Living in Christ: Embracing Life and Death

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound truths found in the Gospel of John and Paul's epistle to the Philippians, focusing on the fullness of Christ and the Christian's relationship with life and death. The essence of being a Christian is not merely intellectual assent to doctrines but a living, experiential reception of Christ's fullness. This fullness is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality that shapes our entire existence, including our perspective on death.

Paul's declaration, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," encapsulates the Christian's unique outlook on life and death. Life, for the believer, is Christ-centered, and death is not a loss but a gain, a transition to a more profound union with Christ. This perspective is rooted in the victory over death that Christ has secured through His death and resurrection. The fear of death, which has haunted humanity throughout history, is dispelled by the assurance of eternal life in Christ.

The Christian faith alone offers a true victory over death, transforming it from a feared enemy into a gateway to eternal life with Christ. This victory is not based on human philosophy or other religious teachings but on the historical reality of Christ's resurrection. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this confidence, viewing life in this world as temporary, akin to living in a tent, while anticipating the eternal, unshakeable reality of being with Christ.

This understanding challenges us to examine our own lives. Are we living with the assurance and hope that Paul describes? Do we see our earthly existence as temporary, with our true home being with Christ? The fullness of Christ empowers us to face death not with fear but with the expectation of gain, knowing that it leads to a deeper, eternal communion with our Savior.

Key Takeaways:

- Experiential Faith: Being a Christian goes beyond intellectual belief; it involves a living, experiential reception of Christ's fullness, transforming our entire existence. This fullness is not just a theological concept but a reality that shapes our lives. [02:20]

- Victory Over Death: The Christian faith uniquely offers victory over death, transforming it from a feared enemy into a gateway to eternal life with Christ. This victory is rooted in the historical reality of Christ's resurrection. [15:05]

- Temporary Earthly Life: Life in this world is temporary, akin to living in a tent. Our true home is with Christ, and this perspective should shape how we live and view our earthly existence. [31:18]

- Desire for Christ: The Christian's desire for heaven is not merely to escape earthly troubles but to be with Christ. This desire should motivate our pursuit of holiness and deepen our relationship with Him. [45:34]

- Assurance in Death: The fullness of Christ empowers us to face death not with fear but with the expectation of gain, knowing it leads to a deeper, eternal communion with our Savior. This assurance is a hallmark of true Christian faith. [49:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Texts
- [01:07] - The Fullness of Christ
- [02:20] - Intellectual Assent vs. Experiential Faith
- [04:01] - Examining Our Faith
- [05:21] - To Live is Christ
- [06:12] - To Die is Gain
- [07:36] - The Fear of Death
- [09:49] - Christian Perspective on Death
- [11:20] - The Test of Facing Death
- [15:05] - Victory Over Death
- [21:01] - Positive View of Death
- [25:30] - The Sting of Death Removed
- [31:18] - Temporary Earthly Life
- [45:34] - Desire for Christ
- [49:52] - Assurance in Death

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:16 - "And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace."
2. Philippians 1:21 - "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
3. 2 Corinthians 5:1 - "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does John 1:16 mean when it says, "of his fullness have all we received"? How does this relate to the concept of grace? [00:11]
2. In Philippians 1:21, Paul states, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." What does this statement reveal about Paul's perspective on life and death? [06:12]
3. How does 2 Corinthians 5:1 describe our earthly life compared to our eternal life? What imagery does Paul use to convey this message? [13:39]
4. According to the sermon, how does the Christian faith uniquely offer victory over death? [15:05]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of receiving Christ's fullness challenge the idea of Christianity being merely an intellectual belief? [02:20]
2. What does it mean for a Christian to view life as temporary, akin to living in a tent, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:1? How might this perspective influence daily living? [31:18]
3. How does the assurance of eternal life in Christ transform the Christian's view of death from a feared enemy to a gateway to eternal life? [09:49]
4. In what ways does the desire to be with Christ, as expressed by Paul, motivate a Christian's pursuit of holiness and deepen their relationship with Him? [45:34]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. How have you experienced the fullness of Christ in your life? Are there areas where you feel you need to receive more of His fullness? [02:20]
2. How does the assurance of victory over death through Christ's resurrection impact your daily life and decisions? Are there fears or anxieties about death that you need to address? [15:05]
3. Consider your current lifestyle and priorities. Do you view your earthly life as temporary, with your true home being with Christ? How might this perspective change your approach to material possessions and ambitions? [31:18]
4. How can the desire to be with Christ influence your daily actions and decisions? Are there specific ways you can cultivate a deeper relationship with Him this week? [45:34]
5. Think about a recent situation where you faced fear or uncertainty. How did your faith in Christ's victory over death provide comfort or guidance? How can you apply this assurance in future challenges? [49:52]
6. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with the fear of death or the unknown. What steps can you take to replace that fear with the assurance of eternal life in Christ? [09:49]
7. How can you share the message of Christ's victory over death with someone who may be struggling with fear or uncertainty about the future? What specific actions can you take to offer hope and encouragement? [15:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Experiential Faith Transforms Our Existence
The Christian journey is not merely about agreeing with doctrines but involves a profound, experiential reception of Christ's fullness. This fullness is not just a theological idea but a transformative reality that reshapes our entire existence. It invites believers to move beyond intellectual assent and engage in a living relationship with Christ, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of life. This transformation is evident in how we perceive ourselves, our purpose, and our interactions with the world. The fullness of Christ is a dynamic force that empowers believers to live out their faith authentically and vibrantly. [02:20]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you invite Christ's fullness to transform an area of your life that feels stagnant or disconnected from your faith today?


