Living Surrendered: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that "You Are Not Your Own," as articulated in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. This passage challenges us to live a life of full surrender to God, recognizing that we have been bought with a price—the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Our identity as believers is rooted in being sanctified and set apart for God, which calls us to live under His lordship in every aspect of our lives, including our sexuality.
The culture around us often promotes a narrative of autonomy and self-ownership, encouraging us to do whatever we please. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to a different standard. We are reminded that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we must glorify God with them. This means fleeing from sexual immorality and any form of sin that seeks to dominate us. True liberty in Christ is not the freedom to do whatever we want but the power to do what we ought, aligning our lives with God's will and purpose.
The Corinthian church faced similar cultural pressures, and Paul's message to them is equally relevant to us today. We must be vigilant against the subtle drift away from God's truth, ensuring that our lives reflect our identity in Christ. This involves a conscious decision to operate under the culture of God's kingdom rather than the world's. Our response to temptation should be swift and decisive—fleeing from sin and running towards God's righteousness.
Ultimately, the call is to live a life of surrender, acknowledging that we belong to God. This surrender is not a loss but a gain, as it aligns us with the Creator's perfect design and purpose for our lives. By living in this truth, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us, bearing fruit for His glory.
Key Takeaways:
1. Identity in Christ: Our identity as believers is rooted in being sanctified and set apart for God. This identity grounds us and helps us resist the world's temptations, reminding us that we are called to be saints, set apart for God's purposes. [11:35]
2. Cultural Influence: We must choose which culture will rule our lives—the culture of God's kingdom or the world's. The world's system, under Satan's influence, seeks to conform us, but we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. [18:31]
3. True Liberty: True liberty in Christ is not the freedom to do whatever we want but the power to do what we ought. This means living according to God's will and not being dominated by anything other than His Spirit. [25:20]
4. Response to Temptation: The proper response to temptation, especially sexual immorality, is to flee. We must not play with fire but run from sin, seeking God's strength to live a life of holiness. [41:07]
5. Glorifying God with Our Bodies: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to glorify God with them. This involves living a life of surrender, recognizing that we are not our own but belong to God, who has a better way for us. [43:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Introduction: You Are Not Your Own
- [02:52] - Reading 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
- [03:38] - The Call to Full Surrender
- [07:00] - Cultural Challenges and Identity
- [10:30] - The Danger of Drifting
- [11:35] - Understanding Our Identity in Christ
- [16:14] - Which Culture Will Rule?
- [18:31] - Wisdom of the World vs. Wisdom of God
- [24:46] - True Liberty in Christ
- [25:20] - The Power to Do What We Ought
- [28:11] - The Influence of Culture on Morality
- [33:41] - To Whom Will I Give Myself?
- [41:07] - Proper Response to Temptation
- [43:46] - Glorifying God with Our Bodies
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful"? How does this relate to the concept of being dominated by anything? [02:52]
2. How does Paul describe the relationship between our bodies and the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20? What implications does this have for how we live? [43:46]
3. What cultural pressures were the Corinthians facing that Paul addresses in this passage? How does he suggest they respond to these pressures? [07:48]
4. What is the significance of Paul’s repeated question, "Do you not know?" in this passage? What is he emphasizing to the Corinthians? [33:41]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "bought with a price" influence a believer's understanding of their identity in Christ? What does this mean for their daily life? [07:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the culture of the world conflicts with the culture of God's kingdom? How can believers discern which culture is influencing them? [16:14]
3. How does the sermon define true liberty in Christ? How does this differ from the world's definition of freedom? [25:20]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the proper response to sexual temptation, and why is this response important for living a life of holiness? [41:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel you are being dominated by something other than God's Spirit? How can you begin to address this in light of 1 Corinthians 6:12? [02:52]
2. Consider the cultural influences in your life. How do you determine whether you are being shaped by the world's culture or God's kingdom? What steps can you take to ensure you are aligning with God's culture? [16:14]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality. What practical steps can you take to guard against sexual temptation in your life? [41:07]
4. How does understanding that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit change the way you view your daily actions and decisions? What specific changes might you need to make to glorify God with your body? [43:46]
5. The sermon challenges us to live a life of full surrender to God. What does surrender look like in your current circumstances? Are there areas where you are holding back from God? [01:30]
6. How can you remind yourself daily of your identity in Christ as someone who is sanctified and set apart? What practices or habits can help reinforce this truth in your life? [11:35]
7. Think about a recent situation where you faced temptation. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time to align your response with the teachings of 1 Corinthians 6? [41:07]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Identity Rooted in Sanctification
Our identity as believers is deeply rooted in being sanctified and set apart for God. This identity is not just a label but a transformative reality that shapes how we live and interact with the world. As Christians, we are called to resist the temptations and pressures of the world by grounding ourselves in the truth of who we are in Christ. This means recognizing that we are called to be saints, living lives that reflect God's holiness and purpose. Our identity in Christ empowers us to stand firm against the cultural currents that seek to pull us away from God's truth. [11:35]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your identity in Christ, especially when faced with worldly temptations?
