Living a Christ-like Life Through Transformation and Faith
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we delve into the principle that to live a Christian life, we must be Christ-like, drawing from Galatians 2:19-20. This passage emphasizes that we have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. This transformation occurs in three ways: legally, relationally, and in our daily lives. Legally, God views us as having died with Christ, freeing us from the penalty of sin. Relationally, we become one with Christ, sharing in His experiences and beginning a new life. In our daily lives, we must resist temptation and regularly crucify sinful desires to follow Christ more closely.
Living a Christ-like life involves more than superficial acts; it requires a deep, intimate relationship with God. This relationship is nurtured through Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. These practices help us understand God's purpose for our lives and enable us to live out His will. We must also recognize that God allows challenges in our lives to demonstrate His glory and power. Instead of seeking to escape these challenges, we should seek God's grace and mercy to endure and grow through them.
Many Christians settle for an "adequate" Christian life, going through the motions without experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised. This often leads to a counterfeit faith that crumbles under adversity. True Christian living involves allowing Jesus to live in and through us, transforming our actions, thoughts, and relationships. This transformation is not about earning salvation but about living out the salvation we have received through faith in Christ.
God calls us to be extraordinary, using the unique gifts and purposes He has given each of us. By focusing on our relationship with Him and obeying His will, we can experience a fulfilling and impactful Christian life. We must trust Jesus to live His life through us, handling our daily challenges and shining His light through us to the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Crucified with Christ: Being crucified with Christ means that our old self has died, and we now live a new life through Him. This transformation is legal, relational, and practical. Legally, we are seen as having died with Christ, freeing us from sin's penalty. Relationally, we share in Christ's experiences, and practically, we must resist sinful desires daily. [05:57]
2. Deep Relationship with God: True Christian living requires a deep, intimate relationship with God, nurtured through Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship. These practices help us understand God's purpose for our lives and enable us to live out His will. Superficial acts are not enough; we must seek a genuine connection with God. [17:49]
3. God's Grace in Challenges: God allows challenges in our lives to demonstrate His glory and power. Instead of seeking to escape these challenges, we should seek God's grace and mercy to endure and grow through them. This perspective helps us trust in God's sovereignty and rely on His strength. [20:51]
4. Living Out Our Salvation: Many Christians settle for an "adequate" Christian life, going through the motions without experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised. True Christian living involves allowing Jesus to live in and through us, transforming our actions, thoughts, and relationships. This transformation is not about earning salvation but about living out the salvation we have received through faith in Christ. [23:53]
5. Extraordinary Calling: God calls us to be extraordinary, using the unique gifts and purposes He has given each of us. By focusing on our relationship with Him and obeying His will, we can experience a fulfilling and impactful Christian life. Trusting Jesus to live His life through us enables us to handle daily challenges and shine His light to the world. [25:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Invitation to Bible Study
[02:48] - Praise Reports
[03:56] - Introduction to Today's Principle
[04:49] - Reading from Galatians 2:19-20
[05:57] - Understanding Crucifixion with Christ
[07:42] - Living a New Life in Christ
[09:11] - Resurrection Power in Daily Life
[10:24] - The Adequate Christian Life
[13:28] - Relationship with God through Jesus
[14:47] - Faithfulness and Obedience
[16:12] - Living by Faith
[17:49] - Developing a Deep Relationship with God
[19:19] - Unique Purpose for Each Believer
[20:51] - God's Grace in Challenges
[22:18] - Overcoming Distractions
[23:53] - Living Out Our Salvation
[25:24] - Extraordinary Calling
[27:12] - Commitment to Christ
[28:32] - Closing Remarks and Invitation to Bible Study
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Galatians 2:19-20 (NIV): "For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "crucified with Christ" according to Galatians 2:19-20?
2. How does the sermon describe the three ways we are transformed by being crucified with Christ? ([05:57])
3. What are the key practices mentioned in the sermon that nurture a deep relationship with God? ([17:49])
4. According to the sermon, why does God allow challenges in our lives? ([20:51])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does being "crucified with Christ" legally free us from the penalty of sin? ([05:57])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a deep relationship with God can transform our daily lives? ([17:49])
3. How can understanding God's grace in challenges change our perspective on adversity? ([20:51])
4. What does it mean to live out our salvation, and how does this differ from trying to earn salvation? ([23:53])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you feel you are just "going through the motions" in your faith? How can you seek a deeper relationship with God this week? ([10:24])
2. Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond to it? How might seeking God's grace and mercy change your approach to future challenges? ([20:51])
3. Identify one specific sinful desire you struggle with. What practical steps can you take to resist this temptation daily? ([05:57])
4. How can you incorporate more Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship into your weekly routine to nurture your relationship with God? ([17:49])
5. Consider the unique gifts and purposes God has given you. How can you use these to live an extraordinary Christian life and impact those around you? ([25:24])
6. Is there a specific distraction in your life preventing you from focusing on Jesus? How can you minimize that distraction this week? ([22:18])
7. Think of a person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? ([23:53])
Devotional
Day 1: Crucified with Christ
To be crucified with Christ means that our old self has died, and we now live a new life through Him. This transformation is legal, relational, and practical. Legally, we are seen as having died with Christ, freeing us from sin's penalty. Relationally, we share in Christ's experiences, and practically, we must resist sinful desires daily. [05:57]
Galatians 5:24 (ESV): "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Reflection: What is one sinful desire you struggle with daily? How can you actively resist it today, relying on the power of Christ within you?
