Living Victoriously Through Faith and Resurrection

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the notion of living a life of defeat, as if Romans 7 is the definitive story of the Christian life. However, this perspective is not what God intends for us. We are not called to a life of legalistic perfection, but rather to a life of trust and reliance on God, much like Abraham. Abraham's story is a testament to the power of faith; he believed God for the impossible—a male heir—and this trust was counted to him as righteousness. This relationship with God, based on trust rather than perfection, is what we are invited into.

The kingdom of God is central to our faith, and it is through Jesus that we enter this kingdom. It is crucial to understand that Jesus does not come without His kingdom, and the kingdom does not exist without Jesus. The resurrection of Christ is a pivotal event that underscores this truth. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15, if Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain, and we remain in our sins. The resurrection is not merely an addendum to the story of redemption; it is the cornerstone of our new life in Christ. Through our union with the risen Christ, we are empowered to live a life that transcends the limitations of Romans 7.

This broader understanding of redemption includes our present life, where we are called to live in the power of the risen Christ and His kingdom. It is through this union that we find the strength to overcome the challenges of life, moving beyond mere belief to a vibrant, transformative faith that impacts every aspect of our existence.

Key Takeaways:

1. Trust Over Perfection: Our relationship with God is not based on legalistic perfection but on trust, as exemplified by Abraham. Trusting God for the impossible allows us to experience His righteousness and grace in our lives. [06:43]

2. The Kingdom and Jesus: The kingdom of God and Jesus are inseparable. To truly understand and experience the kingdom, we must embrace Jesus, who brings the kingdom into our lives. [07:18]

3. The Importance of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Christ is central to our faith. Without it, our faith is in vain, and we remain in our sins. The resurrection empowers us to live a new life in Christ. [07:39]

4. Redemption in the Present: Redemption is not just about the afterlife; it includes our present life. Through our union with the risen Christ, we are called to live a life that reflects His kingdom here and now. [08:22]

5. Moving Beyond Romans 7: We are not meant to live in defeat, as Romans 7 suggests. Through Christ, we have the ability to overcome life's challenges and live a victorious life in His kingdom. [08:44]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:22] - Story of Heart Renovation
[05:10] - Living Beyond Defeat
[05:24] - Legalism vs. Grace
[06:01] - Abraham's Trust
[06:19] - The Miracle of Isaac
[07:04] - Kingdom Through Jesus
[07:18] - Jesus and His Kingdom
[07:39] - The Significance of Resurrection
[07:58] - Redemption and Resurrection
[08:22] - Life in Union with Christ
[08:44] - Overcoming Romans 7

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 7:14-25
2. Genesis 15:1-6
3. 1 Corinthians 15:12-22

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 7:14-25 describe about the struggle within a believer's life? How does this passage relate to the idea of living a life of defeat? [04:41]
2. In Genesis 15:1-6, what was the specific promise God made to Abraham, and how did Abraham respond to it? [06:19]
3. According to 1 Corinthians 15:12-22, why is the resurrection of Christ so crucial to our faith? [07:39]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Abraham trusting God for a male heir illustrate the concept of trust over legalistic perfection? [06:43]
2. What does it mean to say that the kingdom of God and Jesus are inseparable? How does this understanding affect a believer's relationship with Christ? [07:18]
3. How does the resurrection empower believers to live a new life in Christ, as opposed to being stuck in the limitations of Romans 7? [08:44]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a situation where you felt defeated in your spiritual journey. How can the understanding of trust over perfection, as seen in Abraham's story, change your perspective? [06:43]
2. In what ways can you actively embrace the kingdom of God in your daily life, knowing that it is inseparable from Jesus? [07:18]
3. How does the resurrection of Christ influence your daily decisions and actions? Can you identify a specific area in your life where this truth needs to be more evident? [07:39]
4. Consider the challenges you face in life. How can your union with the risen Christ provide strength and guidance to overcome these challenges? [08:22]
5. Romans 7 describes a struggle with sin. What practical steps can you take to move beyond this struggle and live a victorious life in Christ's kingdom? [08:44]
6. Identify a current situation where you need to trust God for something that seems impossible. How can Abraham's example encourage you to rely on God's promises? [06:19]
7. How can you cultivate a vibrant, transformative faith that impacts every aspect of your existence, as described in the sermon? [08:22]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God for the Impossible
Our relationship with God is not about achieving legalistic perfection but about trusting Him, as Abraham did. Abraham's faith was not in his own ability to fulfill God's promises but in God's power to do the impossible. This trust was credited to him as righteousness, showing that faith, not perfection, is the foundation of our relationship with God. When we trust God for the impossible, we open ourselves to experiencing His righteousness and grace in our lives. This trust invites us into a deeper relationship with God, where we rely on His strength rather than our own. [06:43]

