Embracing the Crucified Life: Surrendering to God's Will

Summary

Today, we gathered in the shadow of tragedy and the reminder of life’s fragility, reflecting on the reality that none of us know when our time will come. In the face of such uncertainty, the call is clear: respond to God’s voice today, not hardening our hearts, for tomorrow is not promised. God, in His love, has provided a way of escape from judgment through Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty we deserved. For those who have not yet said yes to Christ, the invitation is urgent and real. But for those who have already believed, the question becomes: what’s next?

The answer is the crucified life—a life surrendered, not to our own desires, but to the will of God. This is not an optional extra for the Christian; it is the expectation of Christ for all who follow Him. To live the crucified life is to daily say yes to God and no to the flesh, to lay down our plans and ambitions in favor of His. It is a life marked by continual surrender, where our freedom in Christ is not a license to indulge the flesh, but an empowerment to obey God and serve others in love.

This surrender is not easy. It means dying to self, to the world, and to the old patterns that once defined us. Yet, it is rooted in the overwhelming love of Christ, who gave Himself for us while we were still His enemies. The love of Christ compels us—not as a mere feeling, but as a force that moves us to action, to live in response to the cross. Our love for God must be more than words; it must be self-giving, just as His love was for us.

Being made new in Christ means we no longer live as we once did. The Holy Spirit transforms our desires, our ethics, and our identity. We are called to see others not by their outward actions, but by their spiritual condition, nurturing their identity in Christ even as they are still in process. The journey of sanctification is ongoing; the old man still tries to assert himself, but we press on, daily choosing to crucify the flesh and walk by the Spirit.

Ultimately, the crucified life is sustained not just by obedience, but by love—by a deepening understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and a growing affection for Him. As we yield more and more to the Spirit, saying yes to God becomes less of a burden and more of a joy. May we be a people who, in response to the love of Christ, choose daily to live the crucified life.

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Key Takeaways

- Life’s Fragility and the Urgency of Surrender: The unpredictability of life and the certainty of death remind us that today is the day to respond to God’s call. We do not control the timing of our end, but we can control our response to Christ’s invitation. Delaying surrender is a dangerous gamble, for after death, there are no more chances to say yes to Him. [02:00]

- The Crucified Life Is Not Optional: For those who profess faith in Christ, living the crucified life—dying to self and submitting to God’s will—is not a suggestion but an expectation. Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him, making surrender a daily, non-negotiable practice. This is the only path to true spiritual growth and maturity. [10:15]

- Freedom in Christ Means Freedom to Obey: The freedom Christ gives is not a license to indulge the flesh, but the power to obey God and serve others in love. True freedom is found in dying to the deeds of the flesh and living by the Spirit, which includes putting to death not just obvious sins but also attitudes, ambitions, and attachments that do not align with God’s will. [13:25]

- Love as the Compelling Force for Surrender: The crucified life is sustained not merely by duty or obedience, but by a deep conviction of Christ’s self-giving love. When the reality of the cross grips our hearts, it compels us to respond with self-giving love in return—laying down our lives, enduring hardship, and persevering in faith, not out of obligation but out of gratitude and affection. [25:05]

- Seeing Others Through Spiritual Eyes: As new creations in Christ, we are called to see people not by their outward actions or status, but by their spiritual condition and potential in Christ. This perspective fosters compassion over judgment, protects the church from deception, and enables us to nurture others in their journey, recognizing that sanctification is a process and that our identity is rooted in Christ, not in titles or performance. [46:07]

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Opening Reflections on Tragedy and Life’s Fragility
[02:00] - The Urgency of Responding to God’s Call
[04:20] - What’s Next After Salvation?
[07:21] - Defining the Crucified Life
[10:15] - The Expectation of Surrender
[11:20] - Freedom in Christ: Not a License to Sin
[13:25] - Dying to the Deeds of the Flesh
[15:12] - The Cost and Reward of Letting Go
[18:31] - Personal Testimony: Transformation Through Surrender
[20:39] - The Love of Christ Compels Us
[25:05] - Love in Action: Responding to the Cross
[33:49] - New Creation: Living Out Our New Identity
[42:49] - Avoiding Deception: Looking Beyond Outward Appearances
[46:07] - Nurturing Others in Their Spiritual Journey
[50:00] - Pressing On: Sanctification as a Process
[51:38] - Daily Surrender and the Role of the Holy Spirit
[53:48] - Obedience Rooted in Love
[55:26] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living the Crucified Life

