Union with Christ: Embracing Faith and Community

 

Summary

In this engaging session of Ask Ligonier, we celebrate the fourth anniversary of the live event by welcoming back Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, a theologian, pastor, and author. The evening is filled with insightful discussions on various theological topics, reflecting the rich tradition of Ligonier Ministries in addressing biblical and theological questions. Dr. Ferguson shares his experiences over the past two years, highlighting his teaching and writing endeavors during the pandemic-induced travel restrictions.

The session kicks off with a lightning round of questions, where Dr. Ferguson succinctly addresses complex theological concepts. He begins by explaining the doctrine of the believer's union with Christ, emphasizing the transformative power of being united with Jesus, moving from the old humanity in Adam to the new humanity in Christ. This union is central to the New Testament and is foundational to understanding Christian identity.

Dr. Ferguson also delves into the meaning of being "wise as serpents and innocent as doves," as instructed by Jesus in Matthew 10. He encourages looking at Jesus as the ultimate example of wisdom and gentleness, urging believers to grow in wisdom through Scripture, particularly the book of Proverbs, and to embody the gentleness of Christ.

Addressing the struggle to trust God, Dr. Ferguson offers comfort by acknowledging that the struggle itself is a sign of faith. He advises turning to the Psalms, where many authors express similar struggles, and highlights the pattern of struggle, turning point, and transformation as a recurring theme in the Christian life.

The discussion also touches on the beatific vision, where Dr. Ferguson explains that seeing God is not about physical sight but about experiencing the fullness of God's presence, primarily through Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that the ultimate fulfillment of this vision is in the face of Christ, where believers see the glory of God.

Finally, Dr. Ferguson addresses the importance of church membership, explaining that being part of a church is not just a formal requirement but a biblical mandate. He stresses the necessity of community for spiritual growth and the mutual encouragement and accountability that come from being part of the body of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Union with Christ: Our union with Christ is a transformative reality that shifts our identity from being in Adam to being in Christ. This union is foundational to our salvation and spiritual growth, as it allows us to partake in the riches of Christ's grace and be transformed into His likeness. [02:45]

- Wisdom and Gentleness: Jesus exemplifies the perfect balance of wisdom and gentleness. By studying His life and teachings, particularly through the lens of Scripture, we can learn to navigate the complexities of life with discernment and grace, embodying the character of Christ in our interactions with others. [04:39]

- Struggling with Trust: Struggling to trust God is a common experience for believers, but it is also a sign of faith. By engaging with the Psalms and recognizing the pattern of struggle and transformation, we can find encouragement and strength to persevere in our faith journey. [06:30]

- Beatific Vision: The beatific vision is the ultimate fulfillment of seeing God, not through physical sight but through experiencing His presence in Christ. This vision is a profound mystery that draws us into deeper communion with God, as we behold His glory in the face of Jesus. [08:59]

- Importance of Church Membership: Being part of a church is essential for spiritual growth and community. It reflects our identity as members of the body of Christ and provides the support, accountability, and encouragement needed to live out our faith in a meaningful way. [42:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Introduction to Ask Ligonier
- [00:57] - Dr. Sinclair Ferguson's Recent Activities
- [01:55] - Lightning Round Introduction
- [02:25] - Union with Christ Explained
- [04:39] - Wisdom and Gentleness in Matthew 10
- [06:30] - Struggling to Trust God
- [08:59] - Understanding the Beatific Vision
- [11:31] - Endurance and Salvation in Matthew 24:13
- [12:46] - Advice for Newly Married Couples
- [17:13] - Biblical Understanding of Hell
- [23:46] - Making God-Glorifying Decisions
- [30:24] - Role of Typology in Bible Study
- [35:36] - Differences in Understanding Grace
- [39:16] - Lessons from the Upper Room
- [42:24] - Importance of Church Membership

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:12-21
2. Matthew 10:16
3. Psalm 119:9-11

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Observation Questions:

1. How does Dr. Ferguson describe the believer's union with Christ, and what biblical passage does he reference to explain this concept? ([02:45])

2. What does Dr. Ferguson suggest is the significance of being "wise as serpents and innocent as doves," and how does he relate this to Jesus' example? ([04:39])

3. According to Dr. Ferguson, what is the pattern found in the Psalms that can help believers struggling with trust in God? ([07:48])

4. How does Dr. Ferguson explain the concept of the beatific vision, and what does he say about seeing God? ([08:59])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the believer's union with Christ transform their identity, and how is this foundational to understanding Christian salvation and growth? ([02:45])

2. How can believers practically embody the wisdom and gentleness of Christ in their daily interactions, according to Dr. Ferguson's interpretation of Matthew 10? ([04:39])

