Living Boldly: Surrendering All for Christ

 

Summary

In the past five weeks, we have been exploring the lives of various disciples of Jesus, examining the transformation that occurs when one truly surrenders to Christ. We delved into the stories of Mary, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Peter, and Thomas, each of whom had unique encounters with Jesus that reshaped their identities and destinies.

Mary's past was checkered, but through Jesus, she found deliverance and purpose, becoming a passionate follower and leader. Joseph and Nicodemus, initially afraid of man's opinion, lived as undercover believers until they were compelled to step out boldly in faith. Thomas, who struggled with doubt, was met with grace and mercy by Jesus, who did not condemn him but instead offered proof of His resurrection.

The central theme of my message was the call to live a life laid down for Christ—a life that is no longer about our will but about the will of the One who gave Himself up for us. This life recognizes the sinfulness and hopelessness of our condition without Jesus and the transformative power of His death and resurrection. It is a life that repents, surrenders, and follows Jesus wholeheartedly.

I challenged each person to consider whether their life truly reflects a surrendered heart to the risen Christ. If neighbors, co-workers, and classmates cannot see Christ in us, it is time to recommit and be bold in our faith. The fear of man is a snare that hinders the cause of Christ, and we must avoid it at all costs. We are called to be unashamed of the gospel, to stand up for Jesus, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit for boldness.

As we approach Resurrection Sunday, I encouraged the congregation to invite others to church, to share their faith, and to be part of what God is doing in our community. The story of Joseph of Arimathea, in particular, serves as a powerful example of the courage to stand for Christ, even when it comes at a personal cost.

Key Takeaways:

- The transformation from an undercover believer to a bold disciple of Christ is a journey that requires courage and a willingness to risk reputation, comfort, and even safety. Joseph of Arimathea's decision to care for Jesus' body was a public declaration of his faith, which likely cost him his standing in the Sanhedrin and his ritual purity. His example challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of Christ. [01:34:29]

- Doubt does not disqualify us from discipleship. Thomas's story reminds us that Jesus responds to our doubts with evidence of His love and resurrection. Our faith can overshadow our doubts, and like Thomas, we can come to a place of worship and recognition of Jesus as our Lord and God. This should encourage us to bring our doubts to Jesus, trusting in His patience and grace. [01:02:27]

- A life laid down for Christ is not merely about the words we speak but the actions we take. It is a life that denies self, takes up the cross, and follows Jesus. This life is often out of step with the world, and may lead to misunderstanding or persecution, but it is the life we are called to live as followers of Christ. [01:36:35]

- The fear of man is a trap that can silence our testimony and hinder the spread of the gospel. Proverbs 29:25 reminds us that trusting in the Lord leads to exaltation, while fear leads to entrapment. We must overcome the fear of man to boldly declare our faith and share the hope we have in Jesus. [01:22:02]

- The Holy Spirit empowers us to live courageously for Christ. Just as the disciples were transformed and emboldened by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we too can ask for and receive the Holy Spirit's filling. This empowerment is essential for us to turn the world upside down for Jesus, just as the early church did. [01:54:33]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Mark 15:42-47 (NIV)
> "It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid."

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Joseph of Arimathea take after Jesus' death according to Mark 15:42-47?
2. How did Pilate react when Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus' body? What steps did Pilate take to confirm Jesus' death? ([01:03:31])
3. Who accompanied Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus' body for burial, and what does this reveal about their faith? ([01:26:50])
4. What were the potential consequences for Joseph of Arimathea in asking for Jesus' body and providing a tomb for Him? ([01:34:29])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Joseph of Arimathea's request for Jesus' body indicate about his faith and courage? How does this contrast with his previous behavior as an undercover believer? ([01:18:13])
2. How does the story of Joseph of Arimathea challenge the idea of living a life laid down for Christ? What does it mean to deny oneself and take up the cross in today's context? ([01:35:32])
3. In what ways did Joseph of Arimathea's actions serve as a public declaration of his faith? How might this have influenced others, such as Nicodemus? ([01:31:08])
4. How does the fear of man act as a snare in the life of a believer, and what steps can be taken to overcome this fear according to the sermon? ([01:22:02])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt afraid to publicly declare your faith. What held you back, and how can you find the courage to be more open about your beliefs? ([01:20:02])
2. Joseph of Arimathea risked his reputation and safety to care for Jesus' body. What are some practical ways you can take a bold stand for Christ in your daily life, even if it comes at a personal cost? ([01:34:29])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of living a life laid down for Christ. What specific areas of your life do you need to surrender to Jesus, and how can you start making those changes this week? ([01:35:32])
4. How can you overcome the fear of man in your workplace, school, or community? Identify one specific action you can take this week to boldly share your faith. ([01:22:02])
5. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live courageously for Christ. Have you experienced this empowerment in your life? If not, what steps can you take to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit? ([01:54:33])
6. Think about someone in your life who might be an undercover believer. How can you encourage them to step out in faith and be more open about their relationship with Jesus? ([01:31:08])
7. As we approach Resurrection Sunday, who can you invite to church or share your faith with? Make a plan to reach out to at least one person this week. ([01:00:05])

