Preaching the Gospel to Ourselves Daily
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound necessity of having gospel conversations with ourselves. While our recent series focused on sharing the gospel with others, it's equally vital to internalize these truths daily. The gospel is not merely a personal plan of salvation; it encompasses a cosmic scope, promising redemption, justice, and the restoration of all creation. As believers, we must remind ourselves of the truths of redemption, forgiveness, and adoption into God's family, resisting the world's attempts to undermine these realities.
Reflecting on 1 John 1, we examined the tension between acknowledging our sinfulness and striving for holiness. John warns against the deception of claiming sinlessness while walking in darkness. True fellowship with God and each other is rooted in walking in the light, which involves both striving against sin and confessing it when we fall short. This duality is crucial: we must not only confess our sins but also actively repent and forsake them.
The gospel assures us that Jesus Christ is our advocate, standing before the Father on our behalf. His sacrifice is the propitiation for our sins, satisfying God's wrath and offering us forgiveness. This truth should liberate us from the guilt and shame that often accompany our failures. Instead of being crushed by our sin, we should be uplifted by the grace and mercy of God, which are greater than our transgressions.
We are encouraged to preach these gospel truths to ourselves daily. Our inner dialogue often condemns us, but we must counter it with the truth of God's word. Scriptures like Romans 8:1 and Psalm 103:12 remind us of our freedom from condemnation and the vastness of God's forgiveness. By affirming these truths, we can live in the freedom and joy that the gospel promises.
Key Takeaways:
- Preach the Gospel to Yourself: The gospel is not just a message for others; it's a daily reminder for ourselves. We must internalize the truths of redemption, forgiveness, and adoption, resisting the world's attempts to undermine these realities. [31:09]
- Acknowledge and Forsake Sin: Walking in the light involves both striving against sin and confessing it when we fall short. True repentance requires us to not only acknowledge our sins but also actively forsake them. [39:14]
- Jesus as Our Advocate: Jesus Christ stands as our advocate before the Father, having paid the price for our sins. This truth should liberate us from guilt and shame, reminding us that His grace is greater than our transgressions. [45:15]
- Counter Negative Self-Talk: Our inner dialogue often condemns us, but we must counter it with the truth of God's word. Scriptures remind us of our freedom from condemnation and the vastness of God's forgiveness. [50:18]
- Live in the Freedom of the Gospel: By affirming gospel truths daily, we can live in the freedom and joy that the gospel promises. We are wonderfully and completely blessed, not condemned, and should live as new creations in Christ. [52:37]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [23:46] - Introduction to Gospel Conversations
- [24:14] - Personal Story of Sharing the Gospel
- [25:44] - The Struggle with Sin and Guilt
- [27:12] - Preaching the Gospel to Yourself
- [27:28] - Reading from 1 John 1
- [29:45] - The Scope of the Gospel
- [31:50] - Addressing False Teachings
- [32:26] - God is Light
- [36:48] - Walking in Darkness vs. Walking in Light
- [39:00] - Acknowledging Sin
- [41:15] - Confession and Cleansing
- [45:00] - Jesus as Our Advocate
- [47:04] - Propitiation and God's Wrath
- [50:18] - Affirming Gospel Truths Daily
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 John 1:5-2:2
- Romans 8:1
- Psalm 103:12
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 John 1:5-2:2, what does it mean to walk in the light, and how does this relate to our fellowship with God and others? [27:49]
2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about struggling with guilt and shame. How did this lead him to the message of 1 John 1? [26:44]
3. What role does Jesus Christ play as our advocate according to 1 John 2:1-2, and how is this significant for believers? [45:00]
4. How does the pastor describe the tension between acknowledging our sinfulness and striving for holiness? [39:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of preaching the gospel to oneself daily, as mentioned in the sermon, help believers resist the world's attempts to undermine gospel truths? [31:09]
2. What does it mean for Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins, and why is this foundational to understanding the gospel? [47:04]
3. How does the pastor suggest believers should handle negative self-talk, and what scriptures are recommended to counter it? [50:18]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that acknowledging and confessing sin is crucial for true repentance and walking in the light? [39:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt guilt or shame. How can the truth of Jesus as your advocate change your perspective on that situation? [45:15]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with sin. What steps can you take to actively forsake this sin and walk in the light? [39:14]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of preaching the gospel to yourself into your daily routine? What specific gospel truths do you need to remind yourself of regularly? [31:09]
4. Think about a time when your inner dialogue condemned you. How can you use scriptures like Romans 8:1 and Psalm 103:12 to counter negative self-talk? [50:18]
5. The pastor mentioned the importance of not just confessing sin but also repenting and forsaking it. What practical steps can you take to ensure your repentance is genuine and transformative? [39:14]
6. Consider the cosmic scope of the gospel as described in the sermon. How does this broader understanding of the gospel impact your view of God's plan for redemption and justice? [30:10]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to live in the freedom and joy that the gospel promises? What role can you play in supporting each other in this journey? [52:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Internalize the Gospel Daily
The gospel is not just a message for others; it is a daily reminder for ourselves. It encompasses a cosmic scope, promising redemption, justice, and the restoration of all creation. As believers, we must remind ourselves of the truths of redemption, forgiveness, and adoption into God's family, resisting the world's attempts to undermine these realities. By internalizing these truths, we can live in the freedom and joy that the gospel promises. This daily practice of preaching the gospel to ourselves helps us to stay grounded in our faith and resist the negative influences of the world. [31:09]
"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What specific gospel truth do you need to remind yourself of today, and how can you incorporate it into your daily routine?
