Embracing New Life: Transformation in Christ
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound transformation that occurs when we leave our old lives behind and embrace the new life that Jesus Christ offers. We began with two contrasting illustrations: the unsettling reality of pets turning on their owners after death, and the beautiful union of marriage where two become one. These stories set the stage for understanding the call to leave behind our past and step into the life God has designed for us. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, urges believers to abandon their former ways of sin and embrace their identity in Christ. Corinth, much like our modern world, was a city rife with immorality and division. Paul challenges the Corinthians to prioritize their lives according to God's standards, leaving behind lawsuits and trivial disputes that mirror the world's values.
We delved into the importance of prioritizing the right things as Christians. Jesus teaches us to love God, love our neighbors, and make disciples. These priorities guide us in living a life that honors God and reflects His love to others. We also discussed the significance of practicing God-honoring relationships, which involve forgiveness, letting go of minor offenses, and adhering to God's Word in all our interactions. Pursuing righteousness is another key aspect of our new life in Christ. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they have been washed, sanctified, and justified, and therefore should live in a way that reflects their new identity.
Finally, we are called to persevere by remembering who we are in Christ. God has cleansed us, claimed us, and considers us justified. This transformation empowers us to leave our old lives behind and walk in the newness of life. The story of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield illustrates the radical change that occurs when we surrender to Christ. Her journey from a life opposed to Christianity to one of faith and community serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- Prioritizing the Right Things: As Christians, we are called to prioritize loving God, loving our neighbors, and making disciples. These priorities help us align our lives with God's will and reflect His love to the world. By focusing on these, we can avoid the distractions and divisions that plagued the Corinthian church. [11:38]
- Practicing God-Honoring Relationships: Forgiveness, letting go of minor offenses, and following God's Word are essential in our relationships. These practices help us build a community that reflects God's love and grace, moving away from the conflicts and divisions that characterized the Corinthians. [17:49]
- Pursuing Righteousness: We are reminded that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. As believers, we have been washed, sanctified, and justified, and are called to live in a way that reflects our new identity in Christ. This pursuit of righteousness is a response to the grace we have received. [23:06]
- Persevering in Our Identity: Remembering our identity in Christ helps us persevere in our faith. God has cleansed us, claimed us, and considers us justified. This assurance empowers us to leave our old lives behind and walk in the newness of life, even when our past tries to resurface. [27:23]
- The Transformative Power of the Gospel: The story of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield illustrates the radical change that occurs when we surrender to Christ. Her journey from opposition to faith highlights the power of the gospel to transform lives and bring us into a new community of believers. [32:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:54] - Disturbing and Bittersweet Illustrations
[04:06] - Leaving the Old Life Behind
[05:13] - Washed, Sanctified, Justified
[07:10] - Prioritizing the Right Things
[08:48] - The Litigious Culture
[10:27] - Judging the World and Angels
[11:38] - Loving God and Neighbors
[13:04] - Trust and Obey
[14:06] - Making Disciples
[16:22] - God-Honoring Relationships
[17:49] - Forgiveness and Forgetting
[19:19] - Following God's Word
[21:52] - Pursuing Purity
[23:06] - Pursuing Righteousness
[25:07] - Encouragement to Live in New Identity
[27:23] - Persevering in Identity
[28:13] - God's Cleansing and Claiming
[29:42] - Justification in Christ
[30:47] - Rosaria's Transformation
[32:37] - Leaving the Old Life Behind
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 6:1-11
2. Genesis 2:24
3. Matthew 22:36-40
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the two contrasting illustrations used at the beginning of the sermon, and how do they relate to the theme of leaving the old life behind? [00:54]
2. According to 1 Corinthians 6, what specific behaviors and disputes were the Corinthians engaging in that Paul criticized? [04:06]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when one embraces their new identity in Christ? [25:07]
4. What are the three priorities for a believer according to Jesus, as mentioned in the sermon? [11:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of leaving one's old life behind, as illustrated by marriage in Genesis 2:24, apply to the Christian life? [00:54]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Corinthian church's issues with lawsuits reflect a deeper problem of misplaced priorities? [07:10]
3. How does the story of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield illustrate the transformative power of the gospel? What does her journey teach about the challenges and rewards of embracing a new life in Christ? [32:37]
4. What does it mean to be "washed, sanctified, and justified" in the context of 1 Corinthians 6, and how should this understanding impact a believer's daily life? [05:13]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there any "old life" habits or behaviors that you need to leave behind to fully embrace your identity in Christ? What steps can you take this week to begin that process? [25:07]
2. How can you prioritize loving God, loving your neighbors, and making disciples in your daily routine? Identify one specific action you can take this week to focus on one of these priorities. [11:38]
3. Think about a relationship in your life that may not be God-honoring. What changes can you make to practice forgiveness and let go of minor offenses in that relationship? [17:49]
4. In what ways can you pursue righteousness in your current circumstances? Are there specific areas where you feel challenged to live out your new identity in Christ? [23:06]
5. How can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ when faced with temptations or reminders of your past? What practical steps can you take to persevere in your faith? [27:23]
6. Consider the story of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield. How can you engage with someone in your life who may be opposed to Christianity, and what approach might you take to share the gospel with them? [32:37]
7. Reflect on the idea of being "unequally yoked" in relationships. Are there any relationships in your life that may be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you address these relationships in a way that honors God? [19:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Our Lives with God's Priorities
In a world filled with distractions and competing values, Christians are called to prioritize loving God, loving their neighbors, and making disciples. These priorities are not just tasks to check off a list but are foundational to living a life that reflects God's love and purpose. By focusing on these priorities, believers can avoid the pitfalls of division and immorality that plagued the Corinthian church. This alignment with God's will helps Christians to live authentically and purposefully, demonstrating His love to the world. [11:38]
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to prioritize loving God and your neighbors in your daily routine?
