Transformative Power of Christ: From Law to Spirit
Summary
The sermon begins with an exploration of the Human Condition and how it is addressed through Jesus Christ. The pastor explains that Jesus, as the representative of Israel, has paid for and dealt with all sin through his death and resurrection. By releasing his Spirit into his new family, Jesus transforms their hearts so they can fulfill the call to love God and neighbor. This transformation is the first step in God's larger mission to rescue and renew all of creation, ultimately making it a place where his love prevails.
The pastor then transitions to a reading from Romans 7:1-13, which explores the relationship between the law and sin. He highlights that believers have died to the law through Christ's sacrifice, allowing them to serve in the new way of the Spirit rather than the old way of the written code. The pastor acknowledges the role of the law in revealing sin and emphasizes the need for Jesus' redemption. He also discusses the concept of bearing fruit and producing good things for God, emphasizing that true life change and transformation come from the new way of the spirit, rather than the old way of following rules and regulations.
The pastor introduces the idea of boundary markers, which are external behaviors or practices that can be mistaken for evidence of a changed life. He shares an illustration from Pastor John Orberg, who talks about how boundary markers can become substitutes for genuine transformation empowered by the Holy Spirit. The pastor cautions against a non-spiritual approach to life change, where people simply check boxes and follow the law without experiencing authentic transformation.
The pastor explores the concept of a transformed life through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He discusses the biblical story of Adam, highlighting how Adam's choice of sin and selfishness led to God's judgment on all of humanity. However, he contrasts Adam with Jesus, who is described as the new Adam. Jesus lived in faithful obedience to God and offered his life as a gift to others, justifying them before God. Jesus stands as the head of a new Humanity that is being transformed by this gift.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of being released from the law and belonging to Christ in order to bear fruit for God. He discusses the tension between following the Jewish law and embracing faith in Christ, referencing the early church in the book of Acts, highlighting the challenges they faced in navigating this tension.
Key Takeaways:
- The Human Condition is addressed through Jesus Christ, who paid for and dealt with all sin through his death and resurrection. By releasing his Spirit into his new family, Jesus transforms their hearts so they can fulfill the call to love God and neighbor. This transformation is the first step in God's larger mission to rescue and renew all of creation. ([12:45])
- Believers have died to the law through Christ's sacrifice, allowing them to serve in the new way of the Spirit rather than the old way of the written code. The law plays a crucial role in revealing sin, emphasizing the need for Jesus' redemption. ([24:30])
- True life change and transformation come from the new way of the spirit, rather than the old way of following rules and regulations. Boundary markers, which are external behaviors or practices, can be mistaken for evidence of a changed life and can become substitutes for genuine transformation empowered by the Holy Spirit. ([36:15])
- Jesus, described as the new Adam, lived in faithful obedience to God and offered his life as a gift to others, justifying them before God. Jesus stands as the head of a new Humanity that is being transformed by this gift. This transformation is a key aspect of the Christian faith. ([48:50])
- The tension between following the Jewish law and embracing faith in Christ was a significant challenge faced by the early church. This tension continues to be relevant today, emphasizing the importance of being released from the law and belonging to Christ in order to bear fruit for God. ([59:30])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 7:1-13
2. Galatians 5:16-24
3. Exodus 20:17
Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 7:1-13, what is the relationship between the law and sin? How does the law reveal sin?
2. Galatians 5:16-24 contrasts the desires of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. What are some examples of each? How does walking by the Spirit affect these desires?
3. Exodus 20:17 is a commandment about coveting. What does it mean to covet? How does this commandment relate to the concept of sin?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Romans 7:1-13 speaks of being released from the law through Christ's sacrifice. What does it mean to be released from the law? How does this release allow believers to serve in a new way of the Spirit?
2. In Galatians 5:16-24, what does it mean to walk by the Spirit? How does this walking by the Spirit help believers not to gratify the desires of the flesh?
3. How does the commandment in Exodus 20:17 reveal the nature of sin? How does this commandment help us understand the concept of boundary markers?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt the tension between following rules and experiencing genuine transformation. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future?
2. Can you identify any boundary markers in your life that may be mistaken for evidence of a changed life? How can you ensure these do not become substitutes for genuine transformation?