Day 2: Victory Over Death Through Christ's Resurrection
The Christian faith offers a unique victory over death, transforming it from a feared enemy into a gateway to eternal life with Christ. This victory is not based on human philosophy or other religious teachings but is rooted in the historical reality of Christ's resurrection. The assurance of eternal life dispels the fear of death, which has haunted humanity throughout history. For believers, death is not a loss but a gain, a transition to a more profound union with Christ. This perspective is a testament to the power of the resurrection and the hope it brings to those who trust in Christ. [15:05]

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV): "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How does the reality of Christ's resurrection change your perspective on death and influence the way you live your life today?


Day 3: Embracing Our Temporary Earthly Life
Life in this world is temporary, akin to living in a tent, while our true home is with Christ. This understanding should shape how we live and view our earthly existence. Recognizing the temporary nature of life encourages believers to focus on eternal values and invest in their relationship with Christ. It challenges us to hold loosely to the things of this world and prioritize our spiritual journey. This perspective invites us to live with purpose and intentionality, knowing that our ultimate destination is an eternal, unshakeable reality with Christ. [31:18]

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 (ESV): "For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling."

Reflection: What is one earthly attachment you need to reevaluate in light of your eternal home with Christ, and how can you begin to shift your focus today?


Day 4: The Christian's Desire for Christ
The Christian's desire for heaven is not merely to escape earthly troubles but to be with Christ. This longing should motivate our pursuit of holiness and deepen our relationship with Him. The anticipation of being with Christ in eternity fuels a passion for living a life that honors Him now. It encourages believers to seek a closer walk with Christ, allowing His presence to guide and transform their daily lives. This desire for Christ is a powerful force that shapes our priorities and influences our decisions, drawing us closer to the heart of God. [45:34]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper desire for Christ in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to pursue holiness today?


Day 5: Assurance in Death Through Christ's Fullness
The fullness of Christ empowers believers to face death not with fear but with the expectation of gain, knowing it leads to a deeper, eternal communion with our Savior. This assurance is a hallmark of true Christian faith, providing peace and confidence in the face of mortality. The victory over death, secured by Christ's resurrection, transforms the believer's perspective, allowing them to approach the end of life with hope and anticipation. This assurance is not just a future promise but a present reality that influences how we live, offering comfort and strength in times of uncertainty. [49:52]

Romans 14:7-8 (ESV): "For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's."

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace the assurance of eternal life with Christ to bring peace and courage to a current fear or challenge you are facing?

Quotes


The Christian is not merely a man who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, obviously he does that, but what really makes him a Christian is that he has received of this fullness and Grace upon Grace. [00:01:04]

There is a very vital distinction between a kind of intellectual assent to truth and to propositions and a vital living experimental receiving of the fullness of the Son of God. [00:02:20]

The fear of death has dominated the life of mankind from the very dawn of History. The author of The to the Hebrews puts it like this in the second chapter: for as much then as the children are partakers of Flesh and Blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. [00:08:21]

The Christian faith alone that really gives one a victory over death. Now that's a tremendous statement to make and yet it's a statement that is literally true. It is this Christian faith alone that can give one a victory even over The Last Enemy which is death. [00:15:05]

The Christian should not merely be in the position of hoping that when he has to come to face it that all is well. The Christian should not be in the position of merely being resigned to it and saying well whether I like it or not, it's got to come to me. [00:19:36]

Life in this world is nothing but life in a tent. We know that if our Earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God and house not made of ends Eternal in the heavens. [00:31:18]

The Apostle is not speaking in a kind of selfish manner not only thinking of himself. He says that he is Dawn between these two things that were it not for the churches were it not for these people whom he could help by his teaching. [00:23:19]

The Apostle constantly uses with regard to life in this world and life in the body you see our trouble with regard to death is this that we all tend to think instinctively and by Nature that life in this world is everything. [00:31:18]

The Christian desires heaven in order that he might be with Christ. Christ is everything, Christ is all and in all. Christ was life to him and Heaven means to be with Christ not merely to get rid of your troubles and problems and aches and pains and all the agony of this world. [00:45:34]

The Apostle Paul say to me to live is Christ and to die is gain it's far better it is to be with Christ. Now my dear friends that is the thing by which we test ourselves. [00:52:06]

The Apostle Paul say to me to live is Christ and to die is gain it's far better it is to be with Christ. Now my dear friends that is the thing by which we test ourselves. [00:52:06]

The Apostle Paul say to me to live is Christ and to die is gain it's far better it is to be with Christ. Now my dear friends that is the thing by which we test ourselves. [00:52:06]

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Transcript
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