Transformative Journey: Growing Deeper in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Mystery of Christ in Us

The profound truth of Christ dwelling within believers is a transformative mystery that was once hidden but is now revealed. This mystery signifies that Christ desires to live in us, restoring us to the glorious state lost due to sin. Through this indwelling, we are called to become Christ-like, experiencing a life of glory and transformation. This journey is not merely about understanding a concept but living out the reality of Christ's presence in our daily lives. As we embrace this truth, we are invited to allow Christ to shape our thoughts, actions, and character, leading us to a deeper relationship with Him. [02:53]

Colossians 1:26-27 (ESV): "The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Reflection: How can you consciously invite Christ to influence your thoughts and actions today, acknowledging His presence within you?

Day 2: The Role of a Disciple-Maker

Discipleship is a journey of growth towards Christ-likeness, requiring both a disciple-maker and the disciple's active participation. A disciple-maker's role is to proclaim Christ, counsel with wisdom, and lead by example, ensuring that the focus remains on Jesus, not on themselves. This process is not about controlling others but guiding them to become true followers of Christ. It involves teaching obedience to God's wisdom, which is the ability to apply truth in practical ways. As we engage in discipleship, we are reminded that our ultimate goal is to point others to Christ, helping them grow in their faith and understanding. [07:17]

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 can you intentionally invest in as a disciple-maker, sharing both the gospel and your life with them?

Day 3: Walking Daily with Christ

As disciples, we are called to walk with Christ daily, learning from Him and being transformed into His likeness. This journey is not about completing programs but living in constant communion with Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in every aspect of life. Walking in the Spirit helps us overcome the law of sin and death, enabling us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which is Christ-likeness. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can defeat sin and grow more like Christ each day. This daily walk requires intentionality and a willingness to surrender our lives to His leading. [17:52]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure you are walking in the Spirit and not gratifying the desires of the flesh?

Day 4: Overcoming Sin Through the Spirit

Walking in the Spirit helps us overcome the law of sin and death, enabling us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which is Christ-likeness. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can defeat sin and grow more like Christ each day. This process involves a conscious decision to yield to the Spirit's guidance, allowing Him to transform our hearts and minds. As we do so, we experience the freedom and victory that comes from living a Spirit-led life. This transformation is not instantaneous but a continual journey of growth and surrender. [37:24]

Romans 8:13-14 (ESV): "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and grow in Christ-likeness?

Day 5: Community and Discipleship

To practice discipleship effectively, we must engage in community, walking with others in small groups, or "microcells," where we can learn and grow together. This communal approach mirrors the biblical pattern of following a rabbi in groups, fostering deeper relationships and accountability. In these small communities, we can encourage one another, share our struggles, and celebrate our victories. This environment provides a safe space for growth and transformation, as we journey together towards Christ-likeness. Engaging in community is not just an option but a vital part of our spiritual formation. [39:53]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in a small group or community that fosters spiritual growth and accountability?

Sermon Summary

Growing deeper in Christ is a journey that involves friendship and discipleship, as highlighted in Colossians 1:28. The mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory, is a profound truth that was hidden from the Old Testament prophets but is now revealed to us. This mystery signifies that Christ desires to live in us, transforming our lives and bringing us back to the glorious state lost due to sin. The ultimate goal is to become Christ-like, experiencing a glorious life through discipleship.

Discipleship is a process of growth towards Christ-likeness, requiring both a disciple-maker and the disciple's active participation. A disciple-maker's role is to proclaim Christ, counsel with wisdom, and lead by example, ensuring that the focus remains on Jesus, not on themselves. Discipleship is not about controlling others but guiding them to become true followers of Christ. It involves teaching obedience to God's wisdom, which is the ability to apply truth in practical ways.

As disciples, we must walk with Christ daily, learning from Him and being transformed into His likeness. This journey is not about completing programs but living in constant communion with Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in every aspect of life. Walking in the Spirit helps us overcome the law of sin and death, enabling us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which is Christ-likeness.

To practice discipleship effectively, we must engage in community, walking with others in small groups, or "microcells," where we can learn and grow together. This communal approach mirrors the biblical pattern of following a rabbi in groups, fostering deeper relationships and accountability.

