Transformative Salvation: Living Actively in Christ

 

Summary

Salvation is the central theme of our faith, and today we delve into its profound meaning and implications. Salvation is not merely about securing a place in heaven after death; it is about the transformation of our lives here and now. Titus 2:11-14 reminds us that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. This grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, urging us to live righteously in this present age. Salvation is about being redeemed from lawlessness and being purified as a people zealous for good works.

The essence of salvation is not found in our deeds but in the mercy of God, manifested through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This new life in Christ is characterized by a dynamic, self-initiating activity that comes from within, a life that acknowledges Jesus as Lord. True acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord is not just verbal; it is a recognition of His authority and power over the universe, a realization that can only be given by God.

The misconception that grace leads to passivity has led to a culture of consumer Christianity, where believers expect to be served rather than to serve. However, the new life we receive in Christ calls us to active participation in His kingdom. Discipleship is not optional; it is integral to being a Christian. The Great Commission commands us to make disciples, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded. This involves a commitment to learning from Jesus and living out His teachings in every aspect of our lives.

The transformation into Christlikeness is the true mark of discipleship. It is not about mere involvement in church activities or social causes but about a deep, personal change that aligns our lives with the teachings of Jesus. This transformation is facilitated by living in the presence of the Trinity, where we experience the grace and power of God in our daily lives. Discipleship is about intention, a deliberate choice to follow Jesus and learn from Him how to live our lives as He would if He were in our place.

Key Takeaways:

1. Salvation as Transformation: Salvation is not just about going to heaven; it is about being transformed into a new creation in Christ, living a life that reflects His righteousness and grace. This transformation is a continuous process of denying ungodliness and embracing a life of good works. [01:57]

2. Grace and Active Participation: Grace is not a license for passivity but a call to active participation in God's kingdom. It empowers us to live out our faith through good works and discipleship, moving beyond a consumer mindset to one of service and commitment. [08:14]

3. The Role of Discipleship: Discipleship is essential to the Christian life. It involves a commitment to learning from Jesus and living according to His teachings. This requires intentionality and a willingness to be transformed into His likeness. [15:22]

4. Living in the Presence of the Trinity: Experiencing the presence of the Trinity in our lives is crucial for spiritual growth. It is through this relationship that we receive the grace and power to live as disciples, continually being renewed and strengthened in our faith. [41:19]

5. The Gospel of the Kingdom: The gospel is not just about sin management but about living in the present kingdom of God. It calls us to put our confidence in Jesus and live as His disciples, experiencing the fullness of life He offers now and in eternity. [18:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:21] - Introduction to Salvation
- [00:50] - The Grace of God
- [01:39] - Denying Ungodliness
- [02:29] - Redemption and Purification
- [03:25] - Living a Transformed Life
- [04:32] - Salvation by Mercy
- [05:19] - New Life in Christ
- [06:36] - Acknowledging Jesus as Lord
- [08:14] - Misconceptions of Grace
- [09:39] - The Gospel and Discipleship
- [15:22] - The Meaning of Discipleship
- [22:22] - Transformation into Christlikeness
- [41:19] - Living in the Trinity's Presence
- [44:29] - The Whole Life Gospel

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Titus 2:11-14: "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

- 1 Corinthians 12:2-3: "You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."

- Matthew 28:18-20: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Titus 2:11-14, what does the grace of God teach us to do in this present age? How does this relate to the concept of salvation as transformation? [01:39]

2. In 1 Corinthians 12:2-3, what is the significance of acknowledging Jesus as Lord, and how is this acknowledgment made possible? [06:36]

3. What are the three components of the Great Commission as outlined in Matthew 28:18-20, and how do they relate to the role of discipleship in the Christian life? [24:33]

4. How does the sermon describe the misconception of grace leading to passivity, and what cultural phenomenon does this misconception contribute to? [08:14]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the role of grace in empowering believers to live out their faith actively rather than passively? What implications does this have for the concept of consumer Christianity? [08:14]

2. What does the sermon suggest is the true mark of discipleship, and how does this differ from mere involvement in church activities or social causes? [22:22]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between living in the presence of the Trinity and experiencing spiritual growth? What role does this relationship play in the transformation into Christlikeness? [41:19]

4. In what ways does the sermon challenge the traditional understanding of the gospel as merely sin management, and how does it propose believers should live in the present kingdom of God? [18:41]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of salvation. How does the idea of salvation as a transformation into a new creation in Christ challenge or affirm your current beliefs? What steps can you take to embrace this transformation in your daily life? [01:57]

2. Consider the role of grace in your life. Are there areas where you have become passive in your faith? How can you actively participate in God's kingdom and move beyond a consumer mindset? [08:14]

3. Discipleship is described as essential to the Christian life. What intentional steps can you take to learn from Jesus and live according to His teachings? How can you commit to being transformed into His likeness? [15:22]

4. How do you experience the presence of the Trinity in your daily life? What practices can you incorporate to deepen this relationship and receive the grace and power to live as a disciple? [41:19]

5. The sermon emphasizes the gospel of the kingdom as more than just sin management. How can you put your confidence in Jesus and live as His disciple, experiencing the fullness of life He offers now and in eternity? [18:41]