Devotional

Day 1: Courage Over Comfort
The journey from a concealed believer to an outspoken disciple is marked by the courage to stand for one's faith, even when it means risking reputation, comfort, or safety. Joseph of Arimathea's decision to care for Jesus' body was a bold act of devotion, a public declaration of his faith that likely cost him his standing among his peers and his ritual purity. His actions challenge believers to consider what they are willing to sacrifice for the sake of Christ. Are they prepared to face the potential losses for the glory of being identified with Jesus? This transformation requires a deep conviction and a fearless heart, willing to step out of the shadows and into the light, regardless of the personal cost.

"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it." (Luke 17:33 ESV)

Reflection: What is one thing you feel God is calling you to step out in faith for, but fear of man has been holding you back? How can you take a step towards that calling today? [07:40]

Day 2: Embracing Doubt as a Path to Faith
Doubt does not disqualify one from being a disciple of Christ. Thomas's story is a testament to the fact that Jesus meets our doubts with evidence of His love and resurrection. When Thomas expressed his doubts, Jesus did not turn him away; instead, He provided the proof that Thomas needed to believe. This encounter teaches that faith can grow from the soil of doubt, and that honest skepticism can lead to a deeper understanding and worship of Jesus as Lord and God. Believers are encouraged to bring their doubts to Jesus, trusting in His patience and grace to strengthen their faith.

"But he said to them, 'Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.'" (John 20:25 ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a doubt you have been wrestling with in your faith? How can you bring this doubt before God and seek His truth in the midst of it? [01:02:27]

Day 3: The Cost of Discipleship
A life laid down for Christ is characterized not just by words, but by actions that reflect a true surrender to Jesus. It is a life that denies self, takes up the cross, and follows Him. Such a life often stands in contrast to the world's values and can lead to misunderstandings or even persecution. However, this is the life that Jesus calls His followers to—a life of radical obedience and unwavering commitment to His teachings and example.

"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 might your life be out of step with the world as you live out your commitment to Christ? What is one action you can take today to more fully embrace the cost of discipleship? [01:36:35]

Day 4: Overcoming the Fear of Man
The fear of man is a powerful force that can silence a believer's testimony and hinder the spread of the gospel. Proverbs 29:25 reminds us that while fear can lead to entrapment, trusting in the Lord leads to safety. To live unashamedly for Christ, believers must overcome the fear of man, boldly declaring their faith and sharing the hope they have in Jesus. This requires a conscious decision to value God's opinion above all others and to trust in His protection and guidance.

"The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." (Proverbs 29:25 ESV)

Reflection: What is one situation where you have allowed the fear of man to silence your testimony? How can you prepare to respond differently the next time you are faced with a similar situation? [01:22:02]

Day 5: Empowered by the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the source of power for believers to live courageously for Christ. Just as the disciples were transformed and emboldened by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, believers today can ask for and receive the Holy Spirit's filling. This empowerment is essential for turning the world upside down for Jesus, just as the early church did. It is through the Spirit's strength that believers can live out their faith boldly and effectively in a world that often opposes the message of Christ.

"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31 ESV)

Reflection: How can you seek the Holy Spirit's empowerment in your life today to be a bold witness for Christ in your community? [01:54:33]

Quotes

1) "Joseph was a believer but he kept his faith secret. Look at what John 19.38 says, after these things, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus. But a secret one for fear of the Jews. Brother comes out of the closet. He asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. Things change, right? Something changed in Joseph's life that we're looking at right here, that we're seeing here." [01:18:31]( | | )

2) "Joseph had many great qualities. But his failure to publicly declare his faith is not one of them, right? It's definitely not something that, a characteristic that we should emulate. The sad thing is many, many believers today follow in the same profile as Joseph of Arimathea. How many believers do we have out there that are undercover followers of Christ?" [01:19:36]( | | )

3) "When Jesus died on the cross, Joseph's no longer concerned with his own glory. He's emboldened to step out, openly declare his faith. He declares his faith in Jesus, he asks for the body, they take it down. They probably had to carry it through the streets, and it would have been daylight. They had to carry his body, they meticulously prepare it." [01:32:32]( | | )

4) "Joseph could, he might have lost money and power and prestige. And popularity because of his act that evening. Also, something else I didn't think about that I read. By touching a dead body late that afternoon. How do you know he defiled himself? It's very possible he didn't get to partake in the Passover meal that year." [01:34:29]( | | )

5) "We talked about Thomas. How doubt is something that every human being experiences in this life, right? How many of you have dealt with doubt before? But doubt can be overcome. By our faith our faith can overshadow our doubt and any doubt that may come our way and like Thomas and like Peter and like Mary we can come to the place we fall on our knees and we say my Lord my God." [01:02:27]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?