KNOWING CHRIST BY KNOWING THAT HE INDWELLS EACH OF HIS PEOPLE

 A Sermon By Wayne Camp

SCRIPTURE: Col. 1:21-27

TEXT: Col. 1:27

INTRO: The riches of the glory of the mystery of the gospel and all that is involved therein is Christ in you. What a wonderful and marvelous mystery. I said last Sunday that I do not understand how we can be in him and he in us. As all illustrations of such a grand mystery, any that I might use would fall far short of being a perfect illustration. However, someone gave me one after the message last Sunday.

Someone asked their pastor to explain this rich mystery and he illustrated it by sticking a poker in the fire and letting it become glowing red with heat. He noted that the poker was in the fire and the fire was in the poker. For lack of a better illustration, I think that at least gives some inference to this great mystery.

I want to approach this in somewhat the same manner as I did the message last Sunday on our being in Christ. In that message we established that this intimate relation is real. Then, we considered the sense in which this intimate relationship of being in Christ is true. And finally, we will weigh the importance of this intimate relationship with Christ.

In this message we will first establish that this intimate relation of Christ being in us is real. Then we will consider the sense in which this intimate relationship of Christ being in us is true. Then we will substantiate the importance of this intimate relationship of having Christ in us.

I. ESTABLISH THAT THIS INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP OF CHRIST IN US IS REAL

A. In his great message in the sixth chapter of John Jesus first mentioned this intimate relationship. John 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

B. As he prepared his disciples for his coming death, he assured them of his presence in them in the person of the Spirit. John 14:17-20 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

C. Jesus taught that his relationship was illustrated in the relationship of a vine and its branches. John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

D. In his great mediatorial prayer Jesus again mentioned this vital relationship of his being in us. John 17:22-23 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

E. Paul referred to this vital relationship in his letter to the Romans. Romans 8:9-11 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

F. Paul mentioned it in both of his epistles to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

G. In is epistle to the Galatians Paul mentioned this relationship which he himself enjoyed. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

H. This relationship is again established in our text. Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

II. CONSIDER THE SENSE IN WHICH THIS INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP OF CHRIST BEING IN US IS TRUE

A. Christ dwells in us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9-11 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

B. It is Christ himself who is in us, this does not refer to something he has given us.

1. He has given us joy, assurance, wisdom, salvation, righteousness, and redemption.

2. He has not merely given us these things, he is these things to us and we must have him in us if these various blessings are ours. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

C. It is Christ alone who dwells in us.

1. It is not Christ plus a proper philosophy of life which is the secret of what we have.

2. It is not Christ plus good intentions; it is Christ alone in us.

3. It is not Christ plus human perfect; it is Christ in us.

D. By Christ in us is meant Christ received by God-given faith. Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.

E. By Christ in us is meant Christ possessed in an irrevocable manner, Christ eaten.

1. We truly possess Christ when we so receive him as to have eaten him. John 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

2. I belong to him and he belongs to me. Song of Solomon 6:3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine. Song of Solomon 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his.

3. There is nothing we possess as fully as when we eat it and it is in us; and by faith we have partaken of Christ so as to eat him and he is in us.

F. Christ in us means Christ experienced in all his power. Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

1. We may have in our hands a medicine that is so powerful that it could cure all our ills but until it is in us it will effect no change.

2. Christ in us filling our hearts with a love for holiness, bathing our hearts in comfort, filling our hearts with assurance and hope, and igniting our hearts with heavenly aspirations.

G. Christ in us is Christ reigning in our hearts.

1. We have truly believed on him as Lord, Saviour and Christ. Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

2. We have truly confessed him as Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

H. Christ in us is Christ filling us with his fulness. John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

I. Christ in us so transfigures us that it is no more we who live but Christ living in us. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

1. We will love as Jesus loved.

2. We will give as Jesus gave.

3. We will be willing to suffer with the attitude in which Jesus suffered. Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

4. There will be a continuous conforming to the image of Christ who is in us. Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.

5. Our lives will be such that it will be evident that Christ is living in us. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

6. Since he is in us we should certainly put him on. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

III. SUBSTANTIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP OF CHRIST IN US

A. If we do not have Christ in us we are none of his. Romans 8:9-11 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

B. If Christ is not in us we do not have eternal life. 1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

C. If Christ is not in us we have no hope of the resurrection of the saved. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

D. If Christ is not in us there is nothing we can do that will be of any spiritual worth. John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

E. Christ in us is the only way we can live a victorious life. 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

F. Christ in us is not merely our hope of glory; he in us is our only hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

CONC: I am not sure which is more a marvel of grace, I in Christ or Christ in me. What a wonderful assuring relationship. He is in me. He is in you if you are saved. And, he has promised, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. How can I ever suffer defeat while Christ is in me. And, once in me, he will never leave me. How could I ever fail to persevere with Christ in me? How could I ever be lost with Christ in me? How could I ever go to hell with Christ in me? He suffered its equivalent and I was in him then; he will never suffer it again and he is in me so I could never suffer hell? How could one ever miss glory with Christ in us? Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

What a wonderful and intimate relationship, Christ in us. Is Christ in you? If not, can you by faith receive him? Can you by faith come to him? Can you by faith believe on him with all your heart? If you can, you can say, Christ in me is my hope of glory.

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Thursday, May 15, 2003