Experiencing the Fullness of Christ in Faith

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, we find a profound exploration of the fullness of Christ and what it means to be a true Christian. The ultimate purpose of the Incarnation, the coming of the Son of God, is that we might receive His fullness—grace upon grace. This is the essence of being a Christian, and it is something we should all be experiencing. However, the question arises: why does the modern church often fall short of this fullness? Why do we see such a contrast between our lives and the vibrant descriptions of Christians in the New Testament?

John the Baptist's role was to prepare the way for Christ, emphasizing the need for clarity about the person and work of Jesus. He is not merely a great man or a religious leader; He is the Son of God, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Without this understanding, we cannot receive His fullness. Many in the church today have become vague and uncertain about this, leading to a diluted message that lacks the transformative power of true Christianity.

John contrasts his baptism with water to Christ's baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire. This distinction highlights the difference between a preparatory faith and the fullness offered by Christ. Many people today rely on traditional religion, sacraments, or a secondhand faith inherited from previous generations. However, these are insufficient for receiving the fullness of Christ. True Christianity requires a personal, experiential faith that goes beyond mere intellectual acceptance or ritualistic practices.

John's message is one of thoroughness and honesty. We must examine ourselves deeply, allowing the Word of God to search and convict us. This involves a genuine repentance that leads to action, not just fleeting emotions or temporary resolutions. We must bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, turning away from sin and turning unreservedly to God. Only then can we begin to fulfill the conditions necessary to receive the fullness of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Understanding the fullness of Christ is essential for true Christianity. It requires clarity about the person and work of Jesus, recognizing Him as the Son of God and the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Without this foundation, we cannot experience His fullness. [05:06]

- Traditional religion and sacraments are insufficient for receiving the fullness of Christ. Many rely on these external practices, assuming they are Christians by birth or ritual. True Christianity requires a personal, experiential faith that goes beyond mere intellectual acceptance. [22:35]

- A secondhand faith, inherited from previous generations, is a danger to true Christianity. It lacks the vitality and power of a personal relationship with Christ. We must examine ourselves and ensure our faith is genuine and not merely a repetition of phrases. [31:25]

- The message of John the Baptist emphasizes thoroughness and honesty. We must allow the Word of God to search and convict us, leading to genuine repentance and action. This is essential for receiving the fullness of Christ. [39:37]

- Repentance is a necessary preliminary to receiving the fullness of Christ. It involves turning away from sin and turning unreservedly to God. Without fulfilling these conditions, we cannot experience the transformative power of true Christianity. [49:05]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to John's Gospel
[01:07] - The Purpose of the Incarnation
[02:40] - Definition of a Christian
[03:14] - The Urgent Question for the Church
[04:16] - Receiving the Fullness of Christ
[05:06] - Clarity About Jesus' Identity
[06:38] - Reconciliation Through Christ
[08:33] - Beyond Redemption: The Work of Christ
[09:24] - Baptism with the Holy Spirit
[10:32] - The Contrast Between John and Jesus
[12:50] - The Importance of the Holy Spirit
[16:25] - Three Spiritual Positions
[19:14] - The Danger of Traditional Religion
[28:09] - The Mechanical Religion
[31:25] - The Peril of Secondhand Faith
[37:06] - The Principle of Thoroughness
[39:37] - The Necessity of Self-Examination
[44:56] - The Call for Action and Repentance
[49:05] - Preparing for the Fullness of Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:26-33
2. Matthew 11:11
3. Galatians 4:1-7

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 1:26-33, what distinction does John the Baptist make between his baptism and the baptism that Jesus will provide? How does this distinction relate to the concept of receiving the fullness of Christ? [09:24]

2. According to the sermon, why is it essential to have clarity about the person and work of Jesus to experience His fullness? [05:06]

3. What does the sermon suggest is the danger of relying on traditional religion or sacraments for receiving the fullness of Christ? [22:35]

4. How does the sermon describe the difference between a secondhand faith and a personal, experiential faith? [31:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret John the Baptist's role in preparing the way for Christ, and why is this preparation necessary for receiving the fullness of Christ? [18:13]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between repentance and receiving the fullness of Christ? How does this relate to the concept of "fruits worthy of repentance"? [49:05]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the modern church might be falling short of experiencing the fullness of Christ, and what are the proposed solutions? [04:16]

