Living by Faith: Allowing Christ to Transform Us

Devotional

Day 1: Christ Living Through Us

Living by faith means allowing Christ to live through us, transforming our actions into divine acts. This requires a conscious decision to walk by the Spirit, acknowledging that our strength comes from God, not ourselves. When we surrender our lives to Christ, we invite Him to work through us, turning our ordinary actions into extraordinary expressions of His love and power. This transformation is not automatic; it requires intentionality and a daily commitment to follow the Spirit's leading. [10:57]

Galatians 5:25-26 (ESV): "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

Reflection: In what specific area of your life can you invite Christ to live through you today, transforming your actions into divine acts?

Day 2: The APTAT Framework

The acronym APTAT—Admit, Pray, Trust, Act, Thank—serves as a practical guide for living a Spirit-led life. By admitting our limitations, praying for divine assistance, trusting in God's promises, acting in faith, and thanking God, we align ourselves with His will. This framework helps us to remain humble and dependent on God, recognizing that our strength and wisdom are insufficient without His guidance. Each step of APTAT is a reminder of our need for God's presence and power in our lives. [14:00]

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: Which step of the APTAT framework do you find most challenging, and how can you intentionally practice it today?

Day 3: Trusting in God's Promises

Trusting in God's promises is essential for experiencing His power. As we face challenges, we must hold onto the assurances found in Scripture, believing that God will act on our behalf. This trust is the catalyst for divine intervention, enabling us to step out in faith and witness God's miraculous work in our lives. When we trust in God's promises, we are reminded of His faithfulness and His ability to accomplish what seems impossible. [19:14]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: Identify a specific promise from Scripture that you need to trust in today. How can you remind yourself of this promise throughout the day?

Day 4: God Uses Our Emptiness

The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 teaches us that God can use our emptiness to perform miracles. When we offer what little we have, God multiplies it, providing for both our needs and the needs of others. This narrative reassures us that in our humanly impossible situations, God is present, ready to act through us. Our limitations become opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and provision. [21:17]

2 Kings 4:2-4 (ESV): "And Elisha said to her, 'What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?' And she said, 'Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.' Then he said, 'Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel empty or inadequate? How can you offer this to God and trust Him to multiply it?

Day 5: Living the Humanly Impossible

In moments of fear and uncertainty, we must remember that God is with us, ready to act through us. By trusting in His promises and stepping out in faith, we become instruments of the humanly impossible, empowered by the Spirit. This requires courage and a willingness to move beyond our comfort zones, trusting that God will equip us for the tasks He calls us to. [25:49]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today, trusting that God will empower you to accomplish what seems humanly impossible?

Sermon Summary

In Galatians 2:20, Paul declares, "I am crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." This profound truth invites us to explore what it means to live by faith, allowing Christ to live through us. We are called to walk by the Spirit, to be led by the Spirit, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit. This is not a passive existence but an active engagement with the divine, where we put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit's power. The essence of this life is captured in the acronym APTAT: Admit, Pray, Trust, Act, and Thank.

Admitting our inability is the first step. We recognize that without Christ, we can do nothing. This humility opens the door to divine intervention. Next, we pray, seeking God's wisdom, love, and strength. We ask for the Spirit's guidance, trusting in the promise that if we ask, we will receive. Trusting in God's promises is crucial. We hold onto the blood-bought promises of Scripture, which are tailor-made for our situations. This trust is not passive; it propels us into action. We act, knowing that God is working through us. Finally, we thank God, acknowledging that our efforts are not in vain.

The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Mark 6 illustrates this beautifully. The disciples had nothing to offer, yet Jesus used their emptiness to perform a miracle. He provided not only for the crowd but also for the disciples, leaving them with 12 baskets of leftovers. This narrative reassures us that when we give what little we have, God will take care of us. We are reminded that in our humanly impossible situations, God is present, ready to act through us.

Key Takeaways

1. Living by faith means allowing Christ to live through us, transforming our actions into divine acts. This requires a conscious decision to walk by the Spirit, acknowledging that our strength comes from God, not ourselves. [10:57]
2. The acronym APTAT—Admit, Pray, Trust, Act, Thank—serves as a practical guide for living a Spirit-led life. By admitting our limitations, praying for divine assistance, trusting in God's promises, acting in faith, and thanking God, we align ourselves with His will. [14:00]
3. Trusting in God's promises is essential for experiencing His power. As we face challenges, we must hold onto the assurances found in Scripture, believing that God will act on our behalf. This trust is the catalyst for divine intervention. [19:14]
4. The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 teaches us that God can use our emptiness to perform miracles. When we offer what little we have, God multiplies it, providing for both our needs and the needs of others. [21:17]
5. In moments of fear and uncertainty, we must remember that God is with us, ready to act through us. By trusting in His promises and stepping out in faith, we become instruments of the humanly impossible, empowered by the Spirit. [25:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:57] - Living by Faith
[11:48] - Walking by the Spirit
[12:40] - Serving in God's Strength
[13:23] - The APTAT Framework
[14:19] - Admitting Our Limitations
[16:17] - Praying for Divine Assistance
[17:06] - Trusting in God's Promises
[17:40] - Acting in Faith
[18:12] - Thanking God for His Work
[19:14] - The Power of Trust
[20:27] - Lessons from the Feeding of the 5,000
[22:45] - Jesus Walks on Water
[23:36] - Applying the Lessons
[25:49] - Living the Humanly Impossible
[26:26] - A Prayer for Missionaries

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Galatians 2:20 - "I am crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."
Romans 8:13 - "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
Mark 6:30-44 - The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.

