Living a Life of Love and Purity in Christ

 

Summary

In reflecting on the life of Grandma Clara, we are reminded of what it truly means to be in love with Jesus. Her life was a testament to a deep, abiding relationship with Christ, characterized by daily prayer and a longing to be in His presence. Her example challenges us to consider how we live our lives in anticipation of Christ's return. Are we living in a way that reflects our love for Him, or are we merely going through the motions? Grandma Clara's life was a vivid illustration of taking the Bible seriously, living each moment with the awareness that Christ could return at any time. This kind of devotion is convicting and calls us to examine our own lives.

The message also emphasizes the importance of a God-centered theology, where everything revolves around God rather than ourselves. This perspective helps us understand that our lives, including our pain and struggles, are not the center of the universe. Instead, we are called to align our desires with God's will, seeking His kingdom above all else. This God-centered approach is crucial for the church as well, guiding us to live out the teachings of Scripture with sincerity and integrity.

Furthermore, the call to purity within the church is a significant theme. We are reminded that the church is God's house, and He desires it to be pure. This involves confronting sin within the church community, not out of judgment, but out of love and a desire for restoration. The process outlined in Matthew 18 is a loving approach to addressing sin, aiming to bring individuals back into a right relationship with God.

Finally, the message underscores the importance of taking Scripture seriously and living it out in our daily lives. This involves a commitment to God's word, even when it challenges us or goes against our personal preferences. By doing so, we honor God and become a light to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel.

Key Takeaways:

- Grandma Clara's life exemplifies a deep love for Jesus, characterized by daily prayer and anticipation of His return. Her devotion challenges us to live with the same passion and commitment, taking the Bible seriously and aligning our lives with God's will. [01:14]

- A God-centered theology shifts our focus from ourselves to God, helping us understand that our lives are meant to revolve around Him. This perspective encourages us to seek God's kingdom and His will above our own desires. [07:36]

- The call to purity within the church is a reflection of God's desire for His house to be holy. Confronting sin within the church community is an act of love, aiming for restoration and a right relationship with God. [17:22]

- Taking Scripture seriously means living out its teachings, even when they challenge us. This commitment to God's word honors Him and demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel to the world. [12:47]

- The process of church discipline, as outlined in Matthew 18, is a loving approach to addressing sin. It aims to bring individuals back into a right relationship with God, emphasizing restoration and reconciliation. [28:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:17] - Remembering Grandma Clara
- [01:02] - A Life in Love with Jesus
- [01:40] - Anticipating Christ's Return
- [02:32] - Living with Eternal Perspective
- [03:51] - Taking Scripture Seriously
- [05:16] - God-Centered Theology
- [06:59] - Understanding God's Sovereignty
- [08:34] - God's Glory and Our Lives
- [10:16] - Created for Him
- [11:51] - Cornerstone's 13th Anniversary
- [12:47] - Obeying God's Word
- [15:15] - Addressing Sin in the Church
- [17:22] - Call to Purity
- [28:14] - Process of Church Discipline

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 18:15-17
2. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
3. Colossians 1:16

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Observation Questions:

1. How did Grandma Clara's life exemplify a deep love for Jesus, and what specific practices did she engage in to maintain her relationship with Him? [01:02]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of living with the anticipation of Christ's return, and how did Grandma Clara embody this mindset? [02:32]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of a God-centered theology, and how does it differ from a man-centered theology? [06:17]

4. What process does the sermon outline for addressing sin within the church, and how is it described as an act of love? [28:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does Grandma Clara's anticipation of Christ's return challenge contemporary Christian living, and how might this perspective influence daily decisions? [02:32]

2. How does a God-centered theology help believers understand their place in the universe, especially during times of personal pain and struggle? [07:36]

3. What are the potential consequences for a church community that fails to take Scripture seriously, according to the sermon? [05:16]

4. How does the process of church discipline, as outlined in Matthew 18, reflect the balance between love and accountability within the church community? [28:14]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate practices that deepen your love for Jesus, similar to Grandma Clara's commitment to daily prayer? [01:02]

2. Consider your current lifestyle. Are there areas where you might be "going through the motions" rather than living in anticipation of Christ's return? What changes can you make to live more intentionally? [02:32]

3. How can you shift your focus from a man-centered to a God-centered theology in your personal life? What specific steps can you take to align your desires with God's will? [07:36]

4. Think about your church community. How can you contribute to fostering an environment that takes Scripture seriously and addresses sin with love and a desire for restoration? [28:14]

5. Identify a personal struggle or sin that you have been hesitant to confront. How can you seek accountability and support from your church community to address this issue? [28:14]

6. Reflect on a time when you disagreed with a biblical teaching. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience about submitting to God's authority? [12:47]

7. How can you actively participate in creating a church environment that is a light to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel? [19:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Anticipation of Christ's Return
Grandma Clara's life serves as a powerful example of what it means to live in anticipation of Christ's return. Her daily prayer life and longing to be in the presence of Jesus were not just habits but expressions of a deep, abiding love for Him. This kind of devotion challenges us to examine our own lives and consider whether we are living with the same passion and commitment. Are we taking the Bible seriously and aligning our lives with God's will, or are we merely going through the motions? The call is to live each moment with the awareness that Christ could return at any time, allowing this anticipation to shape our actions and priorities. [01:14]

"For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate a sense of anticipation for Christ's return into your daily routine, and what changes might this bring to your priorities and actions today?


