Living in the Fullness of Christ's Grace

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, we are reminded of the fullness of Christ and the grace upon grace that we receive from Him. This is the essence of the Christian gospel: everything we have comes from the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are estranged from God by nature, but through Christ, we are forgiven, reconciled, and born again. This transformation is not of our own doing but is a gift from God. A Christian is one in whom Christ dwells, and this indwelling is the source of our sanctification.

Sanctification is the process by which we are progressively delivered from sin and remade in the image of Christ. It is a preparation for the glory everlasting to which we are destined. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians, urges us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to understand the Word, to pray, and to mortify the deeds of the body. This mortification is essential because we still live in the body, and sinless perfection is not attainable in this life.

The Christian life is a life of argument and logic, not merely experience. We are called to think and apply the truth of the gospel to our lives. The life of sin is incompatible with the life of the Spirit. We are no longer in the realm of darkness but have been translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. Therefore, we must not grieve the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. We are strangers and pilgrims in this world, and our citizenship is in heaven. The world wars against the soul, and we must abstain from fleshly lusts.

The end of a life of sin is death, but the life of the Spirit leads to life everlasting. We must not make provision for the flesh but put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Walking in the Spirit means filling our lives with the things of the Spirit, such as reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers. By doing so, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Key Takeaways:

1. The fullness of Christ is the source of all we have as Christians. We are forgiven, reconciled, and born again through His grace, not by our own efforts. This transformation is a gift from God, and a Christian is one in whom Christ dwells. [00:37]

2. Sanctification is the process of being progressively delivered from sin and remade in the image of Christ. It is a preparation for the glory everlasting, and it is essential for the Christian life. [04:19]

3. The Christian life is a life of argument and logic, not merely experience. We are called to think and apply the truth of the gospel to our lives, recognizing that the life of sin is incompatible with the life of the Spirit. [12:00]

4. We must not grieve the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. As strangers and pilgrims in this world, our citizenship is in heaven, and we must abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. [24:26]

5. The end of a life of sin is death, but the life of the Spirit leads to life everlasting. We must not make provision for the flesh but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, walking in the Spirit and filling our lives with the things of the Spirit. [36:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Fullness of Christ
- [01:12] - The Eternal Fullness of the Son of God
- [02:06] - Becoming Sons of God
- [03:17] - Christ as Our Sanctification
- [04:19] - The Process of Sanctification
- [05:08] - Working Out Our Salvation
- [06:02] - Understanding the Word and Prayer
- [07:04] - Mortifying the Deeds of the Body
- [09:07] - Applying the Teaching of Scripture
- [10:02] - The Incompatibility of Sin and Spirit
- [12:00] - The Argument of the Christian Life
- [14:32] - No Fellowship with Darkness
- [18:02] - The Call to Separation
- [22:14] - The Fruit of the Spirit
- [26:18] - Grieving the Holy Spirit
- [31:52] - The End of a Life of Sin
- [36:20] - Making No Provision for the Flesh
- [41:03] - Walking in the Spirit

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 2:12-13 - "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
3. Galatians 5:16 - "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to John 1:16, what have we received from the fullness of Christ? How does this relate to the concept of grace upon grace? [00:11]

2. In Philippians 2:12-13, what does Paul mean by "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"? How does this relate to God's work in us? [05:08]

3. What does Galatians 5:16 suggest about the relationship between walking in the Spirit and fulfilling the lust of the flesh? How is this concept explained in the sermon? [41:03]

4. How does the sermon describe the process of sanctification, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in it? [04:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the concept of being "born again" and becoming "sons of God"? What implications does this have for a Christian's identity? [02:06]

2. The sermon mentions that the Christian life is a life of argument and logic. How does this perspective influence the way Christians should approach their faith and daily decisions? [12:00]

3. What does it mean to "not grieve the Holy Spirit," and how does this relate to our actions and choices as Christians? [24:26]

4. How does the sermon interpret the idea of "making no provision for the flesh"? What practical steps are suggested to avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh? [36:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that everything we have as Christians comes from the fullness of Christ. How does this understanding impact your daily gratitude and reliance on God? [00:37]

2. Sanctification is described as a process of being progressively delivered from sin. What specific area of your life do you feel needs more attention in this process, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to assist you? [04:19]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of applying the truth of the gospel to our lives. Can you identify a recent situation where you struggled to apply biblical truth? How might you approach it differently now? [12:00]

4. As strangers and pilgrims in this world, how can you remind yourself of your heavenly citizenship in your daily routine? What practical steps can you take to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against your soul? [24:26]

5. The sermon warns against making provision for the flesh. Identify one habit or environment that tempts you to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. What changes can you make to avoid these temptations? [36:20]

6. Walking in the Spirit involves filling our lives with spiritual practices. What is one new spiritual discipline you can incorporate into your life this week to strengthen your walk with the Spirit? [41:03]

7. Consider the sermon’s call to not grieve the Holy Spirit. Is there a specific behavior or attitude you need to change to align more closely with this teaching? How will you begin to make this change? [24:26]

Devotional

Day 1: The Fullness of Christ as Our Source
The fullness of Christ is the foundation of the Christian life. Through His grace, we are forgiven, reconciled, and born again, not by our own efforts but as a gift from God. This transformation is profound and life-changing, as it is Christ who dwells within us, empowering us to live a life that reflects His love and holiness. The indwelling of Christ is the source of our sanctification, enabling us to grow in faith and righteousness. As believers, we are called to recognize that everything we have comes from the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and this realization should lead us to a life of gratitude and worship. [00:37]

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 ways can you acknowledge and celebrate the fullness of Christ in your daily life today?


