25 Jan Union with Christ
Last Sunday, Pastor Jason preached the sermon “Hope to Endure” from John 17:6-19. Through Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, we learned that we may find hope to endure this life by remembering we are saved by Jesus’ grace, kept by Jesus’ power, blessed with Jesus’ joy, and sanctified in the truth.
Read: John 17:20-26
This Sunday, Pastor Jason will finish the series Christ Intercedes with a sermon from John 17:20-26. We will consider the truth that our Christian unity flows from our union with Christ. As you prepare your heart for our corporate gathering, let this devotional from Spurgeon remind you of the priceless treasure of your union with Christ and move you to further intimacy with your Savior.
Reflect: “Union with Christ”
I IN THEM. — JOHN 17:23
If this is the union between our souls and the person of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow channel through which a threadlike stream may wind its way; it is a river of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods. Consider how He has set before us an open door; let us not be slow to enter.
This city of communion has many pearly gates, every gate is made of one pearl, and each gate is thrown open wide so that we may enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through which to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a word of fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed in having so large an entrance!
If the Lord Jesus were far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we would long to send a messenger to Him to carry Him our love and bring us tidings from His Father’s house; but consider His kindness—He has built His house next-door to ours. More than that, He lives with us and makes His home in our poor humble hearts, so He may have continual fellowship with us.
O how foolish must we be if we do not live in constant communion with Him. When the road is long and dangerous and difficult, it is no surprise that friends seldom meet each other; but when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? A wife may, when her husband is on a journey, spend many days without conversing with him, but she could never endure to be separated from him if she knew him to be in one of the rooms of her own house.
Why, believer, do you not sit at His banquet of wine? Seek your Lord, for He is near; embrace Him, for He is your Brother. Hold Him fast, for He is your Husband; and press Him to your heart, for He is your kith and kin.
“July 31st – Morning Reading,” in Morning and Evening, by C. H. Spurgeon
Sing: Song List for Sunday
1. “Oh How Good It Is,” by Keith & Kristyn Getty
2. “Hallelujah, What a Savior,” by Breakaway Ministries
3. “Great I Am,” by New Life Worship
4. “Reign in Us,” Arr. Shane & Shane