True Devotion: The Cost of Following Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Sacrificial Offerings Reflect Our Devotion to God

In our journey of faith, we are called to offer God our best, not what is convenient or easy. This principle is exemplified in the story of David, who refused to offer anything to God that cost him nothing. Our offerings should reflect the value we place on our relationship with God, demonstrating our willingness to give our best. This means that our devotion to God requires sacrifice, and we must be willing to let go of things that hold us back from fully committing to Him. By doing so, we honor God and acknowledge His importance in our lives. [03:12]

2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."

Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you have been offering to God out of convenience rather than sacrifice? How can you change this to reflect a true commitment to Him today?

Day 2: Devotion to Christ as Our Spiritual Marriage

Our relationship with Christ is likened to a marriage, where we are the bride and He is the husband. This metaphor emphasizes the need for complete devotion and faithfulness to Christ, avoiding sin and worldly desires that can defile our spiritual relationship. Just as a wife should not give her body to another, we must guard our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit, against lust and pornography. By doing so, we honor God and maintain the purity of our spiritual union with Christ. [06:09]

Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively guard your heart and mind against influences that threaten your spiritual relationship with Christ?

Day 3: Faithfulness in Daily Choices

The seriousness of our commitment to Christ is reflected in our daily choices. We are called to be faithful to Christ, offering our bodies and lives as living sacrifices. This means not only avoiding sin but actively pursuing holiness and righteousness. We must not be like Babylon, the great harlot, who gives herself to others, but remain faithful to Christ in all aspects of our lives. Our daily decisions should reflect our dedication to living a life that honors God. [05:27]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one specific area in your daily life where you can make a choice that reflects your commitment to Christ today?

Day 4: Preparing for the Final Examination Before God

Our spiritual journey requires preparation for the final examination before God. It's not about earthly achievements but about how we have used our bodies and lives for His glory. We must take seriously the teachings of Scripture and apply them to our lives, ensuring that we are not caught unprepared when we stand before the Lord. This preparation involves a continuous commitment to living according to God's will and purpose for our lives. [17:41]

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Reflection: How can you begin to align your daily actions with the eternal perspective of standing before God, rather than focusing solely on earthly achievements?

Day 5: Honoring God with Our Bodies

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we must honor God with them. This means avoiding sin and actively pursuing holiness and righteousness, ensuring that our lives reflect our commitment to Christ. By treating our bodies as sacred, we acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit within us and strive to live in a way that glorifies God. This involves making conscious choices that align with our faith and values. [13:51]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to honor God with your body, recognizing it as a temple of the Holy Spirit?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, we must reflect on what our Christian life truly costs us. It's easy to rejoice in the benefits of being a Christian, such as improved family life and community support, but we must also consider what we are offering to God. Are we like Cain, offering something cheap and insignificant, or like Abel, giving our best? Our offerings to God should reflect His importance in our lives. David understood this when he refused to offer anything to God that cost him nothing. This principle should guide us in our spiritual walk, ensuring that our devotion is genuine and sacrificial.

The relationship between Christ and the church is likened to a marriage, where we, as the bride, must be wholly devoted to Christ, our husband. Just as a wife should not give her body to another, we should not give our bodies, meant for Christ, to sin or worldly desires. This includes guarding our eyes and hearts against lust and pornography, which defile our spiritual relationship with Christ. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we must honor God with them.

The seriousness of our commitment to Christ is reflected in our daily choices. We must not be like Babylon, the great harlot, who gives herself to others. Instead, we should be faithful to Christ, offering our bodies and lives as living sacrifices. This commitment is not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing holiness and righteousness.

In our spiritual journey, we must be prepared for the final examination before God. It's not about our earthly achievements but about how we have used our bodies and lives for His glory. We must take seriously the teachings of Scripture and apply them to our lives, ensuring that we are not caught unprepared when we stand before the Lord.

Key Takeaways

1. True devotion to God requires sacrifice. Like David, we should never offer to God something that costs us nothing. Our offerings should reflect the value we place on our relationship with Him, demonstrating our willingness to give our best. [03:12]
2. Our relationship with Christ is like a marriage, where we are the bride and He is the husband. We must be wholly devoted to Him, not giving our bodies to sin or worldly desires. This includes guarding against lust and pornography, which defile our spiritual relationship. [06:09]
3. The seriousness of our commitment to Christ is reflected in our daily choices. We must not be like Babylon, the great harlot, but remain faithful to Christ, offering our bodies and lives as living sacrifices. [05:27]
4. Our spiritual journey requires preparation for the final examination before God. It's not about earthly achievements but about how we have used our bodies and lives for His glory. We must take seriously the teachings of Scripture and apply them to our lives. [17:41]
5. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we must honor God with them. This means avoiding sin and actively pursuing holiness and righteousness, ensuring that our lives reflect our commitment to Christ. [13:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - The Cost of Christian Life
[00:50] - Offering to God
[01:27] - Importance of Sacrifice
[02:06] - Acceptable Offerings
[03:12] - David's Example
[04:04] - Spiritual Adultery
[05:07] - The Prostitute Metaphor
[06:09] - Marriage and Devotion
[07:17] - Preaching with Love
[08:17] - Serious Christians
[09:11] - Responding to God's Love
[10:23] - The Dangers of Pornography
[12:29] - Consequences of Sin
[13:51] - Our Bodies Belong to Christ
[15:44] - Daily Commitment to Christ
[17:41] - Preparing for the Final Exam

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Genesis 4:3-5 - The offerings of Cain and Abel.
2 Samuel 24:24 - David's refusal to offer to God that which costs him nothing.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.

