Experiencing the Fullness of Life in Christ

 

Summary

In today's exploration of the Gospel According to St. John, we delve into the profound themes that define this unique gospel. Unlike the synoptic gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—which focus primarily on the historical account of Jesus' life and works, John's gospel serves as a bridge between the historical narrative and the epistles' application of Jesus' teachings. This gospel emphasizes the fullness and grace available to us through Jesus Christ, urging us to understand and experience the abundant life He offers.

The prologue of John's gospel sets the stage by introducing the major themes: the identity of Jesus, His incarnation, and the possibilities available to us through Him. As we move beyond the prologue, we are reminded of the gospel's purpose: to reveal Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and to offer life through His name. This is not just a historical account but a call to experience the fullness of life in Christ.

The current state of the church, both collectively and individually, is a cause for concern. The church appears weak and ineffective, a far cry from the vibrant body depicted in the New Testament. This decline is mirrored in the lives of individual Christians who may not be experiencing the fullness and grace that is promised. The root of this issue lies in our understanding of Jesus' person and work. Many have reduced Him to merely a great teacher or prophet, failing to recognize Him as the Son of God and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

John the Baptist's testimony is crucial in clarifying Jesus' identity. He emphasizes that Jesus is not just another prophet but the pre-existent Son of God, anointed to be the Messiah. This understanding is foundational for experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. The gospel challenges us to move beyond a superficial knowledge of Jesus to a deep, personal relationship with Him, recognizing Him as the source of all spiritual blessings.

Key Takeaways:

- The Gospel of John serves as a bridge between the historical accounts of Jesus' life and the application of His teachings, emphasizing the fullness and grace available through Him. This gospel invites us to experience an abundant life in Christ, moving beyond mere historical knowledge to a personal relationship with Him. [03:50]

- The current state of the church reflects a lack of understanding and experience of the fullness of life in Christ. Both collectively and individually, Christians are called to examine their lives in light of the gospel's promise of abundant life, addressing any misconceptions about Jesus' identity and work. [09:33]

- Understanding Jesus as the Son of God and the Lamb of God is foundational for experiencing His fullness. Many have reduced Him to a mere teacher or prophet, but recognizing His divine nature and sacrificial work is essential for receiving the grace and life He offers. [14:52]

- John the Baptist's testimony highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus' pre-existence and divine mission. This understanding is crucial for experiencing the fullness of life in Christ, as it affirms His unique role as the Messiah and the source of all spiritual blessings. [33:38]

- The gospel challenges us to move beyond superficial knowledge to a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. This involves recognizing Him as the source of all spiritual blessings and understanding the significance of His sacrificial work on the cross, which is central to receiving His fullness. [46:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to the Gospel of John
- [00:48] - Transition from Prologue to Main Themes
- [01:27] - Purpose of John's Gospel
- [02:44] - Comparison with Synoptic Gospels
- [04:37] - The Christian's Position in Christ
- [06:24] - The Historical and Teaching Elements
- [08:05] - The State of the Church Today
- [09:33] - Individual and Collective Spiritual Health
- [12:07] - The Importance of Personal Examination
- [14:52] - Clarity on Jesus' Person and Work
- [18:08] - John the Baptist's Testimony
- [23:39] - Misunderstandings About Jesus
- [33:38] - Jesus as the Pre-existent Son of God
- [46:07] - The Lamb of God and His Sacrifice

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:19-34
2. John 1:1-18
3. 1 Corinthians 1:30

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the primary purpose of the Gospel of John as stated in the sermon, and how does it differ from the synoptic gospels? [01:27]

2. How does John the Baptist's testimony clarify the identity of Jesus according to the sermon? [15:21]

3. What are the two main sources of confusion regarding Jesus' identity mentioned in the sermon? [18:44]

4. How does the sermon describe the current state of the church, and what is identified as the root cause of this condition? [09:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding Jesus as the Son of God and the Lamb of God impact a believer's experience of fullness in Christ? [14:52]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church's current state reflects a misunderstanding of Jesus' identity and work? [09:33]

