Transformative Power of the Cross: A God-Centered Life
Summary
The essence of today's message revolves around the transformative power of the cross and its ability to reorient our lives from self-centeredness to a God-centered existence. The cross is not just a symbol of sacrifice but a pivotal point where God's justice and mercy meet, offering us salvation and a new way of living. This transformation is about letting go of our attachment to the world and its fleeting pleasures, and instead, embracing a life that glorifies God in all aspects, whether mundane or significant.
The cross challenges us to release our grip on worldly concerns and to live with open hands, trusting in God's provision and sovereignty. This reorientation is crucial for experiencing true peace and joy, even amidst life's trials and tribulations. By focusing on God's glory and not our own, we find contentment and purpose beyond the temporary and often disappointing pursuits of this world.
Our lives should reflect the greatness, power, and majesty of God, acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from Him. This perspective allows us to live generously and with gratitude, recognizing that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God. The cross empowers us to break free from the chains of self-obsession and to live outwardly, loving our neighbors and serving others as an expression of our faith.
In practical terms, this means living faithfully in the ordinary aspects of life, being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, and seeking to glorify Him in all we do. It also involves renewing our minds through the Word and the Spirit, allowing God to transform our thinking and align it with His will. This transformation is not just about personal peace but about being a witness to the world of God's love and power.
Key Takeaways:
- The cross is the intersection of God's justice and mercy, offering us salvation and a new way of living that is centered on glorifying God rather than ourselves. This reorientation is essential for experiencing true peace and joy. [28:02]
- Letting go of worldly attachments and living with open hands allows us to trust in God's provision and sovereignty. This shift in focus from self to God is crucial for finding contentment and purpose beyond the temporary pursuits of this world. [39:40]
- Our lives should reflect God's greatness and majesty, acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from Him. Living generously and with gratitude is a response to this understanding, as we recognize our ultimate purpose is to glorify God. [48:17]
- Living faithfully in the ordinary aspects of life and being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us is a practical expression of our faith. This involves renewing our minds through the Word and the Spirit, allowing God to transform our thinking. [01:06:15]
- The power of the cross enables us to break free from self-obsession and live outwardly, loving our neighbors and serving others. This transformation is not just for personal peace but also for being a witness to the world of God's love and power. [01:09:40]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Announcements and Kids Connect
[03:00] - The Power of the Cross
[05:45] - Theme Verses: 1 Corinthians 1:18 and Galatians 6:14
[10:20] - The Cross and Human Existence
[15:00] - Reorientation Through the Cross
[20:30] - Living for God's Glory
[25:00] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[30:00] - The Greatness of God
[35:00] - Generosity and Stewardship
[40:00] - Living Faithfully in Ordinary Life
[45:00] - Renewing the Mind
[50:00] - The Miracle of Transformation
[55:00] - Application Points
[01:10:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 1:18
2. Galatians 6:14
3. 1 Chronicles 29:11
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 1:18, how is the message of the cross perceived differently by those who are perishing compared to those who are being saved? How does this relate to the transformative power of the cross discussed in the sermon? [28:02]
2. In Galatians 6:14, Paul speaks about boasting only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. What does it mean for the world to be crucified to us and us to the world, as mentioned in the sermon? [39:40]
3. 1 Chronicles 29:11 describes God's greatness and ownership over all things. How does this verse support the idea that everything we have is a gift from God, as discussed in the sermon? [48:17]
4. The sermon mentions living with open hands and trusting in God's provision. How does this concept relate to the idea of being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us? [01:06:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. The sermon emphasizes the intersection of God's justice and mercy at the cross. How does this understanding of the cross challenge our self-centeredness and encourage a God-centered life? [28:02]
2. What does it mean to live with open hands, and how does this posture of trust in God's provision and sovereignty lead to contentment and purpose beyond worldly pursuits? [39:40]
3. How does recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God influence our attitude towards generosity and gratitude? In what ways can this perspective transform our daily lives? [48:17]