Day 2: Sanctification as a Journey Toward Christlikeness
Sanctification is the ongoing process of being delivered from sin and remade in the image of Christ. It is a journey that prepares us for the glory everlasting, and it is essential for the Christian life. This process is not instantaneous but requires a daily commitment to grow in holiness and righteousness. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, recognizing that it is God who works in us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to understand the Word, to pray, and to mortify the deeds of the body, helping us to overcome the sin that still resides in our flesh. [04:19]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "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: What specific area of your life is God calling you to surrender to Him for sanctification today?


Day 3: The Christian Life as a Life of Thoughtful Application
The Christian life is not merely about experience but involves thoughtful application of the truth of the gospel. We are called to think deeply and apply the teachings of Scripture to our lives, recognizing that the life of sin is incompatible with the life of the Spirit. As believers, we are no longer in the realm of darkness but have been translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. This transformation requires us to live a life of argument and logic, discerning the will of God and aligning our lives with His purposes. [12:00]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: How can you intentionally apply a specific truth from Scripture to a current situation in your life today?


Day 4: Living as Strangers and Pilgrims in the World
As Christians, we are called to live as strangers and pilgrims in this world, recognizing that our citizenship is in heaven. The world wars against the soul, and we must abstain from fleshly lusts that seek to draw us away from God. We must not grieve the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, but instead live in a way that honors His presence in our lives. This requires a conscious effort to separate ourselves from the values and practices of the world, choosing instead to live according to the principles of God's kingdom. [24:26]

1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: What is one worldly influence you need to distance yourself from to live more fully as a citizen of heaven?


Day 5: Walking in the Spirit for Life Everlasting
The end of a life of sin is death, but the life of the Spirit leads to life everlasting. As believers, we are called to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh. Walking in the Spirit involves filling our lives with the things of the Spirit, such as reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers. By doing so, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh but will instead experience the abundant life that God has promised to those who follow Him. [36:20]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: What specific step can you take today to walk more closely in the Spirit and experience the life He offers?

Quotes



In the Gospel according to Saint John, we are reminded of the fullness of Christ and the grace upon grace that we receive from Him. This is a summary of the Christian gospel: everything we have comes out of the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything we have comes out of Him. [00:00:37]

Sanctification is this process whereby we are being progressively delivered from sin and remade in the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the process whereby God is preparing us for the glory everlasting to which we are distant. It's a great and a wonderful work, and it's very important that we should understand it. [00:04:19]

The Christian life is rarely an argument. You don't live a good life for the sake of living a good life. Now the Christian man lives a life which is the detection. It is based on an argument. He says because this is truly there for now. Listen to the Apostle working out a great argument. [00:12:00]

The life of the world is utterly incompatible with the life of the Spirit. They don't belong together. They have nothing in common. They're opposites. It's the god of this world that organizes that. It's the devil who's the master of it. You remember again of the apostle puts it in Ephesians 2:2. [00:24:26]

The wages of sin is death, and it always leads to death. The Apostles put that very plainly to the Galatians in chapter 6. Listen to him putting it like this: be not deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever the man serves, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. [00:31:52]

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof. Don't make any provision for the flesh, he says. If you want to modify the flesh, don't feed its target. Don't make any provision for it. Don't put in any store for it. Don't prepare any food for it. [00:36:20]

The Apostle Paul answers that question perhaps most conveniently for us in 1 Corinthians 1:30, where he says of him of God are ye Christians in Christ Jesus, who of God have been made unto us wisdom and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. He's everything. He is the all, and we know he is the beginning and the end. [00:03:28]

The Christian is a man who believes that he's going to glory, that he's going to see God. And the moment he realizes that, the biggest and the most important thing in his life becomes the preparation for that, their sanctification. And now we're looking at it particularly like this. [00:04:50]

The Holy Spirit does this in many ways. He does it by enabling us to understand this word. That's the most important thing of all. By nature, we can't understand it, but that Holy One gives us an unlined ting, an unction, enables us to understand. As this same Apostle Paul puts it at the end of the second chapter of first Corinthians. [00:10:02]

The Christian life is a life of argument and logic, not merely experience. We are called to think and apply the truth of the gospel to our lives, recognizing that the life of sin is incompatible with the life of the Spirit. We must not grieve the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. [00:12:00]

The end of a life of sin is death, but the life of the Spirit leads to life everlasting. We must not make provision for the flesh but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, walking in the Spirit and filling our lives with the things of the Spirit. [00:36:20]

Walking in the Spirit means filling our lives with the things of the Spirit, such as reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers. By doing so, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. [00:41:03]

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Transcript
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