David Platt Messages
David Platt Messages is a podcast that highlights sermons from teacher, author, and pastor David Platt.
David Platt Messages
The Secret to the Christian Life
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In this sermon from Galatians 2:20, David Platt points to the amazing reality that Christ “exchanges” His life for ours.
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Introduction to the Secret
Speaker 1You're listening to David Platt Messages a weekly podcast of sermons and messages of pastor , author and teacher David Platt . Today's episode is a rerun of one of our most listened to messages of all time .
Speaker 2I want us to look at one verse today , one verse Galatians , chapter two , verse 20 . And in this one verse , I wanna show you what I've called , at the top of your notes , the secret to the Christian life . And I say it's a secret not because I've come up with something new that nobody's ever heard . The truth that we're about to look at is all over the Bible . In many ways it is the core of Christianity , but I believe many Christians , many true followers of Jesus , have missed this or are missing this on a daily basis . So I want to show it to you , and I want to do two things . First , like I mentioned , I want to call many people today in this room and other campuses , to start a Christian life , like to put your faith in Christ and , for some , to be baptized if you've never been baptized as a follower of Christ . And then I wanna lead us and other campus pastors at other campuses to pray based on this verse . So let's do this , let's read it out loud together . So I'm gonna put it up here on the screen , because this one verse summarizes , maybe more than any other verse in the entire Bible , the confession of any and every Christian . So let's say it together . Galatians , chapter two , verse 20 . I have been crucified with Christ . It is no longer I who live , but Christ who lives in me . Live but Christ who lives in me and the life I now live in the flesh . I live by faith in the Son of God , who loved me and gave himself for me . All right . So here's the deal . Every Christian I know I'm talking true Christian , not just somebody who says they're a Christian , anybody can say that and mean all sorts of things I'm talking every true follower of Christ believes that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of their sins , like every Christian believes that . But many Christians practically stop there . They believe they will go to heaven because they've been forgiven of their sins . But the problem is they're not really sure how to live the Christian life between here and there and , as a result , many Christians live frustrated , if not empty , feeling or maybe even defeated Christian
Signs of a Frustrated Christian Life
Speaker 2lives . I'm going to list off some descriptions of what I mean by the frustrated or empty or defeated Christian life and just see if any of these things sound familiar to you .
Speaker 2One you know you're supposed to want to go to church , but sometimes getting here on Sunday seems a lot more like a chore . You know you're supposed to read the Bible but you don't really feel like you understand it . And truth is you struggle to make time for it . You know you're supposed to pray but your mind wanders a lot . And truth is you struggle to make time for it . You know you're supposed to pray but your mind wanders a lot and , truth be told , it starts to feel like a pretty empty religious exercise when you do it .
Speaker 2You know you're supposed to give . Maybe you can feel a little guilty . You're not giving enough . You could give more , but you're not a little guilty . You're not giving enough . You could give more , but you're not really compelled to .
Speaker 2You know you're supposed to have victory over sin , but you still find yourself struggling with the same thing over and over and over again . You know you're not supposed to be worried or anxious about anything , but in actuality you worry a lot and you're anxious , even afraid , about a number of things . You know you're supposed to share the gospel but well , you just don't , in part because you really don't want to be that guy or a woman who's kind of crazy about religion , or you're just nervous that you're going to say something that doesn't make sense . They won't understand . Or maybe this last one you know that God loves you Like , you believe that , but you have this nagging sense that God wants more from you . Like you know you're saved by God's grace , but you constantly feel like there's some areas where you just need to work harder and do better . Maybe you're just tired and Christianity feels like more work feels like more work . Do you resonate with any of those descriptions ? So I have a feeling that many , if not most , of us resonate with one or more , or maybe all of these , and if that's the case for you in any way , then I want you to hear this secret today , this truth that is crystal clear in Galatians 2.20 and all over the Bible . But so many Christians are missing
The Totally Exchanged Life
Speaker 2out on the secret , or maybe , the way I would put it , the reason why so many Christians live frustrated , empty , even defeated Christian lives is because so few of us have grasped I mean really grasped the mammoth reality that Jesus died for you so that he might live in you . Jesus died for you so that he might live in you , so that you might have an entirely new life Now , not just in eternity , which we talked about last week with the rope , is important we're talking now , on earth a new life , now , today , tomorrow . New life , and God has been opening my eyes in a fresh way to this truth over the last few weeks .
