From Struggle to Surrender: Embracing God's Empowerment

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves grappling with the tension between striving and surrender. The essence of spiritual growth is not about trying harder but about learning to depend more deeply on God. This journey is beautifully illustrated in the transition from Romans 7 to Romans 8, where we move from a place of struggle and self-reliance to a life empowered by the Spirit. The key is not to remain in a state of brokenness but to allow that brokenness to propel us toward a deeper reliance on God. This is where the concept of "indirection" comes into play. Just as a musician practices scales to eventually play a complex piece, we engage in spiritual disciplines not as an end in themselves but as a means to cultivate the character and power of Christ within us.

Holiness, as Calvin rightly emphasized, is not about adhering to a set of actions or beliefs but about embodying the character of Christ. This requires self-denial, not in a negative sense of self-negation, but as a positive affirmation of God's sovereignty in our lives. Self-denial is about subjecting our will to God's will, allowing His substance to fill us. It is through this surrender that we find true substance and purpose.

Moreover, the cross is not a burden meant to make us miserable but a means to lift our burdens and live joyfully in the midst of life's challenges. It teaches us humility and hope, cutting off self-dependence and fostering a deep trust in God. This trust is what gives us hope, even in the face of life's difficulties. The hope of heaven, as Calvin reminds us, is not just a future promise but a present reality that shapes how we live today.

Finally, our vocation, whatever it may be, is a calling to be Christ's representatives in the world. Whether in a taco stand or any other place, we are called to embody Christ's love and character, serving as His vicars in our unique contexts.

Key Takeaways:

1. Dependence on God Over Self-Reliance: Spiritual growth is not about trying harder but about learning to depend more deeply on God. This shift from self-reliance to God-reliance is crucial for moving from a place of struggle to a life empowered by the Spirit. [06:54]

2. Indirection in Spiritual Disciplines: Just as a musician practices scales to play complex pieces, spiritual disciplines are not an end but a means to cultivate Christ's character within us. This indirect approach allows us to grow in grace and holiness. [09:17]

3. Holiness Through Self-Denial: True holiness is not about specific actions or beliefs but about embodying Christ's character. Self-denial is a positive affirmation of God's sovereignty, allowing His substance to fill us and guide our lives. [22:21]

4. The Cross as a Source of Joy and Hope: The cross is not a burden but a means to lift our burdens and live joyfully amidst challenges. It teaches us humility and hope, fostering a deep trust in God that sustains us through life's difficulties. [27:26]

5. Vocation as a Calling to Represent Christ: Our vocation, whatever it may be, is a calling to be Christ's representatives in the world. We are called to embody His love and character, serving as His vicars in our unique contexts. [37:26]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [06:54] - Dependence on God
- [07:19] - Transition from Romans 7 to 8
- [08:47] - Progress by Indirection
- [10:25] - Personal Walk with the Lord
- [11:40] - The Role of Spiritual Disciplines
- [13:44] - Conscience and Holiness
- [17:10] - Dependence on God, Not Man
- [19:42] - Calvin on Holiness
- [22:21] - Self-Denial and God's Kingdom
- [24:17] - Living Soberly and Righteously
- [27:26] - The Cross and Humility
- [30:30] - Joy Amidst Sorrow
- [32:42] - Lightness of the Yoke
- [37:26] - Vocation as Christ's Vicar

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 7:24-25 - "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
2. Romans 8:1-2 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
3. Titus 2:11-14 - "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Observation Questions:
1. How does Paul describe the transition from Romans 7 to Romans 8 in terms of spiritual struggle and empowerment? [07:19]
2. What role do spiritual disciplines play in the process of becoming more like Christ, according to the sermon? [09:17]
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of self-denial in relation to God's sovereignty? [22:21]
4. What is the purpose of the cross in the believer's life as explained in the sermon? [27:26]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to move from self-reliance to God-reliance in the context of spiritual growth, and how is this reflected in Romans 8? [06:54]
2. How can the practice of spiritual disciplines be seen as an indirect approach to cultivating Christ's character within us? [09:17]
3. In what ways does self-denial serve as a positive affirmation of God's sovereignty, and how does this differ from self-negation? [22:21]
4. How does the sermon suggest that the cross brings joy and hope, even amidst life's challenges? [27:26]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength rather than depending on God. How can you shift towards greater dependence on Him in your current situation? [06:54]
2. Identify a spiritual discipline you currently practice. How can you approach it with the mindset of cultivating Christ's character rather than as an end in itself? [09:17]
3. Consider an area of your life where you struggle with self-denial. How can you positively affirm God's sovereignty in that area this week? [22:21]
4. Think about a burden you are currently carrying. How can you view the cross as a means to lift that burden and find joy in your circumstances? [27:26]
5. How can the hope of heaven influence your daily life and decisions? What practical steps can you take to keep this hope at the forefront of your mind? [33:40]
6. In your vocation, how can you better represent Christ's love and character? Identify one specific action you can take this week to embody this calling. [37:26]
7. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your response reflect your trust in God, and what might you do differently next time to deepen that trust? [28:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Dependence on God Over Self-Reliance
In our spiritual journey, we often face the challenge of moving from self-reliance to a deeper dependence on God. This transition is crucial for spiritual growth, as it allows us to shift from a place of struggle to a life empowered by the Spirit. The journey from Romans 7 to Romans 8 illustrates this beautifully, showing how we can move from self-reliance to God-reliance. It is not about trying harder but about surrendering more deeply to God's guidance and strength. By acknowledging our brokenness and allowing it to propel us toward God, we can experience true spiritual empowerment. [06:54]

"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are relying on your own strength instead of God's? How can you begin to trust Him more deeply in this area today?