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### Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (ESV)
> For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
> From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.
> Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, what is supposed to “control” or “compel” us as believers? What is the reason Paul gives for this?
2. In verse 17, what does Paul say happens to someone who is “in Christ”? What does it mean for the “old” to pass away and the “new” to come?
3. The sermon said, “The crucified life is the expectation of Christ for those who profess to follow him. It is not optional.” What does this mean in practical terms? [[10:15]]
4. The pastor described how Paul’s perspective on people changed after he met Christ. What does it mean to “regard no one according to the flesh”? [[33:49]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that “the love of Christ compels us—not as a mere feeling, but as a force that moves us to action.” How is this different from just obeying out of duty? [[20:39]]
2. What does it look like in real life to “no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised”? How might this challenge our personal plans or ambitions? [[07:21]]
3. The pastor talked about seeing others “not by their outward actions, but by their spiritual condition.” Why is this important for how we relate to people inside and outside the church? [[33:49]]
4. The sermon said, “Being made new in Christ means we no longer live as we once did. The Holy Spirit transforms our desires, our ethics, and our identity.” What are some signs that this transformation is happening? [[33:49]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon opened with a reminder that “life is fragile” and that “today is the day to respond to God’s call.” Is there an area of your life where you’ve been putting off surrendering to God? What’s holding you back? [[00:20]]
2. The pastor said, “The crucified life is not optional. It is the expectation of Christ for those who profess to follow him.” What is one area where you sense God is asking you to lay down your will for his? What would it look like to say “yes” to God in that area this week? [[10:15]]
3. The sermon challenged us that “freedom in Christ is not a license to indulge the flesh, but an empowerment to obey God and serve others in love.” Are there any attitudes, ambitions, or attachments in your life that you need to “put to death” right now? How can you take a step toward that this week? [[13:25]]
4. The pastor shared that “the love of Christ compels us” and that our love for God must be more than words. What is one practical way you can show self-giving love to someone this week, in response to Christ’s love for you? [[25:05]]
5. The sermon talked about seeing others through spiritual eyes, not just by their actions. Is there someone in your life you tend to judge by their behavior? How could you begin to see and treat them differently, in light of their spiritual condition or potential in Christ? [[33:49]]
6. The pastor said, “The journey of sanctification is ongoing; the old man still tries to assert himself, but we press on, daily choosing to crucify the flesh and walk by the Spirit.” What is one daily practice or prayer that could help you surrender to the Holy Spirit this week? [[51:38]]
7. The sermon ended with this: “As we yield more and more to the Spirit, saying yes to God becomes less of a burden and more of a joy.” Have you experienced this in your own walk with God? If so, share a story. If not, what is one thing you could try this week to move in that direction? [[53:48]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to surrender, for the Spirit’s help to live the crucified life, and for eyes to see others as Christ does.

Devotional

Day 1: Life is Fragile—Respond to God’s Call Today
Life is unpredictable and fragile, and none of us knows when our time on earth will end. The reality of tragedy and loss in the world reminds us that we do not control the number of our days, but we do have the opportunity to respond to God’s invitation while we still have breath. Scripture urges us not to harden our hearts when we hear God’s voice, because after this life, there are no more chances to say yes to Christ. Today is the day to respond, to surrender, and to accept the love and salvation God offers through Jesus. [01:40]

Psalm 95:7-8 (ESV)
“For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness.”

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you sense God calling you to respond or surrender, but you’ve been putting it off? What would it look like to say “yes” to Him today, before another day passes?


Day 2: The Crucified Life—Saying Yes to God’s Will Over Your Own
To follow Jesus is to embrace the crucified life: dying to your own desires and self-interest, and choosing daily to say yes to God’s will, even when it means letting go of your own plans. This is not an optional part of discipleship, but the expectation for every believer. Jesus made it clear that following Him means denying yourself, taking up your cross, and surrendering your will to His, trusting that His plans are better than your own. [10:15]

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 specific area where your will and God’s will are in conflict? What step can you take today to surrender that area and trust God’s plan over your own?


Day 3: Compelled by Christ’s Love—Let Love Motivate Your Obedience
The love of Christ is not just a feeling but a powerful, self-giving action that compels us to respond in kind. When we truly grasp that Jesus died in our place, taking the penalty we deserved, our obedience and surrender become acts of gratitude and love, not just duty. The crucified life is sustained not merely by willpower, but by a deepening understanding of Christ’s sacrificial love, which motivates us to lay down our lives for Him in return. [25:05]

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV)
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

Reflection: How does remembering Christ’s self-giving love for you change your motivation to obey Him? What is one way you can let love, rather than obligation, drive your actions today?


