Embracing Worthiness and Transformation Through Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that our worthiness is not determined by our past, our behavior, or our perceived shortcomings, but by the worthiness of Jesus Christ. Many of us struggle with feelings of unworthiness, believing that we are not deserving of God's love. However, through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, we are invited to boldly approach God, knowing that Jesus is our worthiness. This truth liberates us from the chains of shame and guilt, allowing us to fully experience God's love and presence.
We also discussed the importance of living a life fully surrendered to Jesus, embracing the process of sanctification. Sanctification is not a destination but a journey of transformation into the image of Christ. It requires us to jump into the deep waters of faith, rather than tentatively stepping in. This involves making the most of every opportunity, living wisely among those who do not yet know Christ, and arranging our lives around what matters most—Jesus.
The urgency of our current time, described as "kairos" time, calls us to act now, to live strategically and vitally for God's purposes. We are encouraged to stop waiting for ideal circumstances or feelings and to jump into the work of sanctification, trusting that God will meet us in our obedience and sacrifice. This involves a daily commitment to spiritual disciplines, community, and service, as we partner with God in the transformative work He desires to do in us.
Key Takeaways:
- Worthiness in Christ: Our worthiness is not based on our past or our actions but on Jesus' worthiness. His sacrifice and resurrection invite us to boldly approach God, breaking the chains of shame and guilt. Embrace this truth and experience the fullness of God's love. [27:46]
- Sanctification as a Journey: Sanctification is a continuous journey of transformation into Christ's image. It requires us to jump into the deep waters of faith, making the most of every opportunity and living wisely among unbelievers. [49:01]
- Urgency of Kairos Time: We live in a "kairos" time, an urgent and strategic moment to act. Stop waiting for ideal circumstances or feelings; jump into the work of sanctification, trusting that God will meet us in our obedience and sacrifice. [52:13]
- Arranging Life Around Jesus: Spiritual transformation requires arranging our lives around what matters most—Jesus. This involves daily spiritual disciplines, community, and service, as we partner with God in His transformative work. [01:01:08]
- Jumping in Despite Fear: We are called to jump into the work of sanctification despite fear, depression, or brokenness. Trust that God's love will drive out fear, His fullness will bring joy, and His power will heal and restore. [01:09:13]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:35] - Breaking the Chains of Unworthiness
[30:07] - Encountering God's Presence
[32:52] - Belong, Hope, Grow, Become
[35:32] - Next Steps and Community
[38:14] - Praying for the Church
[40:34] - Living Surrendered to Christ
[42:13] - The Journey of Sanctification
[44:45] - Jumping into Faith
[48:21] - Making the Most of Our Time
[51:35] - Understanding Kairos Time
[53:11] - The Call to Jump In
[55:40] - Our True Identity in Christ
[01:02:08] - Stop Waiting, Jump In
[01:09:13] - Embracing Transformation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Ephesians 5:16
Colossians 4:5
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, what does Paul pray for regarding the believers' sanctification? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on sanctification as a journey? [41:01]
2. In Ephesians 5:16, what does Paul instruct believers to do with their time, and how does this align with the sermon’s call to make the most of every opportunity? [50:16]
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of "kairos" time, and what significance does it hold for believers today? [52:13]
4. What imagery does the pastor use to describe the process of jumping into faith, and how does this relate to the idea of sanctification? [49:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding of worthiness in Christ, as discussed in the sermon, challenge common feelings of unworthiness among believers? [27:46]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between sanctification and living strategically in "kairos" time? How might this affect a believer's daily decisions? [52:13]
3. How does the pastor's analogy of jumping into cold water relate to the spiritual journey of sanctification? What might this suggest about the nature of spiritual growth? [49:56]
4. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to arrange their lives around Jesus, and what practical steps are suggested to achieve this? [01:01:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How can embracing the truth of worthiness in Christ change your perspective and actions this week? [27:46]
2. The sermon emphasizes the urgency of "kairos" time. What is one area of your life where you feel called to act with urgency for God's purposes? How can you take a step in that direction this week? [52:13]
3. Consider the pastor's challenge to "jump in" despite fear or hesitation. What is one area of your spiritual life where you have been hesitant to fully commit? What practical step can you take to jump in this week? [49:56]
4. The sermon discusses arranging life around Jesus through spiritual disciplines, community, and service. Identify one specific discipline or community activity you can incorporate into your routine to deepen your relationship with Christ. [01:01:08]
5. How can you make the most of your time and opportunities among those who do not yet know Christ? Identify one person or situation where you can live wisely and share Christ's love this week. [50:16]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of spiritual transformation not happening by accident. What is one change you can make in your daily or weekly routine to prioritize your spiritual growth? [01:01:08]
7. Reflect on the idea of jumping in despite fear, depression, or brokenness. What is one fear or challenge you face, and how can you trust God to meet you in your obedience and sacrifice? [01:09:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Worthiness Rooted in Christ
Our worthiness is not determined by our past actions or perceived shortcomings but is firmly rooted in the worthiness of Jesus Christ. Many struggle with feelings of unworthiness, believing they are undeserving of God's love. However, through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, we are invited to boldly approach God, knowing that Jesus is our worthiness. This truth liberates us from the chains of shame and guilt, allowing us to fully experience God's love and presence. Embracing this truth means accepting that our value is not self-derived but is a gift from Christ, freeing us to live confidently in His love. [27:46]
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)
Reflection: What past actions or perceived shortcomings are you allowing to define your worth? How can you begin to see yourself through the lens of Christ's worthiness today?
