READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | Spiritual disciplines help us experience the reign of Christ in our lives through the Holy Spirit who:
- convinces us of God’s pardon for us;
- helps guide us to repentance and reliance on God; and
- helps us experience entire sanctification.
Christ living in us
According to John Wesley, three things happen when Christ lives in us.
- We experience God’s prevenient grace, i.e. God’s grace offered to us when we were still unbelievers (Romans 5:8).
- We receive God’s justifying grace, i.e. the forgiveness of our sins and acceptance by God.
- We also receive God’s sanctifying grace, where we are renewed by the power of God to walk in love and holiness with Christ.
So spiritual growth is not automatic for believers over time. We constantly need God’s grace to flee the power and temptation of sin (Romans 6:6). It is when we We are called to entire sanctification that where Christ’s love (and not sin) reigns in us. This happens when Jesus is not merely a resident in our hearts, but the president ruling our hearts.
Two means of grace
There are two channels of grace which God has chosen to convey to us His prevenient, justifying and sanctifying grace:
- Works of piety / spiritual disciplines, e.g., fasting, daily Bible reading, tithing, worship and prayer.
- Works of mercy which express our love and care for the world e.g., ministering to people and good deeds.
Works of piety / spiritual disciplines
How do spiritual disciplines help us to experience the reign of Christ in us? First, it’s through spiritual disciplines like reading God’s word and worship that the Holy Spirit convinces us of God’s pardon in our lives (Romans 8:16) which in turn leads us to experience God’s peace. Second, spiritual disciplines guide our hearts to repent and rely on God. For example, Prayer and fasting help us see sin in our lives and carve out space for us to repent and love God single-mindedly. Finally, spiritual disciplines help us to experience the power of the Holy Spirit for entire sanctification. However, it is not something which happens by chance. We must set aside time to plan, prioritize and persevere as there are many other competing distractions in our lives.
Our prayer
Dear heavenly Father, may you reign in our lives today. Purify the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love you and magnify your Holy name.
(Sermon Notes by Desley Khew)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Read Galatians 2:20. What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ”?
2. What happens when Christ “lives” in the disciple (Gal 2:20)? What changes should we expect? What will not change?
3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being completely), how is Christ living and reigning in your life today? Elaborate on the choice of your score.
4. What personal changes would you consider making to letting Christ live and reign through you become a greater reality?
5. Share about how a particular spiritual discipline has helped you grow as a disciple?
6. What is one spiritual discipline which you will commit to doing this year?
