Embracing the Cross: A Life of Faith and Service

Devotional

Day 1: Righteousness Through Faith, Not Works

True righteousness is not achieved through human efforts or adherence to the law, such as circumcision, but through faith in Christ. This righteousness is a gift from God, allowing believers to stand confidently before Him. The cross of Christ is the sole means of atonement, and any attempt to achieve righteousness through our own efforts is a rejection of its power. Paul emphasizes that relying on works of the flesh is futile, as true righteousness comes only through faith in Christ. This understanding calls believers to trust fully in the finished work of Christ, rather than their own achievements. [06:39]

Galatians 2:16 (ESV): "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own efforts for righteousness? How can you shift your focus to trust more fully in Christ's finished work today?

Day 2: Embracing the Cross-Shaped Life

Embracing the cross means adopting a lifestyle of self-denial and service, following the example of Jesus. This involves sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in His death, as believers seek to glorify God in all they do. The cross is not only about atonement but also a model for living. Paul desires to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in His death. This cross-shaped life is characterized by self-denial, service, and humility, modeled after Jesus' own example. [08:14]

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 practical way you can deny yourself and serve others today, following the example of Jesus?

Day 3: The Mindset of Christ

The mindset of Christ, as demonstrated on the cross, is one of humility and obedience. Believers are called to have this same mindset, living lives that reflect the servant heart of Jesus, even in the face of suffering and sacrifice. This mindset involves a deep commitment to humility and obedience, mirroring the attitude of Christ. By adopting this mindset, believers can live lives that reflect the servant heart of Jesus, even when faced with challenges and sacrifices. [09:11]

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV): "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a mindset of humility and obedience in your daily interactions and decisions?

Day 4: Guarding Against Worldly Mindsets

Enemies of the cross are those who prioritize earthly pleasures and set their minds on worldly things, rather than living in the self-denying service that the cross exemplifies. Believers must guard against this mindset and strive to live according to the cross. This involves a conscious effort to reject the allure of worldly pleasures and focus on the self-denying service that the cross exemplifies. By doing so, believers can align their lives with the values of the cross and avoid becoming enemies of it. [10:51]

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 worldly desires or distractions are competing for your attention? How can you refocus your mind on the values of the cross today?

Day 5: Confidence in Christ's Righteousness

Our confidence before God should not be based on our own righteousness or achievements, but on the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. This is the foundation of our relationship with God and the basis for our hope and assurance. Believers are called to place their confidence in Christ's righteousness, rather than their own accomplishments. This understanding provides a solid foundation for their relationship with God and offers hope and assurance in their spiritual journey. [06:25]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your confidence from your own achievements to the righteousness of Christ in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

In Philippians 3:18-21, we are confronted with the sobering reality of those who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. This passage challenges us to examine the ways in which individuals can oppose the cross, either by rejecting its atoning power or by failing to live according to its example. The cross serves a dual purpose: it is both the means of our atonement and a model for our lives. As a means of atonement, the cross is where our sins are covered, and we are justified before God. To be an enemy of the cross in this sense is to propose alternative ways of achieving righteousness, such as relying on works of the flesh, like circumcision, as Paul argues against in Philippians 3:2-6.

Paul emphasizes that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through our own efforts or adherence to the law. This righteousness is a gift from God, accessed through faith, and it is the only way to stand confidently before Him. However, the cross is not only about atonement; it is also a way of life. Paul desires to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in His death. This is the cross-shaped life—a life of self-denial, service, and humility, modeled after Jesus' own example.

The challenge for us is to embrace both aspects of the cross. We must reject any reliance on our own works for salvation and instead trust fully in the finished work of Christ. Simultaneously, we are called to live lives that reflect the sacrificial love and humility of Jesus, serving others and glorifying God. The enemies of the cross, as described by Paul, are those who indulge in earthly pleasures and set their minds on worldly things, rather than living in the self-denying service that the cross exemplifies. As we reflect on this passage, let us strive to be friends of the cross, allowing it to transform both our standing before God and our daily lives.

Key Takeaways

1. The cross of Christ is the sole means of atonement, and any attempt to achieve righteousness through our own efforts, such as law-keeping or circumcision, is a rejection of its power. True righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through our works. [06:39]
2. Embracing the cross means adopting a lifestyle of self-denial and service, following the example of Jesus. This involves sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in His death, as we seek to glorify God in all we do. [08:14]
3. The mindset of Christ, as demonstrated on the cross, is one of humility and obedience. We are called to have this same mindset, living lives that reflect the servant heart of Jesus, even in the face of suffering and sacrifice. [09:11]
4. Enemies of the cross are those who prioritize earthly pleasures and set their minds on worldly things, rather than living in the self-denying service that the cross exemplifies. We must guard against this mindset and strive to live according to the cross. [10:51]
5. Our confidence before God should not be based on our own righteousness or achievements, but on the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. This is the foundation of our relationship with God and the basis for our hope and assurance. [06:25]
** [06:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Enemies of the Cross
[00:45] - Purpose of the Cross
[01:25] - Atonement through the Cross
[02:00] - Prayer for Understanding
[02:40] - Identifying the Enemies
[03:22] - Misuse of Circumcision
[04:02] - Confidence in the Flesh
[05:28] - Righteousness through Faith
[06:57] - Cross as a Way of Life
[07:38] - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings
[08:14] - Cross-Shaped Living
[09:11] - Mindset of Christ
[10:07] - Opposing the Cross as a Lifestyle
[11:09] - Conclusion and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:18-21
- Colossians 2:14
- Philippians 3:2-6

