Transformative Power of the Cross and Unity in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today's sermon focused on the transformative power of the cross and the profound unity it brings among believers. We began by reflecting on Jesus' humanity and divinity, emphasizing His submission to God's will and His role as our Savior. This submission and His sinless life made Him the perfect sacrifice, enabling our salvation and resurrection.
We then considered the legacy of faithful leaders who have gone before us, urging us to follow their example in our own time. The power of the cross was highlighted as the ultimate source of God's wisdom and strength, capable of breaking the chains of death and uniting diverse peoples into one body in Christ. This unity transcends cultural and racial differences, creating a brotherhood that lasts eternally.
The sermon also addressed the importance of living a life led by the Spirit, not by the flesh. Paul’s teachings were cited to illustrate that true freedom and victory over sin come through the Spirit. The cross was presented as a dividing line between good and evil, a source of blessing for those who embrace it and a curse for those who reject it.
We were reminded that our identity in Christ is our greatest asset, and that living in the light of His truth brings fellowship and cleansing from sin. The sermon concluded with a call to live for God, rejecting the world and its temptations, and to be a light in these dark times, following the example of Paul and other faithful leaders.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus' Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus' submission to God's will and His sinless life made Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His prayers and actions were always aligned with God's will, making Him our resurrected Savior and a ransom for all. This highlights the importance of living a life in submission to God's will, just as Jesus did. [09:43]
2. Legacy of Faithful Leaders: Reflecting on the lives of faithful leaders who have gone before us, we are encouraged to follow their example in our own time. These leaders lived lives of tremendous faith and dedication, serving as testimonies of God's power and wisdom. We too are called to be disciples of Jesus, allowing God's power to manifest in our lives. [11:43]
3. Unity Through the Cross: The cross has the power to unite people from diverse backgrounds into one body in Christ. This unity transcends cultural and racial differences, creating a brotherhood that lasts eternally. The cross is a source of God's power and wisdom, capable of breaking down barriers and bringing people together in a glorious fellowship. [16:51]
4. Living by the Spirit: True freedom and victory over sin come through living by the Spirit, not by the flesh. Paul teaches that those who live according to the flesh will die, but those who mortify the deeds of the body by the Spirit will live. This emphasizes the importance of walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. [19:46]
5. Rejecting the World: We are called to reject the world and its temptations, living instead for God. The world and its desires will pass away, but those who live according to God's word will remain forever. This calls for a clear division between good and evil, and a commitment to living a life that is pleasing to God. [34:45]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:30] - Introduction
[06:59] - Jesus' Humanity and Divinity
[07:33] - Submission to God's Will
[09:19] - Perfect Sacrifice
[09:43] - Legacy of Faithful Leaders
[10:40] - Our Time to Follow
[11:43] - Discipleship and God's Power
[12:31] - Remembering Brother Aslaksson
[13:21] - Fruit of Faithful Preaching
[14:17] - Power of the Cross
[15:06] - Breaking Chains of Death
[15:58] - Unity Through the Cross
[16:51] - Eternal Brotherhood
[18:05] - God's Spirit and Freedom
[18:58] - Living by the Spirit
[19:46] - Mortifying Deeds of the Flesh
[20:33] - Identity in Christ
[21:25] - Walking in the Light
[22:19] - Glory in the Lord
[22:57] - Renewed Inner Man
[23:32] - Glorious Fellowship
[24:00] - Paul's Example
[24:23] - Demonstration of the Spirit
[25:00] - Fear of Human Wisdom
[25:25] - Revelation from God
[26:01] - Leading Others to God
[26:28] - Despising the Cross
[27:02] - Access to the Father
[27:37] - Unity in Christ
[28:42] - Division Between Good and Evil
[29:27] - Blessing and Curse
[30:00] - Clear Preaching
[30:52] - Living for God
[31:35] - Love and Endurance
[32:21] - Divine Nature
[32:46] - Fleeing Corruption
[33:49] - True Humility
[34:45] - Rejecting the World
[35:31] - Following Paul's Example
[36:22] - Conclusion and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 - "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.' Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."
2. Romans 8:13 - "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."
3. Colossians 3:11 - "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 say about the message of the cross and its impact on different groups of people?
