Embracing Christ's Increase: A Path to Spiritual Growth

Christianity means essentially what we are told in the 16th verse of the first chapter of this Gospel of John of his fullness of all we received and Grace upon Grace that's what Christianity means to receive of the life and the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ and the question is have we received it are we receiving it in increasing measure that is Christianity if we are not doing so why not and here we are considering some of the causes and now in particular this cause and this I take it is really the main stumbling block of all in connection with our receiving of his fullness it is this self of ours. [00:02:08]

All our troubles ultimately stem from the fact that we do not realize who he is and what he is and what he can do for us and our position in him that's the source of all our troubles it was the source of the Troubles of the early Christians it still is equally true of us so we must look at him and consider his preeminence looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith that is still the main thing that we all have to do. [00:03:52]

He is the king seated at the right hand of God all power given unto him in heaven and in Earth and he's coming again to destroy his enemies and to set up his eternal Kingdom he is alone there's no one like him we mustn't put him into any class or category we mustn't mention any name anywhere near his name there is one and one only he is alone now that's the way the New Testament puts uh the teaching concerning him before us and as we look at it he increases in our sight. [00:05:28]

He is the head of a new Humanity now here is teaching which is found in the New Testament that we I sure do not realize sufficiently and grasp as we ought to this idea that we should look at anybody else or that we need any uh help or any additional Aid or anyone to supplement what he has done for us and can do for us becomes so utterly ridiculous when we're realize exactly what God has appointed him to do. [00:07:09]

He is the head of the church now we've seen him as the prophet and the priest and the King we've seen him as the great Creator but here is something again which is special and unique and which the New Testament isolates and emphasizes as teaching let me show it you for for instance as you have it at the end of the first chapter of Paul's epistle to the Ephesians and you see how it is singled out and separated from his kingly glory. [00:13:05]

He is the med mediator of a New Covenant now here is again a great biblical principle this whole question of covenants between God and men and all our blessings arise from the fact that we have a covenant making and keeping God God doesn't merely bless us he tells us what he's doing and he tells us why he does it he makes a covenant makes an agreement you know what a c is it's drawn up by a solicitor or somebody and you sign it it's a deed a legal deed a covenant Testament. [00:20:30]

He says he ha he obtained a more excellent Ministry by how much more also he is the mediator of a better Covenant which is established upon better promises now here is the comparison there are the children of Israel God is going to deliver them from the bondage and the Captivity of Egypt and take them into Canaan so he comes down and he makes a covenant with them through the mediation of Moses his servant it was a wonderful Covenant but says this man though that was wonderful it was nothing when you put it by the side of this. [00:24:00]

In the Lord Jesus Christ we are first and foremost forgiven freely perfectly completely the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin and unrighteousness how much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot un God Purge your conscience from dead Works to serve the Living God and you see it does more than that it means that we have died with him there's the law that is ever against us but in Christ according to this teaching we are dead to the law because we have died with him. [00:33:31]

The moment you regenerate and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ you're no longer in Adam you're in Christ knowing this says Paul in Romans 66 that our old men was crucified with him the old man has gone he's dead he's finished with I am no longer in Adam I am in Christ now this is the most amazing Liber in thought a man can ever come at us I have confessed it from this Pulpit on previous occasions that to me has been the single most liberating thing I've ever discovered in the New Testament the death of the old man. [00:36:16]

We are partakers of this new Humanity as we are descended formerly from the first adom we now descend from the second adom new Humanity a new race of people gathered out of every tribe and Nation Under Heaven Redeemed by the gospel yes not merely forgiven but born again made partakers of the new nature the new Humanity put into the New Kingdom put into the body here it is a new race of men God's children that's it and this goes on and in this position we become partakers of these unsearchable Riches of Christ. [00:38:37]

The holy spirit is put within us and he works in us both to Will and to do of God's good pleasure he strengthens us he gives us ability he creates within us a great desire to live to the glory of God let me sum it up in the words of Paul there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus for the law the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death I'm delivered I'm emancipated there is a grand Redemption my soul is free. [00:41:27]

Rejoice in the lord always and again I say rejoice in other words when you look at the world and you're depressed when you look at yourself and you're depressed when things happen that depress you don't look at them look at him realize the truth about him realize that you're in him realize that though the World the Flesh the devil and all hell fight against you you're safe you're secure and your destiny is secure the glorification is to come rejoice in the lord always everywhere and again I say rejoice. [00:49:52]