Transformative Faith: From Death to Life in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation from Death in Sin to Life in Christ

True transformation in Christ involves moving from being dead in sin to being dead to sin. This transformation is not merely about receiving forgiveness but about experiencing a profound change in our desires and affections. When we embrace the cross, it calls us to a new life where we seek the things above rather than earthly pleasures. This shift is not an intellectual exercise but a spiritual rebirth that brings us from death to life. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, our focus changes from temporary worldly pleasures to the eternal joy found in Him. [02:40]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What is one earthly desire you need to surrender to God today, and how can you begin to seek the things above instead?

Day 2: Spiritual Rebirth and New Affections

Salvation is not an intellectual exercise but a spiritual rebirth that brings us from death to life. This new life in Christ is marked by a profound change in what we love and what we despise. When we are truly born again, our desires and affections are transformed, and we no longer crave the things of this world. Instead, we seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This transformation is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, guiding us to live a life that reflects our new identity in Christ. [05:12]

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: In what ways have your desires and affections changed since coming to faith in Christ, and how can you nurture this transformation further?

Day 3: Joy in Christ vs. Worldly Entertainment

Our lives are hidden with Christ in God, and this reality should shape our daily living. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and when we lose it, we often seek entertainment to fill the void. However, true joy is found in a life surrendered to Christ. The world may offer temporary pleasures, but they pale in comparison to the joy found in a relationship with Jesus. As we focus on heavenly things, we discover a deeper, more lasting joy that sustains us through life's challenges. [06:26]

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

Reflection: What is one form of entertainment you rely on for joy, and how can you seek the joy of the Lord instead?

Day 4: Bearing the Marks of Jesus

Bearing the marks of Jesus means our entire being is devoted to Him. Our thoughts, actions, and every aspect of our lives should reflect our commitment to Christ, not just on Sundays but every day. Just as a slave would be branded to signify belonging to a new master, we too are marked by our allegiance to Christ. This is a call to a life wholly devoted to Jesus, where every moment is lived in His presence and for His glory. [09:42]

Galatians 6:17 (ESV): "From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus."

Reflection: How can you demonstrate your commitment to Christ in your daily actions and decisions today?

Day 5: A Transformative Relationship with Christ

A life in Christ is not about earthly status or achievements but about a deep, transformative relationship with Him. This relationship changes our focus from worldly pleasures to heavenly pursuits. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we are called to live a life that reflects His love and grace. This transformation is not about what we can achieve on our own but about allowing Christ to work in and through us, shaping us into His image. [10:40]

Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to shift your focus from worldly pursuits to heavenly ones, and how can you begin to make that change today?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through life, we often encounter barriers that seem insurmountable, much like the exclusive clubs that only allow entry to those of royal or aristocratic birth. This serves as a metaphor for the spiritual realm, where entry into the kingdom of God is not based on earthly status but on a transformative relationship with Christ. There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who are dead in sin and those who are dead to sin. The distinction lies in whether one has truly embraced the cross, not just as a symbol of forgiveness but as a call to a new life in Christ.

The essence of true salvation is not merely the forgiveness of sins but a profound transformation that changes our desires and affections. When we are truly born again, we no longer crave the things of this world; instead, we seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This transformation is not an intellectual exercise but a spiritual rebirth that brings us from death to life.

Paul's writings to the Colossians remind us that if we are risen with Christ, our focus should be on heavenly things. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God, and this reality should shape our daily living. The world may offer temporary pleasures, but they pale in comparison to the joy found in Christ. When we lose the joy of the Lord, we often seek entertainment to fill the void, but true joy is found in a life surrendered to Christ.

Paul's declaration in Galatians that he bears the marks of the Lord Jesus is a powerful reminder of the cost of discipleship. Just as a slave would be branded to signify belonging to a new master, we too are marked by our allegiance to Christ. Our thoughts, actions, and entire being should reflect our commitment to Him. This is not a call to a Sunday-only faith but to a life wholly devoted to Jesus, where every moment is lived in His presence and for His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. True transformation in Christ means moving from being dead in sin to being dead to sin. This is not just about forgiveness but about a complete change in our desires and affections, seeking the things above rather than earthly pleasures. [02:40]
2. Salvation is not an intellectual exercise but a spiritual rebirth that brings us from death to life. This new life in Christ is marked by a profound change in what we love and what we despise. [05:12]
3. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God, and this reality should shape our daily living. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and when we lose it, we often seek entertainment to fill the void. [06:26]
4. Bearing the marks of Jesus means our entire being is devoted to Him. Our thoughts, actions, and every aspect of our lives should reflect our commitment to Christ, not just on Sundays but every day. [09:42]
5. A life in Christ is not about earthly status or achievements but about a deep, transformative relationship with Him. This relationship changes our focus from worldly pleasures to heavenly pursuits. [10:40]
** [10:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Encounter at Orange Grove
[00:46] - The Exclusivity of Royalty
[01:21] - Two Kinds of People
[02:06] - The Reality of Spiritual Death
[02:40] - Dead in Sin vs. Dead to Sin
[03:17] - Misconceptions of Forgiveness
[04:10] - The New Birth
[04:39] - The Burden of Sin
[05:12] - Spiritual Rebirth
[05:30] - Seeking Things Above
[06:26] - Joy vs. Entertainment
[07:26] - Paul's Declaration
[08:03] - The Branding of Belonging
[09:42] - Bearing the Marks of Jesus
[10:40] - A Life Devoted to Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Colossians 3:1-3 - "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Galatians 6:17 - "From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus."

