Embracing New Life: Death to Self in Christ
Summary
In our journey of faith, we are called to embrace a profound truth: the death of our old selves and the birth of a new life in Christ. This transformation is beautifully captured in Colossians 3, where we are reminded that if we are risen with Christ, our focus should be on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This shift in focus signifies a departure from earthly concerns and a commitment to a life hidden in God's eternal purposes.
Our natural life, apart from God, is over. We are, as Bob Pierce once said, "dead men on furlough." This means that our old self, with its worries about recognition, comfort, and self-concern, is crucified with Christ. Yet, paradoxically, we live—not by our own strength, but through Christ who lives in us. This new life is not about self-preservation but about living by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.
This death to self is not a loss but a gain. It frees us from the pain, sorrow, and grief that our old life would bring. It liberates us to live a life of faith, hope, and love, unburdened by the chains of self-centeredness. In this new life, we are called to let go of the old, embrace the new, and trust in the glorious purposes that God has for us, even if we do not fully understand them.
Key Takeaways:
- Embracing our death in Christ means letting go of self-concern and earthly desires. This death is not a loss but a liberation from the burdens of self-centeredness, allowing us to focus on the eternal purposes of God. [01:47]
- Our life is now hidden with Christ in God, signifying a profound transformation. This hidden life is a mystery, filled with glory and purpose beyond our understanding, calling us to trust in God's eternal plan. [02:26]
- The paradox of being crucified with Christ yet living is central to our faith. It is not us who live, but Christ in us, empowering us to live by faith in His love and sacrifice. [02:49]
- Letting go of our old life is essential to prevent it from crushing our faith, hope, and love. This act of surrender is a step towards embracing the fullness of life in Christ. [03:11]
- Our new life in Christ is a call to focus on things above, shifting our affections from earthly concerns to heavenly realities. This shift is crucial for living a life aligned with God's purposes. [00:32]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Risen with Christ
[00:59] - Life Hidden in God
[01:24] - Dead Men on Furlough
[01:47] - End to Self-Concern
[02:08] - Death to Self
[02:26] - Entering the Kingdom Life
[02:49] - Crucified Yet Living
[03:11] - Letting Go of the Old Life
[03:38] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 3:1-4
- Galatians 2:20
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 3:1-4, what are believers encouraged to focus on, and why is this significant? [00:32]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of being "dead men on furlough"? What does this metaphor suggest about our old life? [01:24]
3. In the sermon, what does it mean to have a life "hidden with Christ in God"? [02:26]
4. What paradox does the sermon highlight about being crucified with Christ yet still living? [02:49]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for a believer's life to be "hidden with Christ in God," and how might this affect their daily living? [00:59]
2. How does the idea of being "crucified with Christ" challenge common perceptions of self-preservation and self-concern? [02:49]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that letting go of our old life can prevent it from "crushing our faith, hope, and love"? [03:11]
4. How does the sermon interpret the shift from earthly concerns to heavenly realities as described in Colossians 3? [00:32]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current focus in life. Are there earthly concerns that are distracting you from focusing on things above? How can you shift your focus this week? [00:32]
2. The sermon talks about letting go of self-concern. What is one area of your life where self-concern is prominent, and how can you begin to surrender it to God? [01:47]
3. Consider the metaphor of being "dead men on furlough." How does this perspective change the way you view your daily challenges and responsibilities? [01:24]
4. The sermon mentions living by faith in the Son of God. What is one practical step you can take to live more by faith and less by your own strength? [02:49]
5. How can you embrace the mystery of a life hidden with Christ, even when you don't fully understand God's purposes? What steps can you take to trust more in His eternal plan? [02:26]
6. Identify a specific area where your old life might be hindering your faith, hope, and love. What action can you take to let go of this old life? [03:11]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to focus on heavenly realities and support each other in this journey? [00:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Liberation from Self-Centeredness
Embracing our death in Christ means letting go of self-concern and earthly desires. This death is not a loss but a liberation from the burdens of self-centeredness, allowing us to focus on the eternal purposes of God. When we let go of our old selves, we are freed from the chains of recognition, comfort, and self-concern. This liberation allows us to live a life of faith, hope, and love, unburdened by the pain and sorrow that our old life would bring. It is a call to trust in God's eternal purposes, even when we do not fully understand them. [01:47]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What is one earthly desire or self-concern you can let go of today to focus more on God's eternal purposes?
Day 2: Hidden Life in Christ
Our life is now hidden with Christ in God, signifying a profound transformation. This hidden life is a mystery, filled with glory and purpose beyond our understanding, calling us to trust in God's eternal plan. As we embrace this new life, we are invited to shift our focus from earthly concerns to heavenly realities. This transformation is not just about a change in behavior but a deep, spiritual renewal that aligns us with God's purposes. [02:26]
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself daily to focus on the unseen, eternal realities of your life in Christ?
Day 3: The Paradox of Crucified Yet Living
The paradox of being crucified with Christ yet living is central to our faith. It is not us who live, but Christ in us, empowering us to live by faith in His love and sacrifice. This new life is not about self-preservation but about living by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. It is a call to embrace the mystery of this paradox and to trust in the power of Christ living within us. [02:49]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: In what ways can you allow Christ to live through you today, especially in areas where you tend to rely on your own strength?
Day 4: Surrendering the Old Life
Letting go of our old life is essential to prevent it from crushing our faith, hope, and love. This act of surrender is a step towards embracing the fullness of life in Christ. By releasing our grip on the past, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and grace. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to trust in God's plan and to live in the freedom that comes from being in Christ. [03:11]
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: What is one specific area of your old life that you need to surrender to God today, and how can you take a step towards doing that?
Day 5: Shifting Focus to Heavenly Realities
Our new life in Christ is a call to focus on things above, shifting our affections from earthly concerns to heavenly realities. This shift is crucial for living a life aligned with God's purposes. By setting our minds on things above, we align our lives with the eternal purposes of God and find true fulfillment in His plan. This focus requires intentionality and a commitment to seek God's kingdom first in all aspects of our lives. [00:32]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: How can you intentionally shift your focus from earthly concerns to heavenly realities in your daily routine today?
Quotes
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth, for you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." [00:32]
"We are a people who have gone to the cross with Jesus Christ, and in embracing the cross, we have accepted the fact that our natural life apart from God is over. We are, as Bob Pierce used to say, dead men on furlough." [01:10]
"And if ye then be risen with Christ, you see, that's the new life, and what that means is really the end to self-concern and self-consternation. I troubled about what's going to happen to me, and whether I'm going to get my dues, and whether I'm going to be comfortable or recognized or whatever it is I'm concerned about me." [01:47]
"Practically entering into the life of the kingdom really does mean that we accept the fact that we're dead and that the life we live is a life that is hidden in God's eternal purposes, and we don't even understand how glorious it is." [02:26]
"I am crucified with Christ, Paul said, nevertheless I live. Little paradox there, you see. I'm crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the confidence, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and Himself for me." [02:49]
"And then when we understand that, we are prepared to let go of an old life that will cause us nothing but pain and sorrow and grief, that will crush our faith, our hope, and our love, and hallelujah, we're done with it." [03:11]
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