The Mystery of Christ in You
Colossians 1:27, 2 Corinthians 5:17
“God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Introduction: Sometimes the most important words in scripture are some of the smallest. For instance when examining the two verses that we read this morning we see the preposition “in”. Prepositions are used before nouns to indicate that someone or something is located inside of a set of boundaries. It is interesting to note that in the former verse “in” is acting on the noun “you” and in the latter it is acting on the noun “Christ.” The Bible makes it clear that you are in Christ and Christ is in you. This is accomplished through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. In the OT the Holy Spirit is said to have come “on” individuals and then departing but in the NT He is in believers permanently. Jesus tells us about this relationship in The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the action by which God takes up permanent residence in the body of a believer in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the Spirit would come and go from the saints, empowering them for service but not necessarily remaining with them (see Judges 15:14; 1 Chronicles 12:18; Psalm 51:11; Ezekiel 11:5). Jesus revealed to His disciples the new role the Spirit of Truth would play in their lives: “He lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). The apostle Paul wrote, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
These verses are telling us that the believer in Jesus Christ has the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, living in him. When an individual accepts Christ as personal Savior, the Holy Spirit gives the believer the life of God, eternal life, which is really His very nature (Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 1:4), and the Holy Spirit comes to live within him spiritually.
Let’s start by clarifying that the apostle Paul is writing to believers in Jesus Christ—the “you” whom he addresses. He calls them “the Lord’s people” in the previous verse (Colossians 1:26). The “Gentiles” are non-Jewish people. A “mystery” in the New Testament is simply something that was hidden in times past but has now been revealed by God. The former mystery, now understood, is that Christ in us is the hope of our future glory.
SOUTH AFRICA IS THE TENTH LARGEST PRODUCER OF SUNFLOWER SEED IN THE WORLD IT IS GROWN IN THE FREE STATE WHERE I WORK Once. A Farmer TOOK ME ONE DAY AND SHOWED ME THE MOST AMAZING SIGHT I EVER SAW MOVEMENTS OF SUNFLOWERS FOLLOWING THE SUN
They literally follow the sun. Watching one sunflower follow the sun is amazing. But watching hundreds in absolute unison follow the sun is incredible. Something I found out recently, is that Sunflowers continue tracking the suns direction long after the sun is set. They ensure that they are always oriented in the direction of the sun. Their unity is totally dependant on one thing. Their relationship to the sun.
1: Sunflowers produce oil after following the sun their entire lifetime. This is an illustration of our relationship to Christ. Christ in us produces many things but for the purpose of this message I’ll share only three…
I. Christ in us produces light in a dark world
Jesus said, 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.
Robert Lewis Stevenson, as a boy, was looking out the window watching a workman come by and light the gas lights along the street. When asked what he was watching, the young boy said, “I see a man making holes in the darkness.”
A. A METAPHOR for TRUTH
Light is a very common metaphor in the Bible. Along with darkness, light is often used to contrast knowledge and ignorance. Here, it almost certainly stands for the world’s opportunity to perceive the truth about Jesus. The world is “in the dark” about God, but Christians “turn on the light.” Light allows people to see. We can’t see without light. Christians show the world how much God loves them and what Jesus has done to restore their relationship with him.
B. LIGHT ILLUMINATES the WAY
We are meant to be conspicuous to others; “A city set on a hill cannot be hid.” Other’s eyes are to be upon us. A light bulb has no other purpose, nor do we! God takes obscure men & women, dignifies them with His character and puts them on display. Lights are used to mark streets. Ever been through a town when the power was out? It’s very confusing and unnerving. Airport runways are marked with landing lights. Ports have their channels marked by channel markers. All these lights show the way to the desired destination. In the same way we Christians are to mark the way to heaven/ Jesus. If people follow our example, they should be able to find God.
C. TAKING THE MORAL LEADERSHIP
Christians must set the example. Suppose there is a group of people and someone suggests they do some bad things. Unless someone speaks up and protests, the wrong action will be acted upon. But if someone rises and says, “I will not be a party to that,” then another may rise to say, Neither will I.” Christians must take the lead and not remain silent.
Many people in this world do not have the moral strength to take a stand by themselves, but if someone shows them the way, they will follow. It’s the Christian’s duty to take a stand.