Observation Questions:

According to Colossians 3:1-3, what are believers encouraged to seek and focus on? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on seeking heavenly things over earthly pleasures? [05:30]
In the sermon, the pastor mentioned two kinds of people: those who are dead in sin and those who are dead to sin. How does this distinction relate to the concept of spiritual rebirth mentioned in Colossians 3:1-3? [02:24]
What does Paul mean when he says he bears the marks of Jesus in Galatians 6:17, and how does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on the cost of discipleship? [09:42]
How does the sermon describe the difference between temporary pleasures of the world and the joy found in Christ? [06:48]

Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean for a believer's life to be "hidden with Christ in God," and how should this reality influence their daily actions and decisions? [06:26]
The sermon suggests that true transformation in Christ involves a change in desires and affections. How might this transformation manifest in a believer's life, according to Colossians 3:1-3? [05:12]
How does the concept of bearing the marks of Jesus challenge the idea of a "Sunday-only" faith, and what implications does this have for a believer's daily life? [09:42]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that losing the joy of the Lord leads to seeking entertainment, and how can believers maintain their joy in Christ? [06:48]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your current desires and affections. Are there any worldly pleasures you find yourself seeking more than heavenly things? How can you realign your focus this week? [05:30]
Consider the idea of being "dead to sin." What is one specific sin or habit you need to let go of to fully embrace your new life in Christ? [02:40]
How can you practically bear the marks of Jesus in your daily life, showing your commitment to Him beyond just attending church on Sundays? [09:42]
Think about a time when you sought entertainment to fill a void. How can you instead seek the joy of the Lord in similar situations in the future? [06:48]
Identify one area of your life where you struggle to set your mind on things above. What steps can you take to shift your focus towards Christ this week? [05:30]
How can you encourage others in your small group or community to live a life devoted to Christ, reflecting His presence in every aspect of their lives? [10:40]
What practical steps can you take to ensure that your life is hidden with Christ in God, and how can this assurance impact your interactions with others? [06:26]

Sermon Clips

Now there are two kinds of people in the world only two kinds not black and white not rich and poor there are those who are dead in sin and there are those who are dead to sin if I say most people are half sake will you know what I mean I mean this you go to the cross but you never get on the cross you don't get your sins forgiven and feel happy and you go do the same lousy thing again the next day come on what kind of a salvation is that. [00:02:30]

The verdict when the new birth is this that when a man is really born when he gets this life he doesn't want our life oh I don't think anybody gives it better than Paul to wind this up writing to the Colossians he says if ye then be risen with Christ or as the literal translation is if you've been raised with Christ you seek those things which from above. [00:04:10]

The miracle of the birth isn't some intellectual somersault Jesus says it is this that we're dead in trespasses and in sin and he brings us to life so how we love the things we didn't like and we hate the things we used to love okay so Paul says if you risen with Christ or you've been raised with Christ seek those things which are above which were where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God set your affection on things above not things on them. [00:05:12]

For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God can you think of anything more wonderful than that here is your life it said in Christ and it's hidden God what are you gonna do sneak out and drink a bit of the world's junk do you know how you need entertainment or any of us you only need entertainment when you've lost the joy of the Lord and when we know joy we need entertainment and when we've entertainment we've know joy. [00:06:26]

Now he says if you're risen with him that deals with the past you're dead and your life is hid with Christ in God not when I die but even now on this earth I bid the world goodbye not tearfully but cheerfully all of its pleasures its pomp and it's pride Paul puts it best as he usually does when he talks in Galatians 5 and he says from henceforth let nobody trouble me I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. [00:07:26]

When Paul wrote this a man who was a slave could run away from his his wicked master his cruel master that nearly took the skin off his back every day the demanded a full day's work and hardly gave him enough food to last an hour this man gets away the first thing he does he flees to a temple and they were priests always awake at least they would always there maybe not always awake and the altar fires were burning and the man runs in breathless in wakes us for a priest and sister brand me brand me in the name of which God and there's different ions to brand him. [00:08:03]

Paul says listen I got branded there at the base of my head because all my thinking is going to be about Jesus this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus do you think he went to the Olympic Games because they had them in his day you think he fooled around with the material things of the day his head was branded his hands his feet saw him Ryder says let my hands perform his bidding let my feet run in his ways like my eyes see Jesus only let my lips speak for this place all for Jesus all the Jesus all my beings ransom powers all my thoughts and words and doings on our days and all for my hours. [00:10:40]

You're just a suddenly morning Christian you live and move and have your being in Jesus Christ every waking moment of your life has he got your thinking will he be embarrassed to rap to you it's of a certain point in your life. [00:11:50]

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Transformative Faith: From Death to Life in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation from Death in Sin to Life in Christ

Day 2: Spiritual Rebirth and New Affections

Day 3: Joy in Christ vs. Worldly Entertainment

Day 4: Bearing the Marks of Jesus

Day 5: A Transformative Relationship with Christ

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Transformative Faith: From Death to Life in Christ

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