Ensuring Christ's Presence: The Perils of Assumption

Devotional

Day 1: The Peril of Spiritual Assumption

Assuming that Christ is with us without actively ensuring His presence is a dangerous path that can lead to spiritual self-deception. This assumption is not just a minor oversight but a grave mistake with eternal consequences. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our spiritual journey, and it is essential to regularly examine ourselves to ensure we are truly in communion with Him. The story of Joseph and Mary traveling without realizing Jesus was not with them serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being vigilant in our faith. [03:37]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you assumed Christ's presence in your life without actively seeking Him? How can you begin to ensure His presence today?

Day 2: Crisis as a Spiritual Mirror

Life's crises, such as illness or disappointment, often serve as mirrors reflecting the true state of our spiritual lives. These challenging moments force us to confront whether we have been living under false assumptions about our relationship with Christ. It is during these times that the superficial grounds of cultural upbringing or moral behavior are stripped away, revealing the depth—or lack thereof—of our faith. Seeking Christ earnestly and ensuring His presence in our lives is crucial to navigating these crises with spiritual integrity. [18:42]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent crisis you faced. How did it reveal the true state of your spiritual life, and what steps can you take to seek Christ more earnestly?

Day 3: Aligning with Jesus' Mission

Understanding Jesus' mission is key to avoiding the error of expecting Him to conform to our expectations. Jesus came to fulfill the Father's business of salvation, not to meet our personal agendas. Recognizing His true mission helps us align ourselves with His purpose and seek His saving grace. This alignment requires humility and a willingness to let go of our preconceived notions about what Jesus should do for us. Instead, we are called to embrace His divine purpose and allow it to transform our lives. [49:00]

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you expected Jesus to conform to your expectations? How can you begin to align yourself with His mission today?

Day 4: The Transformative Presence of Christ

Truly knowing Christ has the power to transform our lives, providing comfort and strength in times of trial. His presence ensures that we are never alone, offering a peace that surpasses understanding. This transformation is not merely about external changes but a profound internal shift that affects every aspect of our being. By cultivating a genuine relationship with Christ, we can experience the fullness of His transformative power and live with the assurance of His constant presence. [26:19]

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: How has knowing Christ transformed your life? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him and experience His transformative presence more fully?

Day 5: The Necessity of Self-Examination

Regular self-examination is essential to ensure we are in the faith. It is not enough to rely on superficial grounds for our Christianity; we must seek a genuine relationship with Christ, marked by humility and a recognition of our need for His grace. This process of self-examination involves a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and a commitment to growth and transformation. By regularly examining our spiritual state, we can avoid the tragedy of self-deception and live in true communion with Christ. [13:05]

"Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!" (Lamentations 3:40, ESV)

Reflection: When was the last time you examined your spiritual state? What areas of your life need closer examination, and how can you begin this process today?

Sermon Summary

In the passage from Luke 2:44, we find a profound lesson about the dangers of assumption in our spiritual lives. Joseph and Mary, assuming Jesus was with them, traveled a day's journey before realizing He was not in their company. This historical event serves as a parable, warning us against the peril of assuming Christ is with us without ensuring His presence. The tragedy of self-deception is not just a matter of earthly concern but has eternal implications. Our relationship with Jesus Christ determines our destiny, both in this life and the next. Therefore, it is crucial to examine ourselves and ensure that we are truly in communion with Him.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of not taking our faith for granted. Many people assume they are Christians based on superficial grounds, such as cultural upbringing or moral behavior, without truly knowing Christ. This assumption can lead to a rude awakening in times of crisis, whether through illness, disappointment, or ultimately, death. These moments force us to confront the reality of our spiritual state and whether we truly have Christ with us.

The key to avoiding this tragic assumption is to understand who Jesus is and why He came into the world. He is not merely a teacher or a moral guide but the Son of God, sent to reconcile us to the Father. His mission is not to conform to our expectations but to fulfill the Father's business of salvation. To truly know Him is to be humbled by His majesty and to recognize our need for His saving grace. This understanding transforms our lives, providing comfort and strength in times of trial and ensuring that we are never alone.