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Day 2: Choosing the Culture of God's Kingdom
We live in a world where cultural influences are strong and pervasive, often promoting values that are contrary to God's kingdom. As believers, we must consciously choose which culture will rule our lives—the culture of God's kingdom or the world's. The world's system, under Satan's influence, seeks to conform us to its ways, but we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation involves aligning our thoughts, actions, and values with God's truth, allowing His wisdom to guide us rather than the fleeting wisdom of the world. [18:31]
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: What specific steps can you take this week to immerse yourself more in the culture of God's kingdom rather than the world's?
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Day 3: True Liberty in Christ
True liberty in Christ is not the freedom to do whatever we want but the power to do what we ought. This liberty is about living according to God's will and not being dominated by anything other than His Spirit. In a world that often equates freedom with self-indulgence, the Christian understanding of liberty is radically different. It is about being free from the bondage of sin and empowered to live a life that reflects God's righteousness and love. This true liberty enables us to align our lives with God's purpose, experiencing the fullness of life He intends for us. [25:20]
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Reflection: How can you exercise your freedom in Christ today in a way that serves others and glorifies God?
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Day 4: Fleeing from Temptation
The proper response to temptation, especially sexual immorality, is to flee. We are not called to engage or entertain sin but to run from it, seeking God's strength to live a life of holiness. This requires a conscious and decisive action to turn away from sin and towards God's righteousness. In moments of temptation, we must remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to honor God with them. By fleeing from sin, we protect our relationship with God and maintain the purity He desires for us. [41:07]
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV): "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Reflection: Identify a specific temptation you face regularly. What practical steps can you take to flee from it and seek God's strength?
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Day 5: Glorifying God with Our Bodies
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to glorify God with them. This involves living a life of surrender, recognizing that we are not our own but belong to God, who has a better way for us. By honoring God with our bodies, we align ourselves with His perfect design and purpose, experiencing the fullness of life He intends. This surrender is not a loss but a gain, as it allows us to bear fruit for His glory and live in the freedom and joy of His presence. [43:46]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Reflection: In what ways can you honor God with your body today, acknowledging that it is a temple of the Holy Spirit?
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Quotes
Our identity is what roots us. It's what grounds us. It's what helps keep us when the onslaught of the world's temptations come at us, and we stop and we say, wait a minute for a minute. Wait just a minute. Who am I? [00:11:51] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Do not forget who you are. So every morning, every day when you get up and you put on the whole armor of God, just think about the fact that God the Father is looking at you saying, remember today you're one of mine. You belong to me. You're a saint. You're a holy one. You're a set apart one. [00:15:53] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The point is, the Christian is not to be ruled by anything but God's word, God's will, God's way, God's Holy Spirit. Nothing in this world. So to say, well, all things are lawful. I can do whatever I want. No, you can't. [00:30:32] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The gift of sexual intimacy is a tremendous gift that God has given to mankind. It is a tremendous, loving gift that the Father has given, but it has been given for a purpose. It has been given for a purpose. [00:34:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
God has, as Keith said earlier, some guidelines and some boundaries that he has laid out not to hold us back from anything but ourselves. He's given us, he even says it in Deuteronomy, that these laws were given for our good. [00:36:39] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God. Glorify God with your body. Glorify God. [00:43:32] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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