Chico Alliance Church
“Debt Free”
III. Paul explains his personal ministry 1:24-2:5
A. The heart of the minister
B. The heart of the ministry
1. Christ indwells us
Paul clearly affirms that the basis of our citizenship in the kingdom of God’s beloved son is the presence of the indwelling Christ. It is the presence of Christ that differentiates us from all other religions. Other systems may have a system of thinking and behaving. Other systems may result in an indwelling presence.
Only Christianity offers revelation from the one true God rather than the thoughts of men.
Only Christianity offers the presence of the resurrected Christ.
Only Christianity offers a supernatural transformation at the very core of our being.
All other religions can only deal with the soul and the body. If anyone is in Christ (and Christ in him) he is a new creation. Only Christianity offers hope of restored glory.
6For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; 8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Cor. 4:6-11
2. Christ unites us
In Christ we are restored to community with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as well as with each other.
INTRODUCTION
Paul shifts from the core message of the Gospel that motivated his ministry to offering proper thinking regarding our daily walk and growth in Christ. If you fail to grasp the things taught here, you will continually struggle in you relationship with Christ. Paul seeks to encourage the hearts of these believers by reinforcing the core truths about our relationship with Christ and our daily walk. Proper thinking leads to powerful living. If we try to live the Christian life without a proper foundation, we will be sure to collapse somewhere along the way.
IV. Paul encourages proper thinking 2:6-3:4
A. The principle of the Christian’s daily walk vs 6-7
“as you received Christ Jesus, so walk in Him”
How did we receive Christ Jesus? Paul in Galatians 3 clarifies the means of our indwelling and applies it to our daily walk.
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
The answer is an obvious one. We receive Christ by putting our trust in the word of God that He would honor the work of His Son that accomplished for us what we could not do – keep the law perfectly. Rom 8 declares, “what the law could not do because of the weakness of the flesh was accomplished by Christ for us on the basis of faith.” So we receive Christ and experience the indwelling Spirit of Christ by trusting His promise to do in us and for us what we could not do. We receive sonship by reason of being in Christ and Him in us. Paul maintains here that the way to walk or live the Christian life is exactly the same process by which we initially received Christ.
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4Did you suffer so many things in vain-- if indeed it was in vain? 5Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 6Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS SHALL BE BLESSED IN YOU." 9So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Galatians 3:1-9
The same way you received him (by trusting his promises) so walk or live in Him. Live your life in a continual faith and love relationship with Christ. He indwells you.
He manifests His glory to and through you. He unites you with others who were called for the same purpose. Our daily walk is based on a work already done for us and continues in us by the indwelling Christ. Our daily walk of faith in Christ rests firmly in the past and present work of Christ.
1. Christ firmly rooted us in Him.
“having been firmly rooted in Him” perfect passive verb
This is a perfect passive. Christ caused us to be grounded and established in Him and we are still grounded.
to cause to strike root, to strengthen with roots, to render firm, to fix, establish, cause a person or a thing to be thoroughly grounded
Our previous grounding at a point in time is the basis for our present and future walk. We did not ground ourselves. Christ called us and firmly rooted us into relationship with Him. Christ lovingly and purposefully grafted into His vine so that we may bear His fruit energized by his life.
2. Christ continually builds us up in Him.
“now being built up in Him” (present passive participle)
to build upon, build up, to finish the structure of which the foundation has already been laid, to give constant increase in Christian knowledge and in a life conformed thereto.
The verb tense changes from perfect to present tense. The voice is the same, another passive verb. Christ is the one doing the action to us.
He is building on a foundation already laid. What makes Christianity “good news” rests in the fact that it is a work already done for us and in us. Why did God do this? Because it was impossible for fallen man to do anything that would restore relationship with a holy God. Christ was and is the only mediator between God and man. He not only rescued us from the kingdom of darkness. He transferred us into His kingdom. He paid the redemption price. He forgave all our offenses. He reconciled us to the Father.
He presented us before the Father holy, blameless and without reproach. He indwells us giving us hope of restored glory. He restores community with God and people by knitting us together. He produces his life in us on a daily basis by reason of His work of grace. He laid the foundation. He is building upon that foundation.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Ephes. 2:19-22
3. Christ continually builds our faith in Him.
“now being established in your faith” (present passive participle)
“to make firm, establish, confirm, make sure”
This is another passive verb. These are all the things the indwelling Christ accomplishes for us and in us. These are all the foundation on which we walk our daily walk.
This is his work as the author and perfector of faith. Christ is the one who stirred faith.
Christ is the one who strengthens faith. Christ is the one who prays that our faith will not fail even though tested. Christ is the one who will perfect our faith.
We may walk in Him just as we received Him because…
The indwelling Christ firmly rooted us in Himself and we are still rooted.
The indwelling Christ continues to build on the foundation He established.
The indwelling Christ continues to establish us in the faith.
Continued establishment in the faith comes through continued instruction in the faith for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
6For I am confidant(perf prt) of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philip. 1:6
“Perfect” -- to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete, to take upon one’s self, to make an end for one’s self, to appoint to, impose upon
Paul had great confidence in the work of Christ in others and for himself.
