Living in Victory: Trust, Transformation, and True Holiness
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter the misconception that living a life of defeat is the norm for Christians. This belief is rooted in a misunderstanding of Romans 7, which some interpret as a perpetual state of struggle. However, the truth is that through Jesus, we are called to a life of victory and transformation. This transformation is not about achieving legalistic perfection, but about trusting in God's grace, much like Abraham did. Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness because he trusted God for the impossible, and this trust is the foundation of our relationship with God.
The kingdom of God is inseparable from Jesus. To have one without the other is to miss the fullness of the gospel. The resurrection of Christ is central to our faith because it signifies our union with the risen Christ and our participation in His kingdom. Without the resurrection, our faith would be in vain, and we would remain trapped in sin. Redemption is not just about dealing with guilt; it is about living a transformed life in union with Christ.
As we consider the gospel we preach, we must ask ourselves whether it naturally produces disciples or merely consumers of religious goods. A missional church is one that cannot help but grow because it is fueled by the transformative power of the gospel. This growth is not about programs or initiatives but about a deep, intrinsic movement towards mission.
Holiness is another concept that has been misunderstood, often reduced to legalistic practices. True holiness is about embodying the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is not about adhering to ritualistic marks of holiness but about living a life that reflects the character of Christ. In our modern context, we must reevaluate what it means to be holy and ensure that our understanding aligns with the deeper truths of Scripture.
Key Takeaways:
- Trust in God's Grace: Like Abraham, our relationship with God is based on trust and reliance on His promises, not on our perfection. This trust allows us to experience the miraculous in our lives. [45:24]
- The Kingdom and Jesus are Inseparable: The kingdom of God cannot be separated from Jesus. Our faith is rooted in the resurrection, which signifies our union with Christ and our participation in His kingdom. [46:10]
- The Gospel's Transformative Power: The gospel should naturally lead to the making of disciples, not just consumers of religious services. A missional church is one that grows organically through the power of the gospel. [49:12]
- Holiness Beyond Legalism: True holiness is about embodying the fruit of the Spirit, not adhering to legalistic practices. It requires a deeper understanding of what it means to live a life that reflects Christ's character. [52:57]
- Reevaluating Marks of Holiness: In our modern context, we must reconsider what we view as marks of holiness, ensuring they align with the deeper truths of Scripture and reflect the character of Christ. [57:15]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[43:26] - Misconceptions of Defeat
[44:13] - Trust and Grace
[45:24] - Abraham's Faith
[46:10] - Kingdom and Jesus
[46:44] - Importance of Resurrection
[47:29] - Redemption and Union
[49:12] - Gospel and Discipleship
[50:41] - Legalism and Holiness
[51:11] - Normative vs. Operational Holiness
[52:25] - Social Justice and Holiness
[53:43] - Fruit of the Spirit
[54:44] - Marks of Holiness
[56:03] - Cultural Rituals and Holiness
[57:15] - Reevaluating Holiness Today
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 7:14-25
2. Genesis 15:6
3. 1 Corinthians 15:17
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 7:14-25 reveal about the struggle between the law and sin in a believer's life? How does this passage relate to the misconception of living a life of defeat? [43:44]
2. In Genesis 15:6, what was counted as righteousness for Abraham, and how does this relate to the concept of trusting in God's promises? [45:04]
3. According to 1 Corinthians 15:17, why is the resurrection of Christ crucial to our faith, and what does it signify about our union with Christ? [46:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between a missional church and one that merely provides religious goods and services? [49:12]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the struggle described in Romans 7:14-25 reflect the Christian experience, and what does the sermon suggest is the solution to this struggle? [47:51]
2. In what ways does Abraham's faith in Genesis 15:6 serve as a model for our relationship with God, according to the sermon? [45:24]
3. How does the resurrection, as discussed in 1 Corinthians 15:17, transform our understanding of redemption and our daily lives? [47:29]
4. What are the implications of the sermon’s view on holiness beyond legalism, and how does it challenge traditional perceptions of holiness? [52:57]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt defeated in your faith journey. How can the understanding of Romans 7 and the sermon’s message of victory through Christ change your perspective? [43:44]
2. Abraham trusted God for the impossible. What is one area in your life where you need to trust God more fully, and how can you take a step of faith this week? [45:24]
3. The resurrection is central to our faith. How does this truth impact your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more in union with the risen Christ? [46:44]
4. Consider the characteristics of a missional church. How can you contribute to your church’s mission in a way that goes beyond consuming religious services? [49:12]
5. The sermon challenges us to embody the fruit of the Spirit. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [53:43]
6. How can you reevaluate your understanding of holiness in light of the sermon’s message? What practical steps can you take to align your life more closely with the character of Christ? [57:15]
7. Identify a ritualistic mark of holiness in your life that may not align with the deeper truths of Scripture. How can you shift your focus to embodying true holiness as described in the sermon? [57:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Promises Over Perfection
In our spiritual journey, we often grapple with the misconception that we must achieve perfection to be in right standing with God. However, the essence of our relationship with God is not about our flawless performance but about trusting in His promises. Just as Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness, our trust in God's grace allows us to experience His miraculous work in our lives. This trust is not passive; it is an active reliance on God's ability to fulfill His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. By shifting our focus from our shortcomings to God's faithfulness, we open ourselves to a life of victory and transformation. [45:24]
Romans 4:20-21 (ESV): "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you find difficult to trust in fully? How can you actively choose to trust Him in this area today?
