What Are You Living For?| Pastor CJ Cousins | Sermon Only | 8/5/23

I asked us to do the uncomfortable thing we just sang about—wait on the Lord—because so much of our lives runs on hurried, anxious “whys.” A children’s cartoon helped us get honest: Mindy’s relentless “Why?” cuts through pretense and gets to motive. Paul faced that same probing question in 2 Corinthians 5. Pressed to defend not how he ministers but why, Paul answers: the love of Christ compels us. Not applause, not image, not “super-apostle” flash—love. And not a vague sentiment, but the faithful love of God revealed in Jesus crucified, buried, and risen.

I called us to examine whether our “why” is sustainable. Western culture teaches us to compartmentalize, but Scripture insists on a whole life before God. When a core why is removed—career, reputation, control—lives crumble. Paul’s why cannot be taken: if One died for all, then all died. Jesus didn’t just die for us; He died as us. That means the billion‑dollar grace of justification, peace, and a future with God has already been deposited; unbelief doesn’t change the reality—it only keeps us from drawing on it.

Faith comes by hearing the Gospel at the center of Scripture. We don’t read the Bible for data points; we come to a Person. In Him we hear the verdict that disarms shame: no condemnation now for those in Christ Jesus. And resurrection life doesn’t terminate on our comfort; it reorients our nature from self‑preoccupation to other‑centered love. That’s the life that actually works—like healthy cells that multiply outward rather than collapsing inward.

I shared a scene from The Count of Monte Cristo where a spared man says, “I am your man for life.” That’s what grace does. We don’t pledge ourselves to earn favor; we pledge because we’ve already received it. So I invited us into a real pathway—not perfectionism, not legalism—but a Spirit‑filled journey where love is poured into our hearts and lived out in tangible, other‑centered ways. The love of Christ is our compelling why because His death was our death, and His life now reshapes our lives into love for God and neighbor. That is the kind of why you can build a life on.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Let Christ’s love be your why The deepest motive is not approval, success, or image—it’s the faithful love of God revealed in Jesus. When love sits at the center, the winds can blow, but your center won’t move. Lesser motives are fragile; love can carry the full weight of your life. Let the cross redefine why you get up in the morning. [16:56]
• 2. His death counts as our death “If One died for all, then all died” means Jesus bore the full weight of our guilt as if it were His own. That verdict ends self‑condemnation and opens daily access to undeserved abundance—pardon, peace, and a future secured. Unbelief doesn’t change the deposit; it only keeps you from drawing on it. Live from what’s already been done. [21:42]
• 3. Build faith on the Gospel lens Scripture study that misses Jesus can harden rather than heal. Read the whole story through the cross and resurrection; that’s where faith actually rises. The Bible is not an end in itself; it’s the Spirit’s highway to a Person. Come to Him, and the words become life. [32:45]
• 4. Freedom births other‑centered living Resurrection life turns us outward: from self‑preservation to self‑giving love. When the weight of condemnation lifts, you’re free to love without keeping score. This isn’t moral cosmetics; it’s a new nature learning the rhythms of mercy, generosity, and service. Other‑centeredness is how life truly works. [41:08]
• 5. Grace leads to lifelong allegiance Spared people become loyal people—not to pay God back, but because love awakens love. Allegiance becomes delight when you realize you’re already home in Christ. “I am Yours for life” is the only fitting response to a grace that would do it all again. Let gratitude shape your obedience. [46:51]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Waiting on the Lord
• [02:40] - Celebrating new life in Christ
• [03:23] - Mindy’s relentless “Why?”
• [07:16] - Why exposes our motives
• [08:31] - Paul under fire in Corinth
• [16:56] - Love of Christ compels us
• [21:42] - If One died, all died
• [25:13] - The billion‑dollar grace analogy
• [32:45] - Scripture through the Gospel lens
• [36:37] - No condemnation in Christ
• [38:34] - From self to other‑centered life
• [43:44] - Monte Cristo: grace and allegiance
• [49:20] - Invitation to a grace‑filled journey
• [51:10] - Closing worship and response

1. Read 2 Corinthians 5:14–15. What two claims does Paul make about (a) what compels him, and (b) what Christ’s death means for “all”? (focus on what the verses actually say)
2. How did the pastor use the Mindy & Buttons cartoon to expose the value of asking “Why?” about our motives? [02:40]
3. What was the pastor’s “billion‑dollar deposit” illustration meant to show about gospel reality versus unbelief? How does that image connect to Paul’s “one died for all; therefore all died”? [25:13]
4. What concrete behaviors or rhythms did the preacher name as evidence of “resurrection life” moving people from self‑focus to other‑centered living? [41:08]

1. How should one understand Paul’s phrase “if one died for all, then all died”? Does this primarily describe a positional reality (justification), a participatory reality (union with Christ in death), or both? What are the practical consequences of that interpretation? [21:42]
2. What does it mean for “the love of Christ” to “control” or “compel” someone’s ministry and life? In what ways would that motive differ from seeking approval, reputation, or applause (the “super‑apostle” contrast)? [16:56]
3. If Scripture must be read “through the Gospel lens,” how does that change the way someone applies Old Testament commands or New Testament warnings? Give a specific example of how a verse can be re‑read through the cross. [32:45]
4. Paul says those who live should “no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” How does this verse link justification (what Christ has done) with mission and practical love for others? [38:34]

1. Identify your current core “why” — the thing that most shapes how you spend time, money, and attention (career, approval, control, family, Christ’s love, etc.). If that why were removed tomorrow, what practical changes would happen in your life? Be specific about one schedule, habit, or decision that would change. [13:44]
2. Which of the gospel “deposits” the pastor listed (complete forgiveness, peace, a future with God, sonship) do you find hardest to draw on by faith? What one concrete step will you take this week to rehearse and receive that reality (a Scripture read, a confession, telling a Christian friend)? [29:41]
3. Name one passage you have used mainly to condemn or shame yourself. How will you re‑read that passage this week “through the Gospel lens” so it points to the person and work of Jesus? Give the verse and one sentence of gospel reinterpretation you will say aloud. [32:45]
4. Think of one relationship where you usually protect or prioritize yourself (spouse, child, neighbor, co‑worker). What is one tangible act of other‑centered love you will do for that person in the next seven days? Set the day and the action now. [41:08]
5. When doubts about God’s grace arise, which short Scripture sentence will you rehearse to remind yourself that condemnation has been dealt with? Write that sentence and commit to saying it when doubt comes. (Example options the pastor named: Gal. 2:20; Romans 8:1.) [36:37]
6. The Count of Monte Cristo scene led to the spare man saying “I am your man for life.” Are you willing to say, honestly, “I am Yours for life” to Jesus? If not, what prevents you? If yes, what is one visible step of allegiance (a sacrifice, a habit, a service) you will take in the next month to show that commitment? [46:10]
7. How can this small group help you build a gospel‑driven, sustainable “why”? Name one accountability or encouragement practice the group could do with you over the next 4–8 weeks. [49:20]