Restoration: Rebuilding Our Faith on Christ and the Cross

Devotional

Day 1: Elevating Christ to His Rightful Place

Our faith journey often becomes centered on personal benefits, overshadowing the true essence of glorifying God. To restore our spiritual foundation, we must elevate Jesus Christ to His rightful place of supremacy. This involves shifting our focus from a man-centered faith to one that reveres and fears God, recognizing His holiness and majesty. By doing so, we ensure that Christ is the center of our worship and lives, leading us to a deeper reverence and understanding of His divine nature. [08:30]

Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed personal desires to overshadow the supremacy of Christ in your life? How can you refocus your daily practices to glorify God above all else?

Day 2: Embracing the Cross as Central

The cross is not merely a symbol but a profound reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. Understanding the gravity of the cross should lead to genuine repentance and transformation, calling us to a life of self-denial and daily crucifixion of our desires. By embracing the cross, we align ourselves with Christ's example, allowing His sacrifice to transform how we live and interact with others. [21:28]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: What desires or habits do you need to crucify in your life to align more closely with the example of Christ? How can the cross guide your actions today?

Day 3: Living Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Restoring the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives is essential for bearing witness to the transformative power of the gospel. This empowerment is not about charismatic expressions but about living a life surrendered to God, where the Spirit's presence is evident through quiet assurance and power. By allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can live a life that reflects the transformative nature of the gospel. [26:54]

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower your daily life? What steps can you take to ensure that your actions reflect the Spirit's transformative power?

Day 4: Reflecting Christ's Character through Holiness

Holiness is about living a life that reflects the character of Christ, not about legalism. It involves a transformation in our behavior, speech, and relationships, driven by a genuine encounter with Jesus. By restoring holiness, we commit to living in a way that honors God and reflects His love and grace to those around us. [32:02]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to reflect Christ's character? How can you actively pursue holiness in your daily interactions and decisions?

Day 5: Proclaiming the True Gospel

The gospel is not a sales pitch but a proclamation of Jesus' death and resurrection. We must return to the basics, focusing on sin, repentance, and the hope of eternal life through Christ, rather than personal benefits. By proclaiming the true gospel, we share the transformative message of Jesus with authenticity and conviction, inviting others to experience His love and grace. [37:41]

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: How can you share the true gospel with someone in your life today? What steps can you take to ensure your message is centered on Christ's death and resurrection rather than personal gain?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the theme of restoration within the church, focusing on seven key areas that need attention to rebuild our spiritual foundation. We began by examining the importance of returning to the Word of God, emphasizing that scripture should be the cornerstone of our faith and practice. The Word is not just a tool for teaching but a living guide that should shape our lives and beliefs. We must be wary of traditions and philosophies that have crept into our faith, often overshadowing the true essence of the gospel.

The first point of restoration is to elevate Jesus Christ to His rightful place of supremacy. Our faith has become too man-centered, focusing on personal benefits rather than the glory of God. We need to shift our focus back to Christ, ensuring that He is the center of our worship and lives. This involves a deep reverence and fear of God, recognizing His holiness and majesty.

Next, we discussed the need to restore the cross to its central place in our faith. The cross is not just a symbol but a powerful reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins. Understanding the gravity of the cross should lead to genuine repentance and a transformation in how we live. The cross also calls us to a life of self-denial and daily crucifixion of our desires, aligning ourselves with Christ's example.

We also highlighted the necessity of restoring the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is not about charismatic expressions but about living a life empowered by the Spirit, bearing witness to the transformative power of the gospel. The Spirit's presence should be evident in our lives, not through loud proclamations but through the quiet assurance and power that comes from a life surrendered to God.

Finally, we addressed the need to restore holiness and a sense of mission. Holiness is not about legalism but about living a life that reflects the character of Christ. Our mission is to preach the gospel, not as a sales pitch but as a proclamation of the truth of Jesus' death and resurrection. We must return to the basics of the gospel, focusing on sin, repentance, and the hope of eternal life through Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. centered faith to one that reveres and fears God, recognizing His holiness and majesty. [08:30]
2. Centrality of the Cross: The cross is not just a symbol but a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice. Understanding the cross should lead to genuine repentance and transformation, calling us to a life of self-denial and daily crucifixion of our desires.

3. Fullness of the Holy Spirit: Living a life empowered by the Spirit is essential. This is not about charismatic expressions but about bearing witness to the transformative power of the gospel through a life surrendered to God.

4. Restoration of Holiness: Holiness is about living a life that reflects Christ's character, not about legalism. It involves a transformation in our behavior, speech, and relationships, driven by a genuine encounter with Jesus.

5. Proclaiming the True Gospel: The gospel is not a sales pitch but a proclamation of Jesus' death and resurrection. We must return to the basics, focusing on sin, repentance, and the hope of eternal life through Christ, rather than personal benefits.

