Sermon Central
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The Measure Of Christ
Contributed by Riaan De Villiers on May 14, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: There is a fullness that we need to acquire and it is the full measure of Christ. But what does it mean and how do we achieve it?
The Measure of Christ
Ephesians 4:11 – 16
Colossians 1:26 – 27
There was a mystery that was hidden throughout the ages but is now revealed – Christ in us. But then it goes on and says that Christ in us is a hope of glory.
Christ = the glory of God – John 1:14.
Christ in us is then a glory that gives us the hope of another glory.
As we behold with an open face, as in a mirror, the glory of God we are being changed from glory to glory. We are being changed to something: the image of the Son of God – Christ.
An open face = we are not under the law anymore.
GNB: Even today, whenever they read the Law of Moses, the veil still covers their minds.
But if we repent and receive the Spirit of God, the veil is taken away and we can see the glory of God and the more we see this glory the more we are being changed from this glory to another glory.
Romans 8:19 – 22
The whole creation is in a groaning, in a pregnancy, in expectancy, waiting for something = the manifestation of the sons of God.
We must understand our purpose in life is not to go to heaven but our purpose is to have Christ formed in us.
Genesis 1:26 – 28
God created us in His image and in His likeness but man lost the image and power. That image needs to be restored and that is why Jesus came.
We also are waiting for the manifestations of God’s sons.
BBE: Who is to be kept in heaven till the time when all things are put right, of which God has given word by the mouth of his holy prophets, who have been from the earliest times.
CEV: But Jesus must stay in heaven until God makes all things new, just as his holy prophets promised long ago.
MSG: For the time being he must remain out of sight in heaven until everything is restored to order again just the way God, through the preaching of his holy prophets of old, said it would be.
Jesus will stay in heaven UNTIL the restoration of all things, which was spoken by all the prophets. The prophets said that God has made us a little lower than Himself. They said that Jesus is sitting at the right hand until our enemies are made our footstools.
Jesus is sitting and waiting – for what – for the church to take over – Thy will be done on earth as in heaven. In heaven God rules supreme. On earth, He is waiting for us to become the supreme rulers. And the only we can do it is when Christ is formed in us. That is the moment that God the Father will say: “Now is the time to go to Your bride”.
Creation is waiting for the sons of God to be made manifest – for the Christ life to come into full stature in our lives – for the time when we really can say that it is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me.
Not just grace – grace according to a certain measure = gift of Christ.
John 1:11 – 17
Out of His fullness we have received grace upon grace. The more grace = more of Hid fullness = more of the measure of Christ.
In John 3 Jesus talks with Nicodemus. Nicodemus said that no man can do the miracles except God be with him. Jesus – must be born again. Nicodemus – what are you talking about? I’m talking about miracles and You are talking about being born again.
John 3:12 – 13
Jesus on earth – but are actually in heaven operating with another measure of power.
John 3:31 – 36
ESV: For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.
GW: The man whom God has sent speaks God’s message. After all, God gives him the Spirit without limit.
Jesus was on earth but operated in heaven – why? - because He received the Spirit without measure. What Jesus is saying to Nicodemus is that the reason why He can do all He does is because He has the Spirit without measure.
Without measure = NO LIMITS.
Daarom – kan voor graf van Lasarus staan en sê kom uit; kan wind en storm beveel om stil te word; kan vir verlamde sê neem jou bed op en loop; kan vir blinde oë sê gaan oop.
NO LIMITS.
To each person grace was given according to the measure (no limits) of Christ’s gift = no measure, no boundaries, no limitations – everything that God has and is.
