Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Mystery Of The Indwelling Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 2-27-2013
 
Colossians 1:24-29
 
Introduction:
A. Paul, in these verses addresses the reality and mystery of the body of Christ and the indwelling Christ. At the moment of salvation, the believer is placed into the body of Christ through the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (Notice the word “Spirit” which is a direct reference to the Holy Spirit. All are baptized by ONE Spirit into one body. This is not a “second blessing” or a separate work of the Spirit of God. Baptized simply means to be immersed or place completely into something. This “body” cannot be a local church because I was not baptized into the local church by the Holy Ghost. I was baptized by my pastor.)
Romans 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Once again, notice that this particular “baptism” is the placement into Jesus Christ, not the local church.)
Galatians 3:26-28 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Notice here the baptism “into Christ.” Once again, this is not the local church as the Bible is clear that, in the body of Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female. In our local church, we have Jew and Greek, male and female, I am not sure about the bond of free because of our society but you get the point. The local church makes a distinct difference between male and female and their roles. Here, the distinction is done away with as we are all children of God by faith.)
B. One day soon, the Lord Himself will come for His church and, as the song writer so beautifully described it, “I’ll fly away, O glory!” When He comes, the next service time, most churches—unfortunately—will be “well attended.” But, until the second coming of Christ, I am so glad that He has given to me His Spirit! We hear much about receiving the Holy Ghost after salvation but the Bible is also clear on this subject.
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. (If a man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is not saved according to this verse. The moment I came to Christ, I was immediately and miraculously changed. I was not a perfect man but my desires changed.)
C. The spirit of Christ is found in the fullness of the Holy Ghost which indwells every believer. What the indwelling Christ brings.
1. He brings equality. Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
2. He brings spiritual growth. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
3. He brings comfort. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
4. He brings love. Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
5. He brings guidance. 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. He brings relationship. Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7. He Brings hope. 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:

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