Living in Response to Jesus's Sacrifice

Devotional

Day 1: Living a Life of Devotion to Jesus

The hymn "I Gave My Life for Thee" by Frances Ridley Havergal serves as a powerful reminder of the call to live a life devoted to Jesus. Frances's life exemplified this devotion, as she dedicated herself to prayer, scripture, and service. Her hymn asks us to reflect on what we have done in response to Jesus's sacrifice. This is not about material offerings but about giving our lives to Him, seeking peace and a relationship with Him. Frances's story and her hymn challenge us to consider how we can live more fully for Jesus, embracing a life of service and devotion. [00:23]

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live more fully for Jesus, reflecting His love and sacrifice in your daily life?

Day 2: Creating Spaces for Spiritual Connection

Frances Ridley Havergal's mother advised her to make her room a Bethel, a place of spiritual connection. This highlights the importance of creating spaces in our lives where we can meet with God and seek His guidance. Such spaces can deepen our relationship with Him and prepare us for His plans. By intentionally setting aside time and space for spiritual reflection and prayer, we open ourselves to God's presence and direction in our lives. [03:27]

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific place in your home where you can create a dedicated space for prayer and reflection. How can you make this space inviting and conducive to meeting with God?

Day 3: The Transformative Power of Prayer

Frances Ridley Havergal's commitment to prayer and her systematic approach to it serve as a powerful example of how prayer can transform lives. Her prayers not only strengthened her faith but also led others to Christ, demonstrating the power of intercession. Prayer is a vital practice that can deepen our relationship with God and impact the lives of those around us. By dedicating time to prayer, we can experience personal transformation and become instruments of God's love and grace in the world. [06:01]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Consider someone in your life who needs prayer. How can you commit to praying for them consistently this week, and what specific prayers can you offer on their behalf?

Day 4: Embracing an Eternal Perspective

Frances Ridley Havergal's anticipation of heaven and her joy in meeting Jesus face-to-face challenge us to live with an eternal perspective. Her eagerness to be with the Lord reminds us to value our relationship with God above all else. By focusing on the eternal, we can transform our perspective on life and death, finding hope and purpose in our journey with Christ. This eternal perspective encourages us to live each day with gratitude and devotion, knowing that our ultimate home is with God. [09:13]

"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal values today? What practical steps can you take to cultivate an eternal perspective in your daily life?

Day 5: Responding to Jesus's Sacrifice

The hymn "I Gave My Life for Thee" asks us to examine our lives and consider how we can respond to Jesus's sacrifice. It is a call to leave behind our old ways and embrace a life of service and devotion. This response is not about earning God's love but about living in gratitude for the love and grace we have already received. By reflecting on Jesus's sacrifice, we are encouraged to live lives that honor Him, seeking to serve others and share His love with the world. [11:22]

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can respond to Jesus's sacrifice today by serving others or sharing His love? How can this action become a regular part of your life?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, I shared a heartfelt story about the hymn "I Gave My Life for Thee," written by Frances Ridley Havergal. This song holds a special place in my heart because it played a pivotal role in my youngest brother's life. At the tender age of six, he heard this song and was moved to give his life to Jesus, finding peace with God. This transformative experience led him to live a life dedicated to helping others, eventually becoming a doctor. The song's message, as if spoken by Jesus, asks us what we have done for Him in return for His sacrifice. It is a call to give our lives to Him, not through material offerings, but by seeking peace and a relationship with Him.

Frances Ridley Havergal, the hymn's author, was deeply influenced by her mother's words, which encouraged her to make her room a place of spiritual connection and to prepare for all that God had in store for her. At 14, Frances gave her life to Jesus, and her devotion to Him became the cornerstone of her life. She developed a love for the Bible and a fervent prayer life, which she practiced with dedication and sincerity. Her prayers were powerful, leading to the conversion of many around her.

Frances's life was a testament to living for Jesus, even in the face of illness. Her anticipation of heaven was so profound that she welcomed the news of her impending death with joy, eager to meet her Savior. Her story and the hymn remind us of the immense love and sacrifice of Jesus, urging us to live our lives in gratitude and devotion to Him.