Key Takeaways

1. The Danger of Assumption: Assuming Christ is with us without ensuring His presence is a grave mistake. This assumption can lead to spiritual self-deception, which is tragic because our eternal destiny depends on our relationship with Him. We must examine ourselves to ensure we are truly in communion with Christ. [03:37]
2. The Reality of Crisis: Life's crises, such as illness or disappointment, force us to confront the reality of our spiritual state. These moments reveal whether we truly have Christ with us or if we have been living under false assumptions. It is crucial to seek Christ earnestly and ensure His presence in our lives. [18:42]
3. Understanding Jesus' Mission: Jesus came to fulfill the Father's business of salvation, not to conform to our expectations. Recognizing His true mission helps us avoid the error of expecting Him to do our will. We must align ourselves with His purpose and seek His saving grace. [49:00]
4. The Transformative Power of Knowing Christ: Truly knowing Christ transforms our lives, providing comfort and strength in times of trial. His presence makes all the difference, ensuring we are never alone and giving us peace that surpasses understanding. [26:19]
5. The Importance of Self-Examination: Regular self-examination is essential to ensure we are in the faith. We must not rely on superficial grounds for our Christianity but seek a genuine relationship with Christ, marked by humility and a recognition of our need for His grace. [13:05]
** [13:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to the Passage
[01:04] - Historical Context of the Passage
[01:38] - The Parable of Assumption
[03:37] - The Danger of Self-Deception
[06:15] - Jesus' Warning in the Sermon on the Mount
[08:26] - The Urgency of Knowing Christ
[10:43] - The Danger of Assuming Christ's Presence
[13:05] - The Need for Self-Examination
[18:42] - Life's Crises and Spiritual Reality
[22:59] - The Practicality of the Gospel
[26:19] - The Transformative Power of Christ's Presence
[33:31] - Testimonies of Faith in Crisis
[39:05] - Misunderstanding Jesus' Mission
[49:00] - Jesus' True Purpose and Mission
[56:21] - The Father's Business and Our Salvation

Sermon Clips

"But of course it's more than history, it's also a parable, and I want to put it to you this evening as it comes to us as a parable, teaching us perhaps one of the most important lessons, if not the most important lesson, that we can ever learn. This all happened because Joseph and Mary supposed him to be with them in the company." [00:01:30]

"Now this is not merely something that I'm trying to say. I have the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ himself for talking about this and for bringing it to you as a very solemn warning this evening. On many occasions, he emphasized this very point. Do you remember how he did so, for instance, in The Sermon on the Mount?" [00:05:56]

"Now, I say that is a message that is always true, something that we should never forget. But secondly, we are but human beings after all, and there are times and occasions and seasons when the whole of life appears to us to be more tragic and more urgent than at other times, and you and I are living at such a moment in the history of the world." [00:08:43]

"Well, you know, it's just this, that they don't take the trouble to look. They don't take the trouble to find out. They don't trouble to make sure. You see, the right thing for any parents would have been with a boy aged 12, well, to make sure that he was there. A boy often gets interested in something, and he goes on looking at it." [00:12:00]

"Now, the scriptures are full of exhortations to us to examine ourselves. Examine yourselves, says the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. Prove your own selves whether ye be in the faith or not. It's the Apostle Paul who says that to Christian people, members of the Christian Church. Make sure, he says, that you're not reprobate after all." [00:13:05]

"How does it come? Well, you know, sometimes it comes through an illness. There have been many stories which I could bring to you to illustrate this point. Many people have always thought that they were Christians, everything was all right. They were relying upon the things I've mentioned, upon their membership of a church, perhaps their activity in a church." [00:18:42]

"Now, these are the tests, you see. When you turn to him, that's the question. Do you find him there? If he is there, that is what he does. Now, let me show you this. He himself taught this. I'm simply putting into my own words the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Let me give you some illustrations of how he put it." [00:26:19]

"Now, that's not a man writing on holidays, may I remind you. This is not one of your poets, you know, in some idyllic mood. Because a man in prison with chains on his hands, chained to a soldier on each side, suffering cruel adversity and hardship and imprisonment, he says, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." [00:32:39]

"Here is God in the flesh. Here is incarnate deity. The word was made flesh and dwelt among us. When you think you know him, when you think you understand him, when you think you've got him into your category, when you put him in with all the prophets of the past and all the great men who lived since, as they're so fond of doing." [00:43:12]

"Why is the Son of God in this world? What's he doing here? Why has he left the courts of Heaven? Why has he been born as a babe? What's his mission? What's he doing? And here he gives the answer, and it's the only answer, and if we don't understand this, we are not Christians, whatever we may have supposed or assumed about ourselves." [00:49:00]

"Well, he came into the world in order to restore it to God, to reunite in him all things, both which are in heaven and on Earth and everywhere else. That's the business of the Father. Oh no, no, he hasn't come just to make things a little bit better or to stop this or that. No, no, this world is under condemnation." [00:53:10]

"Make sure that you are with him, that he is with you. Amen." [00:58:40]

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