Speaker 2Two weeks ago , when we were studying Acts , chapter one together and the coming of the Holy Spirit , I shared a couple of quotes from Hudson Taylor and Ian Thomas , and I have had all kinds of people asking for those quotes . Hudson Taylor , missionary to China , whose biography is entitled Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret . He writes about the moment where he realized that he was missing this secret . He was trying to live the Christian life without realizing that Christ was in him . Likewise , ian Thomas he lived in England , was going out every night into the slums of London to do ministry , and he wrote what I think describes so many Christians , even myself . He wrote I had been reduced to a state of complete exhaustion spiritually until I felt there was no point in going on .
Speaker 2One night at midnight I got down on my knees before God and I just wept in sheer despair . I said , oh God , I know that I am saved . I love Jesus . Christ , I am perfectly convinced that I am converted . With all my heart I have wanted to serve you , yet I have tried to my uttermost and I feel as a helpless failure . He said that night things happened . I can honestly say that I had never once heard from the lips of men the message that came to me then . But God that night simply focused on me the Bible message of Christ , who is my life . The Lord seemed to make plain to me that night through my tears of bitterness . You see , for seven years , with utmost sincerity , you have been trying to live for me , on my behalf , the life that I have been waiting for seven years to live through you , ian Thomas said .
Speaker 2I got up the next morning to an entirely different Christian life . That's what I'm hoping and praying . Hundreds , if not thousands , of you today might wake up to tomorrow to a fresh understanding , or maybe a first time understanding , that Jesus died for you so that he might live in you . You might say in a fresh way I have been crucified with Christ . I no longer live , but Christ lives in me . Think about what that means . Follow this in your notes . The Christian life is a totally exchanged life .
Speaker 2Galatians 2.20, . I have been crucified with Christ . Listen to the language there . I died , yet I live . So there's a total exchange that's happening here . There's an old me that has died . Now there's a new me that lives . So what's the old me ?
Speaker 2And if you're not a follower of Christ right now , let me invite you to listen closely here . So this is a summary of what the Bible teaches . If you are a follower of Christ , be reminded in the summary what it means to be a follower of Christ . Like the Bible teaches that we have all been created by God and we have all turned from God , from his ways , to our own ways , and we know this . It looks different in every single one of our lives , but we have all chosen our ways over God's ways , and the Bible calls this sin . And our sin separates us from God , and if we die in this state of separation from God , we will spend eternity separated from God . But God has made a way for us , you and me , to be brought back into relationship with him . God sent Jesus to live the life we could not live a life with no sin so that he could then pay the price for our sin . That's what Jesus was doing on the cross . He was taking the penalty that you deserve for your sin , that I deserve for my sin , upon himself . Jesus died for our sin and then , three days later , he rose from the dead so that anyone anywhere , including you today , like right now , can be forgiven of all your sin and brought back into relationship with God . Through faith in Jesus , you can experience new , eternal life in restored relationship with God , and that's what this verse is talking about .
Speaker 2A Christian is someone who believes that Jesus died on the cross for them . A Christian believes the greatest news in the world God loves me . He gave himself for me on the cross and the old me , which wanted my ways over God's ways , has been crucified , and in exchange I've not gotten a refurbished . This is so significant . Jesus did not die to make you better . Jesus died to make you better . Jesus died to make you new , totally new . Old me gone . The new me is here and the new me is Christ in me .
Speaker 2Like think about this For those who are followers of Christ , who have been crucified with Christ . Just think about what this means . You have given Jesus your sin and Jesus has given you in exchange his righteousness . Just let this soak in . Christian , you now have the very righteousness of Jesus living in you . Keep going here . You have given Jesus your slavery to sin . In exchange , jesus has given you his freedom over sin Galatians 5.1, . For freedom , christ has set us free . Galatians 4.7, . Christian , you are no longer a slave to sin . You are now a son or daughter of God . Keep going . You have given Jesus your defeat against sin and Jesus has given you his victory over sin .
Speaker 2Romans 7, . Paul , who's writing Galatians 2 , says what a wretched man I am in this war with sin . Who will deliver me from this body of death ? Thanks be to God , through Jesus Christ , our Lord . So , christian , don't believe it . Do not believe that you cannot overcome that sin . Christ is in you , absolutely . You can overcome that sin and , christians , stop beating yourself up over your sin . Keep going here . You have given Jesus your judgment for sin . He has taken it from you and , in exchange , jesus has given you his salvation from sin .