Day 2: Building God-Honoring Relationships
Practicing forgiveness, letting go of minor offenses, and adhering to God's Word are essential components of God-honoring relationships. These practices help build a community that reflects God's love and grace, moving away from the conflicts and divisions that characterized the Corinthians. By focusing on these principles, believers can foster relationships that are not only peaceful but also deeply rooted in the love and teachings of Christ. This approach to relationships is transformative, allowing individuals to experience and share God's grace in profound ways. [17:49]
"Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs healing. How can you take a step towards forgiveness and reconciliation today?
Day 3: Living Out Our New Identity in Christ
Believers are reminded that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Having been washed, sanctified, and justified, Christians are called to live in a way that reflects their new identity in Christ. This pursuit of righteousness is not about earning God's favor but is a response to the grace already received. It involves a conscious effort to align one's actions and thoughts with the teachings of Christ, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel in everyday life. [23:06]
"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." (Colossians 3:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle to live out your new identity in Christ. What practical steps can you take to pursue righteousness in this area?
Day 4: Persevering in Our Faith
Remembering our identity in Christ helps us persevere in our faith. God has cleansed us, claimed us, and considers us justified. This assurance empowers believers to leave their old lives behind and walk in the newness of life, even when past struggles resurface. Perseverance in faith is about holding onto the truth of who we are in Christ and allowing that truth to guide our actions and decisions, especially in challenging times. [27:23]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: When faced with challenges, how can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ to help you persevere?
Day 5: Embracing the Transformative Power of the Gospel
The story of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield illustrates the radical change that occurs when one surrenders to Christ. Her journey from opposition to faith highlights the power of the gospel to transform lives and bring individuals into a new community of believers. This transformation is not just about personal change but also about becoming part of a larger story of redemption and grace. Embracing this transformative power means being open to the ways God can work in and through us to impact the world around us. [32:37]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant change in your life due to your faith. How can you share this story to encourage others in their journey with Christ?
Quotes
Here are the selected quotes with timestamps:
"We have people who are in this stage of life, they're getting ready to get married, and maybe you're newlywed, and you're here, or you've been married for a couple years, and you're starting to have kids. Praise God for that. We're excited to have you here, but when you met your spouse, you started to date one another. There came a time where you got married. That means you left your father and mother's house, and now you're joining together and become one. Genesis says that. It says in the beginning, God made man and woman, but it was not good for man to be alone, so a man leaves his mother and father to cling to his wife to become one flesh, and in our society, most people still, the woman takes the husband's last name, and they have a new family. She's got a new name, and she doesn't forget about her family, but she leaves that family." [00:01:59] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus told the parable of a good Samaritan, and he tells this parable about this Jewish guy walking down the street and he gets beat up by a gang of robbers and they toss him into the ditch. A priest comes by and he crosses on the other side. A Levite, he also works in the temple, comes by and he goes on the other side, and they don't pay attention to their fellow countrymen. But a Samaritan. A Samaritan comes, ethnically different from the Jews, hated by the Jews. Samaritans didn't think too much of the Jews either. But the Samaritan comes and helps him. He considered him a neighbor in order to help him. That's who our neighbor is. Those who are in their time of need were to love God, yes, and love others." [00:14:33] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God honoring relationships forgive, but they also forget. They also forget. Now, I don't mean forget about the harm that's done. You might never forget that harm that's been done against you, that grievous thing that you've experienced. It might be with you. It might be with you for the rest of your life. And when you do remember it, you might have to forgive again. And it can be there for your lifetime. I don't mean forget that it ever happened. I mean like the New York way, like forget about it. You know, that was a terrible accent, but forget about it. Pretend like it was New York. Forget about the small stuff. Let it roll off your back." [00:18:10] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Neither, and then he gives a list of a whole bunch of different sinners who are not going to get there. He says the unrighteous will not be in the kingdom. The kingdom of God is coming. It's here in some ways already, because God has saved us, Jesus has died for us, he's risen, but he's coming again. We're in the church age, but there's coming another age. The eternal age, where his kingdom will be fully here." [00:23:25] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And such were some of you, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He's trying to encourage them. He's not trying to discourage them and just tell them to clean up their life. He's saying you've already been washed. You've already been cleaned. So why are you staying on that team when you're on this team?" [00:24:25] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Persevering as you remember your identity. In that last verse, look with me in your Bible if you got it. And such were some of you, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified. What makes you different is that you have this new life in you. And here's three things. Jot these down. God cleansed us as believers. God cleansed us. He calls it, he says, washed you." [00:27:43] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God did this work in you. You did this work in you. You did this work in you. You did this work in you. You trusted. You believed. But God has done it. He's working in you. He's cleansed you from all unrighteousness. This forgiveness that Christ gives us on the cross, the cross is so powerful in this, get this, is that he forgives you of your sins that you've ever committed, and all the sins you're going to commit at the cross. He's done it. He's the one that cleanses us. God cleanses us. And then God claimed us. God claimed us. You were washed. You were sanctified." [00:28:49] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"She began to read the Bible. She says, I continued to read the Bible all the while fighting the idea that it was inspired, but the Bible got to be bigger inside me than I. It overflowed into my world. I fought against it with all my might. Then one Sunday morning, I rose from my bed, from the bed of my lesbian lover, and an hour later sat in the pew at Syracuse Reformed Presbyterian Church." [00:32:37] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When we come to Christ, we leave our old life behind. We leave the world system behind. But it's always there. It's always there. But we remember that we surrendered our life to Christ because he gave of his life for mine." [00:34:18] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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