3. How does the sermon explain the significance of John the Baptist's role in revealing Jesus' divine mission? [15:21]

4. What does the sermon suggest is necessary for moving beyond a superficial knowledge of Jesus to a deep, personal relationship with Him? [46:07]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current understanding of Jesus. Do you see Him as merely a great teacher, or do you recognize Him as the Son of God and the Lamb of God? How does this understanding affect your daily life? [14:52]

2. The sermon challenges us to examine our lives in light of the gospel's promise of abundant life. What specific areas of your life might not reflect this fullness, and how can you address them? [09:33]

3. Consider the current state of your church community. How can you contribute to strengthening the church's understanding and experience of the fullness of life in Christ? [09:33]

4. John the Baptist's testimony was crucial in clarifying Jesus' identity. How can you be a witness to others about who Jesus truly is? [15:21]

5. The sermon emphasizes moving beyond superficial knowledge to a personal relationship with Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him? [46:07]

6. Reflect on a time when you might have misunderstood Jesus' identity or work. How did that affect your faith journey, and what have you learned since then? [18:44]

7. Identify one specific way you can experience more of the fullness and grace available through Jesus in your life this week. What action will you take to pursue this? [03:50]

Devotional

Day 1: Experiencing Abundant Life in Christ
The Gospel of John uniquely bridges the historical accounts of Jesus' life with the application of His teachings, emphasizing the fullness and grace available through Him. Unlike the synoptic gospels, John invites believers to move beyond mere historical knowledge to a personal relationship with Jesus, experiencing the abundant life He offers. This gospel challenges individuals to see Jesus not just as a figure of history but as a living presence who offers grace and fullness to those who believe. The call is to embrace this abundant life, recognizing that it is through Jesus that we find true fulfillment and purpose. [03:50]

John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and experience the abundant life He offers?


Day 2: Addressing Misconceptions About Jesus
The current state of the church, both collectively and individually, reflects a lack of understanding and experience of the fullness of life in Christ. Many Christians have reduced Jesus to merely a great teacher or prophet, failing to recognize Him as the Son of God and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This misconception hinders believers from experiencing the fullness and grace promised in the gospel. It is crucial for Christians to examine their lives in light of the gospel's promise of abundant life, addressing any misconceptions about Jesus' identity and work. [09:33]

Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what ways have you misunderstood or underestimated Jesus' identity and work? How can you correct these misconceptions to experience His fullness?


Day 3: Recognizing Jesus' Divine Nature
Understanding Jesus as the Son of God and the Lamb of God is foundational for experiencing His fullness. Many have reduced Him to a mere teacher or prophet, but recognizing His divine nature and sacrificial work is essential for receiving the grace and life He offers. This understanding is not just theological but deeply personal, as it transforms how believers relate to Jesus and experience His presence in their lives. Recognizing Jesus' divine nature invites believers to receive the grace and life He offers, moving beyond superficial knowledge to a deep, personal relationship with Him. [14:52]

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus' divine nature change your understanding of His role in your life? What practical steps can you take to deepen this understanding?


Day 4: Embracing Jesus' Pre-existence and Mission
John the Baptist's testimony highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus' pre-existence and divine mission. This understanding is crucial for experiencing the fullness of life in Christ, as it affirms His unique role as the Messiah and the source of all spiritual blessings. By acknowledging Jesus' pre-existence, believers are invited to see Him as the eternal Word who became flesh, offering a new perspective on His mission and work. This recognition calls for a response of faith and trust in Jesus as the source of all spiritual blessings. [33:38]

John 1:14 (ESV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' pre-existence and divine mission impact your faith journey? What changes can you make to align your life with His mission?


Day 5: Moving Beyond Superficial Knowledge
The gospel challenges believers to move beyond superficial knowledge to a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. This involves recognizing Him as the source of all spiritual blessings and understanding the significance of His sacrificial work on the cross, which is central to receiving His fullness. A personal relationship with Jesus transforms how believers live, inviting them to experience His grace and blessings in every aspect of life. This call to deeper intimacy with Jesus is an invitation to experience the fullness of life He offers, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to a vibrant, living faith. [46:07]

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to move beyond superficial knowledge and cultivate a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus today?

