Living with Resurrection Power and Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Life's Fragility and God's Sovereignty

Life is a precious gift, and its fragility reminds us of our dependency on God. Each day is an opportunity to live with purpose, acknowledging that tomorrow is not guaranteed. This awareness should lead us to value our relationships, striving for unity and reconciliation. By maintaining short accounts with others, we transcend trials and reflect God's glory in our interactions. Recognizing our limitations and God's sovereignty helps us to live with humility and gratitude, making the most of every moment. [22:53]

James 4:13-15 (ESV): "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'"

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation. How can you take a step today to mend it, acknowledging the fragility of life and the importance of unity?

Day 2: Living in the Power of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith, offering us victory over sin and death. This transformative event empowers us to live with resurrection power, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. The resurrection is not just a past event but a present reality that should inspire us to serve God passionately and sacrificially. As we embrace this victory, we are called to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, with the assurance that our efforts have eternal significance. [31:50]

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to embrace the power of the resurrection more fully? How can this understanding change the way you approach your daily tasks and challenges?

Day 3: Spiritual Perspiration as a Lifestyle

Serving God is not an optional burden but an integral part of being in the household of faith. We are called to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, understanding that our efforts have eternal significance. This spiritual perspiration is an expectation for believers, as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to endure challenges and excel in our commitment to God's work. Our labor, though it may not always be immediately rewarded, holds eternal value and will be recognized by God. [45:14]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: Reflect on your current commitments and service to God. Are there areas where you can increase your dedication and effort, knowing that your labor is for the Lord and holds eternal significance?

Day 4: Endurance and Excellence in Service

Serving God requires endurance and excellence, as we are called to be firmly grounded in our convictions. We must resist external forces that might destabilize us, continually giving generously and wholeheartedly of our time, talent, and treasure. Our commitment to God's work should reflect a continual effort to excel, knowing that our faithfulness will be recognized by God. As we partner with God in His mission, we leverage our gifts and talents for His glory, making a tangible difference in His kingdom. [58:52]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: Identify one area of service where you can strive for greater excellence. What practical steps can you take to enhance your commitment and impact in this area?

Day 5: The Eternal Significance of Our Labor

Our labor in the Lord, though it may not always be immediately rewarded, holds eternal value. We are encouraged to partner with God in His mission, leveraging our gifts and talents for His glory. This partnership is not by accident; God has strategically placed us to make a difference in His kingdom. As we commit to serving with excellence, we do so with the assurance that our faithfulness will be recognized by God, and our efforts have eternal significance. [01:10:34]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: Consider the gifts and talents God has given you. How can you use them more effectively to serve His kingdom, knowing that your labor has eternal significance?

Sermon Summary

Summary:

Today, we gathered to reflect on the significance of living a life that is deeply rooted in spiritual discipline and service to God. As we navigate through the challenges and brevity of life, it is crucial to recognize the importance of living with a sense of dependency on God, understanding that tomorrow is not promised, but our eternity is. This awareness should drive us to maintain short accounts in our relationships and strive for unity and reconciliation, transcending trials for the glory of God.

We are reminded of the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in our faith. The resurrection is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that should lead to our spiritual perspiration. It is the foundation of our hope, signifying victory over sin, death, and the grave. This victory empowers us to live with resurrection power, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. We are called to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, understanding that our efforts have eternal significance.

The resurrection should inspire us to serve God passionately and sacrificially, recognizing that our service is not an extra burden but an expected part of being in the household of faith. We are encouraged to enroll in Christian service, endure challenges, and excel in our commitment to God's work. Our labor, though it may not always be immediately rewarded, holds eternal value and will be recognized by God.

As we move forward, let us embrace the call to partner with God in His mission, leveraging our gifts and talents for His glory. We are not here by accident; God has strategically placed us to make a difference in His kingdom. Let us commit to serving with excellence, knowing that our labor is not in vain and that God will reward our faithfulness.