4. How does the sermon use the analogy of the "axe laid to the root of the trees" to emphasize the need for thoroughness and honesty in self-examination? [37:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of Jesus as the Son of God and the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. How does this understanding impact your daily life and faith journey? [05:06]

2. Consider your personal faith. Is it based on tradition and rituals, or is it a personal, experiential relationship with Christ? What steps can you take to deepen your personal faith? [22:35]

3. Have you ever relied on a secondhand faith inherited from previous generations? How can you ensure that your faith is genuine and personal? [31:25]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of self-examination and repentance. What practical steps can you take to allow the Word of God to search and convict you, leading to genuine repentance? [39:37]

5. Think about a time when you experienced a fleeting emotion or temporary resolution in your faith. How can you move beyond these temporary feelings to take concrete actions that reflect true repentance? [47:13]

6. Identify an area in your life where you need to turn away from sin and turn unreservedly to God. What specific actions can you take this week to address this area? [49:05]

7. How can you actively seek the fullness of Christ in your life, and what changes might you need to make to experience His transformative power? [04:16]

Devotional

Day 1: The Fullness of Christ Requires Clarity

Understanding the fullness of Christ is essential for true Christianity. It requires clarity about the person and work of Jesus, recognizing Him as the Son of God and the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Without this foundation, we cannot experience His fullness. Many in the modern church have become vague and uncertain about this, leading to a diluted message that lacks the transformative power of true Christianity. To truly receive the fullness of Christ, we must have a clear and unwavering understanding of who He is and what He has done for us. [05:06]

"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you seek a deeper understanding of Jesus' identity this week, and how might this clarity transform your daily walk with Him?


Day 2: Beyond Tradition: Embracing Experiential Faith

Traditional religion and sacraments are insufficient for receiving the fullness of Christ. Many rely on these external practices, assuming they are Christians by birth or ritual. True Christianity requires a personal, experiential faith that goes beyond mere intellectual acceptance. It is not enough to simply go through the motions of religious practices; we must engage with our faith on a personal level, experiencing the transformative power of Christ in our lives. This involves moving beyond inherited traditions and seeking a genuine relationship with Jesus. [22:35]

"Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." (Hebrews 6:1, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one religious practice you engage in regularly. How can you transform this practice from a ritual into a meaningful encounter with Christ this week?


Day 3: The Danger of Secondhand Faith

A secondhand faith, inherited from previous generations, is a danger to true Christianity. It lacks the vitality and power of a personal relationship with Christ. We must examine ourselves and ensure our faith is genuine and not merely a repetition of phrases. This requires a personal commitment to Christ, where our faith is alive and active, not just a hand-me-down from our parents or community. By cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus, we can experience the fullness of His grace and truth. [31:25]

"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: Reflect on your faith journey. Are there areas where you rely on inherited beliefs rather than personal conviction? How can you take steps to make your faith your own?


Day 4: The Necessity of Self-Examination

The message of John the Baptist emphasizes thoroughness and honesty. We must allow the Word of God to search and convict us, leading to genuine repentance and action. This is essential for receiving the fullness of Christ. Self-examination involves looking deeply into our hearts and lives, allowing God's Word to reveal areas that need change. It is through this process of honest reflection and repentance that we can align ourselves with God's will and experience His transformative power. [39:37]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Set aside time this week for self-examination. What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to change? How can you take a step toward repentance and transformation?


Day 5: Repentance as a Pathway to Fullness

Repentance is a necessary preliminary to receiving the fullness of Christ. It involves turning away from sin and turning unreservedly to God. Without fulfilling these conditions, we cannot experience the transformative power of true Christianity. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins; it is about making a conscious decision to change our ways and align our lives with God's purposes. By embracing repentance, we open ourselves to the fullness of Christ's grace and the abundant life He offers. [49:05]

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a specific sin or habit that you need to turn away from. What practical steps can you take today to begin this process of repentance and experience the refreshing presence of the Lord?