3. Think of a person in your life who you find difficult to love as yourself. What is one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate love towards this person?
4. Reflect on your own life. In what areas do you see the fruit of the Spirit? Where do you see the desires of the flesh? What is one step you can take this week to walk more by the Spirit in these areas?
5. How does understanding Jesus as the new Adam, who lived in faithful obedience to God, impact your daily life? What is one way you can emulate Jesus' obedience this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Through Christ's Sacrifice
The Human Condition is addressed through Jesus Christ, who paid for and dealt with all sin through his death and resurrection. By releasing his Spirit into his new family, Jesus transforms their hearts so they can fulfill the call to love God and neighbor. This transformation is the first step in God's larger mission to rescue and renew all of creation. ([12:45])
Bible Passage: Ezekiel 36:26 - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Reflection: Reflect on the transformation that has occurred in your life since accepting Christ. How has your heart been changed to love God and your neighbor more deeply?
Day 2: Freedom from the Law Through Christ
Believers have died to the law through Christ's sacrifice, allowing them to serve in the new way of the Spirit rather than the old way of the written code. The law plays a crucial role in revealing sin, emphasizing the need for Jesus' redemption. ([24:30])
Bible Passage: Galatians 2:19-20 - "For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
Reflection: How has understanding your freedom from the law through Christ's sacrifice changed your approach to serving God and others?
Day 3: Genuine Transformation Through the Spirit
True life change and transformation come from the new way of the spirit, rather than the old way of following rules and regulations. Boundary markers, which are external behaviors or practices, can be mistaken for evidence of a changed life and can become substitutes for genuine transformation empowered by the Holy Spirit. ([36:15])
Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on your own life. Are there any 'boundary markers' that you have mistaken for genuine transformation? How can you ensure your transformation is empowered by the Holy Spirit?
Day 4: Jesus, the New Adam
Jesus, described as the new Adam, lived in faithful obedience to God and offered his life as a gift to others, justifying them before God. Jesus stands as the head of a new Humanity that is being transformed by this gift. This transformation is a key aspect of the Christian faith. ([48:50])
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:45 - "So it is written: 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the 'new Adam' impact your understanding of your own transformation and justification before God?
Day 5: Released from the Law to Bear Fruit for God
The tension between following the Jewish law and embracing faith in Christ was a significant challenge faced by the early church. This tension continues to be relevant today, emphasizing the importance of being released from the law and belonging to Christ in order to bear fruit for God. ([59:30])
Bible Passage: Romans 7:6 - "But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."
Reflection: Reflect on your own life. Are there any areas where you are still trying to follow the law rather than embracing faith in Christ? How can you release these areas to God and bear fruit for Him?
Quotes
"Jesus the Messiah has paid for and dealt with all of that sin through his death and his resurrection and now Jesus has released his Spirit into his new family to transform their hearts so that they can truly fulfill the call of all the Torah's commands to love God and neighbor." [12:53]
"God's renewal of human beings is the first step of his larger mission to rescue and renew all of creation making it a place where his love gets the final word." [13:33]
"But now we are released from the law having died to that which held us captive so that we serve in the new way of the spirit and not in the old way of the written code." [14:38]
"Let us not settle for a low level of checking boxes or whatever, but to live this dynamic relationship with you through your Holy Spirit, to bear fruit for you, to produce real change in this life and in our world." [37:41]
"If people do not experience authentic transformation, then their faith will deteriorate into a search for the boundary markers that masquerade as evidence of a changed life." [27:45]
"Jesus stands as the head of a new Humanity that is being transformed by this gift." [10:12]
"Choosing to follow Jesus means leaving their old adam-like humanity and entering into the new jesus-like humanity." [10:53]
"The gospel message, what Jesus came to do, who Jesus is, what Jesus is doing now and what he has done already, is deep and it goes as deep as you want to go with it and even deeper than that." #!!15:51!!#
"Salvation is not through the law. Jesus, who kept the law perfectly, provides the salvation for us." #!!18:47!!#
"Do you need to convert to Judaism in order to convert to Christianity?" - This question of whether Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish customs and laws in order to follow Christ was a significant issue in the early church. (source: #!!06:16!!#)
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