Living in the Victory of Christ's Grace
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that Jesus has already won the victory for us, and we are called to live in that victory. We often feel clumsy and inadequate in our righteousness, comparing ourselves to others who are equally struggling. However, the key is to remember that Jesus' victory is our victory. Galatians reminds us that it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. This victory is not about our perfection but about His grace working through us.
We also delved into the concept of the Kingdom of God as a seed. Just as a seed grows in the earth, the Word of God grows in our hearts. We may not understand how it happens, but it does. Our role is to plant the seed and trust God for the growth. This principle applies to every aspect of our lives, including our involvement in ministry and missions. We are co-laborers with Christ, and our efforts, no matter how small, contribute to the Kingdom.
The importance of saying "yes" to God's call was emphasized. Whether it's participating in a skit, supporting missions, or simply living out our faith, our "yes" is a seed that God uses to bring about His purposes. We may not see the immediate impact, but our faithfulness in small things leads to a greater harvest.
We also touched on the importance of being steadfast and immovable in our faith. Life's challenges and distractions can easily derail us, but we must remain focused on God's promises. By continually sowing the Word into our hearts, we build a strong foundation that can withstand any storm.
Finally, we discussed the significance of community and support in our spiritual journey. Just as we need to be good farmers of our own hearts, we also need to help others by sowing good seeds and removing the bad ones. This mutual support strengthens the entire body of Christ and furthers the Kingdom of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Victory in Christ: Jesus has already won the victory for us, and we are called to live in that victory. Our struggles and feelings of inadequacy do not define us; His grace does. Galatians 2:20 reminds us that it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. This truth should be the foundation of our identity and actions. [40:00]
2. The Kingdom as a Seed: The Kingdom of God operates on the principle of sowing and reaping. Just as a seed grows in the earth, the Word of God grows in our hearts. Our role is to plant the seed and trust God for the growth. This applies to every aspect of our lives, including our involvement in ministry and missions. [43:14]
3. Saying "Yes" to God: Our willingness to say "yes" to God's call, no matter how small the task, is a seed that God uses to bring about His purposes. Our faithfulness in small things leads to a greater harvest. This principle encourages us to step out in faith and trust God with the results. [44:36]
4. Steadfastness in Faith: Life's challenges and distractions can easily derail us, but we must remain steadfast and immovable in our faith. By continually sowing the Word into our hearts, we build a strong foundation that can withstand any storm. This steadfastness is crucial for spiritual growth and resilience. [44:10]
5. Community and Support: We need to be good farmers of our own hearts and help others by sowing good seeds and removing the bad ones. This mutual support strengthens the entire body of Christ and furthers the Kingdom of God. Our interactions with others can either plant seeds of life or uproot harmful weeds. [01:28:46]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[38:36] - The Anointing of God
[39:14] - Clumsy Righteousness
[40:00] - Victory in Christ
[40:53] - Personal Testimony
[41:43] - Freedom in Christ
[43:14] - Kingdom as a Seed
[44:10] - Steadfastness in Faith
[44:36] - Saying "Yes" to God
[45:14] - The Joy of the Lord
[46:21] - Introduction of Pastor Eric
[50:47] - Missions in Pakistan
[59:29] - The Will of God
[01:02:39] - Supporting the Mission
[01:05:40] - Be Steadfast and Immovable
[01:08:27] - Traits of a Godly Life
[01:09:04] - The Power of "Yes"
[01:11:38] - The Process of Victory
[01:12:30] - Living a Life of Faith
[01:13:23] - The Kingdom of God Explained
[01:14:13] - The Mystery of Growth
[01:14:56] - The Power of a Seed
[01:15:46] - The Mustard Seed Parable
[01:16:43] - The Simplicity of the Kingdom
[01:17:33] - The Parable of the Sower
[01:18:15] - Understanding the Kingdom
[01:19:06] - The Sower and the Seed
[01:19:56] - Distractions and the Enemy
[01:20:47] - The Simplicity of the Gospel
[01:21:31] - The Condition of the Heart
[01:22:30] - Trusting God in Hard Times
[01:23:28] - Honoring God with Finances
[01:24:22] - Faith in the Face of Adversity
[01:25:16] - The Dangers of Wealth
[01:26:23] - The Righteousness of God
[01:27:01] - Fighting Condemnation
[01:27:42] - Strengthening Your Spiritual Life
[01:28:46] - Being a Good Farmer
[01:29:31] - Helping Others Grow
[01:30:20] - The Power of Identity
[01:31:12] - Overcoming the Enemy
[01:31:56] - The Surety of the Seed
[01:32:44] - Living in Freedom
[01:33:42] - Relationship Over Performance
[01:34:32] - The Real Battle
[01:35:29] - Prayer of Surrender
[01:36:23] - Next Steps for New Believers
[01:37:00] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 2:20 (ESV) - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
