support this transformation? [05:10]
7. Reflect on the worth of your soul as taught by Jesus. How does this perspective influence your priorities and decisions in life? [10:15]

Devotional

Day 1: The Paradox of Hope and Effort
Hope in the Christian journey is not a passive state but an active pursuit that requires effort and sometimes even agony. Jesus offers a life under His easy yoke, which paradoxically involves great strenuous effort to achieve a rested soul. This paradox of hope and effort is a profound aspect of the Christian journey, where believers are called to engage deeply with their faith, trusting in the promise of rest while actively working towards it. The journey of hope is not without its challenges, but it is through these challenges that one's faith is strengthened and the soul finds true rest. [01:24]

Hebrews 6:11-12 (ESV): "And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel hope is lacking? How can you actively engage with this area today to invite God's hope into it?


Day 2: Restoration and Magnificence Through Christ
The human capacity for restoration is remarkable, and through Christ, individuals can become more magnificent than before their ruin. This restoration involves every dimension of one's being, leading to a life that reflects God's glory. Just as a bone becomes stronger at the point of healing after a break, so too can a person become more resilient and magnificent through the process of spiritual restoration. This transformation is not limited to the spiritual realm but encompasses the will, mind, body, social relationships, and soul, creating a holistic renewal that glorifies God. [02:03]

Isaiah 61:3 (ESV): "To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

Reflection: Reflect on a past experience where you felt broken. How has God used that experience to bring about restoration and strength in your life?


Day 3: Embracing Self-Denial, Not Self-Rejection
Self-denial in the Christian life is not about rejecting oneself but about embracing a life in the kingdom of God. It is a settled condition of life that involves deep self-acceptance and preparation to do what is noble and good. This concept of self-denial is daunting but essential, as it involves replacing the ruined life with a new one. Jesus teaches that those who lose their life for His sake will save it, emphasizing the importance of self-denial in realizing the worth of the soul. [06:07]

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

Reflection: What is one thing you can do today that involves self-denial for the sake of following Christ more closely?


Day 4: The Transformation of the Mind
True transformation in the Christian life involves a renewal of the mind, as described in Romans 12:2. This transformation is not just about outward conformity but about a deep, internal change that aligns believers with God's will. It requires a shift in perspective, where one's thoughts and attitudes are continually being renewed by the Holy Spirit. This renewal leads to a life that is pleasing to God and reflects His character to the world. [05:10]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: In what ways can you invite God to renew your mind today? Consider a specific thought pattern or attitude that needs transformation.


Day 5: Realizing the Worth of the Soul
The worth of the soul is immense, and self-denial is a path to realizing that worth. Jesus' teachings challenge believers to lose their old, ruined life to gain a new one, emphasizing the soul's value over worldly gains. This realization calls for a re-evaluation of priorities, where the eternal worth of the soul is placed above temporary, earthly pursuits. By embracing self-denial and focusing on the soul's worth, believers can live a life that is aligned with God's eternal purposes. [10:15]

Matthew 16:26 (ESV): "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"

Reflection: How can you prioritize the worth of your soul over worldly gains today? What practical steps can you take to align your life with this eternal perspective?

Quotes


jesus offers a life under the easy oak with a rested soul, but it is also a life of great strenuous effort agonizo we get the word agony is one of the words paul uses to describe himself and if you don't think that that all goes together then there's more to learn. [00:01:21]

one of the amazing things about the human being is that it is capable of restoration and indeed of a restoration that makes it somehow more magnificent because it has been ruined. this is a hopeful but strange thought does doesn't explain why he thinks that a restored human being can be even more magnificent after the ruin. [00:02:00]

there does seem to be something about the agony, the beauty of the cross at the center of human history a god who's willing to suffer, that has echoed in all of our lives that there is something glorious about restoration at any rate that's the path that we're on. [00:02:42]

john calvin remarked, for as the surest source of destruction to men human beings is to obey themselves now this would be a critical thought that we'll come back to to obey yourself means doing what you feel like doing, satisfying your desires or your will, that's the surest source of destruction. [00:03:36]

so the only haven of safety is to have no other will no other wisdom than to follow the lord wherever he leads. let this then be the first step to abandon ourselves and devote the whole energy of our minds to the service of god. [00:04:07]

this transformation which paul calls the renewing of the mind romans 12 2, though it is the first entrance of life was unknown to all the philosophers he's thinking of the greeks the stoics they gave the primary place to reason alone, but christian philosophy bids her give place and yield complete submission to the holy spirit. [00:04:57]

self-denial must never be confused with self-rejection, nor is it to be thought of as a painful and strenuous act perhaps repeated from time to time against great internal resistance. it is rather an overall settled condition of life in the kingdom of god better described as death to self. [00:05:46]

self-denial actually calls for deep self-acceptance my body my personality my experience god will only bless you as you are who you are where you are, and then self-denial is not an occasional act that we do through gritted teeth and great internal resistance it is he says an overall settled condition of life in the kingdom. [00:07:41]

the ruined life is not to be enhanced but replaced, so the alcoholic who says you mean i've never have another drink that's the only thing that makes my life worth living yes that's what it means, the anxious person means you mean i'll actually have to face my fear and walk towards them yes that's what it means. [00:09:36]

jesus makes these amazing statements those who find their life shall lose it whoever aims to save their life or lose it whoever loses their life for my sake will save it what would you trade your very soulful and and then dallas says this we must always remember in hearing these words of jesus about the worth of the soul. [00:10:05]

it is because of the great worth of the soul that the self is to be denied, so take away today do something that you do not want to do skip that glass of wine or that dessert just one thing don't have to be religious go to bed on time answer all your emails and text as soon as they come in. [00:11:18]

self-denial is not just doing what i don't want to do and not doing what i do want to do you can do those two things and go down terrible roads, so what exactly is self-denial well why don't you keep working on that what do you think see what you can discover we'll take it up next time. [00:12:08]

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Transcript
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