Day 2: Embracing a God-Centered Theology
A God-centered theology shifts our focus from ourselves to God, helping us understand that our lives are meant to revolve around Him. This perspective encourages us to seek God's kingdom and His will above our own desires. By aligning our desires with God's will, we find a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. This approach is crucial not only for individual believers but also for the church as a whole, guiding us to live out the teachings of Scripture with sincerity and integrity. It reminds us that our pain and struggles are not the center of the universe, but rather, we are part of a larger story that God is writing. [07:36]

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from your own desires to seeking God's kingdom and His will in your life today?


Day 3: Pursuing Purity in the Church
The call to purity within the church is a reflection of God's desire for His house to be holy. Confronting sin within the church community is not an act of judgment but an act of love, aiming for restoration and a right relationship with God. The process outlined in Matthew 18 provides a loving approach to addressing sin, emphasizing restoration and reconciliation. This call to purity challenges us to examine our own lives and the life of our church community, ensuring that we are living in a way that honors God and reflects His holiness. [17:22]

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to the purity and holiness of your church community, and what steps can you take to address sin in a loving and restorative way?


Day 4: Obeying God's Word
Taking Scripture seriously means living out its teachings, even when they challenge us or go against our personal preferences. This commitment to God's word honors Him and demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel to the world. By obeying God's word, we become a light to those around us, showing the world the difference that a life surrendered to Christ can make. This involves a willingness to be challenged and changed by Scripture, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and attitudes. [12:47]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What specific teaching from Scripture is challenging you right now, and how can you begin to live it out in your daily life?


Day 5: The Loving Process of Church Discipline
The process of church discipline, as outlined in Matthew 18, is a loving approach to addressing sin. It aims to bring individuals back into a right relationship with God, emphasizing restoration and reconciliation. This process is not about judgment or punishment but about love and the desire for healing and wholeness within the church community. By following this process, we demonstrate the love and grace of God, seeking to restore those who have strayed and bring them back into fellowship with Him and the church. [28:14]

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone in your church community who needs restoration? How can you approach them with love and gentleness, seeking to bring them back into a right relationship with God?

Quotes



Her life was a testament to a deep, abiding relationship with Christ, characterized by daily prayer and a longing to be in His presence. Her example challenges us to consider how we live our lives in anticipation of Christ's return. Are we living in a way that reflects our love for Him, or are we merely going through the motions? [00:01:14]

When I think about someone who was truly in love with Jesus Christ, I think no one holds a candle to Grandma. My wife would tell me that when she was growing up, she'd hear Grandma in the room next door to her just crying and praying every morning. [00:00:53]

It's not about you. It's not about me. It's about looking in this book and saying, what does God want? It's a God-centered theology. You see, and when you have a God-centered theology that says that everything revolves around God, it answers the question when people ask you, know, or people say, my life is painful. [00:06:37]

We hear that all the time. I'm going through a hard time, so there must not be a God. Well, that's true. There must not be a God whose actions revolve around you, but there could exist a God who believes that everything should revolve around Him. That God could exist, and that's the way the God of the Bible explains Himself. [00:07:06]

The reason why I don't destroy you is for my name's sake. It's for me. It's for the sake of my praise. He's saying, see, if I destroy you and everyone knows that you are my people, they're going to say that, see, your God isn't as powerful as our God. [00:09:22]

I disagree with this book a lot, but when I disagree, I still obey because you don't have to agree with someone to obey. See, because when I disagree with God, I assume I'm wrong. Crazy, huh? I just give Him the benefit. Ah, you probably know more. [00:12:32]

If you don't follow God's word, then you're really not a follower of God. I mean, you just follow God as long as He agrees with you. So in reality, who's your God? It's yourself. You know, at some point, you just got to say, you know what, I disagree with this, but you know what, God, this is God. [00:14:39]

The goal is not to get rid of people. The goal is to win them back. And he goes, and if he listens to you, you've just won him back. But then it says, if he will not listen, then take one or two others along so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. [00:30:20]

The Bible says that Godly sorrow leads to repentance, which leads to salvation, whereas worldly sorrow, it says, leads to death. You see, it's not enough for when you're confronted in your sin to go, yeah, I know it's wrong, it's wrong, it's wrong, but I'm not going to stop. [00:36:09]

I think you'd be surprised. I believe the world is waiting for the church to preach this message. They are waiting for the church to get serious about judging the sin that's inside the church and quit judging them, and then suddenly we'll be a light to the world, and they'll be attracted to it. [00:19:32]

The process outlined in Matthew 18 is a loving approach to addressing sin, aiming to bring individuals back into a right relationship with God. It emphasizes restoration and reconciliation, not judgment. This is the most loving thing you could do for a person. [00:28:14]

The church is God's house, and He desires it to be pure. This involves confronting sin within the church community, not out of judgment, but out of love and a desire for restoration. The process outlined in Matthew 18 is a loving approach to addressing sin. [00:17:22]

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Transcript
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