Transformative Wisdom and Identity in Christ
Summary
In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 16, we find a profound truth: "Of His fullness have we all received, and grace upon grace." This verse encapsulates the essence of the Christian experience, highlighting the inexhaustible grace and wisdom available to us through Jesus Christ. As believers, we receive everything from Him, including new life and continuous spiritual nourishment. The Incarnation was essential for our salvation, as it allowed Christ to use His fullness on our behalf. However, this fullness must be applied to us to be effective, as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 1:30, where Christ is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
The wisdom we receive from Christ is transformative, giving us a new mind that sees everything in a new light. This wisdom differentiates Christians from the world, which has always sought understanding but failed to find it due to its reliance on human wisdom. The world’s wisdom is limited, unable to comprehend the unseen realm that influences our lives. True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who declared God to us.
Moreover, this wisdom is crucial for self-understanding. Humanity has long struggled to know itself, often failing due to pride and self-deception. The Bible reveals that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and only God can truly search and know it. Modern attempts to understand humanity through biology, psychology, or economics fall short because they ignore the spiritual dimension. True self-knowledge comes from seeing ourselves under God’s light, as revealed in Scripture.
Ultimately, to know the truth about humanity, we must look to Jesus Christ, the perfect man. He is the second Adam, the representative man, who reveals what humanity was meant to be. Through Him, we receive not only wisdom but also righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. In Christ, we find our true identity and purpose, becoming new creations destined for glory.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Fullness of Christ: The fullness of Christ is essential for our salvation and spiritual growth. It is through His fullness that we receive grace upon grace, enabling us to live as new creations in Him. This fullness is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that transforms our lives. [01:42]
2. The New Mind in Christ: As Christians, we are given a new mind that allows us to see the world through the lens of divine wisdom. This new perspective is a gift from God, enabling us to understand spiritual truths that the world cannot grasp. It is a mind that aligns with the mind of Christ, leading us to live in accordance with His will. [03:12]
3. The Limitations of Human Wisdom: Human wisdom, while valuable, is limited in its ability to comprehend the spiritual realm. The world’s attempts to understand God and humanity through reason alone are futile. True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of divine wisdom. [04:21]
4. Self-Knowledge Through God’s Revelation: True self-knowledge comes from seeing ourselves in the light of God’s revelation. The heart is deceitful, and only God can truly search and know it. Modern attempts to understand humanity through science or psychology fall short because they ignore the spiritual dimension. [28:25]
5. Christ as the Perfect Man: To understand humanity, we must look to Jesus Christ, the perfect man. He is the second Adam, who reveals what humanity was meant to be. Through Him, we receive not only wisdom but also righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, becoming new creations destined for glory. [41:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to John 1:16
- [00:29] - The Fullness of Christ
- [01:07] - The Necessity of the Incarnation
- [01:42] - Application of Christ’s Fullness
- [02:22] - Wisdom from Christ
- [03:12] - The New Mind in Christ
- [04:21] - Limitations of Human Wisdom
- [05:45] - Knowing God and Ourselves
- [06:48] - The Human Quest for Self-Knowledge
- [09:23] - The Challenge of Self-Understanding
- [12:34] - Modern Views of Humanity
- [20:12] - The Complexity of Man
- [28:25] - True Self-Knowledge Through God
- [38:21] - Christ as the Perfect Man
- [41:29] - Conclusion: Behold the Man
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 1:16 - "Of His fullness have we all received, and grace upon grace."
2. 1 Corinthians 1:30 - "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption."