Hebrews 11:11-12 (ESV): "By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to trust God for the impossible? How can you begin to rely on His strength rather than your own today?


Day 2: The Inseparable Kingdom and Jesus
The kingdom of God is inseparable from Jesus. To truly understand and experience the kingdom, we must embrace Jesus, who brings the kingdom into our lives. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are central to the kingdom's reality, and through Him, we are invited to participate in this divine realm. The kingdom is not a distant future promise but a present reality that we enter through our relationship with Jesus. By embracing Jesus, we allow His kingdom to transform our lives, bringing His peace, justice, and love into our daily existence. [07:18]

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"

Reflection: How can you invite Jesus to bring His kingdom into a specific area of your life today? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with His kingdom values?


Day 3: The Resurrection as the Cornerstone of Faith
The resurrection of Christ is central to our faith. Without it, our faith is in vain, and we remain in our sins. The resurrection is not just an event in history but the cornerstone of our new life in Christ. It empowers us to live beyond the limitations of our old selves, offering us a vibrant, transformative faith. Through the resurrection, we are given the power to overcome sin and live in the freedom and victory that Christ has won for us. This new life is marked by hope, joy, and the assurance of eternal life with God. [07:39]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: In what ways does the resurrection of Christ empower you to live differently today? How can you let this truth shape your actions and attitudes?


Day 4: Redemption in the Present Life
Redemption is not just about the afterlife; it includes our present life. Through our union with the risen Christ, we are called to live a life that reflects His kingdom here and now. This means living in the power of the resurrection, allowing it to transform every aspect of our existence. Redemption is about experiencing God's grace and love in our daily lives, overcoming challenges, and living in the freedom that Christ offers. It is a call to live with purpose, knowing that our lives are part of God's redemptive plan for the world. [08:22]

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Reflection: How can you live out the redemption you have received in Christ in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to reflect His kingdom values today?


Day 5: Overcoming Defeat with Christ's Victory
We are not meant to live in defeat, as Romans 7 suggests. Through Christ, we have the ability to overcome life's challenges and live a victorious life in His kingdom. This victory is not about our own strength but about relying on the power of the risen Christ. By living in union with Him, we can transcend the limitations of our old selves and experience the fullness of life that He offers. This victorious life is marked by joy, peace, and the assurance that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. [08:44]

2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel defeated? How can you invite Christ's victory into this area and begin to live in the triumph He offers?

Quotes

"the fundamental issues because in the minds of most people let me tell you a story about renovation of the heart when it first came out the people who had to represent the books to the booksellers the bookstores could not represent it to them because it suggested it was actually possible not to live a life of defeat and they were so hung up on the idea that that was Romans seven is the story of the Christian life" [00:04:22]

"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 going to 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" [00:05:24]

"what God in effect said to Abraham Abraham you're a goof up but you trust me and I'd rather have that 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 you remember the story well enough what did Abraham believe God for believe God for a baby a male heir that's the issue and it was a big one because this was going to be a miracle" [00:06:01]

"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 now we come to the kingdom through Jesus we need to talk a lot about that because if you've got Kingdom without Jesus you ain't got the kingdom and if you got Jesus without the kingdom why are worried about whether you got Jesus you know the king usually does not come without his kingdom" [00:06:43]

"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 no 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 with a resurrection" [00:07:18]

"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 and 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" [00:08:22]

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Transcript
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