Transforming Lives: Embracing Holiness in Community
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound transformation that occurs when we align our lives with Christ. We began by examining Ephesians chapter four, where Paul solemnly testifies to the necessity of living a life distinct from those who are morally and spiritually adrift. The Gentiles, as referenced in the scripture, are characterized by a futility of mind and a hardened heart, which leads to a life devoid of God's presence. This state of spiritual apathy results in a callousness towards the divine, leading to a reckless indulgence in impurity.
We contrasted this with the life we are called to live in Christ—a life of renewal and transformation. This transformation requires us to strip away our former nature, the old self corrupted by deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. It is a continuous process of renewal, where we are to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
The practical outworking of this new life in Christ involves a radical change in behavior. We are to discard all forms of malice, bitterness, and anger, replacing them with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, just as God forgave us in Christ. This imitation of God's character extends to our speech, where we are to speak only what is beneficial for building others up, reflecting God's grace to those who listen.
The pursuit of holiness is not a solitary endeavor but one that impacts the community of believers. We are reminded that we are all members of one body, and our actions and words should contribute to the spiritual progress of others. This includes turning away from all forms of falsehood, speaking truthfully to our neighbors, and working diligently so that we may share with those in need.
The sermon culminated in a call to personal holiness and a deeper intimacy with God. We were encouraged to remove anything that hinders our relationship with God, just as Moses removed his sandals on holy ground. This act of surrender allows us to experience the fullness of God's presence and glory in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- True transformation begins with a recognition of our former way of life and a deliberate decision to pursue a new direction, one that is aligned with the character and teachings of Jesus Christ. This transformation is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of renewal. [49:33]
- Our speech is a powerful tool that can either build up or tear down. As followers of Christ, we are called to use our words to encourage and edify others, contributing to their spiritual growth and reflecting the grace of God in our conversations. [38:33]
- The pursuit of holiness is not about adhering to a list of rules but about drawing closer to God and allowing His presence to transform every aspect of our lives. As we remove the barriers that separate us from God, we become more like Him in character and action. [51:12]
- Forgiveness is a hallmark of the Christian life. Just as God has forgiven us through Christ, we are to extend that same forgiveness to others. This act of grace is a powerful testimony of God's love and can lead to reconciliation and healing within the community. [43:33]
- Holiness is both a personal and communal pursuit. As we strive for personal holiness, we are also called to encourage and support one another in the faith. The church is a body of believers working together to reflect the glory of God to the world. [01:03:36]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 4:17-32
2. Romans 12:1-2
3. Colossians 3:8-10
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 4:17-19, what are the characteristics of the Gentiles' way of life that Paul warns against?
2. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "put off your old self" and "put on the new self" in Ephesians 4:22-24?
3. In the sermon, what practical behaviors are mentioned that reflect the transformation in Christ? ([04:01])
4. How does Paul describe the impact of our speech on others in Ephesians 4:29?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to have a "renewed mind" as described in Romans 12:2, and how does this relate to the transformation discussed in Ephesians 4? ([12:21])
2. How does the concept of "putting off the old self" and "putting on the new self" in Colossians 3:8-10 help us understand the process of spiritual renewal? ([05:00])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community in the pursuit of holiness. How does Ephesians 4:25-32 illustrate this communal aspect? ([33:06])
4. How does the act of forgiveness, as described in Ephesians 4:32, serve as a testimony of God's love and lead to reconciliation within the community? ([43:33])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are still living according to the "old self"? What steps can you take to "put on the new self" this week? ([05:00])
2. Think about your speech: Are your words building others up or tearing them down? What changes can you make to ensure your speech reflects God's grace? ([35:04])
3. The sermon calls for removing anything that hinders our relationship with God. Identify one specific barrier in your life and discuss how you can remove it to draw closer to God. ([49:02])
4. Forgiveness is a key aspect of the Christian life. Is there someone you need to forgive? How can you take steps towards forgiveness and reconciliation this week? ([43:33])
5. Holiness is both a personal and communal pursuit. How can you encourage and support others in your small group or church community in their pursuit of holiness? ([33:06])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. What practical steps can you take to renew your mind daily? ([12:21])
7. Reflect on the call to personal holiness and deeper intimacy with God. What specific actions can you take this week to cultivate a closer relationship with God? ([49:02])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Life's True Transformation
Transformation in Christ is an ongoing journey, not a singular event. It begins with recognizing the old self and its desires, which are rooted in deceit and corruption. This recognition is the first step towards a deliberate decision to change direction, aligning oneself with the character and teachings of Jesus. The process of renewal is continuous, requiring individuals to shed their former nature and embrace a new self, one that reflects God's righteousness and holiness. This new self is not just an ideal; it is a practical expression of living in the image of God, affecting every choice and action.
"Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV
Reflection: What aspect of your old self do you find most challenging to put off, and what practical steps can you take today to foster renewal in that area? [07:40]
Day 2: Words That Build and Heal
The power of speech is immense, with the ability to either uplift or destroy. As followers of Christ, there is a calling to use words to encourage and edify others, contributing positively to their spiritual growth. This practice reflects the grace of God in conversations, turning away from harmful speech and instead speaking what is beneficial. It is a conscious choice to let every word spoken be seasoned with grace, mirroring the love and kindness that God extends to all.
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." - Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Reflection: Consider a recent conversation where you could have used more edifying language. How can you prepare yourself to speak words of grace in your next interaction? [38:33]
Day 3: Drawing Closer to God's Presence
Holiness is not about adhering to a set of rules but about cultivating a relationship with God that transforms every aspect of life. Removing barriers that separate from God allows for a deeper intimacy with Him, leading to a character more reflective of His own. This pursuit of holiness involves surrendering areas of life that hinder the relationship with God, much like Moses removing his sandals on holy ground, to experience the fullness of God's presence and glory.
"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." - 2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV
Reflection: What barriers are currently hindering your relationship with God, and how can you begin to remove them to experience His presence more fully? [51:12]
Day 4: The Power of Forgiveness in Christ
Forgiveness is a defining characteristic of the Christian life, mirroring the forgiveness received through Christ. This act of grace is not only a personal release but also a powerful testimony of God's love that can lead to reconciliation and healing within the community. Extending forgiveness to others as God has forgiven us is a profound expression of living out the gospel, fostering an environment of grace and mercy.
"Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." - Colossians 3:13 ESV
Reflection: Who do you need to forgive, and what steps can you take today to move towards forgiveness and reconciliation? [43:33]
Day 5: Holiness as a Communal Pursuit
The pursuit of holiness is both personal and communal. As individuals strive for personal holiness, they are also called to encourage and support one another in faith. The church is a body of believers working together to reflect God's glory to the world. This communal aspect of holiness involves living truthfully, working diligently, and sharing with those in need, all of which contribute to the spiritual progress of the community.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the spiritual growth of your community, and what specific action can you take this week to encourage a fellow believer? [01:03:36]
Quotes
1) "How we operate today determines who we're going to be tomorrow... take the old you off, put the new you on... so put the you on that God is creating... people aren't interested in your old self, they're interested in your new self because your new self looks like Jesus and the more you look like Jesus the more people want to see you." [26:03]
2) "Righteousness is the ability to make the right decision... you can be new today and you can start making right decisions because when God's the new man every generation that has been renewed in the spirit of the mind is put on... you are created in God's image in true righteousness." [27:52]
3) "This is beautiful, this is where the hope is at and somebody say constantly. This is an ongoing process. This is not a one-time fix... It's a lifelong pursuit of diligent consistency. Constantly be renewed in the spirit of your mind... You need to take a shower in your mind, you need to wash your thinking out." [16:29]
4) "Wrath, passion, rage, bad temper and resentment, anger, animosity, and quarreling... be banished from you with all malice... become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tender-hearted, compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted, forgiving one another readily and freely, as God in Christ forgave you." [43:33]
5) "Let no foul or polluted language nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good beneficial spiritual progress... your words are powerful not just your neighbor's words, your words. You can speak life into your marriage or you can curse your marriage straight into the ground." [41:45]
6) "God is in the restoration business, he's in the cleansing business, he's in the spiritual mind renewing and washing business... he knows how to take a dirty mind and turn it pure, he knows how to take a broken life and make it clean and whole again." [18:25]
7) "Holiness is about how close can I get to God... the closer I get to him the more intimate our relationship becomes, the more power I see, the more glory I see, the more anointing he can put on my life... the closer I get to God the more God requires things of me." [52:46]
8) "God is saying I want you... it was in the wilderness where you find him... God was the angel in the bush burning and not consumed and he said I'm going to check out this bush that is not being consumed by fire... God says stop before you take another step would you take this off before you get any closer I'm going to ask you to remove this from your life." [51:12]
9) "Come on, somebody say, I want to see it. I want to see your glory. Manifest your glory in my life. There's a rejoicing. Come on, anybody feel clean. Worship God. Worship God. Worship God. If you need to go, you need to go. If you need to go, you need to go. There's nothing wrong with that." [01:33:14]
10) "Come on, press a little bit more into prayer. Please don't look around. Please don't focus on what somebody else is doing. If you need to do that, you're welcome to be in the foyer. But in here, this is where we're pressing into the place where God dwells. We're pressing into the glory of God." [01:27:26]
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