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Observation Questions:

What was the difference between the offerings of Cain and Abel, and how did God respond to each? (Genesis 4:3-5)
Why did David insist on paying for the threshing floor and the oxen in 2 Samuel 24:24? What does this reveal about his understanding of offerings to God?
According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what is the significance of our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit?
In the sermon, how is the relationship between Christ and the church compared to a marriage? [05:52]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the story of Cain and Abel illustrate the importance of the quality of our offerings to God? What does this imply about our own sacrifices? [02:26]
What does David's statement in 2 Samuel 24:24 teach us about the nature of true devotion and sacrifice to God?
How does viewing our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit influence our daily choices and actions? [13:51]
In what ways does the metaphor of marriage help us understand our commitment to Christ? How does this affect our view of sin and holiness? [06:09]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current offerings to God. Are there areas in your life where you might be giving God something that costs you nothing? How can you change this to reflect true sacrifice? [03:12]
Consider the metaphor of marriage used in the sermon. How can you ensure that your relationship with Christ remains faithful and undivided? What practical steps can you take to guard against spiritual adultery? [05:07]
The sermon warns against the dangers of pornography and lust. What measures can you implement to protect your eyes and heart from these temptations? [10:23]
How can you actively pursue holiness and righteousness in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can make a change this week. [13:51]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing for the final examination before God. What steps can you take to ensure that your life is aligned with God's teachings and ready for that day? [17:41]
Reflect on the idea that our bodies belong to Christ. How does this perspective change the way you view your physical actions and decisions? [15:44]
Identify one area in your life where you can offer a more significant sacrifice to God. What will you do this week to make that offering meaningful and reflective of your devotion? [03:12]

Sermon Clips

But I want to ask you what has your Christian life cost you if the answer is pretty close to zero I've got a lot of benefits by being a Christian a lot of benefits by attending CFC my children are growing up well in a Sunday school and good fellowship and my home life has improved so many good things that you're thinking what God has given you what have you given to God what is it cost you are you a follower of Cain who just gives some type of cheap offering to God. [00:00:45]

David said if I give this free to God it will cost me nothing so our honor I'm gonna pay for this I'm gonna pay for the Bullock I'm gonna pay for I'm gonna pay for everything because listen to the statement I will never offer verse 24 middle anything to the Lord which costs me nothing and what the Lord told me when I was 22 years old I had just become a Christian and being baptized. [00:03:09]

Babylon is called the harlot see in revelation 17 verse 5 Babylon the Great the mother of harlots harlot means prostitute how can a wife why do I say wife because we are supposed to be the wife of Jesus Christ so I'm thinking of all of us as the wife of Jesus Christ how can a wife become a prostitute when she gives her body her body not our money if a prat if a woman gives her money to somebody else she's not a prostitute. [00:04:11]

The relationship with Christ and us is to be exactly like a husband to his wife where we are the wife and Christ is the husband you know we read that in Ephesians 5 husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and wives submit to your husband's as the church submits to Christ so in 1 Corinthians 7 have you read this verse verse 4 he's talking about normal marriage the wife does not have authority over her own body. [00:05:52]

Heavenly Father help us to take seriously remind us tonight when we are in bed the things we heard today we believe you love every one of us here help us to respond not with empty words but seriously help us to set right matters which we have to set right with others with the husband why brother sister somebody help us to set everything right before we go to bed tonight we pray in Jesus name Amen. [00:08:58]

You must you have no authority to use your eyes to look at another woman and lust after her it must be for your wife that's all if you look at pornography on your phone or in the internet you're violating this verse if you're married you're unmarried you're still violating that verse of lusting after something God has not given you it's a pathetic thing that Christians men watch pornography even married men. [00:09:43]

I believe many born-again Christians in these past years have finally gone to hell because they watch pornography no other reason now that's not the best reason to avoid pornography the fear of Hell the best reason to avoid it is I love Jesus and I don't want to offer to God a body that's eyes are polluted with those same eyes are now going to read the Bible with which eyes are you reading the Bible. [00:12:33]

You think the demons are not laughing at that you think nobody's watching there are hundreds of files watch while you are looking at pornography why you are lusting after the body of a woman who's not your wife have you ever thought when those of you who look at pornography have you ever thought that girl was taking out her clothes if that was your sister your own sister who took earn money went to some pornographic movie. [00:10:59]

You say well it's only once in a while brother once in a while would you be happy if your wife gave her a body just once a year to some other men not not every day no no no no no only once a year she gave our body to another man oh you say that's okay once a year what is that it's not such a big thing I have our body 364 days the year one said Wow would you accept it. [00:14:10]

I sincerely hope this so it's the same subject the body not offerings not how well you cook for your husband that's not the issue not how clean you keep the house not how well you look after the children know your body do you recognize that belongs 100 percent your husband now husband likewise to his wife what does it mean when it says my wife has no authority over her body it means she cannot give her body to any other man. [00:17:56]

What is going to come in the final exam and we stand before the Lord it's not how much money you made or what a clever person you Iser know what did you do with your body did you worship God with your body or did you use your body for yourself I sincerely hope this so it's the same subject the body not offerings not how well you cook for your husband that's not the issue. [00:17:41]

How many men realized that the husband does not have authority over his body we say via Christians but have you read this verse that's what it means in the physical realm and you don't want your wife ever to give her body to another man here brothers you must you have no authority to use your eyes to look at another woman and lust after her it must be for your wife that's all if you look at pornography on your phone or on the internet you are violating this verse. [00:19:13]

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