2. Mark 4:26-29 (ESV) - "And he said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.'"
3. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV) - "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 2:20, who lives in us and how should this affect our daily lives?
2. In Mark 4:26-29, what is the process described for the growth of the seed, and what does this imply about our role in the Kingdom of God?
3. What does 1 Corinthians 15:58 encourage believers to be, and why is this important for our faith journey?
4. The sermon mentioned that our "yes" to God is like planting a seed. Can you recall an example given in the sermon where saying "yes" had a significant impact? [44:36]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that "Christ lives in us" (Galatians 2:20) change the way we view our struggles and feelings of inadequacy? [40:00]
2. What does the parable of the seed in Mark 4:26-29 teach us about the nature of spiritual growth and our trust in God's timing? [43:14]
3. In what ways can being "steadfast and immovable" (1 Corinthians 15:58) help us navigate life's challenges and distractions? [44:10]
4. How does the concept of community and mutual support, as discussed in the sermon, enhance our spiritual growth and the growth of others? [01:28:46]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent struggle or feeling of inadequacy. How can you remind yourself that Christ lives in you and has already won the victory? [40:00]
2. Think of a small task or opportunity where you can say "yes" to God this week. What is it, and how can you trust God to use it for His purposes? [44:36]
3. Identify a specific challenge or distraction in your life. What steps can you take to remain steadfast and immovable in your faith despite this challenge? [44:10]
4. How can you actively plant the Word of God in your heart this week? What practical steps will you take to ensure it grows and bears fruit? [43:14]
5. Consider someone in your community who might need support. How can you be a good farmer of their heart by sowing good seeds and helping remove bad ones? [01:28:46]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt the impact of community support in your spiritual journey. How can you contribute to creating that supportive environment for others?
7. What specific actions can you take to build a strong foundation in your faith that can withstand any storm? How will you implement these actions this week? [44:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Living in Christ's Victory
Jesus has already won the victory for us, and we are called to live in that victory. Our struggles and feelings of inadequacy do not define us; His grace does. Galatians 2:20 reminds us that it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. This truth should be the foundation of our identity and actions. [40:00]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you feel inadequate? How can you remind yourself today that Christ's victory defines you, not your struggles?
Day 2: The Kingdom of God as a Seed
The Kingdom of God operates on the principle of sowing and reaping. Just as a seed grows in the earth, the Word of God grows in our hearts. Our role is to plant the seed and trust God for the growth. This applies to every aspect of our lives, including our involvement in ministry and missions. [43:14]
"And he said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.'" (Mark 4:26-27, ESV)
Reflection: What small seeds of faith can you plant today in your life or in the lives of others? How can you trust God for the growth?
Day 3: The Power of Saying "Yes" to God
Our willingness to say "yes" to God's call, no matter how small the task, is a seed that God uses to bring about His purposes. Our faithfulness in small things leads to a greater harvest. This principle encourages us to step out in faith and trust God with the results. [44:36]
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one small thing you can say "yes" to today that you believe God is calling you to do? How can you step out in faith and trust Him with the results?
