We Have Died, Remember?

Theme: If we have died to Christ, whose life matters?

Pastor Dan began his message this past Sunday by discussing how we tend to think negatively. He spoke of two opposite ways of thinking of ourselves: one in which we think too little of ourselves and one in which we consider ourselves more highly than we should.

Pastor Dan even considered those secret conversations in our minds where we play a superior or inferior role with real people to practice a position we want to take without actually taking it.

These thought patterns have one thing in common: we think of ourselves way too much. True humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. It also means not considering ourselves superior but not considering ourselves at all.

He went on to instruct us on the three ways the world thinks. The world tells us to think of ourselves first, gear all we do towards impressing people, and fake our concern for others in a way that will impress and shine a light on us. It is essentially a never-ending circle that is all centered on me. All my thoughts and actions are geared toward how I can benefit. Even my good deeds are false, motivated by my desire to impress.

Now, I realize that telling myself or others to think of ourselves less is a losing proposition because it is our natural, fleshly bent to do so. Humanity, separate from God, cannot act otherwise, even though actions may often appear selfless. What are we to do?

God’s Word considers this and takes us much deeper than our thoughts. Allow me to present to you God’s remedy for stinkin' thinkin'.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” ‭‭(Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—” ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬

God’s cure for stinkin’ thinkin' is to die to self, to allow Jesus to live in you, and to live out Galatians 2:20 daily. How can we even consider the feelings of one who has died?

As Martin Luther became aware that his followers were preparing to name their church after him, Luther wrote these words,

"I desire above all things that my name should be

concealed and that none be called by the name of

Lutheran, but of Christian. What is Luther? My

doctrine is not mine, but Christ's. I was not crucified

for any. How comes it to pass that I, who am but

a filthy, stinking bag of worms, that any of the

sons of God should be denominated from my name?

Away with these schismatical names! Let us be

denominated from Christ, from whom alone we

have our doctrine." — Martin Luther

Inevitably, Luther's followers named a church after him, which was against his wishes. I guess they thought "Lutheran Church" had a better ring than "Filthy, Stinking, Bag of Worms Church."

We must now tell the world that changing one’s mind and behavior can only happen after

Christ is invited into our hearts as Savior….and Lord!

Oh, and we need to remind ourselves that we have died, so who is there to think about but Christ?‬‬‬‬

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Scripture: Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬; Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

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Prayer:

Lord God, I live in the fact that you, by your Love, Mercy, and Grace, took me to the cross with you, buried me with you and raised me with you as a new creation. Yes, I am still here in this body of flesh, but I am no longer controlled by this body and look forward to the day when it is stripped from me and I can be free to be in you completely. I also rejoice while I am on this earth, Lord, because I get the adventure of learning to live for and in you while still in this flesh, and to be a light to others so that they can find the only meaning and purpose in this world through you. I am joyful in thinking of both now and eternity, my Lord. Because of You! Amen