Embracing the Crucified Life: Freedom Through Surrender
Summary
Today, I began by greeting our church family and acknowledging the special occasion of Mother's Day, expressing gratitude for the mothers in our lives. I then invited everyone to open their Bibles to Galatians chapter 2, emphasizing the importance of engaging with God's Word directly.
I discussed the profound impact of COVID-19 on our routines and how it led to innovative forms of worship like drive-in services. Despite the challenges, these changes reinforced the strength and adaptability of our faith community. I also shared personal anecdotes about how my family has adjusted, such as no longer going to movies, which led into a reflection on societal changes and personal preferences in entertainment.
The core of today's message centered on the concept of living a crucified life, a theme deeply embedded in Galatians 2. I explained that true freedom in Christ involves dying to oneself—this means letting go of past sins, embracing a life lived through Christ, and continually submitting to God's will. This process, while challenging, is essential for genuine spiritual growth and freedom.
I highlighted the paradox of the Christian life: we gain life by losing it. This is not a physical death, but a spiritual one, where we let go of our old selves and allow Christ to live through us. This transformation is radical and counterintuitive, but it's the only way to truly experience the life that Jesus intends for us.
I also addressed practical aspects of living out this crucified life daily. This includes prioritizing our time to ensure that spiritual activities are not sidelined by our busy schedules. I shared personal examples, such as adjusting my own routines to align better with spiritual commitments, like tithing and spending quality time in scripture and prayer with my family.
As the sermon concluded, I invited the congregation to reflect on their own lives, to identify areas where they might still be holding on to their old selves, and to consider the steps needed to live fully in the freedom Christ offers. I closed with a prayer for courage and conviction for us all to pursue this crucified life wholeheartedly.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living a Crucified Life Requires Daily Death to Self
Embracing the crucified life means daily decisions to deny oneself and allow Christ to lead. This isn't merely about avoiding sin but actively choosing God's will over personal desires. It's a lifelong journey of transformation that aligns us more closely with Christ's image and purpose for our lives. [44:23]
2. True Freedom Comes from Surrender
The paradox of Christian freedom is that it is gained through surrender. By dying to ourselves and our desires, we gain the true life that Christ promises. This freedom is not an absence of responsibility but a deeper engagement with the divine life. [39:38]
3. Spiritual Growth is Hindered by Unyielded Areas
Often, our spiritual stagnation is due to areas of our life that we refuse to surrender to Christ. Identifying and relinquishing these areas can lead to breakthroughs in personal faith and communal harmony. This requires honest self-assessment and the willingness to make difficult changes. [48:01]
4. The Impact of Practical Faith in Daily Decisions
Our faith must inform our daily decisions, including how we manage our time, resources, and relationships. Practical faith might mean restructuring our schedules or finances to prioritize God's kingdom, reflecting our trust in His provision and plans. [51:44]
5. Community Supports Crucial Transformation
Living out a crucified life is not a solitary endeavor. Our church community plays a vital role in supporting each other through this process. Encouragement and accountability within the body of Christ are indispensable as we pursue deeper conformity to Jesus. [01:06:20]
### Youtube Chapters
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [34:49] - Introduction and Mother's Day Greetings
- [35:42] - Reflecting on Changes Post-COVID
- [37:12] - The Call to Live a Crucified Life
- [39:38] - Exploring Galatians 2: The Crucified Life
- [44:23] - The Daily Impact of Dying to Self
- [48:01] - Practical Steps to Crucify Personal Desires
- [51:44] - Financial Faithfulness and Spiritual Growth
- [01:06:20] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Galatians 2:17-21 (ESV)
> "But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not. For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law, I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 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. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "I have been crucified with Christ"? How does this concept relate to the idea of living a crucified life? ([40:29])
2. According to the sermon, what are some practical steps to crucify personal desires and align our lives with Christ's will? ([48:01])
3. How does the pastor describe the paradox of gaining life by losing it? What examples does he give to illustrate this point? ([53:55])
4. What role does the church community play in supporting individuals to live a crucified life, according to the sermon? ([01:06:20])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of dying to oneself daily challenge our modern understanding of freedom and personal autonomy? ([39:38])
2. In what ways can unyielded areas of our lives hinder our spiritual growth? How can we identify and address these areas? ([48:01])
3. How does the pastor's personal anecdote about adjusting his schedule to prioritize spiritual commitments reflect the practical aspects of living a crucified life? ([50:09])
4. What does it mean to live by faith in the Son of God, and how does this faith transform our daily decisions and actions? ([55:09])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific activities or habits that you need to crucify to make more room for spiritual growth? How can you start making these changes this week? ([50:09])
2. Identify an area of your life where you struggle to surrender to Christ. What steps can you take to begin yielding this area to Him? ([48:01])
3. The pastor mentioned the importance of community in supporting our spiritual journey. How can you actively seek or offer support within your church community to help others live a crucified life? ([01:06:20])
4. Consider the paradox of gaining life by losing it. Can you think of a recent situation where you had to let go of something important to you in order to follow Christ more closely? How did this experience impact your faith? ([53:55])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of financial faithfulness. How can you reassess your financial priorities to ensure they align with your commitment to Christ? ([51:12])
6. Think about a time when you felt spiritually stagnant. What unyielded areas might have contributed to this stagnation, and how can you address them moving forward? ([48:01])
7. How can you incorporate more intentional spiritual activities, such as prayer and Bible study, into your family life? What specific changes can you make to your family routine to prioritize these activities? ([50:41])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Daily Death to Self
Living a crucified life requires a daily commitment to deny oneself and prioritize Christ's leadership in every decision. This journey is not about mere avoidance of sin but involves a proactive choice to follow God's will, even when it conflicts with personal desires. It's a transformative process that aligns us more closely with Christ's image and purpose for our lives. This path, while challenging, is essential for spiritual growth and true freedom in Christ. [44:23]
Bible passage: Galatians 2:20 - "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: What is one personal desire or habit that you need to deny today in order to allow Christ to lead more fully in your life?
