Empowered by the Cross: Overcoming Through the Gospel
Summary
In this message, the focus is on the transformative power of the gospel and the cross of Christ. The central theme is the necessity of tapping into the power of God to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. The message begins with an acknowledgment of the joy and strength found in the Lord, as exemplified by faithful leaders like Pastor Joe and Nancy. This joy is a testament to the Spirit of God within them, sustaining them through years of ministry.
The message emphasizes the power inherent in the gospel, which is not just a theological concept but a living reality that believers can experience daily. The cross is portrayed as the ultimate source of power, capable of overcoming the temptations and challenges posed by the world, the flesh, and the devil. The speaker challenges the congregation to move beyond relying on human wisdom and to embrace the simplicity and power of the cross.
The message also addresses the fear of death, highlighting how Jesus' death and resurrection have destroyed the power of death and liberated believers from its fear. This liberation allows Christians to live boldly and confidently, knowing that death has no hold over them. The speaker encourages the congregation to live with the awareness that they are loved by God and that His power is available to them.
Furthermore, the message explores the internal struggle between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. It calls believers to recognize the Spirit's desires within them and to submit to these desires, allowing the Spirit to guide their lives. The cross is presented as the means by which believers can overcome their fleshly desires and live in the power of the Spirit.
Finally, the message concludes with a call to action, urging believers to rely on God's power to proclaim His word fearlessly. The speaker shares personal experiences of overcoming fear and self-consciousness through the power of God, encouraging the congregation to do the same. The message ends with an invitation for prayer and the laying on of hands, seeking a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit to empower believers for bold witness.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of the Gospel: The gospel is not just a theological concept but a living reality that empowers believers to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. Embracing the simplicity and power of the cross allows us to experience God's transformative power in our daily lives. [03:16]
2. Freedom from the Fear of Death: Jesus' death and resurrection have destroyed the power of death, liberating believers from its fear. This freedom enables us to live boldly and confidently, knowing that death has no hold over us. [10:33]
3. The Desires of the Spirit: The internal struggle between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit is real, but the cross empowers us to submit to the Spirit's desires. Recognizing and aligning with the Spirit's desires allows us to live in the fullness of God's power. [21:44]
4. The Sustaining Power of God: God is the sustainer of our connection and intimacy with Him. Understanding that He mediates our relationship with Him frees us from the burden of self-reliance and allows us to rest in His sustaining power. [32:44]
5. Bold Proclamation of the Word: God's power enables us to proclaim His word fearlessly, overcoming fear and self-consciousness. By focusing on God rather than ourselves, we can be bold witnesses of His love and truth. [39:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:40] - The Power of the Gospel
- [03:16] - Simplicity of the Cross
- [04:45] - Overcoming the World, Flesh, and Devil
- [06:52] - Relying on God's Power
- [08:36] - God's Will to Exercise Power
- [09:33] - Freedom from Fear of Death
- [10:33] - Living Boldly in Christ
- [13:13] - Embracing Our Inheritance
- [15:30] - The Power of the Cross
- [18:42] - Overcoming Accusation
- [21:44] - Desires of the Spirit
- [23:39] - Nearness to God
- [26:10] - Single-Minded Focus
- [28:07] - The Cross and Human Brokenness
- [31:51] - God as Sustainer
- [34:17] - Jesus as High Priest
- [39:01] - Bold Proclamation
- [41:20] - Call to Prayer and Ministry
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 1:17-18
- Hebrews 2:14-15
- Galatians 5:16-17
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, what is the significance of the cross in relation to human wisdom? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the power of the gospel? [03:16]
2. In Hebrews 2:14-15, what does it mean that Jesus destroyed the one who has the power of death? How does this passage connect to the sermon’s message about freedom from the fear of death? [10:33]
3. Galatians 5:16-17 speaks about the desires of the flesh and the Spirit. How does the sermon describe the internal struggle between these desires? [21:44]
4. What examples did the pastor give of relying on human wisdom instead of God's power, and how does this relate to the message of the cross? [06:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the power of the gospel as a living reality rather than just a theological concept? What implications does this have for daily Christian living? [01:40]
