Living Righteously Through the Transformative Power of the Cross
Summary
In my sermon today, I focused on the transformative power of the cross and the righteousness we receive through Christ. I began by emphasizing the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God, not just in our own eyes or according to the world's standards, but according to God's Word. I reminded the congregation that our primary focus should be to bring our lives under God's rule and reign and to live righteously, as instructed in Matthew 6:33. This means seeking God's kingdom first and living in a way that aligns with His righteousness, which in turn brings about the blessings of God in our lives.
I then addressed the issue of sin and how it can hinder our relationship with God. I shared my personal struggles with anger and how I had to repent and turn away from it to walk in the new direction God had for me. I stressed that repentance is about turning from our old ways and embracing the new life we have in Christ. I also talked about the importance of not identifying with our past sins but recognizing that we are new creations in Christ.
I shared the story of the prodigal son to illustrate God's love and willingness to forgive us. I pointed out that God runs towards us when we return to Him, ready to restore us to right standing with Him. This led me to discuss the five things Jesus accomplished for us on the cross: He removed our sins, remembers them no more, reconciled us with God, released us from our past, and brought us into right standing with Him.
I concluded by urging the congregation to live in the reality of what Jesus has done for us, to walk away from sin, and to embrace the righteousness that is ours in Christ. I encouraged everyone to not let sin or the enemy condemn us but to run to God, confess our sins, and receive His forgiveness and cleansing.
Key Takeaways:
1. Our destiny as believers is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, reflecting His character in our thoughts, words, and actions. This transformation is a lifelong journey that requires daily commitment and the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. [26:23]
2. Understanding and accepting the full extent of Jesus' sacrifice is crucial for living in freedom from sin. He removed our sins as far as the east is from the west, and we must also distance ourselves from sin by understanding our identity as new creations in Christ. [28:13]
3. The power to overcome sin comes from a decision to walk away from it, coupled with God's power that is released when we exercise our will to repent. This process may not be instantaneous, but through persistent faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit, victory is assured. [30:41]
4. Righteousness is not just a position we hold before God; it is a practical lifestyle we are called to live out. By living righteously, we honor the standing we have with God and open our lives to His blessings, which come naturally when we align with His will. [01:03]
5. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of love, and through it, we have been made right with God. This righteousness is not just a concept but a reality that should permeate every aspect of our lives, leading us to live in a way that is pleasing to Him and reflective of His love. [39:15]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
3. Luke 15:20 - "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Matthew 6:33 instruct us to seek first, and what is promised as a result?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what happens to someone who is in Christ?
3. In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20), how does the father react when he sees his son returning? [20:08]
4. What are the five things Jesus accomplished for us on the cross as mentioned in the sermon? [26:53]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:33) change the way we live our daily lives?
2. What does it mean to be a "new creation" in Christ according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, and how should this new identity affect our behavior?
3. How does the father's reaction in Luke 15:20 illustrate God's attitude towards us when we repent and return to Him? [20:08]
4. Why is it important to understand and accept the full extent of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for living in freedom from sin? [26:53]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there areas where you are not seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first? What steps can you take to align your priorities with Matthew 6:33? [01:54]
2. Think about a past sin or struggle that you have been holding onto. How can you embrace your identity as a new creation in Christ and let go of that past? [12:44]
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of repentance and turning away from old ways. Is there a specific sin or habit you need to repent of and turn away from? What practical steps can you take to walk in a new direction? [10:51]
4. How can you remind yourself daily of the five things Jesus accomplished for you on the cross to help you live in the reality of His sacrifice? [26:53]
5. The story of the prodigal son shows a father running to embrace his returning son. How can you apply this example of forgiveness and love in your relationships with others? [20:08]
6. The sermon emphasized not letting sin or the enemy condemn us. How can you practice running to God, confessing your sins, and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing in your daily life? [18:25]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to exercise your will to walk away from sin. What support or resources can you seek to help you rely on God's power for victory? [30:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Christlike Transformation
The journey of a believer is marked by a continuous transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This transformation is not a passive occurrence but an active pursuit that involves daily surrender and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is about allowing the character of Christ to be reflected in every thought, word, and deed. This process requires a commitment to spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading the Word, and fellowship with other believers. It is a lifelong journey, where one grows in grace and knowledge, learning to live out the love, humility, and purity that characterized Jesus' life on earth. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this transformation, providing the power and guidance necessary to make changes that honor God and benefit others. [07:40]
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you allow the Holy Spirit to transform your thoughts and actions to be more like Christ today?