** [08:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Introduction to Restoration
[02:15] - Importance of Scripture
[04:08] - Traditions vs. True Faith
[07:48] - Supremacy of Christ
[11:22] - Restoring the Word
[16:20] - The Cross and Its Message
[21:28] - Personal Crucifixion
[26:54] - Fullness of the Holy Spirit
[32:02] - Holiness and Mission
[36:21] - Restoring the Gospel
[41:04] - Understanding Salvation
[45:27] - Clearing the Rubble
[46:21] - Encouragement from Hebrews
[48:03] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Colossians 2:1-10
Galatians 6:14
Isaiah 6:1-8

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Observation Questions:

In Colossians 2:1-10, what does Paul warn the believers about, and how does he encourage them to remain steadfast in their faith? [02:46]
How does the sermon describe the current state of the church's focus, and what is suggested as the first step towards restoration? [07:48]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the cross in a believer's life, and how should it influence their daily actions? [21:28]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, and how is this different from charismatic expressions? [26:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon interpret the supremacy of Christ in relation to modern church practices, and what changes are suggested to align with this understanding? [08:30]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that traditions and philosophies have overshadowed the true essence of the gospel, and how can believers discern between them? [04:08]
How does the sermon connect the concept of holiness with the mission of the church, and what implications does this have for individual believers? [32:02]
What does the sermon imply about the nature of the gospel message, and how does it challenge the contemporary understanding of evangelism? [37:41]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your personal faith journey. Are there areas where you have placed personal benefits above the supremacy of Christ? How can you realign your focus to glorify God more fully? [08:30]
Consider the traditions and philosophies you have encountered in your faith community. How can you ensure that your beliefs and practices are rooted in scripture rather than human traditions? [04:08]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of the cross in leading to genuine repentance. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of the cross in your daily life, and what changes might this bring about? [21:28]
In what ways can you seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit in your life, beyond charismatic expressions? How can this empowerment influence your witness to others? [26:54]
Holiness is described as reflecting Christ's character. Identify one area of your life where you feel called to pursue greater holiness. What practical steps can you take to reflect Christ more in this area? [32:02]
The sermon calls for a return to the true gospel message. How can you share the gospel in a way that focuses on sin, repentance, and the hope of eternal life, rather than personal benefits? [37:41]
Reflect on your sense of mission as a believer. How can you actively participate in proclaiming the gospel in your community, and what specific actions can you take this week to fulfill this mission? [35:32]

Sermon Clips

The problem is that the longer we remain Christians and the older the church becomes two thousand years now, the more traditions we build up, and many of these traditions are insidious and they are subtle, and they are formed very, very, very quickly. It doesn't take years to establish a tradition, and those traditions become entrenched in our thinking and become part of our faith. [00:04:19]

We have so many traditions and not just traditions but philosophies of men, Paul speaks about here, and empty deceit and things that have just become part of Christianity. The need is that we get back to the basics, that we get back to what really are the issues. There's all of this rubbish that has accumulated on the foundation, and we just simply build on top of that rubbish. [00:06:55]

Our faith today is a man-centered faith. It's all about me and I and myself, and Paul speaks about this in Timothy when he says that men will be lovers of themselves rather than lovers of God. The only basis on which many people serve the Lord today is on the basis of what's in it for me. [00:08:45]

We need to restore the word. We need to get back to the word. The message of the prophets in the Old Testament, remember we spoke about the prophets yesterday and what they have to say concerning Israel and how that applies to the church. The message of the prophets is get back to God and get back to the law, get back to the Lord and back to his word. [00:11:23]

The problem is we don't believe the word. If we believe the word about anything, if we believe the word about the cross, we would be different people. I'm not pointing fingers; I'm pointing fingers at myself. If I believed the judgment and the wrath of God, I would live a different life. [00:13:25]

If we really understood the cross, we would be different people. If we understood the price that he paid, he who knew no sin became sin for us. When we can see our sin upon that cross, it must change the way that we act and behave. One of the problems with the modern gospel is that it is a crossless gospel. [00:17:32]

The cross needs to become real to us. If we really believe the word, we would be different people, and if we really understood the cross, we would be different people. If we understood the price that he paid, he who knew no sin became sin for us. When we can see our sin upon that cross, it must change the way that we act and behave. [00:16:20]

We need to restore the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I'm not talking about a charismatic or a Pentecostal thing; I'm talking about a biblical thing. I'm talking about being filled with the Spirit. You will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses. [00:26:54]

We need to restore holiness and mission. It's easy to see the problems with everyone else around us. Remember Isaiah chapter one through five, Isaiah pronounces woe on the princes and on the capitalists and on everybody else around him, but when he sees the Lord, woe is me, I am undone. [00:32:02]

We need to restore the gospel. The gospel has become a sales thing whereby we feel that we need to sell what they call in sales the features, advantages, and benefits of being a Christian. Just come to Jesus, and you know, he'll fix your marriage. But that's not the gospel; it's salesmanship. [00:37:41]

The gospel is not about what Jesus can do for you. It's about what Jesus did for you. It's about what he did at the cross, and it's about sin, it's about forgiveness, it's about a restoration of a relationship with the Father. It's not about a nice life or about blessings or about anything else. [00:37:41]

We need to get back to the basics of the gospel. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures. It's a Christ-centered gospel; it's not a man-centered gospel. The only part I play in that is for my sins. [00:39:31]

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Restoration: Rebuilding Our Faith on Christ and the Cross

Devotional

Day 1: Elevating Christ to His Rightful Place

Day 2: Embracing the Cross as Central

Day 3: Living Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Day 4: Reflecting Christ's Character through Holiness

Day 5: Proclaiming the True Gospel

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Restoration: Rebuilding Our Faith on Christ and the Cross

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