Receiving Christ's Fullness: The Path to Sanctification

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 16, we find a profound statement: "And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace." This verse encapsulates the essence of the Christian life, emphasizing that our identity and blessings as Christians stem from the fullness of Jesus Christ. It is not merely about believing certain doctrines but about receiving from His fullness. The Gospel of John begins by highlighting the eternal fullness of Christ, who was with God and was God. However, for us to partake in this fullness, Christ had to become flesh, live a life of perfect obedience, die for our sins, and rise again. This work of Christ is the foundation upon which we receive His fullness.

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:30, further elucidates this by stating that Christ is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Our sanctification, a key aspect of receiving Christ's fullness, is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit mediates Christ to us, imparting His righteousness and enabling us to grow in holiness. Sanctification is a progressive deliverance from sin's power and pollution, conforming us to the image of Christ.

A crucial aspect of sanctification is the assurance of salvation. Assurance and sanctification are distinct yet interconnected. Assurance is not sanctification, but it is a powerful stimulus for it. True assurance, wrought by the Holy Spirit, promotes sanctification. It is vital to distinguish between true and false assurance, as the latter can lead to complacency and sin. True assurance humbles us, fills us with gratitude, and motivates us to live a life pleasing to God.

The New Testament teaches sanctification not by focusing on sin or actions but by emphasizing our identity in Christ. We are reminded of who we are in Him, and this realization propels us toward holiness. The Holy Spirit assures us of our relationship with Christ, reminding us of our hope in Him and the certainty of our future resurrection. This assurance is a powerful motivator for sanctification, as it fills us with joy and strength, enabling us to live victoriously over sin.

Key Takeaways:

- The fullness of Christ is the foundation of the Christian life. Our identity and blessings as Christians come from receiving His fullness, not merely from believing certain doctrines. This fullness is made accessible to us through Christ's incarnation, life, death, and resurrection. [01:27]

- Sanctification is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit, who mediates Christ to us and imparts His righteousness. It is a progressive process of being delivered from sin's power and conforming to the image of Christ. [04:40]

- Assurance of salvation is distinct from sanctification but is a powerful stimulus for it. True assurance, wrought by the Holy Spirit, promotes sanctification by humbling us and filling us with gratitude and motivation to live a holy life. [13:46]

- The New Testament teaches sanctification by emphasizing our identity in Christ. We are reminded of who we are in Him, and this realization propels us toward holiness. Our sanctification is not about focusing on sin but about living out our identity in Christ. [27:33]

- The Holy Spirit assures us of our relationship with Christ and the certainty of our future resurrection. This assurance fills us with joy and strength, enabling us to live victoriously over sin and to grow in holiness. [38:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to John 1:16
- [00:37] - The Fullness of Christ
- [01:27] - Receiving from His Fullness
- [02:00] - The Incarnation and Its Purpose
- [03:19] - Paul's Summary in 1 Corinthians 1:30
- [04:02] - Christ as Our Sanctification
- [04:57] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [06:28] - Assurance and Sanctification
- [08:36] - Dangers of Misunderstanding Assurance
- [11:08] - Testing Assurance through Sanctification
- [13:11] - True Relationship Between Assurance and Sanctification
- [17:46] - The Joy of the Lord as Strength
- [19:37] - New Testament Teaching on Sanctification
- [22:42] - Assurance Through the Holy Spirit
- [27:33] - Our Identity in Christ
- [38:41] - Certainty of Resurrection and Hope
- [41:57] - Assurance as a Stimulus for Sanctification

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. 1 Corinthians 1:30 - "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does John 1:16 mean when it says, "And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace"? How does this relate to the Christian life? [00:12]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Christ's incarnation, life, death, and resurrection in relation to receiving His fullness? [02:18]
3. How does the Apostle Paul describe the role of Christ in our lives in 1 Corinthians 1:30? What are the four aspects mentioned? [03:19]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in our sanctification according to the sermon? [04:40]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of receiving from Christ's fullness challenge the idea that being a Christian is merely about believing certain doctrines? [01:27]
2. In what ways does the assurance of salvation act as a stimulus for sanctification, according to the sermon? [13:46]
3. How does the New Testament's emphasis on our identity in Christ influence our approach to sanctification? [27:33]
4. What is the relationship between the assurance of our future resurrection and our current sanctification process? [38:41]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of receiving from Christ's fullness. How does this perspective change the way you view your daily walk with God? [01:27]
2. The sermon emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's work in your life this week? [04:40]
3. Assurance of salvation is said to promote sanctification. How can you cultivate a deeper assurance of your salvation in your daily life? [13:46]
4. Consider your identity in Christ. How does this identity influence your actions and decisions? What steps can you take to live more fully in this identity? [27:33]
5. The sermon discusses the certainty of our future resurrection. How does this assurance impact your perspective on current challenges or struggles? [38:41]
6. How can you remind yourself of the joy of the Lord as your strength in moments of doubt or difficulty? [17:46]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt humbled by the assurance of your salvation. How did this humility affect your actions and interactions with others? [43:34]

Devotional

Day 1: The Fullness of Christ as Our Foundation
The Christian life is rooted in the fullness of Jesus Christ, as highlighted in John 1:16. This fullness is not just about adhering to doctrines but about receiving the abundant life that Christ offers. His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection make this fullness accessible to us. By becoming flesh, Christ bridged the gap between humanity and divinity, allowing us to partake in His divine nature. This foundational truth transforms our identity and blessings as Christians, emphasizing that our spiritual journey is about receiving from His inexhaustible fullness. [01:27]

Ephesians 3:19-20 (ESV): "And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively receive and live out the fullness of Christ in your daily life today?