Day 4: You Are a New Creation—Live Out Your New Identity
When you place your faith in Christ, you are made new—your old self is gone, and you are given a new identity and new desires through the Holy Spirit. This transformation is both immediate and ongoing, as you learn to put off the old ways and live according to your new life in Christ. Seeing yourself and others through this lens changes how you relate, offering compassion instead of judgment and nurturing the identity God has given, even as you and others are still in process. [33:49]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Reflection: In what ways are you still living out of your old identity? What is one practical way you can embrace and act on your new identity in Christ today?


Day 5: Surrender to the Holy Spirit—Press On in the Crucified Life
Though you have been made new, the old self still tries to assert itself, and living the crucified life requires daily surrender to the Holy Spirit. This is a process of pressing on, choosing each day to yield your desires, habits, and attitudes to God, trusting that the Spirit will empower you to walk in godliness. It’s not always easy, but as you grow in love and devotion, surrender becomes more natural, and your life increasingly reflects Christ’s own. [51:38]

Galatians 5:16, 24-25 (ESV)
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. … And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

Reflection: What is one desire or habit you need to surrender to the Holy Spirit today? How can you intentionally invite the Spirit’s help to walk in newness of life?

Quotes

Life is interesting. Certainly fragile, right? And death is kind of on its own clock, God's clock, but definitely not our clock, right? Which means we don't really know when that day might come. We don't really know when death's door may start knocking at our door. This is one of the reasons why we constantly remember what the 95 Psalm says, right? Today, if you hear the voice of the Lord, do not harden your heart. Because at the end of the day, none of us know when that death clock's going to hit midnight. [00:01:39] (47 seconds)  #embracingGodsTiming Edit Clip

The crucified life is the expectation of Christ for those who profess to follow him. It is the expectation. It is not optional. It is not a suggestion. It is not a if you want to. It is his expectation that those who profess with their mouth to be followers of Christ, that they would be people who are willing to lay down their will for his will. [00:10:27] (25 seconds)  #crucifiedLifeIsExpectation Edit Clip

Trying to do your own thing and hold on to your own way is not the way to peace and prosperity. It's surrender to the Lord because in his plans for you is blessed, not your plans. Right? Trying to hold on to it is not the way. You can't try to hold on to it and have Christ. Right? It is a releasing of it in Christ that now allows you to fully receive the abundant life. [00:14:44] (24 seconds)  #surrenderUnlocksAbundance Edit Clip

He gave himself to be crucified and we give ourselves to be crucified. This is what Romans 12 2 was teaching. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as what? Living in holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship. This is how we repay it. This is why we live the crucified life. [00:27:11] (23 seconds)  #endureForChrist Edit Clip

Just because we are changed don't mean we have obtained it yet. Instead, we are pressing to obtain it. Paul says in Philippians 3, 12, not that I have already grasped it or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that which I have even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Notice what he says. I want to take hold of that which I already have. I press forward to take hold of that which I already have. What do I already have? Salvation. What do I already have? Newness in Christ. What do I already have? Reconciliation. What do I already have? Identity with Christ. And so now I press on to take hold of it. What does that mean? To make it actual in my life. The new creation has to be taken hold of, right? Which means we must press to make it a reality. And that press is what is the crucified life. [00:50:08] (54 seconds)  #dailyYieldingStruggle Edit Clip

To live the crucified life, we must live a life, therefore, surrendered to the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5, 16. But I say walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify or carry out the desires of your flesh. The Spirit of God leads us to this crucified life. In other words, I'll never live the crucified life unless I live a surrendered life to the Holy Spirit. [00:51:38] (18 seconds)  #loveSustainsObedience Edit Clip

I've got to wake up every day willing to yield whatever it is that my desire is are to the Lord. And it's not going to be easy. I'm never going, I'm not going to sit up here and lie to you. That's why it's crucifixion. It ain't going to be easy. And sometimes you're going to not do it right. Right? And sometimes you're going to be like, I thought I put that on the altar already. Well, last season you did, but this season is back. And now I got to put it back on the altar again. [00:53:26] (25 seconds) Edit Clip