Day 2: The Indivisibility of Jesus and His Kingdom
The kingdom of God is intrinsically linked to Jesus, and understanding this connection is crucial for a full grasp of the gospel. The resurrection of Christ is not just a historical event but the cornerstone of our faith, signifying our union with the risen Christ and our participation in His kingdom. Without the resurrection, our faith would be meaningless, and we would remain ensnared by sin. Embracing the inseparability of Jesus and His kingdom invites us into a transformative relationship that transcends mere religious observance and leads us into a life of purpose and redemption. [46:10]
1 Corinthians 15:17-19 (ESV): "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."
Reflection: How does the resurrection of Jesus influence your daily life and decisions? In what ways can you live more fully in the reality of His kingdom today?
Day 3: The Gospel's Call to Discipleship
The gospel is not merely a message to be consumed but a transformative power that naturally leads to the making of disciples. A missional church is one that grows organically, not through programs or initiatives, but through the intrinsic movement towards mission fueled by the gospel. This growth is characterized by a deep commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus and inviting others into this transformative journey. As we consider the gospel we preach, we must evaluate whether it produces true disciples or merely consumers of religious goods. [49:12]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the mission of making disciples in your community? What steps can you take today to share the transformative power of the gospel with others?
Day 4: Holiness as the Fruit of the Spirit
Holiness is often misunderstood as adherence to legalistic practices, but true holiness is about embodying the fruit of the Spirit. It is not about ritualistic marks of holiness but about living a life that reflects the character of Christ. This deeper understanding of holiness calls us to reevaluate our perceptions and align them with the truths of Scripture. By focusing on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we cultivate a life that mirrors Christ's character and impacts the world around us. [52:57]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to embody? How can you intentionally cultivate this aspect of holiness in your life today?
Day 5: Reevaluating Modern Marks of Holiness
In our modern context, it is essential to reconsider what we view as marks of holiness, ensuring they align with the deeper truths of Scripture. Holiness is not about conforming to cultural rituals or legalistic standards but about reflecting the character of Christ in our daily lives. This reevaluation requires us to look beyond superficial markers and focus on the transformative work of the Spirit within us. By doing so, we can live authentically as followers of Christ, impacting our communities with His love and grace. [57:15]
1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: What cultural or personal standards have you mistaken for true holiness? How can you align your understanding of holiness with the character of Christ today?
