Deepening Communion: The Journey of Faith in Christ

 

Summary

In this exploration of Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, we delve into the profound spiritual truths encapsulated in Ephesians 3:14-21. This passage is a call for believers to deepen their relationship with Christ, moving beyond the initial stages of faith into a more profound, intimate communion with Him. The prayer is not for unbelievers but for those who have already accepted Christ, urging them to seek a deeper experience of His presence in their lives. This is not merely about assurance of salvation, which is the sealing of the Spirit, but about Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, a more permanent and intimate communion.

The Christian journey is likened to an ocean, where we start as children paddling at the edge but are called to venture into the depths. This journey requires us to be strengthened by the Spirit in our inner being, as understanding these profound truths is not easy. The Christian life is not static; it is a continuous pursuit of deeper knowledge and experience of Christ. We are reminded that satisfaction with our current spiritual state is a sign of spiritual stagnation. Instead, we are to press on towards the fullness of Christ, which is available to all believers, not just a select few.

The sermon emphasizes the mystical nature of Christ dwelling in us, a reality that transcends human understanding. This indwelling is not merely an influence or memory but a real, living presence that transforms our lives. It is a call to allow Christ to dominate our lives, to be the central focus of our existence. This requires a deliberate effort to rid ourselves of self-love and to make room for Christ. It is a process that involves the strengthening of our minds, hearts, and wills by the Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, this journey is about experiencing the joy and love of Christ in a way that is beyond words. It is about living in a state of love and communion with Him, where He becomes the joy of our hearts and the center of our lives. This is the high calling of every believer, a calling that requires us to continually seek and pray for the Spirit's work in our lives, enabling us to live in the fullness of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The Depth of Christian Life: The Christian journey is akin to an ocean, where we start as children paddling at the edge but are called to venture into the depths. This journey requires us to be strengthened by the Spirit in our inner being, as understanding these profound truths is not easy. [03:13]

- Beyond Assurance to Communion: The sealing of the Spirit assures us of our salvation, but Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith is about a deeper communion with Him. This is a more permanent and intimate relationship that transforms our lives. [15:10]

- Mystical Indwelling of Christ: Christ dwelling in us is a mystical reality that transcends human understanding. It is not merely an influence or memory but a real, living presence that transforms our lives. [23:32]

- The Call to Deeper Intimacy: We are called to move beyond the initial stages of faith into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ. This requires a deliberate effort to rid ourselves of self-love and to make room for Christ. [35:46]

- The Joy of Christ's Presence: Experiencing the joy and love of Christ is beyond words. It is about living in a state of love and communion with Him, where He becomes the joy of our hearts and the center of our lives. [25:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Paul's Prayer
- [00:47] - Comprehending the Love of Christ
- [01:25] - The Holiest of Christian Life
- [02:57] - The Ocean of Christian Faith
- [04:18] - The Complexity of Profound Truth
- [06:07] - Humility in Understanding
- [07:13] - Petition for Believers
- [08:30] - Pressing On to Perfection
- [10:37] - The Universal Call to Deeper Faith
- [12:01] - Sealing of the Spirit vs. Christ Dwelling
- [14:40] - Assurance vs. Communion
- [19:24] - Christ For You vs. Christ In You
- [23:32] - Mystical Relationship with Christ
- [32:59] - Practical Steps to Deeper Communion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 3:14-21

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul pray for the Ephesians in Ephesians 3:14-21, and how does this prayer reflect his desires for their spiritual growth? [00:10]

2. How does the sermon describe the Christian journey using the metaphor of an ocean? What does this metaphor suggest about the nature of spiritual growth? [03:13]

3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between the sealing of the Spirit and Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith? [15:10]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the mystical nature of Christ dwelling in us, and how is this different from merely having an influence or memory of Him? [23:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the idea of moving beyond the initial stages of faith into a deeper relationship with Christ? What might this look like in a believer's life? [35:46]

2. The sermon mentions that satisfaction with our current spiritual state can lead to stagnation. How can believers identify and overcome spiritual stagnation in their lives? [08:30]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Holy Spirit in strengthening our minds, hearts, and wills? How does this relate to experiencing the fullness of Christ? [33:30]

4. How does the sermon describe the joy and love of Christ's presence as being beyond words? What implications does this have for how believers experience and express their faith? [25:52]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are you paddling at the edge of the ocean, or are you venturing into the depths? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ this week? [03:13]

2. The sermon emphasizes the need to rid ourselves of self-love to make room for Christ. Identify one area of your life where self-love might be hindering your spiritual growth. How can you address this? [35:46]

3. Consider the idea of Christ dwelling in your heart as a real, living presence. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of His presence in your daily life? [23:32]

4. The sermon suggests that the Christian life is not static. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are continually growing in your faith and not becoming spiritually stagnant? [08:30]

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the joy and love of Christ in a profound way. How can you seek to experience this more regularly in your life? [25:52]

6. The sermon mentions the importance of being strengthened by the Holy Spirit. What specific prayer or practice can you incorporate into your routine to invite the Holy Spirit's work in your life? [33:30]

7. How can you make Christ the central focus of your existence, as suggested in the sermon? Identify one change you can make in your daily routine to prioritize your relationship with Him. [31:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Venturing into the Depths of Faith
The Christian journey is not meant to be static; it is a call to venture into the depths of faith, much like an ocean. As believers, we are encouraged to move beyond the initial stages of our spiritual walk and seek a deeper understanding and experience of Christ. This requires us to be strengthened by the Spirit in our inner being, as the profound truths of our faith are not easily comprehended. The journey of faith is a continuous pursuit, and satisfaction with our current spiritual state can lead to stagnation. Instead, we are to press on towards the fullness of Christ, which is available to all believers, not just a select few. [03:13]

Ephesians 4:13-14 (ESV): "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."

Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you feel you are still paddling at the edge? How can you take a step towards deeper faith today?


Day 2: From Assurance to Intimate Communion
While the sealing of the Spirit assures us of our salvation, the indwelling of Christ in our hearts by faith calls us to a deeper communion with Him. This is not just about knowing we are saved but about experiencing a more permanent and intimate relationship that transforms our lives. It is a call to allow Christ to dominate our lives, to be the central focus of our existence. This requires a deliberate effort to rid ourselves of self-love and to make room for Christ. The journey towards deeper intimacy with Christ is a high calling for every believer, urging us to continually seek and pray for the Spirit's work in our lives. [15:10]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to move from merely being assured of your salvation to experiencing a deeper communion with Christ?


Day 3: Embracing the Mystical Indwelling of Christ
The indwelling of Christ is a mystical reality that transcends human understanding. It is not merely an influence or memory but a real, living presence that transforms our lives. This indwelling is a call to allow Christ to dominate our lives, to be the central focus of our existence. It requires a deliberate effort to rid ourselves of self-love and to make room for Christ. The process involves the strengthening of our minds, hearts, and wills by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to live in the fullness of Christ. [23:32]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who 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."

Reflection: In what ways can you make room for Christ in your daily life, allowing His presence to transform you?


Day 4: The Call to Deeper Intimacy with Christ
We are called to move beyond the initial stages of faith into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ. This requires a deliberate effort to rid ourselves of self-love and to make room for Christ. It is a process that involves the strengthening of our minds, hearts, and wills by the Holy Spirit. The journey towards deeper intimacy with Christ is a high calling for every believer, urging us to continually seek and pray for the Spirit's work in our lives. [35:46]

James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: What is one area of self-love that you need to surrender to Christ to deepen your intimacy with Him?


Day 5: Experiencing the Joy of Christ's Presence
Experiencing the joy and love of Christ is beyond words. It is about living in a state of love and communion with Him, where He becomes the joy of our hearts and the center of our lives. This is the high calling of every believer, a calling that requires us to continually seek and pray for the Spirit's work in our lives, enabling us to live in the fullness of Christ. The joy of Christ's presence is transformative, bringing us into a deeper understanding and experience of His love. [25:52]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater awareness of Christ's presence in your life today, allowing His joy to fill your heart?

Quotes


The Christian faith, the Christian message, the Christian gospel is wonderful and marvelous. It can be compared to a great ocean. A little child can pedal at the edge of the ocean, but way out in the center, in the depths, the mightiest Atlantic liner is but like a bubble. [00:03:02]

We come into the Christian Life and we enter it as children. We just begin to pedal, but we must go on and out into the depths, and that is what we are led to do as we consider this great prayer together. [00:03:27]

This passage alone shows this very clearly, that any Christian who is satisfied with his or her position or experience is in a very sad and deplorable condition. It's something that can happen to us very easily, and especially at a time like this with so much error and so much heresy. [00:07:37]

The Apostle offers this prayer for all Christians. It isn't merely a prayer for certain exceptional people. The New Testament, unlike the Roman Catholic church or other forms of Catholicism, does not divide Believers into religious and lay. It's an utterly false distinction. [00:09:00]

The sealing of the Spirit is that which gives us that direct and immediate assurance that we are the children of God and the heirs of God and that the inheritance is going to be ours. Now, this which we are dealing with here is not primarily a matter of assurance. [00:14:47]

This experience is more permanent than that of sealing. Sealing is something which can be often repeated. It is repeated in the lives of the Saints. You see repetitions of it in the book of The Acts of the Apostles. Here is something which is more permanent. [00:15:55]

It's the difference between knowing Christ for you and knowing Christ in you. Now, in the beginning of the Christian faith, we of necessity have to concentrate on Christ for us. The beginning of the Christian Life should always be mainly objective. [00:19:27]

Christ dwelling within, not as an influence, not as a memory, not merely through his teaching, not merely through the Holy Spirit. It is Christ himself dwelling within us. Let me use the term: it is a mystical relationship. I've got to use the term because nothing else and nothing less does justice. [00:23:05]

The love of Jesus, what it is, none but his loved ones know. But they do know. They can't tell you much about it in an exact manner. They can't be scientific about it, but they know it. They're rejoicing in it. None but his loved ones know, but they do know. [00:28:00]

It means this, you see, that Christ dominates the life. It means that he rules over the whole of our activities. He is the Lord of our life in a real practical sense. We are dominated by him, a kind of Christ intoxication. We love him so much that he is ever central. [00:31:46]

The real battle in the Christian life is to get rid of self and of self-love. And you know, you and I alone can't do it. You drive him out to the front door, he'll come in through the back door. He'll come in through the windows. He'll come in down the chimney. [00:35:37]

When Christ dwells in your heart, you won't need to persuade yourself. You'll know it. You'll be able to say, "Thou sweetness most ineffable, in whom all joys are found." This pure doctrine of taking it by faith, I believe, has hindered many people at this point. [00:40:41]

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Transcript
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