Day 2: True Freedom Through Surrender
The paradox of Christian freedom is that it is achieved through surrender. By dying to our desires and ourselves, we embrace the life that Christ promises—a life of profound peace and fulfillment. This freedom is not about shirking responsibility but involves a deeper engagement with the divine life, where our choices and actions are aligned with God's will. This surrender is both liberating and transformative, offering a path to true spiritual liberation. [39:38]
Bible passage: Romans 6:6-7 - "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin."
Reflection: In what ways might you be resisting surrendering fully to God, and how can this resistance be affecting your sense of freedom?
Day 3: Identifying Unyielded Areas for Spiritual Growth
Our spiritual growth often stalls because of areas in our lives that we refuse to surrender to Christ. Recognizing and relinquishing these areas can lead to significant breakthroughs in our personal faith and enhance communal harmony. This process requires honest self-assessment and a willingness to make difficult changes, but it is crucial for deepening our relationship with God and living out our faith authentically. [48:01]
Bible passage: Psalm 139:23-24 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Reflection: What specific area of your life have you been hesitant to surrender to God, and what steps can you take to begin this process of surrender?
Day 4: Practical Faith in Daily Decisions
Our faith must inform our daily decisions, including how we manage our time, resources, and relationships. This practical application of faith might mean restructuring our schedules or finances to prioritize God's kingdom, reflecting our trust in His provision and plans. By integrating our faith into every aspect of our lives, we demonstrate a tangible trust in God and a commitment to living according to His will. [51:44]
Bible passage: James 2:17-18 - "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: How can you adjust your daily routine or budget this week to better reflect your commitment to God's kingdom?
Day 5: Community's Role in Spiritual Transformation
Living out a crucified life is a communal endeavor. Our church community plays a vital role in supporting each other through encouragement and accountability. This support is indispensable as we pursue deeper conformity to Jesus. By actively participating in our faith community, we not only receive support but also provide it, fostering a nurturing environment for spiritual growth and transformation. [01:06:20]
Bible passage: Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you engage more actively in your church community to both give and receive support in your spiritual journey?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Every man dies, but not every man truly lives. Every one of us dies, but not every one of us truly lives." [37:12]
2. "It's a really good movie. It starts out with a bunch of animals who are supposed to be wild, but they live in a zoo. And everybody who comes to see these animals are just in awe of these powerful, exotic creatures. Of course, everyone's favorite is the lion. And every time the lion roars, the children giggle and go crazy. And most of these animals love their lives. They're very well taken care of. The trainers wail them hand and foot. They have everything they could ever need or want. And even though their habitats are designed to look like the wild, they're actually living very safe and very comfortable lives." [01:02:41]
3. "Are you tired of being in bondage to whatever is imprisoning you today? Bitterness towards somebody that hurts you maybe? A trap of pornography, drugs, or alcohol? The feeling that you never measure up? Feeling like you're doomed to repeat the mistakes of the generations of the family that came before you? Friends, that is no way to live and you don't have to live that way. Jesus came to set you free from that." [01:04:31]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Every record is erased. Every slate is cleaned. When you're crucified with Christ, that means you're dead to all your past, and all of your past is dead to you. The only way to live is to believe and understand and know that you have died to a sinful past." [54:23]
2. "The Christian life is not about us living for Jesus. It's about Jesus living in us. It's about doing what John the Baptist said, I must decrease that he must increase. It's not thinking less of ourselves, it's thinking of ourselves less." [55:09]
3. "You see, when we accept the fact that Jesus physically died on the cross for our sins, that moment, you spiritually die with him on the cross. We die when we accept Jesus Christ. Everything we were, everything we used to be, everything in our past, every sin, every failure, every mistake, every regret, we die with him on the cross." [44:54]
4. "Now, I want you to think, what area are you struggling with? What areas are you dragging around an old corpse with you? Crucifixion hurts. But it's necessary to live the life that Jesus died to give us. Dying to self is extremely hard. Because when you die to yourself, that means everybody else comes first." [52:42]
5. "And so we pray, Holy Spirit, that you will do what only you can do today. That you will save souls. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen. If the Spirit of the Lord is speaking to you and you would like to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, you want to crucify yourself. You want to start this process that I've been telling you about." [01:06:59]
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