Day 2: Strive Against Sin and Confess
Walking in the light involves both striving against sin and confessing it when we fall short. True repentance requires us to not only acknowledge our sins but also actively forsake them. This duality is crucial for maintaining true fellowship with God and each other. Acknowledging our sinfulness while striving for holiness creates a tension that keeps us humble and reliant on God's grace. By confessing our sins and actively turning away from them, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His cleansing power. [39:14]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one sin you need to confess and actively forsake today? How can you seek accountability in this area?
Day 3: Jesus, Our Advocate
Jesus Christ stands as our advocate before the Father, having paid the price for our sins. His sacrifice is the propitiation for our sins, satisfying God's wrath and offering us forgiveness. This truth should liberate us from guilt and shame, reminding us that His grace is greater than our transgressions. Instead of being crushed by our sin, we should be uplifted by the grace and mercy of God. This understanding of Jesus as our advocate empowers us to live confidently in our identity as forgiven and redeemed children of God. [45:15]
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing Jesus is your advocate change the way you approach God after you have sinned?
Day 4: Counter Negative Self-Talk with Scripture
Our inner dialogue often condemns us, but we must counter it with the truth of God's word. Scriptures like Romans 8:1 and Psalm 103:12 remind us of our freedom from condemnation and the vastness of God's forgiveness. By affirming these truths, we can live in the freedom and joy that the gospel promises. This practice of countering negative self-talk with scripture helps us to maintain a healthy spiritual mindset and resist the lies that the enemy tries to plant in our hearts. [50:18]
"For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: What negative self-talk do you struggle with, and what specific scripture can you use to counter it today?
Day 5: Live as New Creations in Christ
By affirming gospel truths daily, we can live in the freedom and joy that the gospel promises. We are wonderfully and completely blessed, not condemned, and should live as new creations in Christ. This new identity in Christ calls us to live differently, embracing the freedom and joy that comes from being a part of God's family. As new creations, we are called to reflect Christ's love and grace to the world around us, living out the gospel in our daily lives. [52:37]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can live out your identity as a new creation in Christ today? How can this impact those around you?
Quotes
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not practice the truth but if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin if we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [00:27:44]
Help me to apply what I know about you to my life to myself help me to take my sin seriously but myself not so seriously help me to know when I confess when I Repent I'm cleansed I'm forgiven that sin is thrown as far as the East is from the West help me to apply that to my life and not beat myself up but also teach me to be holy. [00:28:41]
The gospel is not just the personal Plan of Salvation it's actually a lot more than that it's corporate in its scope God's not just saving you the individual he's saving a whole people for himself God is going to come back for us someday he's going to come back for his bride Jesus Christ is the gospel also like Cosmic in scope so he's not just going to fix you he's going to fix creation. [00:30:08]
I need you to understand this morning that the gospel is not just the personal Plan of Salvation it's actually a lot more than that it's corporate in its scope God's not just saving you the individual he's saving a whole people for himself God is going to come back for us someday he's going to come back for his bride Jesus Christ is the gospel also like Cosmic in scope. [00:30:08]
If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar and his word is not in Us. [00:28:59]
If we confess our sins if we agree with God about our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness he does just forgive you he cleanses you inside out and this doesn't just happen the moment you're saved this happens for the Christian every single day every every single moment we agree with God. [00:40:00]
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not practice the truth you cannot say you're walking with God simultaneously while you're walking in darkness if you do that you're a liar now when the scripture talks about walk it's not talking about sinning once it's speaking to a pattern of Our Lives a a practice of Our Lives. [00:36:48]
If we say that we have no sin if people are saying if they're saying this you're deceiving yourselves and the truth is not in you and verse 10 is very similar if we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar and his word is not in us so I thought this was just such an interesting tension part of walking in the light is trying not to sin also part of walking in the light is acknowledging that you sin. [00:38:56]
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not practice the truth but if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin if we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [00:27:44]
If we confess our sins if we agree with God about our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness he does just forgive you he cleanses you inside out and this doesn't just happen the moment you're saved this happens for the Christian every single day every every single moment we agree with God. [00:40:00]
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not practice the truth you cannot say you're walking with God simultaneously while you're walking in darkness if you do that you're a liar now when the scripture talks about walk it's not talking about sinning once it's speaking to a pattern of Our Lives a a practice of Our Lives. [00:36:48]
If we say that we have no sin if people are saying if they're saying this you're deceiving yourselves and the truth is not in you and verse 10 is very similar if we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar and his word is not in us so I thought this was just such an interesting tension part of walking in the light is trying not to sin also part of walking in the light is acknowledging that you sin. [00:38:56]
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