Understanding Depravity: The Need for Christ's Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: The Depth of Human Depravity

Depravity is a profound moral corruption that affects every human being due to original sin. It is not merely a lack of goodness but a deep-seated inclination toward evil, impacting our intellect, affections, and will. This universal condition highlights our desperate need for Christ's redemptive work. Without Christ, we are left in a state of spiritual inability, unable to love God or keep His commandments. This inability is not an excuse for sin but a reflection of our selfish rebellion against God. Recognizing this depravity is the first step toward understanding our need for a Savior. [01:01]

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."

Reflection: In what ways have you seen the effects of depravity in your own life, and how does this awareness deepen your understanding of your need for Christ?

Day 2: Spiritual Inability and the Need for Christ

Our depravity results in spiritual inability, rendering us incapable of loving God or keeping His commandments on our own. This inability is not an excuse for sin but a reflection of our selfish rebellion. Only through Christ can we overcome this inability and live a life pleasing to God. The Bible clearly states that there is none righteous, no one who seeks after God on their own. Without Christ, depravity rises to the surface, and we are left in a state of spiritual inability. However, the good news is that Christ provides a way out of this depravity. [06:04]

Romans 3:10-12 (ESV): "As it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.'"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel spiritually unable to change. How can you invite Christ into this area to begin the transformation process?

Day 3: The Necessity of Regeneration

Being born again is essential for overcoming depravity. Our first birth leaves us in a state of sin, but through regeneration, we receive a new nature that enables us to love God and follow His commandments. This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts and minds, allowing us to live in the light of God's truth. It is through this new birth that we are empowered to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ. This regeneration is not a one-time event but a continual process of becoming more like Christ. [42:43]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey. How have you experienced the process of regeneration, and what steps can you take to continue growing in your new nature?

Day 4: Redemption Through Christ

Christ's sacrifice provides the way out of our depravity. By putting our faith in Him, we are redeemed, washed, and sanctified. This redemption is an active payment, setting us free from the prison of sin and giving us a new course in life. Through His sacrifice, we are born again, regenerated, and given a new nature that enables us to love God and live a life pleasing to Him. Redemption is not just a past event but a present reality that transforms our lives and gives us hope for the future. [53:12]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: How does understanding Christ's redemption change the way you view your past, present, and future? What steps can you take to live out this redemption daily?

Day 5: Living in the Light

As believers, we are called to live in the light, reflecting Christ's love and truth in our lives. This involves self-examination, repentance, and faith, as we strive to overcome our sinful nature and live a life that honors God. By putting our faith in Him, we are born again, regenerated, and given a new nature that enables us to love God and live a life pleasing to Him. In doing so, we find true freedom and redemption, becoming new creations in Christ. [32:25]

1 John 1:7 (ESV): "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to walk in the light and reflect Christ's love and truth in your interactions with others?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of the doctrine of depravity, we delved into the profound impact of original sin on humanity. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, our human nature was corrupted, resulting in depravity, guilt, and penalty for all of humanity. This week, we focused on understanding depravity, which is the moral corruption inherent in every person. Depravity is not merely a lack of goodness but a deep-seated moral corruption that inclines us toward evil. It is a state of being lost, without a moral compass, and wandering aimlessly in life. This condition is universal, affecting every aspect of our being—our intellect, affections, and will.

The Bible clearly states that there is none righteous, no one who seeks after God on their own. Without Christ, depravity rises to the surface, and we are left in a state of spiritual inability, unable to love God or keep His commandments. This inability is not an excuse for sin but a reflection of our selfish rebellion against God. However, the good news is that Christ provides a way out of this depravity. Through His sacrifice, we are redeemed, washed, and sanctified. By putting our faith in Him, we are born again, regenerated, and given a new nature that enables us to love God and live a life pleasing to Him.

As we reflect on our own depravity, we must recognize our desperate need for Christ. It is only through His grace and the work of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome our sinful nature and live in the light. We are called to repentance and faith, to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. In doing so, we find true freedom and redemption, becoming new creations in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. seated inclination toward evil, affecting our intellect, affections, and will. This universal condition highlights our need for Christ's redemptive work. [01:01]
2. Spiritual Inability: Our depravity results in spiritual inability, rendering us incapable of loving God or keeping His commandments on our own. This inability is not an excuse for sin but a reflection of our selfish rebellion. Only through Christ can we overcome this inability and live a life pleasing to God.

3. The Necessity of Regeneration: Being born again is essential for overcoming depravity. Our first birth leaves us in a state of sin, but through regeneration, we receive a new nature that enables us to love God and follow His commandments. This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit.

4. Redemption Through Christ: Christ's sacrifice provides the way out of our depravity. By putting our faith in Him, we are redeemed, washed, and sanctified. This redemption is an active payment, setting us free from the prison of sin and giving us a new course in life.

5. Living in the Light: As believers, we are called to live in the light, reflecting Christ's love and truth in our lives. This involves self-examination, repentance, and faith, as we strive to overcome our sinful nature and live a life that honors God.

