Receiving God's Fullness: The Journey of Sanctification

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 16, we find a profound declaration: "Of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace." This encapsulates the essence of the Christian life, which is not merely about holding certain beliefs or moral views but about receiving the life of God into our souls. Christianity is about the fullness of Christ being imparted to us, enabling us to live as Christians and preparing us for eternal glory. This fullness was made possible through the Incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ, and it is applied to us by God, who places us in Christ Jesus.

Sanctification, a crucial aspect of this Christian journey, involves the renewal of our entire being in the image of God, allowing us to die to sin and live unto righteousness. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 2:12-13, exhorts us to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," emphasizing that it is God who works in us. This divine work is carried out by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to understand the Scriptures, pray effectively, and mortify the flesh.

Mortification of sin, a neglected yet vital subject, is essential for spiritual growth. The Christian is a new creation, born again, yet still residing in an unrenewed body. This creates a tension between the new life in the Spirit and the remnants of the old nature. The New Testament does not promise complete deliverance from the old nature in this life, but it does call us to actively mortify the deeds of the body through the Spirit's power.

Avoiding the extremes of legalism and passivity is crucial. Legalism relies on rules and regulations, while passivity suggests doing nothing and letting God do everything. Instead, the scriptural approach is to act through the Spirit, recognizing that we are empowered by God to live out our new identity in Christ. This involves a dynamic cooperation with the Spirit, where we actively engage in the process of sanctification, trusting in God's enabling power.

Key Takeaways:

- Christianity is about receiving the life of God into our souls, not merely adhering to beliefs or moral codes. This divine life is imparted through the fullness of Christ, enabling us to live as Christians and preparing us for eternal glory. [00:31]

- Sanctification involves the renewal of our entire being in the image of God, allowing us to die to sin and live unto righteousness. It is a process empowered by the Holy Spirit, who works in us to will and to do according to God's pleasure. [03:39]

- Mortification of sin is essential for spiritual growth. While the old man is dead, the old nature remains in our unrenewed bodies, creating a tension between the new life in the Spirit and the remnants of the old nature. [12:12]

- Avoiding the extremes of legalism and passivity is crucial. Legalism relies on rules and regulations, while passivity suggests doing nothing. Instead, we are called to act through the Spirit, recognizing that we are empowered by God to live out our new identity in Christ. [27:45]

- The scriptural approach to sanctification involves a dynamic cooperation with the Spirit, where we actively engage in the process, trusting in God's enabling power. This involves understanding the Scriptures, prayer, and mortifying the deeds of the body. [39:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to John 1:16
- [00:31] - The Essence of Christianity
- [01:20] - The Fullness of Christ
- [02:12] - Sanctification Explained
- [03:21] - Practical Sanctification
- [04:41] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [05:16] - The Importance of Scripture
- [06:07] - The Power of Prayer
- [07:28] - Mortification of Sin
- [09:01] - Born Again: A New Creation
- [10:07] - Living in a New Realm
- [12:12] - The Tension of the Old Nature
- [15:09] - Scriptural Proofs
- [18:21] - The Problem of Sanctification
- [21:40] - Practical Application
- [27:45] - Avoiding Legalism and Passivity
- [39:51] - Acting Through the Spirit
- [42:22] - The Wonder of God's Power

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:16 - "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 to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
3. Romans 8:13 - "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to John 1:16, what have we received from Christ's fullness, and how is this described in the sermon? [00:31]

2. In Philippians 2:12-13, what does Paul mean by "work out your own salvation," and how does the sermon explain this process? [03:21]

3. How does Romans 8:13 describe the role of the Spirit in mortifying the deeds of the body, and what does the sermon say about this process? [30:48]

4. What are the two extremes mentioned in the sermon that Christians should avoid in their spiritual journey? [27:45]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of receiving "grace for grace" in John 1:16 shape our understanding of the Christian life beyond just moral or ethical living? [00:31]