Day 2: The Ongoing Journey of Sanctification
Sanctification is a continuous journey of transformation into the image of Christ. It requires us to jump into the deep waters of faith, making the most of every opportunity and living wisely among unbelievers. This journey is not about reaching a final destination but about daily transformation and growth. It involves surrendering our lives to Jesus and allowing Him to mold us into His likeness. By embracing this process, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who guides us in living a life that reflects Christ's love and truth. [49:01]
"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: In what areas of your life do you feel hesitant to fully surrender to the process of sanctification? What steps can you take today to dive deeper into your faith journey?
Day 3: Embracing the Urgency of Kairos Time
We live in a "kairos" time, an urgent and strategic moment to act. This concept calls us to stop waiting for ideal circumstances or feelings and to jump into the work of sanctification, trusting that God will meet us in our obedience and sacrifice. The urgency of kairos time challenges us to live strategically and vitally for God's purposes, making the most of every opportunity to grow in faith and serve others. By recognizing the significance of this moment, we can align our lives with God's will and participate in His transformative work in the world. [52:13]
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: What opportunities are you currently overlooking because you are waiting for the "right" time? How can you begin to act on these opportunities today, trusting in God's timing?
Day 4: Arranging Life Around Jesus
Spiritual transformation requires arranging our lives around what matters most—Jesus. This involves daily spiritual disciplines, community, and service, as we partner with God in His transformative work. By prioritizing our relationship with Christ, we create a foundation for growth and transformation. This intentional arrangement of our lives allows us to experience the fullness of God's presence and to live out our faith in meaningful ways. As we commit to this process, we become more attuned to God's voice and more effective in our witness to others. [01:01:08]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: What daily habits or routines can you adjust to prioritize your relationship with Jesus? How can you incorporate community and service into your spiritual journey?
Day 5: Jumping in Despite Fear
We are called to jump into the work of sanctification despite fear, depression, or brokenness. Trust that God's love will drive out fear, His fullness will bring joy, and His power will heal and restore. This call to action encourages us to move beyond our comfort zones and to trust in God's ability to work through our weaknesses. By stepping out in faith, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love, which can bring healing and restoration to our lives. Embracing this call requires courage and trust, but it leads to a deeper experience of God's presence and purpose. [01:09:13]
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." (1 John 4:18, ESV)
Reflection: What fears or insecurities are holding you back from fully engaging in the work of sanctification? How can you begin to trust in God's love and power to overcome these obstacles today?
Quotes
1. "The fact is that Jesus, through His love and through His life and through His sacrifice and through His powerful miraculous being raised to life, made a way for you to come bold, boldly into the presence of God and say despite the lie of the enemy that I might be unworthy, Jesus is my worth. Jesus is my worthiness. Jesus qualifies me. Not my past, not my behavior, not my addiction, not my shame, not my sin. There's nothing that can keep me from the Father's love today." [27:09] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Our prayer for each person is that you would experience truly what it means to belong to family that you've been adopted in that's not our words that's the heart of the Father that's God's heart for each person is that you would find your identity as a daughter and as a son, that you would know you've been adopted into family and that really comes from a place of anchoring our lives to the hope of Jesus in a world desperate for answers desperate for encouragement desperate for purpose desperate for hope we will continue to unapologetically declare hope has a name his name is Jesus." [33:22] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The sanctifying work of our savior king is not so that you could be happy and hashtag blessed it isn't and it never will be the sanctifying work of Jesus is so that you would live surrendered to his authority empowered by his spirit equipped with the way and the truth and the life of scripture encouraged by the community of faith and then live wisely among unbelievers on mission strategic with the purposes and plans that God has for you to reach somebody else for his namesake." [52:55] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jump in afraid. Jump in depressed. Jump in broken. Jump in lonely. Jump in sick. Jump in addicted. Jump in tired. Jump in hurting. We need to stop waiting for the ideals. We need to stop waiting for the circumstances or emotional state or feeling to be transformed. Stop it. Jump in. Get off the ladder. Stop hoping for God to make the first move. But isn't he sovereign? Yes. But isn't he also both kind and clear in saying, you seek me. You find me. You search for me with your whole heart. You draw near to me, and then I'll draw near to you." [01:02:08] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Perhaps the most vibrant and significant transforming work we will ever experience takes place on the other side of our obedience and sacrifice to the slow, steady, often boring, disciplined, agricultural work of a life ordered and arranged around what matters most, Jesus. One more quote. Desire has its own rhythms. Sometimes it ebbs and sometimes it flows. But in the end, is the deepening of spiritual desire and the discipline to arrange our life around our desire that carries us from the shallow waters of superficial human wanting, into our soul's movement in the very depths of God." [01:03:06] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Are you willing to order and arrange your life around what matters most? Every day. Every day. Bible before phone. Boring. Prayer. Slow. Jump in anyways. Stop waiting for the ideal circumstances or emotional state or feeling or Holy Spirit goose bumps. Stop waiting. Get off the ladder and jump in. Every day. Every week. Sabbath rest. Discipline. Real friendship in a community of faith. Sacrifice. It's going to take sacrifice. Jump in anyways." [01:10:42] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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