** [01:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:01] - Introduction to Depravity
[02:27] - Defining Depravity
[04:33] - Biblical References on Depravity
[05:14] - Personal Reflection on Depravity
[06:04] - Depravity and Human Nature
[07:40] - Is Man Basically Good?
[09:41] - The Loss of Original Righteousness
[10:48] - Commandments to Love
[12:50] - The Standard of Eternal Life
[13:54] - Evidence of Love for God
[14:45] - Encouragement in Christ
[18:59] - Illustration of Depravity
[20:13] - Humanity's Inclination to Evil
[23:21] - Encouragement in Redemption
[24:57] - Total Depravity Explained
[27:12] - The Reality of Depravity
[29:27] - Living Set Apart
[32:25] - Overcoming Depravity
[33:22] - Spiritual Inability and Responsibility
[35:07] - Critiques of Depravity
[40:38] - The Fallacy of Earning Salvation
[42:43] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
[44:26] - Freedom Within Depravity
[48:55] - Importance of Repentance and Faith
[49:55] - Redemption and God's Pursuit
[53:12] - Praise for Our Redeemer
[54:46] - Illustration of Redemption
[58:55] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Romans 3:10-12, what is the state of humanity's righteousness and understanding without Christ?
How does John 14:6 describe the role of Jesus in overcoming depravity?
What does Ephesians 2:4-5 reveal about God's character and His actions towards us despite our depravity?
In the sermon, how is depravity defined and what are its effects on human nature? [02:27]

Interpretation Questions

What does the sermon suggest about the universality of depravity and its impact on human intellect, affections, and will? [04:33]
How does the concept of spiritual inability challenge the idea of self-salvation or inherent goodness in humanity? [07:40]
In what ways does the sermon illustrate the necessity of regeneration for overcoming depravity? [42:43]
How does the sermon explain the relationship between depravity and the need for Christ's redemptive work? [53:12]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: In what ways have you experienced the effects of depravity, and how have you seen Christ work in you to overcome it? [06:04]
How can you actively seek to live in the light and reflect Christ's love and truth in your daily interactions? [32:25]
What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of your need for Christ and His grace in overcoming your sinful nature? [13:54]
Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with spiritual inability. How can you rely on Christ to help you overcome this challenge? [33:22]
How can you cultivate a heart of repentance and faith, denying yourself and taking up your cross daily to follow Christ? [48:55]
In what ways can you praise God for His redemptive work in your life, and how can you share this testimony with others? [53:12]
Consider the people around you who may be living in darkness. How can you be a light to them, sharing the truth of the gospel and the hope found in Christ? [29:27]

Sermon Clips

1. "When you think about this, we often associate what Christ did, and what Christ accomplished. That he takes away our guilt, he pays the penalty of our sin, but we don't really think about what's the work of Christ in response to our depravity. So that's what we're going to kind of dive into today." [00:01:01] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Depravity is moral corruption. Another word that might be just summing up in one word is lost. When we think about the lost, we're thinking about people who are depraved. Another phrase is someone who has no moral compass. Someone with no moral absolutes. They're just wandering all over the place in this world. With no direction." [00:01:48] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The doctrine of depravity describes the effect of original sin on humanity because all of humanity fell in Adam all men are now born with a fallen nature. Depravity describes this corrupt moral state that is inborn and common to all men." [00:03:01] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Imagine this for a moment, this truth here in these three little verses. Imagine this, we don't hear taught much in our church. Imagine this without Christ. That there is no one righteous. No, not one. And this is, when you think about this world without Christ. Depravity rises to the surface really quickly." [00:05:21] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If there was a living human who was not depraved, there would be a chance for self-saving, right? There would be like a possibility and probability of that person who would not be depraved to make it to be imperfect. I have this conversation on Twitter every now and then. When people think if you're basically good, or you have some sort of innate goodness in you, I'm like, well, why don't you, when babies are born, put them in like a protection agency." [00:06:37] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Total depravity means that every part of man is corrupted by sin. Man's intellect is blinded. His affections are corrupted. And his will is enslaved. Total depravity does not mean utter depravity. Fallen man can always sink lower." [00:24:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Depraved man cannot fulfill God's law and meet his approval. God is holy. He has a very high standard. Man's inability to love God supremely results from his selfish rebellion. Hence, inability is no excuse for sin." [00:34:09] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Depraved man cannot change his bent toward self and evil apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. Many critics that you may be friends with at work or maybe even within family may hear some of these truths and resist it a little bit." [00:35:04] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "This is a great example found in Genesis chapter 3 of God pursuing a lost person or a depraved person. What a great question to seek out someone who's lost. That could be your opener. We talked about what's your opener? Where are you today? Just that simple question. Where are you? And then listen to them. Everyone has a story." [00:49:43] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Praise God for Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Redeemer meaning the one who bought you back with a price. It's just like when you go to pay for a piece of, or a loaf of bread at the store. You're going to exchange something in return of that bread. Christ gave his own life as a payment to redeem you." [00:52:52] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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