Welcome to Week 2 of our Server Training Devotions! This week is focusing on Christ As Lord. If you haven't already, please take time to read the introduction to this week's studies: Week 2 Introduction.
When you were at Encounter, many of you nailed a LOT of things to the cross. Some of those "things" were the wounds that someone else had caused you, but I would guess that MANY of the papers that were nailed to the cross were filled with your own sins. And when you nailed them to that wooden cross, you committed yourselves to living a new life in Christ.
When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ. Essentially, you died with Him. And then you were raised out of that water, out of that grave, into a new life with Him. (Romans 6:4)
Galatians 2:20 says, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this
earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me."
Meditate on that verse for a bit, let it really sink in. In fact, spend some time this week memorizing that verse so that it can take root not only in your mind, but in your heart as well.
The old you -- the selfish, sinful, broken YOU -- died with Christ. You were crucified with Him, even! That old self is long gone, dead and buried.
But now the NEW YOU is alive...because Christ is alive IN YOU.
What does the "New You" look like? What does it mean, in a very real and tangible way, for your old self to be dead and for Christ to be living in you now? Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you insight and understanding so that you can fully grasp who you are now that you are "Christ living in you."
Spend some time reading one of these passages from the Gospels. While you're reading, consider: "Who is Jesus?" and "How does the Lord come to us?"
Matthew 3 & 4, Mark 1, Luke 3:1-4:13, John 1:19-51
Don't forget to write your thoughts down in your journal!