6. Reflect on the concept of consumer Christianity. In what ways might you have adopted a consumer mindset in your faith journey? How can you shift towards a mindset of service and commitment? [08:14]

7. The sermon discusses the importance of intention in discipleship. What specific intentions can you set to align your life more closely with the teachings of Jesus? How can you hold yourself accountable to these intentions? [34:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation as Present Transformation
Salvation is not merely a future promise of heaven but a present reality that transforms our lives. It is a continuous process of being made new in Christ, where we are called to deny ungodliness and embrace a life of righteousness and good works. This transformation is not about our own efforts but is initiated and sustained by the grace of God, which teaches us to live in a way that reflects His character. As we grow in our understanding of salvation, we are invited to participate in God's redemptive work in the world, becoming a people zealous for good works. [01:57]

Titus 3:4-7 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in God's transformative work in your life today, moving beyond just avoiding sin to actively pursuing righteousness and good works?


Day 2: Grace as Empowerment for Service
Grace is often misunderstood as a passive gift, but it is actually a powerful force that calls us to active participation in God's kingdom. It empowers us to live out our faith through service and commitment, moving beyond a consumer mindset to one of discipleship and action. This grace challenges us to reject the notion of being served and instead embrace the call to serve others, reflecting the self-giving love of Christ in our daily lives. [08:14]

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you have been passive in your faith. How can you actively use the grace God has given you to serve others this week?


Day 3: Discipleship as Intentional Transformation
Discipleship is not an optional part of the Christian life; it is essential. It involves a deliberate commitment to learning from Jesus and living according to His teachings. This requires intentionality and a willingness to be transformed into His likeness, allowing His teachings to shape every aspect of our lives. True discipleship is marked by a deep, personal change that aligns our lives with the character and mission of Jesus. [15:22]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to intentionally learn from Jesus and allow His teachings to transform your daily life?


Day 4: Living in the Presence of the Trinity
Experiencing the presence of the Trinity is crucial for spiritual growth and transformation. It is through this relationship that we receive the grace and power to live as disciples, continually being renewed and strengthened in our faith. Living in the presence of the Trinity means being aware of God's active work in our lives and responding to His guidance and love. This relationship is the foundation for our spiritual journey, enabling us to grow in Christlikeness and live out our faith authentically. [41:19]

2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV): "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of the presence of the Trinity in your daily life, and how might this awareness impact your spiritual growth?


Day 5: The Gospel of the Kingdom as Present Reality
The gospel is not just about managing sin but about living in the present kingdom of God. It calls us to put our confidence in Jesus and live as His disciples, experiencing the fullness of life He offers now and in eternity. This involves a shift in perspective, where we see the kingdom of God as a present reality that we are invited to participate in, rather than a distant future hope. By embracing the gospel of the kingdom, we are empowered to live with purpose and passion, reflecting the values and priorities of God's kingdom in our everyday lives. [18:41]

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"

Reflection: How can you live with a kingdom mindset today, seeing God's kingdom as a present reality and aligning your actions and priorities with His purposes?

Quotes

The grace of God that brings salvation has publicly appeared, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ who gave himself for us. [00:45:45]

He saved us not on the basis of our deeds that would be the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees which we have done in righteousness but according to his mercy and here's how he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. [00:45:45]

The life that we are given in Christ is a new kind of activity it begins with the acknowledgment that Jesus is Lord and that's why in 1st Corinthians 12 verse 2 Paul says no one can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit. I'm not talking about using the words anyone can do that but actually acknowledging recognizing seeing that Jesus is Lord. [00:45:45]

Grace is not a license for passivity but a call to active participation in God's kingdom. It empowers us to live out our faith through good works and discipleship, moving beyond a consumer mindset to one of service and commitment. [00:45:45]

The basic need is for the transformation of the people who are there. Our problem is the quality of the people who are there and one of the real turnarounds for me as a young minister or at least one who was trying to be a minister was the realization that I was not really helping people to change. [00:45:45]

Discipleship is intention that's why I said yesterday we talked so much yesterday it seems like a month ago but that's why I said you make a disciple by ravishing people with the kingdom of God and the way you do that is get them focused on Jesus. [00:45:45]

The gospel heard does not produce disciples where is the problem where is the problem and I want to suggest to you that the central problem is in the message preached I want to suggest that our result is due to the message that is preached or at least the one that is heard. [00:45:45]

The transformation into Christlikeness is the true mark of discipleship. It is not about mere involvement in church activities or social causes but about a deep, personal change that aligns our lives with the teachings of Jesus. [00:45:45]

Experiencing the presence of the Trinity in our lives is crucial for spiritual growth. It is through this relationship that we receive the grace and power to live as disciples, continually being renewed and strengthened in our faith. [00:45:45]

The gospel is not just about sin management but about living in the present kingdom of God. It calls us to put our confidence in Jesus and live as His disciples, experiencing the fullness of life He offers now and in eternity. [00:45:45]

Salvation is not just about going to heaven; it is about being transformed into a new creation in Christ, living a life that reflects His righteousness and grace. This transformation is a continuous process of denying ungodliness and embracing a life of good works. [00:45:45]

The misconception that grace leads to passivity has led to a culture of consumer Christianity, where believers expect to be served rather than to serve. However, the new life we receive in Christ calls us to active participation in His kingdom. [00:45:45]

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Transcript
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