3. What role do the Psalms play in helping believers navigate their struggles with trust, and how does this reflect a broader pattern in the Christian life? ([07:48])

4. How does Dr. Ferguson's explanation of the beatific vision challenge common perceptions of seeing God, and what does this mean for believers' relationship with Christ? ([08:59])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own understanding of being united with Christ. How does this union influence your daily life and decisions? What steps can you take to deepen this understanding? ([02:45])

2. Consider a situation where you need to balance wisdom and gentleness. How can you apply Jesus' example in this context, and what specific actions can you take to reflect His character? ([04:39])

3. Identify a personal struggle with trusting God. How can you use the Psalms as a resource to find encouragement and strength? What specific Psalm resonates with your current situation? ([07:48])

4. How does the concept of the beatific vision affect your view of God's presence in your life? What practices can you adopt to cultivate a deeper communion with God through Christ? ([08:59])

5. Reflect on your involvement in your church community. How does understanding the importance of church membership challenge or affirm your current level of engagement? What steps can you take to strengthen your commitment to your church family? ([42:24])

6. Think about a recent decision you made. How did your understanding of God's love and grace influence that decision? What can you do to ensure that future decisions are more aligned with God's will? ([23:46])

7. Consider a person in your life who may not understand the importance of church membership. How can you lovingly and effectively communicate the biblical basis and personal benefits of being part of a church community? ([42:24])

Devotional

Day 1: Transformative Union with Christ
Our union with Christ is a profound and transformative reality that redefines our identity. This union signifies a shift from the old humanity in Adam to the new humanity in Christ. It is foundational to our salvation and spiritual growth, allowing us to partake in the riches of Christ's grace and be transformed into His likeness. This union is not merely a theological concept but a living reality that impacts every aspect of our lives. It calls us to live in the light of our new identity, embracing the transformative power of being united with Jesus. [02:45]

Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively live out your identity in Christ today, allowing His transformative power to shape your actions and decisions?


Day 2: Wisdom and Gentleness in Christ
Jesus exemplifies the perfect balance of wisdom and gentleness, providing a model for navigating the complexities of life. By studying His life and teachings, particularly through the lens of Scripture, we can learn to embody the character of Christ in our interactions with others. This balance of wisdom and gentleness is crucial for discerning and responding to the challenges we face, allowing us to reflect Christ's love and grace in our daily lives. [04:39]

James 3:17 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a spirit of wisdom and gentleness in your interactions with others today, reflecting the character of Christ in your words and actions?


Day 3: Embracing the Struggle to Trust God
Struggling to trust God is a common experience for believers, yet it is also a sign of faith. By engaging with the Psalms, we can find encouragement and strength to persevere in our faith journey. The Psalms reveal a pattern of struggle, turning point, and transformation, offering a roadmap for navigating our own struggles. Recognizing that the struggle itself is part of our faith journey can bring comfort and hope, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. [06:30]

Psalm 13:1-2 (ESV): "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?"

Reflection: What specific struggle are you facing in trusting God today, and how can you use the Psalms as a source of encouragement and guidance in this area?


Day 4: Experiencing the Beatific Vision
The beatific vision is the ultimate fulfillment of seeing God, not through physical sight but through experiencing His presence in Christ. This vision is a profound mystery that draws us into deeper communion with God, as we behold His glory in the face of Jesus. It invites us to seek a deeper relationship with God, experiencing the fullness of His presence and glory in our lives. This vision is not just a future hope but a present reality that transforms our understanding of God and our relationship with Him. [08:59]

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: How can you intentionally seek to experience the presence and glory of God in your life today, allowing it to transform your relationship with Him?


Day 5: The Necessity of Church Membership
Being part of a church is essential for spiritual growth and community. It reflects our identity as members of the body of Christ and provides the support, accountability, and encouragement needed to live out our faith in a meaningful way. Church membership is not just a formal requirement but a biblical mandate that emphasizes the importance of community for spiritual growth. It calls us to actively participate in the life of the church, contributing to the mutual encouragement and accountability that comes from being part of the body of Christ. [42:24]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage with your church community today, contributing to the mutual encouragement and accountability that is essential for spiritual growth?