Speaker 2Romans 8.1, . There is now no condemnation for those who are what In Christ Jesus . Christ is in you . Christ has taken all your judgment upon himself . There is no more price to be paid , no more work to be done . You can rest in his love . It is finished and you don't have to worry about a thing . You don't even have to worry about death , because you have given Jesus your death and Jesus has given you his life .
Speaker 2This is why people were being baptized last week , earlier today , why I pray people will be baptized as a result of this gathering right now , this word that we're looking at , that will step into the water to celebrate this reality Jesus is my life . As they go down in the water , it's a picture of our dying with him , just as Jesus died . We have died to the old us , but in the way baptism works , we don't keep you underwater for very long . Why not ? Well , for multiple reasons , but the main reason is because Jesus didn't stay dead for very long . Three days later he rose to new life and that's the picture we have new life , a totally exchanged life . Jesus is our life and with this exchange to keep going comes supernatural power . The Christian life is a supernaturally
Supernaturally Empowered Living
Speaker 2empowered life . Just think about the wonder of these words . Christ lives in me . Who ? Christ ? Jesus , god in the flesh , like the one who spoke and the world came into being . He said world and world happened , light , dark plants , and I'll just say a word . And he is the one living in you . He'll knock you out of your seat if you think about it . I just let this soak in Christian Jesus , god in the flesh , is in you , you are in him . This is how the Bible talks about the Christian life over and over again . I could take you so many places right now . Show you that Jesus is in you , you are in him , and this changes everything . Let me give you a picture .
Speaker 2When I was about to get engaged to Heather , so I've been saving up for this ring , and so anybody so high school teenage boys like start saving now . It'll cost you the farm . My junior hires just as young as possible , start saving . So as soon as I got , I'm prone to lose things and I did not want to lose this . So my plan was I'm going to get the ring in the morning and that night I'm going to ask Heather to marry me , and so I just got to not lose it during the day . I had one errand I needed to run during the day . I needed to go to the mall , to a music store , to pick up a CD that I was going to use that night , and the whole engagement thing . It's a whole nother story , but I just knew like this was the day some dude was going to come up to me and like mug me in the mall and take whatever I had with me , like . So I was pretty paranoid . So I got the biggest , heaviest jacket I could find . It was not a cold day outside , but I got a big , heavy jacket and had a little pocket right here that I could zip it under . So I unzipped the pocket , put the ring in , zip the pocket back up , put the heavy jacket on , had my hand on the ring at all times and I just walked into the mall like this , like head down , no eye contact , just focused get in there , get the CD , get out .
Speaker 2So I go into the music store . So this was before . You could just like do this on your phone by a couple of clicks . So I'm in there looking for the CD . I can't find the CD . So I go over to this woman who works there and I'm like excuse me , miss , like can you help me find this CD ? She's like sure .
Speaker 2So I start walking and with her and she's like well , what do you want this CD for ? I was like I'm getting engaged tonight and she was like oh really , do you have the ring with you ? And I was like , do you ever think ? Like okay , is it all right to lie like sometimes . I was like , okay , I don't think it is , but I definitely not now . So I was like , yeah , I've got the ring . And she said , well , can I see it ? Well , can I see it ? So I'm like sweating . Of course I've got this heavy jacket on and uh . So I just turn to everybody else in the store and like we're over in the corner and I like unzip it , pull out the ring , just kind of show it to her like yeah , here it is . She looks over , she's like that's beautiful . Then she raises up and says to all of her coworkers hey guys , this guy's getting married . Come look at this ring that he's about to propose to his wife with . And at this point I'm like , all right , that's it . Why don't I just throw it ? Who wants it ? Like don't even come attack me for it , I will just give it to you . And everybody comes over , they're talking , look at their . I'm like man , will you just please give me the CD ? Like I just want the CD . Fine , I get the CD , put the ring back in the bag .
Speaker 2I go running out of the mall like this , like everything changed , like the way I talked , the way I thought , the way I walked , every bit of me changed when I realized I had this like treasure in me , like see it , like far , far , far greater than a ring that's gonna fade and and , in the end , not gonna matter . Like you have christ in you , it changes the way you think , it changes the way you walk , the way you love , the way you interact with family or friends . It changes the way you interact , or it changes every facet of your life . When you you're alone , when you're with others , everything's different . When you realize Christ is in you , it changes everything . And when you know this , when you know Jesus is in you so don't miss this then you realize that the Christian life is not about what you do for Jesus , but what Jesus does in you . That is so significant , like my six-year-old would say like Dad , this is you massive . Because this is so different from the way we are prone to think .
