Transformative Spiritual Growth in the New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation into Christ's Likeness

In the New Covenant, believers are called to a journey of spiritual growth that goes beyond merely anticipating Christ's return. This growth involves a transformation into His likeness, which is a continuous process of becoming more like Him in character and actions. The hope of this transformation should inspire and excite believers, as it signifies a life that consistently honors Christ. This journey requires self-examination and a commitment to progress, as stagnation in spiritual growth may indicate a need to reassess one's spiritual state. [00:50]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you actively pursue becoming more like Christ in your daily life this week?

Day 2: The Depth of Sin

Understanding sin in its deepest sense is crucial for spiritual growth. Sin is not merely about breaking the law; it is also about failing to do what is right. Romans 3:23 elevates the definition of sin to falling short of the glory of God, which is the standard of Christ's life. This understanding calls for a high standard of living, where anything that cannot be done in fellowship with Christ is considered sin. Believers are encouraged to live in constant awareness of their actions and words, ensuring they align with Christ's presence. [06:06]

James 4:17 (ESV): "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you might be failing to do what is right. How can you take steps to address this today?

Day 3: Embracing Poverty of Spirit

True spiritual growth requires poverty of spirit, which is a constant awareness of our need for God's grace. This humility is essential for accessing the kingdom of God and its treasures. Recognizing that without Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value, believers are called to live in dependence on God. This attitude opens the doors to spiritual growth and transformation, as it aligns the believer's heart with God's purposes. [26:14]

Matthew 5:3 (ESV): "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of dependence on God in your daily routine?

Day 4: Mourning for Hidden Sins

Mourning for our sins, especially those hidden from others, is crucial for spiritual growth. This mourning reflects a genuine desire to be like Christ and leads to comfort and strength. It involves recognizing our shortcomings and seeking God's help to overcome them. By acknowledging and grieving over hidden sins, believers can experience the transformative power of God's grace and move closer to Christ's likeness. [39:25]

Psalm 32:5 (ESV): "I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin."

Reflection: What hidden sin in your life do you need to bring before God in confession and mourning today?

Day 5: Exceeding Pharisaic Righteousness

Believers are called to a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees, focusing on the quality of their inner life rather than external appearances. This involves developing the right attitudes, such as humility and mourning for sin, which lead to a life that reflects the glory of God. True righteousness is about the transformation of the heart and aligning one's life with God's standards, rather than merely adhering to religious rituals. [37:19]

Matthew 23:26 (ESV): "You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from external appearances to cultivating a genuine inner righteousness that reflects God's glory?

Sermon Summary

In the New Covenant, we have the unique opportunity for spiritual growth, a concept that was not available under the Old Covenant. This growth is not just about seeing Christ when He returns but becoming like Him. This hope of transformation should excite us, as it means living a life that never dishonors Him. The Christian journey is one of continuous growth, and if we are not progressing, we must examine our spiritual state. True conversion involves repentance, a turning away from sin, which is often misunderstood or neglected in many churches.

Sin is not just about breaking the law but also failing to do what is right. Romans 3:23 elevates the definition of sin to falling short of the glory of God, which is the standard of Christ's life. Anything that cannot be done in fellowship with Christ is sin. This high standard requires us to live in constant awareness of our actions and words, ensuring they align with Christ's presence.

Spiritual growth is akin to the path of the righteous, which is like the light of dawn, growing brighter until full day. This growth should be continuous, without backsliding, as we are transformed into Christ's image. The key to this transformation is poverty of spirit, a constant awareness of our need for God's grace. This humility opens the doors to the kingdom of God and its treasures.

Moreover, mourning for our sins, especially those hidden from others, is crucial. This mourning leads to comfort and strength, as it reflects a genuine desire to be like Christ. Our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, focusing on the quality of our inner life rather than external appearances.

In summary, spiritual growth in the New Covenant is about becoming more like Christ, understanding sin in its deepest sense, and living in constant dependence on God. This journey requires humility, repentance, and a heart that mourns for sin, leading to a life that reflects the glory of God.

