Galatians 2:20
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 9 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
The Supremacy of Christ: Christ-Centered Living in a Post-Christian Generation
The Supremacy of Christ: Christ-Centered Living in a Post-Christian Generation
20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
We are living in a post-Christian generation.
We see around us Christianity getting pushed to the sideline - Christianity is the minority.
God’s Word is being silenced - in social media, in government, in the world forum.
The time will come that Christianity will be banned because many will depart from the faith and the world will hate Christ all the more.
Listen to this warnings...
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
3 Principles
1. Supremacy - The Supremacy of Christ
2. Submission - The Submission of the whole being
3. Sanctification- The Sanctification of my life towards Service to God
These 3 principles are like a string or a chain, each principle is of equal importance.
Without the SUPREMACY of Christ, there is no SUBMISSION to Christ. Without submission, no SANCTIFICATION will occur in your life.
I. Supremacy
I. Supremacy
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”
A. For Paul, Christ is the supreme ruler of his life because Christ gave his life for Paul.
A. For Paul, Christ is the supreme ruler of his life because Christ gave his life for Paul.
This great exchange compelled Paul to joyfully surrender his lowly life to Jesus.
John the Baptist understood Christ’s supremacy when he said, “He must increase, I must decrease”.
The prayer of every Christian, “Not my will, but your will be done”.
B. Christ as the supreme ruler means He has the authority over our whole being.
B. Christ as the supreme ruler means He has the authority over our whole being.
A servant is not supreme over the master.
Jesus is not a dictator, but He demands obedience, for He rewards obedience.
It is when Christ reigns supreme in the heart of the believer that Christ’s fullness of joy is wonderfully experienced - you have Christ’s protection, guidance, provision, wisdom, and peace...
Jesus said, I have come to give life, and have it to the full (John 10:10)
C. Paul understood that Christ is living in Him.
C. Paul understood that Christ is living in Him.
Paul cannot separate his life from Christ.
Imagine a go-pro camera attached above your head - What you are seeing, Christ is also seeing it.
If Christ is not the supreme ruler of your life, it would only mean that you are still seated on the throne of your heart. You are the god of your life.
Remember that if you are a Christian, Christ, the supreme ruler lives in you!
19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Jesus is far above all rule and authority
Jesus put all things in subjection under His feet.
II. Submission
II. Submission
“the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God”
A. For Paul, his life is to be lived for Christ because his life belongs to Christ.
A. For Paul, his life is to be lived for Christ because his life belongs to Christ.
- A Christians desire is to be aligned to Christ’s desire.
- There is no separate pursuits but one - to glorify God in every area of your life.
- A Christians decisions in life are to be submitted under the authority of Christ.
Paul’s submission to Christ is joyful. Joyless submission is faithless submission.
B. Paul’s submission is grounded by faith in the one who died for him.
B. Paul’s submission is grounded by faith in the one who died for him.
Genuine faith is living and is seen with evidence.
Hebrews 11:1 (NASB95)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Faith is not blind hope but assured hope in someone who is beyond what any eyes can see.
Faith is not believing without evidence, but believing in the best evidence.
The Hindrance to Submission
The Bible and Science contradicts - No, only those that are pseudoscience (Big bang theory). Science is still very young.
The presence of evil - Evil exists because man is rebellious and loves sin.
The sinful nature - man will position himself as god because he does not accept authority over him.
III. Sanctification
III. Sanctification
“I have been crucified with Christ”
Sanctification means being set-apart for God’s use and purpose.
Sanctification also means set-apart to avoid being contaminated and becoming impure.
The purpose of sanctification is conformity to the image of Jesus, empowered to do good works.
A. Being crucified with Christ is dying to self and to the world.
A. Being crucified with Christ is dying to self and to the world.
B. Paul considered his earthly life as though he died with Christ so He could live for Christ.
B. Paul considered his earthly life as though he died with Christ so He could live for Christ.
The purpose of Paul’s existence is to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus so he can be used by God for greater purpose.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Christ-centered living is a lifestyle that seeks to align the will, desires, and plans to the will of God, through faith in the supreme savior Jesus Christ.
Christ-centered living is a lifestyle that seeks to align the will, desires, and plans to the will of God, through faith in the supreme savior Jesus Christ.
Group Discussion
1. Supremacy
Why did the Apostle Paul think that Christ is the supreme ruler of his life?
What does it mean when you say, “Christ lives in me”?
Who is the supreme ruler of your life now?
2. Submission
What is the role of faith?
In what area in your life that is difficult for you to submit to God?
3. Sanctification
What is the meaning of sanctification?
What is the purpose of sanctification?
Why is sanctification important to you?