Standing Firm: A Life Committed to Christ
Summary
In my sermon titled "Bury Me Standing," I explored the profound concept of living a life fully committed to Christ, a life that stands firm in faith and purpose even beyond death. The title is inspired by an ancient Indian custom where warriors were buried standing, facing east, ready for the next battle in the afterlife. This metaphor beautifully encapsulates the Christian call to a life of enduring faith and unwavering commitment to God's kingdom.
I began by discussing the importance of revival, not as an outward display of spiritual fervor but as a deep, transformative change of heart. True revival is about pursuing Jesus Christ wholeheartedly and allowing that pursuit to change us from the inside out. It's about personal revival, which can happen anywhere, anytime, as long as one is committed to following Christ.
I then shared insights on the critical role of relationships in our spiritual journey. I emphasized the concept of "divine hookups," which are mentoring relationships that help believers grow in their faith. These relationships are not about proximity to fame or gaining status but about genuine spiritual growth and accountability. I used biblical examples like Elisha's connection with Elijah and Samuel's guidance under Eli to illustrate the transformative power of such relationships.
Another significant point I made was about the dangers of prioritizing human relationships over our relationship with God. I used the poignant analogy of "eating someone else's ashes," which refers to the unhealthy obsession with human approval and affection, often at the expense of our spiritual well-being. This part of the sermon was designed to challenge the congregation to examine whom or what they are truly worshiping and to encourage them to place God first in all things.
The sermon culminated in a powerful call to "not come off the ice," inspired by the historical account of the 40 Roman soldiers who chose to freeze to death rather than renounce their faith. This story was used to illustrate the concept of grit and perseverance in the Christian life. True believers are called to stand firm in their faith, regardless of the external pressures or challenges they might face.
Throughout the sermon, I interwove personal anecdotes and broader historical contexts to draw a comprehensive picture of what it means to live a life that is truly dedicated to Christ—a life that is ready to "Bury Me Standing."
### Key Takeaways:
1. Revival is a Heart Change: True revival isn't about loud spiritual displays but about a quiet transformation of the heart that occurs when one earnestly seeks Jesus. This change is personal and can happen in anyone's life, regardless of their participation in large-scale revival movements. It's about making daily choices to follow Christ. [13:22]
2. The Importance of Divine Relationships: Spiritual growth is significantly enhanced by relationships with mentors who can guide and challenge you in your faith. These divine hookups are crucial for developing a deeper understanding of God and for receiving the support needed to navigate the Christian life. [36:26]
3. Guard Your Heart Against Idolatry: It's vital to assess the importance of relationships in your life and ensure they don't become idols. Placing God first and seeking His approval above all others is essential for maintaining spiritual health and ensuring that your actions align with His will. [53:52]
4. Endurance in Faith: The story of the 40 Roman soldiers exemplifies the ultimate test of faith—endurance under persecution. Their story encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, regardless of the circumstances, emphasizing that our commitment to Christ should be unwavering. [01:09:12]
5. Personal Sacrifice and Commitment: Following Jesus means being ready to "find a place to die" for Him, metaphorically speaking. This involves laying down your own desires and ambitions to serve Christ and His kingdom fully. It's about living with a purpose that transcends personal gain and seeks to glorify God. [28:42]
### Chapters:
- 0:00 - Welcome
- 00:02:30 - Introduction to Revival
- 00:13:22 - The True Nature of Revival
- 00:36:26 - Divine Hookups for Spiritual Growth
- 00:53:52 - Avoiding Idolatry in Relationships
- 01:09:12 - Historical Example of Endurance
- 01:19:51 - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:24-25: "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
2. Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
3. Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says to "deny himself and take up his cross" in Matthew 16:24-25?