Day 2: The Holy Spirit's Role in Sanctification
Sanctification is a progressive journey of being delivered from sin's power and becoming more like Christ. This process is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit, who mediates Christ to us and imparts His righteousness. The Spirit empowers us to grow in holiness, transforming us into the image of Christ. As we yield to the Spirit's work, we experience a gradual transformation that aligns our lives with God's will. This ongoing process requires our cooperation and willingness to be shaped by the Spirit's influence. [04:40]

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV): "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."

Reflection: How can you intentionally cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification in your life today?


Day 3: Assurance as a Stimulus for Sanctification
Assurance of salvation is distinct from sanctification but serves as a powerful motivator for it. True assurance, given by the Holy Spirit, humbles us and fills us with gratitude, driving us to live a life pleasing to God. It is crucial to differentiate between true and false assurance, as the latter can lead to complacency. True assurance encourages us to pursue holiness with a heart full of gratitude and a desire to honor God. This assurance strengthens our resolve to live out our faith authentically. [13:46]

Hebrews 10:22-23 (ESV): "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your assurance of salvation and let it fuel your pursuit of holiness?


Day 4: Identity in Christ as the Basis for Sanctification
The New Testament emphasizes our identity in Christ as the foundation for sanctification. Instead of focusing on sin, we are reminded of who we are in Him, which propels us toward holiness. Understanding our identity in Christ transforms our perspective and motivates us to live in alignment with His character. This realization empowers us to overcome sin and live victoriously, as we embrace the truth of who we are in Christ. Our sanctification journey is about living out this identity daily. [27:33]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: How does your understanding of your identity in Christ influence your daily decisions and actions today?


Day 5: The Joy and Strength of Assurance in Christ
The Holy Spirit assures us of our relationship with Christ and the certainty of our future resurrection. This assurance fills us with joy and strength, enabling us to live victoriously over sin and grow in holiness. The hope of resurrection and eternal life empowers us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. This assurance is a source of joy that sustains us in our spiritual journey, providing the strength needed to persevere in faith. [38:41]

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection: In what ways can you draw strength and joy from the assurance of your future resurrection in Christ today?

Quotes

"In other words, a Christian is a person who is what he is and who has what he has from the Lord Jesus Christ. It is of his fullness of all we receive. The fact that you believe certain things in and of itself doesn't make you a Christian. What makes us Christian is that we receive of his fullness." [00:01:20]

"Sanctification is a progressive deliverance from the power and the pollution of sin, and it is our increasing conformity unto the pattern and the image of God's dear son. Now, this is, of course, a most wonderful aspect of our receiving of that fullness. You see, our salvation doesn't stop at forgiveness." [00:05:12]

"Assurance is the greatest stimulus to sanctification. It isn't sanctification, but it is the greatest stimulus to it. There is nothing that so promotes sanctification as a true assurance. That is why I say that negatively, if what you regard as assurance does not promote sanctification, you can be quite sure that it isn't the assurance which is wrought by the Holy Spirit." [00:13:31]

"The New Testament Epistles never deal with sanctification directly, never. They always start with doctrine. You can divide all these Epistles quite easily into two sections. The first section is always doctrine. What's that for? Well, that is for this reason: it is to remind the people of who they are and what they are." [00:19:46]

"The Holy Spirit brings him to us, manifests him in his glory and in his wonder and in all his excellences, and this is the prime stimulus to sanctification. Nothing so leads to sanctification as to know him and to meditate upon him and to realize something of the glory of his person." [00:25:20]

"The realization of who we are, that we are lights, luminaries in the heavens holding forth the word of life. We are God's children. The apostles are constantly using these appeals. Listen to the Apostle Paul again in Ephesians 5: 'Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children.' That's the appeal. Remember who you are." [00:27:33]

"Assurance of salvation worked by the Holy Spirit is the greatest stimulus of all to sanctification. We are changed from glory into glory as we behold him without a veil and know that we are his and that he is ours. Assurance leads to the inevitable deduction: he that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure." [00:47:37]

"The spirit himself beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. Listen to The Great Apostle as he puts that in Romans 8:15 and 16: God, he says, has not given us again the spirit of bondage to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" [00:35:43]

"Now, there is nothing that is more important than this, that we should know that we are going to rise and rise in the body, and the whole man will be there in the presence of God. Now, there is nothing that is more important from the standpoint of sanctification than to know that." [00:38:41]

"The moment you realize you're in this great purpose of God, it revolutionizes your whole outlook. You don't think of yourself and your ups and downs and this thing that's getting me down. You're delivered out of all that. You're in the purpose of God. You don't think of yourself so much as what you are in the grand purpose of God and the certainty of it all." [00:40:14]

"True assurance humbles us. False assurance fills us with a false pride. It puffs us up as knowledge puffeth up, so does false assurance. But once a man realizes that he, though he is what he is and what he knows himself to be, is in the purpose of God, and that before the very foundation of the world, the Eternal God had seen him and had known him and set his affection upon him and sent his son to die for him, I say he's humble at the thought." [00:43:21]

"The joy of the Lord is your strength. Now, here once more, the analogies from the natural realm suggest themselves to us quite inevitably. It's perfectly true in the ordinary secular realm, ordinary life and living, a spirit of joy and of confidence and of happiness gives us a kind of vigor and of strength." [00:17:46]

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Transcript
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