3. Jeremiah 17:9-10 - "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."
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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"? [00:09]
2. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, what four things does Paul say Christ has become for us? How do these aspects contribute to our understanding of salvation? [02:00]
3. What does Jeremiah 17:9-10 reveal about the human heart and God's role in understanding it? How does this passage challenge modern views of self-knowledge? [28:25]
4. How does the sermon describe the limitations of human wisdom in understanding the spiritual realm? [04:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "grace upon grace" in John 1:16 deepen our understanding of the Christian experience and spiritual growth? [00:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the wisdom we receive from Christ transforms our perspective on life and differentiates us from the world? [03:12]
3. How does the sermon explain the failure of human wisdom to comprehend the spiritual realm and the true nature of humanity? [04:21]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of seeing ourselves in the light of God's revelation for true self-knowledge? [28:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced "grace upon grace" in your life. How did it impact your spiritual journey, and how can you remain open to receiving more of Christ's fullness? [00:09]
2. The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of having the mind of Christ. What specific steps can you take to align your thoughts and actions with the mind of Christ this week? [03:12]
3. Consider the limitations of human wisdom as discussed in the sermon. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on divine wisdom in your daily decision-making? [04:21]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of self-knowledge through God's revelation. What practical ways can you incorporate Scripture into your life to gain a clearer understanding of yourself? [28:25]
5. How can you apply the understanding of Christ as the perfect man to your own life, especially in areas where you struggle with identity and purpose? [41:29]
6. Reflect on the modern views of humanity mentioned in the sermon. How do these views influence your perception of yourself and others, and how can you shift your perspective to align with biblical truth? [12:34]
7. The sermon discusses the deceitfulness of the heart. What steps can you take to invite God to search your heart and reveal areas that need transformation? [28:25]
Devotional
Day 1: The Overflowing Fullness of Christ
The fullness of Christ is a profound reality that encompasses all aspects of our salvation and spiritual growth. In John 1:16, we are reminded that from His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace. This means that everything we need for life and godliness is found in Him. The Incarnation was essential for this, as it allowed Christ to use His fullness on our behalf. However, this fullness must be applied to us to be effective. As Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 1:30, Christ is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. This fullness is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that transforms our lives. [01:42]
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 areas of your life do you need to experience more of Christ's fullness today? How can you actively seek His grace in those areas?
Day 2: A New Mind in Christ
As Christians, we are given a new mind that allows us to see the world through the lens of divine wisdom. This new perspective is a gift from God, enabling us to understand spiritual truths that the world cannot grasp. The wisdom we receive from Christ is transformative, giving us a new mind that sees everything in a new light. This wisdom differentiates Christians from the world, which has always sought understanding but failed to find it due to its reliance on human wisdom. It is a mind that aligns with the mind of Christ, leading us to live in accordance with His will. [03:12]
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (ESV): "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 'For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a mindset that aligns more closely with the mind of Christ in your daily decisions and interactions?
Day 3: The Limitations of Human Wisdom
Human wisdom, while valuable, is limited in its ability to comprehend the spiritual realm. The world’s attempts to understand God and humanity through reason alone are futile. True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of divine wisdom. The world’s wisdom is limited, unable to comprehend the unseen realm that influences our lives. This is why the wisdom we receive from Christ is so crucial; it allows us to see beyond the limitations of human understanding and into the spiritual truths that govern our lives. [04:21]
Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil."
Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own understanding rather than seeking God's wisdom? How can you begin to trust Him more fully today?
Day 4: Self-Knowledge Through God’s Revelation
True self-knowledge comes from seeing ourselves in the light of God’s revelation. The heart is deceitful, and only God can truly search and know it. Modern attempts to understand humanity through science or psychology fall short because they ignore the spiritual dimension. Humanity has long struggled to know itself, often failing due to pride and self-deception. The Bible reveals that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and only God can truly search and know it. True self-knowledge comes from seeing ourselves under God’s light, as revealed in Scripture. [28:25]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you might be deceiving yourself? How can you invite God to reveal the truth to you?
Day 5: Christ as the Perfect Man
To understand humanity, we must look to Jesus Christ, the perfect man. He is the second Adam, who reveals what humanity was meant to be. Through Him, we receive not only wisdom but also righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, becoming new creations destined for glory. In Christ, we find our true identity and purpose. He is the representative man, who reveals what humanity was meant to be. Through Him, we receive not only wisdom but also righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. In Christ, we find our true identity and purpose, becoming new creations destined for glory. [41:29]
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: How does understanding Christ as the perfect man change your view of your own identity and purpose? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with His example?
