Why do some see Christians as weird? The answer is in the fact that we are living a mystery. The Christian life is a mystery that we ourselves need to pay more attention to knowing and sharing. In a church culture that tends to stay in the shallow end of the Biblical pool we who are “servants" and “stewards” of the mysteries of God need to give the world more answers than just Jesus can fix your problems and give you a good life. To be Christian means to be united with God though Jesus and filled with His Spirit. Living this way is a mystery to those who don’t know God.
The goal of this series is to at least clear up some of the mystery so that we may live more clearly in a culture that does not believe in God. Here are the notes for this week's sermon. You may also view the videos below.
Goo Goo Eyes Sermon #2 "The Mystery of Christ in You"
Has a lack of clear understanding caused you to stay away from using phrases such as “Christ lives in me”? Should we, or should we not learn to say it in a way that draws others in? Do we talk in such a way as Christian people,that causes even more confusion. We may need to learn more about what this phrase means and how to communicate its truth. The following are some of the things we should understand in order to help people understand what we mean when we say that Jesus lives in us.
As you look at the following notes from the sermon keep this one thought in mind. God is calling us to live clearly by the mystery of the indwelling Christ even though non-believers look at you with h GOO GOO EYES. Colossians 1:24-27 states, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."(ESV)
I. Two thoughts from Hebrew culture that are needed to interpret this passage.
A. In Hebrew thought it was believed that the identity of God oscillated
between the individual and the corporate.
Ex.#1 Paul’s words in v.24-25 (Christ/His body)
Ex.#2 God’s Servant in Isaiah 49 (starts with Israel is fulfilled in Jesus)
B. The mystery/interpretation pattern in the Old Testament.
II. Understanding the mystery of Christ in us.
A. He is among us. (the you in v.27 is plural)
B. He fills us with His Spirit. 2 Timothy 1:13-14
13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (ESV)
C. He provides hope from within. V.27
D. His life flows within all of His people. Romans 8:10-11
10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (ESV)
Viewing the sermon below will bring a full understanding to these notes. Enjoy!
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