D. ANY LIGHTS STAND OUT
One of the great things about camping out in the country is that you can get away from the city lights and really see the stars. Away from the city, a full moon is bright enough to find your way around in the dark. The sky is full of light from the stars. In a world of darkness, we are those who reflect the light we have found in Jesus. But Jesus’ point is that we aren’t just to shine our lights in our own little circle of influence, but we are to shine them so that every place of darkness is either brought to the light or is exposed for what it is.
Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
II. Christ in us produces love for others
1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Several years ago, John MacArthur had the opportunity to spend several days traveling with the well-known gospel musicians, Bill and Gloria Gaither. At one point, he asked Bill what, in his estimation, were the greatest Christian lyrics ever written, aside from the inspired Psalms. Without hesitation, Gaither began quoting the words from F. M. Lehman’s “The Love of God”:
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
it shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Because of Christ in us we can love one another; we can love our neighbor, we can love our spouse and we can love our enemies!
THE LOVE OF CHRIST ALONE
When Hudson Taylor was director of the China Inland Mission, he often interviewed candidates for the mission field. On one occasion, he met with a group of applicants to determine their motivations for service. "And why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?" he asked one. He replied "I want to go because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world..."
Another said, "I want to go because millions are perishing without Christ." Others gave different answers. Then Hudson Taylor said, "All of these motives, however good, will fail you in times of testings, trials, tribulations, and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you in trial and testing; namely, the love of Christ."
LOVED, TO BE LOVE
One of the neatest gifts I've ever received was this little, hand towel. I was given this during my seminary commencement, and have cherished it ever since. The towel has a little saying on it: "Blessed to be a blessing" Isaiah 61:1. Isaiah 61:1-2 says: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives... to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn."
Days after we arrived here, I unpacked my boxes, and placed this towel on my bookshelf. I've kept it there to serve as a reminder of God's calling on my life. And, as I gazed upon this towel these last, few days, I've thought, Yes, I am blessed, and for that I need to be a blessing to others. But more than this, I am also so loved by God, and because I am loved by him, I need to love because of him. For, without the love of Christ, what does it mean to be a blessing anyway?
You know, in some ways, I think it would be equally fitting if the towel read, "Loved, to be love" (John 13:34).
CHRISTIAN: CHRIST IN ONE
What is a Christian? In the LETTER TO DIOGNETUS, which dates back to the second century A.D., an anonymous writer describes a strange people who are in the world but not of the world.
"Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs; you see, they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect. . . They live in both Greek and foreign cities, wherever chance has put them. They follow local customs in clothing, food, and other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship.
"They live in their own native lands, but as aliens. . . Every foreign country is to them as their native country, and every native land as a foreign country.
"They marry and have children just like everyone else, but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives.
"They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich.
They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. Their names are blackened and yet they are cleared. They are mocked and bless in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others.
"When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews as aliens and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility."
The word "Christian" has lost much of its meaning in our culture. It means "Christ in one."
-- Source unknown -- (10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
III. Christ in us produces a Life of Service
We are literally “saved to serve!”
Conclusion: Notice that the text declares that Christ in us is the hope of glory. This means that for the believer the best is yet to come.
ILLUSTRATION: A woman had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given three months to live. Her doctor told her to start making preparations to die. So she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what she wanted to be wearing.
The woman also told her pastor that she wanted to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. “There’s one more thing,” she said excitedly.
“What’s that?” came the pastor’s reply.
“This is very important.” The woman continued, “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.”
The pastor stood looking at the woman not knowing quite what to say.
“That shocks you, doesn’t it?” the woman asked.
“Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the pastor.
The woman explained. “In all my years of attending church socials and functions where food was involved, and let’s be honest, food is an important part of any church event, spiritual or otherwise, my favorite part was when whoever was clearing away the dishes of the main course would lean over and say ’you can keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming.”
“When they told me to keep my fork, I knew that something great was about to be given to me. It wasn’t Jell-O or pudding. It was pie - something really good. So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them, ‘Something better is coming, so keep your fork too.’”
Paul said that our citizenship is not here on earth, but in heaven above. Something better is awaiting us. John wrote that in the new heavens and new earth, Jesus will bring us with him. Praise God. Jesus is our hope of glory.