Key Takeaways

1. Life's Fragility and Dependency on God: Life is fragile, and tomorrow is not promised. This reality should lead us to live with a sense of dependency on God, valuing each day and maintaining short accounts in our relationships. We must strive for unity and reconciliation, transcending trials for God's glory. [22:53]
2. The Centrality of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith, signifying victory over sin and death. It empowers us to live with resurrection power, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. This victory should inspire us to serve God passionately and sacrificially. [31:50]
3. Spiritual Perspiration as an Expectation: Our service to God is not an extra burden but an expected part of being in the household of faith. We are called to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, understanding that our efforts have eternal significance. [45:14]
4. Endurance and Excellence in Service: Serving God requires endurance and excellence. We must be firmly grounded in our convictions, resisting external forces that might destabilize us. Our commitment to God's work should reflect a continual effort to give generously and wholeheartedly of our time, talent, and treasure. [58:52]
5. Eternal Significance of Our Labor: Our labor in the Lord, though it may not always be immediately rewarded, holds eternal value. We are encouraged to partner with God in His mission, leveraging our gifts and talents for His glory, knowing that our faithfulness will be recognized by God. [01:10:34]
** [70:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:53] - New Year, New You
[24:25] - Getting Out of Our Own Way
[24:59] - Sweating the Spiritual Stuff
[25:52] - The Role of Service in Experiencing God
[28:11] - The Resurrection's Impact on Our Faith
[31:50] - Resurrection Hope and Victory
[36:17] - Perspiration for the Cause of Christ
[38:38] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
[40:37] - Eternal Rewards for Our Labor
[42:11] - The Great Commission and Our Role
[43:22] - Prioritizing Spiritual Work
[44:06] - The Illogical Nature of Neglecting Christ
[45:14] - Command to Be Steadfast and Immovable
[49:25] - Working to the Point of Exhaustion
[50:15] - The Sacrifice of Christ
[51:41] - The Humiliation of Christ's Incarnation
[52:35] - Jesus as the First Undercover Boss
[54:04] - Biblical Worldview on Service
[55:09] - Enrollment in Christian Service
[58:52] - Endurance in Christian Service
[62:09] - Perseverance Through Challenges
[63:58] - Establishment in Christian Service
[65:42] - Excelling in Christian Service
[70:34] - Enlightenment in Christian Service
[71:26] - Invitation to Serve
[73:02] - Call to Action and Partnership
[74:06] - Sacrificial Service
[75:46] - Super Sunday and Outreach Efforts
[79:56] - Making a Tangible Difference
[80:48] - Upcoming Initiatives and Programs

Sermon Clips

And so, God, we assume, God, that tomorrow is promised. But, God, tomorrow is not promised. Our eternity is promised. But tomorrow is not necessarily promised. So I want to pray, God, that we live with the sense of dependency upon you. I pray, God, we live recognizing, God, that, Lord, every day makes a difference. [00:21:06] (22 seconds)

The reality is that when it comes to serving God, it becomes very low on our totem pole. And God didn't want service to be low on the totem pole. The reality is part of experiencing God is serving God. There's a joy. There's an empowerment. There's an experience with God that you have when you serve God. Amen? [00:26:40] (21 seconds)

One of the central points of our faith in Jesus Christ is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amen? He moves on, he comes down now to verse 58. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor, that's our term again, is not in vain. [00:28:43] (28 seconds)

Ephesians 2, 10 says, and Paul says, and by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain. says you were created unto good works God has ordained certain works he wants you to accomplish as a believer in Jesus Christ as with a custom garment God has custom -made certain activities and roles he wants to see you fulfill as a believer in Jesus Christ. [00:29:25] (21 seconds)

Because Christ has already worked it out, we ought to work for Jesus Christ. Amen? See, guys, it's not just some HR ploy. It's saying, you know what? Because of what Christ has done for you, because of what Christ has done in you, now Christ wants to work through you. So, but what's the significance? of the resurrection the resurrection is central to our faith. [00:36:46] (25 seconds)

The resurrection guarantees our future resurrection, because heroes will rise also. Because he lives, we live also. Amen? What is the proof that I'm gonna live is that Jesus Christ is alive. Just as Christ was raised, we too will be raised to eternal life, giving eternal value to our earthly work. [00:39:30] (23 seconds)

Kingdom perspiration demands enrollment in Christian service. Number two, kingdom perspiration demands endurance. In Christian service. He says here, it's a command, be steadfast. This word steadfast, when you read it, it means to be firmly seated. It means to be settled. It means to be fixed in your purpose. It means to have a focus on resoluteness in your commitment. [00:58:11] (30 seconds)

We need to have a biblical worldview that says, serving Jesus Christ passionately and sacrificially is not a bonus. It's what's expected of us as a believer. Sometimes our philosophies are wrong. in these three funerals this week, and it's been four in the last two weeks, I was sharing with the people, many of you all think that your loved one got the short end of the stick. [01:00:44] (29 seconds)

This word abounding carries the sense of overflowing, exceeding expectations, going above and beyond what is necessary, partnering with people to maximize their life in Christ. We want to see you maximize your Christian service. maximize your rewards it reflects a continual effort to give generously and wholeheartedly of your time of your talent of your treasure. [01:08:35] (27 seconds)

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