2. The sermon discusses the fear of death and how Jesus' resurrection liberates believers. How might this understanding change a believer's perspective on life and death? [10:33]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Holy Spirit in overcoming the desires of the flesh? How does this align with Galatians 5:16-17? [21:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the sustaining power of God in maintaining our connection with Him? What does this reveal about the nature of our relationship with God? [31:51]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on human wisdom instead of God's power. How can you shift your focus to embrace the simplicity and power of the cross in similar situations? [06:52]
2. The sermon encourages living boldly, free from the fear of death. What practical steps can you take to live more boldly in your faith, knowing that death has no hold over you? [10:33]
3. Identify a specific desire of the flesh that you struggle with. How can you submit this desire to the Spirit and allow the cross to empower you to overcome it? [21:44]
4. Consider your current relationship with God. In what ways can you rest more in His sustaining power rather than relying on your own efforts? [31:51]
5. The sermon calls for bold proclamation of God's word. What is one area in your life where you feel called to speak more fearlessly about your faith? How can you prepare for this? [39:01]
6. How can you cultivate a single-minded focus on God in your daily life, as suggested by the sermon? What distractions might you need to minimize to achieve this? [26:10]
7. Reflect on the pastor's personal experiences shared in the sermon. How can you draw inspiration from these stories to overcome fear and self-consciousness in your own life? [39:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing the Gospel's Transformative Power
The gospel is not merely a set of beliefs but a dynamic force that transforms lives. It empowers believers to overcome the challenges posed by the world, the flesh, and the devil. By embracing the simplicity and power of the cross, Christians can experience God's transformative power in their daily lives. This power is not about human wisdom or strength but about relying on the divine strength that comes from the cross. The gospel invites believers to live in a way that reflects the reality of God's kingdom, where His power is made perfect in our weakness. [03:16]
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the power of the gospel rather than your own strength or wisdom?
Day 2: Living Free from the Fear of Death
Jesus' death and resurrection have fundamentally changed the believer's relationship with death. Through His victory, the power of death has been destroyed, liberating believers from its fear. This freedom allows Christians to live boldly and confidently, knowing that death has no hold over them. The assurance of eternal life in Christ empowers believers to face life's challenges with courage and hope, secure in the knowledge that their ultimate destiny is with God. [10:33]
"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil." (Hebrews 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life in Christ change the way you approach your daily fears and anxieties?
Day 3: Aligning with the Spirit's Desires
The internal struggle between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit is a reality for every believer. However, the cross empowers Christians to submit to the Spirit's desires, allowing them to live in the fullness of God's power. Recognizing and aligning with the Spirit's desires involves a conscious decision to let the Spirit guide one's life, leading to a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling Christian walk. This alignment is not about suppressing desires but about transforming them to reflect God's will. [21:44]
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: What specific desires of the flesh do you need to surrender to the Spirit today, and how can you practically do this?
Day 4: Resting in God's Sustaining Power
God is the sustainer of our connection and intimacy with Him. Understanding that He mediates our relationship with Him frees believers from the burden of self-reliance and allows them to rest in His sustaining power. This realization brings peace and assurance, knowing that it is not by human effort but by God's grace that we maintain our relationship with Him. Trusting in God's sustaining power enables believers to focus on their spiritual growth and service to others. [32:44]
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you shift from self-reliance to trusting in God's sustaining power in your spiritual journey?
Day 5: Proclaiming the Word with Boldness
God's power enables believers to proclaim His word fearlessly, overcoming fear and self-consciousness. By focusing on God rather than themselves, Christians can be bold witnesses of His love and truth. This boldness is not about being loud or aggressive but about being confident in the message of the gospel and the power of God to transform lives. Personal experiences of overcoming fear through God's power serve as testimonies to encourage others to step out in faith and share the gospel. [39:01]
"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person you can share the gospel with this week, and how can you rely on God's power to do so with boldness?
