Embracing Transformation: Finding Hope and Freedom in Christ
Summary
As we gather at the start of a new year, it's a time to reflect on the fresh beginnings God offers us not just annually, but daily. God’s plan for each of us in 2025 is to mold us into the image of Jesus, finding our hope, freedom, and rest in Him amidst life's struggles. We live in a broken world, and navigating it requires us to find sufficiency in Christ. David Ellis, our junior high youth pastor, shared his story of brokenness and finding hope in Jesus, illustrating the universal struggle with sin and the need for grace.
We embark on a three-month series on the book of Exodus, a story of deliverance from bondage through a savior, Moses, which parallels our deliverance from sin through Jesus. The Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom is a picture of the gospel, showing us that we, too, are born into the slavery of sin. Yet, God hears our cries, sees our suffering, and cares deeply for us. We cannot rescue ourselves; we need a Savior. Jesus came to rescue us from the penalty of sin and to set us free from its bondage.
To grow closer to Jesus in 2025, we must be intentional in our spiritual practices. Developing a daily devotional life, participating in discipleship classes, engaging in fasting, or joining regeneration groups are ways to deepen our relationship with Christ. These practices help us experience His grace and sufficiency, molding us into His likeness. As we move forward, let us be intentional in pursuing Jesus, trusting that He is with us every step of the way.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Plan for Transformation: God’s plan for us in 2025 is to mold us into the image of Jesus, finding hope, freedom, and rest in Him. This transformation is a daily journey, requiring us to seek His presence and guidance continually. [35:29]
2. The Story of Exodus as a Gospel Parallel: The book of Exodus is a powerful narrative of deliverance from bondage, mirroring our spiritual journey from sin to freedom through Jesus. It reminds us that God raises saviors to lead us out of slavery, just as He sent Jesus to rescue us. [44:02]
3. Recognizing Our Inability to Rescue Ourselves: We cannot save ourselves from the bondage of sin; we need a Savior. This realization is crucial for experiencing the sufficiency of Christ and His grace, leading us to surrender and seek His strength. [01:01:57]
4. Suffering as a Catalyst for Seeking a Savior: God uses suffering and brokenness to draw us closer to Him, helping us recognize our need for a Savior. This process humbles us and prepares our hearts to receive His grace and deliverance. [01:04:29]
5. Practical Steps to Deepen Our Relationship with Jesus: To grow spiritually in 2025, we must be intentional in our practices, such as daily devotionals, discipleship classes, fasting, and regeneration groups. These disciplines help us experience Christ's grace and freedom more fully. [01:10:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [35:29] - God's Plan for 2025
- [36:39] - David Ellis' Testimony
- [44:02] - Introduction to Exodus
- [45:14] - Historical Context of Exodus
- [47:02] - Oppression of the Israelites
- [48:06] - Pharaoh's Drastic Measures
- [49:38] - Birth and Adoption of Moses
- [51:14] - Moses' Identity and Actions
- [52:43] - Moses Flees to Midian
- [53:27] - God's Concern for Israel
- [54:49] - The Gospel in Exodus
- [55:48] - Slavery of Sin
- [58:40] - The Bondage of Sin
- [01:00:25] - God's Hearing and Caring
- [01:01:57] - Our Inability to Rescue Ourselves
- [01:03:00] - Surrender and Submission
- [01:04:29] - Suffering and Seeking a Savior
- [01:05:47] - Jesus as Our Savior
- [01:10:03] - Practical Steps for 2025
- [01:11:17] - Fasting and Spiritual Discipline
- [01:13:06] - Intentional Pursuit of Jesus
- [01:14:07] - Closing Prayer and Worship
- [01:19:21] - Community and Next Steps
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Exodus 1:5-14
- Exodus 2:1-10
- John 8:34
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Observation Questions:
1. What circumstances led the Israelites into slavery in Egypt, and how did their situation change over time? ([47:02])
2. How did God respond to the cries of the Israelites in their suffering, according to Exodus 2? ([54:49])
3. What actions did Moses take when he saw the oppression of his people, and what were the consequences of those actions? ([51:14])
4. How does Jesus describe the nature of sin in John 8:34, and what does this imply about our spiritual condition? ([55:48])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the story of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt serve as a parallel to the Christian experience of salvation through Jesus? ([44:02])
2. How does recognizing our inability to rescue ourselves from sin change our perspective on the need for a Savior? ([01:01:57])
3. What role does suffering play in drawing individuals closer to God, according to the sermon? How might this be seen in personal experiences? ([01:04:29])
4. How can the practices of daily devotionals, fasting, and participation in discipleship groups help believers grow closer to Jesus in 2025? ([01:10:03])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt trapped by a particular sin. How did you seek freedom, and what role did your faith play in that process? ([55:48])
2. Consider the story of Moses and the Israelites. How can you apply the lessons of patience and trust in God's timing to a current situation in your life? ([54:49])
3. What specific steps can you take to develop a more consistent devotional life this year? How might this impact your relationship with Jesus? ([01:10:03])
4. Identify an area of your life where you feel self-sufficient. How might God be using challenges in this area to draw you closer to Him? ([01:04:29])
5. How can you incorporate fasting or another spiritual discipline into your routine to deepen your faith? What might you need to sacrifice to make this happen? ([01:11:17])
6. Think about someone in your life who is struggling with sin or brokenness. How can you support them in finding hope and freedom in Jesus? ([01:05:47])
7. As you look forward to 2025, what is one intentional step you can take to pursue Jesus more wholeheartedly? How will you hold yourself accountable to this commitment? ([01:13:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Daily Transformation into Christ's Image
God's plan for us in 2025 is to mold us into the image of Jesus, finding hope, freedom, and rest in Him. This transformation is not a one-time event but a daily journey that requires us to seek His presence and guidance continually. As we navigate the challenges of life, we are reminded that our ultimate goal is to reflect Christ in our thoughts, actions, and character. This process involves surrendering our own desires and allowing God to shape us according to His will. By doing so, we find true fulfillment and purpose in our lives. [35:29]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you can intentionally seek to reflect Christ's image more clearly today?
