Living as Disciples: Embracing Transformation and Holiness

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of living as disciples of Jesus in the present kingdom of God. This journey begins with placing our confidence in Jesus and responding to God's action through faith. The new birth, which is a birth from above, signifies a transformation that aligns us with the divine power that Jesus referenced when speaking to Pilate. This transformation calls us to set our minds on things above, focusing on the invisible landscape where Christ reigns at the right hand of God. This shift in focus is crucial because it aligns our affections with heavenly realities rather than earthly distractions.

The challenge of holiness on the human side involves making choices that reflect our regenerated nature. It is about becoming the kind of person who naturally embodies the teachings of Jesus, doing what is good and in harmony with reality. This requires grappling with our inherent tendencies that often pull us in the opposite direction. However, this struggle is where growth in grace occurs. The notion of "miserable sinner Christianity," which suggests that we remain unchanged until death, is a misunderstanding. Our theology should not be invested in this idea, as it overlooks the transformative power of living in the kingdom of God.

By embracing our role as associates of Jesus in world history, we gain the capacity to learn and practice holiness. This holiness is not a burdensome obligation but a sweet, life-giving stream that flows from God through us and into the lives of others. It is a journey of continuous growth and renewal, where our vision is tied to the kingdom of God, enabling us to live out our faith in meaningful and impactful ways.

Key Takeaways:

1. Confidence in Jesus and the New Birth: Our journey as disciples begins with placing our confidence in Jesus and experiencing the new birth from above. This transformation aligns us with divine power and calls us to focus on heavenly realities. [00:22]

2. Setting Our Minds on Things Above: By setting our minds on things above, we align our affections with the invisible landscape where Christ reigns. This shift helps us prioritize spiritual realities over earthly distractions. [01:19]

3. Holiness Through Regenerated Choices: Holiness involves making choices that reflect our regenerated nature, becoming the kind of person who naturally embodies Jesus' teachings. This requires grappling with our inherent tendencies and growing in grace. [02:07]

4. Rejecting Miserable Sinner Christianity: The idea that we remain unchanged until death is a misunderstanding. Our theology should embrace the transformative power of living in the kingdom of God, allowing us to grow and change. [02:47]

5. Holiness as a Life-Giving Stream: Embracing our role in the kingdom of God enables us to learn and practice holiness, which is a sweet, life-giving stream flowing from God through us to others. This journey is one of continuous growth and renewal. [03:52]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Confidence in Jesus
[00:48] - Power from Above
[01:19] - Setting Minds on Things Above
[01:38] - The Good News of Being Dead
[02:07] - Regenerated Choices and Holiness
[02:25] - Struggling with Inherent Tendencies
[02:47] - Misunderstanding Miserable Sinner Christianity
[03:12] - The Renovation of Theology
[03:30] - Vision Tied to the Kingdom
[03:52] - Holiness as a Life-Giving Stream

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 3:1-2 - "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
2. John 3:3 - "Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'"
3. John 19:10-11 - "So Pilate said to him, 'You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?' Jesus answered him, 'You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "born from above" as mentioned in the sermon? How does this concept relate to the power Pilate had over Jesus? [00:48]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of setting our minds on things above? How does this affect our daily lives? [01:19]
3. How does the sermon describe the human side of holiness and the choices we make? What are some examples given? [02:07]
4. What is the misunderstanding of "miserable sinner Christianity" as explained in the sermon? [02:47]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "born from above" challenge or affirm one's understanding of spiritual transformation? [00:48]
2. In what ways does setting our minds on things above help us align with the kingdom of God? How might this look practically in a believer's life? [01:19]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the struggle with inherent tendencies and the role of grace in overcoming them? [02:25]
4. How does the sermon redefine holiness as a "life-giving stream"? What implications does this have for how we view our spiritual growth? [03:52]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current focus. Are there specific earthly distractions that prevent you from setting your mind on things above? How can you address these distractions this week? [01:19]
2. Consider your understanding of spiritual transformation. How does the idea of being "born from above" influence your approach to personal growth and change? [00:48]
3. Identify a choice you face regularly that challenges your regenerated nature. How can you make a decision that aligns more closely with the teachings of Jesus? [02:07]
4. How do you currently perceive holiness in your life? What steps can you take to experience it as a "sweet, life-giving stream" rather than a burdensome obligation? [03:52]
5. Reflect on the concept of "miserable sinner Christianity." How does this perspective affect your view of yourself and your potential for change? What steps can you take to embrace a more transformative theology? [02:47]
6. Think of a time when you felt like an associate of Jesus in world history. How did that experience impact your faith journey, and how can you seek similar experiences in the future? [03:30]
7. How can you actively participate in the kingdom of God this week, allowing God's life-giving stream to flow through you to others? [03:52]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

