Transformative Renewal: Embracing Life in Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated a profound moment of transformation and renewal through the act of baptism. This sacred rite symbolizes our burial with Christ and our resurrection into a new life, as described in Romans 6:1. It is a testament to the eternal life we now possess through Christ, who has conquered death on our behalf. This transformation is not just a personal milestone but a reflection of God's eternal plan, which He has orchestrated since the foundation of the world.

We also discussed the importance of making incremental changes in our lives, as highlighted in our "One Degree" series. By focusing on small, consistent changes, we can achieve significant transformation over time. This principle applies to various aspects of our lives, including our spiritual, financial, relational, and emotional well-being. Generosity, particularly, is emphasized as a biblical prosperity plan, inviting God's involvement and obligation in our financial well-being when we prioritize Him.

Furthermore, we explored the concept of being ambassadors for Christ. Just as earthly ambassadors represent their nations in foreign lands, we are called to represent Christ in our respective spheres of influence. This role requires us to view others from a kingdom perspective, recognizing them as individuals for whom Christ died. Our mission is to participate in the ministry of reconciliation, sharing the message that God is at peace with humanity and inviting others to embrace this peace.

The sermon also touched on the importance of community involvement, particularly in initiatives like BG 2050, which seeks to shape the future of our community. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to be active participants, ensuring that our voices contribute to a peaceful and hopeful future.

Finally, we delved into the profound transaction that occurs at salvation. Through Christ's sacrifice, our sins are exchanged for His righteousness, allowing us to stand justified before God. This transaction is not merely emotional but deeply cognitive, inviting us to rest fully in the assurance of our salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- Baptism is a powerful symbol of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, marking the beginning of a new life free from the fear of death. It is a public declaration of our faith and a testament to God's eternal plan for us. [00:00]

- Incremental change, as illustrated in the "One Degree" series, can lead to significant transformation. By making small, consistent adjustments in our lives, we align ourselves with God's purposes and invite His blessings, particularly in the area of financial stewardship. [28:55]

- As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to represent Him in our daily lives, viewing others from a kingdom perspective. Our mission is to share the message of reconciliation, emphasizing that God is at peace with humanity and inviting others to embrace this peace. [46:52]

- Community involvement is crucial for shaping a hopeful future. Initiatives like BG 2050 provide opportunities for us to contribute to the well-being of our community, ensuring that our voices are heard and that we promote peace and understanding. [35:11]

- Salvation involves a profound transaction where our sins are exchanged for Christ's righteousness. This forensic exchange allows us to stand justified before God, inviting us to rest fully in the assurance of our salvation and to share this message with others. [01:02:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Baptism and New Life
- [03:45] - Safety and Weather Update
- [07:10] - Guest Information and Giving
- [12:00] - One Degree Series Overview
- [15:30] - Generosity and Financial Stewardship
- [20:00] - Princess Prom and Community Events
- [25:00] - BG 2050 Community Initiative
- [30:00] - The Role of Ambassadors
- [35:00] - Viewing Others from a Kingdom Perspective
- [40:00] - The Ministry of Reconciliation
- [45:00] - Salvation as a Transaction
- [50:00] - Invitation to Peace with God
- [55:00] - Final Thoughts and Prayer
- [01:10:00] - Closing Remarks and Dismissal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:1-4
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 6:1-4 say about the symbolism of baptism and its connection to Christ's death and resurrection? How was this illustrated in the sermon through the act of baptism? [00:00]

2. In 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, what does it mean to be a new creation in Christ? How does this concept relate to the transformation discussed in the sermon? [50:58]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of an ambassador for Christ, and what are the responsibilities associated with this role? [46:52]

4. What is the significance of the "One Degree" series mentioned in the sermon, and how does it relate to making incremental changes in our lives? [28:55]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of being "buried with Christ through baptism" in Romans 6:1-4 deepen our understanding of the Christian life and its transformative power? [00:00]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that viewing others from a kingdom perspective can change our interactions and relationships with them? [46:52]

3. How does the sermon explain the idea of salvation as a transaction, and what implications does this have for our understanding of righteousness and justification? [01:02:25]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of community involvement, particularly in initiatives like BG 2050, and how does this relate to our role as ambassadors for Christ? [35:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does understanding it as a symbol of death and resurrection with Christ impact your daily life and faith journey? [00:00]

2. The sermon emphasizes making small, consistent changes in our lives. Identify one area in your life where you can make a "one degree" change this month. What steps will you take to implement this change? [28:55]

3. As an ambassador for Christ, how can you represent Him in your workplace or community? What specific actions can you take to view others from a kingdom perspective? [46:52]

4. Consider the concept of salvation as a transaction. How does this understanding affect your view of your relationship with God and your assurance of salvation? [01:02:25]

5. The sermon highlights the importance of community involvement. What is one way you can actively participate in shaping the future of your community, such as through initiatives like BG 2050? [35:11]

6. How can you practice generosity in your financial life as a way to invite God's involvement and obligation, as discussed in the sermon? What changes might you need to make to prioritize God in this area? [28:55]

7. Reflect on the message of reconciliation. How can you share this message with someone in your life who may not yet be at peace with God? What approach will you take to communicate this effectively? [58:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Baptism as a Symbol of New Life
Baptism is a profound symbol of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It marks the beginning of a new life, free from the fear of death, and serves as a public declaration of our faith. This act is not merely a personal milestone but a testament to God's eternal plan for humanity, orchestrated since the foundation of the world. Through baptism, we are reminded of the eternal life we possess through Christ, who has conquered death on our behalf. This transformation is a reflection of the divine narrative that God has woven into the fabric of creation, inviting us to participate in His redemptive work. [00:00]

Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: How does your baptism influence your daily walk with Christ, and in what ways can you publicly declare your faith today?


