Embracing the Paradox of the Crucified Life
Summary
In my sermon, I began by greeting the congregation at Kingsford on Resurrection Sunday, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of the Christian life, particularly the concept of the crucified life. I explained that to gain life, we must give it up, and to live, Christ had to die. This paradox is evident in the life of biblical figures like Joseph, whose early hardships were preparation for greater things. I then invited the congregation to stand and read with me from Galatians 2:19-21, highlighting the tension between the law and grace, and the centrality of Christ in our lives.
I continued by discussing the importance of individuality in our walk with Christ. While we are called to imitate Christ, we each have a unique identity that the Spirit shapes into a crucified existence. I stressed that the Spirit-filled life is not a merger of our identity with Christ's but rather a takeover, where we maintain our individuality.
I shared a story about a young man named Helton from Maluku, Indonesia, who, after surviving a civil war, realized that his desire to die for Christ was misplaced. Instead, he learned that living for Christ daily was what truly mattered. This led him to Bible school and eventually to driving a church vehicle, a role he embraced as living for Christ.
I then addressed the dangers of the "Pope within" – the tendency to prioritize our happiness over holiness. I recounted a conversation with an older church member who realized that seeking happiness outside of his marriage was not the answer. Instead, he learned that holiness and self-sacrifice within marriage reflect Christ's love for the church.
Next, I warned against the "Messiah within" – the temptation to see ourselves as superheroes because of God's work in our lives. I used the example of the Apostle Paul, who, despite his significant contributions to the early church, recognized that he was crucified with Christ and lived by faith.
I also cautioned against losing our intentionality and power of choice in our walk with Christ. I shared an anecdote about a church member who believed God chose the colors for her apartment walls, illustrating the danger of forfeiting our responsibility to make decisions.
I concluded with a call to embrace the "Christ within" and the servant mindset, sharing a personal story about meeting my future father-in-law and the humility required in that situation. I emphasized that the resurrected life often presents itself at inconvenient times, challenging us to respond with grace and servanthood.
Finally, I closed the sermon with a prayer, asking God to help us live the crucified life intentionally, choosing daily to die to the law and live for Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Christian life is filled with paradoxes that challenge our understanding of gain and loss. Just as Christ's death brought life, our own crucified life in Him brings true abundance. This paradox is not a cause for confusion but an invitation to deeper faith and reliance on God's wisdom. [02:06]
2. Our individuality is not lost in Christ; rather, it is shaped and directed by the Holy Spirit. The crucified life does not mean the erasure of our identity but the transformation of it, as we intentionally choose to live for God and align our desires with His. [05:18]
3. Living for Christ is not about achieving status or recognition but about faithfully taking the next step, whatever that may look like. Helton's story reminds us that every role, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can be an expression of living for Christ when done with the right heart. [37:02]
4. Holiness, not happiness, is the goal of the Christian life. As we pursue holiness, we often find that true happiness follows. This principle applies to all areas of life, including marriage, where self-sacrifice and love reflect the nature of Christ's relationship with the church. [29:23]
5. Embracing the servant within is essential to living out the resurrected life. We must be willing to take the back seat and serve others, even in challenging circumstances. This servant mindset is not a loss but a gain, as it aligns us with Christ's example and brings glory to God. [42:05]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Galatians 2:19-21
- Philippians 2:5-8
- Ephesians 5:25-27
#### Observation Questions
1. In Galatians 2:19-21, how does Paul describe his relationship with the law and with Christ?
2. What does Philippians 2:5-8 tell us about Christ's attitude and actions?
3. According to Ephesians 5:25-27, how is Christ's love for the church described, and what is its purpose?
4. In the sermon, what was the significance of the story about Helton from Maluku, Indonesia? [37:02]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "die to the law" as Paul describes in Galatians 2:19? How does this concept apply to our daily lives?
2. How does the example of Christ's humility in Philippians 2:5-8 challenge our understanding of leadership and servanthood?
3. In what ways does the pursuit of holiness, as described in Ephesians 5:25-27, differ from the pursuit of happiness? How can this perspective change our approach to relationships, especially marriage? [29:23]
4. Reflecting on the sermon, how can the "Pope within" and the "Messiah within" hinder our spiritual growth and relationship with Christ? [22:06] [32:45]
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized the paradox of the Christian life, where gain comes through loss. Can you identify a recent situation where you experienced this paradox? How did it affect your faith? [01:03]
2. How can you intentionally choose to live a crucified life in your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to align your desires with God's will? [06:18]
3. Helton's story highlighted the importance of living for Christ in every role, no matter how insignificant it may seem. What is one role or task in your life that you can approach with a renewed sense of purpose for Christ? [37:02]
4. The sermon discussed the danger of prioritizing happiness over holiness. In what areas of your life might you be tempted to seek happiness at the expense of holiness? How can you shift your focus? [29:23]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt the temptation to act as a "Messiah" in your own life or in the lives of others. How can you practice humility and reliance on Christ instead? [32:45]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of maintaining our power of choice and intentionality in our walk with Christ. What is one decision you need to make this week that requires intentionality and faith? [10:17]
7. Embracing the servant mindset is crucial to living out the resurrected life. Identify a specific situation where you can serve others this week, even if it is inconvenient. How can you prepare your heart to respond with grace and humility? [42:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Paradox of Gain in Loss
The Christian journey is marked by a profound paradox where true life is found in the act of surrendering it. This concept is mirrored in the death and resurrection of Christ, who exemplified the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of humanity's redemption. Believers are called to embrace this paradox, understanding that in letting go of their lives, they gain a richer, more abundant life in Christ. This is not a contradiction but a divine mystery that invites believers to trust in God's greater plan and wisdom. The paradox of gain in loss is a cornerstone of faith, teaching that in dying to oneself, one truly begins to live. [02:06]
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25 ESV)
Reflection: How might "dying to self" manifest in your daily routines, and what specific steps can you take to live out this paradox of gain in loss?