4. The sermon discusses renewing our minds through the Word and the Spirit. How does this renewal process help align our thinking with God's will and enable us to live faithfully in ordinary aspects of life? [01:06:15]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with self-centeredness. How can the message of the cross help you reorient your life towards a God-centered existence? [28:02]
2. Consider the worldly attachments you hold onto. What steps can you take to live with open hands, trusting in God's provision and sovereignty? [39:40]
3. In what ways can you practice living generously and with gratitude this week, acknowledging that everything you have is a gift from God? [48:17]
4. Identify one ordinary aspect of your life where you can be a better steward of what God has entrusted to you. How can you glorify God in this area? [01:06:15]
5. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to renew your mind. What practical steps can you take to allow God to transform your thinking through His Word and Spirit? [01:06:15]
6. How can you actively demonstrate love for your neighbors and serve others as an expression of your faith this week? [01:09:40]
7. Reflect on a recent challenge or trial you faced. How can focusing on God's glory rather than your own help you find peace and joy amidst difficulties? [28:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cross as the Intersection of Justice and Mercy
The cross stands as the profound intersection where God's justice and mercy converge, offering humanity a path to salvation and a transformed way of living. It is not merely a symbol of sacrifice but a pivotal point that reorients our lives from self-centeredness to a God-centered existence. This transformation involves letting go of worldly attachments and embracing a life that glorifies God in all aspects, whether mundane or significant. By focusing on God's glory rather than our own, we find true peace and joy, even amidst life's trials and tribulations. This reorientation is essential for experiencing contentment and purpose beyond the temporary pursuits of this world. [28:02]
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)
Reflection: What worldly attachment do you need to release today to embrace a God-centered life more fully?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Provision and Sovereignty
Letting go of worldly attachments and living with open hands allows us to trust in God's provision and sovereignty. This shift in focus from self to God is crucial for finding contentment and purpose beyond the temporary and often disappointing pursuits of this world. By releasing our grip on worldly concerns, we open ourselves to the peace and joy that come from trusting in God's plan for our lives. This trust is not passive but an active engagement with God's promises, allowing us to live with confidence and assurance in His provision. [39:40]
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's provision? How can you begin to trust Him more in this area today?
Day 3: Reflecting God's Greatness and Majesty
Our lives should reflect the greatness, power, and majesty of God, acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from Him. This perspective allows us to live generously and with gratitude, recognizing that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God. By living in this way, we become conduits of God's love and grace to the world around us, demonstrating His greatness through our actions and attitudes. This understanding transforms our approach to life, encouraging us to live with a sense of awe and reverence for the Creator. [48:17]
"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." (1 Chronicles 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: How can you reflect God's greatness and majesty in your daily interactions with others today?
Day 4: Faithful Living in the Ordinary
Living faithfully in the ordinary aspects of life and being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us is a practical expression of our faith. This involves renewing our minds through the Word and the Spirit, allowing God to transform our thinking and align it with His will. By doing so, we become more attuned to His purposes and better equipped to live out our faith in everyday situations. This transformation is not just about personal peace but about being a witness to the world of God's love and power. [01:06:15]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one ordinary aspect of your life where you can be a better steward of what God has entrusted to you?
Day 5: Breaking Free from Self-Obsession
The power of the cross enables us to break free from the chains of self-obsession and to live outwardly, loving our neighbors and serving others as an expression of our faith. This transformation is not just for personal peace but also for being a witness to the world of God's love and power. By focusing on others and serving them, we reflect the selfless love of Christ and demonstrate the transformative power of the cross in our lives. This outward focus is a testament to the world of the hope and redemption found in Christ. [01:09:40]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person you can serve or show love to today, reflecting the selfless love of Christ?