Day 2: Living as New Creations in Christ
Understanding the full extent of Jesus' sacrifice is essential for believers to live in the freedom that comes from being a new creation in Christ. Jesus' death on the cross was a complete work that removed sins as far as the east is from the west. Believers must embrace their new identity, which is no longer defined by past sins or failures but by the righteousness of Christ. This understanding enables one to distance themselves from sin and live a life that reflects their new status. It is a call to renew the mind and align one's life with the truth of God's Word, recognizing that the old self has been crucified with Christ and that life is now lived by faith in the Son of God. [28:13]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What old habits or mindsets do you need to leave behind to fully embrace your identity as a new creation in Christ?
Day 3: Overcoming Sin with Repentance and God's Power
The power to overcome sin does not come from human willpower alone but from a decision to turn away from sin, coupled with the divine power that God releases when one exercises their will to repent. This process of repentance is not always instantaneous; it often requires persistent faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Victory over sin is assured as one continues to seek God's strength and guidance. The believer's role is to make the conscious choice to walk away from sin and to trust that God will provide the necessary power to live a life that is pleasing to Him. [30:41]
James 4:7-8 (ESV)
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What sin do you need to repent of today, and how can you actively seek God's power to overcome it?
Day 4: Righteous Living as a Daily Practice
Righteousness is not merely a status before God but a practical lifestyle that believers are called to live out. This lifestyle honors the standing believers have with God and opens their lives to His blessings. Living righteously means making choices that align with God's will and His Word, thereby allowing His blessings to flow naturally into one's life. It involves a daily commitment to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. By doing so, believers demonstrate the reality of their faith and the transformative power of the gospel in their lives. [01:03]
Micah 6:8 (ESV)
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice living out righteousness today?
Day 5: The Cross as the Foundation of Our Righteousness
The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's love and the foundation upon which believers' righteousness stands. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, believers have been made right with God, a reality that should permeate every aspect of their lives. This righteousness is not just a theological concept but a transformative truth that influences how one lives. It calls believers to live in a manner that is pleasing to God, reflecting His love and grace to the world. The cross reminds believers of the depth of God's love and the price paid for their redemption, motivating them to live lives worthy of the calling they have received. [39:15]
1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
Reflection: How does the reality of the cross influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
Quotes
1) "So what do I do when I miss it? Okay, here's the cool thing about God. Because I have right standing with him, remember this. I have right standing with him. When I sin, I haven't lost my standing with him. I'm still in right standing with him as long as I run to him and confess that sin." [18:25]
2) "You can't live your life any way you want, and then think dad's going to be here to reward you for a wrong way of living. That would be irresponsible of a parent to reward that lifestyle. Is that right? Definitely." [04:03]
3) "I found this out with everything I've ever walked away from. I found this out. The moment I decided, the moment I chose to walk away from that, I exercised my will. There's a little willpower in here, but my willpower is not enough. I found out anytime I set my will against that, I'm not going to do this anymore, and I repent, I turn from that, there is God power to set me free from that." [30:41]
4) "I can be made new in Christ and be made right with God, but I can't practice sin. I can't live in sin and think that I'm going to have great standing with God. I won't have great standing with God if for no other reason because my sin will condemn me." [15:58]
5) "We are predestined to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. We're supposed to look like him. We're supposed to talk like him. We're supposed to think like him. We're supposed to act. That's what a disciple is. We're supposed to act like him. That's what a disciple is. That's what our follower of Christ is." [26:23]
6) "He has distanced our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. So the blood of Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins. And in doing so, it distanced us from our sins as far as, he tells you how far, as far as the east is from the west." [28:13]
7) "For God made Christ who never sinned to be this offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God through Christ. The great exchange. He became sin for us. So that we could be made right with God through his righteousness." [39:15]
8) "Whenever I mess up, I go run into God. I confess my sin. I get it done and I get it over with. And I'm not going to let the devil bring it up again. I'm going to move on from it because I want to go for what God has for me." [22:58]
9) "He says, I'll forgive. Hebrews 8, 12. And I will forgive their wickedness. That's what he calls sin. You ought to forgive. I call it that. I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins. It doesn't say that he forgets our sins. I don't think he can forget your sins any more than you can forget when you're sinned against." [32:13]
10) "He sees his son. And the Bible says he runs to him. Everybody say he runs. I've never thought about that until this week. It says he ran to him. Everybody say he ran to him. Jesus is trying to change your mindset about your heavenly father when he's telling this story. He ran to him." [20:08]
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