Living the Crucified Life: Daily Surrender to Christ
Summary
In reflecting on Galatians 2:20, the essence of our Christian journey is captured in the profound truth that we have been crucified with Christ. This means our old selves, marked by sin and self-reliance, have been put to death, and now Christ lives in us. This transformation is not merely symbolic but a real and ongoing process that requires us to daily surrender our old identities and embrace the new life Christ offers. The Christian life is a battle between the flesh and the spirit, a daily struggle to let go of our old selves and allow Christ to be the center of our being.
The presence of Christ in our lives is not about self-improvement but about a complete transformation through the Holy Spirit. As we surrender to Him, we are empowered to live lives that reflect His love and sacrifice. This is not an easy path; it involves a painful process of letting go of worldly desires and habits that hinder our spiritual growth. Yet, it is through this surrender that we find true freedom and purpose.
Faith is the foundation of this new life. It is not by our works or efforts but by trusting in Christ's love and sacrifice that we navigate life's challenges. His sacrificial love is the ultimate motivation for our faith, reminding us of the personal nature of His death and the call to live lives that glorify Him. Each day, we face the choice of glorifying God or self, and it is through this daily decision that we align ourselves with His will and purpose.
As we step into a new year, we are encouraged to reflect on how our faith shapes our daily decisions and whether we are allowing Christ to actively work in our lives. This is a call to live fully surrendered lives, recognizing that our story is part of a greater narrative that God is writing for His glory. Let us commit to making Christ the center of our lives, allowing Him to transform us and use us for His purposes.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Crucified Life: Embracing the crucified life means putting to death our old selves and allowing Christ to live in us. This transformation is not symbolic but a real and ongoing process that requires daily surrender. It is a battle between the flesh and the spirit, and we must engage in this battle to fully experience the new life in Christ. [42:05]
2. Christ at the Center: Christ living in us is not about self-improvement but a complete transformation through the Holy Spirit. When we fully surrender to Him, He becomes the center of our being, empowering us to live lives that reflect His love and sacrifice. This requires letting go of worldly desires and habits that hinder our spiritual growth. [45:00]
3. Faith as the Foundation: Our new life in Christ is sustained by faith, not by works or human effort. Faith empowers us to navigate challenges, trusting in Christ's love and sacrifice. It is through faith that we find strength and purpose, living lives that glorify Him. [50:26]
4. Daily Surrender: Each day, we face the choice of glorifying God or self. This daily decision shapes our lives and aligns us with God's will and purpose. By choosing to glorify God, we allow Him to work in and through us, transforming us into His image. [54:43]
5. Part of a Greater Story: Our lives are part of a greater narrative that God is writing for His glory. We are called to live fully surrendered lives, recognizing that our story is not about us but about what God wants to do in and through us. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of self-centered desires. [01:00:51]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [38:07] - Hospital Experience and Prayer
- [40:02] - Encountering God's Presence
- [42:05] - Understanding the Crucified Life
- [43:10] - The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
- [45:00] - Christ Living in Us
- [46:44] - Transformation Through the Holy Spirit
- [47:44] - Producing Fruit in Christ
- [49:01] - Daily Surrender and Battle
- [50:26] - Faith as the Foundation
- [54:43] - The Choice of Glorifying God or Self
- [55:54] - Living Fully Surrendered Lives
- [58:26] - The Call to Lead and Surrender
- [01:00:51] - Part of a Greater Story
- [01:04:59] - Time of Response and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 2:20
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- John 15:5
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Galatians 2:20 mean when it says, "I have been crucified with Christ"? How does this relate to the idea of our old selves being put to death? [42:05]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned a "battle between the flesh and the spirit." What examples were given to illustrate this battle? [43:10]
3. How does the pastor describe the presence of Christ in our lives? What analogy is used to explain this concept? [47:44]
4. What role does faith play in sustaining our new life in Christ, according to the sermon? [50:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "crucified with Christ" challenge the idea of self-improvement? What does this mean for a believer's daily life? [46:44]
2. The pastor mentioned that living a life fully surrendered to Christ involves a painful process. Why might this process be painful, and what are the potential benefits? [49:01]
3. How does the pastor suggest that faith should shape our daily decisions? What might be some practical examples of this in a believer's life? [54:43]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of recognizing our lives as part of a greater narrative. How does this perspective change the way we view our personal stories and struggles? [01:00:51]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there specific areas where you are still holding onto your old self? What steps can you take to surrender these areas to Christ? [43:10]
2. The pastor spoke about the daily choice between glorifying God or self. How can you remind yourself of this choice each day, and what practical steps can you take to choose God more consistently? [01:02:36]
3. Consider the analogy of Christ living in us as a hand in a glove. In what ways can you allow Christ to fill and guide your actions more fully this week? [47:44]
4. How does your faith currently influence your daily decisions? Identify one decision you will face this week and consider how you can approach it with faith in Christ's love and sacrifice. [54:43]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of living a life that reflects Christ's love and sacrifice. What is one specific way you can demonstrate this love in your interactions with others this week? [46:44]
6. The pastor encouraged the congregation to see their lives as part of God's greater story. How can this perspective help you handle a current challenge or decision in your life? [01:00:51]
7. Reflect on the idea of painful Christianity. Is there a specific habit or desire that you find difficult to let go of? What support or resources can you seek to help you in this process? [49:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Crucified Life
The Christian journey is marked by the profound truth that believers have been crucified with Christ, meaning their old selves, characterized by sin and self-reliance, have been put to death. This transformation is not merely symbolic but a real and ongoing process that requires daily surrender of old identities to embrace the new life Christ offers. The Christian life is a battle between the flesh and the spirit, a daily struggle to let go of the old self and allow Christ to be the center of one's being. This crucified life is about engaging in this battle to fully experience the new life in Christ. [42:05]
Galatians 5:24-25 (ESV): "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: What is one aspect of your old self that you need to surrender to Christ today? How can you actively engage in the battle between the flesh and the spirit in your daily life?