Quotes
"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly or foolishness to those who are perishing. But to us who are being saved, it is the power of God." [00:03:16] (32 seconds)
"There are three things that have power in our lives um and I'm just going to give these to you we all know them but it's the world the flesh and the devil the world and the flesh and the devil have power, that unless we truly tap into the power of God revealed through the gospel, we will be powerless to overcome. Amen?" [00:05:32] (25 seconds)
"Through death, he, Jesus, might destroy, say destroy, the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver, look at verse 15. So through his death, he would deliver, all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Without understanding that Jesus' cross destroyed the devil and took back the keys to death and Hades, you and I will be slaves to the fear of death." [00:10:08] (38 seconds)
"This message of the cross is folly or foolishness to those who are perishing what does that mean it means it has no bearing like what does that have to do with anything why would the cross have anything to do with my health and longevity and the bible says it has everything to do with it oh come on the revelation of jesus dying on a cross says through death he destroyed the one who had the power of death what does that mean for us who are in the faith it means that death no longer has power over us how would you live how would you live if you woke up tomorrow morning in the winter snowstorm and you realized wow death has no power over me you ever met people that have been to death's door they're kind of crazy you know they come back they're like i should have died and they got that crazy death and they're like i should have died and they got that crazy death crazy look in their eye and they're like, I'm living all in from now on. I'm on borrowed time. You ever see that? Have anyone ever met those people? I've met many of them. I met a missionary guy and he, it was in this helicopter crash and he came back and that guy was like, he had crazy eyes. He was like, I'm, I'm, I'm on borrowed time. There's no reason I should be alive. And I believe that's how we're all meant to live with those crazy eyes." [00:11:50] (83 seconds)
"Imagine, imagine the world looking at us as a, as a group of people loved by God. And like, why do you look that way? The world is this and this, and there's this disease and this plague. And we just have these crazy looks and go, I'm loved by God. My Jesus destroyed death. Come on. That's our inheritance. That's our inheritance. How does it happen? How does that happen? How does that get produced in our lives? Number one, be honest. If you have the fear of death and you're still a slave to it, confess that to the Lord. That's not your inheritance." [00:13:10] (31 seconds)
"The power of the cross, the power of the gospel, what it reveals is that God actually himself is the sustainer of our connection and intimacy with him. And if I were, if I were given the opportunity to give one message to the church right now, this would be it. It would be that God is the sustainer of our connection with him. Amen." [00:31:51] (24 seconds)
"And I want to believe that tonight God's power is going to touch us. The last one that I see God's power has a purpose is to enable us to actually proclaim the word of God. In my flesh, like in my personality, my mom will tell you, I grew up shy, introverted. I used to dread speaking in front of people. And then, then God's power did something to me. So now when I stand here, like back in the day, if I were standing here, you would be so much bigger than God." [00:39:01] (31 seconds)
"I'd be like, what are you thinking of me? And if some of you were looking at me like the way you are, I would be like, oh my gosh, I should change the way I'm talking. Maybe it's how I dress. I would be so self -conscious because I was you conscious and self -conscious. But now I'm aware of God. And all I see is this. I see this. And he's like, you're crushing it. You're like, why is he smiling like that? Because I see this." [00:39:39] (29 seconds)
"He likes, he likes this. And he likes you. And he wants you wherever you go. According to Acts chapter two, Acts chapter four. He wants you to be filled with power to declare his word fearlessly. It doesn't matter the environment. Well, my family's not saved. Okay, open your mouth like this. He loves you." [00:40:07] (25 seconds)
"Well, I just didn't come really in faith. Okay. He loves you. You're here and you made it. And so let him touch you. I want to read this. This prayer that they prayed, he says, and now Lord look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness while you stretch out your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name, through the name of your holy servant, Jesus." [00:43:26] (30 seconds)
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