Day 2: Individuality in Christ
While the Christian life calls for imitation of Christ, it does not demand the loss of one's unique identity. Instead, the Holy Spirit works within each person to shape and mold their individuality into a life that reflects Christ's sacrificial love. This transformation is not about becoming a clone of Christ but about allowing the Spirit to guide one's unique talents, experiences, and personality towards a purpose that serves God's kingdom. The crucified life is thus a journey of becoming more like Christ while also becoming more truly oneself, as God intended. [05:18]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you allow the Holy Spirit to further shape your individuality to better reflect Christ's character?
Day 3: Faithfulness in the Mundane
Living for Christ is not about grand gestures or seeking recognition; it is found in the faithfulness of everyday actions and decisions. The story of Helton from Maluku illustrates that even the most mundane tasks, when done with a heart for Christ, are significant in God's eyes. This perspective shifts the focus from seeking status to seeking servitude, recognizing that every role and every act of service is an opportunity to live out one's faith and bring glory to God. [37:02]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
Reflection: What is one ordinary task you can approach differently today to serve as an act of worship and faithfulness to Christ?
Day 4: Pursuit of Holiness Over Happiness
The goal of the Christian life is holiness, not happiness. This pursuit often leads to a deeper, more lasting joy that is rooted in the character and love of Christ. The call to holiness is a call to reflect God's nature in every aspect of life, including relationships like marriage, where self-sacrifice and commitment mirror Christ's love for the church. As believers prioritize holiness, they find that happiness is not the goal but a byproduct of a life lived in alignment with God's will. [29:23]
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." (1 Peter 1:14-15 ESV)
Reflection: How can you prioritize holiness in a specific relationship or area of your life today, and what practical steps will you take to do so?
Day 5: Embracing Servanthood in Inconvenience
The resurrected life calls believers to embrace a servant mindset, often at times that are least convenient. This mindset is not about self-deprecation but about aligning with Christ's example of humility and service to others. By choosing to serve, even when it is challenging, believers demonstrate the transformative power of the resurrection in their lives. This servant mindset is a testament to the grace and love of Christ, which compels us to put others first and glorify God through our actions. [42:05]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3 ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you can practice servanthood today, and what specific action will you take to demonstrate humility and service?
Quotes
1) "In order to have more, we need to give. That's a paradox. In order to live, Christ needs to die. When Christ has risen from the grave, it's so that we can then live the crucified life. So, we recognize that life is full of... paradoxes." [01:03]
2) "The Spirit-filled life, life in Christ is not a merger. Even though we see two personalities here, I and Christ, it's not a merger... Paul is serious, and he means it, that this is not a merger, this is a takeover. It's a takeover without each of us losing our individuality and our personality." [06:18]
3) "Do not lose sight of your power of choice. Because without that power of choice, we cannot live in Christ... God always gives us the opportunity to take the initiative... You and I, we're not the finished article... It's not about God taking us to the finish line straight away. It's about God causing us to grow." [10:17]
4) "The life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and died for me... This young boy and all the young men, like all other young men in Maluku at that time, they were just being conscripted and sent to fight... But this boy, his name was Helton, he always wanted to go back to fight for Christ." [36:34]
5) "If you seek holiness, there is a high possibility you will ultimately find happiness. That's the reason why Paul says, it's not a bad deal for me to die to the law. Because I can't keep up with this anymore. I just want to live for God. That makes me holy. Just focused on God." [31:37]
6) "Our greatest enemy, as we live in the resurrection power of Jesus, is not Satan. At the cross, he was defeated. Our greatest enemy is ourselves... If you put yourself above your spouse, you are creating a Pope mentality in your mind that, that person has to serve you." [23:06]
7) "Embrace the Christ within. And who is the Christ within? Paul writes in Philippians, though Christ Jesus, he was the Son of God, did not deem equality with God something to be grasped onto, but emptied himself and took on the form of a servant, even as a man, lived a life of obedience." [42:05]
8) "The resurrected life crops up at inconvenient moments... But the resurrected life, the power comes at the wrong time... Christ Jesus, that's exactly how he lived his life. He emptied himself and took on the form of a servant. And at that point, being a servant meant a different application." [47:35]
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