For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day 2 Tim 1:12
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out (present) your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will (present) and to work (present) for His good pleasure. Philip. 2:12-13
These astounding truths prompt an overflowing fountain of thanksgiving to God who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saint in light. As we truly come to understand the glorious gravity of the eternal indwelling Christ and His past, present and future work in our life we are inspired to jump for joy and shout songs of thanksgiving. Having encouraged proper thinking regarding the foundational principle of our daily walk as a walk of faith, Paul encourages proper thinking regarding the basis of our forgiveness.
B. The basis of the Christian’s daily walk (life) 2:8-15
He starts with a warning about diversion from truth.
“see to it” “beware” to see with the mind’s eye, to have (the power of) understanding, to discern mentally, observe, perceive, discover, understand, to turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing, to consider, contemplate, to look at, to weigh carefully, examine
This is a present tense command indicating a continual state of awareness of a particular truth. “Don’t let anyone take you captive through wrong thinking.”
To carry of as booty, to lead astray.
The intended picture is a warfare picture. The conquering army carries off as booty what they consider valuable to their cause. It may be people or it may be things. Satan wages a battle for the mind. He captivates people through deception and wrong thinking. Since we are continually transformed by the renewing of our mind with truth, the enemy continually seeks to prevent that renewing with the truth of God. He is the father of lies. When we are caught up in his lies, we are like a captive. A captive to lies. Lies hold in bondage. Truth sets us free. Truth is both defensive and offensive in our battle with the enemy. Truth comes from abiding in Christ and His words abide in us, then we can live as His disciples and we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. Paul warns against any one who come with philosophy and empty deception based on
1. traditions of men
2. elementary principles of the world (elemental spirits)
Paul warns against a system of thinking and intellectual pursuit that does not find its foundation in Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He alludes to these kinds of things later. Rules, rituals, religious activity. Faith based on these is useless and empty. He affirms Christ as central and His victory over all things. This empty deception comes as a result of fallen man’s attempt to explain life and live life apart from restored relationship with God. The deception also comes from doctrines (teaching) of demons. We are encouraged to be armed with the belt of truth and take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Paul outlined the battle of the mind to the Corinthian church.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Cor. 10:3-5
Paul warns to not become booty for the enemy by ignorance of the truth. The only sure foundation and basis for life in this world and the next is Christ! Following this warning about proper thinking Paul touches on just a few absolutely essential truths that must be firmly fixed in the Christian’s thinking. To deviate from these truths is to live in captivity.
Living in captivity does not change the reality of one’s citizenship.
In fact one’s citizenship becomes even more important and precious while in captivity.
It does however severely restrict the quality and effectiveness of one’s life. Paul affirms the reason why we must not base our actions and thinking on things taught by demons and things taught and practiced by men is because Christ the only foundation.
FOR (on account of, because)
Following is a whole series of powerful proclamations alternating between truth regarding Christ and truth regarding us.
1. All the fullness of deity dwells in Christ in bodily form
There was a problem in their culture. There was a movement to focus on angels and get all excited about dreams and visions and visitations of angels. There was a drift to pay attention to traditions and teaching of men and hold these things to be more relevant and applicable. Paul affirms that there is no need for any other. The indwelling Christ is as all that is needed. Christ represents the very essence of the invisible God in a form with which we could identify. In fact the test of genuine servant of Christ and messengers of Christ revolves abound this issue of Christ coming to earth as a man. Satan would divert attention from the centrality of Christ. Satan would get us to dilute His deity. In Christ all the fullness of deity dwells (present tense) and since the incarnation it lives in bodily form.
2. You have been made complete in Christ
The verb tense here is significant. It is a perfect passive plural verb. Paul applies this truth to the whole body of believers. Paul assures them that this is a work already accomplished for them by reason of their union with Christ. This completion took place already in the past and continues to this very day.
The word complete is the same word he has been using all along.
It is the word for “full, complete,
to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full
to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally -- I abound, I am liberally supplied
to render full, i.e. to complete
to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim
to consummate: a number
to make complete in every particular, to render perfect
to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking)
to carry into effect, bring to realization, realize of matters of duty: to perform, execute
of sayings, promises, prophecies, to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish
to fulfil, i.e. to cause God’s will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God’s promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfillment
It comes from the same word used to declare that all the fullness of Deity dwells in Christ. Since Christ dwell in us, we are also filled, complete, with that same fullness.
? In Christ dwells all the fullness of Deity.
? Christ dwells in you and you are in Him.
? You are complete in Him.
There is no other. He is all that is needed. Paul reaffirms the theme of his letter.
Christ is supreme over all creation. Christ is sufficient for all creation.
Oh how the enemy wants to capture our thinking and render us ineffective. Somehow we need more. What we have is not enough. Work harder, live better, and stretch further. Pray more, seek more, read more, learn more, confess more, and repent more. Go to this conference, attend this seminar, go to this revival. These, say the Scripture, are man’s attempt to become acceptable before God. This is empty deception. It is a return to a works based religion.
We have the indwelling Christ already indwelling. Trust Him. Talk to Him. Obey Him. Rest in Him. We are already complete in him. Point time action.