Key Takeaways

1. The story of Frances Ridley Havergal and her hymn "I Gave My Life for Thee" illustrates the profound impact of dedicating one's life to Jesus. Her life and work remind us that Jesus's sacrifice calls for a response of love and devotion from us. [00:23]
2. Frances's mother's advice to make her room a Bethel—a place of spiritual connection—highlights the importance of creating spaces in our lives where we can meet with God and seek His guidance. This practice can deepen our relationship with Him and prepare us for His plans. [03:27]
3. Frances's commitment to prayer and her systematic approach to it serve as a powerful example of how prayer can transform lives. Her prayers not only strengthened her faith but also led others to Christ, demonstrating the power of intercession. [06:01]
4. The anticipation of heaven and the joy of meeting Jesus face-to-face can transform our perspective on life and death. Frances's eagerness to be with the Lord challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, valuing our relationship with God above all else. [09:13]
5. The hymn's message, asking what we have done for Jesus in response to His sacrifice, encourages us to examine our lives and consider how we can live more fully for Him. It is a call to leave behind our old ways and embrace a life of service and devotion. [11:22]
** [11:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to the Song
[00:34] - Personal Connection to the Song
[01:23] - Brother's Transformation
[02:08] - Invitation to Children
[02:44] - Frances Ridley Havergal's Story
[03:27] - Mother's Influence
[04:33] - Frances's Conversion
[05:12] - Devotion to Jesus
[05:35] - Love for the Bible
[06:01] - Prayer Life
[07:04] - Power of Intercession
[08:47] - Anticipation of Heaven
[09:41] - Hymn's Message
[10:35] - Jesus's Sacrifice and Our Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's encounter with God at Bethel.
Philippians 1:21 - "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Matthew 6:6 - "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Observation Questions:

What was the significance of Frances Ridley Havergal's mother's advice to make her room a Bethel, and how did it influence Frances's spiritual life? [03:27]
How did Frances's prayer life impact those around her, according to the sermon? [07:17]
What was Frances's reaction to the news of her impending death, and what does this reveal about her faith? [09:13]
How did the hymn "I Gave My Life for Thee" influence the pastor's youngest brother's life? [01:23]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of making a personal space a "Bethel" apply to modern believers, and what might this look like in today's context? [03:27]
In what ways can Frances's systematic approach to prayer serve as a model for believers today? [06:01]
How does Frances's anticipation of heaven challenge contemporary views on life and death? [09:13]
What does the hymn's question, "What have you done for me?" suggest about the nature of our response to Jesus's sacrifice? [11:22]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your personal space at home. How can you transform it into a place of spiritual connection, similar to Frances's Bethel? [03:27]
Consider your current prayer habits. What specific changes can you make to incorporate a more systematic and intentional approach to prayer, as Frances did? [06:01]
How does the idea of living with an eternal perspective influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this perspective? [09:13]
Think about a time when you felt called to respond to Jesus's sacrifice. What actions did you take, and how can you continue to live out that response in your daily life? [11:22]
Identify one area of your life where you can leave behind old ways and embrace a life of service and devotion to Jesus. What steps will you take this week to begin this transformation? [11:33]
How can you use your talents and resources to help others, following the example of the pastor's brother who became a doctor? [01:36]
Reflect on a recent challenge or hardship. How can you view it as an opportunity to grow in faith and reliance on God, similar to Frances's response to her illness? [09:13]

Sermon Clips

There was a little boy about six years old now some of you are sick some of you are little older than six children there was a little boy about six years old and he heard the song somebody sing the song to him and he heard all the verses of the song and at the end of the song he was weeping and he said i want to give my life to jesus after hearing this song and after that he accepted jesus into his heart and as we heard today he had peace with god and he grew up to be a godly young man and he became a doctor and he helped a lot of people and at the age of 52 he died and is now in heaven. [00:56:52]

Her mother died when she was 11 years old that's a sad time she could hardly remember her mother but she remembered two things which her mother said to her vaguely she said when she when francis got her own room you know it's nice when little girls have their own little room and they can keep their things neatly and they don't have other people to disturb them she got her own room her mother told her francis let this room be your battle you know what bethel is you know the story of jacob god met with him and it became a time when he went connected with god jacob connected with god and he had peace with god and he made a promise to god lord if you bring me back to this place if you bless me he made some promises to god so france's mother told her let this room be a better for you and she remembered it all the time. [00:49:44]

