We can do it!

Living the Life of Faith: We can Do It!

Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, who gave himself for me”

Introduction: Nike, the athletic shoe manufacturer has made a fortune off of their slogan, “Just do it!” “Whatever it is that you enjoy doing in the arena of recreation, they say Just do it, because we have everything you need to get it done!” some people may hear that slogan and say, “Hey, maybe I can do it! Some people may begin to buy their shoes, their sweat pants, their headbands, and their hats with the Nike swoosh on it. But with all those fancy swoosh & slogans on them did not inspire people to do anything but spend their money.

So we as preachers we stand up in front of people and say to them “Just do it! Just live for Jesus! Just be all you can be for Him! a few people who hear the sermon actually accept the message and go do it. But, the majority may accept the message and say, “That’s wonderful! I really want to do just that! They hear the word, believe the message and they take their bible home, but the never read it again, and the sermons that you heard and were moved by it, now is collecting dust in your memory bank.

It doesn't have to be that way! Out text was written by the apostle Paul, who heard the message of Christ and he said, “That’s who I want to be” So, in this passage he tells us how we can be everything God wants us to be as well. Every believer can walk like Jesus every day. Paul is telling us “Just do it! Just live for Jesus and here is how you can do just that.” This is the thought that I want to address this afternoon, If we live the life of faith we can do it!

Application: This passage encourages us to act on our faith, showing that genuine belief compels us to live out our convictions in daily life. Whether facing challenges of doubt, temptation, or apathy, we are reminded that our identity is rooted in Christ, which gives us the strength and motivation to 'just do it.'

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true faith goes beyond mere belief; it requires action. When we grasp the depth of Christ's love and sacrifice, we are empowered to live out our faith boldly and intentionally.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme points to Christ as the central figure who empowers believers through His love and sacrifice, making it possible for them to live a life of faith. Just as Paul refers to being crucified with Christ, we see the call to identify ourselves with Christ's mission throughout Scripture, leading to transformation.

Big Idea: Our identity in Christ compels us to actively live out our faith, emphasizing that authentic belief produces tangible actions in our lives.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider exploring the context of Galatians and Paul's argument for justification by faith. Use your Logos library to examine commentaries and lexical resources that delve into the Greek terms used in this passage, particularly 'I have been crucified with Christ' and 'the life I now live.' This study may uncover nuances in understanding faith and works that will enrich your preaching.

1. Realizing our position in Christ

Galatians 2:20a “I am crucified”

Past Position: Paul is saying is this: I was crucified when Jesus was crucified and that crucifixion was a one time for all experience. What does that mean for you & I? If you are saved, then when Jesus died on the cross, we died with Him.

Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Our old man (our old self) the person we were before we were crucified with Christ.

Galatians 2:19 “For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.” To be crucified with Christ means the believer has been freed from the law & from the ruling power of sin that was aroused by the law.

That is why the believer never need to fear death! We have already experienced it with Jesus and it retains no power over us.

1 Corinthians 15:55 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

Present Position: “Nevertheless I live”

Paul is saying I no longer live, but Christ lives in me

Yes we died with Jesus, but faith in Him has raised us from the death of sin and has made us eternally alive.

It seems impossible that one may be dead and alive at the same time, yet that is how life is for believers. We are dead to sin but alive in Jesus. Just as we share His death, we also share His life.

Eternal life does not begin when you get to heaven. Eternal life began the instant you received Jesus as your Savior.

2. Relying on the Power of Christ

Galatians 2:20b “Christ liveth in me”

We have the power of His resurrection: Just as Jesus rose from the grave different than He was buried, everyone who comes to Him by faith is also altered forever.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” When a man comes into vital union with the risen and glorified Lord, he is a “new creation” Why? because of the power of His resurrection life works itself out in the believers life and makes them different than they were when they first met Him.

We have the power of His Residence: Jesus promised to give the believer His Spirit to dwell within them, this was His promise while He was still on the earth.

John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

The indwelling Holy Spirit is present to lead us, to teach us, to empower us, to comfort us, and to correct us. As we yield more of our lives to Him, He produces more of Himself through us.

3. We must have Faith

“and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,”

when we are saved, the Holy Spirit, who is the source of faith comes to live in our hearts

You see, faith is like a muscle, when it is taken into the gym of life, it can do little in the beginning, but as it is exercised in the little things day by day it grows considerably, until it is able to accomplish great things through Jesus Christ!

Now, how does one go about exercising faith? simple:

Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” As we hear the word of God and take God at His word by faith, our faith grows stronger and stronger.

4. Empowered by Love: Transformation

Galatians 2:20c “who loved me,”

Finally, you might highlight the transformational love of the Son of God, which is central to Paul's expression. You could explain that understanding and experiencing Jesus' profound love empowers believers to act boldly and confidently. It's this love that compels us to live out our identity in Christ. This segment can suggest that being loved by Christ leads to a life of loving action and service—it's this enacted faith that brings the concept of 'just doing it' to life, as we serve others fueled by Christ's love for us.