Day 1: Confidence in Jesus and the New Birth
The journey of discipleship begins with placing our confidence in Jesus, which leads to a transformative new birth from above. This transformation aligns us with divine power and calls us to focus on heavenly realities. By trusting in Jesus, we experience a profound change that reorients our lives towards the kingdom of God. This new birth is not just a one-time event but a continuous process of renewal and growth, inviting us to live in the present kingdom of God with a focus on the eternal rather than the temporal. [00:22]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What specific area of your life needs to be transformed by placing your confidence in Jesus today? How can you actively seek His guidance in this area?


Day 2: Setting Our Minds on Things Above
Setting our minds on things above involves aligning our affections with the invisible landscape where Christ reigns. This shift in focus helps us prioritize spiritual realities over earthly distractions, allowing us to live in harmony with the kingdom of God. By consciously choosing to focus on heavenly things, we cultivate a mindset that is attuned to God's will and purpose for our lives. This practice requires intentionality and discipline, as it challenges us to look beyond the immediate and visible to the eternal and unseen. [01:19]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What earthly distractions are currently hindering your focus on heavenly realities? How can you redirect your attention to align with God's eternal purposes?


Day 3: Holiness Through Regenerated Choices
Holiness is about making choices that reflect our regenerated nature, becoming the kind of person who naturally embodies Jesus' teachings. This involves grappling with our inherent tendencies that often pull us in the opposite direction. However, it is through this struggle that we grow in grace and become more aligned with the kingdom of God. Holiness is not a burdensome obligation but a natural outflow of a life transformed by the Spirit, leading us to live in harmony with God's reality. [02:07]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What is one specific choice you can make today that reflects your regenerated nature in Christ? How can this choice help you grow in holiness?


Day 4: Rejecting Miserable Sinner Christianity
The idea that we remain unchanged until death is a misunderstanding of the transformative power of living in the kingdom of God. Our theology should embrace the potential for growth and change, recognizing that we are called to be active participants in God's redemptive work. By rejecting the notion of "miserable sinner Christianity," we open ourselves to the possibility of continuous transformation and renewal, allowing God's grace to work in and through us. [02:47]

2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Reflection: In what ways have you limited your belief in God's transformative power in your life? How can you embrace the potential for change and growth today?


Day 5: Holiness as a Life-Giving Stream
Embracing our role in the kingdom of God enables us to learn and practice holiness, which is a sweet, life-giving stream flowing from God through us to others. This journey is one of continuous growth and renewal, where our vision is tied to the kingdom of God. As we live out our faith in meaningful and impactful ways, we become conduits of God's grace and love, bringing life and hope to those around us. [03:52]

John 7:38 (ESV): "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’"

Reflection: How can you be a life-giving stream to someone in your life today? What practical steps can you take to let God's love and grace flow through you to others?

Quotes


put your confidence in Jesus the whole person live with him as his disciple now in the present kingdom of God now you do that by faith and response to God's action the new birth is from above and by the way it's the same place that pilots power was from you remember when Jesus was standing [00:19:17]

if you then be risen with Christ set your mind on things that are above that's the invisible landscape that's the invisible lens you set your mind on things that are evolved where Christ sits on the right hand of God that your affections on things about not on things on the earth because you are dead [01:13:27]

now then the issue of the human side of holiness becomes a matter of how do you buy your regenerated choice enter into that by your own activities how do you come to be the kind of person who just routinely does the kinds of things that Jesus talked about because you know that you are doing what is good [01:43:45]

and in accord with reality and you have to struggle with some of your tendencies built into your body that already galloping in another direction but that's where growth and grace comes in so miserable Center Christianity as we used to call it which is you remain a miserable sinner until you die and [02:17:80]

miserable sinner Christianity is the idea that you never get better and our implicit theology is very much invested in that very much invested in it and in Chapter five the renovation you know how I sort of go over the reasoning on this before I introduce the vehm thing you know because I want people to see [02:56:44]

the vehm thing in the context of all of the things that say you can't do this because you can do it and if your vision is tied to the kingdom of God in your life in the kingdom of God as an associate of Jesus in what he is doing in world history then you have got the wherewithal to learn [03:28:11]

holiness that is a sweet life-giving stream flowing from God through your life and into the lives of other people [03:52:98]

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Transcript
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