Day 2: Christ at the Center
Having Christ live in us is not about self-improvement but a complete transformation through the Holy Spirit. When believers fully surrender to Him, He becomes the center of their being, empowering them to live lives that reflect His love and sacrifice. This requires letting go of worldly desires and habits that hinder spiritual growth. The presence of Christ in one's life is about allowing Him to transform and use them for His purposes, which involves a painful process of letting go of anything that does not align with His will. [45:00]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What worldly desire or habit is hindering your spiritual growth? How can you let go of it to allow Christ to be the center of your life?
Day 3: Faith as the Foundation
The new life in Christ is sustained by faith, not by works or human effort. Faith empowers believers to navigate challenges, trusting in Christ's love and sacrifice. It is through faith that they find strength and purpose, living lives that glorify Him. This faith is not passive but an active trust in Christ's sacrificial love, which is the ultimate motivation for living a life that aligns with His will. Each day, believers face the choice of glorifying God or self, and it is through this daily decision that they align themselves with His purpose. [50:26]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God more fully today? How can you actively exercise your faith in this area?
Day 4: Daily Surrender
Each day, believers face the choice of glorifying God or self. This daily decision shapes their lives and aligns them with God's will and purpose. By choosing to glorify God, they allow Him to work in and through them, transforming them into His image. This involves a conscious decision to surrender to God's will, recognizing that their story is part of a greater narrative that God is writing for His glory. It requires humility and a willingness to let go of self-centered desires. [54:43]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today to glorify God rather than yourself? How can this decision shape your daily life and align you with God's purpose?
Day 5: Part of a Greater Story
Believers are called to live fully surrendered lives, recognizing that their story is not about them but about what God wants to do in and through them. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of self-centered desires. By living a life that is part of a greater narrative, believers find true freedom and purpose, allowing God to transform them and use them for His glory. This involves a commitment to making Christ the center of their lives and allowing Him to actively work in their lives. [01:00:51]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: How can you recognize and embrace your role in God's greater story today? What self-centered desire do you need to let go of to allow God to work through you?
Quotes
And I didn't know until after the fact that it was the prayers of the people. He was coming in and saying, they've asked me to surround you and cover you with my presence during this time. And I've heard them. And I'm going to do that. And it was over the next few days that he gave me this verse. And I've read the verse. I've talked about the verse. I love the verse. But it was that time in my life when he really used that verse in my life. And it's Galatians, Galatians 2 .20. It simply says, I've been crucified with Christ. And I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. [00:40:36] (46 seconds)
There is pain involved in putting off the old self. It's not easy. Would you agree with that this morning? It's not easy to put away or put aside those sinful, I'll say, desires, if you will, that we see Paul talking about here. That old self. It's not just a symbolic participation. It's an actual setting aside or putting off. Those things of our old self. [00:43:10] (25 seconds)
With that said, have you truly laid down your old self at the cross? It's painful. It's not easy. Because it's easy to hang on to the things of this world, right? It's not easy to just put the old self to the side. Or are we clinging to the habits, the attitudes, and the identities that have already been crucified, with Christ? [00:44:08] (25 seconds)
Jesus takes residence in our hearts, not as a guest, but as the center of our being. And how many times do we just invite him over for a little while, right? All right, God, you can come in for a little bit, and Jesus, this is what you can, oh, wait a minute, you're getting too close to home there. [00:45:37] (20 seconds)
This is where we see Paul says, I die daily to self. It's a daily thing. This isn't something where you can make that decision one time and say, all right, I'm good to go. Fought that battle. We're done. Moving on. It's not like that at all. And you all know this. It's a battle. It is a daily. And that's why God's mercies are new every morning, because we need to die daily. The battle is ongoing, okay? [00:49:44] (26 seconds)
Christ's sacrificial love is the ultimate reason for our faith his death was personal he loved you and me specifically simply says John 3 16 kids you guys gonna know this one for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but what have everlasting life how many times have we heard that verse said that verse quoted that verse we've got it up on our walls we've got it you know everywhere for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son a friend of mine used to talk about this for God so loved the world now I've got two sons I love you church family I love you dearly I love serving here I love serving alongside of you but I don't know that I so love you enough to give up my Caden or my Cooper I can't imagine what God did for me for you Jesus there's one way that's you God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son how does faith shape your daily decisions are you living with the confidence that Christ is actively working in your life I read that again how does faith shape your day decisions are you living with the confidence that Christ is actively working in your life let me switch that question up a little bit are you allowing him to actively work in your life are you allowing him to pick at and pluck at those those things in your life that you're just hanging on to I like this too much I'm not willing to go through the pain of letting that go or setting that aside or setting that aside or setting that aside or setting that aside or setting that giving this up. [00:52:32] (125 seconds)
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