Key Takeaways

1. Spiritual Growth in the New Covenant: The New Covenant offers the possibility of spiritual growth, unlike the Old Covenant. This growth is about becoming like Christ, not just seeing Him when He returns. It requires a continuous journey of transformation, where we strive to live a life that honors Him in every aspect. [00:50]
2. Understanding Sin: Sin is not just breaking the law but also failing to do what is right. Romans 3:23 defines sin as falling short of the glory of God, which is the standard of Christ's life. Anything that cannot be done in fellowship with Christ is considered sin, highlighting the need for a high standard of living. [06:06]
3. Poverty of Spirit: True spiritual growth requires poverty of spirit, a constant awareness of our need for God's grace. This humility is the key to accessing the kingdom of God and its treasures. It involves recognizing that without Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value. [26:14]
4. Mourning for Sin: Mourning for our sins, especially those hidden from others, is crucial for spiritual growth. This mourning leads to comfort and strength, as it reflects a genuine desire to be like Christ. It is about recognizing our shortcomings and seeking God's help to overcome them. [39:25]
5. Exceeding Pharisaic Righteousness: Our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, focusing on the quality of our inner life rather than external appearances. This involves developing the right attitudes, such as humility and mourning for sin, which lead to a life that reflects the glory of God. [37:19]
** [37:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Distinctive Features of the New Covenant
[00:50] - The Hope of Being Like Christ
[02:19] - Examining Spiritual Growth
[03:03] - Understanding True Repentance
[04:07] - Definitions of Sin
[06:06] - Falling Short of the Glory of God
[07:28] - Living in Fellowship with Christ
[09:11] - Exceeding Pharisaic Righteousness
[12:27] - Continuous Spiritual Progress
[14:43] - Daily Renewal in Christ
[16:05] - The Path of the Righteous
[18:21] - Conforming to Christ's Image
[20:11] - Contextual Study of Scripture
[22:17] - The Importance of Quality in Spiritual Life
[24:01] - The Right Attitudes for Spiritual Growth
[26:14] - Poverty of Spirit as a Key to the Kingdom
[39:25] - Mourning for Sin and Spiritual Strength
[45:44] - The Blessing of Mourning
[48:36] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 John 3:2-3
- Romans 3:23
- Matthew 5:20

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Observation Questions:

According to 1 John 3:2-3, what is the hope that believers have, and how does it relate to spiritual growth? [00:50]
How does Romans 3:23 define sin, and what does it mean to fall short of the glory of God? [06:06]
In Matthew 5:20, Jesus speaks about righteousness exceeding that of the Pharisees. What does this imply about the nature of true righteousness? [09:25]
What are the two types of sin mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ from each other? [05:15]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the hope of becoming like Christ, as mentioned in 1 John 3:2-3, influence a believer's daily life and decisions? [01:31]
What does it mean to live in constant awareness of our actions and words, ensuring they align with Christ's presence, as discussed in the sermon? [07:28]
How can the concept of "poverty of spirit" be practically applied in a believer's life to access the kingdom of God and its treasures? [26:14]
What does it mean for our righteousness to exceed that of the Pharisees, and how can this be reflected in our inner life rather than external appearances? [09:25]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel stagnant? What steps can you take to ensure continuous growth in becoming more like Christ? [02:19]
Consider the definition of sin as falling short of the glory of God. Are there specific areas in your life where you struggle to meet this standard? How can you address these areas? [06:06]
How can you cultivate a "poverty of spirit" in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to remain aware of your need for God's grace? [26:14]
Think about a recent situation where you failed to mourn for a hidden sin. How can you develop a habit of genuine mourning for sin in your life? [39:25]
In what ways can you focus on the quality of your inner life rather than external appearances? Identify one specific attitude or behavior you want to change. [09:25]
How can you ensure that your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees in your daily interactions and decisions? What specific changes can you make to reflect this in your life? [09:25]
Identify a specific area in your life where you need to live in constant awareness of Christ's presence. What changes can you make to align your actions and words with His presence? [07:28]

