Transformed by the Cross: A Life of Mission

 

Summary

The cross is a pivotal moment in history where everything changed, offering us forgiveness and a transformed lifestyle. It's not merely about a one-time decision to believe in God and be cleansed from judgment. Instead, it's about a continuous, daily transformation that allows us to access God directly. This access means we can communicate with Him, share our desires, struggles, and joys, and build a deep, personal relationship with Him. Jesus emphasized the greatest commandment: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This love is not about receiving something from God but about knowing and loving Him deeply.

Following Jesus is challenging because the world often opposes this path. However, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, a gift promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. This Spirit, which once dwelled in the temple's Holy of Holies, now resides within us, transforming us from the inside out. Ezekiel prophesied this transformation, where God would replace our heart of stone with a heart of flesh, enabling us to follow His statutes and obey His rules.

This transformation is not about adhering to religious rituals but about a profound internal change that gives us new desires and the power to overcome past addictions and sins. Romans 8:11 explains that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in us, giving life to our mortal bodies and empowering us to live according to the Spirit, not the flesh.

This new life is not just a personal journey but a mission. We are called to be witnesses, to share the new life we have found in Jesus with others. We have a purpose, a Lord, and a Master, and we are empowered to follow Him. This mission continues until Jesus returns, bringing us to a place free from pain and suffering, where everything is made right.

Key Takeaways:

- The cross is not just a moment of forgiveness but a gateway to a transformed lifestyle, where we have direct access to God and can build a personal relationship with Him. This relationship is about knowing and loving God, not just receiving from Him. [01:25]

- Following Jesus is challenging because the world often opposes this path, but we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome these challenges. This Spirit gives us the strength to follow Jesus despite temptations and opposition. [02:22]

- The Holy Spirit, once dwelling in the temple, now resides within us, transforming us from the inside out. This transformation is not about religious rituals but a profound internal change that gives us new desires and the power to overcome past sins. [03:35]

- Romans 8:11 highlights that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in us, empowering us to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh. This power enables us to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live a new life. [05:18]

- Our new life in Christ is not just a personal journey but a mission to share the new life we have found with others. We have a purpose and are empowered to follow Jesus, living on His mission until He returns. [06:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:29] - The Cross and Lifestyle Change
- [00:56] - Access to God
- [01:25] - Loving God Fully
- [01:53] - Building a Relationship with God
- [02:08] - The Challenge of Following Jesus
- [02:22] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
- [02:51] - The Temple and God's Presence
- [03:35] - Transformation from the Inside Out
- [04:20] - New Desires and Overcoming Addictions
- [04:48] - Romans 8:11 and the Spirit's Power
- [05:18] - Living by the Spirit
- [06:01] - Life on Mission
- [06:33] - Purpose and Mastery in Christ
- [06:49] - Hope for the Future

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ezekiel 36:26-27
2. Romans 8:11

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Ezekiel 36:26-27 say about the transformation God promises to His people? How does this relate to the idea of having a "heart of flesh" instead of a "heart of stone"? [03:35]

2. According to Romans 8:11, what is the significance of the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in us? How does this empower us in our daily lives? [04:48]

3. In the sermon, it was mentioned that the Holy Spirit, once dwelling in the temple, now resides within us. How does this change our understanding of God's presence in our lives? [02:51]

4. The sermon emphasized the importance of building a personal relationship with God. What are some ways mentioned that we can use our access to God daily? [01:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the transformation described in Ezekiel 36:26-27 challenge the traditional view of religious rituals and external obedience? What does it mean for our personal spiritual journey? [03:51]

2. Romans 8:11 speaks about the Spirit giving life to our mortal bodies. How might this influence a believer's perspective on overcoming past sins and living a new life? [05:18]

3. The sermon mentioned that following Jesus is challenging due to worldly opposition. How does the empowerment by the Holy Spirit help believers navigate these challenges? [02:22]

4. The idea of having a mission and purpose in Christ was highlighted. How does this mission shape a believer's daily actions and decisions? [06:14]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. How can you deepen this relationship by using your access to Him more intentionally each day? [01:38]