Speaker 2Like most Christians think I just look at all Jesus has done for me . The least I can do for him is this or that . Do you hear that language ? Look at all Jesus has done for me , has done past tense what Jesus has done in the past for me . So now , in the present , what can I do for him ? That is a totally wrong way to think , and the reason it's wrong is because Jesus hasn't stopped doing for you . Jesus is still doing for you Every moment of every day .
Speaker 2Jesus is living in you , his power working in you , see it . See it , we are not living in debt to Jesus . Like don't use that language the least I can do for Jesus is this or that . I just want to pay Jesus back for all that he's done for me . Listen , jesus is not a businessman looking to do a business deal with you . There is no way you could ever pay him back , and that's the point . It's the beauty . Jesus has not asked us to pay him back . He has saved us by his grace , not in exchange for our best works . He saves us by his grace and then he comes to live within us , which means we are not living in debt to Jesus . We are living indwelled by Jesus . That's
Working With Jesus, Not For Him
Speaker 2a very different way to live .
Speaker 2The Bible teaches that Jesus is in you , you are in him . Jesus is with you , you are with him . All throughout the New Testament , we see these promises I will be with you , you'll be with me , which means so , follow this . Jesus died for meaningful relationship with you , not monotonous religious motion from you . Do you hear the language here in Galatians ? The one who lives in me loves me and he gave himself for me . No , jesus has not saved you for a life of monotonous religious motion in his name . Don't do it . It's not Christianity and so many , so many are settling for it like it is . It's not . Jesus has saved you so that you might live in loving relationship with him . The Christian life is the overflow of the love of Christ for you and the life of Christ in you and in this relationship . Jesus works with you to accomplish his will in you and in the world . Oh , there's so much we can talk about here . But during my time away recently with you , to accomplish his will in you and in the world . Oh , there's so much we could talk about here .
Speaker 2But during my time away recently , I was so struck by the phrase working with Jesus . We read it in our Bible reading . I was reading it one day Mark 16 , 20 . It says the disciples went out and preached everywhere while the Lord worked with them . That so stuck out to me . That was after Jesus had ascended into heaven . It says Jesus was working with them like co-laborers .
Speaker 22 Corinthians 6.1 says we work together with them . That's just totally transformed my perspective the last month . Like Jesus is working with me , with me , you Like every facet of my life , all day long , I just want to work with him . I want to work with him . I want Jesus to lead me , guide me , direct me every single moment of every single day , like right now , and preaching , like talking to people . I just want to work with Jesus , like this is the Christian life and in this . So keep going . Here .
Speaker 2The Christian life is a wonderfully restful life , restful of rest . Paul's whole point in the context of Galatians 2 here is to emphasize how we're not working to try to earn status or favor with God . Instead , we're resting in Jesus and his life in us , and all that means . That's why Hudson Taylor said the sweetest part of realizing this truth is the rest which full identification with Christ brings . Taylor wrote I am no longer anxious about anything because I know Christ is in me and he will give me everything I need for everything I face . If Christ is in me , why should I be anxious ? And this is it . This is exactly what Paul means when he says the life I now live , in the flesh . I live by faith in the Son of God . Think about what that means . The life of faith believes Jesus to be everything you need for every moment you live .
Speaker 2The Christian life is not just putting your faith in Jesus , however many days or months or years ago , and then moving on and doing your best . The Christian life is putting your faith in Jesus today and tomorrow and the next day and the next , believing him to be for you . All that you need , when you feel weak , to believe in that moment that his strength in you is sufficient . When you feel lonely , to believe in that moment his love for you is enough . When you're tempted to return to sin , to believe in that moment that his way is better . When you're prone to despair , to believe in that moment that his way is better . When you're prone to despair , to believe in that moment that his hope is greater . The secret to the Christian life is drawing in every need you have on the immeasurable riches of Christ in you . And when you realize this , you realize the aim of the Christian life is not striving after more faith or better faith or greater faith . No , we don't strive after faith . We look to , we lean on , we trust in and we rest in the faithful one who is in us , and because he who is in us is faithful , in the end , the Christian life is a completely secure life Because Jesus does not come and go with and in those who are his . Jesus in you now is Jesus in you forever . All who have been crucified with Christ , who now live in Christ , christ in them , are secure forever , and not just in the future . You are secure now in Christ .