Key Takeaways

1. The mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory, is a profound truth that transforms our lives. It signifies that Christ desires to live in us, bringing us back to the glorious state lost due to sin. This transformation leads us to become Christ-like, experiencing a glorious life through discipleship. [02:53]
2. Discipleship is a process of growth towards Christ-likeness, requiring both a disciple-maker and the disciple's active participation. A disciple-maker's role is to proclaim Christ, counsel with wisdom, and lead by example, ensuring that the focus remains on Jesus, not on themselves. [07:17]
3. As disciples, we must walk with Christ daily, learning from Him and being transformed into His likeness. This journey is not about completing programs but living in constant communion with Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in every aspect of life. [17:52]
4. Walking in the Spirit helps us overcome the law of sin and death, enabling us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which is Christ-likeness. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can defeat sin and grow more like Christ each day. [37:24]
5. To practice discipleship effectively, we must engage in community, walking with others in small groups, or "microcells," where we can learn and grow together. This communal approach mirrors the biblical pattern of following a rabbi in groups, fostering deeper relationships and accountability. [39:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - The Mystery of Christ in Us
[02:53] - The Hope of Glory
[04:09] - Christ as Our Life
[05:52] - The Goal of Discipleship
[07:17] - Role of a Disciple-Maker
[08:23] - Making Disciples
[10:08] - Admonishing and Counseling
[11:21] - Teaching Obedience
[15:10] - Walking in Christ
[17:52] - Steps of Discipleship
[20:18] - Apprenticeship with Christ
[23:26] - Walking in the Spirit
[30:00] - Discipleship in Daily Life
[39:53] - Community and Microcells
[43:02] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

He doesn't give us salvation. He gave us Jesus himself. I mean, if he give you Jesus, you have salvation. He give you Jesus, you will have blessings in your life. If he give you Jesus, you have everything. I mean, why he wants to give you Jesus? So that Jesus can be your life. Jesus can bring you back to the glorious state that has been lost because of sin. Because of sin, we fall short of the glory of God. What is that glory? The image of God. So, Christ in us, the hope of glorious life, the glorious life is Christ-likeness. [00:04:31] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Discipleship is a process, yeah, where you grow from the present condition, yeah, through a process, then you reach a goal. The goal is Christ-likeness, yeah. Christ-likeness. God wants you to become like Christ. You have to grow every day more to be like Christ. Now, how to reach this goal? Yeah, this is discipleship. Now, to reach this goal, you need two roles. A person or a group of people that can make you a disciple of Christ. You need a disciple-maker to make you Jesus' disciple. This is the role of a disciple-maker. [00:06:17] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

When you do discipleship, yeah, you counsel them. Not giving a one-way advice. See, discipleship is not like this, oh, you have to do this, you cannot do this, you have to do this and do that, you know. No, no. Counseling. You ask questions, and then, you know, a lot of people, you disciple, they have a lot of wounds in their heart. Wounds from the mom, wounds from the dad, wounds from their, even wounds from, you know, in the womb. So, how can they be healed? How can we heal them? You know, we don't have power, remember, we are only an instrument. [00:10:34] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

The teaching in discipleship is not just, you know, teaching them to know, but you need to teach them until they obey. If they don't obey, it is not discipleship. Teaching them to obey. Now, how to teach people to obey? It says, you know, with all wisdom. Now, what is wisdom? Wisdom is not just ability to know the truth, but wisdom is ability to apply the truth. Yeah? If you give them wisdom, twang, wow! They know how to apply this truth, you know? So practical. Teach them to obey. This is discipleship. [00:12:49] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

As you, therefore, have received Christ, Jesus the Lord. Yeah? So, Paul said, don't stop there. Don't stop there. A lot of Christians stop in receiving Jesus as the Lord and Savior. They stop there. See, people think the goal of Christianity is just to believe in Jesus, to have salvation. and then do nothing and wait to go to heaven. That's why a lot of people, you know, they are in business of waiting Jesus coming, and they do nothing. If the goal of your life is just to go to heaven, you already received salvation. [00:14:52] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

So, discipleship continue through the work of the Holy Spirit. Yeah. So, that's why every day, we need to walk in the Spirit. Every day. Walk in the Spirit. Yeah. Because Jesus is in the spiritual. ram. We need to talk to Him through the Holy Spirit. I mean, we need to learn from Him through the Holy Spirit. We need to walk with Him every day. So when you wake up, Jesus said, ready? Now discipleship begins. Hallelujah. So when you eat, you eat in His presence. Hallelujah. Jesus, thank you for the breakfast. [00:23:47] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

You cannot fight sin with your own strength. Now, how do you defeat the law of sin and death? Relying on another law. Now, I give you illustration so you may understand. If I blow a balloon, you know, a balloon, I blow it with my own breath, and I let the balloon go, where will the balloon go? Where will it go? Go down, right? It will go down. Why? The law of gravity. Pull the balloon down. Now, how to defeat the law of gravity? Remember, the law of gravity is constant. [00:36:02] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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