Day 2: Exodus as a Mirror of Our Spiritual Journey
The book of Exodus is a powerful narrative of deliverance from bondage, mirroring our spiritual journey from sin to freedom through Jesus. Just as the Israelites were led out of slavery by Moses, we are led out of the bondage of sin by Jesus. This story reminds us that God hears our cries and sees our suffering, and He raises saviors to lead us to freedom. Our journey involves recognizing our need for deliverance and trusting in God's plan for our salvation. [44:02]
"For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." (Deuteronomy 20:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you see your own spiritual journey reflected in the story of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt?
Day 3: Acknowledging Our Need for a Savior
We cannot save ourselves from the bondage of sin; we need a Savior. This realization is crucial for experiencing the sufficiency of Christ and His grace. By acknowledging our inability to rescue ourselves, we open our hearts to surrender and seek His strength. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of our dependence on God's power and love. It is through this dependence that we find true freedom and peace. [01:01:57]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to rescue yourself from challenges or sins, and how can you invite Jesus to be your Savior in those areas today?
Day 4: Suffering as a Pathway to Grace
God uses suffering and brokenness to draw us closer to Him, helping us recognize our need for a Savior. This process humbles us and prepares our hearts to receive His grace and deliverance. Through our struggles, we learn to rely on God's strength and find comfort in His presence. Suffering becomes a catalyst for spiritual growth, leading us to a deeper understanding of God's love and mercy. [01:04:29]
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: How has a recent experience of suffering or brokenness drawn you closer to God, and what have you learned about His grace through it?
Day 5: Intentional Spiritual Practices for Growth
To grow spiritually in 2025, we must be intentional in our practices, such as daily devotionals, discipleship classes, fasting, and regeneration groups. These disciplines help us experience Christ's grace and freedom more fully. By committing to these practices, we create space for God to work in our lives and transform us into His likeness. This intentional pursuit of Jesus requires dedication and perseverance, but the rewards are immeasurable as we grow closer to Him. [01:10:03]
"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What specific spiritual practice can you commit to this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus, and how will you incorporate it into your daily routine?
Quotes
That he wants to mold us and conform us into the image of Jesus. So at the end of 2025, we reflect Jesus more than we do now. And also part of that plan is that we would find our hope, our freedom, our rest in Jesus. That we would find him to be enough as we navigate through life's struggles. [00:35:53] (27 seconds)
And so, the book of Exodus, when we see it in the biblical narrative, is a picture of the gospel. It helps us to understand the gospel. It points to our savior, Jesus. And so, we're going to read through Exodus. Exodus 1, Exodus 2 this morning. And as I read, I want you to zero in and focus on where we see the slavery of the Israelites. [00:45:48] (29 seconds)
God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. So, God looked on the Israelites and he was concerned about them. Here we see God's entering into the story. We see how God is part of the equation. And I want you to see that God heard the groaning of the Israelites. [00:54:24] (25 seconds)
One, you and I need to recognize this morning that we were born into the slavery of sin. And this imagery is spoken about by Jesus in John 8, verse 34. Jesus replied, very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. So, everyone who sins. How many individuals in here have sinned? [00:55:48] (27 seconds)
So, all of us have sinned. And Jesus said, everyone who sins is a slave to sin, which means all of us in this room are a slave to sin. It speaks to, the bondage that is connected to sin. It speaks to the addictive nature of sin. I've heard it said that sin will cost you more than you want to pay. [00:56:46] (30 seconds)
You and I need to understand this morning that the problem that we have is that we've been born into the slavery of sin. The problem is not our circumstances. The problem is not the suffering. David was open and honest about the brokenness, the suffering in his life related to the redemption of his life. [00:59:10] (21 seconds)
This, again, is the story of the Israelites. Even though there was many, many Israelites, biblical scholars estimate that there might have been two million individuals with women and children at this point. They weren't in a position where they had the ability, where they had the ability to overcome the Egyptians and their army. [01:01:57] (23 seconds)
Jesus came to rescue us from the penalty of sin, from God's judgment, from God's wrath, from spending eternity in hell. You and I could not rescue ourselves, but praise God that Jesus came, paid the penalty for our sins, so that through putting our faith in him, we could be forgiven, we could have eternal life, we could be part of God's family. [01:05:47] (26 seconds)
But practically how do we do that before I get to the practical I want again come back and I want you to help you to see that what we walk through here is the framework of the gospel it's what you and I need to keep coming back to every single day that we've been born into the slavery of sin that we can't rescue ourselves but praise god we have a god who cares who loves us you and who sent jesus to rescue us and because you and I struggle with sin every single day you and I need to come back to the truth and find our freedom and hope in jesus and the gospel. [01:10:03] (34 seconds)
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