Ask god to prepare you for all that he is preparing for you i want to tell you simply ask god to help you to be ready to receive all that god is wanting to give you all the gifts that he wants to give you lord i want to receive i want to receive all those gifts from you especially the gift of peace as we heard peace with god so she remembered her mother those two things and and she went to school in england and then when she was in school her teacher talked to her about accepting jesus and when she was 14 years old she gave her life to jesus. [00:39:36]

She started reading the bible you know children sometimes when we read the bible it looks boring it might see oh it's so boring i know the story but we can ask jesus lord help me to love the bible help me love your word just as this francis loved your word just like my dad and mom love your word help me also to love love your word and she also had a intense prayer life like she loved to pray now sometimes when we when we hear older people pray we just wait for them when they finish and we can say amen but we all are like that but we can ask jesus lord help me also to love to pray. [00:55:31]

You know how she prayed she had a system of praying in the morning when she woke up she'd pray lord help me this day that i won't get angry with people that's my problem i get lose my temper help me not to get angry and she she would pray lord help me to obey you simple things like thank you for this day she'd say then in the afternoon she'd pray for other people that's called intercession she used to pray for her friends her dad and mom i mean her mom had gone for all the people in her whom she had something to do with. [00:06:23]

One time she was in a house where there were 10 people and they had a prayer meeting i told you she loved to pray they had a prayer meeting and they were praying and there were some people in that room who hadn't given their life to jesus and she started praying for them in a heart she prayed and prayed and prayed and you won't believe it by the morning all 10 of them came to know the lord that's how we can pray for people if you think of somebody in our family who's not yet given their life to jesus we can start praying for that person lord help my brother who's or my sister who's not having peace with you. [00:07:18]

And now it's a challenge to me and at the age of 42 she became very sick she became so sick and the doctors knew that she was going to die soon but she didn't know so she once the doctor came to her visit her she said doctor do you think i'll be going and the doctor thought she's going to say do you think i'll be able to go back home so the doctor said you're very sick so she brightened up and she said really i'm so excited because i just can't wait to get to heaven i just can't wait to see the lord that was her response the doctor thought she's going to she's asking whether she'll be okay but she said it's too good to be true i have an intense craving for the music of heaven. [00:08:50]

I want to tell you a little bit of the song it's as if jesus is telling us all children i gave my life to you for you i shed my precious blood so that you can be ransomed you know it's so good when children give their heart to the lord because older people if they give their heart to the lord half their life is over but if you children you give your heart to the lord you have your whole life ahead and you can say lord i'm going to live for you and i was dead in sin but i can live for you hereafter and jesus saying i gave my life for you what have you done for me is think that jesus is asking you what have you done for me you can say lord i give you my heart i give you my life i want to live for you. [00:09:43]

Jesus is telling us i suffered so much you know few we couple of weeks back we were thinking of when jesus died on the cross all those nails pierced him and the crown of thorns and blood was coming down is flowing down his face feet all big for us he died for us and he says i've done so much i've suffered so much can you suffer a little bit for me like if your friends say oh i don't want to play with you i don't want to be your friend that's the suffering we want to be that girl's friend or that boy's friend but if she cuts us off we can say lord you bore all that for me this is nothing i can bear that i can be alone i can even if i don't have friends i want to bear it all for you. [00:11:46]

I have brought salvation means that we can be saved from our sins and we can go to heaven i've brought forgiveness for you and i'm going to give you a lot of gifts we all love gifts don't we and god is going to give us lot of earthly gifts more than that is going to give spiritual gifts peace with him all these things he's going to give and much more more than what we can describe what your dad and mom can give you jesus can give you we ask him and say lord i want your child i want to be your child and i want to receive everything that you want to give me so let's sing that song. [00:12:34]

I know couple of families in this church one family used to sing go to an elderly people's home and you sing and to sing to them every month and it cheered up those old elderly people so much and another family used to sing and record some video songs and sent to a girl who was dying of cancer and they cheered her up so much so when she went through that cancer and she's in heaven now and she can say when she meets that family she'll say thank you for the beautiful song you sang so god bless you and enjoy that song. [00:13:18]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Living in Response to Jesus's Sacrifice

Devotional

Day 1: Living a Life of Devotion to Jesus

Day 2: Creating Spaces for Spiritual Connection

Day 3: The Transformative Power of Prayer

Day 4: Embracing an Eternal Perspective

Day 5: Responding to Jesus's Sacrifice

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living in Response to Jesus's Sacrifice

Share