Embracing Our New Identity in Christ Through Prayer
Summary
Welcome to Victory Fellowship, where we are committed to growing in love and going in love. This morning, we reflect on the recent devastating events and lift up in prayer the first responders and families affected. Our vision for this year is to become a praying church, embedding prayer into every aspect of our lives, both individually and corporately. We are introducing new practices to encourage prayer, including sharing prayer requests and praying for one another during worship.
Our focus today is on engaging with God, a key component of our vision alongside experiencing Christ-like relationships and expanding God's kingdom. Engaging with God involves moving beyond our old selves and embracing our new identity in Christ. This transformation requires a sincere desire to know God deeply and to immerse ourselves in His word. Psalm 119:33-40 guides us in this journey, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's teaching and understanding, and allowing Him to lead us in His ways.
The psalmist's plea for God to incline his heart and turn his eyes from worthless things highlights the struggle between our old nature and our new life in Christ. We are reminded that our righteousness and goodness come from God, not from our own efforts. Engaging with God affirms that our old lives have given way to our new life in Christ. This transformation is not without challenges, but it is through these challenges that we draw closer to God, relying on His strength and grace.
As we navigate the temptations and distractions of this world, we must desperately depend on God for transformation. Our past should not overshadow our present and future, for Jesus has nailed our sins to the cross, offering us forgiveness and freedom. We are called to live lives of holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome sin, guilt, and shame.
In closing, I challenge you to choose your new life in Christ over your old ways. Ask God for change and yield to His word, discovering the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. Let us engage with God on a deeper level, knowing that He is our hope, strength, and shield.
Key Takeaways:
- Engaging with God requires moving beyond our old selves and embracing our new identity in Christ. This transformation is fueled by a sincere desire to know God deeply and to immerse ourselves in His word. [36:47]
- The struggle between our old nature and new life in Christ is real, but God calls us to rely on His strength and grace. Our righteousness and goodness come from God, not from our own efforts. [51:14]
- Our past should not overshadow our present and future. Jesus has nailed our sins to the cross, offering us forgiveness and freedom. We are called to live lives of holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [01:01:18]
- Challenges and temptations are opportunities to draw closer to God, relying on His strength and grace. God uses these circumstances to upend our lives, leading us to depend on Him fully. [55:06]
- Choosing our new life in Christ over our old ways involves asking God for change and yielding to His word. This leads to discovering the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. [01:05:13]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[19:19] - Vision for a Praying Church
[25:23] - Prayer Requests and Intercession
[29:50] - Announcements and New Series
[32:15] - Vision Components: Engage, Experience, Expand
[34:25] - Engaging with God: Old vs. New Self
[35:51] - Spiritual Dryness and Identity in Christ
[39:25] - Psalm 119: Seeking Deeper Engagement
[42:58] - Desire to Know God Deeply
[45:02] - Immersing in God's Word
[48:40] - Staying on God's Path
[51:14] - Redirecting Desires to God
[55:06] - Challenges and Dependence on God
[59:12] - God's Promises and Our Transformation
[01:02:50] - Affirming New Life in Christ
[01:05:13] - Choosing New Life Over Old Ways
[01:25:07] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 119:33-40
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the psalmist ask God to teach him in Psalm 119:33, and why is this significant for his spiritual journey? [39:25]
2. How does the psalmist describe his struggle between his old self and new identity in Christ during the sermon? [35:51]
3. What are the two specific requests the psalmist makes to God in Psalm 119:36-37, and what do they reveal about his desires? [51:14]
4. According to the sermon, what role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers to live a life of holiness? [01:01:18]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the psalmist's plea for God to "incline his heart" and "turn his eyes from worthless things" reflect the internal battle between old and new identities? [51:14]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that challenges and temptations can be opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper engagement with God? [55:06]
3. How does the concept of relying on God's strength and grace, rather than personal effort, redefine the pursuit of righteousness according to the sermon? [51:14]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of immersing oneself in God's word for transformation and spiritual growth? [45:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to engage with God more deeply during such times? [35:51]
2. The sermon challenges us to choose our new life in Christ over our old ways. What specific old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Christ? [01:05:13]
3. How can you incorporate prayer more intentionally into your daily routine to align with the church's vision of becoming a praying church? [19:19]
4. Identify a specific distraction or "worthless thing" in your life that diverts your focus from God. What practical steps can you take this week to turn your eyes away from it? [51:14]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community in prayer and support. How can you actively participate in praying for others and sharing your prayer needs within your small group? [25:23]
6. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering you to overcome sin and guilt. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in a specific area of your life where you struggle? [01:01:18]
7. Reflect on the psalmist's desire to know God deeply. What specific actions can you take to cultivate a genuine desire to engage with God daily? [42:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
Engaging with God requires us to move beyond our old selves and embrace our new identity in Christ. This transformation is not a superficial change but a deep, spiritual renewal that comes from a sincere desire to know God intimately. Immersing ourselves in His word is essential to this process, as it allows us to understand His teachings and align our lives with His will. Psalm 119:33-40 serves as a guide, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's wisdom and allowing Him to lead us in His ways. This journey of transformation is a continuous process, requiring dedication and a willingness to let go of our past selves. [36:47]
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 specific aspect of your old self do you need to let go of today to fully embrace your new identity in Christ?