Day 4: Steadfastness in Faith
Life's challenges and distractions can easily derail us, but we must remain steadfast and immovable in our faith. By continually sowing the Word into our hearts, we build a strong foundation that can withstand any storm. This steadfastness is crucial for spiritual growth and resilience. [44:10]
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions or challenges are currently threatening your faith? How can you remain steadfast and immovable in your commitment to God today?
Day 5: Community and Support in Our Spiritual Journey
We need to be good farmers of our own hearts and help others by sowing good seeds and removing the bad ones. This mutual support strengthens the entire body of Christ and furthers the Kingdom of God. Our interactions with others can either plant seeds of life or uproot harmful weeds. [01:28:46]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you support today by sowing good seeds of encouragement and love? How can you be intentional about building up others in their faith?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You might be struggling, but it doesn't matter. You just go, he won the victory for me. So therefore, I am victorious. In Galatians, it's worded this way. It's no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me. Romans says that those who received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life through one Jesus Christ. So now I reign in life through Jesus." [40:00] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we present the gospel, it's a seed that goes into their heart. 1 Corinthians 15, 58 tells us this. It says to be steadfast. In fact, we probably got that right here. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. And this is the mark of those who believe." [43:45] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The kingdom of God is if a man should scatter seed on the ground and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow. He himself doesn't know how. For the earth, the earth yields its crop by itself, first the blade, then the head, and after that the full grain, then the head. But when the grain ripens, it immediately puts in the sickle because the harvest has come." [43:14] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You plant enough kingdom in you, the devil won't have any room in you. Isn't that what Jesus said? He he has no place in me. And guess what he told us, this is how the kingdom works. He can't have place in you either if you plant enough harvest, enough seed. That's why it's important. So important. For us to be in the word." [01:27:42] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The kingdom of God works this way, and I want to teach you a little bit about seed and harvest and how the kingdom of God works, because literally what we're doing is we're we're participating with Pastor Eric as he said, yes, and as we sow seed, we're sowing seed into Pakistan. That means that we get the fruit. Third John tells us we become co-laborers with Christ as Christ is working through him." [01:13:23] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "If you're growing, if you're growing in the Lord, there's something in your life that the Lord is working on and you're growing in and that you don't have it all together yet. But when Jesus defeated, he did that for you. And so in your mind, you must understand this. You must grab onto this. If you don't get anything else out of anything I say today, this would be the thing I'd want you to go home with." [39:14] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I remember when I first got saved and I read St. Corinthians 521. He made him who knew no sin to be sin for me, that I'd be the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I'm going, I'm not righteous. My past used to haunt me. And I was like, oh, my gosh, I'm not righteous. And I go, but God said I'm righteous. And I would fight for hours in my home and I would walk around and I'd quote righteousness scripture and then I'd walk around. So I'm a righteous man. I have righteous thoughts. I have righteous action." [01:27:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The kingdom of God is if a man should scatter seed on the ground and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he is himself does not know how for the earth yields crop by itself. First, the blade, then the head. After that, the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens immediately, he puts in the sickle because the harvest has come. I want you to understand that Jesus is saying this is how the kingdom of God works." [01:14:13] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The sower sows the word right now, I'm a sower, I'm sowing the word. Pastor Eric sowed the word we're sowing. You read the Bible, you're sowing is being sown into your heart. You listen to a teaching is sowing into your soil of your heart. And he goes on. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. And when they hear Satan comes immediately, it takes away the word sown in their hearts." [01:18:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The whole lifestyle of faith is the Lord asking you to do things. And you just saying, yes, whether you feel the qualification or not, the problem is, is that too many times we're not hearing the Lord in the direction or we ignore the Lord because it's not in our comfort zone. And the Lord wants to push you outside of the comfort zone." [01:12:30] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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