Observation Questions:

According to Philippians 3:18-21, what characteristics define those who are considered "enemies of the cross of Christ"? How does Paul describe their mindset and actions? [00:20]
In Philippians 3:2-6, Paul warns against certain practices and attitudes. What does he say about circumcision and confidence in the flesh? How does this relate to being an enemy of the cross? [03:04]
How does Colossians 2:14 describe the role of the cross in dealing with our sins? What does it mean for our "record of debt" to be nailed to the cross? [01:05]
What does Paul mean when he says he wants to "share in [Christ's] sufferings" and "become like him in his death" in Philippians 3:10? How does this relate to living a cross-shaped life? [08:14]

Interpretation Questions:

How does Paul’s description of the enemies of the cross challenge the way we view our own spiritual practices and priorities? What might be some modern equivalents of relying on "works of the flesh"? [04:02]
In what ways does the cross serve as both a means of atonement and a model for living? How can these two aspects be integrated into a believer's life? [01:43]
How does the mindset of Christ, as described in Philippians 2:5-8, contrast with the mindset of those who are enemies of the cross? What does this reveal about the nature of true humility and obedience? [09:11]
What are the implications of having a righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, as opposed to one based on law-keeping? How does this affect our relationship with God and our confidence before Him? [06:25]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be relying on your own efforts or achievements for righteousness rather than trusting in the finished work of Christ? How can you shift your focus to faith in Christ? [06:39]
Consider the concept of a cross-shaped life. What are some practical ways you can embrace self-denial and service in your daily routine? How can you model the sacrificial love of Jesus in your interactions with others? [08:14]
Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with setting your mind on earthly things. What steps can you take to align your mindset more closely with the humility and obedience of Christ? [10:51]
Think about a recent situation where you faced a choice between indulging in earthly pleasures and serving others. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time to reflect the mindset of Christ? [10:27]
How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cross as both the means of your atonement and a model for your life? What resources or practices might help you in this journey? [01:43]
In what ways can you encourage others in your community to live according to the cross, especially those who might be struggling with prioritizing worldly things? How can you support them in their spiritual growth? [10:51]
Reflect on the role of humility in your life. How can you practice humility in a specific relationship or situation this week, following the example of Christ? [09:11]

Sermon Clips

I argued that the design of the cross the purpose and aims of the cross are at least two fold one is as a way of atonement that is how our sins are covered how to get right with God even though we are unworthy and the cross is the answer by the blood of the Cross we are justified. [00:00:49]

You could become an enemy of the Cross by proposing another way of atonement and saying that's not the only one or the true one or you could say that the cross of Christ represents a way of life he was showing us by the cross how we ought to deny ourselves and how we ought to take up our cross and follow him. [00:01:35]

We want the cross to have its fullest possible effect in our lives both dealing with our guilt and in providing a wave of New Kingdom life in this world so common and show us now who these folks are who are enemies of the cross on how they are enemies I pray in Jesus name. [00:02:07]

Look out for the dogs look out for the evildoers look out for those who mutilate the flesh and we argued that this mutilation of the flesh is Paul's negative way of describing their practice of circumcision because it has been stripped of its reliance upon the Holy Spirit and it's glorying in Christ. [00:02:58]

These folks whoever they are are using circumcision in a way that is inappropriate and results in mere mutilation so they seem to be Jewish people who are claiming to do it the right way and Paul is saying no we Christians are the circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus. [00:03:34]

Paul saying look it'll never work to depend on these things and if it did work I could beat you but and then he goes on to say it's all rubbish so this this text here seems to suggest that to be an enemy of the Cross is to be one who depends on works of the flesh for our confidence before God. [00:05:20]

I want to be found in him not having a righteousness of my own now that's an alternative way of having confidence before God having a righteousness of your own that comes from law-keeping which he's just renounced but evidently the adversaries have renounced but that which comes through faith in Christ. [00:06:19]

This is the way you tap in to the achievement of Christ on the cross you trust him and thus you have a righteousness from God that depends on faith so it seems to me that Paul is saying well it looks like these folks are enemies of the Cross in that they are promoting circumcision and other kinds of rigor of law keeping. [00:06:42]

I want to be found in him, Paul said not having a righteousness of my own that comes from law but that which comes through faith in Christ the righteousness from God that depends on faith so I'm going to trust him and his cross for the gift of righteousness as a solution for my guilt problem. [00:07:36]

I want to share his sufferings I want to become like him in his death so the cross of Christ is a model for Paul's life as he seeks to walk in a path of self-denial in the service of others for the glory of Christ that if any means possible he might attain the resurrection of the dead. [00:08:17]

The cross is the epitome of the mindset that he wants us to have this is a way of life this is not just a way of getting right with God through the atonement this is a way having been justified having been accepted by Jesus having our sin problem solved because of its guilt laid on Jesus. [00:09:26]

They are undermining the cross as a way of self denying service of others while they indulge themselves in this world and the the problem is that if this is the case then who are the people in chapter 3 that seemed to be so legalistic that's what we're going to tackle next time. [00:10:48]

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Embracing the Cross: A Life of Faith and Service

Devotional

Day 1: Righteousness Through Faith, Not Works

Day 2: Embracing the Cross-Shaped Life

Day 3: The Mindset of Christ

Day 4: Guarding Against Worldly Mindsets

Day 5: Confidence in Christ's Righteousness

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing the Cross: A Life of Faith and Service

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