Quotes
"Abraham believed God and God counted that as righteousness you know that meant that God resumed his relationship with Abraham on a different basis and a better one by the way do you remember what god what abraham believed god for remember the story well enough what did abraham believed God for believe gone for a baby a male heir that's the issue and it was a big run because this was going to be a miracle and Abraham's life with Isaac is one of miracle of trusting God for what was impossible see that's what that's the trust that stands has the basis of your relationship in my relationship to God that's trust that's reliance on the kingdom." [00:45:24]
"Now we come to the kingdom through Jesus we need to talk a lot about that because if you got Kingdom without Jesus you ain't got the kingdom if you got Jesus without the kingdom and we're worried about whether you got Jesus you know the king usually does not come without his kingdom and so the picture of Jesus as the sacrificial victim alone is not accurate it's not accurate that's why the resurrection is so important and Paul says you remember in 1st Corinthians 15 if Christ is not risen your faith is in vain you are still in your sins now that's a verse that we need to think deeply about because that's what we're talking about getting out of our sins." [00:46:10]
"If the only issue was Christ suffering on our behalf to get our guilt taken care of you will not find any place for the resurrection it will become an addendum of some sort but if you understand that Redemption includes your life now that that comes through your union with the risen Christ in his kingdom then you can see the broader picture that Paul is talking about if Christ is not risen he's not a part of my life if he's not a part of my life I can't deal with it and I am stuck in Romans 7 with all the right beliefs and total inability to deal with life." [00:47:29]
"Their major question for all of us as we think about what we hear and what we do is does the gospel I preached have a natural tendency to produce disciples does the gospel I preach have a natural tendency to produce disciples or only consumers of religious goods and services and then you as ministers you supply those goods and services or does it actually like people up so they go off like a rocket my definition of a missional church is one that you can't stop from growing that's a missional Church it's not one that sort of one day wakes ups and shakes itself and says mmm we should have some missions now some churches need to do that I concede that and it's not an altogether bad point to make but probably if they were not already on a mission there's something deeper that needs to be dealt with." [00:49:12]
"Now let's once and for all say that we're not talking about perfection in any legalistic terms because you are finite and you live in a world that's gonna tear you to pieces at every chance it gets you better not plan on that at least you won't need to worry about it for a while so you focus on particular things the things that Jesus taught and learning how to do that and legalistic perfection does not matter anyway because we've already been rained on that count and that is one thing where grace has to come in and say what egg what God in effect said to Abraham Abraham you're a goof up but you trust me and I'd rather have that." [00:44:13]
"So we're gonna talk about being holy we need to redo it in terms that are meaningful for us today and many of the issues that come out of holiness or unholiness are deeply important the nature of the family relationships between men and women ecclesiastical Authority all sorts of issues that get in the news now they're very deeply important but I hope you're going to start thinking about holiness at a deeper level that might be expressed in many lling many passages in the Bible just the fruit of the Spirit love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness kindness meekness faithfulness self-control what do those mean in the category of holiness." [00:52:25]
"Would you think that Clarence here holds a certain view of scriptural inspiration as a condition of holiness what about social justice it's a big topic today is another an important topic a very important unfortunately it's very badly focused on symptoms and not on causes poverty is a symptom what are the causes how do you trace that through the educational system and to the church the causes we're talking about." [00:51:11]
"Holiness has slipped out of our vocabulary along with discipleship partially because we are still bouncing off of a legalistic conception of holiness not as prominent now especially in in the same form like in the North when I was young in the northern part of the United States you could not smoke and be holy in the south you go in front of a church between Sunday School and the worship service you would think burnt offerings were being offered up but when you smell that you knew it wasn't holiness." [00:56:03]
"Holiness is very important is it not is it actually an old guy said that no one without holiness shall see the Lord and that's probably a good thing because if you're without holiness and you actually see the Lord it'll probably blow your fuses but holiness has slipped out of our vocabulary along with discipleship partially because we are still bouncing off of a legalistic conception of holiness." [00:57:15]
"Now there's two ways of thinking about question one is to be alert and think about it in a normative sense and you might say well I would expect him to be christ-like and then you need to spell that out some but there is another sense which is operational and that will be in terms of particular practices and particular things that people say no here's a here's a real tough one don't get mad at me please in order to be a holy person are there certain things you have to say about the Bible." [00:51:11]
"That's why the resurrection is so important and Paul says you remember in 1st Corinthians 15 if Christ is not risen your faith is in vain you are still in your sins now that's a verse that we need to think deeply about because that's what we're talking about getting out of our sins if the only issue was Christ suffering on our behalf to get our guilt taken care of you will not find any place for the resurrection." [00:46:44]
"Does the gospel I preached have a natural tendency to produce disciples does the gospel I preach have a natural tendency to produce disciples or only consumers of religious goods and services and then you as ministers you supply those goods and services or does it actually like people up so they go off like a rocket my definition of a missional church is one that you can't stop from growing that's a missional Church it's not one that sort of one day wakes ups and shakes itself and says mmm we should have some missions now." [00:49:12]
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