Day 2: Indirection in Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines are not an end in themselves but a means to cultivate the character and power of Christ within us. Just as a musician practices scales to play complex pieces, we engage in spiritual disciplines to grow in grace and holiness. This indirect approach allows us to develop a deeper relationship with God and embody His character in our lives. By focusing on these practices, we can gradually transform our hearts and minds to align with God's will. [09:17]

"Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7b-8, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual discipline can you commit to practicing this week to help cultivate Christ's character within you? How will you incorporate it into your daily routine?


Day 3: Holiness Through Self-Denial
True holiness is not about adhering to a set of actions or beliefs but about embodying the character of Christ. This requires self-denial, which is a positive affirmation of God's sovereignty in our lives. By subjecting our will to God's will, we allow His substance to fill us and guide our actions. This surrender leads to true substance and purpose, as we align our lives with God's kingdom. Self-denial is not about self-negation but about embracing God's presence and allowing Him to transform us from within. [22:21]

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you practice self-denial this week to affirm God's sovereignty in your life? How can this practice help you embody Christ's character more fully?


Day 4: The Cross as a Source of Joy and Hope
The cross is not a burden meant to make us miserable but a means to lift our burdens and live joyfully amidst life's challenges. It teaches us humility and hope, cutting off self-dependence and fostering a deep trust in God. This trust gives us hope, even in the face of difficulties, as we rely on God's strength and guidance. The hope of heaven is not just a future promise but a present reality that shapes how we live today. By embracing the cross, we can experience true joy and hope in our daily lives. [27:26]

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you view the challenges you face today as opportunities to deepen your trust in God? What steps can you take to embrace the joy and hope that the cross offers?


Day 5: Vocation as a Calling to Represent Christ
Our vocation, whatever it may be, is a calling to be Christ's representatives in the world. We are called to embody His love and character, serving as His vicars in our unique contexts. Whether in a taco stand or any other place, we have the opportunity to reflect Christ's presence and make a difference in the lives of those around us. By embracing our vocation as a calling, we can live with purpose and impact, knowing that we are part of God's greater plan. [37:26]

"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: How can you view your current vocation as a calling to represent Christ? What specific actions can you take this week to embody His love and character in your workplace or community?

Quotes


"Learning more and more of dependence upon God but as you learn more and more of dependence upon God you are going to find that you don't have to try harder and that you wind up doing what Jesus said." [00:06:54]

"Progress toward the character and power of Christ by indirection that's the way disciplines work is in direction that's true in any area you don't just start with Beethoven's Appassionata sonata and try real hard to play it if you succeeded it wouldn't be because you have become a musician maybe you have become a robot." [00:08:47]

"It is meant to be a personal walk with the Lord it is meant to be a personal walk with the Lord and and and when we are helping people with it we want to remember that that we can instruct them we can set examples we can answer questions we can do all of that but what it comes down to is what is happening with them and the Lord." [00:10:25]

"Holiness means full obedience to Christ now that's right and then you have to be careful and one of the things that not only Calvinism but arminianism and all the isms is they come to this and then they have problems interpreting it and the almost inevitable tendency is to try to interpret it in terms of specific actions that you do." [00:19:42]

"Self-denial does not say oh I am nothing I am nothing I am nothing you ain't nothing you're something and you bring that into subjection to Christ the king and that is self-denial it's subjecting your kingdom to his kingdom it is surrender of the will in precisely that sense and it means anything but that you become a nothing." [00:22:21]

"Cross bearing is not a helpless hopeless grind that's designed to make your you miserable your cross is designed to lift your burden and allow you to live happily in patience and love with the situation you're in and so page 47 takes that up and the cross 49 makes us humble now can you put that together with our teaching humble is dependent upon God." [00:27:26]

"The cross cuts off yourself dependence and the cross makes us humble and then page 51 the cross makes us hopeful now why well because we have at last come to put our trust in what genuinely gives us reason to hope if I'm hoping in my own Kingdom I don't have any reason to hope that's death the mind of the flesh that is trusting in myself and in the natural world robs us of hope." [00:28:49]

"Joy is not Whoopie joy is as I said a pervasive sense of well-being and that is compatible with pain and sorrow so basically we just have to make sure that they understand what these are and it's really important that we do that and one of the reasons why I spend so much time defining and describing is because we desperately need it and we don't do enough of it." [00:30:30]

"I am going to try to get you all to offload the responsibilities of outcomes and shift those to God and when you do that you begin to experience the likeness of the yoke and again that contrast that we read the very first day or looked at from 2nd Corinthians 4 where he lists all those different things on one side is the treasure on the other side is the vessel." [00:32:42]

"There really is no solution to the difficulties of life than the hope of heaven and in fact if see if that doesn't mean anything to us then it won't help us and it's very interesting and it's fascinating to watch people handle the text of old writings look on page 67 and now the phrase here with whatever kind of trials we may be afflicted we should always keep our eye on this goal." [00:34:49]

"Hopefulness for the next life is what lifts us out of all of the difficulties in this line and so you get language like on page 17 human life is nothing but a vapor or shadow the things of Earth grow strangely dim right so we even Sun that here in the light of what the full story is so then goes on to talk about not fearing death." [00:36:56]

"We are to stand there as his vicars now if you don't believe you hear a Vicar of Christ you believe you need a backward collar on or something to be a vicar please work on that you are a Vicar of Christ where you are that's your calling if you're working in a taco stand you are a Vicar of Christ and he wants to teach you how to do that as he would do it if he were you." [00:37:26]

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Transcript
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