Quotes
"What is the power of the cross except that God has met with man and in meeting with man he, he met with us on the terms of the worth of Christ. God did not meet with man to look over something or to stand in some position where he would just be an old grandpa that just says, okay, no problem. God met fully where justice was at the cross and he met where mercy could be extended at the cross." [00:27:24] (37 seconds)
"The power of the cross is that God could both satisfy his justice and forgive us of our sin. Our theme verses are really two through this series. 1 Corinthians 1 .18, for the word, and then that means message, for the whole thing of the cross that God met man through Christ for forgiveness and justice. The word of the cross is folly or foolishness to those who are perishing. But to us who are being saved it is the power of God." [00:28:02] (42 seconds)
"Paul said the world is nothing to me it's the world is crucified to me and I'm crucified to the world I don't care what the world thinks of me this is the pathway where you can have the potential for peace in a world of ruin and misery how are you going to have any happiness and deep settled joy apart from that simple thing that you know you're not destined for here you're a traveler you're you're journeying through this life to an eternal dwelling a city whose builder and maker is God." [00:29:19] (38 seconds)
"Whatever you do it whether you're eating or drinking see the simple of this I mean just the most simple things the normal carrying out of life do it for the glory of God so these are just instructions Christ died on the cross to do something Jesus said when he his last words on the cross it is finished and I would just ask you what is it the it when Jesus says it is finished was the full scope of the power of the cross at work in the reckoning writing of the ruined earth and the redeeming of his beloved people." [00:34:06] (42 seconds)
"Yours o lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty for all that is in heaven and in the earth is yours yours is the kingdom o lord and you are exalted as head above all the power of the cross is to help you realize that he is the lord and that he is to be exalted as head above all the reason for your anxiety not chemical but i mean you just you're constantly tense and something's off and you know it and you're just not fulfilled." [00:41:32] (39 seconds)
"Here's the Christian counselors challenge people come to them because of pain but the surest solution isn't possible apart from this basic reorientation toward loving God first there's no other way because there's no way to reverse the curse until God does it in the meantime an orientation toward him allows peace outside the circumstances and trivial trials of daily existing there's no other way so if you come to me for counseling you say I just feel terrible I can be sympathetic but the only solution I have for you is is let the world be crucified to you and you to the world." [00:43:35] (49 seconds)
"God owns everything and therefore we can live open -handedly because we trust him. We live by faith, not by sight. I really must commend the church. We have been giving more generously and it has enabled the church to do a lot that we couldn't have done. Thank you. So keep it up and so there's more to be done and there's more good news to send and there's more missionaries to support. So this is all normal. This is what's supposed to happen. Find joy in this. So God owns everything. And then in the last part of verse 11, God reigns over all." [00:48:17] (43 seconds)
"On what basis can we have confidence that we should let the grip on this world release and relax? On what basis can we be generous instead of greedy? On what basis can we live? Even though suffering, we can live hopefully. Look at the stars in the sky. The heavens declare it. It's like an announcement. It's a sermon preached when you look at the stars twinkle in the sky. It proclaims his handiwork and reinforces for us that this God that we serve is greater than our myopic view of things." [00:49:30] (43 seconds)
"Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God and they did not give thanks to him. And they, their minds became, they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. You say, say does this mean that these persons are hopeless no we'll see that they're not hopeless but they are in a bad spot and we are too to the same degree that we obsess over self instead of glorify God to the degree we're looking inward instead of upward and outward we are in a very dark and dangerous position." [00:55:48] (33 seconds)
"My conjecture today is maybe what's causing you to feel disconnected from God and basically miserable it's because you're just absolutely determined to be Lord of your life and I'm calling you out because you will never feel better there's no counselor that can heal that because deep in your heart you were created for the glory of God and nothing nothing in this world will substitute for God's presence who is your creator to abide in there I got no other medicine for you and I don't believe there is one." [00:57:36] (40 seconds)
"Romans 12, 1 and 2, I appeal to you, brothers and brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Well, that sounds like making God glorious, doesn't it? Doesn't that verse sound like he's supposed to be first? Doesn't that verse sound like he's supposed to be preeminent in your life? How do we do this? Well, it says then, do not be conformed to this world." [01:05:54] (27 seconds)
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