Transformative Joy: Embracing the Fullness of Christ

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound truth of what it means to be a Christian, as illuminated by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Philippians and the Gospel of John. The essence of Christianity is not merely about belief but about receiving the fullness of Jesus Christ, which transforms our lives in a radical and visible way. This transformation is not just a personal experience but a testimony to the world, as it was with the early Christians who, despite their ordinariness, turned the world upside down through the evident fullness of Christ in them.

The core of this transformation is joy—a joy that is rooted in the Lord and independent of circumstances. This joy is a hallmark of New Testament Christianity, as seen in the lives of the early Christians who rejoiced even in persecution. This joy is not a superficial happiness but a deep-seated rejoicing in the Lord, stemming from the realization of who Christ is and what He has done for us. It is a joy that transcends the mechanical and external aspects of religion, focusing instead on a living relationship with God through the Spirit.

Paul's own life exemplifies this transformation. Once a Pharisee, proud of his heritage and religious accomplishments, he now counts all those things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This change is not just a shift in perspective but a complete reorientation of life, where the old is discarded, and the new is embraced. The Christian life, therefore, is marked by a new birth, a new family, and a new righteousness that comes from faith in Christ, not from the law.

This fullness of Christ brings about a profound change in us, delivering us from the bondage of mechanical religion and self-reliance. It leads us to worship God in spirit and truth, to rejoice in our new identity as children of God, and to live in the assurance of our salvation. This is the joy unspeakable and full of glory that the Apostle Peter speaks of, a joy that is available to all who receive of Christ's fullness.

Key Takeaways:

- The essence of being a Christian is receiving the fullness of Christ, which transforms our lives and is evident to the world around us. This transformation is not just personal but a powerful testimony to others. [02:05]

- True Christian joy is rooted in the Lord and is independent of circumstances. It is a deep-seated rejoicing in who Christ is and what He has done, transcending superficial happiness. [15:16]

- The transformation in a Christian's life is marked by a new birth, a new family, and a new righteousness that comes from faith in Christ, not from adherence to the law. This change is profound and all-encompassing. [24:31]

- The fullness of Christ delivers us from the bondage of mechanical religion and self-reliance, leading us to worship God in spirit and truth and to live in the assurance of our salvation. [34:23]

- The joy of the Christian life is a joy unspeakable and full of glory, available to all who receive of Christ's fullness. It is a joy that transforms us and impacts the world around us. [22:23]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to the Texts
- [01:50] - Definition of a Christian
- [03:00] - The Church's Role in Evangelism
- [04:34] - Manifesting Christ's Fullness
- [06:40] - Paul's Transformation
- [08:19] - Joy and Rejoicing in the Lord
- [11:03] - Joy in the New Testament
- [14:38] - Rejoicing in the Lord
- [18:25] - The Christian's Joy
- [24:31] - Transformation Through Christ
- [28:06] - Deliverance from Mechanical Religion
- [34:50] - True Circumcision and New Birth
- [39:01] - Worshiping God by the Spirit
- [44:32] - Assurance of Salvation

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 3:1-7 - "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

Observation Questions:
1. According to John 1:16, what have we received from Christ, and how is it described?
2. In Philippians 3:1-7, what does Paul list as his former reasons for confidence in the flesh, and how does he now view them? [24:57]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when one receives the fullness of Christ? [04:34]
4. What is the significance of joy in the life of a Christian as discussed in the sermon? [09:41]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of receiving "grace upon grace" in John 1:16 relate to the transformation described in the sermon? [02:05]
2. What does it mean to worship God "in spirit and truth," and how does this differ from mechanical religion? [39:53]
3. How does Paul's transformation from a Pharisee to a follower of Christ illustrate the sermon’s message about the fullness of Christ? [24:31]
4. Why is joy considered a hallmark of New Testament Christianity, and how does it differ from superficial happiness? [15:16]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: In what ways have you experienced the fullness of Christ, and how has it transformed you? [04:34]
2. How can you cultivate a joy that is rooted in the Lord and independent of your circumstances? What practical steps can you take this week? [19:59]
3. Consider your current religious practices. Are there any that feel mechanical or obligatory? How might you shift these practices to be more spirit-led? [28:06]
4. Paul speaks of counting his former gains as loss for Christ. What are some things in your life that you might need to reevaluate in light of your faith? [24:57]
5. How can you be a living testimony of Christ’s fullness to those around you? Identify one specific way you can demonstrate this in your community. [04:01]
6. Think of a time when you felt distant from God. What was the cause, and how can you ensure that your relationship with God remains vibrant and full? [39:53]
7. Identify one area in your life where you rely on self-reliance rather than faith in Christ. What steps can you take to shift your trust to Him? [34:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Christ's Fullness
The essence of being a Christian is not just about holding certain beliefs but about receiving the fullness of Christ, which leads to a radical transformation in our lives. This transformation is not merely a personal experience but serves as a powerful testimony to the world, much like the early Christians who, despite their ordinariness, made a significant impact on the world through the evident fullness of Christ in them. The change brought about by Christ's fullness is profound and visible, affecting every aspect of our lives and interactions with others. [02:05]

Ephesians 3:19 (ESV): "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 allow the fullness of Christ to transform your daily interactions with others, making your life a testimony to those around you?


