20th January 2019 - Dying To Self - (Charles, John P & Danish)
20th January 2019 - Dying To Self - (Charles, John P & Danish)
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that believers should keep their focus on the Lord's coming redemption rather than dwelling on personal circumstances or past events. Drawing from scripture, the message encourages the congregation to praise God for His constant care, victory, and joyful presence in their lives. The core call is to live in a spirit of worship, recognizing that God is actively working in the church.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Singing of Christ's victoryThe congregation joins together to sing a hymn about having no condemnation in Christ and approaching His eternal throne.
Straighten up because your redemption draws nearInstead of focusing on circumstances or ourselves, we are called to lift our heads because God is a victorious warrior in our midst.
The Lord rejoices over us with singingWe should hear and believe that God is not angry with us, but rather He exalts us and celebrates us with a joyous song.
God's promise of shepherds and understandingReflecting on Jeremiah 3:14-15, the speaker notes how God brings people together in the church and provides leaders who feed them with knowledge.Jeremiah 3:14–15
The invitation to the wearyJesus first offered a general invitation to all who are heavy laden and weary to find rest in Him.Matthew 11:28
The cost of following JesusBeyond the initial call to rest, Jesus issued a second, more serious call to deny oneself and take up one's cross daily.Matthew 16:24
Choosing between your will and God's willTaking up the cross means deciding to say no to your own fleshly desires and enticements in order to follow God's way.
Self-denial versus denying oneselfWhile worldly self-denial involves sacrificing comfort to achieve personal goals like athletic success, denying oneself means crucifying the flesh to please God.
Practical examples of dying to selfDying to self involves remaining happy in Christ even when you are neglected, insulted, or when your reputation is tarnished, choosing instead to endure with patient silence.
Rejoicing in the blessings of othersDying to self means being able to sincerely rejoice when others are blessed or exalted, even when you are in desperate circumstances yourself.
Receiving correction with humilityA sign of dying to self is the ability to humbly accept rebuke and correction from those who may have less spiritual stature than you.
The grain of wheat must die to produce fruitUsing the metaphor of a grain of wheat, the speaker explains that our self-life must undergo the pressure and breaking of death in order to produce a fruitful, spiritual life.John 12:24
The danger of worldly worries and self-promotionPursuing personal goals and being consumed by worries acts like weeds that can choke and kill the spiritual life.
Continuing in God's kindnessBased on Romans 11, we are called to continue in the mercy and kindness God has shown us so that His glory is produced through our lives.
The necessity of denying self to follow ChristUsing Peter's life as an example, the speaker explains that true discipleship requires moving past self-confidence and embracing the way of the Cross through the power of the Holy Spirit.
