The Fullness of Christ: Assurance and Eternal Intercession
Summary
In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 16, we find a profound statement about the fullness of Christ and the grace we receive through Him. This fullness is central to understanding the blessings of salvation. It is through Christ's incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension that we are able to partake in this divine fullness. As Christians, we are called to understand and embrace this fullness, which is not limited or depleted. If we find ourselves spiritually lacking, it is often due to a deficiency in our understanding rather than a lack of experience.
The fullness of Christ was exercised on our behalf, necessitating His incarnation and sacrificial work. This fullness continues to be exercised as He intercedes for us as our Advocate. This intercession is not about persuading God to forgive us but is a testament to the completed work of Christ. His presence at the right hand of God is the eternal answer to any accusation against us, ensuring our salvation is secure.
The concept of Christ as our eternal High Priest is crucial. Unlike earthly priests who come and go, Christ's priesthood is unchangeable and eternal. This assures us that He is always there, interceding on our behalf, and able to save us completely. This eternal priesthood is rooted in His divine fullness, which enables Him to save us to the uttermost, ensuring our complete sanctification and eventual glorification.
Moreover, Christ's ascension allowed Him to receive and distribute gifts to His people, equipping us for ministry and building up the body of Christ. These gifts are a testament to His fullness and His role as the head of the Church. Our spiritual gifts and graces are received from Him, emphasizing the importance of His eternal fullness.
Understanding this fullness is essential for our spiritual assurance and growth. It is not our fluctuating feelings or experiences that secure our salvation, but the unchangeable priesthood and fullness of Christ. This doctrine provides comfort and stability, reminding us that our salvation is rooted in the eternal and unchanging nature of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The fullness of Christ is central to our salvation, and it is through His incarnation and sacrificial work that we receive grace upon grace. Our spiritual deficiencies often stem from a lack of understanding rather than experience. [01:37]
- Christ's intercession is not about persuading God but is a testament to His completed work. His presence at God's right hand is the eternal answer to any accusation, ensuring our salvation is secure. [16:05]
- Unlike earthly priests, Christ's priesthood is eternal and unchangeable, assuring us of His constant intercession and ability to save us completely. This eternal priesthood is rooted in His divine fullness. [27:34]
- Christ's ascension allowed Him to receive and distribute gifts to His people, equipping us for ministry and building up the body of Christ. These gifts are a testament to His fullness and His role as the head of the Church. [42:04]
- Our salvation is not dependent on our fluctuating feelings but on the unchangeable priesthood and fullness of Christ. This doctrine provides comfort and stability, reminding us that our salvation is rooted in the eternal nature of Christ. [36:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to the Fullness of Christ
[01:06] - Understanding Spiritual Fullness
[02:23] - The Necessity of Christ's Work
[03:43] - The Covenant of Grace
[05:33] - Christ as Intercessor and Advocate
[07:08] - Assurance of Salvation
[09:37] - Misconceptions about Intercession
[12:18] - The Father's Role in Salvation
[14:19] - The Comfort of Christ's Intercession
[16:36] - Eternal Priesthood of Christ
[20:07] - The Assurance of Christ's Presence
[23:45] - The Unchangeable Priesthood
[27:34] - Salvation to the Uttermost
[32:01] - The Promise of Glorification
[38:01] - Gifts from the Ascended Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 1:16
- Hebrews 7:23-25
- Ephesians 4:7-13
---
Observation Questions:
1. According to John 1:16, what have we received from Christ's fullness? How does this relate to the concept of "grace upon grace"? [00:10]
2. In Hebrews 7:23-25, what distinguishes Christ's priesthood from that of earthly priests? How does this eternal priesthood assure us of our salvation? [27:34]
3. Ephesians 4:7-13 speaks about gifts given to believers. What is the purpose of these gifts, and how do they relate to Christ's ascension? [38:01]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Christ's intercession for us? What is the significance of His presence at the right hand of God? [16:05]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "grace upon grace" in John 1:16 challenge our understanding of spiritual abundance and deficiency? [01:37]
2. What does the eternal nature of Christ's priesthood in Hebrews 7:23-25 imply about the security of our salvation? How does this affect our daily faith walk? [27:34]
3. In Ephesians 4:7-13, how do the gifts given by Christ equip believers for ministry? What does this suggest about the role of each believer in the body of Christ? [42:04]
4. The sermon emphasizes that Christ's intercession is not about persuading God. How does this understanding impact our view of God's nature and His plan for salvation? [16:05]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually lacking. How might a deeper understanding of Christ's fullness change your perspective in similar situations? [01:37]
2. How can the assurance of Christ's eternal priesthood provide comfort in moments of doubt or fear about your salvation? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this truth? [27:34]
3. Consider the spiritual gifts you have received. How can you use these gifts to build up the body of Christ in your local church community? [42:04]
4. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper understanding of Christ's intercession and its significance in your life? How might this change your prayer life or approach to challenges? [16:05]
5. How does the knowledge that our salvation is not dependent on our fluctuating feelings but on Christ's unchangeable priesthood influence your daily spiritual practices? [36:17]
6. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to embrace the fullness of Christ. What steps can you take this week to grow in understanding and acceptance of His grace? [01:37]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church to recognize and utilize their spiritual gifts for the edification of the church? What role can you play in fostering this growth? [42:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Fullness of Christ
The fullness of Christ is central to our salvation, and it is through His incarnation and sacrificial work that we receive grace upon grace. This fullness is not limited or depleted, and if we find ourselves spiritually lacking, it is often due to a deficiency in our understanding rather than a lack of experience. As Christians, we are called to understand and embrace this divine fullness, which is exercised on our behalf through Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension. By recognizing and embracing this fullness, we can experience the abundant grace that is available to us. [01:37]
Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually lacking? How can you seek a deeper understanding of Christ's fullness to address these deficiencies today?