2. Consider a specific area in your life where you feel challenged by worldly opposition. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome these challenges? [02:22]

3. Think about a past addiction or sin you have struggled with. How can the promise of transformation in Ezekiel 36:26-27 encourage you to seek change from the inside out? [03:51]

4. Romans 8:11 speaks of the Spirit's power to give life. Identify one area in your life where you need this life-giving power. What steps can you take to invite the Spirit's work in that area? [05:18]

5. The sermon mentioned living on a mission for Christ. What is one practical way you can share the new life you have found in Jesus with someone this week? [06:14]

6. Reflect on the greatest commandment to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. What is one specific way you can express this love in your daily routine? [01:25]

7. How can you remind yourself of your purpose in Christ when faced with daily distractions and temptations? What practical steps can you take to stay focused on this purpose? [06:33]

Devotional

Day 1: The Cross as a Gateway to Transformation
The cross is not just a moment of forgiveness but a gateway to a transformed lifestyle, where believers have direct access to God and can build a personal relationship with Him. This relationship is about knowing and loving God, not just receiving from Him. The cross signifies a pivotal moment in history where everything changed, offering forgiveness and a transformed lifestyle. It is not merely about a one-time decision to believe in God and be cleansed from judgment. Instead, it is about a continuous, daily transformation that allows believers to access God directly. This access means they can communicate with Him, share their desires, struggles, and joys, and build a deep, personal relationship with Him. Jesus emphasized the greatest commandment: to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind. This love is not about receiving something from God but about knowing and loving Him deeply. [01:25]

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:19-22, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God today, focusing on knowing and loving Him rather than just seeking His blessings?


Day 2: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Following Jesus is challenging because the world often opposes this path, but believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome these challenges. This Spirit gives them the strength to follow Jesus despite temptations and opposition. The Holy Spirit, a gift promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament, empowers believers to overcome the challenges of following Jesus. This Spirit, which once dwelled in the temple's Holy of Holies, now resides within believers, transforming them from the inside out. Ezekiel prophesied this transformation, where God would replace their heart of stone with a heart of flesh, enabling them to follow His statutes and obey His rules. [02:22]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." (Ezekiel 36:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment to overcome a challenge or temptation today?


Day 3: Internal Transformation Over Rituals
The Holy Spirit, once dwelling in the temple, now resides within believers, transforming them from the inside out. This transformation is not about religious rituals but a profound internal change that gives them new desires and the power to overcome past sins. This transformation is not about adhering to religious rituals but about a profound internal change that gives believers new desires and the power to overcome past addictions and sins. Romans 8:11 explains that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in them, giving life to their mortal bodies and empowering them to live according to the Spirit, not the flesh. [03:35]

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6, ESV)

Reflection: What old habits or rituals do you need to let go of to embrace the internal transformation the Holy Spirit offers?


Day 4: Living by the Spirit's Power
Romans 8:11 highlights that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in believers, empowering them to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh. This power enables them to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live a new life. The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in believers, giving life to their mortal bodies and empowering them to live according to the Spirit, not the flesh. This new life is not just a personal journey but a mission. Believers are called to be witnesses, to share the new life they have found in Jesus with others. They have a purpose, a Lord, and a Master, and they are empowered to follow Him. [05:18]

"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." (Galatians 5:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to rely more on the Spirit's power to overcome the desires of the flesh?


Day 5: Life on Mission
Our new life in Christ is not just a personal journey but a mission to share the new life we have found with others. Believers have a purpose and are empowered to follow Jesus, living on His mission until He returns. This mission continues until Jesus returns, bringing believers to a place free from pain and suffering, where everything is made right. They are called to be witnesses, to share the new life they have found in Jesus with others. They have a purpose, a Lord, and a Master, and they are empowered to follow Him. [06:01]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you can share your faith with this week, and how can you intentionally create an opportunity to do so?