2. According to Proverbs 4:23, why is it important to guard your heart?
3. In Hebrews 12:1-2, what are believers encouraged to do in order to run the race marked out for them?
4. How did the 40 Roman soldiers demonstrate endurance in their faith according to the sermon? [01:09:12]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "denying oneself" and "taking up the cross" relate to the idea of finding a place to die for Christ, as mentioned in the sermon? [28:42]
2. What are some practical ways to guard your heart against idolatry in relationships, as discussed in the sermon? [53:52]
3. How can divine relationships, or "divine hookups," enhance one's spiritual growth according to the sermon? [36:26]
4. What does the story of the 40 Roman soldiers teach us about the importance of perseverance in the Christian faith? [01:09:12]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Are you experiencing a personal revival? What steps can you take to pursue Jesus more wholeheartedly? [13:22]
2. Identify a mentor or a spiritually mature person in your life. How can you cultivate a divine relationship with them to enhance your spiritual growth? [36:26]
3. Examine your relationships. Are there any that you might be prioritizing over your relationship with God? How can you realign your focus to place God first? [53:52]
4. Think about a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you demonstrate endurance and not "come off the ice" in your faith? [01:09:12]
5. What personal desires or ambitions might you need to lay down to fully commit to serving Christ and His kingdom? How can you start this process today? [28:42]
6. How can you ensure that your daily choices reflect a commitment to following Christ, even when it is difficult or inconvenient? [13:22]
7. Consider a time when you sought human approval over God's approval. What changes can you make to seek God's approval above all others in the future? [53:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Revival Begins Within
True revival is not marked by loud proclamations or grandiose spiritual displays, but by a quiet, profound transformation of the heart. This change is deeply personal and occurs when one earnestly seeks Jesus, allowing His spirit to renew and reshape from the inside. It's about the daily, often unnoticed choices to follow Christ, which collectively lead to a significant spiritual renewal. This kind of revival can ignite anywhere, at any moment, provided there is a genuine commitment to Christ. It's a journey of continuous self-examination and recommitment to walking in His ways. [13:22]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel your heart has hardened? How can you invite God today to soften it and work a revival within?
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Day 2: Cultivating Divine Connections
Spiritual growth is significantly enhanced through relationships with mentors who provide guidance and challenge one's faith. These divine hookups are essential for developing a deeper understanding of God and receiving the support needed to navigate the Christian life. Such relationships should be rooted in spiritual substance rather than personal gain or proximity to fame. They are about accountability and mutual growth in faith, mirroring the biblical examples of Elisha with Elijah and Samuel under Eli, where mentorship had transformative impacts on their spiritual journeys. [36:26]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV): "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
Reflection: Who in your life could be a divine hookup for you? How can you initiate or deepen this spiritually enriching relationship this week?
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Day 3: Prioritize God Above All
It is crucial to assess the importance of relationships in one's life and ensure they do not overshadow the relationship with God. Idolizing human approval or affection can lead to spiritual detriment. Placing God first and seeking His approval above all helps maintain spiritual health and ensures that actions align with His will. This focus helps avoid the trap of "eating someone else's ashes," where one's obsession with human relationships can lead to spiritual decay. [53:52]
Galatians 1:10 (ESV): "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on your current relationships. Is there any relationship or person you might be placing before God? How can you adjust this to prioritize Him?
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Day 4: Stand Firm in Your Faith
The story of the 40 Roman soldiers who chose to freeze rather than renounce their faith exemplifies ultimate endurance and commitment. This historical account encourages believers to remain steadfast, regardless of external pressures or challenges. True believers are called to endure, standing firm in their faith and commitment to Christ, much like soldiers ready for battle. This unwavering stance is crucial in today's world where numerous forces may try to sway one's faith. [01:09:12]
Hebrews 10:36-39 (ESV): "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, 'Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.'"
Reflection: What external pressures are you facing that might be shaking your faith? How can you fortify your spiritual resolve to stand firm?
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Day 5: Embrace Personal Sacrifice for Christ
Following Jesus means being prepared to lay down one's own desires and ambitions to serve Him fully. This commitment involves personal sacrifice and a readiness to "find a place to die" for Him, metaphorically speaking. It's about living with a purpose that transcends personal gain and seeks to glorify God, embodying a life that is ready to stand firm in faith even in the face of death. [28:42]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What personal ambitions or desires are you holding onto that might be hindering your full commitment to Christ? How can you begin to lay these down today?
Quotes
1) "Stop making that other person, who someday will be no more than ashes too, and then eventually, hopefully before the Lord. Stop making their approval, their acceptance so important to you. Stop eating other people's ashes." [53:52]
2) "If you want to be a bury me standing person, is what I'm simply calling, don't come off the ice. Don't come off the ice." [58:50]
3) "You've been to get a divine hookup. Stop eating somebody's ashes. In other words, don't let relationships, friendships, or the desire for someone to be too important in your life. And then don't come off the ice. In other words, don't quit." [01:14:54]
4) "Go find a place to die. Obviously not literally, but figuratively. You're going, great, suicide missions. No, no, that was a guy named Jones where that's not what we want." [26:56]
5) "If you want to follow Jesus? Go find a place to die. I'm saying, listen, you don't have to be full-time ministry. Get off that. You just have to have a full-time heart." [28:42]
6) "Come to Jesus and die to some of your own humanness. And that doesn't mean that you're going to be miserable. I'm a happy, fulfilled person. You're probably never going to find anybody any more fulfilled than me." [30:07]
7) "Don't come off the ice. If your generation lacks one thing, and I say this with fondness and love because I'm still laying my life down for your generation, it's grit." [01:10:25]
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