Day 2: Joy Rooted in the Lord
True Christian joy is deeply rooted in the Lord and remains steadfast regardless of circumstances. This joy is not a fleeting emotion but a profound rejoicing in who Christ is and what He has accomplished for us. It transcends superficial happiness and is a hallmark of New Testament Christianity, as seen in the lives of early Christians who rejoiced even amidst persecution. This joy is a reflection of a living relationship with God through the Spirit, focusing on the eternal rather than the temporary. [15:16]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a joy that is independent of your current circumstances and rooted in your relationship with Christ?


Day 3: New Birth and Righteousness Through Faith
The transformation in a Christian's life is marked by a new birth, a new family, and a new righteousness that comes from faith in Christ, not from adherence to the law. This change is not just a shift in perspective but a complete reorientation of life, where the old is discarded, and the new is embraced. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this transformation, having once been proud of his heritage and religious accomplishments, he now considers them as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. [24:31]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What old habits or beliefs do you need to let go of to fully embrace the new life and righteousness that comes through faith in Christ?


Day 4: Deliverance from Mechanical Religion
The fullness of Christ delivers us from the bondage of mechanical religion and self-reliance, leading us to worship God in spirit and truth. This transformation allows us to rejoice in our new identity as children of God and to live in the assurance of our salvation. It is a shift from a religion of rituals to a vibrant relationship with God, characterized by genuine worship and reliance on His grace. [34:23]

John 4:23-24 (ESV): "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Reflection: In what ways can you move beyond mechanical religious practices to cultivate a more genuine and spirit-led worship experience?


Day 5: Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory
The joy of the Christian life is described as "unspeakable and full of glory," available to all who receive of Christ's fullness. This joy is transformative, impacting not only our own lives but also the world around us. It is a joy that stems from the assurance of our salvation and the realization of our identity as children of God. This joy is not just for personal satisfaction but serves as a beacon of hope and light to others. [22:23]

1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV): "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Reflection: How can you share the joy of your salvation with others in a way that brings hope and light to their lives?

Quotes



A Christian is a man who was received of the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ that is the astounding thing not only do we believe we have received of his fullness and Grace upon Grace and we've been trying through the months to uh examine something of the content of that tremendous statement. [00:02:00]

Our first business is to start with ourselves and with the church of course we must go on evangelizing the church must always be Evangelistic but of this we can be quite sure that the greatest Evangelistic agency in the world is living Christians for as Christians we live in the world we mix with people. [00:03:38]

If we have received of that fullness it's bound to show itself and it does show itself it was because it inevitably shows itself that the early Christians were able to turn the world upside down that's the simple story isn't it there was just a handful of people very Ordinary People ignorant unlettered people. [00:04:34]

The Apostle Paul here in this epistle to the Philippians he gives us a number of glimpses into his own life and state and condition and experience and he's always careful to say that he is what he is by the grace of God he is like this because he has received of this fullness and Grace upon Grace. [00:05:48]

The Christian is not merely a happy man he's a man who happy in the Lord why well because it is of the Lord's fullness that he has received and here of course is the great differentiating Mark of the Christian the thing that puts him at once into a category entirely distinct from all the Cults. [00:15:22]

The Christian rejoices in him being because of what he is and who he is these things seem to be quite Elementary and yet I wonder when we look at them how we emerge from the test how often do you rejoice my friend in the facts that in the fact that the Son of God is indeed the Son of God. [00:18:25]

The moment Isaiah a man realizes this and receives it truly he cannot but Rejoice that the very Son of God the word should have become made flesh and have endured all this and died entered into the grave and risen and descended all this in order that you and I might be delivered and might become Christian. [00:22:17]

The Christian is a man who's been cut off from Adam separated from Adam circumcised if you like from Adam and from the body of sin and death then he goes on and you see he's drawing the contrast the whole time he I used to burst to that old circumcision but this is the circumcision circumcision in the spirit. [00:36:30]

The Christian worships God by the spirit you don't have to have a temple or a cathedral you don't need a priesthood you can be alone on top of a mountain you can be alone in a lonely room on your own you can be anywhere but you worship God by the spirit it means that you know that he's there. [00:39:50]

The Apostle is rejoicing that he's no longer there and anybody who's ever had that kind of religion and who then comes to the true Christian faith will never cease to rejoice in the fact that he or she has been delivered from all that that outward external mechanical religion that depends upon forms and ceremonies. [00:34:08]

He came to see that he wasn't once the spirit flashed upon him it revealed to him the most important thing in the law the thing he'd never seen at all namely Thou shalt not cover it he tells us all about that in Romans 7 as you remember he'd never realized that the law said Thou shalt not cover it. [00:41:36]

He came to realize that in receiving of the fullness of Christ you receive his perfect righteousness that him put it perfectly the the him of all count Zin andol Jesus thy blood and righteousness my beauty is my glorious dress midst flaming worlds in this arade with joy shall I lift up my head. [00:43:18]

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Transcript
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