Transformative Living: Abiding in Christ's Forgiveness
Summary
The sermon delivered by the speaker is a profound exploration of Christian living, emphasizing the importance of abiding in Christ and the transformation that comes with it. The speaker begins by challenging the congregation to live out the truth of God, putting to death the desires of humanity, and embracing the new creation they have become through Christ's forgiveness. This new identity is sealed with the Holy Spirit, and while salvation is not based on performance, faithfulness in this life will be rewarded. The speaker urges self-examination to ensure that one's life reflects true faith rather than a wasted salvation.
The speaker then addresses the different maturity levels within the church body, from new believers to mature ones, and the impact they have on each other. Mature believers are called to set an example and continue growing in their faith, especially in these urgent times. The speaker shares personal experiences, including growing up in a violent environment, to illustrate the reality of behaviors that believers must put off, such as anger and malice. They also discuss the importance of dealing with sexual desires and the consequences of indulging in pornography and other sexual sins, which lead to a loss of fellowship with Christ.
The sermon takes a practical turn as the speaker discusses the metaphor of putting on new clothes, representing the Christian life. Believers are encouraged to put off their old ways, including behaviors like wrath and filthy language, and to put on new attitudes such as mercy, kindness, and humility. The speaker shares their own struggles, including emotional eating and past mistakes, to highlight the reality of the flesh's works and the need for personal growth.
The speaker also touches on the importance of forgiveness within the church community, making allowances for each other's faults, and letting the peace of God rule in our hearts. They emphasize that this peace serves as an umpire, guiding our actions and attitudes. The speaker concludes by discussing the deep things within the heart of man, the importance of letting the word of Christ dwell within, and the hope of Heaven that leads to purification.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christian journey involves a continuous process of self-examination and growth, where believers must actively put to death their earthly desires and live out the truth of God. This is not a passive state but an active pursuit of holiness, reflecting the transformative power of Christ's forgiveness and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. [17:34]
- Mature believers play a crucial role in the church by setting an example for others. Their actions and attitudes can either inspire growth or lead to complacency. It is essential for mature believers to remember the significance of God's work in their lives and to remain vigilant, especially in the context of the urgent times we live in, marked by global events and biblical prophecies. [05:09]
- The metaphor of putting on new clothes signifies the believer's call to live a life that is visibly different from the old ways of sin. This includes not only avoiding overtly sinful acts but also transforming one's attitudes to reflect Christ's love, such as showing mercy, kindness, and humility. Personal stories of transformation serve as powerful testimonies to the reality of God's sanctifying work. [41:21]
- Forgiveness and peace within the church community are vital aspects of Christian living. Believers are encouraged to bear with one another, forgive each other's transgressions, and allow the peace of God to act as an umpire in their lives. This peace is a marker of fellowship with God and should guide believers in discerning when their actions conflict with God's Word or Spirit. [49:41]
- The hope of Heaven and the return of Christ should compel believers to purify themselves and align their lives with God's will. This purification process is not about earning God's love but responding to it, recognizing that areas of non-alignment are opportunities for growth rather than reasons for rejection. The speaker's message is one of encouragement, urging believers to reflect God's words and actions consistently in their lives. [52:41]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 2:28-29: "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him."
2. Colossians 3:1-3: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
3. Colossians 3:12-14: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."
### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 John 2:28-29 say about the importance of abiding in Christ and the confidence it brings at His coming?
2. According to Colossians 3:1-3, what are believers encouraged to seek and set their minds on, and why?
3. In Colossians 3:12-14, what virtues are believers instructed to "put on," and how are these related to their new identity in Christ?