Quotes

"Now there is the great controlling statement John is able to say and of his fullness have all we received and Grace upon Grace my suggestion is that that is the definition of a Christian that is what makes us Christian that is what Christians should be enjoying we all ought to be able to say this morning without any hesitation yes that's perfectly true I have received of his fullness I am receiving of his fullness and as I go on I am receiving of his fullness Grace upon Grace Grace added to Grace." [00:02:40]

"John in a sense writes his gospel in order again to remind these early Christians as to how they can obtain this fullness this is how we are meant to be and he proceeds to instruct us as to how we can receive of this fullness more and more and that is the very thing that we are examining now it seems to me that here in this particular section the Apostle John immediately brings us face to face with certain absolute Essentials in this whole matter of receiving of his fullness." [00:04:16]

"If there is any doubt about that we shall never know his fullness it's impossible it is essential that we should be able to say with John the Baptist this is the Son of God that we're quite clear about it that we've long since got out of that state and condition in which we just think of him as a great man a great religious genius a political agitator a pacifist or any one of these other things which men tend to ascribe to him and in terms of which they alone regard him." [00:05:06]

"John is contrasting himself with the Lord puts it like this he says I am not the Christ he says I am merely the one who prepares the way for him he says what I've got to give you and what you get from me is not this great thing that God is offering his people this is only Preparatory this is introductory you're not in the building yet you're only in the Vue now that's John's first way of putting it it is this one whom they don't know who stands amongst them he is going to be the source of the blessing not John the Baptist." [00:09:24]

"John prepares us for Christ and the fullness that he has come to give the is baptism with the spirit what is it that is essential for us on the road to that what must we be clear about John helps us to get rid of the major difficulties the major hindrances to this great and glorious blessing the first thing he tells us is this that a traditional religion is not enough and that what we are concerned about is not merely a traditional religion." [00:19:14]

"There are still people who think that being a Christian is primarily a matter of birth and of nationality we be Abraham SE we are the children of Abraham we have Abraham to our father this was the whole trouble with the Jews as you know at the time of our Lord here on Earth the great fight he had to fight with the Pharisees and scribes and Sadducees and the Apostle Paul and the other Apostles had to fight exactly the same fight they were up against this whole question of the Jewish Reliance upon birth and nationality physical descent from Abraham." [00:28:09]

"It is the terrible danger of having what we may call a secondhand faith of course it isn't really Faith at all but it simulates faith and so we are entitled to call it a secondhand Faith what do I mean by a secondhand Faith well I mean this it means a kind of mechanical reception of what other people believe and what other people have taught and said now it's never come vitally to us ourselves we've just taken it on this is the thing to say this is the thing to do and we take it up now I said that second hand because it isn't based upon anything experimental." [00:31:25]

"If you've never been forced to face yourself and to examine yourself deeply you are not a Christian I don't hesitate to say that if you've never really been up against this word which has challenged you searched you examined you made you look at yourself made made you think in a way you've never thought before my dear friend you cannot be a Christian you can be a church member you can be religious you can be highly moral you can do a great deal of good but that doesn't make you Christian." [00:39:37]

"John puts it before us very plainly and very clearly in his preaching John says I'm the introduction I'm the herald I'm the one preparing the way he says don't think you've arrived as you listen to me and are baptized by me now then I'm suggesting that so many think that they have arrived at that position when they're rarely only in the position of John's baptism and John's teaching some perhaps are even further back in the condition of the Jews and we have to realize the difference the essential difference before we can ever hope to receive a his fullness and Grace upon Grace." [00:37:06]

"Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance you see this is another very common fallacy it's the fallacy of assuming that as long as we submit to something or something is done to us that that automatically and inevitably puts us right here it was a question of being baptized physically in Water by John the Baptist that's all we need to do this as long as we've had he seems to be saying as long as you're baptized by me everything's all right and John says no it isn't that at all." [00:44:56]

"It is only when we are so convinced and convicted of these by these things that we turn away from sin and turn unreservedly to God that we have come near to fulfilling the conditions that are implied in the introduction to receiving of his fullness you've got to repent says John it's got to be thorough you got to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance you must repent but my dear friend even when you've repented you still haven't got the fullness the repentance is an essential preliminary and if we haven't fulfilled the conditions of the preliminary the introduction it is impossible that we should receive the thing itself." [00:49:05]

"May God give us Grace to examine ourselves in the light of these things have you received of his fullness and Grace for grace are you rejoicing in Christ Jesus this morning do you know that the life of God is in your soul if you don't I wonder whether it is because you've never rarely listened to the preaching of John the Baptist the Forerunner the mere voice crying in the wilderness the man who says I am not the Christ I indeed baptize you with water but there cometh one after me mightier than I the let you to who shoes I am unworthy to un lose he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with power." [00:49:05]

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Transcript
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