In today’s message Bro. Leo continues a series on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by again looking at the Biblical definition of being crucified with Christ/dying to self.

Part of the process of “dying to self” has to be the realization that Jesus commented His life, death and resurrection to each of us individually.  This realization will produce gratitude,  loyalty and commitment within us.  Paul explains, in Gal.2:20, his commitment to Jesus is a result of Jesus commitment to him.

In Gal.2:20 Paul also explains that it was Jesus’ love for us that produced His commitment to us.  John 15:13 explains that there is no greater love than the love it takes to die for someone else.  It is that great love that Jesus has for us that draws us to Him, John 12:32.  Therefore Jesus’ love for us is the basis of our relationship with Him and that love should be the basis for everything that we do.

Understanding those points will help us be more determined to die in our old ways, leaving room for Jesus to renew us in His ways (2Cor. 5:18-21, Gal.5:24-25).

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Gal 2:20 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.

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2Co 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.