Speaker 2We've talked about how fear , worry , anxiety are some of the most prominent struggles across both women and men , adults and children , not just in our society but in our church Fear , worry ,
Complete Security in Christ
Speaker 2anxiety . I want to give you a picture . This is preaching through Tupperware . All right , I want you to picture this first Tupperware container as you . I'm going to do a little drawing here of you . Okay , you ready . Here's you Be prepared , all right , well done , huh , all right . So this is you Now , based on what we just saw in what we just read .
Speaker 2Who is in you ? Jesus , christ is in you . So let's take this piece of tough wear and let's write on it Christ , all right . So Christ is in . Where's the top ? There we go . Christ is in you .
Speaker 2So now we're beginning to get a picture of your life , what we just talked about , how , not only is Christ in you , but and you look back up in Galatians , chapter two , verse four so many places in the Bible . It talks about how you are in , who you are in Christ . So let's do this , let's call this next on Christ as well and put a top on it . So now we're getting a clearer picture of who you are . You have Christ in you , you are in Christ . But then let me show you one other verse Colossians , chapter three , verse three very similar to Galatians , chapter two , verse 20 , talks about how you died as a Christian and your life is now hidden with Christ . Anybody know what it says next In God . Is it on the screen ? Oh , you just knew it . Well done , all right . So sorry , I didn't mean to doubt you , sorry , that was great , all right . So your life is hidden with Christ in God . So we got one more . Let's bring out the big tub for God , all right , and let's put Christ in you , you in Christ , christ in God . Okay , now we've got a little more complete picture of your life .
Speaker 2Now I want you to think about what comes at you in this world . I want you to think about the adversary who wants to come at you in this world . In order for the adversary to get to you , let's just think about this for a moment . He first will encounter God the Father , which he does not have a good track record with , but let's just assume for a second . He makes it past God the Father , then he has to deal with Jesus Christ himself , which last time that happened he walked away shamed and defeated . Now he thought he won for a couple of days , but then he figured out that he was defeated . He had his head crushed by the snake crusher , and sin and death and Satan were defeated . So he's going to have to then deal with Christ and then , if he's able to get past Christ round one , then he gets to you . But who is still in you ? Round two of Jesus Christ himself inside of you .
Speaker 2So I'm thinking that you're pretty secure . In fact , I would take it a step further . Just to think practically Like no matter what level of cancer or what diagnosis comes your way , no matter what people in this world may do or try to do to you , no matter what happens in your job , no matter what happens in your job , no matter what happens in your circumstances , no matter what this world throws at you . I want you to see a picture and be reminded that you are in Christ . Christ is in you . In God , you are absolutely secure For those who are in . When you are in Jesus , nothing can stand against you , nothing , not even death itself . So with that , I want to invite you to bow your heads with me . Just ask you to bow your heads with me here at other campuses , and I ask you to do this just to bow your heads with me . Just ask you to bow your heads with me here at other campuses , and I ask you to do this just to bow your heads , close your eyes , because I want to put aside any , all distractions , and I just want to bring each of us right now , before God . We've just heard from His Word .
Speaker 2So you , right now before God , right where you're sitting . The first thing I want to ask every single person in this room and other campuses , right there in that seat , I want to ask you before God is Christ in you ? Is Christ in you ? I'm not asking if you have called yourself a Christian if you go to church . Is Christ in you ? I'm not asking if you have called yourself a Christian . If you go to church like , is Christ in you , thank you ? Don't not ask if you believe in Jesus .
Speaker 2Like we read this last week , even the demons believe in Jesus . The question is is Jesus your life ? Have you trusted in Jesus as your life ? And if your heart does not resound with a yes to that , then I want to give you an opportunity right now to say Jesus be my life . So , right where you're sitting , if that's you , you want to say that in your heart to God , let me just invite you right there just to pray in your heart for God . Dear God , I know that I have sinned against you , that I have chosen my ways over your ways , that I'm separated from you by my sin , but I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins . I believe he gave himself for me and today I am trusting him for new life . Just pray , god . Please make me a new person . Please forgive me of all my sin . Please fulfill me with your life Today and forever . I want Jesus to be my life .
Speaker 1We hope you've enjoyed this week's episode of David Platt Messages . For more resources from David Platt , we invite you to visit radicalnet .
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