Quotes


FERGUSON: Well, yes, I think I can do that fairly quickly that when the Bible speaks about our creation, the Bible teaches us that in creation we were actually united to Adam. He was the head of the whole human race. He was our representative before God. He was like our priest before God and our king before God as well as our prophet before God. And in him when he fell, we all fell. This is what Paul teaches in Romans 5:12 to 21. [00:02:40]

FERGUSON: And when Christ comes, Christ comes to unite us to Himself, first of all, by taking our flesh, so we can speak about an incarnational union. He bonds Himself to us by taking our humanity. And then He does everything that is needed for our salvation, sends His Holy Spirit and then bonds us to Himself by the Holy Spirit, so that we begin to taste and enjoy everything that He has done for us. [00:03:12]

FERGUSON: So, how was Jesus wise on the one hand and how on the other hand did He have this gentleness in Him? And when we look at Jesus, I think we begin to understand that as Luke says at the end of chapter 2 from His early days because of His reflection on Scripture, He grew in wisdom. I sometimes say, especially for those of us who don't have a lot of wisdom that the Bible has a book that gives you wisdom before you've had time to get it, namely, the book of Proverbs that tells you how do you take the principles of God's Word and apply them in a world like this. [00:04:55]

FERGUSON: Well, first of all, to be encouraged that you are struggling to trust Him. I think sometimes when we are struggling, we feel that we are all unbelief, but if we were all unbelief we wouldn't be struggling. So, that is the first thing, not to be wholly discouraged by the fact that you are struggling. The second thing I think is to recognize that there have been plenty of people in the history of the Christian church that God has blessed and used who have also been strugglers. [00:06:30]

FERGUSON: Well, the beatific vision is the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that we will see God. So, that's the essence of it. But then we have to ask, "What does Jesus mean by seeing God? And on the one hand, we've got to say, that is not a matter of physical sight, for the simple reason that God is invisible. He is the invisible God. I find many Christians tend to think when we die we will see God because He'll become visible, but he ain't going to change because we die. [00:08:59]

FERGUSON: John Calvin has a beautiful way of speaking about creation as the invisible God putting on the clothes He wears to go outside so that we can see what He is like. And, I think, that is part of what it means for us to see God. We see Him in this world. We will see Him more fully in the world to come, but chiefly the way in which we are to think about that is He has made Himself visible in the most perfect way capable that human beings are capable of apprehending. And that is in Jesus Christ. [00:09:47]

FERGUSON: Yes, membership to us is a kind of official thing, but if you take the word, it means "being a member," and that is a deeply biblical thing. If we trust in Jesus Christ, we are members of the body of Christ. And therefore, different churches regard membership in different ways and bring people into membership in different ways. The officialese is far less important than the notion, "I really belong here and I am absolutely committed here," because to turn away from that, to reject it or to deny it is really to repudiate what Christ has brought you into. [00:42:05]

FERGUSON: He has brought you into His body. So, it is of supreme importance, first of all, because it's what the Scriptures teach, but, secondly, it's because of what we need. The idea that an individual is sufficient unto himself or herself to live the Christian life actually from a biblical point of view is an extraordinary form of arrogance. When we think of the New Testament's teaching of the extent to which we need one another, when we think of the fact that every gift the Lord has given to people, He has not given to them chiefly for themselves. [00:42:53]

FERGUSON: So, I think, you find there are so many different lines of teaching in Scripture coalesce into the church. "Christ loved the church," says Paul, "and gave Himself for the church." And for me not to love the church that He loved and gave Himself for is in a sense not to love the Lord Jesus Himself or certainly not to love what He loves. [00:45:02]

FERGUSON: And, you know, when I look back on my own Christian life, you know, I am, I think, what I have been helped to be by the church, my family is. You know, I sometimes have said to parents, "You know, God never gave to parents all the gifts that are needed to raise one child for Christ." That's what the whole church is for. It takes a village, it takes a congregation. And when we realize that, then we begin to see the extraordinary blessings that are released, not just into our individual lives, but into our family lives, and if we're parents, into our children's lives in the most wonderful way. [00:46:31]

FERGUSON: So, you might think about it this way. The father who removed all challenges from his children, or to put it in another way, the father who had a fabulous amount of money, who said, "This is your inheritance. I'm going to give it to you now" would not be a wise father. He wants to see his children grow into that, and that's what the heavenly Father wants to do. You know, I think sometimes He takes away some of our friends much earlier than we would want and we sometimes wonder why this is and perhaps it is because He simply wants them in heaven, perhaps it is because He has some mysterious purpose in this, but characteristically, He wants to see us growing from being infants to being spiritual adults, and we can't do that without learning how we overcome these enemies and ultimately, the final enemy. [00:49:02]

FERGUSON: We have to think about it this way, Nathan. If there were no challenge of facing death and releasing everything we have and are, what we love, the people we love into His hands for His care, we'd just immediately be taken to heaven, there are many things about learning to trust Him that we would never discover. So, you see, flashes of illumination, both in Scripture and in our experience, why He has sovereignly patterned the Christian life this way. [00:50:00]

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Transcript
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