Exploring the Transformative Dimensions of Union with Christ

 

Summary

Union with Christ is a profound and transformative concept that reshapes our identity and existence as believers. It is not merely a theological idea but a reality that defines who we are in the deepest sense. This union is multifaceted, encompassing eternal, incarnational, spiritual, mutual, and eschatological dimensions.

The eternal dimension of our union with Christ begins in the heart and mind of God, who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. This divine election and predestination are not burdensome doctrines but the very hope of our salvation, assuring us that our relationship with Christ is rooted in God's eternal love and purpose. The incarnational dimension is realized in the person of Jesus Christ, who took on human flesh to become our representative. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He undid the failure of Adam and accomplished what Adam could not, securing our redemption.

The spiritual dimension of our union with Christ is brought about by the Holy Spirit, who unites us to Christ in a living and dynamic relationship. This union is not just a theological concept but a lived reality, as the Spirit draws us into Christ, enabling us to experience new life, justification, and sanctification. The mutual dimension emphasizes that while we are in Christ, He also dwells in us. This indwelling presence of Christ is the source of our strength and the reason for our transformation, as we are conformed to His image.

Finally, the eschatological dimension assures us that our union with Christ is eternal. It will culminate in the glorious future when we will be fully revealed as His children, sharing in His glory. This hope sustains us in the present, reminding us that our true identity is found in Christ, and our ultimate destiny is to be with Him forever.

Key Takeaways:

- Eternal Dimension: Our union with Christ is rooted in God's eternal plan, chosen in Christ before the world's foundation. This divine election assures us that our salvation is secure, not based on our merit but on God's unchanging love and purpose. [10:56]

- Incarnational Dimension: Jesus Christ, in His incarnation, became our representative, undoing Adam's failure and fulfilling God's purpose. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He secured our redemption, making our union with Him possible. [15:38]

- Spiritual Dimension: The Holy Spirit unites us to Christ, enabling us to experience new life and transformation. This union is not just a theological concept but a lived reality, as the Spirit draws us into Christ, empowering us to live out our identity in Him. [21:54]

- Mutual Dimension: While we are in Christ, He also dwells in us, transforming us from within. This indwelling presence of Christ is the source of our strength and the reason for our transformation, as we are conformed to His image. [31:27]

- Eschatological Dimension: Our union with Christ is eternal, culminating in the future when we will be fully revealed as His children, sharing in His glory. This hope sustains us in the present, reminding us that our true identity is found in Christ, and our ultimate destiny is to be with Him forever. [36:18]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:31] - Opening Prayer
- [01:22] - Introduction to Union with Christ
- [02:11] - Understanding "In Christ"
- [03:12] - The Term "Christian"
- [04:41] - Paul's Language of Union
- [05:28] - Personal Identity in Christ
- [06:18] - Paul's Self-Understanding
- [07:51] - Mapping Union with Christ
- [10:09] - Entering a Multidimensional World
- [10:56] - Eternal Dimension
- [15:38] - Incarnational Dimension
- [21:54] - Spiritual Dimension
- [31:27] - Mutual Dimension
- [36:18] - Eschatological Dimension
- [43:24] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Union with Christ

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2. Ephesians 1:3-5 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."
3. Romans 6:6 - "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin."

Observation Questions:
1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what happens to someone who is "in Christ"? How does this relate to the concept of being a "new creation"? [02:11]
2. In Ephesians 1:3-5, what are the spiritual blessings mentioned, and how are they connected to our union with Christ? [10:56]
3. Romans 6:6 speaks about our "old self" being crucified with Christ. What does this imply about our relationship with sin? [25:48]
4. How does the sermon describe the "mutual dimension" of our union with Christ, and what is its significance? [31:27]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding our identity as "in Christ" change the way we view ourselves and our purpose in life? [05:28]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Holy Spirit in our union with Christ, and how does this impact our daily lives? [21:54]
3. How does the concept of being chosen "before the foundation of the world" in Ephesians 1:3-5 provide assurance and hope for believers? [10:56]
4. In what ways does the sermon explain the "eschatological dimension" of our union with Christ, and how does this shape our future hope? [36:18]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal identity. How often do you think of yourself as "in Christ," and how does this influence your daily decisions and interactions? [05:28]
2. The sermon emphasizes the Holy Spirit's role in uniting us with Christ. How can you be more attentive to the Spirit's work in your life this week? [21:54]
3. Consider the idea of being chosen by God before the world's foundation. How does this truth affect your sense of worth and purpose? [10:56]
4. The sermon discusses the mutual indwelling of Christ in us. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper awareness of Christ's presence in your life? [31:27]
5. How does the hope of sharing in Christ's glory in the future encourage you in your current struggles or challenges? [36:18]
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you feel the presence of sin. How can the truth of Romans 6:6 help you overcome it? [25:48]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of knowing our true identity in a world full of conflicting messages. How can you support others in your community to find their identity in Christ? [41:49]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Eternal Plan of Union
Our union with Christ is not a random occurrence but a deliberate part of God's eternal plan. Before the foundation of the world, God chose us in Christ, ensuring that our salvation is secure and rooted in His unchanging love and purpose. This divine election is not a burden but a source of hope, reminding us that our relationship with Christ is grounded in God's eternal love. This assurance allows us to rest in the knowledge that our identity and destiny are firmly established in Christ, independent of our own merit. [10:56]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does knowing that God chose you before the foundation of the world impact your sense of identity and purpose today?