2. According to Romans 8:13, what is the outcome of living according to the flesh versus living by the Spirit?
3. How does Colossians 3:11 describe the unity that believers have in Christ?
4. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the legacy of faithful leaders? ([12:31])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' submission to God's will and His sinless life? ([09:43])
2. What does the sermon suggest about the power of the cross in uniting people from diverse backgrounds? ([16:51])
3. How does living by the Spirit, as described in Romans 8:13, lead to true freedom and victory over sin according to the sermon? ([19:46])
4. What does the sermon say about the importance of rejecting the world and its temptations? ([34:45])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on Jesus' submission to God's will. How can you practice submission to God's will in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you struggle with this? ([09:43])
2. Think about the legacy of faithful leaders mentioned in the sermon. Who are some spiritual leaders in your life that you look up to, and how can you follow their example? ([12:31])
3. The sermon emphasizes the unity brought by the cross. How can you actively promote unity within your church community, especially among people from different backgrounds? ([16:51])
4. Living by the Spirit is crucial for true freedom. What steps can you take to ensure you are living by the Spirit and not by the flesh? Are there specific habits or practices you need to change? ([19:46])
5. The sermon calls for rejecting the world and its temptations. Identify one temptation you face regularly. What practical steps can you take to overcome it and live more fully for God? ([34:45])
6. How can you be a light in these dark times, as the sermon suggests? Think of one specific action you can take this week to shine Christ's light in your community. ([36:22])
7. Reflect on your identity in Christ. How does understanding your identity in Him change the way you approach challenges and opportunities in your life? ([20:33])
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Perfect Sacrifice
Description: Jesus' submission to God's will and His sinless life made Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His prayers and actions were always aligned with God's will, making Him our resurrected Savior and a ransom for all. This highlights the importance of living a life in submission to God's will, just as Jesus did. Jesus' life and sacrifice are the ultimate examples of obedience and love, showing us the path to true salvation and resurrection. Reflecting on His life encourages us to align our own lives with God's will, seeking to live in a way that honors Him. [09:43]
Hebrews 5:8-9 (ESV): "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Legacy of Faithful Leaders
Description: Reflecting on the lives of faithful leaders who have gone before us, we are encouraged to follow their example in our own time. These leaders lived lives of tremendous faith and dedication, serving as testimonies of God's power and wisdom. We too are called to be disciples of Jesus, allowing God's power to manifest in our lives. By looking at their legacy, we can find inspiration and guidance for our own spiritual journey, understanding that we are part of a larger story of faith. [11:43]
Hebrews 13:7 (ESV): "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."
Reflection: Think of a spiritual leader or mentor who has impacted your life. How can you emulate their faith and dedication in your own walk with God today?
Day 3: Unity Through the Cross
Description: The cross has the power to unite people from diverse backgrounds into one body in Christ. This unity transcends cultural and racial differences, creating a brotherhood that lasts eternally. The cross is a source of God's power and wisdom, capable of breaking down barriers and bringing people together in a glorious fellowship. This unity is a testament to the transformative power of the cross, showing that in Christ, we are all one, regardless of our earthly distinctions. [16:51]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: Is there someone from a different background or culture with whom you can build a bridge of unity today? How can you reach out to them in the spirit of Christ's love and fellowship?
Day 4: Living by the Spirit
Description: True freedom and victory over sin come through living by the Spirit, not by the flesh. Paul teaches that those who live according to the flesh will die, but those who mortify the deeds of the body by the Spirit will live. This emphasizes the importance of walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. Living by the Spirit means allowing God's presence to guide our actions, thoughts, and decisions, leading us to a life of holiness and true freedom. [19:46]
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 is one specific area of your life where you struggle with the desires of the flesh? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you overcome this struggle today?
Day 5: Rejecting the World
Description: We are called to reject the world and its temptations, living instead for God. The world and its desires will pass away, but those who live according to God's word will remain forever. This calls for a clear division between good and evil, and a commitment to living a life that is pleasing to God. Rejecting the world means prioritizing God's kingdom over earthly desires, seeking to live in a way that reflects His values and truth. [34:45]
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Reflection: What is one worldly temptation that you find particularly challenging? How can you take a concrete step today to reject this temptation and live more fully for God?
Quotes
1. "To understand that we also have a time and think then to give yourself to be a disciple of Jesus so that God's power and power and God's wisdom can come forth in our lives and that's a tremendous glory for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle I'm speaking the truth in Christ and not lying a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." [11:43] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And this power that has been given to us through the cross that is a power to put everything in order according to the wisdom that has been laid in his word then you can put everything in order according to that wisdom by the power that lies in his spirit." [15:06] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The word of the cross can perfectly unite you. The word of the cross can really do that so that we become one as the father and the son are one. This takes place through faith in the word of the cross." [15:58] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have come to a life in God. We've got an inner man where Jesus has become Lord in our lives and that is incredibly great." [13:21] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are people of eternity. Death has no power over us and Jesus says those who believe in me and live they shall never in all eternity see death they out to their body and they go home to the Lord and there they meet those who have lived before them." [23:32] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We need revelation of the spirit all of us when it concerns our children our friends concerns those we love when it concerns people need to lead them to God that is the great goal may God give us grace to this." [26:01] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We are actually Paul, Pauli Christians. We keep ourselves to the gospel to those who follow Christ and Paul said follow me as I follow Christ then we come to the same glory and the same life." [35:31] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The world is crucified for us and we for the world. There's a cross between us and the world. It's a cry right from John and we're still hearing that cry today. Love not the world nor the things that are in this world because if you love the world then the love for God for the father is not in you." [34:45] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "It's tremendous to experience these powers that lie in God's spirit that can free us out so tremendously from ourselves. Tremendous possibilities." [18:05] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We mustn't love the world because the world perishes passes by but this this will remain until all eternity only that which is pure and noble will remain standing and that in the end will remain standing in truth for all those who believe in it so let's keep ourselves to God's word." [35:31] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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