Day 2: The Power of Incremental Change
The "One Degree" series highlights the significance of making small, consistent changes in our lives to achieve significant transformation over time. This principle applies to various aspects of our lives, including spiritual, financial, relational, and emotional well-being. By aligning ourselves with God's purposes through these incremental adjustments, we invite His blessings, particularly in the area of financial stewardship. Generosity is emphasized as a biblical prosperity plan, where prioritizing God invites His involvement in our financial well-being. [28:55]

Zechariah 4:10 (ESV): "For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth."

Reflection: What small, consistent change can you make today to align more closely with God's purposes, especially in your financial stewardship?


Day 3: Representing Christ as Ambassadors
As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to represent Him in our daily lives, viewing others from a kingdom perspective. This role requires us to see individuals as those for whom Christ died, participating in the ministry of reconciliation. Our mission is to share the message that God is at peace with humanity, inviting others to embrace this peace. Just as earthly ambassadors represent their nations, we are to embody the values and message of Christ in our respective spheres of influence. [46:52]

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of reconciliation today, and how can you represent Christ to them in a tangible way?


Day 4: Community Involvement for a Hopeful Future
Community involvement is crucial for shaping a hopeful future, as seen in initiatives like BG 2050. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to be active participants in our communities, ensuring that our voices contribute to peace and understanding. By engaging in these initiatives, we help shape the future of our community, promoting a vision of hope and well-being. Our involvement is a reflection of our commitment to living out the values of the kingdom of God in tangible ways. [35:11]

Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Reflection: What is one way you can actively participate in your community this week to promote peace and hope?


Day 5: Salvation as a Profound Transaction
Salvation involves a profound transaction where our sins are exchanged for Christ's righteousness. This forensic exchange allows us to stand justified before God, inviting us to rest fully in the assurance of our salvation. It is not merely an emotional experience but a deeply cognitive realization of the grace extended to us through Christ's sacrifice. This understanding compels us to share the message of salvation with others, inviting them to experience the same peace and assurance. [01:02:25]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: How does understanding the transaction of salvation change your perspective on your relationship with God, and how can you share this message with someone today?

Quotes


For He was buried and the Bible says, and we were buried with Him, but He didn't stay buried. He raised Himself from the dead and that's why we pull them up out of the water because we don't want to leave you in the water. And then we walk out of here in a new life. Romans chapter six, verse one puts it this way. We are buried together with Christ through baptism and raised to walk in a new life. [00:16:48] (22 seconds)


Back in January, we did a series called one degree and our whole premise in one degree is that if each of us could make one degree of change each month, this year, by the end of the year, a 12 degree change is radical. And we liken that to aeronautics getting on an airplane in Nashville to LaGuardia, a 12 degree shift would land in South of Baltimore in the Atlantic ocean. That's a dramatic difference. [00:27:45] (24 seconds)


When we do that, especially financially, what's amazing is, is we not only invite God into our financial well-being, but we obligate God to our financial well-being. And that's a radical truth, because you know, biblically, God has never been obligated to anybody. At any time about anything, except when he obligates himself to man through promises that he makes, not any performance that he demands. [00:29:59] (30 seconds)


And throughout scripture, he takes on the obligation of our financial security, if we take on the responsibility of just being generous towards him. I mean, you literally are inviting him in to your financial wherewithal, your financial well-being, and your financial security. So I encourage, encourage you. [00:30:57] (22 seconds)


What would you say if I told you that God has already chosen you as an ambassador? I would say, I would say, I would say, I would say, I would say, that he put you before the Senate of the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and they approved you on first passing. And then he assigned you a territory where you now have to be ambassador. [00:44:14] (20 seconds)


Every one of us has an, and maybe more than one assignment to be an ambassador. In here as an ambassador for Christ, this is easy. This ain't bad. You know, you can serve the Lord. You can be a greeter security, but when you're asked to do it on foreign soil, well, it gets a little bit difficult. [00:45:25] (21 seconds)


We want them to embrace this. So, we partake in the work of God. We partake in the work of God. We partake in the work of God. We participate in this epic mission when we embrace the role of ambassador. And the great news is, the word in the Bible is the same word that we would use. A representative. One who communicates clearly the message of that person you're representing. [00:47:51] (17 seconds)


We see them as an opportunity. You know what I mean? Not to take advantage of. It's like every human being you meet, if you will, I know this is probably not right, but as a customer. They're a potential customer for salvation. And we know they've already been saved. We know that. I mean, forgiven. The only thing that's left is that exchange, the transaction that has to happen between the sins being forgiven and a person receiving that forgiveness, right? [00:49:30] (28 seconds)


And we live in a deep sense of well-being and security because we know, we know what you're going to do. But Father, there's one driving purpose for your people and your place. And that is to replace the church. And that is to be ambassadors, ministers, and message carriers of the beautiful message of reconciliation and that you are no longer [01:11:01] (31 seconds)


He who knew no sin became sin, that we might become the righteousness of God. And that's our message. We implore you on Christ's behalf. Be reconciled to God. Well, how do I do that? He who knew no sin became sin, that you might become the righteousness of God. Can you believe that? [01:07:00] (29 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?