Quotes
"All that the Christian has he receives from him he has new life as verses 12 and 13 have told us and he goes on receiving of this fullness we've seen that were it not for this fullness and were it not that our Lord had used it and implied it on our behalf we never could have become Christians at all the Incarnation was an absolute necessity the word had to be made flesh if you and I were to be saved so he has used his fullness on our behalf in an amazing Manner." [00:47:44]
"The wisdom that enables us to say again with the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:16 we have the mind of Christ now that's the thing we are dealing with at the moment his point is this it's the great argument of the first three chapters of the first epistle to the Corinthians that the Christian has a new mind the old mind was of no value to him it can bring him nowhere but he has a new mind and it is with this new mind that he sees everything in a new light and in a new manner all things are passed away behold all things are become new." [02:42:22]
"The world has always been seeking wisdom always tried to seek understanding but it couldn't get it and it had realized itself why it couldn't and that is because there is an unseen realm that influences this and is more powerful than it so the highest point that men without God could arrive at was that he was seeking for the unknown God but couldn't find him job had already put that quite clearly by putting it in the form of a question can a man by searching find out God and the answer is no we are utterly dependent upon God's revelation of himself." [03:43:12]
"Now this is a remarkable and an astonishing thing because our ignorance concerning ourselves is quite as great in a sense as our ignorance of God and here again is something that the human race is so reluctant to admit and to confess in words it does so indirectly as I'm going to show you but it's always very reluctant to admit this in actual words now here again has been one of the great Endeavors of the human race from the very beginning man has been trying to know and to understand himself." [06:00:48]
"Man has been trying to understand himself but as I want to try to show you he has failed as completely in this realm and in this Quest as he had failed in the realm and in the Quest for God and for a knowledge of God now that great line wonderful line of Greek philosophers who had flourished into a taught before our Lord ever came into this world let's always remember this historical aspect of the truth this is not a philosophy this is something historical primary the teaching comes out of the history and let's remember the context of the history always it's always good to remember it's strengthening to Faith and it can help to Enlighten others." [07:22:44]
"How can a man know himself isn't this one of the most difficult things of all why well there's an obvious reason for this it's very difficult for us to be honest with ourselves because of the Instinct within us to defend ourselves it's very difficult to look on yourself objectively dispassionately the trouble is you see that you're everything at one and the same time you're the prosecuting Council as it were and Council for the defense you're judge your jury your everything and therefore you tend to manipulate the evidence in order to bring out a satisfactory verdict." [09:41:04]
"Now it is one of the proud bursts of this generation and age in which you and I belong that uh we now are in a better position to know ourselves than anybody's ever been before it is is one of these great illusions of the 20th century men that because of all his knowledge and his learning he is really now in a position to know himself It's Curious to observe how that kind of phrase tends to creep in even in circles where it should never appear even in Evangelical circles." [11:21:12]
"Man is as far from knowing himself today as he's ever been perhaps more so because the more proud he becomes the less he knows the truth about himself and modern man is very proud of himself this is one of the extraordinary things that with his world as it is he is so tremendously proud of himself what does he think he's discovered well let me just mention very hurriedly some of the modern views of men you this is men we told one of the most popular is what you may describe as the biological view which teaches of course essentially that man is an animal that he's nothing but an animal the highest animal the animal that has developed most of all the animal that has developed the four part of the brain more than any other." [12:23:40]
"Now then these are some of the modern attempts and efforts to explain men to himself all I've got to say about them is that clearly and patently they don't because to start with they contradict one another you see the Friedan view is a blank contradiction of the optimistic idealistic Evolution r view they contradict one another they don't fit together they can't all be true the fact is there are elements of Truth probably in most of them but not one of them is adequate to explain men and so you were left in this position there are still people who take a very optimistic and idealistic view of men they say it's all right man is developing man's much better than he's ever been in the past." [14:05:00]
"Man doesn't understand himself and it's no use telling him to try to do so he's been trying throughout the centuries and he completely fails why that's the question what is the matter what is the explanation of this appalling failure on men's part to know himself well it can be put like this that the trouble is that men is such a mass of contradictions and never perhaps has this been more evident than today on the one hand men is truly great it would be funly to deny that his achievements are amazing and astounding what man has been able to do with his mind and his reason in the matter of scientific research and Discovery is quite a understanding indeed it's been phenomenal in this Century there is there is real greatness in him and not only that he's capable of great nobility capable of most wonderful actions self-sacrifice and zor and they get great publicity." [15:20:76]
"Man will never know himself until he sees himself under God now the Bible has got some tremendous statements of this let me give you one or two of them listen to Jeremiah Jeremiah 17 verse 9 here's the profound conclusion of a thinker the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it have you arrived at that conclusion my friends that is the ultimate truth in this whole matter the heart is deceitful above all things many things are deceitful all things are in a sense but the heart is the most deceitful of all and desperately wicked who can know it a man cannot know and understand himself the answer the only answer is this in the next verse the 10th verse of Jeremiah 17 I the Lord search the heart I try the rain even to give every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings." [16:56:91]
"Behold the man yes we've already been beholding the God but look at again behold the man that's man we'll never know ourselves we'll never know men and the truth about men until we know the Lord Jesus Christ and have the mind of Christ and possess this wisdom that he alone can give of his fullness of all we receive and Grace upon Grace and it is from him that I have learned to know the truth about myself and what by his infinite grace I am now for I am what I am by the grace of God and what I shall be in the glory Everlasting." [42:49:33]
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