Day 2: Christ's Incarnation and Our Redemption
The incarnational dimension of our union with Christ is realized through Jesus Christ, who took on human flesh to become our representative. By living a sinless life, dying on the cross, and rising from the dead, Jesus undid the failure of Adam and fulfilled God's purpose for humanity. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He secured our redemption, making it possible for us to be united with Him. This profound truth invites us to reflect on the significance of Christ's incarnation and the redemption He offers. [15:38]

Romans 5:18-19 (ESV): "Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous."

Reflection: In what ways can you live today in gratitude for the redemption Christ secured through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection?


Day 3: The Spirit's Role in Our Union
The spiritual dimension of our union with Christ is brought about by the Holy Spirit, who unites us to Christ in a living and dynamic relationship. This union is not just a theological concept but a lived reality, as the Spirit draws us into Christ, enabling us to experience new life, justification, and sanctification. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our identity in Christ, transforming us from within and guiding us in our daily walk with Him. [21:54]

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's work in your life today, allowing Him to guide and transform you?


Day 4: Christ Dwelling Within Us
The mutual dimension of our union with Christ emphasizes that while we are in Christ, He also dwells in us. This indwelling presence of Christ is the source of our strength and the reason for our transformation, as we are conformed to His image. The reality of Christ living within us empowers us to live a life that reflects His character and love, impacting those around us and drawing us closer to Him. [31:27]

Colossians 1:27 (ESV): "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Reflection: What specific area of your life needs to be transformed by the indwelling presence of Christ today, and how can you invite Him into that area?


Day 5: Our Eternal Hope in Christ
The eschatological dimension assures us that our union with Christ is eternal, culminating in the future when we will be fully revealed as His children, sharing in His glory. This hope sustains us in the present, reminding us that our true identity is found in Christ, and our ultimate destiny is to be with Him forever. This eternal perspective encourages us to live with hope and purpose, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. [36:18]

1 John 3:2-3 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

Reflection: How does the assurance of your eternal future with Christ influence the way you live your life today, especially in moments of difficulty or uncertainty?

Quotes

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." Or more literally, "If any in Christ, new creation." Christians, I think are prone in reading that text to focus on the new creation and, perhaps, slide over the "any in Christ." And I think that's partly because most Christians, I suspect, do not think of themselves fundamentally as those who are in Christ. [00:02:11]

And so, from one point of view, it's very surprising that we all speak about ourselves as Christians, and yet, when you probe Christians, actually a relatively small number seem to think of themselves most fundamentally as those who are united to Jesus Christ, and are described in the pages of the New Testament as those who are "in Christ." [00:04:41]

The first of these dimensions is what we might call the "Eternal Dimension." Where did this union with Christ begin? And you remember how Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 1:3 following, that the sheer wonder of God's grace is that God has a deeper magic from before the dawn of time than anything we have ever experienced because we have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, united to Christ in the mind and purpose of God. [00:10:56]

And this is the atmosphere in which the New Testament encourages us to think that if we are Christian believers and in Christ, this did not just begin with our decision to a faith in Christ, or even with our own birth, but it began in the eternal mind of God so that He would not have His creation come to its consummation without you enjoying the privileges of being the beloved of God, united to our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:13:14]

And in our human nature, against all the odds in the context of a fallen world, a world in which ultimately He will be completely alone, He undoes what Adam did and does what Adam was meant to do. This, of course, is what Romans 5:12 to 21 is all about. It's about the way in which the tragedy of Adam's fall is responded to by the superabundant grace of the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:16:54]

And in our human nature, against all the odds in the context of a fallen world, a world in which ultimately He will be completely alone, He undoes what Adam did and does what Adam was meant to do. This, of course, is what Romans 5:12 to 21 is all about. It's about the way in which the tragedy of Adam's fall is responded to by the superabundant grace of the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:16:54]

And then, what we might call "The Spiritual Dimension of Union with Christ," thirdly, where the word "Spiritual" has a capital "S," when we are united to the Lord Jesus by the present ministry of the Holy Spirit. And this is what the Spirit is given for, as Jesus Himself teaches us, isn't it? When the Spirit comes, He says to the disciples in the Upper Room, "What He is going to do is He is going to show Me to you. [00:21:54]

And not only show Me to you, but He is going to come in the sheer mystery of His ministry and bring you so that you believe into Me. And as you believe into Me, all that is in Me for you." New life, justification, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, glorification, it's all in Jesus Christ for us. And so, our great need is to flee from ourselves into Christ and find in Jesus Christ an ocean of grace, sufficient for all of our needs. [00:22:02]

And the fourth dimension is this, it’s "Mutual." A very beautiful emphasis in the New Testament, isn’t it, that we dwell in Christ but also Christ dwells in us? That beautiful revelation the Lord Jesus gave to the disciples in the farewell discourse to stabilize them when He looked forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit and said, "You know, when the Spirit comes, you will begin to understand that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, and it doesn’t stop there. [00:31:27]

And He goes on in John 14, doesn't He, to say this meltingly beautiful truth? That when we love Him, the Spirit will come and indwell us. And the Father and the Son will make their home in us. Make our lives, as it were, lives where God is comfortable to dwell. And most of the New Testament focus on this is in the reality that the Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. [00:32:06]

And then, he says this, "And when Christ appears, you and I will appear with Him." If I can put that in a way that is hyperbolic, we might say that when the Father says to the Son at the consummation, "My beloved Son, go." The beloved Son will say to His Father, "But Father, we agreed that I would not appear without them." That's how profound His love is for you. [00:36:18]

And then our Lord Jesus' prayer in John 17:24 surely will be answered. "I am praying that they may be with Me where I am to behold My glory, the glory You have given to Me, and Your love for Me from the very foundation of the world. And as they see Me in My glory, that glory will be reflected in their beings. And their union with Me will have come to its final glorious consummation." [00:40:41]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 25, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?