Sermon Clips

In the New Covenant, we have that possibility, let me show you a few verses for example, it says in 1 John 3:3 that everyone who has the hope this hope will purify himself till he reaches the standard of Jesus purity which is a progressive thing but which hope is that it's not the hope of seeing Christ when he comes it is the hope of being like him when we see him when he comes. [00:43:47]

The Christian life is a growth and if you are not in that growth you have to really examine yourself and see where you stand spiritually some of you may not even be born again yeah it's possible because there's a lot of delusion you know a lot of people who are converted in other churches I've heard a lot of people who come to our church in Bangalore and said brother Zak I was not even converted till I came here and heard what sin was. [01:47:03]

Romans 3:23 says all have sinned here's the definition of sin of sin even higher than those two we saw in 1 John 3 and James 4 it's not just doing what's wrong or not doing what we know we should do it's more than that it is coming short of the glory of God now the glory of God is a phrase that we find often in Scripture. [05:52:59]

Anything in my life that I cannot do in fellowship with Jesus Christ it's in if I can say something to somebody which I can't say with Jesus standing right there in front of me listening to me it's sin however much you may justify yourself in the way you spoke to somebody to your wife or husband if you cannot say speak like that in the presence of Christ to your wife or husband it's sin. [07:28:45]

The righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees were pretty high standard of righteousness they their external life was pure Jesus himself testified to that it's one of the good things he said about the Pharisees in Matthew 23 he said you'd clean the outside of the cup Matthew 23 and verse 25 you clean the outside of the cup he gave a certificate to the Pharisees your external life according to the standard of the law is clean. [09:40:88]

The path of a truly righteous man it's like the light of dawn which in the sunrise he says is equal to being born again and it rises up in the sky until it comes to the full noonday position which is when Christ returns and we will be like him so this is exactly what we read in 1 John 3:2 when we see him we'll be like him so from the time we are born again which is sunrise and to the time when we become like him which is the noonday position. [15:54:88]

God's will for the righteous person for your life my life is that we never backslide even for a single moment for a single day any time in our life here if you have attained to a certain level in our Christian life we should never go lower than that at any time we should be progressing like the Sun keep this in your mind always my life my growth in Christ must be like the Sun and if it is not like the Sun something is wrong. [17:52:23]

True spiritual growth requires poverty of spirit, a constant awareness of our need for God's grace. This humility is the key to accessing the kingdom of God and its treasures. It involves recognizing that without Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value. [24:50:99]

Blessed is the man who listens to me watching daily at my gates picture the beggar he can't survive that day unless he gets some money from someone if he doesn't get it from urinating go to the next gate blessed is the man who watches daily at my gates waiting at my door posts until he gets what he wants and he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord favor is what in the new dozen is called grace. [28:23:89]

Blessed are those who mourn for they should be strengthened what do we mourn for the world is full of people who want others to feel sorry for them mourn for oh I lost this I lost some money I didn't get that promotion I didn't get admission into that school or college or I couldn't marry that girl I couldn't marry that boy they are mourning for all these things and so many things like that. [37:27:35]

When was the last time you mourned when you slipped up and said can you remember I don't mean when you lost your testimony publicly you lost angry and people in the church heard it and they oh boy you're them you know the reputation was gone and you went and one day you're not worried for your sin no your mourning that you lost your reputation before other believers that's not worth anything that's seeking honor wrong type of morning. [39:35:04]

If you want your righteousness to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees develop the habit of mourning for every little thing yeah there are times in my life now and then and I've even more in the early days when I wept on my pillow at night Oh Lord Jesus I'm sorry there's a that's it there's a lack of it not purely there I want to be totally like Jesus and my thoughts my attitudes and my motives that it would make me weak literally the tears of God abides and bowing I tell you God strengthened me. [45:02:78]

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Transformative Spiritual Growth in the New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation into Christ's Likeness

Day 2: The Depth of Sin

Day 3: Embracing Poverty of Spirit

Day 4: Mourning for Hidden Sins

Day 5: Exceeding Pharisaic Righteousness

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Transformative Spiritual Growth in the New Covenant

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