2. What does it mean for God to work in us "to will and to act" according to Philippians 2:12-13, and how does this influence our approach to sanctification? [03:39]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the mortification of sin is essential for spiritual growth, and how does this align with Romans 8:13? [12:12]

4. How does the sermon reconcile the tension between legalism and passivity in the Christian life, and what is the scriptural approach to sanctification? [39:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: How have you experienced the "fullness of Christ" as described in John 1:16? What steps can you take to deepen this experience? [00:31]

2. Consider the process of sanctification in your life. How can you actively "work out your own salvation" while relying on God's power, as mentioned in Philippians 2:12-13? [03:39]

3. Identify an area in your life where the "old nature" still has influence. How can you apply the principle of mortifying the deeds of the body through the Spirit's power? [12:12]

4. Have you ever found yourself leaning towards legalism or passivity in your spiritual journey? What practical steps can you take to maintain a balanced approach? [27:45]

5. How can you incorporate the practice of prayer and scripture reading into your daily routine to aid in your sanctification process? [06:07]

6. Think of a specific sin or habit you struggle with. How can you actively work with the Spirit to overcome it, as suggested in Romans 8:13? [30:48]

7. How can you remind yourself of your new identity in Christ when faced with temptations or challenges that draw you back to old patterns? [18:21]

Devotional

Day 1: Receiving the Divine Life of God
Christianity is not just about beliefs or moral codes; it is about receiving the life of God into our souls. This divine life is imparted through the fullness of Christ, enabling us to live as Christians and preparing us for eternal glory. The Incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ made this fullness possible, and it is applied to us by God, who places us in Christ Jesus. This transformative experience is central to the Christian journey, as it allows believers to partake in the divine nature and live out their faith in a profound and meaningful way. [00:31]

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: How can you open your heart more fully to receive the life of God today, allowing His presence to transform your daily actions and interactions?


Day 2: The Process of Sanctification
Sanctification involves the renewal of our entire being in the image of God, allowing us to die to sin and live unto righteousness. It is a process empowered by the Holy Spirit, who works in us to will and to do according to God's pleasure. This divine work is not passive; it requires our active cooperation with the Spirit. As we engage in this process, we are transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ, reflecting His character and love in our lives. The journey of sanctification is ongoing, requiring diligence and commitment to spiritual growth. [03:39]

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: In what specific ways can you actively cooperate with the Holy Spirit today to further your sanctification and reflect Christ's image more clearly?


Day 3: Mortification of Sin
Mortification of sin is essential for spiritual growth. While the old man is dead, the old nature remains in our unrenewed bodies, creating a tension between the new life in the Spirit and the remnants of the old nature. The New Testament calls us to actively mortify the deeds of the body through the Spirit's power. This involves a conscious effort to put to death sinful habits and tendencies, allowing the new life in Christ to flourish. By relying on the Spirit's strength, believers can overcome the pull of the old nature and live in the freedom and victory that Christ provides. [12:12]

Colossians 3:5-6 (ESV): "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming."

Reflection: Identify one specific sin or habit that you need to mortify today. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome it and live in the freedom Christ offers?


Day 4: Avoiding Extremes in Spiritual Growth
Avoiding the extremes of legalism and passivity is crucial in the Christian life. Legalism relies on rules and regulations, while passivity suggests doing nothing and letting God do everything. Instead, we are called to act through the Spirit, recognizing that we are empowered by God to live out our new identity in Christ. This involves a dynamic cooperation with the Spirit, where we actively engage in the process of sanctification, trusting in God's enabling power. By maintaining this balance, believers can grow spiritually without falling into the traps of self-reliance or complacency. [27:45]

Galatians 5:16-18 (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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

Reflection: Are there areas in your spiritual life where you lean towards legalism or passivity? How can you find a balance by actively cooperating with the Spirit today?