Day 2: Deep Relationship with God
True Christian living requires a deep, intimate relationship with God, nurtured through Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship. These practices help us understand God's purpose for our lives and enable us to live out His will. Superficial acts are not enough; we must seek a genuine connection with God. [17:49]
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God today? What specific steps will you take to seek Him with all your heart?
Day 3: God's Grace in Challenges
God allows challenges in our lives to demonstrate His glory and power. Instead of seeking to escape these challenges, we should seek God's grace and mercy to endure and grow through them. This perspective helps us trust in God's sovereignty and rely on His strength. [20:51]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you seek God's grace and strength to endure and grow through this challenge today?
Day 4: Living Out Our Salvation
Many Christians settle for an "adequate" Christian life, going through the motions without experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised. True Christian living involves allowing Jesus to live in and through us, transforming our actions, thoughts, and relationships. This transformation is not about earning salvation but about living out the salvation we have received through faith in Christ. [23:53]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: In what ways can you allow Jesus to transform your actions, thoughts, and relationships today? What specific changes will you make to live out your salvation more fully?
Day 5: Extraordinary Calling
God calls us to be extraordinary, using the unique gifts and purposes He has given each of us. By focusing on our relationship with Him and obeying His will, we can experience a fulfilling and impactful Christian life. Trusting Jesus to live His life through us enables us to handle daily challenges and shine His light to the world. [25:24]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What unique gifts and purposes has God given you? How can you use these gifts to serve others and fulfill your extraordinary calling today?
Quotes
1. "To live the Christian life, you must be Christ like. And we took that from Galatians chapter two, verses 19 and 20. And I don't normally read verses because I give them to you and let you remember today. I want to read this one because I think it's key critical to understanding what we're getting ready to talk about." [03:56] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Legally, we are heirs. Of God, but legally leads to relational. So how is it relational that we have been crucified with Christ? Number one, we've become one with Christ and with that, his experience become our experience. Our Christian lives began when joined with Christ. We died to our old self and began a new life." [05:57] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We often look for faults rather than looking for hope. We often look for reasons to separate rather than. And causes to unite. So, again, I say to you again, legally, we have been reconciled to God by the redemptive demon work of Jesus Christ. And because we have been redeemed, we can now have a relational relationship with God because he sets us free to become more and more like Jesus as we draw closer to him." [07:42] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "In our daily life, this is what you have to understand as disciples of Jesus Christ in our daily life. We have crisis resurrection power to fight sin, to fight the devil, to fight anything that is not of God, anything that is not kingdom connected, kingdom building. We have the resurrection. We have the resurrection power of Jesus Christ to fight it, and it is our sworn duty to fight it. It's our job. That's what we're supposed to do." [09:11] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Many Christians today seem content to live what they think is an adequate Christian life. They believe that if they go to church, read the Bible occasionally and say their prayers once in a while, they will be all right with God. Occasionally, they may even be inspired to go over and above the call of duty and volunteer to serve others as an usher in the church, a member of some church committed that they're not getting a whole lot done, or even go on a short mission trip to try to help somebody if they participate in ministries beyond the walls of the church." [10:24] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "For wisdom, for courage, for strength, it allows me to trust him in every situation that I'm going through, because with every step we take, with every decision we make, every conversation we have, and every thought we entertain, God wants to glorify himself through us. Jesus wants to glorify God through us. He desires for us to shine a light that is so bright that the world will see our good works and glorify him." [13:28] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God will allow situations and troubles to come into your life that only he can solve. You cannot solve them, so you can quit trying. You have to learn to turn them over to him. And the reason for that is he wants to show you his glory, his power, his love, and his wisdom to the world through you." [20:51] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Is there anything distracting you or keeping you from having that intimate relationship with the Lord today? Is there anything that is hindering you from committing 100% to God and all that you say and do? Have you failed to trust God? Do you believe in God's sovereignty when problems come, when people do things? Are you worried that you're not doing enough to deserve a relationship with him or that you could lose the eternal life that he has given to us?" [22:18] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "God does not call you to be adequate. He calls you to be extraordinary because he gave you the ability through Jesus Christ that whatsoever you bind on earth, he would bind in heaven. He gave you the authority to call those things which be not as though they were because that's what he does. He gave you permission to use his name every time it got too hard for you to handle. Called upon the name of Jesus because he's in you." [25:24] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So this is what I want you to do for me. I want you to die to the notions of what the Christian life should be so that you can experience what it really is. If the door is open, all you have to do is come in and God will take it from there. Are you ready to make that commitment to Jesus Christ? Are you ready to surrender your life to him so he can live through you?" [27:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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