Observation Questions:

In Galatians 2:20, what does Paul mean when he says, "it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me"? How does this relate to living by faith? [10:57]
How does the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Mark 6 illustrate the concept of God using our emptiness to perform miracles? [21:17]
What is the significance of the 12 baskets of leftovers in the story of the feeding of the 5,000? How does this detail contribute to the overall message of the sermon? [22:14]
According to Romans 8:13, what role does the Spirit play in helping us put to death the deeds of the body? How is this connected to the sermon’s message about living by the Spirit? [12:08]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the acronym APTAT (Admit, Pray, Trust, Act, Thank) serve as a practical guide for living a Spirit-led life? What might be the challenges in applying each step? [14:00]
In what ways does trusting in God's promises act as a catalyst for divine intervention, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this trust differ from passive waiting? [19:14]
The sermon suggests that God can use our emptiness to perform miracles. How might this perspective change the way one approaches challenges or feelings of inadequacy? [21:17]
What does it mean to "walk by the Spirit" as described in Galatians 5, and how does this concept relate to the sermon’s emphasis on living by faith? [11:48]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a situation where you felt inadequate or empty. How can you apply the lesson from the feeding of the 5,000 to trust that God can use your emptiness for His purposes? [21:17]
Consider the acronym APTAT. Which step do you find most challenging, and why? What practical steps can you take to incorporate this framework into your daily life? [14:00]
Identify a specific promise from Scripture that you can hold onto during a current challenge. How can this promise encourage you to act in faith rather than fear? [19:14]
Think of a time when you relied on your own strength rather than the Spirit’s guidance. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? [12:08]
How can you actively cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude, as suggested by the final step of APTAT? What are some practical ways to thank God for His work in your life? [18:12]
Reflect on a recent decision or action. How did you discern whether it was led by the Spirit? What can you do to ensure that your future actions align with God’s will? [11:48]
In moments of fear and uncertainty, how can you remind yourself of God’s presence and readiness to act through you? What specific practices can help reinforce this truth in your life? [25:49]

Sermon Clips

Paul seemed to say, my not living and Christ Living through my living in the flesh happens through faith. So we're going to come back to that in just a moment, besides Galatians 2 20, listen to these phrases you know these like the back of your hand but let them, the miracle of them sink in. [00:11:10]

We are supposed to walk by the spirit. What in the world does that mean? You put one foot in front of the other by the spirit. What's that? Or keep in step with the spirit these are all from Galatians 5. Be led by the spirit, bear the Fruit of the Spirit. [00:11:44]

Let the one who serves, serve in the strength that God supplies so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to him belong the Dominion forever and ever, serve in the strength that God supplies. So my question is just what in the world what does that mean? [00:13:01]

Aptat is my acronym for how to walk by the spirit, live by the spirit, bear the fruit of the spirit, put to death the Deeds of the body by the spirit, a-p-t-a-t-a admit that you can do nothing so let's make it really real. [00:14:03]

I admit a that I can do nothing, John 15 5 without me you can do nothing, number two AP the p in aptet, I pray oh God, humble me, give me hope, Give Me Love, give me wisdom give me words give me memory give me a prophetic anointing to break through. [00:16:06]

Trust a blood bought promise in the Bible, Taylor Made or your situation, I have on my home screen here, um a little booklet I wrote years ago 40, 40 promises for actually the 40 categories of promises because I need an arsenal of promises to take hold of. [00:17:13]

Act, gotta act you got a body you got a mind you got hands you got legs act move Act, I'm sending you to open their eyes I'm sending you to deliver them from Satan, I'm tending you to deliver them some from Darkness go get off your rear end and go. [00:17:38]

When it's done and you come home, you put your head on your pillow that night you thank God for everything he's done he you did not act in vain it was not in vain, and you thank him, now let me let me go back and close with t because I think the connection between t and a. [00:18:07]

Does he who supplies the spirit to you do throw do so through works of the law or through hearing with faith, I think that's one of the most important verses in the Bible, does he who supplies the Holy Spirit to you right now in this situation, how does he do it how did the supply flow. [00:19:27]

Jesus took your empty-handedness and your hopeless uselessness and that your inability to feed 5 000 people, and then he took you for himself and he fed them all, and then he had a basket here here that's enough for you for a month and that's enough for you and that's enough for you. [00:23:43]

Give yourself utterly away to the mission in an impossible situation and I will take care of you and when they were on the boat seeing a ghost they didn't apply it and I said I don't want to get into this pulpit and not apply it I don't want to go to this lunch on Monday and not apply it. [00:24:48]

You face a situation where the humanly impossible is absolutely necessary and you trust the Divine promise and in the trusting the spirit flows and the action becomes not just your action, but God's so father as as these radius trainees are preparing for the impossible task of missions. [00:26:00]

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