Quotes

"The prologue after all is the very term suggests to us is the introduction it contains the major themes and as we've been seeing very abundantly the whole object of this uh epistle is to do what John himself tells us at the end of the 20th chapter namely in verses 30 and 31 he says any other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book but these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name." [00:56:00]

"Now the prologue as I say sums up the essential message it tells us who he is how he came and in particular it introduces this other theme what is possible to us and of his fullness of all we received and Grace for or upon Grace now that is the the leading theme it's very interesting to compare and to contrast the Gospel According to St John with the other three gospels the so-called synoptic gospels." [01:38:44]

"Now while the three gospels Matthew Mark and Luke are mainly and primarily concerned to do that there is something further and add in this Gospel According to St John here there is an equal concern to put before us the details of his teaching which enable us to see that we are able to receive of his fullness and Grace upon Grace in other words I always regard the Gospel of John as a kind of connecting link between the Gospels and the Epistles." [02:03:08]

"Now The Gospel of John is a kind of connecting link between the two there is much history here but at the same time it gives us a greater element of this application the emphasis upon life in him and communion with him than you get in the other gospels very well that then reminds us once more as we resume our studies of what exactly it is we are trying to do this seems to me to be the great controlling and leading thought that as Christians we are children of God." [02:56:32]

"Now that is the great and Grand object of this gospel as it is indeed the object of the other gospels as it is indeed the object of the whole of the New Testament and indeed the whole of the Bible in other words it is to show who he is and what is possible to us and for us through him." [01:12:47]

"Now the teaching here is that there are two main sources of trouble two main sources of trouble with regard to our Lord and with regard to his work what are they well the first is to regard him only as a man now this was the first confusion John the the Baptist you see with all this extraordinary preaching Etc and this strange personality they began to think that he was the Christ art thou the Christ art thou the Messiah that we've been expecting it seems to us they say that you are." [01:19:08]

"Now John deals with the question and that is the thing that I want to hold before you this morning in other words the question that is raised is this who is the Christ who is this person of whose fullness we are to receive and Grace upon Grace now the teaching here is that there are two main sources of trouble two main sources of trouble with regard to our Lord and with regard to his work." [01:09:07]

"Now John says I didn't know him now it's a strong word this and an important word and it brings out this very point of Distinction that I trying to establish that you can know a great deal about the Son of God and not know him and there are many who have never known this fullness and haven't received much of it because they don't know him they've got a knowledge an external knowledge but not this knowledge I I knew him not says John twice over." [01:59:33]

"Now John like everybody else all Jews knew that the Messiah was to come not only that he was a man called of God the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness John had been given a message to say the days that hand the Messiah has come repent prepare the way of the Lord I'm a viice crying in the wilderness he said I knew that the Messiah was at hand and I knew Jesus of Nazareth but I never identified them I never knew that he was the long expected Messiah." [01:41:08]

"Now John the Baptist points to him and he says he's not only the Son of God he is the Lamb of God there is no knowledge of God there is no New Life there is no life which is more abundant there is no receiving of any fullness unless we receive it from him the Eternal Son of God the word made flesh the Lamb of God Who Bore our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness by whose stripes we are healed." [01:45:88]

"Now John the Baptist answers once and forever he is the Lamb of God he's God's own lamb what's he talking about well he says he's God's own lamb that's going to take away the sin of the world now John was a Jew he speaks to Jews he's got the whole of the back of the background of the Old Testament in his mind what's he talking about well he's thinking about that Pascal lamb you remember remember the children of Israel are in the Captivity of Egypt the day of Deliverance has come God's going to destroy the firstborn of the Egyptians but he's going to save the firstborn of the Israelites." [01:61:40]

"Now the beginning of receiving of his fullness and Grace upon Grace is to have complete rest about your sins is to lay your sins on Jesus the Spotless Lamb of God it is to realize that he is the Son of God who came into the world because there was none other good enough to pay the price of sin he only could unlock the Gate of Heaven and let us in but he's come and he's done it Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world you must be clear about his person you must be clear that he is the sacrifice the etern for sin it is by his stripes we are healed and we can only enter into the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus." [01:81:19]

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Transcript
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