Day 2: Relying on God's Strength and Grace
The struggle between our old nature and our new life in Christ is a real and ongoing battle. However, God calls us to rely on His strength and grace rather than our own efforts. Our righteousness and goodness are gifts from God, not achievements we can claim. This reliance on God is crucial as we navigate the challenges and temptations of life. By depending on His strength, we can overcome the pull of our old nature and live in the freedom and righteousness that Christ offers. [51:14]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stop relying on your own strength and start depending on God's grace today?
Day 3: Living in Forgiveness and Freedom
Our past should not overshadow our present and future because Jesus has nailed our sins to the cross, offering us forgiveness and freedom. This profound truth calls us to live lives of holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome sin, guilt, and shame. Embracing this freedom means acknowledging that our past mistakes do not define us and that we are new creations in Christ. It is a call to live in the light of God's forgiveness, allowing His love to transform our lives and guide our actions. [01:01:18]
Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."
Reflection: Is there a past sin or mistake that you need to release to God today, trusting in His forgiveness and freedom?
Day 4: Drawing Closer to God Through Challenges
Challenges and temptations are not just obstacles but opportunities to draw closer to God. These circumstances can upend our lives, leading us to depend on Him fully. It is through these trials that we learn to rely on God's strength and grace, allowing Him to transform us and deepen our relationship with Him. By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, we can embrace them with faith and trust in God's plan for our lives. [55:06]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "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 view a current challenge in your life as an opportunity to draw closer to God and rely on His strength?
Day 5: Choosing New Life Over Old Ways
Choosing our new life in Christ over our old ways involves asking God for change and yielding to His word. This choice leads to discovering the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. It requires a conscious decision to turn away from past habits and embrace the new life that God offers. By seeking His guidance and immersing ourselves in His word, we can experience the fullness of life that comes from living in alignment with His will. [01:05:13]
Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: What is one specific habit or mindset from your old life that you can choose to change today, asking God for His help and guidance?
Quotes
"Engaging with God affirms that our old lives, have given way to our new lives in Christ. Don't forget that. Hang on to that. Know that you and your old life, your old way of living, is dead and gone, and that you have a new life in Christ. Not because of what you've done, but because of what Jesus has done for you. Not because of what you've done, but because of what Jesus has done for you. The reality is this. The reality is this. I could never ever wear this shirt again. Obviously because it doesn't fit me." [01:03:01] (34 seconds)
"See, the psalmist's heart is revealed about his relationship with God. He knows that his personal efforts have failed. And so what does he do? He cries out to God. He needs God's help. And he does this by asking God to engage with him. The psalmist desires a deeper relationship with God. It's intense. His request to God is simple, yet it's profound. He says this, teach me your word, Lord, and give me an understanding of it. This desire and longing is to know God more deeply." [00:42:30] (39 seconds)
"See, to honestly know God on a deeper level begins with a genuine desire to engage with him. Let me repeat that. To honestly know God on a deeper level begins with a genuine desire to engage with him. Do we desire to engage with God daily? Do we desire to engage with God throughout our day? Or do we just place God on the shelf, and when we leave the house, that's where we leave him?" [00:43:24] (37 seconds)
"See, through Christ, we're called to lead lives and live lives of holiness that stand apart from the world around us. And the Holy Spirit empowers us to glorify God, to overcome, our sin, our guilt, and our shame. See, ultimately it's this. Only God can deliver us from the influence of this world and our sinful nature, both in our past and our present. Only God can do that. But we have to get to that point where we have to acknowledge and need his help. But many of us don't." [01:02:29] (37 seconds)
"See, the psalmist recognizes that he attempts to be good and to follow God's commands have failed. But he must, and he's trying to understand that he has to rely upon God completely. And he asks God to turn his heart and his eyes towards him. The reality is this, God knows our hearts. He does. He knows the idols that we possess. He knows the identities. He knows the things outside of him that we gravitate towards." [00:53:12] (31 seconds)
"See, what happens is that when we're challenging this, we're going to go down this dark path, especially when God says no, and then we're going to fall, and we're going to fall into sin, and during this time, our old nature is going to rear its ugly head, and what happens when we fall into sin? Guilt and shame will begin to overtake us, but have heart that this is nothing new to God. The psalmist asked God to turn his heart and mind away from the shame and the guilt of sin." [01:00:46] (28 seconds)
"Don't let your past overshadow your present and your future. Don't do that. Don't let your past overshadow your present and your future. There are many times that we struggle with regret about our past, but there's nothing that we can do to change that, and see, our old nature tries to pull us back into these feelings of shame and guilt and living in constant regret, and when we do that, we become guilty. We become guilty. We become guilty. We become guilty." [01:01:07] (29 seconds)
"To truly engage with God is to be fully immersed in his directions, his guidance. But see, here's the battle. Our old nature, our old way of doing things often seeks us to lead us away from God, convincing us to forge our own paths in life. That's why people kind of contort the word of God to suit their lifestyle. God's word is eternal, but when we do this, we mistakenly believe that we know better than God." [00:49:38] (30 seconds)
Chatbot
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