4. How does the speaker describe the metaphor of "putting on new clothes" in the context of Christian living? [20:16]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does abiding in Christ, as mentioned in 1 John 2:28-29, help believers avoid embarrassment at His coming? [14:24]
2. What practical steps can believers take to "seek those things which are above" as instructed in Colossians 3:1-3? How does this align with the speaker's message about living out the truth of God? [16:03]
3. How do the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-14 (tender mercies, kindness, humility, etc.) reflect the transformation that comes with being a new creation in Christ? [45:59]
4. The speaker shared personal struggles to illustrate the reality of the flesh's works. How do these stories help us understand the need for personal growth and transformation? [36:36]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel you are not abiding in Christ? What steps can you take this week to deepen your fellowship with Him? [14:24]
2. The speaker mentioned the importance of mature believers setting an example. How can you, regardless of your maturity level, be a positive influence within your church community? [03:58]
3. The metaphor of "putting on new clothes" involves shedding old behaviors and adopting new ones. Identify one "old behavior" you need to put off and one "new attitude" you need to put on. How will you start this transformation? [20:16]
4. Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of Christian living. Is there someone in your church community or personal life you need to forgive? What steps will you take to extend forgiveness and restore peace? [47:42]
5. The speaker emphasized the urgency of the times we live in. How does the current global context influence your sense of urgency in living out your faith? What specific actions will you take to align your life with God's will? [05:09]
6. Reflect on the speaker's discussion about dealing with sexual desires and other sins. Are there specific areas in your life where you need to seek accountability or support to overcome these struggles? [22:59]
7. The hope of Heaven should compel believers to purify themselves. What practical steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with God's will, in light of this hope? [52:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Holiness as Active Pursuit
The Christian journey is an active pursuit of holiness, requiring believers to shed their old selves and embrace a life that reflects the truth of God. This transformation is a testament to the power of Christ's forgiveness and the presence of the Holy Spirit within. It is a daily commitment to self-examination and growth, ensuring that one's faith is alive and impactful. [17:34]
Colossians 3:5-6 - "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."
Reflection: What are some earthly desires you need to put to death today in order to live a life that is more pleasing to God?
Day 2: The Influence of Maturity
Mature believers have a significant influence within the church, setting an example for others and fostering growth. Their actions and attitudes can inspire or hinder the spiritual development of the community. In these urgent times, it is crucial for mature Christians to remain vigilant and to remember the transformative work God has done in their lives. [05:09]
Hebrews 5:14 - "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: As a mature believer, how can you set a godly example for others in your church community this week?
Day 3: Embracing a Visible Transformation
Putting on new clothes symbolizes the Christian's call to a visibly transformed life. This transformation goes beyond avoiding sin; it involves adopting attitudes of mercy, kindness, and humility that reflect Christ's love. Personal growth is evident when one's life showcases the sanctifying work of God. [41:21]
Ephesians 4:22-24 - "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What 'old clothes' do you need to shed in order to better reflect Christ's character in your daily interactions?
Day 4: Cultivating Forgiveness and Peace
Forgiveness and peace are essential in the Christian community. Believers are called to bear with one another and let the peace of God guide their hearts and actions. This peace acts as an umpire, helping to discern when actions conflict with God's Word or Spirit. [49:41]
Colossians 3:12-13 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Reflection: Who do you need to forgive in your church community, and how can you let the peace of God guide you in this process?
Day 5: Hope of Heaven Inspires Purification
The hope of Heaven and the imminent return of Christ inspire believers to purify themselves and align their lives with God's will. This purification is a response to God's love, recognizing that areas of non-alignment are opportunities for growth and not reasons for rejection. [52:41]
1 John 3:2-3 - "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."
Reflection: What is one area in your life that needs purification, and how can you take steps towards aligning it with God's will today?
Quotes
"Christ has forgiven us of our sin; Christ has made us a new creation in him. We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. We have a promise that is not going to be taken away from us, regardless of what our performance as a Christian is or is not." [16:03]
"Put off the old grave clothes...put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, yes, filthy language out of your mouth...these are all of the ways and all of the things that break fellowship with God." [39:59]
"I speak to you more mature Believers here: don't get lazy in what you're doing because there are younger Believers that are watching you. Realize that you set the tone, that you set the model, and I speak to myself as I speak about this because sometimes I could be so casual or maybe come across as indifferent or sometimes even sarcastic, and the things of God are special and they're important." #!!03:58!!#
"Let the peace of God rule in your heart. Rule, 'bruo,' is the word. I like that word; it makes me sound like a baboon. It's the Greek word for rule, though, and it means something very simple: that God's peace is to direct, control, and decide. God's peace is the umpire, and when I lose God's peace, then guess what? Then I've stepped out of fellowship with God." #!!49:02!!#
"Anyone who has the hope of Heaven purifies himself just as He is pure." #!!52:06!!#
"We have to put to death everything that is lurking within us, every evil earthly thing that is lurking within us, and we do that by applying God's words to our life, by walking in the light of the word. We're not sinless, we're not perfect, but when we take God's word, we should sin less." #!!34:54!!#
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