Day 2: The Assurance of Christ's Intercession
Christ's intercession is not about persuading God but is a testament to His completed work. His presence at the right hand of God is the eternal answer to any accusation against us, ensuring our salvation is secure. This intercession is a powerful reminder that our salvation is not dependent on our efforts but on the finished work of Christ. As our Advocate, Christ's intercession provides us with the assurance that we are forgiven and accepted by God, regardless of our shortcomings. [16:05]
Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Reflection: How does knowing that Christ intercedes for you change the way you view your relationship with God? What specific accusations or doubts can you bring to Him today, trusting in His advocacy?
Day 3: The Eternal Priesthood of Christ
Unlike earthly priests who come and go, Christ's priesthood is unchangeable and eternal. This assures us that He is always there, interceding on our behalf, and able to save us completely. This eternal priesthood is rooted in His divine fullness, which enables Him to save us to the uttermost, ensuring our complete sanctification and eventual glorification. Understanding this eternal priesthood provides us with comfort and stability, knowing that our salvation is secure in the unchanging nature of Christ. [27:34]
Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV): "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: In what ways can you rely on Christ's eternal priesthood for comfort and stability in your spiritual journey? How can you draw near to His throne of grace today?
Day 4: Gifts from the Ascended Christ
Christ's ascension allowed Him to receive and distribute gifts to His people, equipping us for ministry and building up the body of Christ. These gifts are a testament to His fullness and His role as the head of the Church. Our spiritual gifts and graces are received from Him, emphasizing the importance of His eternal fullness. By recognizing and utilizing these gifts, we can contribute to the growth and edification of the Church, fulfilling our role in the body of Christ. [42:04]
Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
Reflection: What spiritual gifts has Christ given you, and how can you use them to build up the body of Christ? What steps can you take today to actively engage in ministry within your community?
Day 5: The Stability of Our Salvation
Our salvation is not dependent on our fluctuating feelings but on the unchangeable priesthood and fullness of Christ. This doctrine provides comfort and stability, reminding us that our salvation is rooted in the eternal and unchanging nature of Christ. By focusing on His eternal priesthood and fullness, we can find assurance and peace, knowing that our salvation is secure regardless of our circumstances or emotions. [36:17]
2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV): "Which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from your fluctuating feelings to the unchanging nature of Christ for assurance in your salvation? What practical steps can you take today to remind yourself of the stability found in Him?
Quotes
"Of his fullness have all we received and Grace for or upon Grace. We are continuing our study of this most wonderful and comprehensive statement of the blessings of Salvation that the Apostle puts here in the very prologue and introduction to his gospel. This is why our Lord came from Heaven to Earth and lived and taught and died and rose again and is seated at the right hand of God in order that we might receive of his fullness and Grace upon Grace." [00:17:03]
"A Christian should never be poor therefore, Christian should never be hungry, Christian should never be thirsty in a spiritual sense. We are meant to enjoy this fullness and if we're not, well it's because we are defective at some point or another in our understanding. Now that's the thing I'm trying to emphasize, it's our understanding that is defective, it isn't primarily a matter of experience, it's primarily a matter of understanding." [00:73:20]
"The fullness is in him, it was in him from all eternity but of course, if he had remained there in the glory Everlasting, the fullness could never have come to us. So we've seen that in order that we might receive of it, it necessitated his Incarnation, his coming and all he did while he was here in this world." [01:14:24]
"Christ's intercession is not about persuading God but is a testament to His completed work. His presence at God's right hand is the eternal answer to any accusation, ensuring our salvation is secure. This is obviously a most vital and important matter for us. He's doing this on our behalf and where he not doing it on our behalf, the argument is we would never receive of this fullness." [07:28:31]
"The notion therefore that our Lord has to plead with the father to forgive us and to show the merits of his blood is entirely contradictory of the essential teaching concerning salvation in the Old Testament and in the new. Well then say somebody what's the meaning of your word intercessor, what's this idea of his ever living to make intercession for us?" [13:39:07]
"It is his presence there that intercedes, it is his presence there that acts as the advocate. In other words, as the accusers come forward, the Apostle again dramatizes it in the 8th chapter of Romans out of which I read verse 34 just now. He says who can bring any charge against God's elect? He's as it were Conjuring up a picture of a law court." [16:59:83]
"Because he is the son of God, because of the fullness of the god that is in him, he doesn't come and go, he is always and there he always will be. It's an unchangeable priesthood. The high priest at his best was only a high priest for a given period of yours. This one has no beginning no end, he's an eternal priest." [27:22:15]
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for us. Now you see the answer to the accusation, you see the comfort, you see the assurance that is given by this fact because he doesn't belong to the tribe of Levi but as the Son of God and as this eternal nature and this fullness he will always be there." [27:44:39]
"The ultimate end of our Salvation is what is called glorification and glorification means that I am an entire entirely delivered person from every vestage and relic of Sin from all the taints and the traces of evil and the fall. A man is not finally saved and fully saved until he is entirely emancipated body Soul and Spirit." [32:21:15]
"Because of his fullness and because of the completeness of his work as the result of this fullness, he has been enabled to purchase certain things for us. Now this is another very wonderful aspect of this matter. Let me give you the verse which rarely leads into this great Doctrine. It's in the epistle to the Hebrews in the fourth chapter and in the 7th verse." [37:48:31]
"Unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Then listen wherefore he said, when he ascended upon high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth." [38:24:48]
"Every Grace you've got, every gift you possess you've received from him and you received them from him because he was big enough and great enough and full enough to stand having risen in the presence of God and to receive gifts which he then in turn gives to us for whom he has R whom he has died and whom he has redeemed with his Precious Blood." [44:56:31]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 25, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?