THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CRUCIFIED LIFE
Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: MERIT YOUR FREEDOM
In the last days of the Civil War, the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, fell to the Union army. Abraham Lincoln insisted on visiting the city. Even though no one knew he was coming, slaves recognized him immediately and thronged around him. He had liberated them by the Emancipation Proclamation, and now Lincoln’s army had set them free. According to Admiral David Porter, an eyewitness, Lincoln spoke to the throng around him: "My poor friends, you are free—free as air. You can cast off the name of slave and trample upon it. Liberty is your birthright."
But Lincoln also warned them not to abuse their freedom. "Let the world see that you merit [your freedom]," Lincoln said, "Don’t let your joy carry you into excesses. Learn the laws and obey them."
That is very much like the message Jesus gives to those whom he has liberated by his death and resurrection. Jesus gives us our true birthright—spiritual freedom. But that freedom isn’t an excuse for disobedience; it forms the basis for learning and obeying God. (From a sermon by Christopher Surber, All Things are Possible with God, 8/15/2012)
As I stated last week the subject of the “Crucified Life” is vitally important to the health and real growth of the church.
The church is filled with people and the health of the church will be determined by the spiritual health of each person working together to shine our Christ-likeness into our hurting families and communities.
As we allow ourselves daily to be crucified with Christ, the people around us will see the Christ of the cross shine through us as we light up the darkness.
For this church to be as healthy as possible we must not compromise with the values of this world. We must be determined to set our face like a flint as we strive toward spiritual growth. (Isa. 50:7) But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
To set one’s face like a flint is to be disciplined and not be moved from your biblical convictions. It is all about following in “Christ’s footsteps.”
It means staying away from the unholy influences of the world. It’s about doing the will of God; being loyal to Him and His Truth above all. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matt 16:24
When God call us to follow Him we go regardless of the cost!
No one ask what it cost for you to be a successful athlete or a popular lawyer or a CEO of a major business. We would all agree that the more important the position the higher the cost. When there is little to no cost for you that is usually what its worth.
Our salvation is a free gift from God, but to live the crucified life has a great cost. Are we willing to pay the cost of sacrifice and surrender to His will as we seek to live the crucified life?
The Church’s history is bursting with those who willing pay the high cost of living the crucified life. From Stephen and the Apostles down to modern day martyrs in China, Nigeria, Iraq, Iran and other parts of the world.
In many churches grace is preached, but it has been watered down and has been made palatable so to not be offensive.
The message of Grace preached to this generation has become cheap and people have devoted themselves to their own pleasures.
There is no true call for obedience, personal holiness, self-discipline, cross carrying, discipleship; these are priceless doctrines of the New Testament. They have been put on the back-burner and in many cases made ineffective and mundane in Christianity.
When the true cost of grace is preach as it was to our fathers; it brought men and women to their knees in tears as they recognized the absolute cost of the grace of God, offered to them.
1Cor 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
As we grow stronger and stronger spiritually we become a healthier church. As a spiritually healthy church we can be guided by the Holy Spirit as we fulfill the will of God. As a healthy church we will endeavor to fulfill The Great Commission of Christ to “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel” Mark 16:15.
This is a command from Christ Jesus himself. Too many take this command as a suggestion and are not even willing to try.
We cannot forget that when we share the Gospel with people it is the Holy Spirit that draws them and convicts them of sin and their need of the Savior. Our responsibility is to present the Gospel and leave the saving to God.
The Crucified Life
Means a life that is wholly given over to the Lord through obedience and complete humility this is the sacrifice that pleases the Lord.
“Crucified” is what Jesus did on the cross for us. Died to Himself so that we could live for all eternity.
And Galatians 2:20 says, 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The crucified life is a no compromise commitment to following Jesus Christ.
The purpose is not to look like others; our purpose is to look like Jesus Christ. And that requires us to think like Him, act like Him, love like Him, this helps us to be more like Him.
Whatever hinders us in accomplishing this must be put to death.
We must ask ourselves why is it that God’s people don’t start right out soaring and climbing to great highest.
The answer is that they need to acquire spiritual legs so that they can turn and face God.
If you are floundering it is not God’s fault. His will for us is that we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Remember, His will is that we continue to grow toward perfection. We are to strive to be holy. And for us to accomplish holiness. We have to get ourselves off our mind. When we do, we begin to truly experience what the crucified life is like.
Those people who are willing to surrender all of their lives to the Lordship of Christ will realize they are going to finished life with God as their guild.
We need to understand this is not our home and that Jesus is preparing our eternal home; a place just for us.
Jesus Christ paid the price for our salvation and ransomed our soul from the wages of sin. So, we should be willing to pay the cost of living the “crucified life” as we now identify with Him and walk toward spiritual perfection.
The crucified life will produce wonderful spiritual fruit that will be refreshing to view and will explode with true spiritual flavors for those willing to receive them.
Invitation: An old woman dearly loved her Lord. Often her cup of joy overflowed. A favorite expression of hers was, "Praise the Lord!" Often, in God’s house, when the minister preached, she would say, "Praise the Lord!"
Sometimes, however, the minister was disturbed by this, and he would lose his line of thought - and so he considered how he might kindly discourage the old woman’s outbursts. The woman was very poor, and therefore the minister had an idea. He offered her a parcel of groceries every month on behalf of the Benevolent Fund if she would only refrain from saying, "Praise the Lord!" during his sermons.
She greatly needed the groceries, so she did her best to earn them on the minister’s terms. For many Sundays, she kept perfectly quiet during the sermon.
One day, however, the minister preached on forgiveness of sin, with its related blessings and joys. And as he preached, the old woman thought less and less of the groceries, and more and more of the joys of salvation.
Finally, she could stand it no longer. To everyone’s surprise, she cried out: "Groceries or NO groceries - PRAISE THE LORD!" Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 27, 2004
There should be nothing that could stop you from getting excited and praising the Lord about the forgiveness of our sins.
If you are here this morning and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior please make your way to me down front.
