Living an Upside Down Inside Out Life in Christ
Summary
In this sermon, I discussed the importance of living an "upside down inside out" life, a concept that refers to the unconventional ways Jesus lived and fulfilled the law. I emphasized that outward conformity without inward commitment is unthinkable for followers of Christ. I also addressed the need to confront and confess sinful anger in our lives, as well as the importance of personal purity and the sanctity of marriage. I stressed that the Christian sex ethic is no sex outside of marriage and that lust in the heart is equivalent to committing fornication. I also touched on the issue of divorce, highlighting that God hates divorce but loves marriage. Lastly, I encouraged the practice of truth, urging believers to let their "yes" be "yes" and their "no" be "no", emphasizing honesty and purity in character.
Key Takeaways:
- Live an "upside down inside out" life, embodying the unconventional ways Jesus lived and fulfilled the law. [ 34:38]
- Confront and confess sinful anger in your life. [ 36:43]
- Uphold personal purity and the sanctity of marriage, adhering to the Christian sex ethic of no sex outside of marriage. [ 43:32]
- Understand that God hates divorce but loves marriage, and avoid perpetuating divorce. [ 50:37]
- Practice truth in all conversations and actions, letting your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no". [ 51:44]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5 #!!32:36!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What are the key teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5?
2. How does Jesus challenge the conventional understanding of the law in this passage?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when he says he came to fulfill the law, not abolish it?
2. How does Jesus redefine the concept of sin in Matthew 5?
Application Questions:
1. In what ways have you been conforming outwardly to religious expectations without an inward commitment?
2. How can you confront and confess sinful anger in your life this week?
3. How can you uphold the sanctity of marriage in your relationships and conversations?
4. How can you practice truth in your daily interactions and conversations this week?
5. What is one way you can live an 'upside down inside out' life this week, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 5?
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Weaknesses
In our journey of faith, it's crucial to acknowledge our weaknesses and areas we need to work on. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we surrender our struggles to Him and ask for His help, we can live out the truth of the Beatitudes in our lives. It's not about our strength, but about relying on the Holy Spirit ([01:02:51]).
Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Reflection: What are the areas in your life that you struggle with and need God's help? How can you surrender these to Him today?
Day 2: Live Upside Down, Inside Out
Jesus calls us to live an upside-down, inside-out life. This means that outward conformity without an inward commitment is unthinkable for His people. We are called to live differently from the world, not just in our words and actions, but in the condition of our hearts ([34:38]).
Bible Passage: Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Reflection: How can you live an upside-down, inside-out life today? What changes do you need to make in your heart and mind?
Day 3: Make a Difference
As believers, we are called to make a difference in people's lives. Whether it's through giving, serving, or standing up for justice, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world ([31:22]).
Bible Passage: James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Reflection: How can you make a difference in someone's life this week? What steps can you take to serve others in your community?
Day 4: Honor the Sanctity of Marriage
Jesus teaches us about the sanctity of marriage and how much God hates divorce. As His followers, we are called to honor our marriage vows and treat our spouses with love and respect ([50:37]).
Bible Passage: Hebrews 13:4 - "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."
Reflection: How can you honor your marriage or the marriages of those around you? What steps can you take to strengthen your marriage or support others in their marriages?
Day 5: Practice Truth
Jesus calls us to practice truth in all our conversations and interactions. Our yes should be yes, and our no should be no. We should strive to be honest and pure in character, without the need for oaths or excessive words ([51:44]).
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:25 - "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body."
Reflection: How can you practice truth in your conversations and interactions today? What steps can you take to be more honest and pure in character?
Quotes
1. "My first priority is not to find a Christian. My first priority is to find someone who's a good mechanic. Actually sometimes we get miscued because we think, well, I need to find somebody that's a Christian. Listen, I know a lot of Christians who talk a lot of baloney because they live externally, but it's not from their heart." - 53:05
2. "Choose to respond, not retaliate. He says, you've heard it said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. In other words, how you're treated is how you treat somebody else. Get even. They punch you in the eye, you punch them in the eye. They steal your horse, you steal their horse, retaliate. Jesus says, in my kingdom, don't seek revenge, resist evil." - 54:39
3. "Remember that God settles accounts. God said, vengeance is mine. I will repay, leave it to God." - 55:48
4. "Of course you can't live this. But in your weakness, I made strong. When you turn this over to me and ask me for help, you can, you see, it's relying on the Holy Spirit and relying on the truth of the Beatitudes being in my life that lives out." - 01:02:51
5. "Christian love is an act of a will, not an emotion. And he's talking here about that. Copy kind of love, the God kind of love. Think about this. Paul said in Romans 5 and 10, Jesus loved us while we were yet enemies of him. And he loved us." - 59:41
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