3. Christ is the head over ALL rule and authority
Why listen to others? Why pay attention to philosophers and men and traditions? Christ is the head over all rule and authority! He is the one to whom we are responsible. He is all-powerful and has all things in His control.
4. You were also circumcised in Christ
This is also a passive verb, point in time action. Christ performed the circumcision. What in the world is he talking about? Circumcision was a ceremonial rite performed on the Covenant people of God. The actual procedure involved a cutting away of unnecessary flesh from the male organ. God instituted this rite to demonstrate that the Israelites were His covenant people. It was a sign of their commitment and identification with God. All of the ceremonial rites and practices find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. In this case, it is Christ who performs the circumcision in a spiritual sense. It is a circumcision made without hands. Christ removes something at salvation by reason of our identification with His death and resurrection. Not only did Christ remove something out of our life but also He made us alive. We were dead because of our own transgressions and because we were born uncircumcised. We were made alive by reason of our forgiveness. having been buried with Him
5. You were raised up with Christ
This resurrected life came by reason of our faith in the work of Christ.
6. Christ made you alive together with Him
Having forgiven us ALL our transgressions
Not just some or the ones we confess, but all of our transgressions were forgiven.
Having canceled the certificate of debt
He cancelled the certificate of debt outlining our offenses. This certificate proved hostile to us, it passed judgment on our deeds. It became the basis of our sentencing. The wages of sin is death. The soul that sins shall die.
This certificate is a listing of all the laws of God and a record of our conformity to them. Laws related to how we should be living. Laws related to how we should not be living. Laws concerning our actions, our attitudes, our words, our thoughts. Beside each law is a check mark. Along with each law is a corresponding penalty and curse for failing to conform. We were in deep trouble. None righteous, no not one.
Sin in one point you sin in all. The soul that sins shall die. There is no mercy in law.
Two vital truths are emphasized here. He cancelled the debt. It was marked paid. The penalty was paid. That is wonderful but the record of failure still remains.
7. Christ took the certificate of debt out of the way
All the verbs previous have been point time action verbs. This verb translated “took away” is a perfect tense verb.
to take upon one’s self and carry what has been raised up, to bear
to bear away what has been raised, carry off
to move from its place
to take off or away what is attached to anything
to remove
to carry off, carry away with one
to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force
to take and apply to any use
to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence
We are alive because Christ forgave our transgressions and cancelled that certificate of debt. It has not only been cancelled but the record of the offenses has been lifted from us and it remains lifted (perfect tense) having nailed (at a point in time) it to his cross and attributed our sins to Him.
Isaiah 53 2 Cor 5:21
Keeping the law is no longer the issue. Holding on to the head now becomes the issue. Building relationship is the issue. The perfect life and death of the eternal Christ was sufficient to pay for all of the sins of the entire world for all time. He was the once-for-all sacrifice. Our record of offenses was nailed to His cross and attributed to Him. Every murder, every rape, every lie, every abusive act, every act of immorality, every arrogant word and deed, every despicable act along with its shame an guilt was laid on Jesus and attributed to Him for which he bore the penalty.
Application
Don’t let anyone take you captive through man’s feeble attempt to restore glory.
The only hope of glory is the resurrected Christ living in you and praying for you. We all have a hall of shame. It is time we stop revisiting those records of shame, that certificate of debt. We must understand that what Christ did, extended beyond canceling the debt. He took the certificate clean away never to be traced to us again. The issue is not law keeping The issue is relationship building. By reason of this wonderful work of Christ we have identification and communion with Him. The path to communion and fellowship with Christ is by way of the cross where the record of our sin was nailed.
When the enemy comes to accuse, remember the truths of Romans 8:28-39
Truths about God (HE) Truths about US (WE)
HE is fully God in bodily form
HE made us complete in Him WE have been made complete in Christ
HE is the head of all rule and authority
HE circumcised us WE were circumcised by Christ
He buried us with Christ WE were buried with Christ
He raised us up with Christ WE were raised up with Christ
HE made us alive together with Christ WE were made alive together with Christ
HE forgave us all our transgressions WE had all our transgressions forgiven
He cancelled our certificate of debt WE had our certificate of debt cancelled
HE took the certificate out of the way WE had the certificate taken out of the way
HE publicly exposed the rulers and powers
HE disarmed the rulers and powers
He triumphed over the rulers and powers
Truths about God (HE) Lies of the enemy
HE is fully God in bodily form Christ is not fully God.
HE made us complete in Him WE are not complete, we are flawed
HE is the head of all rule and authority He is not all that powerful, man is supreme
HE circumcised us WE have not changed, we are of the flesh
Having buried us with Christ The old man is not dead
Having raised us up with Christ Life is from self effort and religious activity
HE made us alive together with Christ Life is up to us
Having forgiven us all our transgressions God is still angry
Having cancelled our certificate of debt We must pay the price there is still debt
HE took the certificate out of the way We must continually carry the debt
HE publicly exposed the rulers and powers Satan is not that active, man is to blame
Having disarmed rulers and powers Satan is stronger than we are, be afraid
Having triumphed over rulers and powers There is no real victorious life here and now
