SERMONS
THE CRUCIFIED LIFE - PART 1
By Pastor Jared Decker
Introduction to Series:
Galatians 2:20
v20. 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, and gave himself for me.
Paul was making a statement of our position in Christ because of the cross. I have been crucified with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life – Romans 6:4
Romans 6:11
v11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We need to “reckon” or realize that we are dead yet alive!
To be crucified with Christ means to choose to be dead to the wrong things but alive to the right things.
Christ told those who would follow Him that the crucified life was a necessity – Mark 8:34-35
The crucified life means setting “your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:2
This is a subject often under preached in America, yet it is a subject that could never be over preached because of its gravity.
Part 1 of the Series:
The Crucified Heart
Philippians 2:5-8
We begin our series with this focus, for the crucified life is a matter of heart. Unless the heart is first crucified, the life will never be.
The key statement we want to focus on this morning is in verse 5, “Let this mind be in you…”
It is a demanding statement in Scripture that causes our focus to be placed on the cross, not just for our salvation, but for our lives.
What was the mind of Christ? The only way to answer that is to examine what the Bible tells us about His road to the cross.
There were four primary characteristics that prevailed in the life of Christ leading Him to and through the cross.
These characteristics are essential to having a crucified heart.
1. Submission.
Philippians 2:7
v7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
We must be completely submitted to the Will of God, the Word of God, and the Way of God.
What God wants is all that matters!
2. Service.
Philippians 2:7
v7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Understand this…Christ was a servant, and you were saved to serve!
When Christians do not serve, there is a digression: sitting, souring, spoiling.
3. Sacrifice.
Philippians 2:7
v7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Christ’s sacrifice did not begin at His scourging; it began when He was made in the likeness of man. His life was a sacrifice!
God’s glory is more important than our comfort!
4. Suffering.
Philippians 2:8
v8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
The ultimate expression of Christ’s mind and heart was the suffering He endured for our sakes.
Suffering is not always physical…are you willing to suffer any loss without blaming and becoming bitter toward God.
Bitter Christians are not Crucified Christians.