Quotes


so we talked about the cross and how at the cross everything changed we could be forgiven but it's not just about this one-time decision where we decide okay we believe that it's about the change of a lifestyle and this is where so many people get it wrong they think that it's just about this one-time decision to just come before God and say okay clean me up wipe me clean so I don't have to face your judgment yes that's that's what happens there when we believe in him but so much more I mean it's about this idea that I have access to him that it changes every day because it's not just about me interacting with people anymore but now I literally have have access to God like I can pray to him and he hears me and and the craziest things have happened through my prayers man I life life becomes completely different when you realize man it's just about not about me and these other people but I can connect to that holy God the Creator and all of that was done because of the Cross [00:18:24]

and what Jesus said was the most important command is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and all your mind so it's it's not just about about me getting something from him but it's about me knowing him and loving him and our hope is that you would do that that that now that you have access to him that you you use that daily and get into his presence tell him your desires tell him your heart tell him your struggles tell them about this life that you're living and he knows it all but it's about you building that relationship and and we know that this whole calling to follow is something that is so so difficult because he says the majority of the world is going to be against you there's a much easier Road you could have taken but you're taking this difficult road because you've got Temptations all around you you've got people that hate the way that you believe now but but Jesus says it's okay because I'm going to give you this power [00:82:68]

I'm going to give you a power and it was talked about in the Old Testament and and and Peter said talks about it in Acts 2 when he says repent and be baptized and you'll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit okay this is why we can make it through everything this is why we can follow even in the craziness of our world is because of this gift that God would do and this is where the Bible gets really in intense you know in the Old Testament you had this uh you had the temple where they they would say that's where God would dwell especially in the holy of holies and and no one would dare go into the holy of holies I mean you go in there you would just die but once a year the high priest could go in if he went through this whole cleansing ritual but even then they would tie a rope around his waist just in case he died in there so they could pull him out because you couldn't go in there to get him I mean that's how intense this place was it it it represented the presence of God and and what the Bible says now is that that spirit is now in us like we are that Temple and that God actually lives inside of us [00:142:08]

see in Ezekiel 36 he says this in in verse 26 he says I'll give you a new heart and a new spirit I'll put within you and I'll remove the Heart of Stone from your flesh and give you a heart of Flesh and I'll put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules this must have been so insane to the people back there then because all they knew of was the temple and the power of God and then for God to say well one day I'm actually going to put my spirit inside of people and it's going to change them from the inside out I'm actually going to put them inside my my spirit in them Chang their heart from this Heart of Stone to This Heart of Flesh and so you got to understand it's not about entering into some religion where you just work harder to obey this to do this and not do this no What God Says is he actually is going to change you from the inside out to where you'll have new desires you'll have a power to overcome all those addictions all the stuff from the past all the junk like all of that would be different now [00:211:04]

you know Romans describes it and makes it even more clear in Romans CH 8 in verse 11 it says if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you so then Brothers we're not we're debtors not to the flesh to live according to the flesh 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 it's a pretty amazing thought there in verse 11 he says if the spirit of him who raised Christ from the dead now dwells in you man just think about that for a moment the spirit of him who raised Christ from the dead picture that dead body the amount of power to take a dead crucified mutilated body and cause it to rise up and come to life and he says that's the spirit that's in you now and that's a spirit he gave us to put to death the Deeds of the flesh that's a spirit he gave us he says in acts: 18 to be his Witnesses you see life is different now it wasn't just a one-time decision it was a it was a change of heart from the inside out to where now you can have this access to God this relationship with him and now you're on this Mission [00:288:19]

it's about going back to your school going back in your classroom going back to everyday life and going okay I have a purpose now I wasn't just this random creation that's just out there doing whatever feels good but I was made for a purpose and I have a lord now I have a master and I've decided to follow him and he's given me power to follow him and now I can put to death all those things that brought death to my life and now I can actually have a purpose in telling other people about the new life that I found in Jesus and that you live on his mission for the rest of your life until he comes back for us and takes us to a place where there's no more pain no more sickness no more of this garbage and everything's can be made right [00:367:84]

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Transcript
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