Day 5: Dynamic Cooperation with the Spirit
The scriptural approach to sanctification involves a dynamic cooperation with the Spirit, where we actively engage in the process, trusting in God's enabling power. This involves understanding the Scriptures, prayer, and mortifying the deeds of the body. By immersing ourselves in God's Word and maintaining a vibrant prayer life, we open ourselves to the Spirit's guidance and empowerment. This cooperation is not passive; it requires intentionality and effort as we seek to align our lives with God's will and purpose. Through this partnership with the Spirit, we can experience true transformation and spiritual growth. [39:51]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: How can you intentionally engage with the Holy Spirit today through Scripture and prayer to foster spiritual growth and transformation in your life?

Quotes

Christianity is receiving the life of God in the soul of his fullness of all we received and Grace upon Grace and we are looking into this and trying to see how it is that we are thus receiving the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ it's all in him it was in him from eternity he is the word and all the fullness of the godhead dwelleth bodily in him. [00:68:84]

Sanctification a most important subject this means the renewal of the whole men after the image of God thereby enabling us more and more to die unto sin and to live unto righteousness that is sanctification and uh now we've come to the Practical aspect of this subject it's all right says someone to say this kind of thing to us but what do we do in practice. [00:174:23]

The spirit enables us to understand this word this is the prime instrument in sanctification our blessed Lord himself in his high Priestly prayer offered this petition sanctify them through thy truth my word is truth so the great instrument in our sanctification is the Bible the word of God the scriptures you can't be Sanctified without a knowledge of the scriptures. [00:312:96]

Prayer is an essential part of sanctification a man who doesn't pray doesn't know much about sanctification the more men a man realizes what is involved in sanctification the more necessary he finds it to remain in communion with God constantly the greatest Saints have always been great men and women of prayer obviously it needs no demonstration it needs no argument. [00:376:84]

The Christian is a man who is born again we must start with that we must always to get this into perspective we've got to go right back and look at the position again as a whole the Christian is a man who was born again as John has reminded Us in verses 12 and 13 of this prologue of his to the gospel to as many as received him gave he power to become the sons of God. [00:520:83]

The old man is already dead in every Christian the old man has been finished with he's gone knowing this says Paul in Romans 66 that our old man was crucified with Christ now that's the men that we all were by nature in Adam that's gone that's finished the old man is dead and is gone but that does not mean that the old old Nature has therefore gone for it hasn't. [00:688:32]

The New Testament is quite specific about this we are not promised that we shall be delivered entirely from the old nature in this life and in this world we're not promised that at all the old man is dead the old nature is not finished with so here is the problem of the Christian he is a new man and he knows that and he's living a life in the spirit. [00:754:51]

The way we deal with this problem is not by reverting to some sort of legalism not by joining an order or by getting a priest or somebody to draw up rules and regulations for us and tell us what to do and what not to do and then as long as we are obeying the priest all is well and we are Sanctified you are familiar with that sort of teaching but that's sheer legalism. [00:1644:91]

The reconciliation of course is in the scriptural position which is neither legalism nor passivity what is it well it is that you and I have to act through the spirit it isn't I doing it alone I'm a new man and the spirit is in me I do it through the spirit I do it in a spiritual manner you see the tragedy about that rigorism about that legalism that man-made system. [00:2264:52]

You act in the power of the spirit work out your own salvation with fear and trembling because it is God that worketh in you that's the scriptural method and of course it is so typical of the scripture always none of your shortcuts none of your easy solutions none of your oversimplifications you're left as it were in a kind of tension there's no tension really if you understand these things truly. [00:2410:44]

The Apostle says that this is the way to do it you do all you can realizing that you're energized by the spirit and you are energized by the spirit this is The Wonder of it all the moment you're realiz these things and attempt to put them into practice you find that the power is in you and you are enable to do it it's exactly the same as we've already found with reading the scriptures and with prayer. [00:2537:04]

You do it by realizing who and what you are this great glorious Central truth about yourself and because of that you say this is what I must do and you find that you are enabled to do. [00:2685:48]

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Transcript
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